Sometimes life just gets hard and a little lightness and magic are in order to shake the funk away. We have all been having a go of it this last year or so and I hope you all have found ways to increase your self care. The struggle is real and even self care can be hard to figure out when you are eternally at home, like me. Everyone has had their own hard earned lessons this year and tonight as I write this we are sitting under a great big Leo full moon. I think this moon is really about learning and identifying what you need, and when I say need, I mean need like in the deep dark places we don't like to talk about. It is also about how voicing it with the power of the majestic and prideful lion will help to reveal your inner truth. Lions don't hide their shine for anyone, they just keep beaming as the King of the jungle that they are. Leo is ruled by the Sun after all, and the sun never goes away, even if we can't see it all the time.

But what I am also feeling tonight is the possum. I may or may not have mentioned that I have been studying spirit and totem animals in the last several months. In the fall I took a class with Arthur Findlay College on the subject, mostly because I see animals so often in readings and I wanted to know how to translate them. I have been a little obsessed with the animals to be honest which includes a daily practice of using my medicine wheel and corresponding animals. I pull an animal every day from my medicine wheel collection and I spend a little time learning about that animal and more often than not, I find something pretty magical from that animal that applies to my life in the present moment. Funny how that all works! In case you are wondering, a medicine wheel is just a fancy way of saying I have a chart that looks a but like a compass on a circle with numbers on it that correspond to the animals.
I pulled the possum this morning. In full disclosure, it was the third time I pulled possum and the first time I actually took some time to learn about it as I had previously discounted it as a lame spirit animal that would likely be irrelevant to me. Well, news flash, the possum is a pretty cool and magical animal. I won't bore you with the details but essentially, the possum shows up sometimes to invite us to quite simply "play possum." You know, like when you were a little kid and fell asleep in the backseat and then didn't wake up when you got home even though you knew you were home because you liked the idea of your parents carrying you in the house. Or maybe that was just me who did that... Basically, possum is inviting you to just hold tight and wait for it. Don't do anything. If someone irritates you, watch, observe but don't react. Or, if you are ready to tackle some new mountain, or make a huge change, don't, well not yet, anyway. Just chill and watch the world go by for the moment. That is in fact exactly what I needed to hear today, so thank you possum.
There are alternate meanings of the possum - for example, the momma possum has 13 nipples for feeding its babies; there may be more than 13 babies but only those who get a nipple will be fed. Read in to that what you will. The possum also carries these hungry babies in its pouch since it is a marsupial which is related to the kangaroo. This pouch can also be seen as using ones innate 'magical bag of tricks'. Again, draw your own conclusions. Then there is the number 13 itself which some deem as bad luck but others recognize it as a magical number representative of the zodiac and the sun.

This is how it goes with the animals and why I love learning about them. Their natural tendencies and talents contribute to their magical ways and the traits they represent as totem or spirit animals. For me, I read a whole bunch of different interpretations that are out there and then wait for the one that speaks to me as truth in that moment. I also keep track of what animals I have pulled and when I pulled them because I am a huge nerd and like to see patterns develop. Lately, I am getting the possum and the hummingbird. Overarching animals that are consistently around for me include the hawk, which I have written about before, the elephant, cheetah, tiger and the peacock. The hawk is my totem animal - as it is for most Aries people. Native cultures believe that your totem is the animal that is assigned by your date of birth. Your totem animal does not change. Spirit animals are different and they can come and go as you need them and their help and guidance in your life.

I have posted the chart below to show you the Native tradition of the totem so you can look up your own totem animal.
As for those animals that come and go, see what catches your eye as you travel throughout your day. See what birds you notice outside, or what comes to you in your dreams. Maybe you will encounter animals in a favorite movie or book that speaks to you. Maybe you have had a favorite animal since childhood. There is no right or wrong, just what feels right TO YOU! And then, do a little digging on that animal and see how it's magic lands for you. Speaking of digging, I went through a very distinct mole phase not too long ago. Just think of it, this animal who is blind but digs deep to find its way. That right there is a calling to lean on faith and dig deep, whether internally or in to a situation in your life. See? Once I start with the animals I just can't stop.
Animal Totems by Birth Date according to Native American Traditions
October 23- November 21 – Snake
November 22- December 21 – Elk/Owl
December 22 – January 19 – Goose
January 20 – February 18 – Otter
February 19 – March 20 – Wolf
March 21 – April 19 – Red Tailed Hawk/Falcon
April 20 – May 20 – Beaver
May 21 – June 20 – Deer
June 21 – July 21 – Woodpecker
July 22 – August 21 – Salmon/Sturgeon
August 22 – September 21 – Brown Bear
September 22 – October 22 – Raven/Crow
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