Hi Lydia,
How wonderful to hear what you are doing with your eagle Daniella! Helping the trainer educate people through your show is somewhat similar to what I do in shows as well except that I'm the trainer and dancer combined. Sometimes I'm so wrapped up in snakes I can't tell the difference.
http://forum.orientaldancer.net/imag...lies/think.gif
I'd love to see photos or video when you get a chance. I've enjoyed watching your other posted videos....you have a very engaging quality in your dance and persona. I'm certain that lets people relax after the initial wow factor of seeing Daniella fly onto you! I've helped many a person understand their instinctual fear of snakes and move towards another choice to perhaps touch the snake through my belly dancing and entertainment gigs. It's like they see us do it first and may be naturally inspired to do so themselves.
My first 3 serpents were some rescues, some who needed new homes. And then they enchanted me! Baby snakes happened by accident so I now have 9 of the same species. Plenty enough to not overwork any one snake....this is very important.
In closing, I wanted to add that the bird and the snake are the two animal totems found in nearly every culture's mythologies over many thousands of years. They are known for their profound natural metaphorical wisdom even as in nature they are predator and prey in equal measure to each other. For humanity they also represent the paradox of the body and the soul: the snake is the cycle of life/death/rebirth and the bird is transcendance of the immortal soul.
You are the first person I know honoring the eagle in some of your dance shows. That is inspiring to me. Please show us pictures when you can!
Your friendly neighborhood snake priestess,
Serpentessa