A Seagull’s Tale

Our coastland towns in England have become a magnet for Seagulls during the holiday season with so many outdoor food venues and takaways. Having been fed for so many years on scraps, it is no surprise they are likely to take a swipe at your lunch - if it’s there!

Holiday-makers swat the Seagulls away and you can’t blame them either, except to perhaps suggest they eat their lunch elsewhere to stop being such a temptation.

I don’t think it’s fair that these fine, robust and confident birds get such a bad rap. It brought to mind a book about an exceptional Seagull who simply wasn’t like the rest, as the chap in the above photo. The book is Johnathan Livingstone Seagull (affiliate link) by Richard Bach published in 1976 (11th printing). It was one of my favourite off piste books discovered in my early teens.

Jonathan was my first Animal Archetype and I remember wanting to be different and adventurous like him - and as I still do now! This is another book I am revisiting to revisit how the wisdom therein feels in relation to where we are now.

Here is one of my favourite quotes:.

What he had once hoped for the Flock, he now gained for himself alone, he learned to fly, and was not sorry for the price that he had paid. Jonathan Seagull discovered that boredom and fear and anger are the reasons that a Gull’s life is so short, and with these gone from his thought, he lived a long fine life indeed.

The beauty of animism

Native Americans and many other aboriginal cultures around the world practice what is known as animism. This is where animals and other natural objects are recognised as spirits or beings that they connect with in a deep and meaningful way. Such archetypal animals are believed to have a kindred soul and became their totems.

In many cultures around the world, Animal Totems or Power Animals provide a way to connect with the natural world and the wisdom of animals (as expressed by various archetypes). This is because, once upon a time, there was no sense of separation between human and animal and it was understood that we were connected to all of creation through the web of life.

As explained by Dance of the Deer Foundation (no affiliation): One could view Shamanism as the ‘universal spiritual wisdom’ inherent to all Indigenous Tribes. As all ancient spiritual practices are rooted in Nature, Shamanism is the method by which we as human beings can strengthen that natural connection.

Man's best friend

Dogs have been considered treasured domestic friends for thousands of years. The oldest known dog skeletons were found in the Altai Mountains of Siberia and a cave in Belgium, dated around 33,000 years ago. This indicates that the domestication of dogs occurred simultaneously in different geographic locations across the world.

Traditionally, as trusted companions of herders and hunters, the Dog was a symbol of vigilance, trust, loyalty, protection and companionship. Dogs represent steadfast devotion and unwavering faithfulness encouraging us to cultivate loyalty in our relationships, to support those we love, and to honour our commitments for the good of all.

Dogs are wonderful healers. With a sense of smell 10,000 to 100,000 times more acute than ours, Dogs can smell dis-ease and know when a human being is feeling unwell. As sentient beings, they provide comfort and are known to alleviate stress, depression and anxiety while also improving mood and promoting socialisation.

A host of animals

I believe that animals are special types of angels living on this Earth who have chosen to be here to help us, comfort us and show us the way.

I believe that, like us, they have had to (and still do) endure pain and the most inhumane suffering as the most acute and powerful way to demonstrate how we should not treat each other as fellow custodians of this beautiful planet Earth.

It is a truism that the more we learn about an animal’s remarkable character, endurance, caring nature and other sentient traits, our hearts melt all over the place and we realise that, the similarities in terms of being sentient outway the differences in many ways.

If you are in any shadow of a doubt about how incredibly astute, intelligent and caring animals are, I highly recommend Peter Wohlleben’s enchanting book, The Inner Life of Animals (affiliate link to my bookshop). I am reading it again and it’s as fascinating, eye-opening and adorable as it was the first time round. I will be share a review here with you soon.

Archetypal favourites

In conclusion, Animal Archetypes and their meanings have been passed down through the generations and are here to help us recognise often hidden human characteristics and teach us things that might be helpful for us to grow, to love each other and to enjoy living.

Animal Behaviour is something we can observe and understand with pets, animals and birds who are close to us in our everyday lives. They provide as much love, entertainment, grace and knowing as the wisdom brought to us by the archetypes.

And now to share some enchanting and thought-provoking aspects of two of my favourite Aminal Archetypes - The Hare and The Wolf - including books I have read and content inspired by these mystical creatures that we love so well.

The Hare

Hare as Archetype

The Hare is one of the original formation-patterns of awareness that primitive man used as a communication tool to come to terms with his environment and with the 'internal' environment of his own instincts and feelings. The Hare is a mythical creature, first depicted on cave walls in ancient times and no wonder that this beautiful Leporidae features in so many myths and legends, and is the focus of so many points of view.

Hare as Independent

The Hare is born in an open nest (or form). Fully furred with eyes wide open and ready to move. Bones, muscles and faculties fully developed as living on open ground is a challenge for tiny leverets who are moved (or walk) from their birthplace to their own forms. The doe keeps a watchful eye and visits each form for feeding. She is always within ear's reach of any baby-like squeals that call her to assist at lightening speed if assistance is required.

Hare as Leaper

The Hare is not so much hare-brained in terms of intelligence, rather wildly impetuous with an attraction to noise and vibration which is why they are often found in numbers on airfields! When chased, Doe's tend to run around in circles to remain close to her baby Leverets. Bucks run at tremendous speed in straight lines until they instinctively make a great leap making it seem their tracks have disappeared.

The Wolf

We can find the most indepth and beautiful insights on how to embrace life in the spirit of the Wolves in a very special book - Women Who Run With The Wolves by Clarissa Pinkola Estés. It’s a stunningly well composed, life-changing book that everyone can benefit from (not just the girls).

Clarissa illustrates how all human beings are born gifted with the spirit of wildness in their soul and shares the esoteric and highly personal journey we take from birth to old age.

The following insights incorporate the family-oriented values of Wolves and are relevant to anyone striving to realise and evolve their inner and sacred gifts of wildness, intuition and creativity.

• Shine a light
• Reach out locally
• Embrace the world with love
• Stand up for what is right
• Understand the predator
• Listen to your intuition
• Be creative
• Let things go that serve no purpose
• Be your own true self
• Be the flow
• Be thankful for all things good

Animal love

I hope you enjoy taking time to wonder how animals and wild creatures are able to perform their tasks so beautifully through the seasons year after year in harmony with Nature.

It's an opportunity to delve into the archetypal, folklore or indigenous totem history of your favourite animals or birds, or any other creatures you feel drawn to. You will find it interesting to know out why you are attracted to them, why they make you feel the way you do and what you can learn from them.

Thank you for reading, have a wonderful day and I look forward to seeing you again soon!

Sue Cartwright

Spiral Leaf