About

Journey of the Dragonfly …

This site is about the Journey of the Dragonfly: seeking self-awareness, transformation, wisdom, positive action. Its creation is the result of spiritual vision, meditation, interaction with others, and energy channeled through playing the North American flute. I claim no Indian blood, and the flutes I play are an evolution of old traditions, European influences, and modern flute-making techniques. The world moves along with or without us. The internet often replaces the campfire and the hearth where stories are shared, traditions preserved, and dreams of the future expressed. Like most things, technology has its shadow side, but it also brings many benefits—social networking with like-minded people around the globe, exponential contact with potentially every other human on the planet. We can cry over what we’ve all lost or seek to understand it and, in the words of former National Geographic photographer Dewitt Jones (dewittjones.com), “celebrate what’s right with the world.” As we travel together on this cyber-journey, the dragonfly will not shy away from the shadows, but it will seek always the sunlight.

Why the Dragonfly?

Dragonflies experience the world visually in 360 degrees and are the only insects that can fly in any direction, including backwards! In China, they are a symbol of good luck. Not long ago I purchased a gourd rattle from First Nation artist Cynthia Whitehawk (picturerocks.net) who writes that the dragonfly represents Spirit energy that sees all of our true potential and ability. It is the keeper of dreams, inspires creativity, helps us on the path of discovery and enlightenment, reminds us that anything is possible and to celebrate Spirit in all living beings.

Early in 2007—before I ever picked up a flute—I was led through a guided meditation to find my Spirit mentor. I have to admit, he was kind of a cliché, a ragged and bearded man living on top of a barren, rocky mountain. Soon afterward, though, I began having intense dreams, nightmares almost, about being curled into a fetal position inside a very small prison cell. Between me and the door, an enormous green dragonfly filled most of the available space. Its luminous green eyes hovered inches from my face, more inquisitive or challenging than frightening. Long story short, over the course of many weeks, I gradually stood up and was led outside of the prison where I discovered the North American flute. Since then, I’ve known with all my being that the dragonfly is my totem, my Spirit guide in life.

The Skeptic’s Voice …

There are many sites you can Google to learn about the meaning of various totems or fetishes. Do you identify with the wolf, the bear, the eagle or woodpecker, the snake—or the dragonfly? It’s said that you don’t choose your guide, it chooses you. If I’m being completely honest—and why would you potentially trust me on the journey if I weren’t?—I don’t believe there is any basis in reality for this, at least not the kind of physical or scientific reality many of us are used to. Are there really Spirit guides? Do they really choose you? Does it really matter if your totem is a bear or a dragonfly? Well … as it turns out, the answer may be yes, it really does matter.

Interpreting Bird Signs …

In Book 2 of Homer’s Odyssey, the youthful and inexperienced Telemachus despairs over his next move. His father is presumed dead after a 20-year absence, and his mother’s suitors threaten to usurp what rightfully belongs to him. As a sign, we’re told that Zeus sends a pair of eagles to swoop down and thrash at the faces of the gathered crowd. The eagles then fly off, and the people are left dumbstruck. An old warrior described as an expert in reading bird signs interprets the omen, predicting that Odysseus will return and rout the suitors. One suitor, Eurymachus, rejects the interpretation, arguing that “Flocks of birds go fluttering under the sun’s rays, / not all are fraught with meaning” (Fagles translation). Eurymachus is more than just a skeptic. His intent is to discourage and destroy Telemachus. The warrior’s interpretation, however, gives Telemachus the courage to set sail in search of his father. We can debate all day long about whether Zeus really exists or whether eagles really are a sign of divine intervention. In the end, the only thing that matters practically in this world is the son’s response. The old warrior takes advantage of an opportunity, and a youthful hero emerges.

Like the eagles in Homer, the dragonfly for me provides focus, direction, and purpose; and the North American flute helps me reflect on and channel creative energy to make sense of the world—and as we all know, any sense is better than no sense at all. In the final analysis, we don’t interpret events or stories so much as they interpret us and the culture around us, and in the process they shape and define who and what we are both as individuals and as part of a larger community. They provide opportunities and the catalyst for self-awareness, transformation, wisdom, and positive action.