As Spirit Animals, Mammals symbolize community, diversity, fertility, stability, grounding, the earth, natural rhythms, and cycles of life. Mammals represent our natural world. Although many also represent our inner world and navigating the journey within.
For example, the Squirrel represents play, joy, imagination, being brave and living out loud and in the moment, making excellent representations of our Inner Child. The Rabbit represents shapeshifting, camouflage and what is hidden beneath the surface. Rabbits serve as a light on our path to discover our shadows and bring them into the light.
Mammals are associated with the element of earth and for some, like the Sea Lion or the Hippo, the element of Water. Earth represents stability, grounding, strength, safety, and nurturing. Water represents purification, cleansing, transformation, intuition, emotions, and spiritual growth.
Mammal symbolism incorporates the foundational representations of all Mammals, including Squirrels and Lions, for example. Each specific mammal species holds its own in-depth and unique symbolism that serves to guide us on our path. Click the images below to learn more.
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SQUIRREL PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS
Squirrels are considered rodents and are part of the Sciuridae family. There are many different species of Squirrels that can be found throughout the world. Some of the more common we encounter are Ground/Tree Squirrels, Flying Squirrels, Abert’s Squirrel, and Red Squirrels.
Most Squirrels are brown, reddish or greyish in color. Some have a striped pattern down their back like a racing stripe. They have a bushy tail, and most species tuck it up behind their head in a curled shape. They have fur all over their bodies that is silky in appearance. The Red Squirrel and the Eastern Grey Squirrel have thicker fur for colder temperatures.
There are several unique Squirrel species such as the Prevost Squirrel who is rust, black and white in appearance, as well as the Siberian Flying Squirrel who is light brown but small and chubby in size with very large, pronounced eyes and they can fly. There is also the Japanese Giant Flying Squirrel who actually resembles a bat!
Squirrels have arms and legs, and their paws have four toes, with a fifth partially developed thumb. Their legs are short, but they are powerful. They are built for scaling and climbing rough terrain. When in motion they walk and run on all fours. This gives them increased speed and agility. Their arms are as strong as their legs, and they use them to manipulate food and use their claws to dig out nuts and seeds that have fallen into crevices.
Squirrels are relatively small and range from 2-3 pounds and are generally 4-6” in length. Although the Indian Giant Squirrel can weight up to 4 pounds and the Bhutan Giant Flying Squirrel can reaches lengths over 4’. They have powerful teeth that they use as sharp cutting instruments from a carving knife to a hatchet. Squirrels can use their teeth to crack hard, thick nutshells as well as chew through wood.
We can find Squirrels all over the world. We do not see them as often in the Winter as food sources are scarcer. They also tend to sleep more in the Winter to conserve their energy reserves. Squirrels spend the Summer and Fall months scavenging and taking the treasures back to their home nesting spot.
Squirrels built nests high in the trees with sticks for the base and lots of thick leaves. They call this home at night and also during nesting season. They are very diverse and can live in a range of habitats. Squirrels are found in forests, open spaces, tropical rainforests, parks and neighborhoods. If there is a stable food source, they will move in and call it home.
For the most part, Squirrels are herbivores and feast on plants, flowers and grassy materials. They do have a wide pallet as survival is key for our Squirrel friends. Some of their favorite menu selections include nuts, fruit, some vegetables, sunflower and safflower seeds, conifer cones and wild berries. They have several favorite nuts including peanuts, walnuts and almonds.
In the Spring, Squirrels mate and carry their young. The females carry the squirrels for 3-6 weeks until they are born. They usually will give birth to 2-6 baby squirrels. The female Squirrel tends to her young for 6-10 weeks until they are old enough to start eating on their own. They are considered mature when they reach one year of age.
Squirrels can live from 5-10 years in nature. This is actually quite impressive considering they are prey to many different species in the animal kingdom. And given the harsh conditions of Winter, they find a way to survive.
Several Squirrel species are considered social animals as they are synanthropic by nature and understand the value humans can provide with food sources. Some species of Squirrels are also social with each other and live in groups called a scurry or dray. They form little packs of 5-8 and they look after each other and forage and nest together.
Squirrels are chatty and vocal. They sit and chirp and chat away, spinning their tails on the side of fence posts and in trees. Many of these communications are to let others know of pending danger while others are to let other Squirrels know, food is abundant or hands off, this is my area. They can be a bit territorial when it comes to certain food sources.
Although the Squirrel is a powerful communicator, there are some Squirrels that are naturally high strung. They tend to send out constant danger calls and then the other animals start to ignore it. This can prove challenging as then no animals in that immediate area are protected from lurking danger.
SQUIRREL SYMBOLISM INTRODUCTION
As Spirit Animals, Squirrels symbolize joy, lightheartedness, play, fun, adventure, emotions, Inner Child, long-term planning, resourcefulness, and communication. Squirrels guide us to live in the present moment, tap into the playful energy of our Inner Child and plan for our future.
SYMBOLIC KEYWORDS
· Joy
· Lightheartedness
· Play
· Fun
· Adventure
· Emotions
· Inner Child
· Long-Term Planning
· Resourcefulness
· Communication
KEYWORD SYMBOLISM DEFINITIONS
Joy / Lightheartedness
Observing Squirrels, they have a joyful and lighthearted nature. For most, once they find a chosen area to call home and they will generally move up and down that area in packs of 5-8, foraging and hunting for food. It is not uncommon to Squirrels hopping along their paths in synchronicity, remaining about 6’ from each other.
They chatter amongst each other and bounce with glee at every find. Occasionally something catches their eye, and they take off running towards a big tree. They are active and playful, often racing up and down trees at record speed. It seems that nothing can phase the Squirrel as they can find joy in every moment.
The Squirrel reminds us to find joy in our lives and embrace our lighthearted nature. It is easy to get caught up in the stress of the day, which is why it is so important to take time to find the little things that bring joy to our lives. Perhaps we got the parking spot we wanted, or our coffee tasted extra good today. There is always something to be grateful for and gratitude sparks joy!
Play / Fun
Squirrels are very entertaining to watch. They hop along the grass, stopping to dig for golden nuggets, then they continue to hop along with joy to their next location. Occasionally, they run into a friend, and both scamper up and down the tree for a quick game of chase. Even the dutiful Squirrel takes time for play!
The Squirrel reminds us to embrace our lighthearted, fun, and playful side. Squirrels find joy and amusement in every moment. With their fun-loving antics they chatter gleefully to each other, frolicking up and down trees. Then they stop to dig in the grass looking for their buried treasure. Squirrels remind us to smile more and not sweat the small stuff. Joy, love, and play are essential components to a balanced, peaceful life.
Adventure
Squirrels are very adventurous and have a fun and energetic nature in the way they live their lives. Although they enjoy the comfort of their safe food sources, they also love the adventure that each day brings. They never get tired of running up and down the same trees. To the Squirrel every day is a chance at a new beginning and today maybe they will go right instead of left up that big old tree!
The Squirrel reminds us to embrace our adventurous side and step outside our comfort zone. For many it can be difficult to leave the comfort of our routines. We get into our patterns and often remain there feeling safe and secure. The thought of trying something new is just too daunting to consider.
Adventures come in many forms, they can be big or small. Often, it’s better to take a page from our Squirrel friend and take baby steps when it comes to change. Taking things one step at a time, then seeing how that goes. Then bravely taking on the next step, seeing how that feels. With each success, the cycle continues towards growth.
Even though the Squirrel is always up for a big adventure, they also know that taking time to look for the treasures are what brings the most reward into our lives. With change, we can find a path that is easy and effortless and then embrace the new adventure that awaits!
Emotions / Inner Child
Squirrels are expressive creatures. Observing them it is not difficult to see what they are trying to accomplish in their daily activities. For some they are foraging for treasure, while others are having a fun filled adventure. Frolicking and chattering away, hopping along their path with playful might.
For some Squirrels, they may be more guarded, finding the world a place that feels too big for them. They are often up high in trees, surveying their surroundings. Then the little Squirrel bravely comes down to hunt for some snacks – always with a watchful eye to take off up the first tree at bullet speed.
The Squirrel represents our emotions and connects to our Inner Child Archetype. In many ways, it is easy to see how much Squirrels are like children as they live their lives each day. They are highly emotional and say what is on their mind, good or bad, they let the world hear their voice.
They also have no fear, as they bravely face each day as a new adventure and a chance to find joy and fun in every moment. Perhaps the little Squirrel has big dreams of finding that big golden nugget and they know just where to start looking to kick off today’s excursion.
Or perhaps the nervous little Squirrel is trying to muster up the courage to leave the comfort of home to start the quest of finding food for the day. Each noise sounds louder causing hesitation for the little Squirrel, but eventually she finds her inner strength and bravely runs down the tree to her chosen starting point. She is on her way to her adventure.
The Squirrel reminds us to be brave and fearless in our journey. They help us understand the complexities of our emotional landscape and work through our emotions in a healthy way. When doing Inner Child work, the Squirrel can help us retrieve our memories from our childhood and tap into the fun, creative, playful, imaginative sides of our personalities.
Long-Term Planning / Resourcefulness
Squirrels are excellent long-term planners. They understand the laws of nature and that come Winter, resources will be scarce. The dutiful little Squirrel hops along his chosen foraging path each day, collecting buried treasures. With each new find, they carefully take them home to their nesting spot, to store their riches for later.
Squirrels symbolize long-term planning and resourcefulness. The little Squirrel serves as a reminder to be sure to gather and plan ahead for those times when resources may be scarce.
They also remind us to only store what we need and not get too greedy. The little Squirrel gathers for their immediate need and stores the rest for later. It would be difficult to secure the necessities when our paws are full of other stuff. The Squirrel says, its ok to buy just one package of toilet paper (mega size is approved).
The dutiful little Squirrel reminds us to remove the excess clutter from our lives. It’s important to keep our home, office, and especially our sleeping area tidy. Physical clutter creates a chaotic environment and can disrupt the flow of positive energy. The Squirrel says I will send you dreams of abundance if you keep the pathway clear.
We also need to stay mindful of our mental clutter to keep our minds sharp and focused so we can remain attentive to our feelings. Our fears, doubts, and negative belief patterns cause an energy imbalance which can impact our emotional, mental, and physical well-being.
Squirrels gather for their immediate needs first, then store the rest for later. They would not be able to accomplish this if their paws and cheek pouches were full of nuts. Our Squirrel friend reminds us to let go of the past, be gentle with ourselves, and have a little fun. The Squirrel says, it's time to come out of the inner world and play in the natural world, it's time to live in the present moment.
Communication
The Squirrel is quite the communicator. They can often be heard chattering and chirping away high in the trees or along the fence lines. Each call has a distinct meaning within the Squirrel community. Some are signs to their friends of new resources ahead, while others are calls to warn of pending danger looming.
Although it is important that we honor ourselves and speak our truth, we also must stay mindful of the words we chose. It is easy to get caught up in our boundaries or beliefs, especially if we are having a disagreement with someone. We tend to react and judge – saying something we regret later.
When we go into reactionary mode, it clouds our judgement. The Squirrel reminds us to use our voice wisely, there is no need to act in haste. Taking a moment to pause is always a good choice. Words have great power.
SPIRIT ANIMAL
As a Spirit Animal, Squirrels guide us in working with the energy of our Inner Child Archetype. They can offer profound insight into our emotional landscape as well as guide us to discover memories from our childhood. With their symbolism, they also offer encouragement and support as we embrace the lighthearted, joyful and playful side of our Inner Child.
SQUIRREL SPIRIT ANIMAL & THE INNER CHILD ARCHETYPE
Inner Child
Connecting animal symbolism to Inner Work can serve as a powerful guide on our inner world journey. Through Inner Child work we can learn about the various stages of childhood development as well as key areas throughout our lives where we were to learn our various Soul Life Lessons.
Given how life goes for many of us, it is actually quite easy to miss these key areas of development. When we miss these crucial development stages as children and teenagers and our life progresses, we experience more pain and trauma, and we are unable to process these experiences in a healthy way.
Because we have not developed the skills to cope with these issues our fears grow deeper, and our shadows manifestations become darker. As we become adults the fears and shadows can become so large and unmanageable that they take over our lives, creating chaos and disruption, resulting in serious life challenges.
We can take back our power and regain peace and balance in our lives. Getting to the root cause of our inner struggles and working through the complex memories, emotions and fears allows us to heal the wounds from the past and release the hold they have over us.
When we deep dive into our inner landscape, it takes us back to childhood. Often, many of our most difficult experiences result from our youth. For some, childhood may have been a painful ordeal, while for others it was nothing out of the ordinary. For some of us, home life may have been just fine, but life at school was the nightmare.
From the most challenging to the most mundane, all of the events in our lives and the people we have encountered on our path serve as teachers on our journey. It is quite often our most difficult experiences that offer the most profound insight into our Soul Life Lessons.
Journey Into Childhood
As we embark on our journey into childhood, we leave the safety of home and head to pre-school, then off to grade school. We begin to meet other children and adults outside of our tribe. While on this path, we begin to learn how to communicate our needs and wants with those outside our family as well as learn how to share and play.
As we express ourselves, we are often told to stop doing certain behaviors. For many, they heard statements such as girls don't get angry, and boys don’t cry. We are often told to stop getting angry and to stop expressing our emotions. As children we tend to be over the top as we only know what we know – and feelings are quite misunderstood in the child mind.
The same is true when we experience life events as children, and we are unable to process them in a healthy way. Something as mundane as being told Santa does not exist can leave emotional scars for our Inner Child. Perhaps being told this information was so earth shattering that we ran home to tell our Mom or Dad – to be faced with a dismissive comment like, oh its ok, don’t worry about it; completely dismissing our pain.
These experiences get engrained into our psyche and if we do not work through the emotions, as we get older, we carry the pain from the memories with us. While for many, we have to work through a personally difficult childhood, we also have to deal with our collective tribal wounds.
Inner Child Energy
When we work with the energy of our Inner Child, we can release the emotional pain from our childhood wounds and outdated tribal beliefs, and find the lesson that each experience was serving to teach. We can embrace our feelings, emotions, and imagination when we were children in a safe and healthy way.
As we learn to balance the complexity of our emotional landscape, we build inner strength and emotional intelligence. We can let go of our fears and outdated tribal beliefs and we can begin to embrace the wisdom from our Inner Child Archetype and work with this energy in a positive way.
As a Spirit Guide, Squirrels can guide us on our path to inner discovery and help us tap into our playful, fun, creative, emotional and imaginative nature of our Inner Child Archetype.
Squirrels can help us remember the joy and the feelings we used to have as children, when nothing was impossible, and no dream was too big to achieve. This energy can guide us to discover our true nature and our true path in life while helping us heal our childhood wounds and find a path to healing.
Recently I had an encounter with my Squirrel guide who led me to a video online. Although at the time, I found it upsetting, it didn’t take me long to realize the significance of it for my journey. I enjoy writing about the lessons our animal friends teach us as well as experiencing them learning the very same lessons themselves. If you would like to read the story: Squirrel Soul Life Lessons: The Snake and the Two Squirrels
TOTEM ANIMAL
For those born under the Squirrel totem, they are great planners, organized, fun, energetic, and live life to the fullest. They are very charming and social in groups and also tend to have a large group of close friends. They also believe in the closeness of family and family traditions.
Squirrel people have great balance in their lives. They value the importance of hard work, but they always find time to lighten up and have some fun. All stress and no fun leads to the grumps, but they are self-aware and can recognize the need to connect with their playful side.
Those born under the Squirrel totem are great planners and organizers, but they can lose focus easily. Sometimes it can be hard to leave the fun at the door, but with a gentle nudge they typically can get back on track. When they are focused, they are diligent and resourceful!
Squirrel people are fun and engaging. They are expressive and love to have a good time. They value each experience and find the good no matter what may be going on. They are great to have around if you end up breaking down on the side of the highway for an extended period of time – but be ready to leave the car and go on an adventure!
POWER ANIMAL
As a Power Animal, Squirrels can help with long-term planning as well as manifesting abundance in our lives.
Long Term Planning
With their cute cheek pouches and their antics of burying food, they represent the importance of long-term planning. They teach us to always be prepared and make sure there is enough stored for the long, cold winter.
However, there is no need to go overboard and start hoarding, even the diligent squirrel only finds a small portion of the nuts they hide in the wild. And remember, scarcity and lack is a mindset, there is plenty of abundance for all. When we change our thoughts and consciously choose to live our life this way, it becomes reality.
Abundance
The steadfast little Squirrel will faithfully bury their nuts to stash them away for later. Even our dutiful Squirrel friend will forget where they buried their treasure. In this act that we see as forgetfulness, they are actually creating new life. The seeds become plants and trees, creating a living breathing organism.
Squirrels represent abundance and creativity. Abundance has many expressions. We may be striving for physical world security like money, jobs, power, social status or material items. Or we may be seeking spiritual abundance and a strong, stable spiritual foundation.
With their connection to our Inner Child, they represent our spiritual nature. They remind us to be mindful of the spiritual seeds we are planting. Are we focused in the right area? Are we being discerning? Our life is a living, breathing garden that we must tend to with love and care. If we ignore our spiritual needs, we may find weeds growing instead.
HISTORICAL, CULTURAL, RELIGIOUS SYMBOLISM
Native American
In Native American spiritual tradition, Squirrels represent preparation, planning, resourcefulness and creativity. They also symbolize agility, playfulness and adaptability. The Squirrel nests high in the trees but they must be ready for changing conditions, whether that is upcoming Winter or harsh weather that threatens home, they are light on their feet and ready to survive even in the toughest of circumstances.
Some cultures also view the Squirrel as a trickster. With their chattering and noisy calls often misrepresenting danger, they are seen as gossip and rambunctious. They represent the one who causes trouble and can be a nuisance.
Celtic
In Celtic spiritual traditions, the Squirrel symbolizes agility and resourcefulness. They are also seen as intermediaries between the natural and spirit world. They represent protection and can guide souls on their path between realms. It has also been said that seeing a Squirrel near a sacred tree is a message of Divine protection and guidance.
With the Squirrels’ connection to fertility and abundance, they also represent a deep connection between nature and the spiritual realm. They embody the Earth element and act as protectors of the natural world serving as trusted guides to those on the path.
RABBIT PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS
Rabbits are mammals that belong to the Leporidae family. Females are known as does and males are referred to as bucks. There are many species of Rabbits living throughout most of the world. They all share the same unique traits such as a stout, roundish body, tall ears, a stubby or puff tail and four limbs. They also have an almond shaped face with their nose making the tip and large eyes.
They come in a variety of colors, but most are brown, black and grey in color. To stay alive, they must blend in with nature. White Rabbits do live in the arctic, however, the most common we see is the Albino Rabbit which is a house pet. Most are solid in color, although there are a few species of Rabbit that have stripe patterns.
Rabbits live in a diverse habitat depending on the specific species. Some will live in tropical climates, or deserts, while others prefer cold and even polar temperatures. Rabbits live in dense vegetation and greenery where they can burrow and blend into the environment. They are well known to live near wetlands, in grasslands, forests, meadows, open spaces, parks and neighborhoods.
Most will live on the ground and live near a water source for plump and fresh nutrition. There are a few species of Rabbits like the Marsh Rabbit and Swamp Rabbit that actually live in wetlands and swamps. They are semi-aquatic and are powerful swimmers.
Rabbits are herbivores and are diverse in their menu selection. They are often seen foraging on leafy vegetation, grass, weeds, forbs, flowers and plants. They are ravenous and will feast on anything in sight for the first hour. The second hour of their feast they slow things down and are a bit more selective in their menu choices.
It is interesting to observe Rabbits eating longer materials such as stalks or long blades of grass as they will chew them at a more rapid rate when they first arrive at their new location. Usually there is an abundance of these choices along the garden edge. If things stay peaceful and quiet, they will remain and take time to hop around the garden, grazing for a favorite flowery snack.
They are diurnal but they sleep up to eight hours a day. They are most active during dawn and dusk. They spend most of their time grazing and foraging for food. As the Rabbit eats throughout the grazing process, they are consistently excreting waste so they can continue to consume as much nutrition as possible from the food sources.
Rabbits have unique behaviors that set them apart from their other mammal counterparts. To hide from predators, they burrow into holes and hide their faces in the hole, so they remain undetected. Due to their natural coloring it’s a serve as a powerful shapeshifting technique to protect them from harm.
They also have powerful sight and vision and use their sense of sight, hearing and smell to detect danger in the area. The position of their eyes allows for a 360 view of their world. With their powerful hearing, Rabbits can sense sound waves within their environment as well as detect anxiousness from respiration within the environment. This serves them well so they can respond accordingly to the changing situation. They also use these resources to locate food and water as well as to locate prime grazing areas.
Rabbits are polygamous and have multiple mates. They breed for nine months out of the year generally from February through October. Rabbits actually have multiple litters during this time period with up to 8 kits per litter. The gestation period is 4-6 weeks, and the baby Rabbits are weaned and ready to start eating on their own 4-5 weeks after they are born. Rabbits are sexually mature between 6-7 months of age and the cycle of life begins again.
In nature, Rabbits live less than 4 years. For those who have a domesticated lifestyle, their lifespan is about 10 years. Wild Rabbits fall victim to a multitude of predators and are seen as the most widely hunted in nature. Rabbits are a prime delicacy for raptors, including Eagles, Hawks and Falcons.
Rabbits are also hunted by many ground dwelling animals. Some include racoons, foxes, coyotes, wolves, leopards, snakes, lizards and rats. They have been known to become victims to dogs and house cats. Rabbits are also often hunted by humans. They Rabbit burrows and blends into the environment to wait things out until there is safe passage. Four years is still a significant amount of time to survive the laws of nature.
Rabbits are very fast and can run and hop in zigging and zagging directions at warp speed. They do this to confuse predators who are often much larger than they arere, giving them a chance to escape. Although their legs appear very small, they are extremely powerful and give them great flight.
RABBIT SYMBOLISM INTRODUCTION
As Spirit Animals, Rabbits symbolize creativity, fertility, shapeshifting, trickster, intuition, wisdom, transformation, rebirth, grounded energy, and roots. The Rabbit guides us on our inner world journey, helping us uncover hidden and repressed memories while guiding us to release our fears and pain from the past. They offer strength and encouragement as we navigate the complexities of change, transformation and rebirth.
Rabbits also symbolize creativity and fertility. They represent abundance in all forms. The Rabbit can guide us on our path to manifestation as well as help us build our spiritual foundation. They help us tap into our imagination and creative potential to reshape our lives in the physical world.
SYMBOLIC KEYWORDS
· Creativity
· Fertility
· Shapeshifting
· Trickster
· Intuition
· Wisdom
· Transformation
· Rebirth
· Grounded
· Roots
KEYWORD SYMBOLISM DEFINITIONS
Creativity / Fertility
Rabbits are the epitome of creativity, fertility and birth. Not only do they have multiple mates, but they breed continuously throughout a nine month period each year. The gestation period is 4-6 weeks, and the baby Rabbits are weaned and ready to start eating on their own 4-5 weeks after they are born. Rabbits are sexually mature between 6-7 months of age and the cycle of life begins again. Given that a calendar year is twelve months, the Rabbit spends the majority of their time birthing and creating new life.
Part of Rabbit symbolism is fertility, and all things related to new life, children and family. This could relate to starting a new family or having children, to adoption. This also may not relate to human children and may involve adopting a pet as a new family member.
Creativity has many expressions outside of new life. We can create abundance in our lives as well as birth new ideas and projects. Whether we are working on manifestation in our lives or looking to find our creative passion and drive, the Rabbit serves as a potent reminder of the creative power we have within.
Shapeshifting / Trickster
Rabbits are known as tricksters or shapeshifters in nature. They have the ability to hide from predators by burrowing into the earth, burying their faces and blending into the surroundings. With their natural coloring, it is almost impossible to detect them within the environment.
They are extremely agile and when they are being hunted, Rabbits can run and hop at warp speed in zigging and zagging directions. They do this to confuse predators who are often much larger than they are, giving them a chance to escape.
The Rabbit symbolizes awareness, planning and cleverness. They remind us to develop self-awareness as well as stay aware of our physical surroundings. At times, we may be too outwardly expressive, tipping our hand or giving too much information. This could serve as a reminder to slow down, take time to reflect before jumping in.
Perhaps we are hiding who we are, camouflaging our true nature so we can be accepted by our peers, tribes and social groups. The Rabbit reminds us to honor our true nature. When we repress ourselves, we damage our spirit. We were all born with unique gifts to share with the world, and embracing our individuality allows us to tap into that creative wellspring.
Intuition / Wisdom
Rabbits have incredible senses. With the position of their eyes, they have virtually a 360-degree view of their environment. They have a powerful sense of smell and taste, giving them the ability to detect danger in the area. With their powerful hearing, Rabbits can sense sound waves within their environment as well as detect anxiousness from respiration. This serves them well so they can respond quickly accordingly to the changing situation.
Part of Rabbit energy is an element of being hunted as they are one of the most hunted in the animal kingdom. Often, Rabbits come into our lives to let us know that change is necessary, or change is coming.
It could relate to changes we need to make in our physical lives, such as jobs, relationships or living situations. With the Rabbit’s deep connection to intuition and wisdom, they may be alerting us to changes needed within. They can serve as a mirror, letting us know if our own thoughts, behaviors, or actions need attention.
Rabbits can serve as a guide through our inner world, helping us get to the root cause of our struggles so we can find a way out of the darkness. They can shine a light on our path, helping us find clarity and inner strength to work through our fears and negative behaviors. The Rabbit guides us to find the wisdom from each experience and transform our lives for the better.
Transformation / Rebirth
Rabbits bring new life into the world for nine months of the year. Throughout this process they can have four to five litters. They can have anywhere from three to eight babies with each birth. In their lifetime, one Rabbit has the potential to create up to 160 new Rabbit lives.
They understand the process of life. The Rabbit will dutifully nurture each litter with care, feeding and grooming, until the young Rabbits are ready to start a more independent life. Then, the Mother Rabbit starts the cycle again, the transformative process of bringing new life into the world.
The Rabbit reminds us the importance of embracing change in our lives. Change can be hard, as it requires letting go; letting go of attachments, people and situations that bring no value to our lives. We tend to get comfortable in our routines, even in misery, we can count on the same people and situations day after day.
When we get out of our comfort zone, we open a path to a new life that is awaiting us. We are not meant to be miserable or stagnant in our lives. We are creative beings brimming with possibility and potential to share with the world. Letting go and embracing change leads to transformation, healing and growth.
Grounded / Roots
Rabbits are connected to the element of Earth which represents stability, grounding, strength, safety, and nurturing. They live and dwell in the earthly soil, but they also use this natural resource as protection from predators. As they forage and graze, Rabbits cultivate the soil as they go. They give back as much as they receive.
Life can get busy and it’s easy to push certain things aside. Perhaps we want to learn a new skill or start a new hobby, or we have had our eye on this new art group or spiritual community, but, we just do not have the time. The Rabbit reminds us the importance of staying balanced and grounded.
Getting caught up in the hectic nature of our routines can get stressful so it’s important to have an outlet that promotes balance and harmony within. Focusing on a new hobby or finding a new community gets us out of our heads and our day so we can focus on things that bring joy to our lives.
Staying grounded has many expressions outside of meditation and finding quiet stillness within. Seeking out groups, relationships and interactions can foster social well-being and establish community roots. Embarking on a new hobby or skill taps into our creative energy which fosters stability and strength in our foundation. Like the Rabbit, we are all fertile beings with an explosion of creative potential.
As we cultivate our strengths and establish a balanced, grounded energy, we give back to those around us. Whether we are just calmer individuals that are easier to be around, or we develop new insights and ideas for a creative project that yields results, we give back when we find harmony and balance within.
SPIRIT ANIMAL
As a Spirit Animal, Rabbits can guide us through our inner world as we navigate the complexities of the journey. As we are led through the various paths of Inner Work, we are led to various stages of our childhood. It is often experiences from our youth that hinder natural self-progression.
Alice in Wonderland, from a metaphoric standpoint, is symbolic of the childhood development path. For some, perhaps this was the journey throughout childhood. While for others, life looked quite different, and the traditional path was not an option. No matter which life we led, it is never too late to start the journey of self-discovery.
Alice in Wonderland the Rabbit Spirit Animal Guide
The Rabbit symbolizes shapeshifting, intuition, wisdom, transformation, rebirth, and roots. The Rabbit guides us to uncover hidden and repressed memories from our childhood, allowing us to work through the emotions and pain from the experiences. Guiding us to release the hold of the past as we navigate the self-development journey.
The Rabbit guides us on our journey of self-discovery and the key development points in our childhood where a natural progression should have taken place. Whether our childhood years were normal or even mundane, or we experienced the most nightmarish of challenges, we often sway or are even pulled off the traditional path of development.
The story of Alice in Alice in Wonderland is symbolic of the childhood development path. As we progress in our youth, we discover our own identity, who we are, what we believe. We also learn the complex nature of our emotions, thoughts, choices and actions. In our youth, we learn to navigate the potential dangers of life, from adversaries to those who want to put us in a tidy little box – wrapped up tight with a bow. We are faced with learning how to find our way in the world.
Traditionally, each stage holds a key path for inner growth. As young children we learn about family, safety, security and survival. As we become toddlers and preschoolers, we begin to learn about relationships outside of our family. As we navigate this new path with teachers, peers and friends we learn more about life and our emotions.
As we transition into our adolescent years, we become more independent as we discover our hearts and minds, our passions and what we believe in as individuals. As we move into our young adult lives, we discover our strengths, talents, weaknesses, and vulnerabilities and we begin to make choices aligned with our beliefs. Living this truth in our adult lives is the traditional evolution into spiritually mature adults.
If we learn as young children that home life is not safe, or that expressing emotions is not acceptable, we can carry this with us into our adult lives. Even our experiences as teenagers can leave brutal scars that need to be resolved and healed. As adults, leaving these experiences unresolved can cause chaos and disruption in our lives.
It is often many of our fears, emotional turmoil and shadow patterns that manifest as a result of unresolved childhood trauma. As we embark on the journey into our inner landscape, we can work through the key development stages we missed in our youth.
As we release the fears and pain from the past, we begin to view our experiences symbolically and the lesson each experience served to teach us on our journey. As we do so, we can heal the wounds that stopped our natural progression and find a path forward to healing. We can find the wisdom from each experience and learn our Soul Life Lessons.
TOTEM ANIMAL
For those born under the Rabbit totem, they are grounded, down to earth, balanced, and creative. They tend to have large families as they value tradition, roots and community. Not all Rabbit people have large natural families though, but they may have larger social circles. Connection and roots are key for Rabbit folks.
Rabbit people are highly intuitive and balanced. They are very drawn to nature and the earth and may be vegan or avid hikers, gardeners, or work with wildlife. This may be part of their spiritual practices as well. Their goal is to find grounded energy and they achieve this balance working with earth energies.
They are also highly aware of their surroundings and the people that come into their lives. They have a sixth sense about others and can tell when someone’s energy is “off”. They have a way to detect the truth in all situations.
Those born under the Rabbit totem are fearless in the face of adversity or challenge. Some find them to be lucky in how they can rise above their situation but to them it is not luck, it is the wisdom within that guides them through the storms, helping them turn tragedy into triumph.
POWER ANIMAL
As a Power Animal, the Rabbit has the power to help with manifestation, abundance and unlocking creative potential.
The Rabbit symbolizes fertility and abundance. With their ability to create an abundance of new life each year and throughout their lifetime, they are the power center of manifestation. Whether you are trying to manifest wealth or a new career path in your life or you are starting a new hobby, the Rabbit can help guide you to your goal with clarity and purpose.
If you are looking to unlock your creative potential, the Rabbit can guide you to find inspiration and creativity. The Rabbit consistently embraces the cycle of life: bringing new life into the world, nurturing new life, then starting the cycle over again.
As we embark on our own creative venture, we can tap into the power of the Rabbit and visualize hundreds of new Rabbit lives they bring into the world throughout their lifetime. Using this visual reference is a powerful tool to tap into our own imagination and unique creative potential.
HISTORICAL, CULTURAL, RELIGIOUS SYMBOLISM
Native American
In Native American spiritual tradition, the Rabbit represents fertility, prosperity, and abundance. In some traditions the Rabbit is seen as a trickster and shapeshifter. They can transform and blend into their environment undetected and with their keen awareness, they can find what is beyond the veil. They guide us to release our fears. Ruminating on fear gives them life and they manifest deeper into our lives.
Celtic
In Celtic spiritual traditions, the Rabbit symbolizes fertility, creativity, intuition and grounding energy. With the Rabbits keen awareness, they can intuit their surroundings with precision. They are always one step ahead, danger lurking ahead. They are grounded to the Earth as they live and protect themselves with energy from the earthly soil. In many traditions, Rabbits are harbingers of good fortune, as they reproduce new life many times within each year. They represent abundance and creativity in all forms.
Christianity
In Christian spiritual traditions, the Rabbit is associated with Easter. This is a time of transformation, rebirth and new beginnings. It has also been noted with Rabbits connection to the Earth element, living in and underground, they represent the time when Jesus was in the underground tomb. Rabbits also symbolize purity, innocence and new life. With their ability to mass reproduce and they birth new life which in its birthed form represents the purest of emotion and innocent wonder.
Ancient Egypt
In Egyptian spiritual culture, the Rabbit is seen as a powerful guide for intuition, guidance, and adaptability. With the Rabbits’ keen senses and quick wits, they have the ability to hide in plain sight. They can see beyond the veil of illusion and discover the secrets hidden beneath. They are also known as truth tellers with the ability to detect lies and potential deceit.
CAT PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS
Cats are domesticated members of the Felidae family. This subfamily is further divided based on specific cats that roar, such as Lions and Leopards. Domestic cats, along with Cougars and Bobcats, belong in the subfamily Felinae because they purr.
The power of the purr. Purring cats have the unique ability to vibrate their laryngeal muscles. Although this is not fully understood from a scientific perspective, it has been said, with the muscles of their larynx dilating and contracting as they breath, this results in increased air that vibrates over the laryngeal muscles. Thus, producing the unique purring sound and vibration that we hear and feel.
Domesticated cats come in a host of colors, patterns and variations. There are long hair, medium hair, short hair, and even hairless cats. We can find cats in a wealth of colors from white, black, brown, grey, red, and some with every color like the Tortoiseshell or Calico.
Cats also have many unique patterns as some have stripes like the Tabby, while others have bullseye patterns like the American Shorthair. There are also some with spots or patched color patterns like grey and white or black and white like the Tuxedo. We even have the majestic Bengal cat who resembles half Leopard and half Tiger.
There are hundreds of breeds of cats found all over the world. Some of the fancier cats include Turkish Angora, Manx and Hairless cat. Some of the more common breeds we see include Tiger Tabby, Tortoiseshell, Siamese, Tuxedo, Orange Tabby, and solid Black and White. These fearless felines come in all hair styles including long, medium and short.
Cats can live up to 20 years in a home environment. For those that live outdoors, feral cats or community cats have a bit shorter lifespan, ranging from 5-7 years. This, of course, is dependent on human intervention and a thriving colony population.
An interesting fact about Cats is their ability to land on their feet. Although it is not likely every Cat falling from 32 stories will land on their feet, there is some truth in the anatomy of the Cat that does allow for the body positioning making this movement possible.
Cats are able to adapt using the cat righting reflex, as its commonly known. They rotate their upper and lower bodies in opposite directions and in the air, they bring their paws close to their body to reduce force and with their hind legs they can create the opposite effect.
As their upper body rotates through this larger angle their legs rotate less, creating the full effect. This motion allows them to rotate in such a way that they can extend their legs in downward motion. Cats have an extremely flexible spine which also makes this possible. Check out this cool Cat Physics reference here
For the most part, Cats diet consists of dry food and wet food that we as humans, purchase at the local store. They can be quite finicky though so there is a wide variety of selections for us to choose from.
Some cats love fish flavors like salmon or shrimp while others prefer beef or chicken flavors. Most Cats eat both dry food and wet food. There are also wet food varieties such as gravy vs pate style wet food and sometimes, texture matters!
To care for indoor Cats, we need a few items to ensure they have a good quality of life. Outside of food, they also need a litter box, good veterinarian, and plenty of enrichment.
The rule of thumb for litter box health is one box per cat and one extra. I mean we have all stopped at Rest Stop bathrooms and there are times when it is just best to hold it. That is how a Cat feels when we do not flush their toilet. If you must be one that does not scoop daily, at least get extra litter boxes for your little friend so they do not have to visit the Rest Stop bathroom daily.
Cats are also unique in that their life indoors can be extremely fulfilling and rewarding. One way to a Cats heart is placing a big cat tree with a nice solid perch, and a soft cozy bed in front of a window for daily Bird and Squirrel TV. Cats can look out the window for hours entertaining themselves with all the stimulation in the outside environment.
Speaking of enrichment, Cats are generally playful creatures. Although not all chose to play with human interaction toys like wand toys or the laser pointer, most will enjoy batting a mouse or toy ball around. Of course, some prefer our accoutrements like the top of milk jugs lids, balled up foil or hair scrunchies.
There are those felines that prefer the low-key lifestyle; however, exercise is key even for our restful friends. It is easy to get them engaged by setting up several cat trees to create a fun kitty superhighway for them to navigate to their favorite napping spot.
Cats are generally quite independent creatures. Many cats can thrive in multiple cat household, but many do prefer the solo life. When introducing a new Cat or even another pet into the environment, taking care to do so in a slow and methodical way will ensure long term success.
This involves understanding some basic feline behavior. Cats for the most part either like to be up high, towards the middle/center of the room and some prefer the ground. Knowing this about your cat can help with introducing new animals so they have a place to safely escape to survey their surroundings.
Many times, it is a problem with getting to resources like the litter box or food station because the new cat or animal is pouncing on them as they try to approach. Sometimes in aggression and sometimes just out of play. The simple addition of a cat tree or move of the litter box can solve this issue and bring peace to the home.
Most cats are affectionate and bond to humans. There are exceptions of course like feral cats but for the most part, even the grumpiest cats will come around. There are some Cats that may prefer to be solo even from humans but that is typically not the case.
Many Cats have experienced a tough journey through life. Like us, they experience abandonment, loss and betrayal and have to contend with their own inner wounds. But with love, time and patience, Cats can learn to trust and bond with humans again.
Many Cats, however, are extremely affectionate and unleash their love upon us in great abundance. They love to crawl on our laps and can enjoy our stroking and pets for hours. They purr in delight, and we can feel their soothing energy as we stroke their soft fur. Cats are great at melting stress away.
There are also many Cats that live their lives with the mindset of joy, play and adventure. They are always getting into mischief as they race up and down the hallway, chasing their favorite ball or jumping from cat tree to cat tree playing chase with their feline friend. Their fun filled mischief and antics put a smile on our face and warm our hearts every time.
CAT SYMBOLISM INTRODUCTION
As Spirit Animals, Cats symbolize independence, confidence, wisdom, balance, patience, trust, and curiosity. Cats can guide us on our path to inner discovery while helping us navigate the complexities of life in the physical world. Given their connection to our daily lives, Cats can serve as a trusted guide on our path.
SYMBOLIC KEYWORDS
· Independence
· Confidence
· Wisdom
· Balance
· Patience
· Trust
· Curiosity
KEYWORD SYMBOLISM DEFINITIONS
Independence / Confidence
Cats are independent by nature. Yes, they do rely on us humans to provide their favorite meal or snack, they also know they have the power to wield us to their control. Confidently, they walk on our keyboard as we work or flick their tail in our face as we read. They let us know it's time to tend to the needs of the kitty.
Even the fiercely independent Cat knows when it's time to embrace their confident side and rely on the support of others. They know they can find the resources they need to survive as they always do. But they also understand the value of human interaction and the love that comes from accepting support and a guiding hand.
The Cat has the wisdom to let love guide them to their favorite treasures in life and many times, this is in the form of their favorite human companion with their favorite treat or toy or perhaps at times, it is just for the sake of feeling a loving connection.
Wisdom
Indoor cats can live up to 20 years with us, which is an incredible long life. They represent wisdom and long-term commitments. In life, we are faced with many commitments. We commit to our families, careers, health and even our spiritual practices. There are also times when we fail to make a commitment and then can become stagnant in our lives.
When the Cat comes prancing into our lives, they may be trying to get our attention regarding a long-term decision or planning. If we have been procrastinating on an upcoming decision or project, they are there to let you know it's time to make a final plan and take action. Other times, the Cat may arrive in our awareness to guide us to find quiet stillness to find the answers we seek. Acting in haste will lead to unfavorable conclusions.
Cats can teach a valuable lesson in making long-term commitments in our own lives. Taking time to go within to ensure we are on the right path is always a good choice. Once we do, we must use the wisdom from the insight to start to make choices and take action to align ourselves to our goal and find a path to success.
Balance / Patience
Cats are quite agile and are often seen up high on the top of refrigerator or pantry shelving. Watching them scale such thin corridors with the occasionally paw slip, yet patiently they walk the path to their final destination. If there is a 6’ plus cat tree around, many find the top bunk the most appealing. Even from these great distances, Cats jump straight down, to the ground below. They always seem to land on their feet.
Cats teach us how to find balance in our lives. For many, life is hectic and stressful and the thought of taking time to slow down is just an afterthought. It is important to stay mindful of this approach to life. The busier we get, the louder our inner voice tries to get our attention, and the more we take on, trying to quell the sound.
We are often overcome with a barrage of thoughts that once examined, we can let go of and make space within. Taking time to slow down and let go of our chaotic thoughts, listen to our emotions and physical body can lead to a more peaceful and balanced life.
Trust
For the Cat, their sense of smell is their most powerful asset, followed by their laser sharp sight. They can also sense vibrations from voices as well as from footsteps. They have a keen ability to intuit their surroundings.
Cats can sense what is going on within their environment long before we can. We often see them flicking their tail, staring straight ahead at what we feel, is nothing. But they are intently focused on what we are not able to see. To the Cat, there is something to behold.
As a guide on our journey, Cats can teach us to trust and embrace our intuition. We are all born with an intuitive guidance system that serves to guide us on our path through life. We often ignore these inner calls as they often send us into the land of the unknown. In unknown land there is change and lots of newness and the loss of what was familiar.
Cats remind us to trust ourselves and our inner wisdom. It is true, our Soul calling is typically not the safe path, meaning we will not get a map with point-by-point directions to how we will make money, while staying safe and secure in the physical world.
However, our intuitive guidance system will lead us to our true path in life. Although the road may be tricky as we slay the Cougar sized fears, the path is designed to help us discover the wisdom and creative potential we have within. It will guide us to live a purposeful and meaningful life.
Curiosity
Cats are curious by nature. They are often seen getting into mischief as they explore their surroundings. To them, things like staircase banisters and window ledges are just pathways on the way to their next adventure. Cats can be quite playful, and some find a favorite toy and will bat it around for hours. Some Cats will get really into it and become quite vocal, fully expressing their joy in the moment.
They remind us to take time and find a creative outlet so we can fully express our playful, joyful and imaginative side. Sometimes we just need to take time from our busy schedule and take a fun walk in nature to unwind and tap into our joyful energy. For others, joy comes from creation.
Finding a creative venture can bring joy and harmony to our lives. Even if we are not artists, taking up an artistic hobby can provide a deeper connection to our imagination and creative flow. This can help us in our daily lives as we navigate our life and career as well as help us find extra sparks of happiness in our day.
SPIRIT ANIMAL
As a Spirit Animal, Cats can guide us to develop patience, trust, wisdom, inner strength and resilience. Through their own experiences in life, we can witness Cats live out the lessons they teach us. Like humans, Cats also experience abandonment, loss, fear, emotional and physical trauma.
Through their innate wisdom and deep connection to the Soul, Cats serve as a guide through our inner landscape. They teach us to release the hold of the past, while retaining the wisdom from the experience, our Soul Life Lesson.
Patience, Trust and Wisdom
In many ways, Cats mirror our human experience when it comes to trust. They live in our homes and although we may have good intentions to make the commitment to them for their whole lives, ultimately many cannot endure the journey. Cats will lose the comfort and safety of their home and find themselves in an animal shelter.
For many Cats, they can find a way through the difficulty of the situation. For others, this road is much tougher to travel. They may go within and become shy and withdrawn, or they may become outwardly expressive and lash out at human interaction.
At the heart of their struggle is fear. They fear the unknown and what will become of them. This new place is surrounded by unfamiliar sounds and smells – and for many, seeing the sheer number of Cats that reside in this new place can be extremely overwhelming.
Then there are all these people with fingers and voices that won’t stop. Although they sound soothing, it becomes serious overstimulation in new surroundings.
There are also some Cats that live through terrible ordeals that bring them through the doors of an animal shelter. Maybe they were hit by a car or perhaps they were caught in a nasty fight as they were abandoned at a feral cat community.
Many people will see lots of Cats at these outdoor sights and then assume Fluffy, who sleeps on the bed eating three squares a day will survive these harsh realities of nature. Many do persevere but there are also many who cannot endure the path.
When these Cats arrive at the shelter, they can have additional challenges to overcome. Along with abandonment and rejection, the ones who said they loved them with their whole heart, left them in a very scary place where they then were physically injured.
Cats also symbolize wisdom as they have incredible ability to retain knowledge and experiences. For Cats, these experiences can leave wounds that need time to heal. It can take a great deal of time for these special Cats to learn to trust again.
With love, dedication and patience Cats can find a way to heal the pain from their experience and open their hearts again. Although Cats do not do Inner Work as us humans can to excavate the fears and painful emotions that resulted from our past experiences, Cats do understand fear and emotional scars.
We can learn valuable lessons from our Cat Spirit Guide as they can teach us the value of patience, perseverance, commitment, wisdom and trust. As we go through our own inner landscape, we can release the fears and emotional wounds that cause us to think, speak and behave in ways that are outside of our true nature.
When we release the hold of the past, we build inner strength and resilience. As we face new struggles and challenges on our path, we have the courage to rise above the fear and see the experience for what it is there to teach us. Living this truth allows us to embody the wisdom from each lesson and bring it to its full expression in our lives.
Spiritual Connection
Cats have powerful awareness and symbolize intuition. From their physical sense of smell, powerful sight, as well as their ability to sense the vibrations and movements within their surroundings, they have keen insight into the world around them.
Our Spirit Animal companion guides us to trust ourselves and embrace our intuitive guidance system. They teach us to balance our mind and emotions and listen to the soft voice within. Our inner wisdom is there to guide us on our path in life.
Many animals have a deep connection to both the natural and spiritual world. They can serve as spiritual guides and connectors, helping deliver messages from those who have transitioned from this world. This is true of humans as well as animals.
With Cats, I have a personal connection outside of their symbolism. Not only do they represent many of my own Soul Life Lessons, but they can teach all of us the value of patience, wisdom, strength, courage, and forging our own unique path in life.
Like many animals, Cats are connected to our souls and our connection lives on even after they have left the physical world. Some may return with tiny gifts to remind us they are still with us while others may return as a different animal, but based on their behaviors or characteristics, we just know it’s our kitty friend visiting.
With many of my own Cats that have left, they come back to visit in many forms. My diabetic kitty Pandora visits as a Seagull and Nootie comes as a Nuthatch. Dragonflies are also symbolic, the Red and Blue Dragonfly represent two of my departed kitty’s, Bonnie and Clyde. If you would like to read their story: Healing Lessons from a Cat: Bonnie & Clyde. The series: Healing Lessons from a Cat will have a few stories similar to this.
It took me several years to figure this connection out, but I am grateful I did. Now when I see a Seagull taking a slow stroll on the shore’s edge, or a Nuthatch hanging upside down for an extended period of time, I know it is Pandora and Nootie saying hello. It is very peaceful knowing those that have left us are still with us.
TOTEM ANIMAL
For those born under the Cat totem, they are resourceful, independent, charismatic, curious and seekers of knowledge and truth. These folks can find adventure wherever they go in life, and they are always up to try something new. They can find value in each experience and although they have experienced their fair share of hard times, they embody the wisdom from each experience and are a light of strength for others.
For Cat people, they are always seeking out new experiences and finding ways to learn new things in life. To them life is about the quest for knowledge and truth in all things. Many Cat people can be quite spiritual so they may be interested in historic spiritual texts.
They find this path allows them to tap into their curious nature and not get into trouble while they are out exploring their world. Those born under the Cat totem tend to be risk takers in the quest for adventure in their lives. They have, however, learned many valuable lessons along the path and try to take a more methodical approach. Patience is a virtue.
Those under the Cat totem may be more independent and although they do have some close relationships, they tend to do life more independently. They prefer lower key interactions one on one vs large group settings. For some it may be a lack of trusting others while for some it may be trusting and forging their own path in life and honoring their truth.
POWER ANIMAL
As a Power Animal, Cats can serve as a powerful guide to finding confidence and courage as well as tapping into the magical realm.
Confidence and Courage
The Cat is fiercely independent. They do not do anything they do not like, and this is proven when we try to get them to use the litter box in a more hidden location or put their food up too high in the kitchen. Until we correct our wrongdoing they will make quite a fuss.
They remind us to stay confident and courageous on our path. Whether we are trying to gain more confidence for a new project or we are trying to embark on a new life journey, the Cat can serve as a powerful guide, empowering us with strength and resilience while on the path. They can guide us to release the fears that block us from progress and find a path forward to confidently succeed on our quest.
Magical Realm
Cats symbolize wisdom as well as serving as a connection between the natural and spiritual world. For the Cat, they have the ability to work with the various forms of energy from beings, as well as guides, ancestors, past lives and the realm of magic and otherworldly.
Working with the energy of the Cat can guide one to the hidden wisdom within as well as work with Gods and Deities. In doing this work their energy is greatest under the cover of night.
HISTORICAL, CULTURAL, RELIGIOUS SYMBOLISM
Native American
In Native American spiritual traditions, the Cat is not always seen in high regard. Many traditions believe the Cat to be an attractant for evil and ill intentions as well as act as acting our dark intentions such as greed, gluttony and loathing. Some do associate the Cat with protection and healing powers. With their ability to walk between the light and the dark they can take the darkness from the individual and leave it behind, while bringing the healing power of light to the recipient.
Celtic
In Celtic spiritual traditions, Cats symbolize magic, shapeshifting, darkness, shadows, and protection. With their ability to serve as a bridge and guide, they connect souls through the spiritual and earthly realm. With their deep soul connection, they have the ability to work with the energy of light and dark entities while not absorbing any negativity.
Ancient Egypt
In Egyptian spiritual tradition, many believe that Gods could assume the form of the Cat. It was not just the head of our feline companions, some believed they could inhabit the full body of the Cat. Under symbolic representation, Cats represent protection and connection to the Divine. With their ability to travel between both the natural and spiritual world, they serve as trusted guides and protectors for those on the path.
DOG BEHAVIOR & PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS
Dogs are domesticated members of the Canis familiaris family. The familiaris distinction is what separates domesticated Dogs from wild Dogs, such as Cayotes, Wolves and Foxes. The Dogs’ evolutionary origins descend from Wolves, although not the Grey Wolf. According to research, DNA suggests that the Eurasian, a now extinct Wolf ancestor was the descendent of the Dog.
There is also speculation as to when Dogs domesticated, splitting from their wild ancestor traits. Some in the scientific community believe it happened gradually over time, while others believe that Wolves started to eat from humans, forging the human bond. There is still a great deal of study needed into the origins of Dogs.
Outside of their origins, all canines have the same common physical characteristics. Dogs have a long, symmetrical body, four long legs, a tail, muzzle or snout, pointed ears, and teeth. Most Dogs have hair, although there are hairless Dogs like the Chinese Crested Dog and the Mexican Hairless Dog.
Dogs are part of the Mammal species. They birth live young and females have mammary glands that their offspring use for nourishment during the first months of life. Even as the young pups learn to eat on their own, Mom is still feeding them the first few months of their lives.
Like most Mammals, they are homeothermic, with an internal thermostat that allows them to maintain their body temperature at a consistent level, despite the outside temperature. They are much better at conserving heat than cooling themselves which is why we should never lock a Dog in a hot car. NEVER.
To us, 80 degrees is pleasant, but inside a car with little to no circulation, it quickly turns into a death trap with temperatures reaching 109 degrees within 20 minutes, and 123 degrees in one hour. As humans, we are equipped to handle these temperatures but for a Dog, this is a slow death.
A Dogs cooling system is relatively poor because they are unable to sweat. This is unfortunate, as sweating can provide effective evaporative cooling. Dogs will pant as their primary cooling mechanism. These rapid breaths are used to move hot moisture filled air in and out of their bodies and during the short shallow panting breaths, clean air fills the lungs.
Because panting involves rapid breathing, which is ten times faster than normal, Dogs need to take breaks from this so they do not overexert themselves. This is why it is crucial to ensure your Dog does not get overheated, this also includes tethering them outside with no shade. Heat stroke is a very common cause of death for Dogs and is preventable.
Dogs have incredible senses. They have exceptional eyesight. Dogs have a reflective layer called the tapetum lucidum which allows them to see light and movement better than humans. Interestingly, they do not have the ability to recognize details. This visual enhancement is for night vision, light reflection and movements within the environment.
They have excellent hearing capabilities. Dogs can hear four times better than humans and this is because their ear canal is much deeper so it creates a larger passageway for sound to carry. This feature also allows them to distinguish the directionality of sound which is very useful for hunting and rescues.
The most powerful sense on a Dog is their sense of smell. Their nose is extremely sensitive to that of people and they can detect very low levels of odors as well as distinguish them. As the odors travel into their nasal cavity, the moisture coats the inside of their nose and signals are sent from the olfactory membranes in the nose to the olfactory center of the brain, helping them correctly identify it. This is why Dogs are highly effective at rescue and law enforcement activities.
Due to breeding, there are hundreds of different Dog breeds found all over the world. Most Dogs are kept as pets, although some are used strictly for breeding. Dog breeding dates back over 9,500 years ago when ancient people began breeding dogs that could live with the family, while working in the cold. These Dogs became sled dogs and included breeds like Huskies and Malamutes.
German Shepards and Australian Cattle Dogs are also working Dogs as they have the ability to herd livestock. While, the Labrador Retriever is used as a hunting Dog, to collect ducks and other game. Even the cute little Dachshund has a big purpose, they use their cylinder-shaped body to rush down and burrow after Badgers.
There are also many Dog breeds that are specific for protection like Rottweilers and Pitbulls, while other breeds assist with pest control like Terriers and Dachshunds. These small dogs are known as “ratters”, with their small size they can get into tiny spaces to rid the environment of mice and pests.
Today, many of these Dogs are still used for their working traits. Some Dogs are used to assist the medical community. Dogs like the Golden Retriever can aid the blind, serving as their eyes as they navigate the world. While other Dogs are used to sniff out medical diseases like Parkinsons, and several types of cancer.
There are many Dog breeds like Labrador Retrievers and German Shepards that are used to aid law enforcement and emergency rescue teams in natural disasters. With their powerful sense of smell, Dogs can help sniff out explosives, as well as find humans or endangered species.
Many of the smaller Dog breeds are used as show dogs like the Pomeranian, Toy Poodle and Maltese. There are a few larger show Dogs like the Standard Poodle and the Doberman. The Chihuahua or Bichon Frise can be show dogs but sometimes they are just here as our companions on our journey.
Dogs are very intelligent animals. They are trainable and can learn commands. House training and social training is crucial for a Dog but they can also learn specific training for jobs, like emergency rescue and bomb sniffing. They can process more complex thought patterns which helps them be more receptive to communication in training. They also respond to a reward-based system which also aids in training.
For the most part, a Dogs diet consists of dry food, wet food and treats, that we as humans, purchase at the local store. Dogs also love peanut butter and this can help in training. Although some will free feed, for Dogs it is actually better to put them on a regular feeding schedule. Dogs are quite similar to Turkey Vultures and will gorge until there is no more.
Scheduled and portioned feeding is crucial for larger Dog breeds as they are at high risk for bloat. This gastric dilation-volvulus occurs when a Dogs stomach becomes blocked causing gas and fluid to accumulate in the stomach.
This causes the stomach to stretch triple its normal size. This can also cause the stomach to twist. When the stomach twists, they can cut off crucial blood supply. When this happens, it becomes an emergency situation as the stomach quickly deteriorates, causing a shock to the circulatory system.
This can be prevented with slower feeding. There are lots of slow feeding dog bowls designed for this purpose. Research suggests that an elevated feeder can also aid with preventing bloat in Dogs.
To care for a Dog, we need a few items to ensure they have a good quality of life. Outside of a healthy and nutritious diet, they also need a good veterinarian, training, stimulation and plenty of exercise. Dogs are also very playful and playing fetch is a game many can play for hours on end. This is excellent way to help your Dog burn extra calories as well as stimulate their minds and stay healthy.
Setting up Dog training is important for your Dog’s overall quality of life. This will ensure they are socialized with people as well as other animals. No Dog really wants to be blacklisted from Doggy Daycare. Moreover, training your Dog creates a deeper connection and bond with your special friend.
Taking your Dog out for walks is also crucial for health and wellbeing. For many, even having a big yard is just not the same as a walk out in the neighborhood or in nature. Dogs love stimulation and they can find this all around them in their environment. That is why many Dogs get so excited when they see Rabbits or Squirrels. Although some do want to eat these tasty snacks; many just want to play with them.
It is important to note although many, especially children, want to approach people with their Dogs to say hello, its best to ask the owner before approaching. Some Dogs may seem friendly with their humans, but strangers are another story.
Many states require that Dogs are licensed as well as vaccinated so if you plan to add a Dog to your family, be sure to check your state and city ordinances to ensure you follow the proper guidelines for your friend. Dogs get lost more frequently than any other pet and making sure your Dog is microchipped and licensed can ensure their safe return.
Winkey - RMFR 2014
DOG SYMBOLISM INTRODUCTION
As Spirit Animals, Dogs symbolize loyalty, faithfulness, unconditional love, adaptability, protection, and intuition. Dogs can guide us on our inner world journey while helping us navigate the complexities of our daily lives. As our trusted and loyal companion, they can teach us how to adapt to change, trust our intuition, and foster a deeper connection with ourselves and with others.
SYMBOLIC KEYWORDS
· Loyalty
· Adaptability
· Unconditional Love
· Protection
· Intuition
KEYWORD SYMBOLISM DEFINITIONS
Loyalty / Adaptability
Dogs are very loyal and adaptable. Over the course of history, Wolves became more comfortable with humans and in doing so they would eat our food scraps. In time, they developed a relationship with humans as many even began leaving food out for them. It is also said that in time, Wolves began living in homes with humans and that is how the cycle of domestication began.
Like all animals, they all make individual choices and today, we have wild Wolves, and we have domesticated Dogs. Some Wolves decided they preferred the wild lifestyle and stayed on that path. The Dog, on the other hand, became part of our pack, although it has been said that we may have become part of their pack.
Part of a Dogs characteristics is loyalty. They are pack animals, and they rely on their tribes for hunting and breeding. They always stay loyal to the tribes’ purpose. This transition to humans as they see us as their pack, and they remain loyal to us through thick and thin.
Dogs teach us the value of loyalty, commitment and adaptability. In life we go through cycles of change, and this can be painful. We often fight it as we like our comfortable routines. Dogs remind us that change is a part of life and no matter where we are, they will stand by our side. We are never truly alone with our loyal companion.
Unconditional Love
Dogs see life through a simple lens. They do not have ulterior motives; they just want to love and be loved, play and have fun. When Dogs chose us as their companion, they do not judge, and they love us no matter what. Dogs are the epitome of non-judgement and unconditional love the way they express themselves freely with love in their heart.
There are times in our lives when we do not see eye to eye with someone. It can be difficult to take the high road, especially if it’s related to our beliefs. We want to express our truth and get the other person to see our side and not judge us for what we believe.
Dogs remind us to take a moment and pause. Although we want to respond in haste, we must remember that every person and experience is put on our path for a reason, so we can learn our Soul Life Lessons. Perhaps this person has come into our lives to teach us a lesson in forgiveness or acceptance. When we embrace our experiences symbolically, we can grow and evolve spiritually.
Protection
Dogs are symbols of protection and will guard their charges at all costs. They are fierce protectors of their humans and are trusted allies for law enforcement. There are many stories of Dogs who did heroic rescues of their human companions from under water and many other desperate situations. They were never once concerned for their own safety, only the safety of their humans. Once we become part of their pack, we are tribe mates for life.
Part of Dog symbolism is learning how to trust ourselves and others. As we go through life, we experience pains and traumas along the way. If we fail to process these emotions and memories, they can clog up our energy centers and wreak havoc physically, mentally and emotionally.
Dogs teach us to learn and accept the lessons from life’s experiences so we can grow and heal. We are not meant to carry the traumas of the past with us, we are only meant to keep the golden nugget of wisdom the experience is teaching us. When are open to this concept we can release the chains of the past and we can find a way to forgive. We can embrace love and evolve spiritually.
Intuition
Dogs have powerful senses. They can see even the slightest movement as well as in low and dark lighting. Dogs also have excellent hearing as they have larger ear canals which aid in sound distribution. Their most powerful sense is their sense of smell. It is incredible to think that Dogs can smell almost a thousand times better than humans.
They are also incredibly intelligent and can understand communication and respond to commands. Due to their powerful sense of smell, Dogs can be trained to work in rescue saving people and helping law enforcement, where they can sniff out drugs.
Dogs rely on their physical senses to help them navigate their world, but they also use their intuitive guidance system. They are very in tune to the emotions of people and can sense emotions such as happiness, anxiety, sadness or anger. Dogs can sense how to properly respond in the moment.
Dogs remind us to trust ourselves and our inner wisdom. Our intuitive guidance system is like a muscle, the more you use it, the better it begins to work in your life. It can get tricky at first, as guidance is risky. It will take us to places that do not make sense to our logical mind.
The point of guidance is to trust and follow it; even though this path will often take us to the depths of our fears, testing us in ways we never could imagine. This is the path to freedom, the soul path where we rely on ourselves for survival and no longer allow our fears to control our lives.
SPIRIT ANIMAL
As a Spirit Animal, Dogs symbolize loyalty, unconditional love, and healing. Our trusted Dog companion teaches us to let go of the pain from the past and keep the wisdom the experience is serving to teach us. They guide us to release what is holding us back from progress and growth while offering guidance and support on the spiritual journey.
Loyalty and Commitment
Once a Dog becomes part of our lives, they are extremely loyal and will stand by us through thick and thin. There are many stories of Dogs that stick with their owner even when there is no physical place to call home. This doesn’t just apply to our own life circumstances. There are many stories of Dogs who remain loyal to their guardian even when they are mistreated.
Even in our worse moments, whether that is physical or emotional, our faithful companion remains by our side. For Dogs, location and logistics do not matter, we are their sole purpose. Dogs are tribal animals by nature, and we are their tribe. They stay loyal to their tribe no matter what and for many of us, Dogs are with us for a specific purpose.
Dogs do not judge us, and they have an intuitive sense of our feelings, whether we are happy or in pain, even emotional pain can be easily detected by our Dog companions. This ability allows them to approach situations without judgement. With their deep understanding and commitment, Dogs teach us how to develop deeper connections with ourselves and others.
When we release the pain from the past, we begin to look at our experiences from a symbolic perspective. We can see how see how every person and experience was put on our path as a teacher on our journey. Living this truth allows us to embody the wisdom from each lesson and bring it to its full expression in our lives.
Unconditional Love
As a guide on our journey, Dogs symbolize unconditional love, loyalty, and acceptance. The first time we connect with a Dog is a moment we rarely forget. As we look into their eyes, a feeling of trust, love and acceptance washes over us. We know we have found our trusted, loyal, life-long companion and guide on our life journey.
Dogs teach us to embrace our inner wisdom, to stay true to our hearts and embrace love without conditions. To love unconditionally is to act from a place of kindness, while cultivating patience, compassion and understanding. This gives us the ability to view our experiences from a symbolic lens, helping us appreciate the connection we all share.
This view allows us to embrace the differences we share with others. We are all connected as part of the whole, as we all experience pain, loss and tragedy, just as we experience love, and triumph. However, we each have our own special gifts to share. It is our individuality that creates our unique imprint on the world.
It can be a struggle to accept the differences in others, especially when they are opposite our belief system. One small step we can take is to simply not judge those who do not follow the same path as ours. For some this may be simple, but for others this may be difficult.
Our trusted Dog Spirit Guide will show us the way and guide us to understanding, acceptance and love. As we look deep into the eyes of our trusted friend, our hearts fill with love. The one true gift we all share in this life is love and that is one thing we can do to help heal the whole, is share love.
TOTEM ANIMAL
For those born under the Dog Totem, they are loyal and steadfast in their life path. They have strong roots and connections whether that is through family bonds or group bonds, they are connected to their community and their tribes.
Dog people are quite intuitive, and they can sense when people are putting up an illusion. They are very good at removing the shadow masks. Part of their challenge is to ensure they maintain a broad perspective, seeing things from a position of universal connection.
They are also devoted and tend to have deeper relationships with people. They prefer to be open emotionally and spiritually and want freedom to express themselves. Dog people are quite social though and when they are out at social gatherings they really come out of their shell and can become the life of the party.
Those born under the Dog Totem are protective and it would not be uncommon to find them volunteering or working for a cause that speaks to their soul. They typically stand up for those who cannot do so themselves and find that are ready to take on the big dogs if needed.
POWER ANIMAL
As a Power Animal, Dogs symbolize courage, protection and guidance. They can help us develop inner strength and resilience while we navigate our life journey.
Dogs are loyal and fierce protectors. They never let fear get in the way and stay true to their purpose. As we work with Dog energy, they can guide us to uncover memories and fears from the past that are long past their expiration date.
As we release the hold of the past, we begin to make choices that align with our true nature. It can be a tricky time as our mind wants to go back to the safety of routine and survival. This is when we can tap into the power energy of our Dog spirit guide to give us courage to hold firm on the path.
Dogs offer guidance and protection teaching us to release the fear, especially the fear of others. It is human nature to want to be accepted by our peers, but that road often leads us to places that are not in alignment with our true self.
We can be brave and step outside of our comfort zone and discover the truth of who we really are, the good the bad and everything in between. We can cultivate a deeper connection with ourselves and with others and manifest meaningful change in our lives.
HISTORICAL, CULTURAL, RELIGIOUS SYMBOLISM
Native American
In Native American spiritual tradition, Dogs are respected and revered. They are seen as messengers warning of danger. Dogs are also seen as protectors and guides for those on the spiritual journey. They can serve as a guide to help one call back their spirit from negative missions.
Celtic
In Celtic spiritual tradition, Dogs are symbolic messengers between the spiritual and natural world. They are seen as guides that can guide souls, offering protection as they travel through the realms of existence. Some traditions say that Dogs are guides to the Underworld and serve as guardians of the after. Guiding souls to their new life path.
Buddhist
In Buddhist spiritual tradition, Dogs are an integral part of the wheel of life, in particular reincarnation and past lives. Dogs are also seen as faithful, forgiving and compassionate. They are the epitome of unconditional love and trust and can guide us to spiritually grow and evolve.
Hindu
In Hindu spiritual tradition, Dogs are symbolic as guides and protectors. They are seen as the thread of unconditional love and compassion which allows them to guide souls on the path to heaven.
China
In Chinese spiritual tradition, Dogs are seen as symbolic of good luck and fortune. Seeing one or having Dog décor in the home can bring good luck and positive energy. In Feng Shui, Dogs are symbolic of devotion and faith.
Japan
In Japanese spiritual tradition, Dogs are seen as protectors and defenders. They are brave with a powerful inner strength that allows them to ward off evil spirits allowing for safe passage for souls on the journey.
MOUSE PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS
Mice are part of the rodent family. They belong to the genus Mus classification as they are less than 5” in size. Within the Mus genus, there are four subgroups, Spiny Mice known as Pyromys, Shrew Mice referred to as Coelomys, African Mice classified as Nannomys, and the Rice Field Mouse, and House Mouse, which is known as Mus Musculus.
The House Mouse is the most common found throughout the world. This little mouse is highly adaptable and can survive in buildings, ships, agriculture, and outdoor spaces. They have a rapid rate of reproduction and thrive wherever humans do.
Mice have slender bodies, long tails, erect ears, whiskers, a tapered muzzle, arms and legs. They also are covered with short hair all over their bodies, although their tail and ears do not have fur. Mice hands and feet are narrow, but don’t let their size fool you, they have sharp claws, made for digging.
They also have very sharp teeth. An interesting fact, Mice two front teeth never stop growing and they grow on average 0.3mm per day. In order to keep them filed down, they chew through tough materials such as wood, furniture, drywall, wires, carboard and more.
The Mouse comes in a variety of colors. Nature Mice that live strictly outdoors are generally brown or grey in color. House Mice are generally lighter brown and also come in silver and grey colors. Mice used for scientific research as well as domesticated pets come in a variety of colors including white, black, spotted, beige and tan.
Mice are primarily nocturnal, although they will generally sleep whenever they can. They are most active at night because there is less danger present from predators. This is why we hear the scratching and the scurrying sounds of Mice at night. Another interesting fact, groups of Mice are called “Mischief” – this makes sense given their reproductive rate and their ability to get into any opening.
They also move fast, like speeding bullets, which is why humans tend to miss them. However, they are quick because they are fiercely hunted. They are never out of sight of the watchful eyes of their predators, such as Cats, Birds and Raptors.
Mice are also excellent aerialists and can jump up to 18”. That may not seem like a lot but given their size that is quite impressive. Mice can also climb and they are also good swimmers if needed.
It may seem that Mice do not have bones or perhaps they collapse, but that is not true. They do have a bone structure like other mammal species. They can, however, fit into the tiniest of holes. Some Mice can fit through gaps as small as the tip of a pencil eraser. They use their head to measure the opening and if their head fits, they know their body will fit.
Although Mice have a relatively short lifespan, living approximately 2-3 years, they reproduce in massive abundance. They are quite similar to the Rabbit in this way. Female and male Mice mate and breed Spring until late Fall when temperatures decline. The female carries the baby mice for about 3 weeks until they are born.
The female Mouse usually will give birth to 2-12 babies. The female tends to her young 4-5 weeks until they are old enough to start eating and foraging on their own. Young Mice reach sexuality maturity at 6 weeks and can begin producing their own litters. In one female Mouses lifetime, she can have up to 10 litters, which is upwards of 120 Mice.
Whether you have Mice as pets, or free-living Mice have gotten into your home, indoors they will breed all year round. If you are not planning to host hundreds of Mice for Christmas Dinner, you may want to do something about this ASAP. Mice refuse to pay rent or contribute towards grocery purchases. They are opportunistic freeloaders in this way.
Mice’s typical habitat is open grasslands, fields, croplands, shrubbery deserts and coastal dunes. Nature Mice use their sharp claws and teeth to excavate burrows in the ground. They create a nest cavity in this space and call it home. They typically nest against rocks and crevices for protection.
House Mice are similar except they are drawn to humans. We find them near and in our homes. Outdoors, they will dig their nesting holes closer to the house and use the foundation, stairs or other structure for protection. If they do get inside, they will construct their nest in a protected place, but it will likely cause damage to property and/or food sources.
To a Mouse, nest building is encoded in their DNA. Different species created different nest structures. Some build extravagant tunnels that have multiple entry points with their nest secured in the middle, while others burrow a short hole with no escape routes.
Science has noted that if baby Mice are separated from their parents and grow up alone, they will still build their nests just as their parents would. With any gene, there are dominant and recessive traits – the nest building follows that of the parent mouse with the dominant technique gene.
MOUSE PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS CONTINUED
In nature, Mice typical menu selection consists of insects, seeds and grains. Free-living Mice have a wider pallet and will go for anything that humans leave laying around. For a Mouse, a few cookie crumbs are quite a satisfying snack.
However, with all the running, jumping and climbing activities they burn calories quickly. A Mouse eats 15-20 times per day and can eat up to 0.15g per meal. Because they are ravenous eaters, they tend to build their nest 10-30 feet from a steady food source.
Their eating habits explain why Mice leave so many droppings. In a single day, a Mouse can leave up to 100 droppings. They also leave a trail of urine for markers so they can find their way back to that location.
Like most Rodents, Mice have fairly poor eyesight and can only see well in dim light. They make up for their visual shortfall with their other senses. They have ultrasonic hearing and can hear up to 90kHz.
They also use their whiskers to help them intuitively sense the texture of surfaces, breezes from passageways, and changes in the temperature. Mice are highly adept to their surroundings.
Mice are excellent communicators. They have an intricate language using physical, odorous and vocal sounds. They have the ability to speak to each other using ultrasonic chat that is typically undetectable by humans. They also use facial expressions and body language to communicate.
They are also social and thrive in groups. Mice live in communities displaying both territorial and cooperative behaviors, and they form strong bonds within their group. There are some Mice that take the solo route, but for the most part, Mice prefer to stay with a tribe.
MOUSE SYMBOLISM INTRODUCTION
As Spirit Animals, Mice symbolize home and hearth, communication, intuition, adaptability, resourcefulness, and abundance. They guide us on our path of inner discovery while helping us make meaningful change in our lives.
SYMBOLIC KEYWORDS
· Communication
· Intuition
· Adaptable
· Resourceful
· Abundance
· Home & Hearth
KEYWORD SYMBOLISM DEFINITIONS
Communication / Intuition
Mice have an intricate language and are excellent communicators. They have the ability to speak to each other using ultrasonic chat that is typically undetectable by humans. They also use facial expressions, body language, vocal and odorous methods to communicate.
At times communicating can be a challenge. Often, we are stuck in our own ego or thoughts and when communicating with others, we can become aggressive. To some, we must be right at all costs. The Mouse reminds us to stay humble and practice mindful communication.
When we take a moment to pause, we can gather our emotions and thoughts and find the symbolic meaning of the experience. In doing so, we can see that nothing is personal, and every person and experience is put on our path as a teacher on our journey.
Adaptable/ Resourceful
The message from the Mouse is to stay adaptable and resourceful. They will forage and search for food, often traveling up to a quarter mile foraging. They carefully and diligently gather their treasures and bring them back to the safety of their home.
Mice teach us to stay right sized and to ensure we have the resources available for a rainy day. Their message does come with a warning, this does not mean run out and buy 12 cases of Peanut Butter. The goal is balance, buying two cases, one for now one for later is the appropriate choice.
Abundance
Mice reproduce at a rapid rate, symbolizing abundance and fertility. For some this could represent having children, either naturally or through an external source, like adoption or the union of existing families. This could also represent the birth of a new idea or project.
With the Mouse, abundance symbolism is twofold. They may come into your awareness to guide you to be more resourceful. This could be with finances or resources. Like the Mouse it is time to start saving up for the long cold winter!
The Mouse also serves as a reminder that abundance is all around us. Things may be tough right now, but things will change soon. When we least expect it, things have a way of working out and resources show up just when they are needed the most. Keep the faith!
Home & Hearth
Mice are deeply connected to home and hearth. They are social creatures and many, like the House Mouse, live in communities, working together for the good of the whole. Mice are expert builders and can create a very intricate nest home. They are also adaptable so they can do this just about anywhere. From the dirt outside, to our attic, they always find a way to secure a stable home.
In the physical context, Mouse symbolism can serve as an alert that you need to start paying attention to details, so you do not inadvertently attract Mice into your home. Remember, they do not pay rent or pay for groceries!
Symbolically, Mice could serve as a reminder to stay adaptable and flexible, and to embrace change. The unknown can be a scary place – you may find yourself getting angry or upset at every challenge or side look from someone. Remember, the deeper question to ask yourself: “Why am I afraid” – This inner dialog can reveal the core of your struggles.
HISTORICAL, CULTURAL, RELIGIOUS SYMBOLISM
Native American
In Native American spiritual tradition, Mice represent courage, diligence, fertility and the underworld. In some traditions the Mouse serves as a physical representation that size does not matter, it’s the quality of our spirit that guides us through struggle, where we cultivate courage and strength. In other spiritual traditions, Mice are seen as a symbol of fertility, both for children as connected to the earth with harvests and crops.
Celtic
In Celtic spiritual traditions, Mice symbolize the underworld, secrets, and hidden things. They are seen as messengers from the spirit world and can serve as a bridge between heaven and the underworld. Mice remind us that things are not always as they appear and to embrace the unknown.
SPIRIT ANIMAL
As a Spirit Animal, Mice guide us on our path of inner discovery. As we navigate the complexities of our inner world, they help us uncover hidden and repressed memories that prevent us from spiritual growth. They guide us to shine a light on our shadows, to show us our weaknesses and blind spots, so we can embrace change and transform our lives for the better.
The Mouse and the House
Mice are deeply connected to house symbolism. Whether a Field Mouse or a House Mouse, they are highly adaptable and driven. They can build a nest anywhere and call it home.
Mice have nest building in their DNA. Some species build deep and intricate tunnels into the Earth with many entries and exits. While others will build small holes with no escape routes. They are patient and diligent as they craft their structures.
Then there are those Mice who prefer the free-living life and set up shop in our kitchen, basement, or attic. The Mouse finds a hidden area, then takes their time to build their home with care. To the Mouse it is all about safety, security, resources, and stability.
Mice are also symbolic of our inner self and represent our intuition and inner wisdom. Mice have the ability to intuit their surroundings and communicate with an ultrasonic vibration that many humans cannot hear, yet among themselves, they hear each other loud and clear.
Through their symbolism, our Mouse spirit guide can guide us on our path to dream interpretation. With their connection to the element of earth, they symbolize our physical and spiritual foundation. Mice are highly intuitive with their ability to communicate telepathically among themselves, they symbolize our spiritual center, our heart and soul connection.
Dreams are quite symbolic and can guide us on a deeper path of inner discovery. Some dreams may not make any sense, while others are so vivid, they stay with us.
Dreams are symbolic of our subconscious, our repressed memories, feelings, emotions, and our traumas, shadows, fears, and outdated tribal beliefs. Once we can begin to understand what our dreams are trying to teach us, we can find a true path to healing.
Dream Symbolism: The House
Dreams can be quite interesting to interpret. Often, we recall vivid memories of our dreams but our rational mind cannot make sense of the images. Typically, we dismiss this as some kind of gibberish, but in reality, it matters. Even a strange symbol or number carries symbolic meaning.
There are other times when our dreams speak to us loud and clear. Perhaps we keep dreaming about an animal that keeps doing a specific behavior, or we are dreaming about falling. Falling is symbolic of loss of control and a humbling descent from a place of hubris.
Then there are also recurring dreams, the ones that seem to play on repeat. A recurring dream that can be frequent for many is dreaming about a House. It could be the front of a house, inside rooms of a house, being on top of a house, or under it. The dream could also depict disaster of some kind, like staying on higher ground as the house is filling with water.
To note, house symbolism doesn’t just come to us through our dreams. Our inner self gets our attention any way necessary and sometimes that is directly through the physical world. The Mouse can serve as an ally and guide in this area as well. The Mouse is small and quick, and moves through the environment undetected, they see things others may miss. They remind us to pay attention to our surroundings.
Do you suddenly see dirt piled up near the foundation of your house that wasn’t there previously? And despite your efforts to cure this, it returns. As you walk around on the first floor of your house, do you notice that windows or doors keep getting left open, or worse, something keeps breaking in through the screen, undetected?
Symbolically, the piled-up dirt represents a repressed or hidden memory that is trying to come forward from your subconscious. The potential destruction that can result from a Mouse infestation is symbolic of the necessary release of old attachments, fears, tribal beliefs and negative behavior patterns. It represents the dismantling of outdated social structures and ideologies and familial constructs that hinder our progress and growth.
This can also take on physical symbolism. It can mean it’s time to take action and ensure your physical house is in order. The undetected break in could indicate that there is a breach somewhere in your home that could allow for Mice or other critters to start moving in. Remember, there can be a new litter of up to 12 Mice every 9 weeks…
Through our inner world, House symbolism represents Life, the whole of the self.
The basement symbolizes the subconscious, which represents our repressed and hidden memories. Where our deepest feelings, emotions, memories, pains, and traumas are housed. The subconscious is a mystery, as many of these aspects of ourselves are further hidden from view. There is a connection not just to our current life, but also to our past lives.
The first floor is symbolic of our physical world, how we see ourselves as well as how the world sees us. It is how we engage and exist in our physical reality. The second floor is our mental state, our logic, reason and intellectual abilities. It represents the quality of our thoughts and how we honor and express ourselves.
The attic is symbolic of our superego, which represents our spiritual life and our connection to our higher power. This is where we learn symbolic perception and the impersonal view. This is where we become conscious and can embrace the wisdom that all life breathes together, and what is in one is in the whole.
Symbolically, the house represents the inner aspects of ourselves, our physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual center. It is the foundation of who we are, the core of our soul’s essence. It depicts our inner world and how our thoughts, choices and actions connect to our mental, emotional and physical struggles in life as well as in our relationships.
Digging deep within to get to the root of our struggles can be challenging. Often, we come face to face with our own behavior or actions that caused harm to ourselves and others. As we learn how to forgive, we are then faced with the ultimate struggle, change.
Change can be difficult as we lose what is familiar and routine in our lives. We cling to the negative people and experiences that cause us great angst because even in toxicity, we know what to expect.
The Mouse reminds us to let go of the attachments that no longer serve our highest good. Fighting the process and trying to control the narrative will only cause further angst and pain. They guide us to find clear sight so we can discover the repressed memories that hold us back, so we can release the pain and fears from the past.
Surrendering to change gives us the opportunity to realign ourselves and our individual beliefs and energetic body. Allowing us to let go of the past, heal within, and make space for the potential future that awaits us.
TOTEM ANIMAL
For those born under the Mouse Totem, they are resourceful, diligent, simple, and family oriented. They pay attention to the small details and are deeply in touch with their intuition. There are many that are deeply connected to spirits from the other side.
Mouse folks pay attention to the small details and have a keen sense of awareness. They tend to keep a low profile which helps them capture things others may miss. Those born under the Mouse Totem like to stay busy in life, whether that is a project or hobby, they enjoy creation.
They are also very connected to family but for them it doesn’t necessarily mean blood family. Mouse people are not set on just human children, they could have multiple pets or service-related projects. They love helping others and opening their hearts and homes.
For those born under the Mouse Totem, they are resourceful and adaptable. They like to use what is available and can often come up with creative ways of doing things. They do keep things simple though and are not into flash and ego, they prefer to stay quiet like a Mouse and get things done behind the scenes.
POWER ANIMAL
As a Power Animal, Mice guide us to stay self-aware, discover and release the fear, and find clarity in our situation.
Change can keep us on our toes, but we often ignore change out of fear. We tend to fear the unknown, especially if it comes with high risk. We like to know exactly what is going on and whose footsteps we hear. If we give into the fear, it can cloud our thoughts and judgement. Making it difficult to find a clear path forward.
Mice guide us to stay aware of our surroundings so we can take a broader view of our circumstances. They help us navigate our inner world so we can get to the root cause of our fears, releasing their hold over us. When we release the pain of the past, we make space and we can trust our instincts.
With inner clarity, we can navigate our current conditions and find a way through our challenges with clear sight, while staying spiritually centered.
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