Animal allies – The Cauldron Goddess

Spring Equinox Wisdom & Oracle Reading!

Welcome to the season of Spring Equinox, also known as Ostara, derived from the Germanic Goddess Eostre, or Alban Eilir (Welsh for Light of the Earth) in Druidic tradition.

This is the season of new beginnings! It is also the astrological New Year, as on March 20th, the sun enters fire sign Aries. The energy helps us to access our inner courage, trust, raw energy and faith that pushes us out of our comforts zones to grow- internally and externally. The flame within us is gaining strength, urging us to take bold steps forward in our personal growth and towards manifesting our dreams- whether they be big or small, the dreams we begin to nourish now have the energy of the earth and cosmos behind them. We don’t need to have a full, complete idea of what we want, even just a feeling of ‘yes’ or ‘no’ sense within us we can follow to take us in the right direction. We can trust our instinct to follow what energizes and feels like a ‘yes’!

The first shoots of new life beneath the earth are drawn to the surface by the warmth of the sun, and push through to greet it! The shoot trusts their instincts and the warmth pulling it up. It carries the strength necessary to forge a path forward, breaking ground and eventually blossoming into who they are meant to be.

Likewise, we can reach for what draws us, warms us, and let it evolve us.

As we harness the emerging energy of spring, we will find it easier to make positive changes in our lives. Sometimes though, we may run up against challenges or obstacles, and get frustrated. But instead of forcing through, getting impatient, or giving up, we can take a moment to breathe, and come fully into the moment. There may be ways we haven’t noticed, options we were to narrow-minded to perceive. We must open up to all that is available to us. We may need to cultivate a bit more patience and give ourselves more time than we originally planned. Some dreams are meant to unfold over more time. Some dreams take a long term commitment. Aries season will teach us what is doable now and what will take time. We may not be able to act on everything yet. But the first steps can definitely be taken.

We’re meant to trust the desire within us to pull us forward, and just take it one step at a time, being open to learning through the process.

Is there an area of your life where you are being called to make a change, take a step forward or try something new? Go for it. There’s no such thing as mistakes, only learning. Let this time be your chance to experiment and follow your heart. Feelings of vulnerability or self-doubt can accompany this time, so honor your tenderness with love. Know that you are loved and protected by Spirit through this process. The Earth Mother each spring gives her all in her offerings, knowing not everything will blossom or be harvested. The important thing is making the effort and trusting that what is meant to grow, will!

We can think back to bulb planting season- the autumn, and think about what has been incubating deep below the surface, resting, gaining strength, nourishment and waiting in our lives since then. This may be something that comes up to grow and flourish this season. The winter season may have clarified what no longer serves us and what inspiration or spiritual beliefs carry us through hard times. We can build on that inspiration in spring.

The wonderful thing about the equinox is that light and dark are in balance. This helps us see situations with a balanced clarity and wholeness- both our inner and outer needs can be addressed with greater ease. It is a strong time for decision making as we can better focus our energy on what we really want and take the necessary steps to get there.

It is a great time for trying a new diet or exercise regimen, picking up a new hobby or craft, a new area of study, creating career and project goals or meeting new people!

Ways to celebrate the Spring Equinox season:

Plant some seeds and grow your own plants (indoors still likely if you’re in Canada)
Buy fresh flowers to decorate with
Begin to write a plan of action for your vision or goals, take the first step
Create something new that energizes, inspires or speaks to your inner child
Try anything new! Read a new book, start a new health regimen, buy new clothing or adornment, take a class, meet new people,etc.
Get out for a walk in nature
Spring cleaning of the home and hearth
Connect with your Power- spiritual power through meditation, connection with deity or spirit guides, the divine energy flowing through your body through mind-body practice.
Cultivate your relationship with your plant and animal & allies- read my blog post on this.

Animal Allies for support:

At this time of year, as a time of volatility and change, I like to enlist the help of spirit allies to help midwife us through the process. I especially like to focus on the animal allies, because they carry that instinctual wisdom that we can emulate to help us step forward in our lives.

Is there an animal that’s been showing up for you lately? Or one that you feel drawn to or a deep connection with?

You may want to cultivate this relationship. Learn about them. How do they navigate challenges and survive? What do they eat? How do they create family or socialize? What senses do they rely on? What is their energy like? Most importantly, what qualities do they awaken within you?

If you want tips on connecting with animal and plant allies, you can read my latest blog on that here.

Also, if you are interested in celebrating the spring equinox and connecting with an animal ally and you are in or around Toronto, come to my in-person spring equinox circle on March 27th!

Spring Equinox Oracle Reading:

Speaking of Animal Allies, I invite you to choose an oracle card from the Animal Elders Oracle by Asha Frost & Hawlii Pichette!

First, take 3 deep breaths, calm, ground and centre yourself. Then ask- ‘what animal energy would be helpful for me to connect with now?’ Choose your card below and scroll down for the description!

Remember that number, and scroll down for the description! Words are of the deck’s author, Asha Frost.

Elder Heron- Practice Patience

Heron knows when to stick their long neck out and strike to hunt their food, and they know when to stand silently in the reeds. With an inherent trust in their knowing and heart, they follow their unique self-guidance, teaching us to do the same. You are asked to return to what you know to be true and release outside noise and opinions of those who surround you. Sometimes the path can seem like it moves at a slower pace, as you are asked to trust the flow of life and the inner stirrings of your soul.

Patience is indeed a virtue at this time, and you will soon see that listening to your wise inner voice brings immense joy and breathtaking beauty when you finally decide to spread your wings and soar. It’s a magnificent sight to see when Elder Heron finally takes flight with a fish caught in their beak- a journey that will be yours when you commit to patience and quiet listening.

Elder Heron Speaks: “Call on me when the world around you gets noisy and you are having a hard time discerning what is best for you. I am here to steady you and remind you that you can depend on yourself for wisdom and advice. It’s safe to slow down, trust, and be patient. Everything is unfolding at the perfect pace. When you are in doubt, I will return you to the truth that your heart always knows.”

2. Loon- Dive Deep

Elder Loon is here to compassionately guide you to see what is hidden beyond the light, at the bottom among the reeds, so you can bring healing to it. This Elder gently swims around you, inviting you to meet what is rising from the depths of your being. Is there a part of your child self that needs to be seen? Or perhaps there’s a belief that you have inherited that can now be handed back to your ancestors? Loon journeys with you to gently unearth anger, grief or other pain that is ready to flow out of your heart and body.

Elder Loon reminds you that balance in your mind, body and spirit is available when you tend to what is calling from the inside. This might take more introspection than you are used to, but with this Elder’s help, you can move the layers of what no longer serves you out to the land and waters. Your old stories and feelings are sacred, and Elder Loon promises to hold them as such as they rise out of your being, like bubbles to the surface of the water.

Elder Loon Speaks: “Call upon me when the opportunity to dive deep summons you. I am adept at underwater hunting and can stabilize all that is ready to surface. With my help, this process can feel effortless as long as you welcome my medicine. I am deeply attuned to keeping your sacred waters clear and purified, so receive my song into your heart so I may be your ally.”

3. Elder Beaver- Remain Focused

Elder Beaver reminds you that they will never take on more work than they can handle; they simply complete the work that is required of them. Only when they hear water draining from their territory do they shore up the leaks. In this way, they are beautiful teachers of energy conservation. Let go of everything that may be distracting you or pulling you away from the task at hand. It’s time to focus and gather the resources that will create a secure foundation.

There is no time to procrastinate, as all of creation is here now, supporting you and cheering you on. Elder Beaver swims effortlessly through the waters, reminding you to clear out what is no longer essential to your life. You are asked to bring all your focus to your plan, channel your energy into your big dream, and go for it. It’s time to step it up and do the work that needs to be done. When you follow through, with Elder Beaver’s help, you will be able to marvel at what you have built and enjoy the fruits of your labor.

Elder Beaver Speaks: “Invite me into your life when you need inspiration to move forward on the project you are holding in your heart. During this time, you need to be impeccable with where you are directing your energy. I am here to assist your strong desire to fulfill your vision. Intention and focus are the medicine I bring, and I promise to remind you to conserve your energy for what matters. There are times when we can forget to enjoy what we have built, so before you gather more branches and mud, my presence will encourage you to revel in the beauty of your creation.”

4. Elder Muskrat- Believe in Yourself

Elder Muskrat glides through the waters into your space today to remind you to believe in yourself. Are you stalled in your progress toward completing a project? Or maybe you have a huge dream and feel like you don’t have what it takes to succeed. If outside opinions have lodged in your heart or the words of the world have taken down your confidence, Elder Muskrat offers a steady dose of fortitude to prop you up.

Muskrat rustles up the reeds and ushers in your ancestors who have been watching your medicine walk. They stand in a circle with this Elder all around you, offering ripples of assurance and conviction. Elder Muskrat helps you to journey back to your original instructions where your creation story told you who you are. Just like the Muskrat had unwavering faith that they could save the earth, you too can believe in your ability to do whatever you desire.

Elder Muskrat Speaks: “When your soul is weary and you feel like the world has pushed you down, call upon me to help you rise to the surface. I will help to buoy your self-esteem and shake off outside voices and opinions. You carry enormous strength in your heart, and when you forget, you can lean on me to remind you that you are not powerless. You are the hero of your own story. Hold yourself in the same regard as your ancestors. Believe.”

5. Elder Moose- Honor Your Lineage

This Elder is a proud and powerful symbol of endurance and resilience, reminding you that your ancestors moved through so much and the medicine of their strength resides in you. This is a time of honoring, reconnection, and activating past and present healing. Elder Moose brings the ancient wisdom of those who came before them and asks you to say a prayer, build an altar or set an intention with your ancestral guides.

The old ones surround you closely as Elder Moose reminds you of the importance of where you came from, the medicine of your ancestral lands that formed you. Ancestors who held certain mastery and heightened abilities step forward, and you are flooded with that same vibration and gifts. With Moose’s towering bulk at your side, you are safe to unlock the secrets of the past so you can reclaim your brilliant future. And all of the ancestral spirits rejoice.

Elder Moose Speaks: “When the old ones speak through your dreams and their ancient ways of knowing rise through your bones, know that I am walking by your side. As a lineage keeper of the forest, I remind you that the stories that live within your blood are good medicine. Call upon me when you want to acknowledge the pain of the past in order to bring healing and reconnection. You are a future ancestor, and we need your rich wisdom.”

6. Elder Fox- Step up and out

Elder Fox asks you to notice where you might be choosing to shrink or draw attention away from yourself. Have you been putting others on pedestals and missing the incredible purpose you carry in this world? Staying in the background and supporting others on their mission is admirable; however, at this time you are asked to turn your attention and capacity back to your divine path.

This Elder reminds you that you have more resources than you know, and there will be opportunities coming your way to share them with the world. Get stealthy, like the Fox. Hold your head up high, and be on alert for invitations to shine your light. It’s time for the attention to be on you. Step out of your safe hiding spot and know that you carry deep intelligence and knowing. All you need to do is to take the next step and be seen; it’s your time.

Elder Fox Speaks: “I know that it can feel safer to stay behind the scenes and be protected by the shadows, but I’m here to tell you that the people who need your gifts are waiting. Call upon me when you need that push to step onto the stage of life and take up space in a more visible way. Grab onto my bushy tail when you feel like you aren’t enough, and let me lead you into the sunshine. Let those you’ve placed on pedestals be your mirrors, and rise to meet them.”

7. Elder Hummingbird- Remember the Magic

Elder Hummingbird calls you back into the magic of your child self when you held awe and wonder. Do you remember wishing on a star? How about the joy of blowing on a dandelion puff? The innocence of your child heart is asking to be remembered. You are invited to see how even though you’ve journeyed through the ups and downs of life, the spark of magic remains a part of you. Gifts and blessings are here to touch your life, and this Elder asks you to expand your capacity to receive them.

The fluttering of the Hummingbird’s wings is a miraculous sight to see, and with this delicate bird at your side, this same quick vibration is offered to you. Look for the magic all around, see the beauty that Mother Earth offers you, and open your heart to receive. The nectar is here to feed you, and the blessings of your life are about to bloom in a riot of kaleidoscopic color.

Elder Hummingbird Speaks: “Invoke my spirit when you have forgotten the magic of life, for I can fly in all directions and gather it from the past, present, and future. I flutter before you and expand your heart to remind you of your inherent worthiness to receive sweetness. I carry an incredible quality to remember the flowers that have nourished me, and I bring this memory medicine to you. I shall help you to recall the sparkle in your eyes and the hope in your spirit that you once held. Magic abounds.”

8. Elder Blue Jay- Speak Up

Blue Jay has a very distinctive call that echoes through the trees. It’s a call that commands attention and invites us to listen. A powerful mimic, this brilliant bird can even imitate a human’s voice. This Elder’s precise call reminds you that even if people might not be ready to hear your truth, your words are here to initiate change. There is medicine in speaking your truth and not swallowing what you know to be true simply to keep the peace.

The path of truth invites you to root fully in your integrity. It’s not always the easiest or most comfortable choice, but Elder Blue Jay can help you to dig deep and say what you mean, not just what you think others want to hear. When you share the wisdom that has been vibrating in your heart and soul, the whole world benefits. Trust the words that are waiting to be expressed, for they are blessings for all of creation.

Elder Blue Jay Speaks: “I carry powerful vocal medicine and offer it to you. Invoke me when you need assistance in bringing the words of your belly and heart to your lips and tongue. People may turn away from your truth, but your words will land for them when they are ready. My bright blue feathers activate your throat, opening the portal for your bold expression. Call upon me when you want to get your point across clearly. Once you know in your heart that you must speak, there is no going back.”

Did your card resonate? I hope it did!

Wishing you blessings of courage, self-love, passion, growth and new beginnings for this fiery season of Aries and Spring Equinox!

Serena

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How to Connect With Plant and Animal Allies

On the animistic path, we forge relationships with our non-human kin. This includes plants of all kinds, the land and elements, crystals, rocks, insects and of course, the animals. We may also cultivate relationships with our ancestors, spirit guides and other light beings and deities in the spirit world.

Like any relationship we would have with a human friend or loved one, these relationships require some energy, time and willingness to cultivate. Part of the challenge in doing this is that we are conditioned to take these beings for granted or see them as beings that don’t have the same capacity for relationship as a human. Or we may just not be sure how to foster this relationship, because it isn’t something we think we know or remember how to do. We’re afraid of ‘doing it wrong’. We may feel intimidated by the spirit world or think we need some special psychic powers to do this.

The truth is, all we need to do is remember what it was like to be a child, when we felt connected to everything. Kids naturally connect with nature kin and the spirit world very easily! We read fairy tales and watch shows of mythical beings as children and some of us still do as adults, because we know they aren’t silly, but hold truth. We are taught to un-learn our natural connection to the spirits of land and spirit, separating us from our original soul family.

We simply need to remember when we felt the ladybug was our friend, the tree was a wise grandfather, and the wind was whispering to us things we needed to hear. We need to remember to trust the feeling of awe, mystery and magick that lies in the world around us. That remembering of not being alone and that there is a world of loving, sentient beings that we can connect with any time we think we’re alone.

Animism reminds us that we are all connected- to all other beings, whether they have an earthly body or not. We are one and just because their energy is a bit different than ours, doesn’t mean they are less powerful. On the contrary, these beings often carry a purer connection to Source because they don’t have the same ego/mind that humans contend with.

Much of the spiritual path is remembering things we already knew innately as children (and perhaps past lives) and releasing many of the things we were taught at school, at home and in the world.

Beginning a Relationship With our Non-Human Kin:

So how do we start? In my opinion, there’s a lot of old Christian/Patriarchal beliefs that have tainted our innate connection to the spirit world with power hierarchies and rank, bringing issues of worthiness and self-trust to individuals on the seeking path.

We feel we need tons of special training, the permission from an ‘expert’ or high priest/ess, elder, shaman, etc to access our innate heart connection to spirit, but that’s not true.

Any spiritual leader worthy of learning from will remind you that you have the power and innate ability to do this, and believe in your innate connection. It may take some practice. Support can be helpful, of course, but not necessary.

The secret to cultivating these relationships is this:

How would you begin or maintain a relationship with a human? Or a pet? How would you wish to be treated? Our heart connects us to other humans and non-human beings, so let it lead the way. The heart feels and knows more than our mind.

Start simple-Meet a neighborhood tree:

Take a moment to center and ground yourself. Tune into your childlike heart and mind. Be open, curious, and hold a loving, good will within.

Take a walk around your neighborhood and let your heart lead you to a tree. Greet it like you would anyone else you haven’t met before:

‘Hi, I’m (name), nice to meet you. Can I come and sit down?’ (or you can stand if sitting isn’t accessible). Listen to their answer energetically, through the heart. Does it feel like a ‘yes, come and sit down’? or a ‘no/maybe not right now’? Trust your instincts.

Usually, trees are more welcoming than humans you first meet and are often happy to let you lean on or sit up against them early in the relationship! Your heart will likely guide you to a tree that is happy to connect with someone and is doing well. However, if you are guided to a tree that seems sickly or unwell, you can ask them what they need. You may be drawn to them to offer some love or learn from them. It’s important to be in listening mode, rather than talking mode when you first meet a tree or any other being, really. Trees, just like people, love being recognized and appreciated.

It’s common for the adult mind to feel silly or worried about what other people might think when we start talking to trees. The adult mind is conditioned to shame this part of ourselves. But with practice, it gets easier. From what I’ve noticed in here Toronto, more people are connecting with the trees around in personal ways and it’s becoming less of a ‘weird hippy’ thing to do and just something we need to do!

The great thing about being with a tree is that we don’t have to make small talk, plaster on a fake smile, or act or perform in any way. We can just be real, and the tree feels what’s real. We listen with our heart and speak from the heart. We can speak out loud or silently. They hear us just the same.

How to Connect With Them:

You can spend as long as you like with the tree. You can begin a powerful connection just by feeling into their energy and merging your own energy with them. You can temporarily let yourself ‘become’ the tree. This is an intro to shapeshifting and is a form of listening and honoring. It helps us to connect with their energy and remember this aspect of our own beingness- because we are all connected.

Does the energy feel it has a gender resonance? Is it soft, gentle, firm, strong? Does it feel young, middle aged or older? If they were a human, how would they look or act? What is their personality like? How do they make you feel? These questions can help us foster a connection.

Once you’ve felt their energy, you may want to have a conversation with them. This can be during your first meeting or after several times just feeling their energy and personality.

When conversing with a tree, just speak intuitively, from the heart. You can ask them questions about themselves or about life, or what they sense about you or something you are struggling with. You may feel the replies in your heart and it will feel like talking with a friend. It takes practice to let go of the ‘am I doing this right? Is this all in my head?’, and to just trust what you feel. But practice is key to noticing the difference. If it feels right, it likely is.

There doesn’t even have to be any words exchanged, really. When we connect with the tree’s energy, we might feel a part of ourselves awaken and receive information through the tree, into this part of us, which then gives us information we can use in our life and feel more whole. We don’t need to let things get too much in our heads. Sometimes the less we think the better the connection is.

Connecting With an Animal Ally:

Connecting with animal spirits and shapeshifting are ancient practices our ancestors all over the globe practiced. It isn’t only special cultures or people that can do this- we all can. Granted, there are different traditions, practices and lineages of practice, which all deserve their due respect. However, the original, pure connection we have with animals is innate, just like with trees and other beings.

When you were a child, was there an animal you felt a strong connection to? Did you have a pet? Is there an animal you feel drawn to these days or keeps showing up in your dreams or in your daily life? If you were an animal, which one would you be?

Animals can show up in real life, however because only some are visible in our local environment and many prefer to stay away from humans, they may choose to show themselves through media, in our dreams, in our environment, on a billboard or ad, on someone’s shirt, etc. They may not necessarily show themselves in real life while we walk down the street. Some animals come from lands far away that want our attention, and some are just less common in our environment. That’s ok! You don’t have to see or interact with a literal tiger to connect with the tiger’s spirit. If it comes with a feeling- like ‘I think this animal wants my attention’- it’s worth checking out!

How to connect with an animal ally: Try my recorded guided meditation journey to find your animal ally here:

This is the meditation we do at my in-person circles and part of my Nourish Your Spirit program.

Cultivating a relationship with an animal ally is similar to one with a beloved human. You may wish to honor them with photos in your space, learning about them and their likes and dislikes, their habits and routines, what they eat, how they survive, what makes them special and how they experience the world. You can connect with them in your imagination, in your heart, through photos, memory, or literal physical connection.

Sometimes having a part of the animal’s body- such as a naturally shed antler, claw, skin, or fur can help you connect. I like to find or make figurines of the animal and have them on my altar.

With animals, it can be easier to feel that they are an aspect of ourselves. We can move our body and make sounds like they do- again, we did this as kids all the time, playing pretend!

One way to get closer to our animal is to merge with them and become them. If you did the meditation above, you may have experienced that. You can also go a step further, and put on some music and dance as your animal. Bringing their energy into your body and into the world is something they appreciate. It is a form of honoring them.

Also, you can honor animals through donating to causes that support their habitat, safety and existence. You can honor them through expressing their energy or your love for them through art, writing, or simply walking in the world in the way they do. By adopting some of their habits or ways of being in the world, you will start to notice how deeply you are connected and how this energy supports your wellbeing and your life.

Offerings:

I feel an important part of my relationship with spirit allies is giving thanks and appreciation. This comes naturally of course when you connect from your heart rather than your head. It’s not that we ‘have to’ give an offering to get into their good books or make a deal or other manipulative give-and-take actions. We don’t need to give our blood or sacrifice ourselves to be in relationship. I don’t feel that we need to prove our worthiness or anything to speak with a tree, animal or other non-human kin. To me, that is hierarchical relational nonsense. It’s our natural reaction to genuine heartfelt connection to want to give thanks and appreciation. When you genuinely care, you show respect. If you aren’t genuine, you need to find that first before starting a relationship.

To show thanks, you can honor your plant ally by:

Taking care of them physically in the world, such as watering a tree or cleaning up garbage around them.
Feeding the earth or the squirrels/birds that live in or near them.
Giving them a genuine hug, kiss, share a song or words of gratitude.
Offer herbs, or other natural gifts, especially those you’ve cultivated or created yourself
Simply offer your love, placing your hand on the plant, tree, rock, etc.

You can honor your animal ally by:

Taking care of this animal in its physical form if accessible or offer money or time to an organization that supports them.
Honoring them through merging, or dancing.
Creating something in their honor.
Having a dedicated space to them in your home or on your altar, having a photo of them where you always see it, candles, etc.

Maintaining a Relationship:

Our non-human kin relationships are like our human ones. Some allies are with us very closely for a period of time and then we may go months or years without much contact, only to reconnect again in a new or similar way. Sometimes we may not really connect much with them again. Some allies are very close with us our entire lifetimes, and everything in between. If we are in a genuine connection with our ally, we will know if it is time to have some space or not. We can ask them directly and let our heart receive the answer.

It’s ok if some allies are a bit further from us for a while. Another may step in to help us learn something, or we may just need time to integrate what the relationship brought us. Sometimes, if they’ve been helping us with something, they give us the chance to see what we can do on our own.

If you haven’t felt a connection in a while, it doesn’t mean they’ve abandoned you, it just may mean you either may need to put forth some effort to reconnect, or trust that there is a reason for the distance. Follow your heart in this relationship. Sometimes they simply wait for us to make the first move to show we want to connect and they are happy when we do!

I hope that helps to give you a sense of what having a relationship with our spirit allies can entail. The same suggestions apply to other beings or guides in Spirit you may be working with or getting to know.

If you have any questions about this or wish to journey deeper into the process, you may be interested in my Nourish Your Spirit program, a 12 week journey where we connect with 5 allies- An animal, tree, crystal, herb and element. It also includes a Tarot Reading. Contact me if you’re interested! Sessions can be online or in-person.

If you’re in the Toronto area, you may wish to join us for our Spring Equinox Circle: Connecting with our Animal Allies– where we will do the meditation in-person together and connect with our animal allies that are coming through for us during this next season and beyond!

Blessings of beautiful connections on your path,

Serena

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Spring Equinox Wisdom & Oracle Reading!

Spring Equinox Blessings!

What a powerful season of change we are in right now. Not only is Spring Equinox the astrological new year, but we are also amidst an eclipse season and Mercury and Venus retrograde. The Sun moves into fiery, trailblazing Aries and there are some larger planetary shifts from Pisces into Aries coming soon, too. Talk about endings and beginnings! Big and small cycles moving through here.

March of this year is just a lot, energetically. So if you’re really feeling it right now, you’re not alone. We are shedding an old skin as a new one emerges from underneath and this process can have us feeling vulnerable and overwhelmed. We may feel alot of mixed feelings as the past, present and future all meet up together to create a new brew in our inner cauldron.

Things get clearer as April moves in and by May we can really feel like we’re flowing forward again. We are in this retrograde energy to integrate all we’ve been going through these last 6 months and much further back too. There are some bigger cycles closing here, so there may be many past memories, emotions and experiences bubbling up to the surface now to be integrated, moved through and released.

We are shedding so much, like the Snake. Old outworn programming, social conditioning, burdens we no longer need to carry. It’s a process we need to be patient with, which can be hard in Aries season. But we are moving forward, even if it doesn’t feel like it sometimes.

The planetary energies are really reflecting that spring dynamic of two steps forward, one step back. One day you are wearing your light spring coat and rain boots, then the next day it’s back to the parka and winter boots. It’s sunny, then it snows, then it rains. You’re not sure whether to ditch the sweaters just yet, but you really want to. It seems we can never really dress right for the weather. That’s kind of the vibe of this eclipse and retrograde season. It can be confusing, frustrating, exhausting, exciting and overwhelming.

All this push-pull, back and forth energy is like labour contractions- it is a necessary process leading to our imminent rebirth. We must trust that all this change is bringing us exactly where we need to be.

Have patience with yourself and your own process. Letting go can be hard, and there is so much vulnerability that comes with rebirth. Like the little sprouts poking up through the soil, we must turn our gaze to the sunlight- to hope, inspiration, vision, desire. We must gather our strength and rise up to meet our destiny with faith and trust in the universal flow of life.

Spring Equinox brings us a beautiful balance of darkness and light- the Equinoxes are helpful in showing us where we are out of balance and need to make adjustments. We may be evaluating our relationships, jobs, lifestyles, work-life balance, inner-outer needs and may see where some shifts could be made for greater balance and wellbeing.

When we look at Spring’s opposite season- the Fall Equinox- we see a similar theme of shedding and letting go. However, the difference is that Fall is about letting go of what we don’t want to take with us on the inner journey we’re about to embark on, and embracing changes that draw us inwards and down into our subconscious realms, spiritual realms, roots, and shadow material.

Spring is about shedding what our inner journey demonstrated is holding us back, so we can launch into a journey of outward manifestation and self-actualization. We are being drawn out and upward, like the buds on the trees, flowers and sprouts reaching for the light of the sun.

There is an aspect of ourselves that is rising, reaching for the light and longing to be seen, heard and embodied. We may not even have a clear sense of what that is for us yet, but there is often a feeling that comes around this time of year of a desire or wish we want to fulfill. A part of us that wants to be felt and expressed more fully in our lives. Through the challenging inward journey that winter took us through, a new seed or gift was conceived and is trying to find its way into our consciousness and into the physical world.

In order to rise up, we may experience a type of breakthrough akin to the sprout breaking ground. There may be a hurdle to jump over, fears to confront, a new pathway or trail to blaze. We may be shedding old generational narratives, old trauma responses, and creating new pathways, which take courage. Be kind to yourself and acknowledge any brave steps you are taking forward. Your small step forward creates a pathway for others.

Remember we all sprout, rise and bloom in our own time. The seasonal calendar may not be perfectly in sync with your particular rhythm of growth and shedding, but regardless, new life is rising around us, to be enjoyed, seen, felt and heard to nourish us no matter what stage we find ourselves in! Light, life and love are slowly blooming around us to feed our heart and soul with all it needs so we can do what we’re here to do.

Spiritual Support with Animal Allies

With all of this change, it is very helpful to connect with our Animal Allies this season.

Animal energies help us remember different aspects of ourselves, each holding its own particular medicine. Animal Allies are spirit guides that come to us in animal form, and are an important part of Indigenous cultures all over the world.

Animal Allies come to us to help protect us, strengthen us, and align us with our gifts and power. They help us embody aspects of our being we may have forgotten and give us the strength we require to get through challenging times.

My journey with animal allies is ongoing and has changed my life for the better in countless ways. I honestly don’t know where I’d be without these relationships in my life.

If you are interested in connecting with your own Animal Ally to help you move through this season of rebirth, please join me online for the Spring Equinox Circle- Connecting With Our Animal Allies this Friday, March 21st @7pm EDT!

You can also connect with animal energy with the oracle reading below- I am using the beautiful new Animal Elders Oracle by Indigenous creators Asha Frost & Hawlii Pichette.

Choose Your Animal Oracle Card:

Take 3 deep breaths to ground and center yourself. Then ask- ‘What animal energy can help me most for this Spring Equinox?’ Then gaze at the cards below and let your intuition choose one!

Remember the number of the card you chose, and scroll down for its meaning! Descriptions are by Asha Frost, the deck’s author.

Elder Cardinal- Gitchi-aya’aa misko-bineshiinh– Ignite Your Flame

With their bright and beautiful red plumage, Cardinal often bring instant delight when they fly across our path. A powerful messenger from the spirit world, this Elder asks you to reconnect to your inner flame. There is a fire that dances inside of you, yearning to be expressed and released. Maybe it’s a truth that needs to be shared, or perhaps it’s a way of leading in the world, but whatever it might be, a call to courage is the message of Elder Cardinal. What are you currently feeling fired up and passionate about? Your ideas matter, and you cannot hide in fear of being shamed or misunderstood any longer.

Cardinal swoops in as a messenger from an ancestor or loved one who has passed. They are standing behind you in full support, flooding you with the courage that you have inherited from your loved one’s heart. Feel this warmth now as you dare to speak, share, and take bold steps toward sparking new consciousness in the world.

You have the support of generations behind you, and if your flame feels small or you feel scared, lean into your ancestral support, and they will remind you why you’re here. Elder Cardinal brings a splash of good luck, encouraging your inner flame to grow in the magnificient fire that your ancestors have always held for you. Be loud and be proud; your life force is yearning to be shared.

Elder Cardinal speaks: “When you need to remember your brave spirit, call on me, and I will invoke the resilience of your ancestors. Many of them have walked in courage, helping to create the opportunities that now lie before you. Your flame is fueled by their wisdom, their love, their challenges, and their growth. My vibrant red feathers inspire you to take a bold step, and I hand you one to carry with you. Remember that your ancestors did not have the same privilege to speak and share. It is now your sacred responsibility to use that inner fire.”

2. Elder Canada Goose- Gitchi-aya’aa Nika– Invest in Community

A wisdom keeper of community and connection, the Canada Goose reminds you of the power of dedicating care to your fellow kin on this planet. This elder is part of many Indigenous creation stories, supporting Sky Woman in her journey down to the earth. Canada Goose shows up today to call you into leadership and to invite you to be a voice for those who don’t have one. With their characteristic V-shaped formation during migration, Elder Canada Goose teaches us that we must lean on one another to get where we need to go.

In order to create an equitable world, we all need to shoulder some responsibility to care and take action. We cannot fly free unless we all fly free, and Canada Goose calls you to the front of the V formation. You are here to set the pace for your community through words and actions, for you have always known that nobody should be left behind. Remember you can lean on the support of others, calling upon the communities you are connected to , to rise up in allyship.

Elder Canada Goose knows the power of strong family bonds and asks you to look around at those who might not be seen, heard or uplifted. Invite them into your sacred circle, advocate for them and remember that we are all interconnected. Community care is the best care; you know what to do and where to direct your compassion and love. With this Elder flying beside you and helping to lead the way, you remember the power of inclusivity and building a just world.

Elder Canada Goose Speaks: “With you at the forefront, you set the pace. Invoke me when you need guidance and clarity around how to be the best ally and advocate. There are many ways to be an activist in this world and I will help you return to your true nature regarding what is best for you and your communities. Your actions have an incredible impact on the world around you, and I offer you a feather to welcome you into leading the way.”

3. Elder Horse- Gitchi-aya’aa mishtadim– Honor Your Sensitivity

Elder Horse trots across the wildflowers into your cards to affirm the current heightened sensitivity of your heart and spirit. As incredibly attuned beings, Horses invite you into the spaces and places inside yourself that feel extra perceptive and acutely aware. This Elder holds incredible physical and emotional sensitivity, as well as powerful muscles that allow them to travel far. It is in this way that they remind you that your sensitive nature is a strength and not a weakness.

Just as Elder Horse can sense emotions, shifts in energy and even potential threats, you too are asked to trust your ability to feel moments deeply. Because sensitivity has often been shamed in our younger selves, we are frequently conditioned to turn away from the imperceptible nudges our body and spirit offer us. Horse always trusts their acute senses and reacts accordingly with a swish of the tail or a swifter gait, and this Elder is here to support all that you are feeling and picking up on.

Sometimes amplified sensitivity can feel raw for our hearts and spirits, and this Elder reminds you of the importance of a calm external environment. Just as the Horse gallops through fields and forests and nourishes themselves near bodies of water, you are asked to do the same. The Earth Mother is always here to help you regulate your nervous system. Know that you can pull on the reins of life and set appropriate boundaries when your system feels flooded. Take the time to graze on what balances you. The world needs your tender heart.

Elder Horse Speaks: “When your relational experiences or your environment are filled with subtle signs that are only detectable to you, call upon me so that I can help you trust yourself. When you find yourself saying that you’re too sensitive, remember that your acute perception is a superpower. I am here to remind you that trusting those nudges will always lead you to greener and more vibrant pastures.”

4. Elder Coyote- Gitchi-aya’aa wissagi-ma’iingan– Embrace Flexibility

To many Coyote is a trickster, bringing us witty and unpredictable energy. Culturally, for Indigenous people, this trickster has strong medicine. If Elder Coyote has crossed your path, it’s a reminder to stay extra curious and not get thrown off by unexpected changes and obstacles. There is no room for rigidity, and the current situations in your life require you to be more flexible and adaptable.

If questions arise around which path to follow or what decision to make, Elder Coyote asks you to seek a new way. If you only see two paths before you, this Elder suggests a third. If you have always been serious and responsible in your decision making, this Elder adds lightness of heart and laughter. It has been said that before we pray, we must laugh so that the sacred can flow through more effortlessly. Bring in this good medicine so the trickster spirit can guide you.

Elder Coyote reminds you to see through the illusion of certainty. While the energies may feel erratic and chaotic, stay with the shake-up. You have the power to adapt and move forward in a new and amplified way.

Elder Coyote Speaks: “Even though I am known to be a jokester, when I show up it’s a sign to pay attention, for my medicine is powerful. If you are feeling confused about how your life is going or if something isn’t turning out how you anticipated, I’m here to bring joy to the redirection. If you are having a hard time letting go of expectations, reach down and feel my bushy tail wagging as I support you. We will trot along the path of the unknown together. I shall remind you that even if you make a ‘mistake’, you will remember not to take yourself so seriously, for spirit has a plan.”

5. Elder Hummingbird- Gitchi-aya’aa nenookaasiins– Remember the Magic

This tiny and beautiful bird has many enchanting gifts to offer you. Hummingbird has to eat every 10 to 15 minutes to sustain their energy, and yet they travel long distances, trusting that all of creation will support them sweetly. The flowers of creation meet their expectation, offering nectar abundantly. This Elder comes forward to remind you that you are constantly showered with sweetness and support.

The fluttering of the Hummingbird’s wings is a miraculous sight to see, and with this delicate bird at your side, the same quick vibration is offered to you. Look for the magic all around, see the beauty that Mother Earth offers you, and open your heart to receive. The nectar is here to feed you, and teh blessings of your life are about to bloom in a riot of kaleidoscopic color.

Elder Hummingbird Speaks: “Invoke my spirit when you have forgotten the magic of life, for I can fly in all directions and gather it from the past, present and future. I flutter before you and expand your heart to remind you of your inherent worthiness to receive sweetness. I carry an incredible ability to remember the flowers that have nourished me, and I bring this memory medicine to you. I shall help you to recall the sparkle in your eyes and the hope in your spirit that you once held. Magic abounds.”

6. Elder Frog- Gitchi-aya’aa amagakii- Break Generational Cycles

A symbol of rebirth and renewal, this Elder hops into your energy space, calling you from the land to the water. Water is our first medicine, and when Frog shows up it invites us back into this space of creation. When you swam in your mother’s waters, you were sensitive to the energies swirling around, imprinted with different thoughts, words, and environments. In those waters you were also exposed to inherited energy threads that link you to generations past.

When you were birthed out of your first waters, you brought these energies into your earth walk, and with each step you have chosen what to carry with you and what to heal and release. Addressing generational wounds is a lifelong journey and is calling to you once again. What are you compelled to do in a different way than your parents? What is something that happened to your ancestors that you can alchemize into medicine? A generational wound is coming forward for you, and as you bring healing awareness to it, Elder Frog guides you through the waters of creation with care and safety.

As you move through this renewal, there are waves of wisdom that flow forward, connecting you to the stories, healing and resilience of your ancestors. Elder Frog swims beside you as a tadpole, sprouts legs, and hops beside you to encourage your metamorphosis. You are reminded that, with their help, each time you swim into the depths of your generational healing you will emerge cleansed and renewed.

Elder Frog Speaks: “It is courageous to go back and address the pains and wounds of the past. I see the brilliant sparkle of your sacred waters each time you acknowledge a layer to be healed. Each time you exit a body of water, think of me, for I am with you, bringing forward generational rebirth and beauty. It can feel vulnerable to move through these cycles, and I am here to hold you while you take your first steps upon the land as your renewed self toward your reimagined life.”

7. Elder Raven- Gitchi-aya’aa gaagaagi– Activate Your Spiritual Connection

One of the most intelligent birds in the sky, Raven soars into your sacred space today to connect you more deeply to the intelligence of the universe. Elder Raven acts as a powerful messenger and opens up your connection to the spirit world and beyond. Ancient and ancestral wisdom drop in with ease when this Elder appears, and you are asked to listen with an attentive heart.

You are ready for the next level of your soul evolution, but it will take a greater commitment and dedication to your spirit connection through rituals and ceremonies to achieve it. It is in these sacred spaces where the echoes of knowledge and wisdom drop in, so be prepared to dive deep into your spiritual practices. Elder Raven opens the bridge between this physical realm in a way you have not yet experienced. Ancient secrets flow from the higher realms, and Raven captures these energies in their beak, bringing them down from the star nations to the earth.

Elder Raven reminds you of the magic you have held for many lifetimes. You are an old soul, and the memories from your previous lives are revealing themselves. Tap into the memories of when you practiced as a medicine person, healer, and seer, for you are meant to bring this forward into your current life. With Raven guiding you, your connections to the spirit world is strengthened, and your gifts grow and blossom. It’s a time of great responsibility on your spiritual path and you are ready.

Elder Raven Speaks: “Invoke me when your spirit is ready for great transformation. I will help you remember the vast tapestry of gifts that you already hold. When you call on my medicine, I will encourage you to share your elevated abilities with the world so we can all remember our interconnectedness. You are a vessel for higher-level spiritual wisdom, and I offer you my feather as an invitation to listen to the call of the ancient ones. They sing to you from the stars and are delighted that you are now listening.”

8. Elder Hare- Gitchi-aya’aa waabooz– Seek Perspective

Often in life, you gain perspective on a situation or challenge only after time has passed and you have had some distance to reflect. In those moments, you must hold compassion for the previous version of yourself who didn’t know then what you know now.

Elder Hare is hopping into your field today, asking you to take inventory of how your past experiences have shaped you, marked you and changed you. Hares have an incredible capacity to see 360 degrees around them without turning their heads- in the winter, seeing their tracks in the snow behind them and the clean, untouched blanket of white ahead of them. They offer the medicine of holding the past, present and future all at once.

Is there a relationship from your past that felt like a world-ending loss when it came to an end? Did you have a creer change or job loss that shook up your life? Was there an unexpected redirection of your path that felt painful or a failure that brought shame? Elder Hare is here, holding space as you alchemize those previous pains into current wisdom. It’s a gift to be able to look back at the places where your heart was broken in the past and see that eventually light poured through the cracks, sealing them up. It is time to seal any lingering cracks from these situations and own the power of what you have learned.

Elder Hare Speaks: “Call upon my insightful medicine when you are ready to dig deep and examine past scars left on your heart. I am here with my swift energy, helping you to transform pain into purpose and challenge into knowing. With my help, this process will go quickly, so get ready for an increased level of energy as we call back any energy you may need to reclaim. As you feel this strengthening healing energy moving in yoru body, mind and spirit, know that you now hold everything you need to make powerful decisions and live the life of your dreams.”

Did your card resonate? I hope it did! Feel free to ask another question to the oracle and choose another card if you like!

Wishing you blessings of rebirth in light, joy, freedom and renewal this Equinox and beyond!

Serena

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Horse Spirit- An Unexpected Teacher & Ally

My Spirit Allies always bring me back into balance. I feel that’s why they’re there for us.

Spirit Allies are our Spirit Guides or Teachers that keep us on track, support us through stressful times, help us heal from old traumas and transmute unhealthy habits. They’ve got our back and are looking out for us on our Earth path.

Spirit Allies come in many forms. They may appear to us as the spirits of animals, trees, plants, crystals, rocks, the elements or other beings. The belief that all lifeforms on earth are sentient beings and have a spirit is rooted in Animism. This is a commonly held view by many Indigenous people across the globe, and by most (or perhaps all) of our ancient ancestors.

The relationship we cultivate with our Spirit Allies is a two-way street. We must honor and respect these beings if we want to work with them and receive their help. By connecting with them regularly through meditation or physical connection, giving offerings and heeding their guidance, we can heal, grow and thrive spiritually, physically and emotionally.

I have been consciously cultivating relationships with my Spirit Allies for well over a decade, and less consciously since I was very young.

I think it’s natural for us to feel kinship with animals, plants and spirits as children, as we haven’t yet crystallized into our ‘separate self’ we grow into as adults. We may talk to trees, see beings that adults don’t see, and understand animals much more easily when we’re young because we still feel the interconnectedness of everything and remember that we are in kinship with not only humans, but the non-human beings around us.

Healing Grief & Loneliness

When I was sixteen, my mom, sister and I moved from my home city of Winnipeg to a small lake up north in Ontario’s cottage country. It was a beautiful location but a very stressful move as I had to leave my dad, close friends, pets and childhood memories behind.

The rural Ontario culture was different from what I was used to. I came from a French-immersion city high school where classes were all in French and we generally all got along with each other. I had also just gotten my learner’s permit to drive and was hoping to get my license. I wanted to improve my French through an exchange program. I had just started to feel some stability and hope for the future. But the move to Ontario knocked my bearings and I felt lost.

My new school was only English speaking, cliquey and many of the kids had known each other since kindergarten. My credits didn’t transfer into the new province, so I had to take courses I wasn’t interested in and missed out on ones I wanted. My learner’s permit didn’t transfer either and we no longer had a car for me to practice driving with. I felt trapped and did not know how I could fit into this place, or feel a future for myself. I eventually made some friends, but was always felt very much an outsider.

I started exploring the area by taking long walks along my country road surrounded by woods, water and many nature beings. I felt nature helped to heal my grief, anger and loneliness.

I would often go sit on this one particular large rock, which sat half-submerged in a lake down the road from the one I lived on. I would just go into a fully receptive state to feel, sense and listen to the land. I shared my feelings with the lake. I could feel the love of the nearby trees, the voice of the lake soothing my grief, and the ancient wisdom and strength of the rock. They made me feel safe and like I belonged, in a different way than I had known.

Many frogs lived in this area, and their singing always helped me feel less alone and scared at night walking down the dark country road. Same with the fireflies that lit the way in summertime.

Even though I felt lost in my life, the spirits of the land reminded me that there was so much yet to come, so much love to receive, so much life yet to live. Slowly, I felt something deeply ancestral awaken within. This gave me hope and helped me want to stay here on this planet and try to get through high school.

The Horse- My Unexpected Teacher & Ally

At this time of feeling lonely and lost in a new place, I was given the opportunity to work with horses- which are associated with freedom, power and mobility. Qualities I felt I had lost from the move.

I was never a ‘horse girl’ growing up. I never dreamed of having a horse, riding one, or even spending any time with them. I thought they were a fine animal, but not one I was particularly attracted to. However, sometimes our Spirit Allies are not beings we would normally seek out- we attract them and they are attracted to us, because of unconscious need rather than want.

It is sometimes only in hindsight that we understand why a certain Animal Ally has come into our life. This was the case for me with the Horse, as I made no connection to my experience with horses during that time until much later.

I got a job grooming horses on weekends and learned to ride, too.

Cleaning and grooming the horses and keeping the corral and stables clean was hard work. Every Saturday I was covered in sweat, horsefly bites, dirt and horse feces. I filled many wheel-barrows full of their waste, and got my toes stomped on a few times. I routinely pulled dead mice out of their water bins. Often, after I was done cleaning them, the horses liked to go and roll in the mud, making it look like I’d done nothing, and their owner would question if I had done my job. It was frustrating.

The work demanded strength and grit that I had to pull from within to do. As a sixteen-year-old city girl who didn’t really care about horses at first, and whose mind and emotions were in a dark place, it was actually a good grounding job to keep me in the present and focus on the tasks at hand.

Despite the feces and dirt, I really enjoyed being with the horses. They had such big character and strong spirits. I bonded with them, which eased my loneliness.

I realized how sensitive they could be, just like me. They could be unpredictable, wild, and stubborn, just like me. They could also be gentle, deeply loving, like me too. Often it seemed they could see into my soul. Their strength impressed me.

Working with horses, I learned how important it is to be attuned to them- You can’t just waltz into their space and jump on their back for a ride. They are super sensitive to the energies around them and your mood. They often mirror your mood, so if you’re a bit angry or nervous, they feel it and may kick you away or try to run. You must become aware of your own energy and theirs before approaching them. You must approach them calmly and respect. They are super-powered beings and bigger than us, so we quickly pay the price when we make a mistake.

In hindsight, I realise that the horses were teaching me how to discipline my energy- how to ground, how to be self-aware, how to attune to them and my environment, how to harness my own power and use it wisely, productively and consciously.

They taught me how to handle and accept the horse-like part of myself- the sensitive, temperamental, freedom-loving spirit within me. They were teaching me how to be more grounded, patient and disciplined. How to use my sensitivity to know what was safe.

Again, this is all hindsight. At the time, I was just happy to be making a few bucks while getting to know horses. I didn’t think any of it had to do with me.

Freedom and Discipline

When I was learning to ride, I got thrown off several times, as most new riders do. When we fall, we just gotta get back up and try again. Another lesson from Horse.

Once, I was riding without a helmet (bad idea, I know) on a wooded trail with the horse’s owner riding alongside me. My normally chill horse suddenly got spooked by something, pulled us way off trail, knocked to the ground, and took off at high speed. The owner immediately went after him, while I was left to fend for myself after hitting my head on the ground. I was very dizzy and couldn’t get up without falling. The sun was setting and getting darker. I didn’t know where I was. I was alone and had to get back on the trail, which wasn’t marked in any way.

The layers of autumn leaves on the ground spun around in my head in a blur as I stumbled and crawled along, trying to sense the direction I was moving in. I followed my intuition, as I couldn’t see well. I followed my ears, which could hear the odd car woosh down the closest highway, helping me sense where I was. I prayed to find my way back home, and eventually I did- thanks to some spirit help, I’m sure.

Freedom cannot come without discipline and discernment. I learned the importance of wearing a helmet. I also learned that as a new rider, I should only ride on trails with people who care about my safety as much as the value of their horse. I also learned to rely on other faculties than sight when trying to find my way. We can’t always see what’s in front of us, so we may have to use other senses.

All the tumbles and lessons were worth it, though. I got to taste the power and freedom of riding. I was invited to go on a ride in a group setting in another town. My horse was in a good mood that day and we went loping freely and swiftly along a wooded trail I was completely unfamiliar with. I became one with the horse, in perfect unison and trust, and we flew together. It was the freest I had ever felt.

In hindsight, I see how the horses made me stronger. They gave back to me a gift. They transferred some of their power and strength to me to help me get through that time. I gained so much from bonding with them, caring for them, even if I didn’t always see it. I believe they were a healing ally that entered my life when I most needed it.

Horses taught me importance of staying grounded and how patience and discipline can bring freedom and power. But also how freedom and power come with limitations. To wield and experience it, we must respect earthly limits and laws.

Flowing with Change and Unpredictability

I did not even plan on writing about the Horse in this blog. I was going to talk about other spirit allies I encountered on my path. But the Horse wanted to come through. Perhaps because their energy and lessons are relevant again now for me? Maybe they are for you?

Allies often come to us unexpectedly, like Horse did for me. In the couple days surrounding my writing this, I’ve had three synchronistic appearances or mentions of a horse on the TV shows I watched which normally have nothing to do with horses.

Maybe the Horse also has a message about change and unpredictability? Who knows, but Horse is here to say hello.

So, I am opening to the wisdom of this mighty being to hear what it has to say to me right now. I am contemplating some of Horse’s many themes, such as:

Freedom, travel, strength, power, stamina, resilience, grounding, discipline, spirit, sensitivity, temperament, change, unpredictability, overcoming challenges and handling the unexpected.

Maybe Horse is coming right now to ask us:

What do we sense and feel about a situation or challenge we’re dealing with?

Where can a bit of grounding, discipline or patience help us reach our goal?

How are we wielding our power? Are we using it humbly and constructively? Are we on our ‘high horse’ about something? Are we afraid of misusing our power and so deny it expression?

Where are we craving more freedom in our life?

Are we willing to respect earthly limitations in pursuit of this freedom?

How do we approach the unpredictable when it comes up? Can we adapt while staying grounded?

Do you have any experience with the spirit of Horse? Feel free to share in the comments.

Serena

What is an Animal Ally? Relating to Our Animal Kin…

I remember being a little girl, at my grandparents’ trailer home in rural Manitoba, obsessed with the deer head mounted on the wall. I would stare at it, look into its eyes, and swear it was alive, that it still held a spirit of some kind.

I would ask to be lifted up so I could pet the deer. I could feel its power, grace and nobility. Admiring this amazing creature, I wondered how or why it had to be killed. I felt that maybe it was watching over me.

Years later, when my grandparents moved into a house, I remember they had a large tapestry of deer in the snow in the basement where I would sleep. It brought me so much peace and comfort, to stare at the tapestry, watching the deer, imagining I was with them in the snow. It helped me fall asleep, as I would lay on a mattress right across from the tapestry.

I don’t know if these memories were the beginnings of my long-time connection with Deer as an animal ally, but I think they stick with me for a reason.

The Circle of Life

My grandparents on their farm in Manitoba in the 1940s & 1950s. Upper left photo is of my grandma hand-feeding a deer.

My grandpa was a hunter, butcher and farmer, yet he loved animals more than anyone I knew. He would always take the time to teach me about the animals around us, getting me to slow down and take the time to really observe the behaviour of a bird or squirrel, in a way I never did on my own.

My grandparents relied on the land to survive, and in rural Manitoba that isn’t an easy feat. Their relationship with nature was much more intimate than mine. They understood the cycles of life and death. They simultaneously loved and adored animals, while having no qualms about taking their lives if needed.

This is an ability I was spared from learning in my life, having grown up in the city of Winnipeg, I never relied on hunting or farming to survive. I had the privilege to eat according to my ideals and sentiments, choosing to be a vegetarian and vegan for over 14 years. Now, I’m a flexitarian, as my chronic health issues have shown me that my body requires me to eat a certain amount of meat. I do so in humility and gratitude.

I think about my grandparents and my mother growing up on the farm and I feel lucky to have been given the chance to live a different life. But I also feel maybe I missed out on some important wisdom their lifestyle carried. I am not sure how I would handle a lifestyle of raising and killing animals so we and others could eat. I am so grateful for those who do this so I can survive and be healthy.

I don’t judge anyone for their dietary choices or lifestyle, as I feel there’s no room for that in this world of inequities, diverse religious and cultural traditions and health complexities. I’ve done all the diets, for all the reasons. I’ve been in a lot of different shoes. I see all the sides.

I do, however, feel there is much to learn from our animal kin. Cultivating a relationship with them is something special and sacred and reminds us that we too are part of the same family.

When we are strongly drawn to an animal, or if one keeps showing up in our lives, it can be worth getting curious about them. Research their eating habits, survival instincts, how they approach relating and family, and see if they perhaps carry qualities we need to cultivate within ourselves or learn to access or express in our lives. Getting to know them can help us get to know ourselves better. They can help us embody our animal self and deepen our connection to the natural world.

Deer in my Life

Deer are very common here in Canada, especially white-tailed deer. Yet, despite how common they are, it always feels like such a blessing to actually see one.

As the quiet, gentle spirits of the forest, seeing a deer always brings me a sense of humility and honour. I feel one of deer’s messages to me is to embrace my sensitivity. Deer are always keenly aware- able to sense even the slightest movement or faintest smell of predators.

I also feel the symbolism of the antlers reaching up and out are like antennae to the spirit world, giving deer a special attunement to frequencies that we are not aware of in our usual daily consciousness. When deer shows up, I take it as a reminder to attune to the subtle realms more consciously. Take the time to be silent, still and listen. Pay attention to my surroundings.

Pretty much every time we venture up north to camp or stay at a cottage, we see deer. Often, we see 3 at a time, which makes sense as my husband and daughter and I all feel a special connection to them and travel together. We have often felt an intuitive sense of where and when they are nearby, and then they show up!

I remember a beautiful workshop where my daughter and I made our own deerskin drums. Myself and a few others were struggling to cut the hide. My daughter was a natural, however. The teacher mentioned that cutting the hide required a special gentleness and attunement to the deer spirit in order for it to be cut properly. I was gripping too tight, applying too much force, so it wouldn’t cut. One of deer’s messages to me is always to be gentle, lighten up. I eventually got it.

My daughter cutting the deer hide with ease.

The drum making process overall was a good experience in aligning with deer energy. Now every time I drum, I honor the deer spirit. I see her in pretty much all of my journeys, songs and meditations, guiding me between the worlds.

Deer Goddess- Elen of the Ways

One aspect of deer that I’ve experienced in my journeys is myself as a woman with deer antlers, like some sort of deer priestess or deer lady of the woods, spending time with a herd of deer. I also often see a female deer with antlers showing me where to go.

At first I thought, how can a female deer have antlers? I later found out that female elk/reindeer have antlers. But it felt like something more than elk. It felt like it was something bigger. This curiosity led me to discovering an ancient European/British antlered goddess named in modern times as Elen of the Ways.

My Deer/Elen of the Ways altar. Statue by Philippa Bowers.

Apparently countless women have seen this female antlered deer/ female deer goddess show up in their meditations and journeys too. Elen is still quite enigmatic, her history found in bits and pieces here and there. However despite the lack of strong documented history, she remains in the consciousness of many. She is often seen as representing the Earth Mother and is a guide of pathways and ley lines. I have been slowly connecting more to her and understanding her role in my life.

Often seen as ‘fairy cattle’ in Scottish mythology, deer are often considered a connection to the Otherworld. The Celtic Lord of the Wild Hunt, Cernunnos is often depicted as a man with antlers, surrounded by animals. He is the spirit of the forest, of fertility and the wilderness, a guide between worlds.

Deer in many ways are a bridge for me. They are a connection to my family here and their history on these lands, as I mentioned in the beginning with my grandparents. They are also connected to the traditions of my British and Celtic ancestors across the ocean. They also bridge this world and the spirit world.

Deer, being a traveling animal, helps me to feel comfortable traveling– in spirit as well as in life to create these bridges in my spiritual practice, mind and body. Sometimes they are simply a reminder to get out and walk more often.

Deer is a long time friend who I feel is an ally- a spirit that helps me align with my soul’s growth, healing and renewal, who helps me to navigate life’s challenges.

‘Spirit Animals’, ‘Totems’ & Cultural Appropriation

From The Gentle Tarot- by Indigenous artist Mariza Ryce Aparicio-Trovar

I feel it is important to recognize that animistic practices and animal reverence exists globally, yet beliefs vary from culture to culture and tradition to tradition.

Due to colonization on Turtle Island, Indigenous beliefs and practices were illegal until 1978 in the US and until 1951 in Canada, and therefore out of reach for many Indigenous folks. Many are only just beginning to reclaim these ways, which is necessary for healing.

Sacred practices regarding animal medicine and family clan traditions managed to survive and still exist today in Indigenous communities. Unfortunately however, mainstream colonial culture has appropriated and distorted some of these traditions.

The word ‘totem’ is an anglicised word for ‘doodem’ in Annishinaabemowin, which speaks to the family clans symbolised by an animal and holding deep meaning and tradition. The term ‘spirit animal’ is often associated with Indigenous culture, however seems to have emerged as a modern term stemming from 1990’s Wicca and pagan circles.

Quizzes, memes and t-shirts in mainstream culture using the words ‘spirit animal’ and ‘totem’ are often fluffy and disrespectful- saying ‘Justin Bieber is my spirit animal’ or ‘pizza is my spirit animal’ which makes light of a sacred tradition that many find offensive.

The use of the word ‘totem’ in pop culture can mean anything from an animal persona (I have heard of the term ‘fursona’ or even ‘Patronus’ as a replacement), to an animal you happen to really like or resonate with- but none of these are the same as a doodem.

You can learn more about this here and here.

I use the term ‘animal ally’ which isn’t tied to a distinct tradition, and it refers to a spirit guide that shows up in animal form for us in both spirit and in the flesh.

It is important to be aware of your own relationship with animals- your own beliefs and personal experience, the cultural context, and not co-opt or make light of Indigenous sacred traditions.

It is also important that as we connect to these animals in our environment, that we are aware of the laws and customs where we reside. Carrying an eagle feather- and even keeping found feathers of many common bird species is actually illegal in the US and Canada if you are not Indigenous. Using feathers in ways that mimic Indigenous customs you know nothing about or have no connection to (like headdresses, prayer fans, dreamcatchers, etc) is disrespectful.

As part of the natural world, we must recognize our place in the ecosystem, and be aware of our privilege, power and relation to other people and greater-than- human beings. We must approach each other and our animal kin with reverence and respect.

What animals hold spiritual significance for you in your life?

What traditions or beliefs do you have regarding animal allies or messengers?

How do you honor animals in your practice?

Thank-you for reading,

Serena

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