Gaia - Earth Mother and Turtle? Ancient Wisdom For Conscious Living

Gaia is etymologically a compound wordAphrodite, Northern directions, and the moon
composed of two elements: Ge, meaning "Earth,"(most turtle shells are divided into 13 sections
which is also a pre-Greek substrate word relateddepicting the 13 yearly phases of the moon.)
to Ki in Sumerian, also meaning Earth and AiaPowerfully nurturing and protecting, turtle medicine
comes from an Indo-European derivative meaningis beautifully illustrated through shared attributes
"Grandmother." Therefore, the full etymology ofwith its Earth Mother counterpart, Gaia, while their
Gaia was once "Grandmother Earth." Most of usspirit symbolizes profound lessons in light of its
know Gaia simply as Earth or Mother Earth; theown example.
primordial element from which all things originated,There is a presence and flow of steadfast
which is what the Romans believed as well. Theystrength in their deliberate, steady, and thorough
knew Gaia, the Great Mother, as a single livingapproach to a life of non-doing, non-reaction,
entity that encompassed the totality of everyacceptance, and naturalism. Always at home
element in the Universe; land, sea, or sky. Thewithin themselves, they embody the meaning of
Greeks knew her as an ancient primeval goddess"home is where the heart is," understanding
who personified the Earth and whose emergencedetachment and freedom. These carefree,
appeared at the creation of the Universe, bornpatient, instinctual creatures honor the rhythms of
from Chaos. Gaia's power was far reaching inlife balance, demonstrate non-violent, self-defense
Ancient Greece, making oaths sworn in her namemechanisms, and know when to turn within.
to be the most binding of all. If only such valueNavigating one day at a time, they mirror the
for her was still a part of our lives, perhaps we'dimportance of moving at one's own pace through
discover more honor in promise to the planet welife while honoring boundaries. Turtles are
live on and more synergy and harmony throughsurvivors; living so near the Earth, moving slowly,
conscious, symbiotic care of the collective sheaging gracefully, symbolizing groundedness, and
signifies.embracing courage with faith, as is demonstrated
Throughout the ages and cultures, active worshipthrough the progress they make only by sticking
of this titan of fertile Earth came under the guisetheir neck out. It is no wonder they are
of many names and varied forms ranging fromconsidered the wisest of souls in the animal
reverent bowing to druidic ritual, all in an effort tokingdom, offering a potent and profound analogy
get more in tune with the rhythm and continuityfor humankind on many deep levels.
of nature she embodies. She represented to all,So intertwined are the turtle and Gaia; there is no
the Earth, or spiritual embodiment of the Earth,mistaking the significance and association of their
and sometimes was the goddess of all creationdeep and profound symbology that seemingly
from which all other gods sprang. Only Egyptiancomes from two separate sources, but are
mythology holds a reverse personification,synonymously bridged as one. Such contrast
whereas Geb is the Earth Father while Nut is thebetween an omnipotent presence and an
Sky Mother, as opposed to Zeus as Sky Fatherunassuming innocence and yet the blood lines run
and Gaia as Earth Mother. In Indian religions, thethrough the core of the same essence. Do not be
Mother of all creation is called "Gayatri," which is afooled by the book's cover, as both embody the
very close form of Gaia. She is the mother of allspirit and soul of Earth and beyond and share with
Vedas, consort of the God Brahma, andus invaluable knowledge and teachings. Across the
personification of the all-pervading Parabrahman -board, whether known as Gaia, personified as
the ultimate unchanging reality that lies behind allTurtle, called, sung, or chanted by another
phenomena. Many Hindus view connection throughsynchronous name, she is the connection to the
the pure love and essence of the Gayatri MantraUniversal mothering and nurturing source that
as Divine awakening of the mind and soul and aleads us to a deep sense of profound peace and
way to reach the most Supreme form ofbalance within and manifested without. Yet, more
existence. Simply, the mantra helps us reachthan any other goddess, she is consistently
toward our divine mother and receive heridentified as the divine and animate Earth Mother;
blessings and wisdom to support us through thethe living, conscious planet we reside on that
challenges of life. Gaia's qualities of divine femininityprovides sustenance and inherent wisdom to all of
express her desire to nurture mankind and mirrorher children. Gaia personifies awareness of our
for us, the reverence we have forgotten toconnectedness through the circle of life and the
honor.sacredness of all life, be it plant, animal, human, or
Far too coincidental and divinely synchronous,stars above. She roots her values and
turtles are the most ancient, vertebrate creaturesrespectively ours, helping us to remember that
that also possess Gaia's wisdom and motherconnection and to remind us that respect and
energy and through such, have much to impart.gratitude for everything and everyone around us
Many ancient myths, such as those of theis the ever-present message she hopes to impart.
Indigenous North Americans, describe the worldThrough this conscious living we can attain that
as resting on the turtle's back and many still referbalance and wholeness that is the promise Gaia
to North America as Turtle Island. This isoffers. Shifting our perspective to that of
illustrated by their creation legends that tell of aexperiencing connection with her as a partner in
time when Earth was covered by water andlife worth respect and honor, we can then enjoy
Turtle dove to the ocean's depths to bring forththe blessings of that union through the daily gifts
Earth on its back so the people could have a safe,of beauty and miracles she provides.
dry home. Like Gaia, these ageless beings haveDedicated and inspired by my new friend and
carried a myriad of symbolic meanings throughoutRussian Tortoise, Gaia: a sweet, magical,
the ages and cultures, mysteriously linking themTaurean-born being possessing earthy, feminine
as symbols of the primal mother (except inenergy, as her name suggests. Gaia's name was
African lore where it is a male symbol) and lunarspoken to me from the Universe as I listened to
cycles; again possessing Earth and Cosmicancient mantras on the way home from receiving
Universal significance and connection with theher into my life. She was restless in her box, but
center. Far East Asian myth believed turtlesinstantly calmed to a stillness with the sound of
brought about the creation of the Universe fromthe first mantra playing. Ironically, as I listened to
its parts, which are said to depict a map of theit and sang the words, the only thing that
stars and sacred writings: the shell symbolic of thepervaded my thoughts and essence was the
heavens and used in divination readings, the bodyGayatri Mantra, even though the mantra I was
symbolic of the Earth, and its undershell symbolicsinging was not this one. I only had Gayatri on my
of the underworld. This cosmic order theymind for some odd reason and didn't realize I
represent, coupled with the magical ability tohadn't been listening to it, until hours later after
support us in uniting heaven and earth within ourreaching home. So while I sang the mantra
lives, supports our experience of life as "heavenplaying, I heard the word "Gayatri" in my head
on earth." They are the only animal to have theand instantly thereafter, Gaya...Gaia. I turned to
honor of symbolizing both Mother Earth andmy little friend and knew. The Universe and she
healing waters, as well as personifying winter,had both spoken her name to me through the
humidity, thunder to the Mayans, Venus,ancient mantra playing. And now I know why.