Lynn Flewelling - Why Otters?

Why Otters?

OK, so what's with the otter?

I'm glad you asked.

I have a bit of a history with this sleek and mystical creature.

Part the First: When I was nine I was snowshoeing in the Maine woods with my family and we came across an otter slide by a stream. We saw tracks, but no otters. Soon after I read the book Ring of Bright Water and learned more about these amazing animals. To this day, I've never seen river otters in the wild but that will change one day, I hope.

Part the Second: About fourteen years ago, long before I'd heard of modern shamanism, I found myself in a dark place emotionally. One day I decided to try meditation. Not really knowing what to do, I lay on the floor and did some yoga breathing. As I lay there, I began to see things in my mind's eye. I was in a large Chinese urn, floating on a dark and storm tossed sea. After a time I became aware that there were two other creatures in the dark with me: a bear and a river otter. They helped me out of the urn and we walked across the water to a ship that took me to land. The bear was a large, comforting presence and another story. The otter was lively, dancing, the figure of joy and my guide to the same. I have no idea where any of these images came from, but they felt Important and made me feel a bit better.

I've done more meditation since then, and some shamanic journeying and these two have kept me company. The otter has become my personal totem, my guide to happiness through not taking life so seriously. I founded my own corporation a few years ago under the name Dancing Otter Productions.

Part the Third:

Be Like the Otter

For they are lithe of spine and never seek out chiropractors.
They are short of leg and long of waist, and wear it well.
They are happiest with family and love their children.
They eat on their laps without benefit of napkins.
They appreciate sushi.
They only bite when necessary, but their teeth are sharp and their jaws powerful. Beware.
They make work look like play; perhaps even they don't know the difference.

About the Otter ... er, Author

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