THE LEOPARD OR PANTHER:In Egypt, Osiris and his priests were sometimes pictured wearing leopard skins. In Africa, it was a sacred animal to the Ibo and at times was considered to be inhabited by the souls of the dead. The Chinese said it represnted bravery and intense ferocity. The Arabs called it Nimir, which means courage, boldness, and grace. The leopard was the traditional mount of the god Dionysus in Greece; sometimes it walked beside him or pulled his chariot. His priests often wore panther skins. In the Greek language, the panther's name meant "all-beast." the word panther and all-beast also connected it with the god Pan. The Greeks equated this animal with Argus of the Thousand Eyes. SuperstitionsThought by the ancients to be the offspring of a lioness and a male "pard" (possibly a leopard), or a lion and a female "pard". The Pard was often described as the panther (another name for leopard).Leopards have babies only once, because the young tear their way out of the womb. Magickal AttributesSwiftness, cunning, strength, perserverance, boldness, beauty.Gaining confidence for astral travel and Otherworld journeys. ChantLeopard gliding, through shadows sliding,Intent on its plans in the dark of the night. Like the leopard I go with the energy flow On the pathway to Otherworld light. I journey for growth, for creating true worth, For the learning of wisdom and might. With wisdom I'll burn, while I confidently turn All darkness about me to conquering light. |