Guest Author - Elizabeth Bissette
Animal medicine is the idea that, when we see animals, they are trying to tell us something. This is different from the idea of animal totems, which are with an individual throughout his or her life and represent something intrinsically meaningful to them. Tribes, families and other groups also have totems. Lessons from animal medicine are immediate concepts that are important to the person who sees the animal.
Some of these foud in the American Southeast and elsewhereare:
Bat - Rebirth, longevity, secrecy, initiation, listening
Beaver - Determination, will, building, protection
Bees - Organization, productivity, wisdom, community, celebration, fertility, defensiveness, obsessiveness
Cat - Detachment, sensuality, mystery, magic, independence
Crab - Good luck, protection, success
Crow - Justice, shape shifting, change, creativity, spirituality, energy, community, sharing, balance
Deer - Compassion, peace, intellect, gentleness, caring, kindness, subtlety, gracefulness, femininity, gentleness, innocence, the beginning of adventure
Dog - Nobility, faithfulness, loyalty, teaching, protection, guidance
Dove - Cross-world communication, spirits, peace, gentleness, love
Dragonfly - Freedom, imagination, higher purpose
Falcon - New beginnings, adventure, passion, leadership
Fish - Grace, slyness, open-mindedness, changing your mind
Fox - Cunning, agility, wittiness, diplomacy, wildness, shapeshifting, invisibility
Frog - Rebirth, sensitivity, medicine, hidden beauty, peace, adaptability, poor character, judgment, power
Duck - Prophesy, emotional maturity
Eagle - Divine spirit, sacrifice, intelligence, renewal, courage, illumination of spirit, healing, creation/connection to creation, freedom, taking risks
Goat - Surefootedness, stubbornness, independence, diligence, lack of foresight
Goose - demanding a lot of yourself, reliablility, prudence, rigidity, vigilance, parenthood, productivity
Hawk - Messages, intuition, victory, healing, nobility, recollection, visions
Horse - Freedom, stamina, mobility, land, travel, power, freedom
Hummingbird - Messages, timelessness, healing, the warrior
Lizard - Conservation, vision, protection, hidden defences
Mouse - Scrutiny, order, organization, paying attention to detail
Opossum- Diversion, strategy, deception
Owl - Deception, clairvoyance, insight, messages
Peacock - Immortality, dignity, self-confidence
Quail - Teamwork, group tolerance, protection (particularly of children)
Rabbit - Fear, timidity, nervousness, humility, rebirth
Raccoon - Curiosity, cleanliness
Rat - Fertility, sneakiness, scavenging, intelligence, luxury
Raven - Introspection, courage, self-awareness, magic
Rooster - Vanity, love of attention, refusing to settle
Seagull - Versatility, relaxation, creativity, laziness
Skunk - Reputation, presence, strength
Snake - Impulsiveness, shrewdness, rebirth, transformation, wisdom
Squirrel - Planning, gathering
Stag - Masculine power, regeneration, signs
Swan - Grace, innocence, the soul, love, beauty
Turkey - Generosity, life, sharing
Turtle - Nurturing, shyness, protection
Woodpecker - Sensitivity, protection, devotion
