Wisdom Wednesday: Animal Spirit

Card 1

LIZARD

Instinctual, Sensitive to the Subtle, Dreamer

"The Lizard is an expert in the realm of sensory perception. As if it has a sixth sense, the Lizard hears what is yet to be spoken, and see what is yet to manifest. Although this is an amazing gift, it can easily wear the Lizard down. Big crowds, lots of travel, or over-stimulation will drain a Lizard of their magical essence. This card is an indication to pull back from the bright lights and the big city... and return to the inner artist, who's been whispering your name."

When we have lizards come into our lives, it's often a sign to check in with our thoughts. What do we sense? Why are we always at high voltage in our minds? Are we always on-point...looking out for what is a threat? If so, then why? Regrettably, most lizards in Nature are fair-game for predators. That means something in terms of symbolic messages for us humans. What threatens us? What are we afraid of? What are we running away from? What makes us move so fast in an opposite direction.Lizards are a great reminder of coming in tune with potential threat. They sense things in a remarkable way. Lizards have a highly attuned sixth sense. By design, and by our connection with Nature, we have that same uncanny sense. If a lizard crosses your path, ask its energy to identify what you are moving away from, what you are afraid of, what makes you bolt.

Cold-blooded creatures are a sign of our own skill at maneuvering our environment. Cold-blooded creatures adapt to their external temperature. As we are all born from the same Source, we humans have the same skill. When lizard comes into our lives, it's typically a sign to pay keen attention to our environment. What's healing us? What's hurting us? If we can't stand the heat, is it time to get out of the kitchen (as Harry Truman said)? Lizards have an intimate relationship with their environment. They know how the sun moves, how the moon moves, how the Earth's mass influences their own bodies. We should be aware of the same movements in Nature. That's one of the most essential lessons the lizard teaches us. Be in sync with Nature.

Card 2

RABBIT

Afraid of Everything, Overwhelmed, Frozen

"The Rabbit loves to remind his friends that someday the Eagle will swoop down and eat him. He talks and talks and talks about it, so loudly in fact... that one day the Eagle hears and thanks him for the great idea. Rabbit energy is alive when we are scared (most often about the future) and we become our own worst enemy. We spin up a dust cloud of fear and then complain to others that we are lost. Notice your thoughts and words, oh Rabbit... they shape your destiny.

In some Native American traditions Rabbit is known as the Fear Caller, due to it projecting its fear of those wishing to eat it, and thereby attracting the predators it fears. We can learn from the rabbit that if we are always afraid of something then we may draw/create the very experience we are afraid of in to our lives. Fear sends out a certain vibrational energy that may attract the very thing we fear. Fearful thoughts reproduce (like rabbits) and manifest what we fear. If the rabbit finds you then ask yourself whether you are worried or afraid of something. Ask yourself what the best way to handle the situation is. Are you able to let go of your fears? Is there a friend who is able to help you, someone whom you trust?

Rabbits are guides into the shadow world, where our personal fears lie. When the rabbit shows up it is time to examine those deep reflexive fears that hold you back from growing. Do you keep bounding for the safety of your old patterns every time something new or challenging presents itself? If the answer is yes, the rabbit asks you to face your fears with compassion for yourself. You must accept that it is part of human nature to feel fear at times, but also believe that our fears need not paralyze our growth and movement.

Card 3

TURTLE

Ancient Soul, Grounded, Trusting, At Home in the Self

"It is wonderful to be in the presence of a Turtle personality... the Turtle has a strong relationship to the Earth and Water elements simultaneously. This helps to ground and connect them to the deeper truths of life, no matter where their travels lead them. Turtle energy is behind all great writers and storytellers as they collect life experiences under their shell for later use. The most potent Turtle energy helps us close all the other books and begin to tell our own true tale."

Because of its seemingly wide-eyed, long-lived, carefree attitude the turtle is often thought to be the wisest of souls among the animal kingdom. We would all do well to take this as a lesson and move at our own pace as the turtle does. Furthermore, the turtle takes its wisdom one day at a time - not reacting, simply accepting and moving on in its natural methods. Again, this is a powerful analogy for humankind, and we would benefit from adopting the same behavior pattern. Turtle, who seems to move as slowly as earth herself, travels his own path in his own time. He shows us that sometimes we need to slow down.

Also remember the fable about the turtle and the hare? Faster, stronger and bigger does not always equal better, and is not always the best method to obtain a goal. If you are dedicated, focused and work hard to fulfill your aim, it is unimportant whether you are slow or not for eventually, you will succeed. Slow-moving, contemplative Turtle can also be seen as grounded. Being grounded doesn’t mean being stuck in one place not going anywhere, stagnant. Turtle travels close to the earth, intimately connected with the currents of Mother Nature’s energy. Moving slowly means it has all the time to appreciate all of her creations. We can follow this example, when we take the time that is always available, when we move more slowly along our own paths and enjoy the journey. We can learn to ground ourselves in the nurturing and protective energy of the earth and to flow with its energies at a pace which ensures what we focus on is achieved.

See ya next week!

#readings #oracle #wisdomwednesday #wildunknown #animalspirit