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This extraordinary wolf is small, elegant of line and beautifully polished. The tiny eyes are inlaid of turquoise.
The rich colors of the stone follow the animal's contours. The wolf has an expressive face and naturalistic posture.
He wanted to be the focal point of a simple, richly colored necklace. The round beads are Picasso, the disks and
squares are abalone shell.
The wolf is a major fetish animal in Zuni tradition, it is the protective and hunting animal of the east. On the medicine
wheel, the east represents illumination.
In the Medicine Cards, wolf is called teacher. Indeed, wolf culture seems to be a model of sustainability, with strong
family ties and intelligent adaptation to what Mother Earth provides her children at the time. Most mate for life and family groups
share pup rearing duties. They limit their reproduction in lean times. Their hunting strategy of culling the weakest prey animals
not only reduces the risk to themselves but strengthens the prey population as well. They consume prodigious numbers of rodents, helping
to keep these populations in check. It is curious then that our own species, rather than learning from this admirable teacher, has carried
on a vendetta against the wolf throughout history. The Druid Animal Oracle mentions that the last wolf in Britain was killed in 1743.
Wolf has until recently been virtually irradicated
from the lower 48, and reintroduction/recovery efforts have met with hostility. Today environmental organizations are flooding my
mailbox with pleas to help stop the gunning of wolves from aircraft in Alaska. So, in addition to writing my letters, I'm joining with
the carver of this beautiful creature to send the message that wolves have their rightful place in the great web of creation. Perhaps
you will listen to this little wolf as he sings to the moon. Perhaps when you wear him, you will find raven hanging around, attempting to
establish a collaborative relationship. Perhaps he will bring a powerful wolf teacher to you to guide you on your way.
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Picasso jasper wolf by Jeff Tsalabutie