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The most common deer are
the white-tailed deer, the
mule deer and the
caribou.
The
moose and
wapiti (elk) are also part of the
deer
family.
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“Each type
of deer has its own special qualities and
characteristics, while all share common
qualities. As an example caribou make long
migrations twice a year reflecting a need
for those with deer totems to use that same
pattern in their life. They begin rutting in
the fall and early winter, these are the
power times.”
- Ted Andrews
(Animal Speak) |
The
mule deer is also a
wanderer. It never follows the same path twice. This is
a part of its natural defence making it far less
predictable to predators.
The
name “deer” has several variations to its origin which
may also provide clues to past-life connections. The
Anglo-Saxon word “deor” was a general word to describe
animals. In German, it has its root in “tier” meaning
wild animal. The term “mriga” in
Sanskrit also means
wild animal.
The
deer is the
most important animal ever hunted. There are
many stories and myths of deer luring hunters and even
Kings deep into the woods until they became
lost and
began to encounter new adventures. One great example is
found in the tale of
King Arthur and the
Knights of the
Round Table.
Sir Gawain follows a
white hart to many
adventurous encounters.
Sir Thomas Malory’s
Le Morte
D’Arthur provides many more examples.
In
Buddhism the
deer is a central religious icon.
Buddha is
often pictured with a deer and legend tells how he first
preached in a deer park. This meaning represents
innocence and a
return to the wilderness.
The
white-tailed deer is the most common in both the USA and
UK. One of its most outstanding features is the
set of
antlers which the male develops. In other members of the
deer family (reindeer and
caribou) both females and
males grow them. The antlers are
solid bone and are shed
every year. Antlers grow behind the eyes and are very
protective, symbolising a
heightened perception.
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“Each year
until the age of five, the antlers grow
larger and with more points. When you
encounter a deer in the wild, make note on
the number of points as numerologically this
will have great significance. Look for new
perceptions to grow and expand, there will
be new opportunities to stimulate gentle
growth.”
- Ted Andrews
(Animal Speak) |
The
Antlers are symbols of
antennae, connections to
higher forms of attunement. Pay
special attention to your thoughts and
feelings as they
will be accurate in what you are
perceiving.
One to
two young are born.
Fawns are born a colour that
protects and
hides them. During the first few days they
hardly move and the mother nurses them often. Many
societies taught the importance of staying with the
newborn for a prescribed period of time. No visitors
other than the father were allowed
contact with the
newborn.
In the
Muslim religion a mother who
breastfeeds for a
prescribed time makes the child her own, irrespective of
whether it is her biological child. This kind of
attention and
separateness enables the child to
link
with family more strongly and
protects the newborn from
subtle outside influences.
In
today’s society it is not healthy for
newborn to be
wheeled around in big malls and stores. The
subtle
negative effects this has on the
child is staggering and
more studies should be conducted into this area.
The
deer leads us back to the
primal wisdom of ancient
teachings. It reminds us to establish a
strong healthy
connection with the child before we
expose it to many
people and strange energies.
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“After the
first few days the fawn can stand and follow
its mother. Doe fawns may stay with the
mother for as much as a year. The buck will
usually leave after a few months. The father
takes no part in the rearing of the young,
it is all the rule of the mother. This can
be a reminder to move back gently to the
traditional family units and roles. It can
indicate that you have gotten too far away
from the role that would be most beneficial
to you at this time.”
- Ted Andrews
(Animal Speak) |
A
deer’s senses are very
acute. Its vision is designed for
clarity as a distance.
It is especially expert at detecting contrasts and
edges
in dim light. Its
hearing is also very acute. Anyone who
has a deer totem will find
increasing abilities to
detect subtle movements and
appearances. They will begin
to hear what is not said directly.
When
deer shows up in your life it is time to be
gentle with
yourself and
others. A new
innocence and
freshness is
about to be awakened and born. There is going to be a
gentle,
enticing lure of
new adventures.
Ask
yourself important questions.
Are you
trying to force things?
Are others?
Are you being too critical and uncaring of yourself?
When
deer shows up there is an
opportunity to express gentle
love that will open new doors of
adventure for you.
Thank
You to the incredible
Ted Andrews for these
sacred
teachings.
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