I received an email from a gentleman who asked for assistance in interpreting a symbolic fox sighting. 

He encountered the fox at noon while he was contemplating his future plans.  I respond with some ideas about his symbolic fox and direct him to more thoughts on my fox animal symbolism page.  Here is my response:

Dear ShadowFinder:

Indeed, fox are small, but they can project a very large presence.

They are the natural shape shifters of the animal kingdom, and their shifting powers are at their peak on prime clock-time points of noon and midnight…inherent times of transformation.

Fox have very clarified and pointed energy – they serve as index fingers pointing in specific directions….they are focused and driven.

They are also quite clever and can reveal resources or advantages to your soul that your mind might never conceive.

What does your experience mean?  Only you can determine that.  Sorry, no free rides in the realm of oracle interpretations. Personal soul-searching is a requirement if you need to know the keys that unlock your doors of mystery.

One thing is certain.  The fox does not idly choose who she reveals herself to.  This encounter is unique to you, it’s your responsibility to follow the energetic trail of the fox for clarification.

Read over what I’ve written here, as well as this page I’ve written about the animal symbolism of the fox:

Fox Symbolism (full article)

or Fox Tattoo Symbolism (if you’re interested in that sort of thing).

Ditch the stuff that does not jive with your soul.  Grab onto the threads that resonate truth. Keep pulling at these threads (researching, contemplating, meditating) until you reach a satisfactory end (a fitting answer to this phenomenon).

Further, call upon the energy of the fox.  Be honorable, and be like still water as you invoke.  The fox will come and will give you answers, just as long as you approach her as the noble she is.

Quick look at the symbolic meaings of the cat:

• Astute
• Clever
• Secretive
• Mysterious
• Supernatural
• Watchfulness
• Transformation

Click here for full article on the symbolic meanings of the cat.

You may also be interested in symbolic cat prints here.

I got an email from someone wanting to know the symbolic meaning of black rabbits, as she kept seeing two of them on her front porch.  She specifically wanted to know if the color black was significant in this case.  My response follows:

Dear Black Hare Beauty: 

Yes, the coloring in animals that cross our path is very important.

Black colored animals typically call out to our deeper feelings – as they are dark – they symbolize the shadows of our thoughts, the “nighttime” of our minds – the dreams we keep tucked away from the forefront of our everyday thoughts.

Rabbits are symbolic of:

• family
• community
• awareness
• caution
• curiosity

Perhaps your two black rabbits are sending you a message to be more reserved (behind the shadows) in your dealings with others.

Or perhaps, they’ve crossed your path to let you know that the power in ourselves is sometimes found in the most unexpected (night/dark/black) places.

Black is also a symbol of silence, perhaps your rabbit friends are trying to tell you to take assurance and peace in your own stillness…silence may be the best answer.

The specific number (two) may also bear a message as symbolic meaning of two’s deal with balance, choice, judgment, relationship.  Perhaps this is a message for balance for you, or clarifying the point in which you might be of “two minds” about a decision or issue in your life.

These are some very basic/common generalities about the symbolic meaning of black rabbits.  Ultimately it is YOU who must decide what their appearances mean to you.  Adopting animal symbolism to enhance our own personal perspective is the goal here.

I would encourage you to meditate upon these two black rabbits when they come to visit you.  Often, animals are just as willing to speak with us as we are to learn from them.  We must simply be open to their communications.

Known as regal beasts, it’s comes to no surprise that symbolic meaning of lions deals with:

• Strength
• Nobility
• Determination
• Intensity
• Courage
• Conquest
• Pride
• Protection
• Authority

However, many are unfamiliar with the symbolic meaning of lions dealing with resurrection and conversion.  This meaning comes from the observation of newborn lion pups.  Newborn lions were once believed to be born dead, and only came alive when the father passed its breathed upon the pup.  This was symbolic in Christian tradition as the father lion represented the Christ and his essence (breath) flowing into the children of the earth awakened their spirits to the light of God.

As an alchemy symbol, the lion takes on many representations.  In alchemical texts, a red colored lion indicates sulphur which represents the multiplicity of human nature and the eternal aspiration to reach enlightenment.  When illustrated in green, the alchemical lion indicates matter that which is the basic starting point of transformation.

African aboriginal legends state that the lion never closes its eyes when it sleeps.  This provides symbolism of cunning, strategy, intelligence, protection and wariness. 

When the lion appears to us in dreams, it is often a sign that we have a need to place ourselves in a more prominent position.  Often the lion comes in our dreams when we are not being respected in our lives, and we need to advance ourselves in positions of respect and authority. 

Lions can also be dream symbols telling us we need to get in touch with our passions or emotions, and we made need to tame these emotions if they are running unchecked.

In esoteric studies, the lion makes its appearance in the Tarot where it is illustrated in the Strength card of the Major Arcana.  More symbolic meaning of the lion from the Tarot perspective can be found here: Tarot Symbolism of the Lion

As an astrological symbol the lion is identified by the sun sign of Leo.  In the Leo sign we find such attributes as:

• Passion
• Generosity
• Loyalty
• Influential
• Leadership
• Determination

I’ve created an entire webpage devoted to more information on the symbolic meaning of lions here.

Don’t miss this informative page on Lion Tattoo Symbolism here.

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.

The following is a response to a woman who wanted to know the symbolic meaning of a white deer as she had recently seen one on a nature walk.

Dear Deer Seer: 

All creatures are noble, and have profound messages to share with us. However, those animals that are white can be some of our most powerful teachers.

The Native Americans believed the occurance of a white animal was a huge sign of prophecy – a sign from the great spirit that a major shift in their world was to come. 

Usually, white animals were seen during soul-quests, or vision-quests.  However, if one was seen during the normal course of day, this would cause a tremendous ripple among the tribe.  A great meeting would be called, the elders would be consulted, and great care would be taken to communicate with the animal spirits to determine the meaning of the message.

Not much has changed over time, as you yourself recognize the special power of the white deer that comes to you – and wish to know more about it.

When white occurs in the animal realm it is a message of:

• higher thoughts
• higher ideals
• purity of soul
• cleansing of spirit
• attaining higher knowledge

Compound these attributes with the those that the Female deer represents:

• Benevolence
• Kindness
• Creativity
• Spirituality
• Renewal
• Connectedness

The Male deer holds the same representations, but also includes attributes of:

• Longevity
• Virility
• Abundance
• Endurance

The deer was/is a symbol to the Native Americans representative of the great spirit – a sign of the sun as its antlers spread like the sun’s rays.  The Native Americans also recognized the shedding and regrowth of the antlers and deemed this a symbol of regeneration, cycle, and growth.

Above all, we can recognize the sensitivity of the deer - alert, keen, and always aware – we can translate these qualities to of being spiritually aware – and this is why the deer is seen primarily as a spiritual symbol.

The fact that you were able to see this very powerful sign – the white deer – is a message that you are on a path of growth and expansion that will lead you in a direction beyond your wildest dreams.  The message of the white deer is one of “get ready.”

I encourage you contemplate this visitation, meditate upon it, and humbly ask the white deer to communicate its symbolic meaning with you as it pertains to your own persepctive.

Our animal friends are just as willing to communicate with us as we are with them.  All it takes is a open heart – and a willingness to be still enough to listen.

More on symbolic meanings of the deer can be found here.

Post script: Photo is from Velo Steve at Flickr.com

A follower of my work wrote in telling me she witnessed three black cats sitting at her doorstep three days in a row.  She asked what the symbolic meaning of black cats (specifically, these three) could be, to which I respond:

Dear Cat Whisperer: 

Unanimously, the symbolic meaning of cats is that of protection and guardianship.

Stoic, silent and mysterious, cats fit the bill of for being expert guardians of homes and people.  They are also master secret keepers, and are a symbol of esoteric (hidden) knowledge.

As a Celtic animal symbol, the cat was honorably regarded as the guardian of the Otherworld, and served as a gatekeeper to the other realm of existence. 

Black cats double in their mystery, and protection powers.

The number three is highly promising – it is a number that deals with creativity, new ideas, new partnerships, and new business ventures.

The fact that you have seen three black cats on your stoop is a very auspicious sign.  It may mean you will be forming a new business relationship, or that you are coming into a position in which you will become more stable.

The appearance of these cats is also very promising because it tells me that you and your family are protected against energy that may thwart you from launching new ideas.  You all are guarded against trivial, bothersome set-backs.