Archives

The Wolf Pack – Wolves At War

Mar28
German U-Boats

German U-Boats

German U-Boat Tactics

During WWII the Germans deployed U-Boats, submersible boats. German naval commander Karl Dönitz used the term Rudeltaktik to describe his strategy of submarine warfare in the Atlantic against the United States and European forces.  The word is best translated as tactics of a pack and became best known in English as “WolfPack”.

U-Boats were controlled by the German version of the Commander of Submarines known as the Befehlshaber der Unterseeboote (BdU). The BdU closely coordinated their submersibles much more so than American submarines controlled. During the war American Sub Commanders had great leeway once they were on patrol. But their German counterparts coordinated their efforts constantly with the BdU. Continue reading →

The Wolf Comet

Mar28

cometMaximilian Franz Joseph Cornelius Wolf

A German Astronomer discovered a comet on September 17, 1884! Born June 21, 1863 in  in Heidelberg, Germany, young Maximilian Wolf found an interest in both astronomy and photography. He brought those two passions together and became a pioneer in astrophotography.

He was Chairman of Astronomy at the University of Heidelberg and Director of the Landessternwarte Heidelberg-Königstuhl observatory from 1902 to 1932. He died in Heidelberg on October 3, 1932, at the age of 69. He was survived by his widow and three sons.

He is best known for the comet that bears his name. He began his career as a comet hunter and actually discovered or co-discovered several comets, besides the Wolf Comet (technically known as 14P/Wolf) and the Wolf-Harrington Comet (known as 43P/Wolf-Harrington). He also won a competition with his dear friend American Astronomer Edward Emerson Barnard, on who would be the first to observe the return of Halley’s Comet (P1/Halley) in April, 1910. Continue reading →

Chief Little Wolf

Mar28
Little Wolf and Morning Star

Little Wolf and Morning Star

Northern Cheyenne Chief

Little Wolf’s Americanized name is probably a mistranslation. His name in Cheyenne: Ó’kôhómôxháahketa, sometimes transcribed Ohcumgache or Ohkomhakit is probably more accurately translated to Little Coyote.

He was born c. 1820 and died in 1904. He was best known as a military tactician with a well-respected set of skills and knowledge.

He is best known for an 1878 escape from a reservation in Oklahoma’s Indian Territory, where he was forced to live after a defeat against the American Army. There he and fellow Cheyenne Dull Knife (Morning Star) planned and executed an escape of over 300 Native Americans who made their way back to the Northern Cheyenne territory. The escape was known as the Northern Cheyenne Exodus.

Once the group made their way past Nebraska they split up. Dull Knife and his party headed toward the Northwest counties of Nebraska where they were forced to surrender at Fort Robinson. Continue reading →

Lupus, In The Sky

Mar28

lupusThe Constellation

In astronomy, an ancient constellation of the southern sky. Visible primarily in June to residents of the Northern Hemisphere, Lupus is a constellation that lies in the southern sky, near Norma, Scorpius, Circinus, Centaurus, Libra, and Hydra.

Lupus has no extremely bright stars but is densely populated with stars of second and third magnitude. It is a constellation rich in double stars and multiple stars. A few open clusters and other deep-sky objects can be seen with binoculars within its boundaries; many more are visible with a more powerful telescope.

The name Lupus is Latin for “wolf,” but the wolf appellation apparently did not become common until the Renaissance. The ancient Greeks and Romans figured the grouping as a wild animal of no specific type. Representations among the Mediterranean civilizations that recognized this grouping included a lioness, a leopard, a male horse, and a howling dog. Continue reading →

In Memory of Merlin

Mar28
Merlin by ©2007 Springwolf

Merlin by ©2007 Springwolf

My Monster & Big Baby
January 29, 1998 – July 31, 2007
Originally posted August 1, 2007

Today is a very sad day at our house. After a long battle with nasal cancer, we’re faced with letting our precious wolf hybrid, Merlin, go to the spirit realm. It’s never an easy decision to let go of one you love. And it’s a decision that any person who loves and adores their animal family members always wrestle with. But on July 31st, we said good-bye to the best friend and companion who has walked by my side.

Merlin has been the best friend and member of our family that I’ve ever had the pleasure of knowing. Along with his Dalmatian sister Destinie that is.

He was so big that just his size would scare people. It wasn’t long before I started calling him my Monster or Monster Merlin. Continue reading →

Wolves & Wolf-Hybrids As Pets

Mar28
Merlin

Merlin

Living With Wolves, Wolf-Dogs and Wolf-Hybrids
By Springwolf, D.D., Ph.D.

In writing this article I had a hard time trying to put into words our view of domesticating a wolf or hybrid as a pet. People see my Merlin, and think they want a wolf like that. But they’re making an assumption about Merlin and how “wolf” he really was.

So allow me to share our personal experience with Merlin our hybrid wolf. What we learned and what we knew way before we even got started on our personal relationship. What we discovered once he was with us from a puppy. And what you need to be aware of, before you even think about bringing a hybrid into your home.

I promise you’ll be glad you read all this and you’ll have a better idea of what you should consider and what to look out for if this is something you’re considering. This is not only something you should be cautious about for your family, but especially for the animal you’re thinking about bringing into your home. Continue reading →

Wolf Communication

Mar28

communicationThe Howling Voice

Wolves communicate through a variety of howls, yips, squeals, growls and barks. Howls are most often a high pitched bark, followed by a short howl. No one can truly know what their language means, but we can make certain probable interpretations. Wolves howl to:

  • attract a mate.
  • rally the pack for a hunt and communicate strategy or position during the hunt.
  • to frighten prey out of hiding.
  • to announce an intruder.
  • to alarm the pack.
  • to express distress or lonesomeness.
  • because they miss their friends.
  • just for fun after play or excitement.
  • to sing their song.

Continue reading →

Wolf As A Birth Totem

Mar27

WindyWolfThe Blustery Winds Time

There are many astrological systems around the world. The most common in the west is the European Astrological system of the Zodiac. If you’re born in late May you fall under the sign of Gemini. But there are other system that people find interesting as well. The Chinese have their own form of astrology which relates to the year of your birth. If you were born in 1961, you fall under the sign of the Ox.

There is also a Shamanistic Astrological systems which are similar to the European system in that it defines characteristics by your birth month. These totems are also referred to as Solar totems, because many of them share similarities with the solar system and correspond to seasonal changes.

The Shamanistic Astrological system is based on the Medicine Wheel and cycle of seasons. It begins at summer’s end when the Sun begins to wane for the long winter months. The system connects each month to Mother Earth and it’s ever evolving changes and influences. Continue reading →

Spiritual Classifications Of The Wolf

Mar27

wolfbalanceWorking With The Right Energy

As you can tell by my Shamanistic name, the wolf is VERY important to me personally. It’s also one of the more common animals that people want to associate with as an animal guide, along with Dragons and Panthers.

I have composed this posting based on my experiences and the teachings of my Shamanistic tradition for those wishing to work with the Wolf.  I suggest reading The Wolf As A Spirit Guide to help put all this in context.

First thing to learn before working with the wolf spirit and their magik, is what their spiritual purpose is. Each wolf comes to this plane of existence with a special gift of knowledge, just as we humans do. But unlike us, they (and most animals in the universe) are much better adapt to living within the balance of  physical nature and with the flow of natures energy or spiritual energy.  Continue reading →

Wolves As Spirit Guides

Mar27

wolfspiritAnimal Spirit Guides

In many spiritual and cultural traditions, animals play an integral part in our lives. In Shamanistic cultures around the world, humans often walk with a spiritual animal that guides their steps forward through the celebrations and trials of life.

Each animal provides its own set of characteristics and gifts to the individual as a guide. They often enhance or promote our strengths, or act as a support for our weaknesses. They are there for us to listen to, learn from and lean on when needed, if only we’d take time to hear them.

Some spiritual beliefs carry this idea one step farther and define the purpose or meaning of the animal based on its specific breed and/or color as well. For instance, not all birds are the same. A Hawk will bring different strengths to your path than that of a Hummingbird as an example. Continue reading →