Badgers are symbols of reliance and bold self-expression; they are often referred to as the Keepers of Stories. Their coloring is gray and black, with a white stripe running from the nose to the back of their heads. This pattern is symbolic, representing their openness and their ability to hold light and knowledge of other animals/the earth. Badgers are carnivorous and primarily hunt crop-consuming rodents. Oftentimes they store the animal(s) or parts of the underground; in doing so, they keep the stories of those rodents, as well as the stories of earth consumed by the rodents. Their jaws are incredibly strong and represent powerful expression - especially expression through the art of storytelling. Badgers are remarkable diggers, out-digging even the most passionate gophers or moles. This capacity for digging beneath surfaces can reflect an ability to see beneath the surfaces of people/things in those working with badger medicine. Living underground, they have great knowledge of things beneath the earth such as minerals, roots, plants, and herbs making them dynamic healers. Badgers teach us to be bold and courageous, to always express ourselves; and when there is uncertainty, to dig until we find the answers we need. Pelicans are symbols of renewed buoyancy and unselfishness; they also have a year-round cycle of power. This is true for both the White and Brown pelicans of the United States. They have long been considered very powerful, magical animals - whose ability to float reminds us to stay light even when things get heavy. Brown pelicans are often seen plummeting into deep waters before popping back up to the surface, relying on air sacs beneath their skin to keep them afloat and lift them from the water’s grip. As water is a universal sign of emotions - this also reminds us to free ourselves from the thoughts, feelings, and emotions that weigh us down. Both species have the long, pouch-like bills often seen in cartoons storing “fishy” friends. Unfortunately, this is not the case in real life. They use their bills to scoop up and begin digesting food - not storing it. Ask yourself: Are you trying to store what shouldn’t be stored? Are you not using or digesting the resources you have? Beetles are one of the most varied species of insects; there may be as many as 280,000 kinds - so to keep it simple, we will look at the general symbolism associated with beetles. In Egypt, beetles (or scarabs) held great significance. They rolled dung from east to west, thus linking them to the sun and solar deities. The beetle undergoes a significant metamorphosis from the grub stage to its final winged evolution; due to this, beetles are symbols of resurrection and change. Beetles have protective measures in place (such as thickened wings/or shells to cover their soft undersides) and this can indicate either a need for more protection or that one is too closed off.
Horses were intimately involved in the spread of civilization. They have served us in travel, war, agriculture, and many other important areas of life. Primarily, they are symbols of travel, power, and freedom. The Norse god Odin rode upon an 8 legged steed named Sleipnir; the Hindu and Greek sun gods, Surya and Apollo, both had chariots pulled by stallions - needless to say, horse legends are quite varied! In Chinese astrology horse, people are known to be emotional, friendly, and adventurous; horses, in general, are associated with appeal, persuasiveness, and freedom. Horses have also been attributed with the power to divine information about people; multiple legends speak on the clairvoyance of horses. They have also been associated with birth, burial rites, and desires. Different species of horse may have different symbolism attached to them since each has their own unique abilities (e.g. riding, plowing, pulling, etc). They teach us to assert our freedoms, acknowledge our own power/impact in our communities, and to keep on keeping on! If a horse comes into your life, look at what new paths may be available for you to ride. Woodpeckers represent rhythm and discrimination. In some folk traditions, woodpeckers were believed to be weather prophets; their drumming indicating changes in the weather to come; others have also described it as the thunderbird, and in Greek traditions, it occupied the throne of Zeus. Some Babylonians considered it the ax of Ishtar and thus it was associated with fertility. The drumming being it’s favored characteristic, it has also been considered an oracle of Mars, due to the use of drums in war. It was sacred to the Native North Americans, linked to the heartbeat of the earth itself; the drumming had many mystical associations, including new life rhythms and shapeshifting. Different types of woodpeckers have their own unique qualities and symbolism associated with them. Most, however, include shades of black, white, and red; this reflects a need to look closely and critically at the different aspects of our life and any issues therein in order to see things clearly. They can show up to stimulate new rhythms/changes in your life, or to remind us to cater to the physical if we are too wrapped up in our mental or spiritual worlds. Woodpeckers also urge us to follow our own unique rhythms; do what’s best and what works for you!
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