We often overlook the value of having animals around us that we are very familiar with. Sometimes we treat these animals with a certain contempt (familiarity breeds contempt) without realizing that we are doing so.
Picture of Sheep from the Picasa Public sample album – with thanks!
I think that often we treat sheep, cattle, chickens and pigs like that. They are so humbly in service to humans, that we miss the strength and the pride of what they do because of how silently they do support us.
We all know that sheep are used for many products that we also take for granted – wool, mutton, lamb meat, milk/cheese, and hide/leather. Legends say that Sheep volunteered to be in service to mankind from the beginning of man’s time on Earth. They did this because they were peaceful, loving, well grounded (close to the Earth) animals. At that time, all the Beings and Angels that looked after the Earth thought that all that loving would rub off on humans. In many of the pictures of Jesus, one sees him with Sheep or holding Sheep or walking with Sheep. Again, legends say that Jesus recognized the beauty and service role of Sheep.
Mankind, however, did not acknowledge Sheep as a leader in service. Instead, man has denigrated Sheep, and has made up all sorts of sayings about them – implying that they are either stupid or boring, or both!
- Count sheep before you go to sleep.
- Don’t be a sheep and follow
- Black sheep
- Make sheep’s eyes
- Don’t leave the wolf to guard the sheep
- Wolf in sheep’s clothing
Sheep, however, even though known for its peacefulness, was used by our Ancestors as an early alarm system. Because sheep are so sensitive to noise and to negative energy, they could determine, by the vibrations in the ground, when large groups of people were approaching a castle or keep. Their frightened bleats and bunching together for safety, alerted the watchmen that trouble was coming.
People make fun of the way Sheep move together. What Sheep is showing is the fascinating ability of herd think, or mind link, something that people simply have not developed. The herd mind link allows the Sheep to move at a moment’s notice to safety. They do not stop and say, “Why? Or, why that way? Or, are you sure we really should?” And, my personal favourite, “What gives you the right to tell me what to do?”
May you be as loved as the Sheep by Great Spirit!
Many blessings,
Judy
