I love juxtaposition. Counterpoise. The Hanged Man theory. It allows me to delve deep into the nature of conflict…and forgive everything. To be human and divine, all at once.
Strength and vulnerability. Sunshine and rain. Black and white. Sacred and profane. Masculine and feminine. Pause and action.
Paradox gets my gears turning and inspiration flowing. As a painter, contrast is something I’m constantly working with and attempting to harmonize.
I’ve been working with the medicine of Deer since my awakening in 2003, particularly to balance the predatory nature found in Wolf, Mountain Lion, Bear and other Type-Apexes in my lineup of helpers. Every animal has a counter, usually it’s prey or predator. What’s most fascinating to me is that when each creature stands alone, we can find their softness, nurturing and also their fierceness. Deer’s antlers are like antennae which connect them to the clear messages of the heavenlies, while four hoofs keep them rooted to the ground. Earth and Sky.
This is important to carry with you when doing soul work because there will be two sides to every story living within you. There will be a curse, followed by a blessing. A wrong done to you, and the courage it took to stand up for yourself. A fragmented, lost piece, and the joyful recovery and re-integration of it. Blind spots and a-ha moments.
Deer balances the fierce work we do with Black Panther and Mountain Lion, and compliments our adventures with Fox and Rabbit.. It also stands alone quite nicely, regal creature that it is. Our adventures with the fierce ones sets the tone (in this case, the healing and the boundaries, respectively) for being in a strong place of power. Deer is here to work with us around vulnerability and strength, together at last.
Grow closer to the medicine of Deer, learn to embody it’s grace and to call up it’s majestic strength in matters of cleaning up your energy, fortifying your relationships to your spiritual guides and allies, honor what is sacred in you, and stand proud in community knowing that your Voice counts.
Image of Deer at SouLodge Ranch, Redmond, Oregon.
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