Fox Medicine

Three times this summer/fall a gray fox has crossed paths with me. He lives in the forest behind the houses across the street. Having started my pregnancy with the daily visits of the bald eagle pair who winter on the river, it feels special to have this magical time draw to a close with the presence of this fox nearby. I, of course, believe that when animals make an appearance for us, that we can learn lessons or harness spiritual medicine from them. Here is what I've learned from this fox.

The following information is taken from birdclan.org.

"Fox is a master at the art of camouflage. Like all members of the canine family, they make exceptional parents. The fox's keen sight and hearing make it an excellent predator. Its tail serves as a balancing device when it stands on its hind legs to peer over the tall grass in search of a mouse, gopher, or field rat. It is a survivor, able to exist in the unpopulated countryside. Its ability to be unseen makes it a superb family protector.

Fox medicine involves adaptablility, cunning, observation, integration, and swiftness of thought and action. These traits may also include quick decisiveness, and sure-footedness in the physical world.

The Fox's ability to meld into one's surroundings and be unnotices is a powerful gift when one is observing the activities of others. This allows it to be the protector of the family unit. If danger arises, Fox is johnny-on-the-spot. Great Spirit has honored Fox with the duty of keeping the family together and safe. Fox accomplishes this through the ability to observe undetected, without making others self-conscious. Fox is always concerned with the safety of family members and is an excellent tailsman for those who travel.

Its keen eyesight also has the ability to see movement and objects on the very edges of the field of vision. Those with active fox medicine can often see Spirit, and the beings "between worlds". If this is an ability that you'd like to develop, practice at twilight and call upon fox energy to help you. With fox's super-sensitive hearing, you may also be able to hear Spirit.

With Fox medicine you know instantly what will happen next. After observing for a while, you will become aware of a certain predictability in given situations and be able to quickly make your move. Fox medicine teaches the art of Oneness through its understanding of camouflage.

Much like the clowns in the rodeo, Fox can keep the raging bull from stampeding a friend or family member. Fox can use silly tactics as a brilliant comouflage move. No one could guess the sly power behind such ingenious maneuvers.

Fox is considered to be persistent, yet is gentler and less aggressive than the wolf. Fox teaches us about feminine magic, but this does not imply that it is a totem for women. Rather, both men and women who have the fox as a totem are being told to stay in touch with the feminine side of their personality and character.

If fox shows up in your life it is a sign that you are to be aware of the actions of the world around you. The world is shape shifting and growing into new patterns all the time. Use the art of camouflage and keep cunningly silent about who and what you are observing. After observing for a while you will become aware of certain patterns of predictability in situations and you will know what to do. Fox's medicine of camouflage teaches Oneness with all."

I love all the mentions of fox being a family protector as Mark and I embark on a new chapter as parents. I also appreciate that fox teaches us about feminine magic, the ability to see spirit, and adaptability; all things I will be drawing on as a new mother. 

Below is a photo (although not the greatest) of the fox that visits me. He finally held my gaze long enough to allow me to snap him. The first time I saw him I thought that he was a very dirty red fox, but after seeing him a few more times I realized that he is definitely a gray. 

One of the best things about our decision to move home to the Ozarks has been the abundance of animal life that we encounter regularly. I always take the opportunity to learn about the animals spiritual aspects and reflect on what that means to my life at that time. Nature offers us so many gifts.

~ Love & Light ~

Beaver Symbolism

I wasn't planning to write about the beaver today. ( I know...yep. I said beaver. Go ahead. Laugh it up.). As a matter of fact I was going to do a post on Solstice and what it means to me and how I honor this darkest day of the year... but then I saw a beaver swimming down the river this morning!

I had been told that beavers don't live in the rivers of Missouri after I thought I had seen one when we moved to Chigger Chalet back in 2012. I decided it must have been a gopher as it was on the bank and not actually in the water and forgot all about it. Well, bright and early this rainy morning, I was standing in the Yogate Studio brushing my teeth and staring at the water when I saw it. He was trucking along straight down the middle of the river making a perfect V formation in the water. I knew immediately that it was a beaver and stood watching, completely delighted. He was headed North and twice I saw him dive down into the water and smack his flat tail on the water. I wasn't about to step away and grab my camera so I have no photo evidence but I know what I saw without a doubt. 

Of course the first thing I thought about is the symbology of the beaver and what it means that he made an appearance for me. The following is from Whats-Your-Sign.com and I love what it has to say!

Beavers are ingenious builders, orchestrating megalith dams that can change the flowing course of entire rivers. This impressive aspect along with its association with water makes the beaver an analogy for building our up dreams.

In essence, the beaver tells us to believe in our dreams as if they were real. Build on them as if the dream is your reality. Change the course of your life flow by structuring your life with a goal to coax your dreams into your physical reality.

Animal symbolism of the beaver deals with building our lives up around our dreams.

Dream symbolism comes into play with the beaver because it is largely a water creature. Water is symbolic of:

As a Water Creature, Beaver Meanings Include:

• Dreams
• Psyche
• Motion
• Emotion
• Intuition
• Subconscious

Animal symbolism of the beaver also deals with working diligently. The dams and these beavers build are sometimes eight feet tall and span across entire bodies of water. That kind of accomplishment doesn't happen overnight, nor does it happen by just wishing of completion. The beaver says: "yeah, it’s great to have dreams, but you have to work at them to make the real!"

But it's not all work and no play in the Beaverville. Play, enjoyment, fun and games are also among the beaver animal symbolism. Specifically, the beaver shares quality time with family. This is also another key symbol for us – it reminds us to take time for ourselves, and our family.

The beaver admonishes unbalance, and encourages us to set our priorities right. Working to fulfill life-long dreams is admirable, but not at the expense of neglecting our friends and family.

Beaver Meanings for Us Personally

• Clearer understanding of our subconscious thoughts and dreams
• Ability to mold our thoughts more constructively to suit our needs
• Determination to follow our dreams
• Diligence to keep and reach our goals
• Balance and flexibility concerning ourselves and our expectations
• Take time for self, friends and family. The people in our lives are most precious

Animal symbolism is a pure, natural way to help facilitate change within each of us. By tuning into animals such as the beaver, we can create an energetic dialogue that may answer some tough questions in our lives.

How so? Mainly, observing and connecting. When we pay attention to the beaver's behavior and proclivities, we can compare or associate those features to our own behavior. By doing this we can match up, mimic, or employ beaver qualities in our own lives with a goal to stimulate natural (or even wild) solutions for ourselves. For example, if we have a blockage in our lives, a littlemeditation on the beaver may show us how to "chew" through the barrier in our path. Working with animal meanings and animal totems also helps us move into a natural cycle of life, which is always a good state to be in for finding solutions!

Areas of Life in Which the Beaver Can Help Us

• Need encouragement or inspiration in reaching your goals
• When you've got the blues, and need a boost of energy (beaver is better than B-12!)
• You're starting new creative projects or building new business deals
• You're attending a family reunion or class reunion
• You need a little more structure discipline in the family
• You've want more clarity in dream interpretation or subconscious realms.

What an amazing sight to see so close to the New Year! A perfect reminder that the Universe loves action and rewards it with bringing us the things we visualize and dream about! 

~ Love & Light ~