Last post, we talked about how to find and embrace your animal totems based on Ted Andrews work and his audio book Animal-Speak: Understanding Animal Messengers, Totems, and Signs
Today, let’s really dig in and find out about symbolism in our daily interactions with animals and nature.
How a Caterpillar Helped me Climb a Mountain
Not too long ago, I was hiking Mont Tremblant in Canada. And let’s just say the ol’ hiking boots had not been out of the closet in quite awhile. Huffing and puffing toward the end of the hike, I had serious doubts about my ability to make it to the top. And I was starting to have hallucinations about the gondola waiting there to take me back down the mountain. As I stopped for my umpteenth rest break (Did I say how much I love my patient husband?), out of the corner of my eye I saw a small green caterpillar hanging by a silken thread from the tree just in front of me.
I had been listening to Ted Andrews’ audio book Animal-Speak: Understanding Animal Messengers, Totems, and Signs
- Are not in a hurry to get places, they go at their own pace. (Slow down and you’ll get there, Kris.)
- They take the journey an inch at a time. A children’s song popped into my head— “Inch worm, inch worm. Measuring the marigolds” (Kris, just take one step at a time and breathe.)
- They focus on what’s in front of them. They don’t look ahead 200ft and get discouraged by how steep it is. (Focus on just the next step and don’t worry about what is ahead of you, Kris)
The next steps I took, I embodied the medicine of the caterpillar. Step by step, inch by inch focusing on just the next step I moved ahead. Before long, I turned the corner and BAM I was at the top! Just like that. Now, I”m fairly sure that caterpillars don’t drink beer but I did. It was a big one, too. Then I enjoyed a spectacular view from the gondola as I rode down the mountain.
Now its Your Turn
Animal symbolism is a great tool that you can use, too. Here’s how:
Pay attention to animals that cross your path. – Not every animal is a sign so use your judgment and see what resonates. You get to decide. If something is meaningful for you, adopt it. If not, move on. This is all about having a language or a tool that helps you grow and connect.- Stop! What were you just doing? – As soon as you see or hear an animal, remember what you were just doing or thinking. Yep, this will require you to keep track of your thoughts. They can be slippery little suckers but you can do it. It’s also good practice for being present in the moment. If you get recurrent animals sitings such as a cardinal in the back yard, then you come in and your husband is watching a Cardinal’s game on TV, then you hear a news story about a Cardinal in the Catholic church visiting your town, pay attention and see if the ‘medicine’ of the cardinal has something to tell you about a current situation in your life.
- Research the animal. – You can Google the animal on the web and find more about it. There are several websites dedicated to animal symbolism. Use them only after you have worked with the symbolism yourself a bit and researched the basics of the animal. Because we are all individuals, we assign different meanings to symbols in our lives. As with all symbol interpretation, take others’ interpretation as input and not authority. You are the best judge of what a symbol means to you.
Again, this is more of an art form than a science. At the very least, you will learn to slow down, take in the moment, and appreciate the beauty of nature.
Let Me Hear From You
I would love to hear your experiences with this symbolism technique. Please post a comment below and let me know how it goes!