Druid Animal Oracle Deck

by Carr-Gomm, Philip

  The cat unites an awareness of the spirit world with a highly developed sensuality. These two attributes are not polar opposites, but are facets of one continuum of awareness and sensitivity. Working towards wholeness involves enhancing our appreciation of both the physical and non-physical worlds.

  Reverse meaning You must be wary of becoming an axen cat, an old term which means a fireside cat, too lazy to bother much about the world. An indolent and self-absorbed sensuality, rather than an opening of the self to the magic of the physical world, is usually a means of escaping from reality. The cat is easily able to travel in her spirit form in the Otherworld, but it is important for you to be strongly earthed in everyday physical reality. An interest in the mysterious and the occult can sometimes be inappropriate, especially if it is used as a defence against the pain and difficulty of being in the world.

  Meaning Corr brings the qualities of patience, perseverance, focus and concentration, standing for hours peering into the water until the time comes to dart at its prey. It guides others into the Underworld, to help them with their transition at the time of dying, or with their journeying in the inner realms. Besides an ability to work in the Underworld, the crane symbolizes arcane science, or secret knowledge, which, in the Druid tradition, is represented by the Ogham script - the tree language of Druidry. In its widest sense, learning this language involves learning to read the 'Book of Nature'.

  Reverse meaning The crane stands alone for hours, but it will also join others to fly or dance. The Crane reversed may signify a need to find a balance between being alone and being with others. Spending too much time alone can create feelings of isolation; having no time to oneself can be an avoidance of self-knowledge and loneliness. The 'shadow' side of the crane manifests as harshness, meanness and a nagging, complaining disposition. If this describes you, try to relate to the deeper aspects of the crane, in which it becomes an animal of the Goddess-as-crone or wise woman. Ask yourself if you are denying the wise woman, who has a knowledge of death and the Underworld, and whether your negative behaviour may be a reflection of this denial.

  Meaning Losgann unites the elements of water and earth, bringing joy, delight and healing in its singing and hopping, and leading you to the sacred spring from which you may be refreshed and renewed. A cold-blooded creature living half on the land and half in the water, the frog possesses an extremely sensitive skin, considered magical by shamans. A companion of the rain spirits, the frog can help you develop your sensitivity to others, to healing and to sound through your skin and your whole body and aura.

  Nothing is what it appears to be, and life is more fun

  than you at first supposed! There is a hidden beauty and a hidden power in all of nature, and as you open yourself to this you will feel close to the Goddess and close to both the earth and to water. Look for the beauty and the magic behind appearances.

  Reverse meaning This suggests that you are learning how to embrace difficult circumstances. The frog that you must marry may well turn out to be a prince. The circumstances you have chosen to accept - while apparently unappealing or difficult - may well bring you rich rewards in the end. Remember that the frog brings medicine, and medicine brings healing.

  Meaning Bran offers initiation, protection and the gift of prophecy. The initiation, in practice, may be as formal as undergoing an initiation ceremony, or as informal as being initiated into a new profession. It marks the death of one thing, and the birth of another. The power of the raven can also bring you the very deepest form of healing, which is achieved through a process known as 'the resolution of the opposites', making it possible for you to resolve conflicts that have long lain buried in your unconscious or in your past.

  Reverse meaning Try to become aware of the forces of destruction that exist in your life and in the world. Although we might wish that destruction didn't occur, we know that without it there can't be construction and recreation. The raven speaks of the dark and difficult aspects of life, which it is hard for us to understand. Sometimes we must go through a process of disintegration and darkness, in order to emerge into the light of a new morning. To a great extent, our fear of the dark is worse than what we find there. Drawing this card reversed may mean that we can come to terms with our own destructiveness, knowing that we have the protection of the Goddess. It may also mean that we can come to a resolution of the opposites - experiencing the reality that in darkness there is light, and in light darkness.

  Meaning Eala brings us the qualities of soul - of love and depth, grace and beauty. Being associated with the Druid festival time of Samhuinn, the swan is also a bird of the threshold, and represents that part of us which can travel into the Otherworld. Drawing this card may indicate that you will receive inspiration from the Otherworld, or that love is entering into your life. It is auspicious to draw this card if you are preparing to write a song or poem, for the swan's skin and feathers were used to make the bard's ceremonial cloak, the tugen.

  Reverse meaning You may need to come to terms with a separation. The old tales of the swan show that in reality there is no separation from the ones we love - only transformation from one form to another. But to continue our journey in this world, we need to be able to say 'goodbye' to those we are separated from, even though we know that ultimately we may be together again. The separation we are faced with, however, may be internal rather than external, and Eala may be calling us to connect more deeply with our own soul.

  Meaning Foil brings a strong sense of faithfulness, inner strength and intuition. But the wolf brings learning, too. Sometimes you need to cross barriers, to take risks, to go beyond the limited compass of 'normal' behaviour in order to learn and grow, although crossing these boundaries may seem unattractive, even painful. You need not fear the inner power and strength you feel when you spend time alone. Come to know your deepest self and even in the darkest places you will find courage and spiritual companionship.

  Reverse meaning You may need to come into a new relationship with your sense of aloneness in the world. Behind a fear of loneliness may lie a fear of your own inner strength, fierceness and power. Learn to trust this and to come to know your deeper self. Through dreams and intuitions you may come to learn more of the hidden side of your being which is sometimes called the Shadow. A1s well as there being 'lone wolves' in the world, you should know that the wolf is a faithful animal which often mates for life. In tradition, it was considered lucky when a wolf crossed the path of a bridal party, precisely because of this faithfulness. Even though you may need to spend times of your life alone, you should know that you will also have times of companionship and togetherness.

  Meaning Nathair offers healing and transformation. Its ability to glide into the darkness through crevices in the rocks connects it to the Under-or Otherworld, and the realm of Death. It is the totem animal of the Earth Goddess, and also the Sky Father Sun God, and represents our ability to die and be reborn. The energy that enables us to be born on earth is sexual energy, but this also necessitates our death. Befriending adder or snake power will enable you to journey through life gracefully and magically, shedding your old life easily when the time comes - whether that old life be of the physical body or of a stage in this present incarnation.

  Reverse meaning The Adder urges you to abandon the ability to wound, and to replace it with the power to heal. Although the snake is poisonous, and has been used in the Christian tradition as a symbol of evil, in the Druid and other traditions it represents healing and the power of transformation. The snake as totem animal urges us to use our powers of energy, penetration, swift and silent movement, not to harm others but to help and heal them. We can learn to love and channel the serpent currents that flow through our body and the body of the earth so that they become beneficent, healing, life-giving currents that ultimately flow - like the meandering snake rivers of the plains - to the wide sea.

  Meaning Iolair helps you to see your life in the wider context, enabling you to make decisions and chart your goals wit
h clarity and objectivity. The eagle is a powerful ally; it is courageous and strong, drawing its power from the sun. If you will allow the eagle to work for you, it will bring you a sense of purpose and the courage to see this through, enabling you to venture into fresh territory with confidence. It will allow you to detach yourself from everyday worries and cares, and will enable you to grasp subtle concepts. The eagle, when accepted, will also show you how to renew and rejuvenate yourself, by demonstrating the art of plunging - at just the right moment - into the lake of the heart.

  Reverse meaning You may need to guard against the dangers of an overpowering intellect. 'The eagle, when it knows how to renew itself in the secret lake, is able to balance its masculine, fiery qualities with the feminine, watery aspects of the lake. But when it cannot find the secret lake, when we deny our minds access to the heart, our lives can become dry and sterile, our intellects harsh and overly analytical. Now may be the time to see whether your mind and heart are in balance. You may want to pay more attention to your dreams

  - to listen to the call of the unconscious, to the depths within,

  without denying the value of your questing, rational mind.

  Meaning Muc, with her large litters, symbolizes abundance and fertility. Drawn upright, this card may mean that you are called upon to be generous. Feeling connected to the love of the Goddess for all her creatures, you are able to give freely, knowing that you, in turn, are nourished and sustained by her. Choosing this card, you can open yourself to the abundance that exists throughout nature, knowing that life perpetually renews itself and that you need not worry about ever being disconnected from it. Allow yourself to feast on life, to enjoy its beauties and its sensual delights. The Goddess is generous, giving to all and renewing all.

  Reverse meaning You may need to revise your image of yourself. There is an old Gaelic saying: 'When you thought you were on the sow's back, you were beside her in the puddle.' Although the sow symbolizes nourishment, fertility and giving, she can also represent greed and 'pig ignorance'. Perhaps you need to work towards a greater understanding of the subtleties of life, rather than relying simply on your looks or physique. Without wisdom, even beauty can be unattractive. Appearances can be deceptive, so judge people or propositions on their true merits and intrinsic worth rather than their outward appearance.

  Meaning Tarbh mediates the influence of Taranis, the Jupiter-like God of the Druids, whose beneficence and expansiveness bring the opportunity for a rich and abundant life. The bull is a symbol of wealth, and it is auspicious to draw this card when considering financial matters. But, remember that the ancient ones understood that true wealth is found in the heart and soul first, and only then in the material world. The bull represents fertility, potency, abundance and prosperity, things that can sometimes take a while to achieve. If your goals require you to work steadfastly in trying circumstances fur a considerable period of time, the bull will help you to succeed without becoming drained or depressed.

  Reverse meaning Do you have difficulty getting motivated? There is no animal more stubborn than a bull who refuses to move, and it may be important fur you to look at the roots of your lack of motivation. You may also need to ask yourself whether you are sufficiently sensitive to others' needs. Do you have a tendency to act like 'a bull in a china shop'? A bull's power, when harnessed or channelled, can be awesome, but when a bull is maddened he can become dangerous. How do you react under provocation? Think about whether you are tempted to use your personal power as power over others.

  Meaning Drawn upright, this card may indicate that you are ready to take on the responsibilities of raising a family, or of committing yourself to a long-term partnership. Geadh brings creative and productive power, and allows you to open to this power, secure in the knowledge that your relationship, family or working partnership will provide a stable environment to act as a crucible for your creativity. The goose, with its strong attachment to its family and the ability to fly extraordinarily high from one continent to another, shows us that it is possible to be both grounded and spiritual in our daily lives.

  Reverse meaning Are you overly concerned about your rights, possessions or territory? Perhaps you are too possessive of your partner. While geese tend to mate for life, many humans do not - staying together may not be in your best interests. If the relationship is meant to last, it will thrive on mutual respect and freedom, not jealousy and possessiveness.

  The ancient Celts kept geese for their eggs rather than their flesh. They knew it was best to keep the goose alive and productive. The lesson for us is that if we want to ensure our productive power, our capacity for creativity, we must look after ourselves. To make sure the goose keeps laying the golden eggs, we must keep the goose alive - well fed, well rested, well exercised.

  Meaning Reithe brings the ability to achieve a breakthrough. Attached to its place of birth, the ram represents connection, rootedness, stability, and yet also the power to penetrate, overcome and achieve. Working with the ram as your ally will help you find the inner strength you need to succeed. At the same time, you need not fear 'losing your head' on the dizzy heights of success, because the ram will help to keep you grounded, and will remind you of the practical necessities of life. By persevering, being patient and attending to your daily life as well as your future goals, you will find the day comes when you achieve a breakthrough - reaching your goals and discovering that you have 'come home'.

  Reverse meaning Although a part of you may enjoy competition - locking horns with a friend or enemy - you may be called on to make a sacrifice. Sometimes, letting go, however painful, can open a door to a new life that you never thought possible. Rather than banging your head against a brick wall, see if you can walk round it! Or, maybe you should be moving in a different direction, and the brick wall is there for a reason, even if you cannot figure out why just yet. Ask yourself the question: 'Where do I feel really at home?' Follow your instincts and your practical nature to create a home that is truly comfortable and truly yours.

  Meaning Gearr is a creature of the Goddess, the moon and the night, and yet it also represents the dawn, brightness and the east. It is the most adept of animals at shape shifting: we can never be sure exactly where the hare is - in this or the Otherworld. It represents intuition, which makes things appear suddenly in our consciousness, like the lapwing eggs of Eostre, that magically appear in the hare's form (nest). As representative of the Corn Spirit and the two equinoxes, the hare brings the excitement of rebirth, fertile abundance and willing release as each creative cycle comes to an end. With the hare as your ally, you will be well able to negotiate times of change, and you will be able to draw on your intuition to guide you through life.

  Reverse meaning There may be an imbalance in your life. It is possible that you are allowing yourself to be overly concerned with the Otherworld: regarding every unusual sign as a portent, or paying too much attention to

  'channelled' messages. To achieve balance, we need to

  concern ourselves with the outer realm just as much as the inner. Wisdom and guidance come from many sources, and you may need to apply common sense to a greater degree than you have in the past.

  Meaning Bradan is revered as extremely sacred in the Druid tradition - it is the Oldest Animal, and it offers us wisdom and inspiration. Often with great difficulty, the salmon will return to the place of its birth to mate. To find wisdom, we too need to recapitulate our lives, to journey in consciousness back to our beginnings - to our childhood and perhaps beyond to our very origins in God or Goddess. Bradan brings not only wisdom but youthfulness and inspiration, but remember that to find these things you must maintain an attitude of openness and innocence rather than strong-headed determination.

  Reverse meaning You may be trying too hard to reach your goals, or relying on someone else to find your wisdom for you. Contemplate the stories of Talieain and Fionn mac Cumhaill and try to adopt a more relaxed and open approach to life. The salmon is able to jump upstream not by fight
ing against the current, but by utilizing its knowledge of the reverse current which flows beneath the surface current. From this salmon leaping we have derived the word 'summersault', as a corruption of 'salmon-sault'. Children summersault, and choosing this card - reversed or upright - is urging you to connect with the leaping, dancing child within.

  Meaning Beach invites us to celebrate. You may have a special reason for celebration, or you may simply need to celebrate the wonder and mystery of being alive. In the Druid tradition there are occasions to celebrate every six weeks or so. As human beings, we need times when we can come together to enjoy each other's company. The bee tells us that we can live together in harmony, however impossible this may sometimes seem. By being at one with the natural world, by paying homage to the sun, by centring our lives around Spirit or the Goddess, we can work together in community.

  Reverse meaning Do you feel out of place - unsure of your role in the world? A beehive functions harmoniously because each bee knows its role - consequently, it is highly productive and plays an important part in the local ecology. If you lack motivation, or feel isolated from the community that surrounds you, think about your role in life and make decisions in accordance with your sense of purpose and the goals you wish to reach. Remember that the bee knows the value of organization, of paying homage to the Goddess and the sun, and of working hard. Remember, too, that she calls us to a celebration of life and an inner recognition of our membership of the community of all Nature.