THE TURTLE or TORTOISE:

To the Hindus, the tortoise is a lunar creature. Their myths tell of a giant tortoise upon whose back stands an elephant who in turn supports the world.
The Chinese also believed the tortoise supported the world, and was an attendant of the world-architect P'an Ku. This creature symbolized strength, endurance, and long life, and was called the Black Warrior.
In Japanese legend, the Cosmic Mountains were said to be supproted by a tortoise.
In Arcadia, the tortoise was connected with the god Pan, while in Greece and Rome it was a companion of Aphrodite/Venus and Hermes/Mercury.
To the people of West Africa the tortoise symbolized feminine power and fertility.
The Migerians say the turtle represents the female sex organs.
To the Aztecs, this creature signified treachery and cowardly but boastful people.
Native Americans associate the turtle with the Elements of Earth and Water. It symbolizes the enrgy of the Goddess, the give-and-take cycle necessary for productive life.
The turtle symbolized material existence or the massa confusa in alchemy. It represented natural evolution, slow and methodical.

Superstitions
The tortoise protects itself from venomous snake bites by eating marjoram.
If the right foot of a tortoise is carried on a ship, that ship will not be able to move very fast.

Magickal Attributes
Patience, long life, perseverance.
Slowdown; enjoy life more; allow your ideas to develop properly.
Visualize the shell as a spiritual shield to protect yourself from the negative thoughts of others.
Learning to relax and enjoy life.
Developing new ideas.
Psychically protecting yourself.

Chant
Perseverance has the turtle
As he patiently travels along.
In his slowness he misses nothing,
For he hears Mother Earth's song.
Patience, old wisdom, I'll learn from you,
Deep forest secrets and Earth magick true.

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