Coyote Medicine, The Trickster who tricks them self.

Coyote Medicine is symbolic of the magic in life and creation. It’s sometimes hard to grasp the wisdom of Coyote Medicine without experiencing some unsettling or disruptive feelings. There’s often wisdom in making fun of serious matters and letting go of certainties. This animal totem provides its teaching with a good sense of humor. Even if Coyote Medicine is often presented in many stories as a trickster and a spirit animal bringing complication to whoever crosses his path, it is a good reminder to keep things simple and open up to possibilities where surprises await you. Pay attention, you may find a piece of wisdom in the most unexpected places. The wisdom delivered by Coyote Medicine is rarely direct. The way of the coyote is to teach through ways that do not appear straightforward. Call on the spirit of coyote to support you in refreshing your perspective and lighten the weight of circumstances.

Coyote Medicine is often seen as the Spirit Keeper of the South because of his ties to Fire. The Trickster portion of Coyote Medicine comes because he is always being burned by his own REASON, the wisdom comes in as his ability to bring it to humanity. Coyote Medicine is tied to solar energy as well, for Coyote is said to have pushed back the Sun when it was scorching people from being too close to Earth.

The one whom with Coyote Medicine journeys will be an individual that feels they are here for a specific purpose or “mission.” However, the irony is that despite this strong sense that there is a mission to be accomplished on this Earth-walk, the Coyote Medicine Spirit will spend many years in attempting to discern what that special purpose is. At times glimmers of their “destiny” will appear clearly before their questing eyes only to suddenly disappear as ensuing doubts and issues of self-worth clouds their vision.

Coyote Medicine people have many magical powers, but they do not always work in their favor. Their own trickery fools them. Coyote is the master trickster who tricks himself. No one is more astonished than Coyote at the outcome of his own tricks. He falls into his own trap. And yet he somehow manages to survive. He may be banged and bruised by the experience, soon he goes on his way to even greater error, forgetting to learn from his past mistakes. He may have lost the battle, but he is never beaten.

Coyote Medicine is sacred Medicine. In the folly of Coyote’s acts we see our own foolishness. As Coyote moves from one disaster to the next, he refines the art of self-sabotage to sheer perfection. Coyote takes himself so seriously at times that he cannot see the obvious. No one can blindly trick themselves or others with more grace and ease than this holy trickster. For example, Coyote is standing in front of a steamroller that is about to run over him. When it hits him, he still cannot believe it. “Was that really a steamroller? I better go look,” he says. And he is run over once more.

Contained within the trickster Coyote Medicine is the humor of the ages. The cosmic joke is not just on ourselves but on everyone else, if they are following Coyote or have strong Coyote Medicine. Someone like this may be able to convince others that a skunk smells like roses, but the fact remains that it is still a skunk. Coyote Medicine teaches the balance of wisdom and folly, and how they both go hand in hand.

If Coyote Medicine enters our life, it is asking us to look at something we may have been avoiding. They are mirrors for the lessons we must learn so we are able to walk a good sacred road. The mirror will be held up incessantly until we finally get the picture. Reflect these attributes in Coyote Medicine.

Coyote Medicine Attributes

Skill
Instinct
Ingenuity
Enthusiasm
Resourcefulness
Transformation
Inventiveness
Intelligence
Playfulness

Like coyote, we can either work with others to get what we want, or we can dive into a lake to catch a reflection. We can dispel troubles or invite them carelessly. It all depends on how one uses Coyote Medicine. As Snooze time is over if Coyote Medicine has crossed your path. Watch out! Your glass house may crash to the ground at any moment. Your self-mirror may shatter. The divine trickster is dogging you, and you may fall into a trap having to chew your leg off to get out. When Coyote scratches under his arm. He does a crazy dance. He catches his tail on fire playing with matches. He jumps in the fish pond to save himself and nearly drowns. Coyote seduces a concrete statue. Coyote thinks he has found a bone, but it’s a rattlesnake. Everyone watches the comedic scene. Coyote is you, me, with life’s booby traps, jet airplanes with toilets that don’t work, blind dates, and all the humorous and whimsical things we encounter along life’s way. Get ready for more of the laughs, and a lot more.

Go immediately beneath the surface of your experiences. Ask yourself what you are really doing and why? Is Coyote Medicine your medicine? Are you playing jokes on yourself? Are you trying to fool an adversary? Is someone tricking you? Do you want to give the office “geek” the phone number of the beautiful new secretary? Or do you want to “punk” your best friend? When was the last time you did something just because it was crazy and fun? Yep, that’s Coyote Medicine.

Coyote… you Devil.
You tricked me once more.
Must I sit and ponder the magic,
Or what you did it for?

Coyote Medicine

In the beginning of this world, the Great Spirit called a council meeting of all the Animal people. Great Spirit said: “Some of you do not have names yet, and some of you do not like the names you have now. So tomorrow, before the sun rises, I will give a name to everyone. And I will also give each person a special arrow.”

This caused a big uproar and chattering, but the Great Creator continued. “Come to my lodge as soon as the darkness is gone. The one who gets here first can choose any name he wants. And I will give him the longest arrow, and this power symbol will mean he has the most power.”

As everyone was leaving the meeting, Coyote turned and said to his friend the Fox: “I don’t like my name, so I am going to make sure I am there first. I think I would like to be called Grizzly Bear or Eagle.”

Fox just laughed and laughed. “Nobody wants your name. I think you’ll probably have to keep it,” he said.

“No!” said Coyote. “I’ll prove it to you. Just wait and see. I’ll be there first. I won’t even go to sleep tonight just to make sure.”

That night he sat by his fire and stayed awake for a long time. Owl hooted at him, making him feel nervous. Frog croaked in the marshes and sang songs that made Coyote sleepy. Coyote heard all the animals, even the Crickets. He kept staring at the sky, and soon even the stars began to slowly disappear, making his eyelids feel heavier and heavier. He became very sleepy.

Suddenly he jumped up and said: “I’ve got to do something about this!” So he looked around, found two sticks, and propped them under his eyelids. “Now I can stay awake,” he said to himself.

But soon he was fast asleep. When he did finally wake up, the sun was already passing over the mountains, and Coyote’s eyes were dry from having been propped up all night. And even though his eyes were sore and he could hardly see, he ran as fast as he could to the Great Creator’s lodge. It was empty except for the Great Creator.

“I want to be Grizzly Bear,” he screamed, thinking he was the very first one there. The Great Creator responded: “That name is already taken, and Grizzly Bear has the longest arrow. He will be chief and medicine man of all the animals on Earth.”

“Then I will be Eagle,” said Coyote firmly. “That name has also been taken,” said the Great Creator. “And Eagle has the second-longest arrow.”

Coyote became frustrated and worried. “Then I will be Salmon,” he cried sadly. “That name has also been taken, and Salmon has the third arrow,” said the Great Creator. “So he will be chief of all the Fish people. Only the shortest arrow is left, and it has only one name on it. Here, take it,” said the Great Creator.

Coyote sank down by the sacred fire in despair. His eyes were still sore and dry, he couldn’t even cry. So the Great Creator put water in them. Coyote sat and thought about his situation.

“I know,” he said, jumping up. “I will ask Grizzly Bear to change names with me.” And off he went. “No, no, no,” said Grizzly Bear. “I cannot do this for you because the Great Creator gave me this sacred name.”

Coyote returned to the fire and thought some more. “Then I will go look for Eagle. But how can I fly? I know! I will go look for Salmon. But how can I swim?” He was so sad and disgusted he began to cry.

The Great Creator heard him and came out of the lodge. He said: “Don’t feel so bad, Coyote. I have a special power for you. I wanted you to be the last one to come because I have special work for you to do, and you will need a special power and ability to do it. Now study your arrow and gift. With it you can change yourself into any form. And when you or someone else needs special help, call upon your power.

“And lastly, Fox will be your little brother and messenger. He will help you when you need assistance in your work. If you die, he will have the power to bring you back to life again. Now go throughout the world and be a teacher.”

That is how Coyote got his name and special power; he teaches us about the powers of Nature, behavior, and values.

Coyote Medicine people sing the Song of Life Trickster. Coyote Medicine, always carries with it, lessons that are crucial to growth and change, teaching the importance of fun and play, using one’s ability to laugh at one’s Self Hidden Lessons. Yet the lesson Coyote brings is usually one that is contained within a grand joke that Coyote plays. Though he is a Teacher Spirit, his lessons are taught via the vehicle of humor and wisdom found within folly. Shape-shifting is one of Coyote’s talents along with Intelligence, and Child like Trust. The Wisdom of Coyote Medicine and Innocence Stealth are some of Coyote’s best attributes.

Contrary Coyote Medicine

If Coyote appears in the shadows or reversed, you can be assured that he is going to be contrary and a pain in your side. Look around yourself and watch which direction he is coming from. If Coyote is approaching you from the shadows, beware of this master of illusion. Coyote may put you in his spell and take you to a briar patch to pick berries. It will be a painful lesson for you if you follow him. Coyote Medicine reversed can appear in your life as a supposed all-knowing teacher, a scam artist, a get-rich-quick business planner, a rare coin door-to-door salesperson, a femme fatale, a movie producer, or anybody who wants you to follow their lead. Coyote Medicine people are not the recommended business partner or lover.

Contrary Coyote Medicine may signal a time when everything you touch backfires. All your jokes may be exploding in your face. In this reversed energy, Coyote also signals a time to be aware of the intentions of others, and to look for the boomerang you threw at another person coming back to knock you from behind. Someone trick may be on you as well, or there could be deception in the wind. Whatever Coyote Medicine reversed has conjured up, it could be coming from any direction. Remember, this joker is always wild!

Only through exploring the many different paths will the Coyote eventually find the Path that his/her Heartmind resonates to. Along the way a variety of interests will capture their restless curiosity. However, the Coyote Medicine individual needs to explore and investigate as theirs is an active and inquisitive mind. Hence, fields where they are challenged intellectually or spiritually will resonate the strongest with them as well as a field in which they can share their insights and knowledge gained with Others.

Coyote Medicne — Sometimes you just have to laugh. That’s Coyote Medicine

Coyote Medicine Lessons

Among some native tribes, coyote is called the trickster and there are many tales about Coyote Medicine. They are known as the great one and the foolish one. Truth is, they don’t consciously try to trick us, rather they reflect back to us our own capacity for being clever and stupid, sometimes at the same time. We are cleverly stupid when we are being too serious about life, Coyote teaches us to laugh at ourselves and life’s ironies. Be prepared for your sense of humor to arise in full force with what is happening around you and to you. Coyote also remind us that whatever we do to others will be done to us. Coyote Medicine brings the Golden Rule, Or in other words, what goes around comes around.

The symbolic meaning of Coyote Medicine resonates with the energy of youth. Cocky, rebellious, fearless, spunky, playful, curious, qualities that are raw electric, and driving. Everything about Coyote Medicine seem to say “lean and keen.” So, when Coyote comes into our awareness, or presents itself as a totem. One is tapping into a high voltage energy craziness. Do you ever feel moments of youthful clarity, simple amusement, and/or a dumb luck high? Yep, that’s Coyote Medicine.

Another interesting observation is the idea of instinct. Have no doubt, the Coyote Medicine is pure instinct. This is why they’ve got the themes of influence in the Native American history. Their instinct is so laser-like, seamless and pinpoint. They’ve been given the crown of “cleverness” and “shape-shifter.” They’re sharp, super sharp, and highly sensory-activated. Coyote’s resourcefulness is second-nature, instinctual.

Coyote Medicine meets tree — Man, I never saw that tree coming. That’s Coyote Medicine in the making, those sudden stops. Damn, that’s going to leave a mark.

Coyote Medicine comes with a message about learning from our mistakes, by learning, we become free from getting trapped or run over by the steamroller time and time again. Coyote Medicine tells us to be mindful of our actions. Being aware of playing tricks on ourselves or others. Coyote Medicine reminds us that the consequences of our actions effect more than just ourselves. This wonderful creature reminds us that no matter what form we take, (as we “shape-shift” our personality). Or how many difficult situations we may find ourselves in, we can always see another side. This is what shape-shifting is partly about, being flexible enough to laugh at the fear, and weep at the joy. This may sound contradictory; that’s the crazy-Coyote Way. Despite the portrayal of Coyote’s humorous, sometimes bungling side, this totem also represents a powerful catalyst for change.

Coyote Medicine energy is linked to simplicity and trust, spurring renewed innocence and a childlike wisdom in the world. Coyote teaches how wisdom and folly go together. In others mistakes we see our own foolishness and can learn from their mistakes. Coyote’s song touches our Spirit, reminding us of our primal connections. People with this power animal adapt easily to new situations. They also usually have close families, especially when children are involved. Coyotes normally mate for life. They live in the sides of hills or in underground dens where their family is pretty much safe. Coyote people will sometimes go to extremes to protect and nurture family members. Sharp cutting words that hurt another should be avoided. Energy bursts are common if this is your power animal, balanced action is necessary for overall well-being. Coyote Medicine people often put other people’s needs before their own, remember to give to yourself equally.

Coyote Medicine brings us many gifts, many of which are greatly unappreciated in modern-day society. Coyote is our right to be individuals while learning how to cooperate and work with others. Coyote is our ability to adapt, to hide when needed, to act the fool to discourage others from invading our space or doing us actual harm. Coyote is the ability to speak the truth about a given situation, to tell it like it is. Coyote is our ability to play, to take risks, to not conform so maybe we might find a better way of going about things that will be of greater benefit to all. Coyote brings us the gift of laughter which has been shown to heal dis-eases. Laughter is powerful medicine and one that all of us would do well to take more and larger doses of. Coyote is the part of us that knows what it feels like to be at the bottom and how to climb back up again with patience and persistence.

Coyote Medicine can teach us how to live in a world that really has gone completely batty, being run by individuals who can no longer see the need to work for a greater good. Coyote Medicine can teach us how to walk into our full potential as unbounded Spiritual beings if we will but listen for its call and respond. Our greatest teacher is waiting! It is said that if all the other creatures of the world were to die off, one would remain. Coyote. Somehow Coyote would find a way to survive and who knows, perhaps all the creatures would be brought back to life again because Coyote one day decided to close his eyes and envision what could be.