Guest Author - Elizabeth Bissette

Animal medicine is the idea that, when we see animals, they are trying to tell us something. This is different from the idea of animal totems, which are with an individual throughout his or her life and represent something intrinsically meaningful to them. Tribes, families and other groups also have totems. Lessons from animal medicine are immediate concepts that are important to the person who sees the animal.

Some of these foud in the American Southeast and elsewhereare:

Bat - Rebirth, longevity, secrecy, initiation, listening

Beaver - Determination, will, building, protection

Bees - Organization, productivity, wisdom, community, celebration, fertility, defensiveness, obsessiveness

Cat - Detachment, sensuality, mystery, magic, independence

Crab - Good luck, protection, success

Crow - Justice, shape shifting, change, creativity, spirituality, energy, community, sharing, balance

Deer - Compassion, peace, intellect, gentleness, caring, kindness, subtlety, gracefulness, femininity, gentleness, innocence, the beginning of adventure

Dog - Nobility, faithfulness, loyalty, teaching, protection, guidance

Dove - Cross-world communication, spirits, peace, gentleness, love

Dragonfly - Freedom, imagination, higher purpose

Falcon - New beginnings, adventure, passion, leadership

Fish - Grace, slyness, open-mindedness, changing your mind

Fox - Cunning, agility, wittiness, diplomacy, wildness, shapeshifting, invisibility

Frog - Rebirth, sensitivity, medicine, hidden beauty, peace, adaptability, poor character, judgment, power


Duck - Prophesy, emotional maturity

Eagle - Divine spirit, sacrifice, intelligence, renewal, courage, illumination of spirit, healing, creation/connection to creation, freedom, taking risks

Goat - Surefootedness, stubbornness, independence, diligence, lack of foresight

Goose - demanding a lot of yourself, reliablility, prudence, rigidity, vigilance, parenthood, productivity

Hawk - Messages, intuition, victory, healing, nobility, recollection, visions

Horse - Freedom, stamina, mobility, land, travel, power, freedom

Hummingbird - Messages, timelessness, healing, the warrior

Lizard - Conservation, vision, protection, hidden defences

Mouse - Scrutiny, order, organization, paying attention to detail

Opossum- Diversion, strategy, deception

Owl - Deception, clairvoyance, insight, messages

Peacock - Immortality, dignity, self-confidence

Quail - Teamwork, group tolerance, protection (particularly of children)

Rabbit - Fear, timidity, nervousness, humility, rebirth

Raccoon - Curiosity, cleanliness

Rat - Fertility, sneakiness, scavenging, intelligence, luxury

Raven - Introspection, courage, self-awareness, magic

Rooster - Vanity, love of attention, refusing to settle

Seagull - Versatility, relaxation, creativity, laziness

Skunk - Reputation, presence, strength

Snake - Impulsiveness, shrewdness, rebirth, transformation, wisdom

Squirrel - Planning, gathering

Stag - Masculine power, regeneration, signs

Swan - Grace, innocence, the soul, love, beauty

Turkey - Generosity, life, sharing

Turtle - Nurturing, shyness, protection

Woodpecker - Sensitivity, protection, devotion