Canada Goose on Sharing - A Spirit Guide

The Canada Goose never used to be seen walking about on the snow because it is a migratory bird. However, in mild climates from California to the Great Lakes, some of the population has become non-migratory due to adequate winter food supply and a lack of former predators. (Source Wikipedia) Ducks have also begun to stay further north as a result of the abundance of food and milder winters.

Goose talks about sharing:

“When more birds stay North, we must learn to get along for the food supply is limited, the amount of open water is limited, and the heat available from the open water sewer releases is limited. We have found a way to keep our territories intact and to respect the space of the other flocks. In this way, we share without battle. No one of us needs to own the space. The space – the water – is ever changing and stays not long in one place. 

As part of the sharing, we act as guards and alerts for one another. If one of us is safe, then we are all safe. The side benefit of us staying and sharing the same space is that we keep the waters very clean of seaweed type grasses and weeds. Because we each have a preference for different flavors, we eat different things and sharing becomes easier. We do not need to hoard things we do not need for food.”

Many blessings,

Judy

Porcupine as a Spirit Animal

 Picture from a friend 

We live close to a provincial park and we have had several experiences with porcupines coming up into the neighbourhood to check out the gardens and the fruit trees.  They are beautiful in their laid back, quiet saunter.  Their ability to climb trees is awesome.  And, we know to stay clear of them.

If you grew up in the country or had a cottage at the lake, then you know that the porcupine is on the list of “beware of” animals.  One – it has quills that it can “throw” at you and they are very, very difficult to get out of either you or the dog! Two – don’t leave any tools on the ground because the porcupine will eat the handle – it likes salt! Well the first item is partially true – the quills are very difficult to remove. However, the porcupine cannot throw them. It can, however, back into either you or the dog, and do lots of damage. And, it really does like salt – possibly because it likes to be close to water and prefers willow and water lilies to eat – both with high water content.

The porcupine is a fascinating totem animal and spirit guide. Although it is a land animal, it spends most of its time in trees eating young buds, blossoms, and bark. As mentioned earlier, it loves water lilies and so spends time in the water where it maintains its buoyancy through its quills which are filled with air. Thus, porcupine has an affinity with three of the five Earth elements – wood, water, air, and metal. Porcupine is a reflection of a gentle nature that is joyful and full of innocence. Yes, it will defend itself. Yet, it never goes on the attack except in the protection of its young which the mother raises alone. Porcupines are very much loners and seem to exist in isolation. However, they do share their burrows or hollowed out trees with others if the occasion arises. Porcupine is also about communication – reflecting the “barbs” that hurt us and the barbs we hurl at others. 

If porcupine shows up for you, ask yourself if you are communicating offensively, particularly to loved ones. Also look at porcupine’s diet and determine if you are eating healthy foods, drinking lots of water, and getting lots of fresh air. Do you need to climb to a higher height to have a better view of the world? Do you need to allow others into your den in a move of generosity? Is your salt intake too high, too low, or adequate? Is it time to be alone?

Blessings,

Judy