A. Venefica’s Weblog: Symbolic Meanings

This Chinese new year is the year of the rat.  Meanings dealing with this animal of the Chinese zodiac include:

• Industriousness
• Ingenuity
• Necessity
• Resourceful
• Production
• Foresight
• Luck

Rats cycle an appearance every 12 years.  Rats also occur on even-numbered years (1972, 1984, 1996, 2008, 2020, etc.). 

To begin interpreting the meaning or portents of this year within the context of its identification with the rat, we could begin by combining the above listed Chinese attributions with its numerological associations.

 For example even-numbered years are symbolic of :

• Balance
• Duality
• Compensation
• Partnerships
• Judgement
• Choice
• Planning
• Joining

 This year is about structure, and completion only for us to turn around and see something new pop out and surprise us.

This is the year to finish long term projects that have been hanging over our heads for far too long (years long even).  Whatever loose ends we have been slack in tying will be snipped this year if we don’t tend to their completions once and for all.

The message of this year is preparation.  The more prepared we are, the more able we are to roll with the flow this lunar year.  If you’ve had control issues, anxiety issues or a need for dominance, begin to slip out of these behavioral patterns as pedestal-toppling is likely this year.

 This is also evident in the leap year which we are now currently experiencing.  It’s only one extra day, but it’s vastly significant in the churn mill of consistent energy.  In other words, leap years are a bit like wild-cards. 

Leap years take place every 28 years. 

In numerology, we practice reduction of numbers to bring down a sequence to a single numeral (making it easier to handle). 

When we reduce the 28 year leap year cycle - 28 is reduced to number 1.  Similarly, 2008 is also reduced to a number 1.  This number is symbolic of new beginnings, and can be further interpreted from the Magician card in the Tarot deck.

What does this mean?  Just as we work to tie up those loose ends, something new is going to fall right into our laps.  The sky certainly isn’t falling chicken little - but there is a whole lotta shakin’ goin’ on. 

Of course, that’s just my view - ultimately you are the only observer & therefor the only accurate interpreter. 

Do some research on the Chinese culture and how they interpret various symbols.  Do some reading on their concept of time, and their perspective on cycles. 

Meditate on the year, does it have a feeling to it?  Look at all the variables and subtle differences this subject presents - bring them all together and draw your own well-informed conclusion.

One of my readers asked me about the deeper meaning of the four directions (north, south, east, west).  Specifically, she was given a powerful mandala, and wanted to know in which direction would be most auspicious to hang the mandala.  My response follows:

Dear Coordinated Coordinates: 

This is an excellent observation you’ve made.

We can honor and enhance the attributes of something (such as your mandala gift) by placing it in an area that is aligned with appropriate energy.

Different cultures have assigned different meanings of cardinal directions.  Here are a few brief samples of directional energies and what they represent to various cultures:

In Chinese Feng Shui, each direction correlates to the Chinese zodiac animals:

• North =  Rat, enchances areas of: Adaptability, charm, creativity, sociability, wit.
• East = Rabbit, enchances areas of: Trust, sincerity, love, compassion.
• South = Horse, enchances areas of: Physical strength, health, adventure, loyalty.
• West = Rooster, enhances areas of: Confidence, business, energy, persistence.

In ancient Celtic symbolism and tradition, the cardinal directions were acknowledged in several ceremonies and festivals.  Handfasting ceremonies and other earth-based belief systems (pagan) still honor the directions today.  Here is a brief outline of these directional representations:

• East = air, communication, new beginnings, new growth
• South = fire, energy, passion, creativity
• West = water, emotion, psyche, movement
• North = earth, home, security, fertility

In certain divinatory practices the directions represent time phases:

• North = Infinite Possibility (no-time)
• South = Present - Now
• West = Past
• East = Future

Native Americans have their own meanings of cardinal directions.  The Lakota, for example hold to the following guideline:

• North = wisdom/thought
• East = salvation/spirit
• South = beginnings/purity
• West = conclusions/fullness

I’ve written a feature post on Navajo and their meaning of the four directions here:
http://avenefica.wordpress.com/2007/10/02/navajo-medicine-wheel-a-powerful-native-american-symbol/

The astrological zodiac provides yet another aspect of the four directions and their symbolism:

• East = Earth corresponding with Taurus
• South = Fire corresponding with Leo
• West = Water corresponding with Scorpio
• North = Air corresponding with Aquarius

In conclusion, I would encourage you to meditate upon your purpose with the placement of your special gift.  Ask yourself “what are my intentions?”  Invest the time to determine what you truly wish to accomplish.

I’ve only given you a brief background on multiple resources.  Ultimately only you can decide what is meaningful you in the symbolism of the compass and only you can determine your own personal meaning of the four directions.  Trust in your own knowledge & you will know where to put your mandala in order to achieve the results you are wanting.

I trust this information helps you on your path.

My highest regards & blessings to you,

A.Venefica

www.Whats-Your-Sign.com
A Guide to Symbols and Signs

www.TarotTeachings.com
A Guide to the Tarot

“You are your own finest design and made more brilliant by engaging in the art of self-expression.”  ~Me.

“There is only one guaranteed, no-risk, high-yield investment and that is SELF-investment.” ~Me.

I often get the question: “how do I go about finding my animal totem?” or “what is my animal sign?” 

The answers are as many as the number of paths we take to find ourselves, but the following is my response to finding your animal totem … it might narrow down the search .

There are many ways to identify ourselves with specific totems, and most people want the quick/easy way.  Here are a few:

Most obvious ways to obtain our animal totems are to consult various zodiac sources.  The Chinese have their own animals for the zodiac.  Click here for Chinese zodiac animal information. 

Or, we may also consult the common Native American zodiac   for determining our animal totems.

Legend has it that the ancient Celts would adopt animals according to the season in which he/she was born (this was particularly useful in indicating newborn male children predispositioned to be warriors). 

The Bull is the sign of Summer.
The Cat the sign of Winter.
The Dog is the sign of Spring. 
The Goose the sign of Fall. 

You can discover these and Celtic animal symbol meaning on my symbols website. 

These are quick/easy ways of finding animal energy that resonates with your own. 

However,  I would encourage you to open communication with the animal realm.  Invest the time to meditate and contemplate, and really reach out to the realm of animal spirit.  You will find that these animals are quite willing to communicate with and, and their knowledge is profound.  It’s worth the time you invest.

Furthermore, we find that animals are willing to share their attributes and wisdom with us out of an innate knowledge that this will both benefit ourselves, and will benefit the animal kingdom. 

We take take all these paths and more to determine our animal totems.  Ultimately, however it is up to us to open ourselves to the natural realm.  Finding our animal totem is a mutual process between you and the animal/natural world.  It takes time, meditation, soul-searching, and a clear understanding who we are in relation to our planet. 

Yes, it is a big deal.  Taking up union with an animal energy is something quite larger than just flippantly claiming an elephant as one’s totem.  It is about honor, awareness and devotion to both self & the natural world.

Find more information on identifying animal totems here.

I hope this helps you in your search to obtain that which you seek. 

Symbolic meaning of pigs varies according to region & culture.

In earlier cultures such as ancient Egyptian the pig (sow, specifically) was considered a Great Mother and were symbols of fertility and abundance.  Here the pig was sacred to Isis, who embodied fertility. 

To the ancient Celts, the (sow) pig was also honored as a mother provider figure.  Celtic lore tells of Manannan, who owned a heard of pigs that never dwindled - they were forever replinishing their numbers. As such, in Celtic symbolism pigs remained icons of abundance.

Also in ancient Celtic beliefs, the pig was associated with Keridwin and Phaea who were both fertility moon goddesses.

The pig was also a symbol of virility, strength, and ferility in ancient Chinese cultures.   The boar is even among the animals in the Chinese zodiac where it is considered a symbol of sincerity, honesty, and determination.

In Hindu symbolism,  the pig is linked to Vajravarahi, the female consort of Vishnu.

The Greeks would sacrifice pigs to deities who pertained to farming and agriculture (Demeter, Ares, Gaia) this was to bring about bumper crops and insure favorable growing seasons.

Native American cultures (plains tribes) associated the pig as a harbinger of rains and as such, the symbolic meaning of pigs here is also linked to abudance, fertility and agriculture.

On the other hand, the pig is a symbol of ignorance in Buddhism.  Indeed, a black pig is illustrated on the Buddhist wheel of existence where it represents one of the three illusions of man in the Buddhist philosophy:

• illusions of thought & desires
• illusions innumerable as particles of dust and sand
• illusions about the true nature of life

All of these are said to prevent man from attaining Nirvana in the Buddhist tradition.

The pig is a symbol of sloth (laziness) and/or greed in ancient Christian symbolism.

Jewish, Moslums and Islamic cultures view the pig as unclean and they are forbidden to eat pork.

In dream symbolism the domestic pig indicates fertility, yet a wild pig is a symbol of lust & overindulgence.  If in your dream you are feeding a pig, this is supposed to be a symbol of good luck.  If you are being attacked by a pig, it may be a message you are being materialistic or greedy about something. 

Asian culture is stuffed with symbolism geared to bolster the human condition. 

Ancient Chinese symbols and their meanings are a product of a very savvy people who understood the human need to progress in conjuction with their propensity to link positive change with visual/allegorical concepts. 

In other words,  the Asians keenly understood that the human mind easily grasps commands & concepts through the use of symbols and/or symbolic, “story” concepts.  

Chinese symbols, if kept foremost in our conscious awareness, can serve as powerful tools for enhancing our behaviour, our situations, our perception, and ultimately they can serve to change our lives. 

As with all symbols,  the following Asian/Chinese symbols and their meanings have the potential to positively impact our lives if we choose to consistently hold them in our awareness for a length of time so that these attributes become part of the fabric of our existence. 

The Five Happinesses:
These Chinese symbols are found in most ancient Chinese art and are considered to foretell good luck.
They are:

• Shou (longevity symbol)
• Ch’i Lin (chimera)
• Lung (dragon)
• Fen Huang (phoenix)
• Ju-I (scepter)

The Five Noble Strengths:
In many Asian martial art forms, students are required to learn the five noble animal forms representing nobility, strength, wisdom and responsibility.
They are (respectively):

• Crane
• Tiger
• Leopard
• Dragon
• Snake

Five Human Powers:
Also in the Asian tradition, the Buddhists refer to the five human powers.
They are:

• Effort
• Memory
• Faith
• Concentration
• Wisdom

Five Aspects of Enlightenment:
Also in the Buddhist tradition - mandalas are often incorporated in meditations. Within many of these mandalas are representations of the five states of enlightement. 
They are:

• Speech
• Mind
• Body
• Wisdom
• Bliss

A friend of mine asked if I could confirm whether or not the dragon is a Chinese symbol for strength, and if I knew of any more animal symbols representing strength. 

I reply:

Dear Dragon Lady :-),

Absolutely - on top of the list of Chinese animals that symbolize strength is the Dragon.

The Chinese dragon is symbolic of:

• power
• courage
• ferocity
• wisdom
• balance
• good judgment
• protection
• loyalty
• good luck

The Chinese have long honored the dragon for these attributes, and call upon various types of dragons to bolster strength when needed.

Although the dragon is a major power symbol, there are other Chinese animal symbols that represent strength are:

• Horse
• Crane
• Tiger
• Bear
• Fu Dogs

I hope this helps you on your journey,

Regards & blessings to you,

A. Venefica

www.Whats-Your-Sign.com
A Guide to Symbols and Signs

www.TarotTeachings.com
A Guide to the Tarot

There are many ways to identify ourselves with specific animal totems.   Some ways are simpler than others.

When I am asked questions about animal totems, I usually like to encourage people to open communication with the animal realm. 

When we take the time to meditate upon the realm of animal spirit, we often find that these animals are just as willing to communicate with us as we are with them.

Furthermore, we find that animals are willing to share their attributes and wisdom with us out of a innate knowledge that this will both benefit ourselves, and will benefit the animal kingdom. 

Identifying animal totems is a vital practice if you want to enhance your spiritual growth as well as learn more about yourself and the real of nature.

A simple way of determining one of  your animal totems is to identify your Native American zodiac animal symbol .  According to certain Native American belief systems, certain animal rule certain segments of the year.  Just as we have astrological symbols, so too do we have animal symbols according to our time of birth.

Another similar theory that the ancient Celts would adopt animals according to the season in which he/she was born (this was mostly the case with male children born intended to be warriors). 

• The Bull is the sign of Summer.
• The Cat the sign of Winter. 
• The Dog is the sign of Spring. 
• The Goose the sign of Fall. 

With this loose guide, can determine your Celtic ruling animal symbol according to the Celtic way of thought.

The chinese also have their own animals for the zodiac.  Chinese zodiac animal symbols are determined according to the year of your birth.  There are twelve ruling animals of the Chinese zodiac and according to mythology, these were the creatures that attended the Buddha’s passing of the earth.

Whether you establish an animal totem according to your birthdate, or if you are met with one via meditation or other encounter, rest assured that getting in touch with your personal animal is an investment well made.

By focusing on the attributes of our totems, we internalize these traits and thus begin to externalize the very character we absorb from our totems.

Animals afford us visions of how our lives could be if we lived more simply and lived with purity of thought and emotion. Therefore, incorporating animal totems into our lives not only affirms our positive ideals, but also aids in attainment of higher life goals.

You can learn more about animal totems and all they have to offer on my new animal blog here.