In the Star Trek: Voyager episode “The Cloud“, Commander Chakotay introduces Captain Janeway to her Animal Guide. This guide offers spiritual guidance for the person. A spirit guide is unique, but does not represent the individual. It also cannot be chosen as the animal guide has to choose them.

In the Seventh Fleet, we have adopted the tradition of having animal spirit guides for our chapters.  The USS Ticonderoga-A was selected by The Otter.  Our previous chapter (before changing Commanding Officers) was the Turtle.  The other spirit guides for the various Seventh Fleet chapters can be found on the Seventh Fleet website.

We have elected to use this portion of our website to let the members of the USS Ticonderoga express what the Otter or the Turtle means to them.  What inspires you about the spirit guide?  This expression can be submitted by artwork, poetry, quotes, stories or what ever strikes your imagination.  You and submit your item to be placed on this page by sending it to your department chief or to a member of the command staff.  We have scanners so you don’t have to do your artwork on the computer.

Lt. (j.g.) Brad Jacobs found the following “Advice from a Sea Turtle” (TM) from Your True Nature and felt that it represented our spirit guide.  Your True Nature provides a series of products (t-shirts, bookmarks, etc.) with advice from various aspects of nature. Advice from a Sea Turtle (TM): -Swim with the current -Be a good navigator -Stay calm under pressure -Be well-traveled -Think long term -Age gracefully -Spend time at the beach! Ilan Shamir (c)2007 YTN, Advice from a Sea Turtle is a trademark of Your True Nature, Inc. Reprinted by permission. www.YourTrueNature.com 1-800-992-4769