Raccoon – Wild Unknown Animal Spirit

So raccoons are one of the animals I don’t know too much about.  I know they are associated with thieving and mischief because of the markings on their face and nocturnal behaviour.  In my research about rabbits I discovered that raccoons eat rabbits.  A bit more research tells me that they are adept with their hands, excellent for opening latches and doors!  So far, the raccoon is not coming off well…

They are eaten by a number of species including bears, alligators, coyotes, owls and other large birds.  When threatened, they retreat up trees.

Dexterity

They are noted for their problem solving skills and their intelligence which is expressed particularly in their dexterity – indeed their most sensitive sense is that of touch.  Because of this they seem to explore the world through their hands, which brings to mind parallels with artists and writers who explore the world through their hands in the form of the art they create.

Perhaps this card has shown up for you to remind you to create more often, whatever form that might mean to you.  When we create, we use a different part of ourselves and it can be helpful for understanding the world.

Masks

Let’s have a closer look at one of the obvious characteristics – that face mask.  In folktales, probably because of their markings, they often play the part of a cunning trickster which outsmarts other animals.  There is a theory that the markings help it to see in the dark, with the black fur reducing glare.  I’m not sure how true that is but I imagine we can all relate to the feeling of wearing a mask, hiding our true self.

Who in your life is wearing the mask?  It might be you, it might be someone else.  What is their motivation?  Is it shyness or deceit?  The raccoon in the card could be seen as timid or seen as trying to hide itself.  Your interpretation probably says something about what your mind is trying to tell you.  Listen to it.  Trust your own interpretation.  My words throughout this series are a way of me being able to explore my own ideas as well as the nature of the creatures but your own intuition is the most important aspect of any reading.

Masks can be used to conceal identity for reasons of privacy, fear, secrecy, disguise, to allow us to take on the role of another such as in acting…  We all have lots of different faces depending on our circumstances and these can be helpful when we need to call on different aspects of ourselves eg parent, colleague, manager, friend etc.  But like everything, it’s all about balance.  Are you wearing too many masks?  Are you spending any time without your mask?  How tight is your mask?  Are you being someone completely different?  Can you remember who you are without your mask?

Curiosity killed the cat (or the raccoon)

One of the reasons that raccoons get into trouble is their curiosity which leads them to explore, including homes and gardens in residential areas.  Is your own curiosity getting you into trouble?  Do you need to think about the consequences?  Or maybe you need to channel the raccoon and bring more curiosity into your life?

When faced with the unknown, if you feel the fear of the rabbit, perhaps you could transform this energy into the raccoon’s curiosity?  I find it interesting to look at the different spirit animals and see how they relate to one another.  We’ve seen that the raccoon kills the rabbit but perhaps the raccoon could do with a bit of rabbit caution?

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If you want to see a cute, none wild raccoon, check out Pumpkin!

Fancy a bit of fun synchronicity?  I tweeted that I was spending my day researching the raccoon, after pressing send I picked up the copy of Flow which had arrived today and bam, there was a raccoon!

The artist is Emmeke Kistemaker.

The Rabbit – Wild Unknown Animal Spirit Deck

For me, there feels like a lot of similarities between the mouse and the rabbit. Both are vulnerable to predators and this motivates a lot of their behaviour. The mouse focuses on the teeny tiny details to help it feel in control whereas the rabbit focuses on fear, ruminating on it over and over.

When we look at this card, we need to recall Kim’s intention to create a deck of wild animals. We shouldn’t see this rabbit in the same way as we see our domesticated, very much loved by humans, pampered pet rabbit.

Vulnerable to predators, rabbits have an excellent field of vision allowing them to see over a wide area especially when they “stand up” as depicted in the card.  Long ears also help her to sense danger and she is constantly alert.  If she perceives danger, she’ll possibly freeze and then warn other rabbits by thumping her foot.   Apparently rabbits can sleep with their eyes open, always vigilance and waiting for danger. They are shy, timid creatures who experience a lot of fear.

I wonder if fear is the reason they’re “at it like rabbits”, afraid that their young will be killed, they maximise their chances of their line continuing?  Or perhaps sex is an outlet for all their nervous energy?!

In terms of questions to reflect on, look at your fears.  Are they justified or are you seeing fear everywhere? How are you reacting to danger?  Are you like a rabbit in the headlights, frozen?

The story of Rabbit and Eye Walker is a good illustration of how fear can create danger.  What would be a better way of approaching your fear?  How can you work through it, let go of it or face it?

Think about your own life, are you like the Rabbit, afraid, cowardly, frozen? What does your fear drive you to do?  Is fear leading to you see the world through a pessimistic veil?  Does it fuel insecurity?

For me, this card is less about what you are afraid of and more about the impact that fear has on your behaviour, your thoughts and your life.

The Mouse – Wild Unknown Animal Spirit Deck

My beloved granma was NOT a fan of mice.  She was a strong woman, independent, loving, she kept bees and I don’t think she had a problem with spiders but when it came to mice… She’d be up on a stool the moment she saw one!  I wish she was still with us so I could ask her about it.

Like the earthworm, the mouse is small and often judged by her size, such as in the story of the mouse and the lion.  As well as highlighting that you shouldn’t judge creatures by their size, this fable also illustrates some of the mouse’s characteristics.  She took the giant task of freeing the lion step by step, little by little.

Imagine yourself as the mouse.  You are so tiny and the world so large that the little details, the nitty gritty seem huge.  You can end up so focused on the small things that you don’t even see the bigger picture and this is understandable when a pebble is the size of a rock, a molehill the size of a mountain.  However, too much attention to detail can be a hindrance.  Are you getting the balance right?

Like the Earthworm, the mouse is toward the bottom of the food chain. Unlike the worm, it can’t spend all its time hiding under the ground. To cope, she has a heightened sense of danger, is very vigilant and feels things out carefully. How about you? How do you approach threats and danger? Do you need to be more cautious?

Mice are one of those creatures that a lot of people dislike, if this is you, do you know why? If not, what is your relationship to the little mouse?

The Earthworm – Wild Unknown Animal Spirit Deck

You might want to read the first post, with some context and my musings on the bear if you haven’t already.

The earthworm… Well, you might wonder what on earth (ha – pun!) I’m going to say but first I’d like to thank Kim for featuring such a range of animals, not just the most beautiful or most loved ones.  For where would we be without the earthworm?  This much overlooked, shy creature which daily turns the earth over contributing greatly to the web of life.

“It may be doubted whether there are many other animals which have played so important a part in the history of the world, as have these lowly organised creatures.”

-Charles Darwin

A bit of background

I’m guessing that, like me, you’ve probably not given much thought about earthworms before so first, lets have a quick lesson.

Earthworms are also known as the “dew-worm”, “rainworm”, “night crawler”, and “angleworm” (due to its use as fishing bait).  Whilst we often overlook the humble creature, the ancient Egyptians apparently held them sacred and were forbidden from removing them from the soil.

Earthworms are deaf and do not have eyes but they are covered in cells which allow them to taste the earth and sense light and dark..  They have five “pseudohearts” (blood vessels which act as a heart) and both male and female reproductive organs.

They move using waves of muscle contractions which shorten and lengthen their body and they expand into crevices in the earth using force.  Perhaps thinking of them like a piston will help you get the idea?

They aerate and mix the earth as they move which also leaves behind tiny tunnels which are helpful for drainage as well as allowing oxygen to enter the ground and carbon dioxide to leave.  They speed up decomposition and improve the fertility of the soil and acelerate the nutrient cycle.  Their casings are essential for healthy soil and the presence of worms increases the activity of bacteria and fungi in the area which all helps to create a rich and fertile environment.  All of this is excellent news for plants that are living in the area which in turn is great news for the animals which eat the plants and so on.  They are also food for birds, hedgehogs, moles and many other species.

The Earthworm Animal Spirit Card

Ok, now you know a bit of the basics of the humble earthworm, lets have a think about what that might mean in terms of the spirit card.

Firstly, we’re thinking about humility and being overlooked.  This little creature does a lot of essential work for the planet and most of us don’t give it a second thought.  They are a reminder that we are all important, we are all interconnected, we are valued even if we are not in the spotlight.  And indeed many of us would rather not be in the spotlight.  Your contribution to this world does not go unnoticed.  It may seem like it at times but what you are doing matters and there are people (like the Earthworm Society of Britain) who are full of praise and joy and delight for you.

Look back at the card, that little worm is hiding it’s light within itself, shyly keeping itself to itself.  It is motivated internally rather than by external praise and validation.  Don’t judge the power of a being based on their size or their presence.  The earthworm is just as crucial to our planet as the imposing bear.  Honour the little things in life and the quiet contributions to society which keep everything ticking over.

Whilst the Earthworm carries out important work, it is a relatively basic creature. If you were creating life, the worm would be one of your earlier projects. The worm is a beginner, the start of the food chain.  Perhaps if you’ve drawn this card you need to give yourself a break, you can’t be an expert as soon as you start out, value each phase of your journey.

As you might expect there are some crossovers between the animals in the spirit deck and those in the wild unknown tarot deck, the earthworm being one of them. It features in the five of swords as well as the nine of swords.

The five of swords is often related to self destruction, pain and suffering and whilst I don’t argue with that, the knowledge that the Earthworm can regenerate parts of itself add a positive note to the tarot card. Yes, we may be hurting but we have the power to heal ourselves.

The nine of swords depicts worms feasting on remains of something.  Which sounds disgusting and horrible and the card itself is associated with fear and nightmares and despair which feels about right if you have worms eating your flesh.  But with our knowledge about the earthworm, we know that this is important.  This is a part of the birth, life, death, rebirth cycle.  In this case it’s not literal, you probably don’t have actual worms eating you but think about what you need to let go of, what needs to die, how can that be transformed into new life?  How can you take your fear and turn it into something good?

“All in the web of life have something vital to share in creating a healthy Earth garden.  All life is interdependent on other life forms… When you honour the small beings that are vital to life, you start to let go of your judgement, tune into yourself and acknowledge the gifts you personally contribute to the web of life.  And in doing so you feel on a cellular level that you are enough.”

– Llyn Roberts

 

The Wild Unknown Animal Spirit Deck: The Bear

“…Ask now the Beasts
And they shall teach thee;
And the Fowls of the air,
And they shall teach thee;
Or speak to the Earth,
And it shall teach thee”

-Job 12: 7-8

I recently got the beautiful Wild Unknown Animal Spirit Deck from an amazing friend (which makes it even more special in my books).  One of the wonderful things about the deck is that you can add a lot of your own personal meaning based on your experience with the animals you draw and also by learning more about them.

Kim Krans, the illustrator, explains that, out of all the many many animals, she focused on wild animals and has split the deck into earth, air, fire, water and spirit.

To get to know the cards better, I am hoping to work my way through them all, adding my own knowledge, my understanding of the animal and what I feel like they are telling me.  I will not be regurgitating the accompanying book, buy that yourself, it’s great!  Some of the animals I’m familiar with, some less so and in another animal spirit deck (also from a great friend) there are animals I’ve never even heard of!  It’s the Animal Dreaming Oracle Card deck by Scott Alexander King and I’m planning on doing a similar thing with that deck as well.

These are the earth cards, how beautiful are they?! I love them!

Bear

I like bears, quite possibly stemming from my love of teddy bears which I do realise are very different to the wild kind!

As I approach these cards, I think about what springs to mind when I think of the animal.  When it comes to the bear, hibernation is a big part of that mental construct I have.  I also bring to mind the dichotomies of the bear; on the one hand you have creature which eats mostly vegetation and nurtures her* cubs for a couple of years; on the other hand you have an animal which is fierce and aggressive (mostly when she or her cubs are being threatened it must be said).

In terms of the card, one of the most powerful messages I got was that you can have two seemingly opposing energies or forces or feelings within you and still be one.  I know that sounds obvious to a lot of people but it has taken, and is still taking, a lot for me to be able to reconcile feeling moments of joy against a backdrop of pain.  I am only just reaching a point where I can hold this polarity of feelings without one invalidating the other.  We are all made up of a range of emotions and the way we express that is also diverse but often the root of our actions comes from the same place – our values.  In the case of the mother bear, she nurtures and loves her cubs and is compassionate and gentle and it is that love which drives her to aggression when her beloved children are threatened.  She is gentle and she is strong.

Physical qualities

Bears have a strong presence – they are tall, they are well built and I imagine if you see them in the wild you’re probably going to be rather intimidated!  For me, the bear spirit animal is about stepping into your power, standing tall and standing your ground.

Other than mothers with their cubs, bears live alone.  Is this card a reminder that you need to retreat (into your cave for hibernation) and spend some time on your own?  Literally going within, taking space for introspection within your own cave or den which brings us back to…

Hibernation

Given that this is the first card in the earth “suit”, I think it’s important to think about the cycle of hibernation.  The bear spends spring to autumn in her active phase eating a lot of food, wandering the woods, mating and generally doing what bears do.  She’s out there living her life.

Next comes hyperphagia – lots and lots of eating and drinking and preparing the den.  This is followed by a transition period in which their bodies start to prepare for hibernation; metabolisms fall, heart rates fall and the bear becomes much more lethargic.

Then comes hibernation when the bear is in a dormant state, using her stores of fat as energy.  Changes from the transition period become more extreme with heart rates as low as 8 beats a minute (as opposed to 80-100 during the active phase).  The waste created through the “feeding” process, such as urea, is reused rather than being expelled.  It is during the hibernation period that eggs are fertilised (they are kept away from sperm until the bear knows she will have enough fat stores to ensure a successful pregnancy) and cubs are born in late January/early February.  It is probably this period of sleep and retreat that has resulted in bears being associated with the subconscious.  They do after all spend up to 100 days wandering the land of dreams.

There is a final phase, the bear does not just wake up one day and move into her active period.  This phase has been referred to as a waking hibernation and is when the transition activity is reversed.  Mother bears tend to be the last of the bears to venture back out.

It is this phase in the cycle, almost a rebirth, that I feel is particularly relevant to this card.  As the first card in the suit, the bear is emerging, starting her journey, and a natural place to start is the coming out of hibernation.  Perhaps at different times and different situations, I will relate this card more with another phase, listen and feel what is right for you, now.

Terri Windling has written about the bear, following her seasons of inward and outward, activity and rest, introversion and extroversion.  This idea of dualities has helped me think differently about my own periods of activity and rest.  All things have their time, to flow with this is much easier than to struggle against it:

“There is a perfect time for everything.  If the tulip surfaces in heart of winter, the bitter winds won’t give her a chance.” – Rebecca Campbell

Note: apparently, according to the wisdom of the internet, bears do not truly hibernate as there are specific conditions which are required for this however there is agreement that they do have a long winter sleep!

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*For me, this card feels like it has a feminine energy and the messages I am taking are all related to the mummy bear.  Perhaps looking at the different sexes would give interesting depth to readings.