Return of the Iguana

For those of you who don’t know my history with iguanas, let me just say that I have had some powerful experiences with iguanas.

Many years ago, an iguana came into my house – which was in a very built up area and therefore not a likely habitat for iguanas. She lived with me for several weeks and then died in my house.

Then, two years ago an iguana came to live with me, this time in a different house, stayed again for several weeks and then went away.

A few days ago, I had another encounter with an iguana. This time a cat apparently was chasing the iguana who sought refuge in my verandah.

When I went outside, because my son was shouting, I saw the iguana plastered against the glass door and the cat under a chair. My son said he was trying to scare away the cat.

I said that the iguana obviously wanted to come in, so I opened the door and stood there telling him that it was safe to come in. He came across the threshold but did not come further. The cat went away however.

I left the room to have breakfast and when I came back he was nowhere to be seen. I was disappointed. I was so excited to have an iguana in my life again! But I left the door open, just in case…

The following morning, my son called out to me again. When I went to see what was happening, there was the iguana hiding behind the blind – with only his tail sticking out to indicate that he was there!

Now what was all that about?

Each time an iguana has appeared in my life it portends a major shift, a major life lesson, about to happen. The first time the iguana appeared I had to leave that house not long after, which was traumatic in many ways for me. Although I didn’t know it at the time, I was also heading for my third cancer adventure. The second iguana experience came about a year before my latest health adventure, where I nearly died. And this time?

For the past few months, as I am recovering from my illness, I have been torn between wanting to stay still and wait for some direction, some insight, about the next stage of my unfolding and wanting to pick up my life where I left off and DO something! It has been a whole year that I have spent recovering! Not working. Not DOING anything to further my purpose.

What is the connection between this and the iguanas?

Where other people have angel guides, or ancestor guides, I have been aware for many years of my connection with animal guides. But never before an iguana. So when I had my first experience I googled the meaning of the iguana spirit guide.

Here is what I learned.

The iguana is a constant animal totem through all Native American, Central, and South American cultures. For the Mayans in particular, iguanas were held in high esteem. They are seen as messengers of the gods. They usually portend death or a major shift. They bring lessons of patience; of learning how to stay still and BE rather than DO; of remaining calm but always aware of your surroundings; of acceptance and trust; of adapting to the present situation. One outstanding thing about iguanas is that if a predator tries to seize it by the tail, the iguana will simply shed its tail and get away. It can grow a new tail.

Hmmm….

The constant lessons of the last fifteen years of my life are surrender, trust, patience, acceptance, and resilience. Every time I think I have learned the lessons, I am presented with a new challenge requiring me to practice a new level of those same lessons.

And another iguana experience to remind me. I am grateful.

You can read my other iguana adventures in my blogs :}