The bat totem

I was just thinking about a strange experience I had on Tuesday, and it only dawned on me now that perhaps there was some animal symbolism to recognise. I was sitting outside with a woman from the foundation, and I looked up at the midday sky to see a bat flying in a straight line across the sky.

I thought it was strange, and I have thought about it a few times since. Today I have looked up the bat totem on the internet (I have my medicine cards at home and will check them tonight).
The bat symbolises:
- being highly sensitive to your surroundings
- considered a symbol of intuition, dreaming and vision
- "night-sight" which is the ability to see through illusion or ambiguity
- dive straight to the truth of matters.
- rebirth and depth because it is a creature that lives in the belly of the Mother (Earth)

I am happy to receive this totem, and I find it spot on. I am very aware of myself and my surroundings. As an example, today I was at a meeting with the community and noticed that every woman there had their legs, arms, necks and ears covered. I always wear pants, but I wear t-shirts, and so my forearms aren't covered, and I never wear a scarf so my neck and ears and head are uncovered. Maybe it sounds unimportant, but I am so acutely aware of being different, and not wanting to offend others or make others or myself uncomfortable.

Everyone here is very welcoming though, and it doesn't seem like they are offended by me. Also, this is an interesting time for Indonesia, as most young Indonesians learn English in school from a very young age, and they embrace the internet and "global culture". So you see westernisation happening here, as well as a strong commitment to Indonesian values. They are finding a balance.