Animal | Superstition | Traits/Lessons | Totem | Rid |
Aardvark | ~ | diligence, fearlessness, lunar energies, protection, ancient wisdom, overcoming obstacles and barriers | ~ | ~ |
Adder | To see an adder - general bad luck. To kill an adder - general good luck. A live adder on the doorstep - a death in the household. | ~ | ~ | ~ |
Albatross | An albatross flying around a ship in mid ocean - bad weather. To kill one brings bad luck to those who killed them. One flying round a ship in mid-ocean was an omen of wind and bad weather to come. | ~ | ~ | ~ |
Alpaca | ~ | hardiness, gentle nature, warmth, kindness, personal aspirations, generosity, interdependence, earth energy | ~ | ~ |
Ant | Stepping on ants brings rain. Ants signify bad weather when they are very agitated. Ants building a nest near the door to your house is a clear sign of financial security in the future. | hard work, discipline, community, order, architecture patience, order, discipline | They are active, community-minded who sees future needs, planner but content to build your dreams slowly over time, content in knowing that everything will come to you in time. | Several drops of Peppermint oil may be sprinkled strategically along counters and walls to deter ants. It is very important to test surface area to make sure the oil will not destroy the finish. Water may be used as a base to make up a spray for areas where ants like to gather. Add 4 oz. of water into a spritzer bottle and add 20 drops of Peppermint, Citronella or Spearmint oil to give repelling power. |
Anteater | ~ | curiosity | They are naturally inquisitive, and can often sniff out trouble, or those in trouble, with little difficulty. They can have the ability to find lost objects and an understanding the value of "rooting around" to find solutions. They are a connection to the insect world, especially the Ant | ~ |
Antelope | ~ | action, speed, adaptability of the mind | They teach survival and how to avoid indiscriminate destruction of life. They signify knowledgeable action. Antelope medicine is the knowledge of life's circle, the knowledge and understanding of death. Through Antelope you can learn to truly live and action is the key and essence to living. Antelope is the messenger of a higher purpose; he knows the way and through him, so will you. Antelope can teach clairvoyance by listening to his voice inside of you. They are usually psychic. | ~ |
Armadillo | ~ | boundaries, space, healthy empathy, protection, safety, endurance, expansion. | They teach how to protect yourself and when to let your defenses down. If you have an Armadillo totem, it is time to define your space. | ~ |
Badger | ~ | aggressiveness, reliance, self-expression | They have aggressiveness and the willingness to fight for what they want. This aggression can also be turned to healing - for Badger is the keeper of Earth's healing herbs. They are often leaders and bosses, the one who will get the job done. If you have a Badger as a totem, you will likely be solitary but comfortable being alone. You are comfortable in your own skin and very self-reliant. | ~ |
Banshee | The most terrifying aspect of the banshee is her mourning call, heard mostly at night when someone is about to die. | ~ | ~ | ~ |
Barn Owl | ~ | ~ | They reflect the ability to the heart and the mind. | ~ |
Barred or Spotted Owl | ~ | ~ | They can appear threatening on the outside, but are actually very benign. | ~ |
Bat | A bat means long life and happiness, a good omen. If a bat lands on your head, you should hope the Cricket sees rain coming because the bat won't get off until it hears thunder. When you see a bat, you might actually be seeing the Devil, a witch, a ghost, or Dracula. Bats have always had a connection with witches, and can have good or bad connotation, depending on the tradition. If a bat flies three times around a house, it is a death omen. When bats come out early and fly about playfully, it is a sign of good weather to come. | transcending failures, limitless future, possibilities, striving, night, sacreifice, death, rebirth. | ~ | ~ |
Bear | The Indians and frontiersmen of the USA always believed that the bear breeds only once every seven years and it always seems to fall on the time that the cattle would be giving birth to their young, The Native Americans believe that every part of the bear has great spiritual power. | caution, healing, and leadership | They have the power of introspection. | ~ |
Beaver | ~ | dream building, home comforts, architecture, security, family togetherness, earth resources | ~ | ~ |
Bee | If a bee enters your home, it's a sign that you will soon have a visitor. If you kill the bee, you will have bad luck, or the visitor will be unpleasant. It is still considered unlucky in some places to kill a bee. If a bee flies into the house it is a sign of great good luck, or of the arrival of a stranger; however, the luck will only hold if the bee is allowed to either stay or to fly out of the house of its own accord. A bee landing on someone's hand is believed to foretell money to come, while if the bee settles on someone's head it means that person will rise to greatness. | ~ | ~ | ~ |
Beetle | Walking over a person's shoe - an omen of death. Crawling out of a discarded shoe - ill omen. Devil's coach horse beetle raising it's tail - a curse. Throwing beetles into a lake produces rain. A dead beetle tied around the neck - cure for whooping cough. | transformation, metamorphosis, resurrection and rebirth - rebirth of the soul to a new spiritual ideal and renewed devotion | ~ | ~ |
Bird | A bird that flies into a house, foretells an important message. The white bird foretells death. A bird call from the north means tragedy; from the south is good for crops; from the west is good luck; from the east, good love. | ~ | ~ | ~ |
Black Panther | ~ | sensuality, passion, secrecy, reclaiming personal power, predatory nature, ancient wisdom, nocturnal energy cycles | ~ | ~ |
Black-Throated Honeyguide | ~ | guidance, hope, helpful nature, cooperation, opportunities, advantages, contradictions | ~ | ~ |
Blackbird | Considered a bad omen. Dreaming of a blackbird may be a sign of misfortune for you in the coming weeks. It also means you lack motivation and that you are not utilising your full potential. However, the sight of two blackbirds sitting together is a symbol of peace and a good omen. Dreaming of a flying blackbird is said to bring good fortune. If you see 2 blackbirds sitting together its said to be good luck, strangely I haven't seen two as the Blackbird is very territorial bird and generally chases other birds away. | secrets, commitment, wisdom, understanding, lunar themes and energies, high ideals, intelligence | ~ | ~ |
Bluebird | Two bluebirds guard the house of the Gods. A bluebird in the yard presages happiness in the households. Bluebirds are often connected with puberty rites of young women. The bluebird is also considered a very lucky sign, particularly when seen in the spring. If a Blue Bird nests outside your door then it's good luck. If the Blue Birds don't make another nest outside your door the following year it's bad luck. | modesty, happiness | ~ | ~ |
Boar & Pig | One superstition to get rid of warts involves rubbing a peeled apple and giving it to a pig. Pigs can see the wind (Ireland). When they are seen hurrying about their stye or carrying a bunch of straw in their mouth then there is a storm on the way. It is unlucky to have a pig cross your path - turn your back till it is gone - and if it begins to make a rather strange whining noise then there is to be a death in the family. Once worshiped in Crete and Egypt. Crossing your path Unlucky. Running with straw in it's mouth - Storms approaching. Driving pigs indoors On Beltane morning - Good omen. | wildness, determination, protection, luck, prosperity, hunting, wealth. | ~ | ~ |
Buffalo | ~ | courage, reclamation, parental energies, tempestuous nature, wildness, freedom, choices | ~ | ~ |
Bull | ~ | courage, reclamation, obtuse behaviors, tempestuous nature, creation-destruction cycle, productivity, stubbornness | ~ | ~ |
Butterfly Goddess | ~ | new life after death, metamorphosis, embracing life, creativity, beauty | ~ | ~ |
Calf | To stroke a calf on the back - bad luck to both the person and the animal. Twin calves - bad luck. Giving mistletoe as a gift to the first calf of the year - good luck to the herd. If the first calf born during the winter is white, the winter will be a bad one. | ~ | ~ | ~ |
Camel | ~ | replenishment, survival, positive outlooks, respect | ~ | ~ |
Canary | ~ | power of song and voice | ~ | ~ |
Cardinal | ~ | recognizing your self importance. | ~ | ~ |
Cat | Cats were exceedingly swift and surely possessed by the Devil. After serving Freya for seven years, the cats were rewarded by being turned into witches, disguised as black cats. This seems to have led to the belief in the Middle Ages that black cats were familiars of witches, and after seven years, became witches themselves. They believed if a black cat crossed your path, Satan was taking notice of you. Butter your cat's feet when you move to keep it from running away from the new house. If a cat crosses or jumps over the coffin, the dead person's spirit will return as a ghost. A black cat is lucky or unlucky, depending on where you live. In Egypt it was believed that a black cat crossing one's path brought good luck. If a black cat walks towards you, it brings good fortune, but if it walks away, it takes the good luck with it. Keep cats away from babies because they "suck the breath" of the child. A cat on board a ship is considered to bring luck. It is almost universally believed that good weather may be expected when the cat washes herself, but bad weather may be expected when she licks her coat against the grain or washes her face over her ears, or sits with her tail to the fire. | ~ | ~ | ~ |
Caterpillar | ~ | transformation | ~ | ~ |
Cenataur | ~ | passion, aggression, defense, sexual energy, strong at heart, soaring spirit, creativity, industrious nature, variety, complexity, fulfillment, and power | ~ | ~ |
Chac & Tapir | ~ | balanced energy use, agility, growth, abundance, cyclical nature, diligence, fearlessness, ancient wisdom, overcoming obstacles and barriers | ~ | ~ |
Chameleon | ~ | clairvoyance | They are sensitive to their environment, and are often able to see auras around people. | ~ |
Cheetah | ~ | speed, focus, quick response, balance, agility, flexibility, achievement, strong bonds | ~ | ~ |
Cicada | ~ | communication, fertility, abundance, summer season, building cycles, rebirth, indifference, patience, self-reliance, inner wisdom, finding the path, stamina, overcoming adversity, pack behavior, wildness, primal power, transformations | ~ | ~ |
Cockerel | White cockerel - good luck. Black cockerel - evil spirits. A cockerel standing in a doorway - a visitor. It is believed that the cockerels will all crow on final day to awaken the dead. | ~ | ~ | ~ |
Cockroache | ~ | ~ | ~ | Add a few drops of Citronella to cotton and place in the back of cupboard. An additional drop of Peppermint or Lemongrass can be added for extra strength. |
Cougar | ~ | leadership | The gift is how to balance power, intention, strength and grace. | ~ |
Cow | ~ | healing, birth, fertility, motherhood, unity, nourishment, earth energy | ~ | ~ |
Coyote | ~ | wisdom and folly | They are very adaptive to new situations and have close-knit families, especially when children are involved. | ~ |
Crab | ~ | emotions, nurturing, protection, regenerative love, lateral advancement, ebb and flow nature. | ~ | ~ |
Cricket | A cricket is a lucky house spirit that takes it's luck away when it leaves. A cricket can tell of oncoming rain, death, and x-lovers. It's bad luck to kill a cricket. | intuition and belief | ~ | ~ |
Cuckoo | First sound of a cuckoo in spring coming from the right - good luck. First sound of a cuckoo in spring coming from the left - bad luck. Hearing the first cuckoo on the 28th of April - Excellent luck. Hearing the first cuckoo on the 6th of April or after midsummer - bad luck. Your condition on hearing the first cuckoo will remain all year. | ~ | ~ | ~ |
Deer | ~ | grace, agility, softness, innocence, freshness, tenderness, secrets, sensitivity | ~ | ~ |
Dog | Howling dogs mean the wind god has summoned death, and the spirits of the dead will be taken. A dog eating grass rain. A howling dog at night means bad luck or somebody close to you will be very sick or worse. A dog with seven toes can see ghosts. When a dog is staring intently, at nothing, for no apparent reason, look between the dog's ears and you'll see a ghost. | loyalty, nobility, kindness, friendship, service to others, protection, faithfulness, warnings, pack behaviors. | ~ | ~ |
Dolphin | ~ | breath and sound | They can show you how to enter the waters of life and then with breath and sound call forth what you most need or desire. | ~ |
Donkey | To see a dead donkey means great good fortune, and even as recently as this century it was considered a good-luck charm to leap over the carcass of a dead donkey three times. | ~ | ~ | ~ |
Dove | ~ | peace, love, purity, divine inspiration, sexuality, feminine energies, maternity, prophecy, beauty, divine inspiration, sexuality, feminine energies, maternity | ~ | ~ |
Dragon | ~ | magic, trickery, cunning, protection, elemental energies, transformation, change, dominance, infinity | ~ | ~ |
Dragonfly | Finding a dead dragonfly means there will be sad tidings in the future. The wings of a blue dragonfly placed in a missal or a book of gospels is believed to bring good luck; however, it is also considered bad luck to kill such a dragonfly. Anyone who catches a dragonfly will marry in a year. | illusion, the power of light | They will be emotional and passionate during their early years (the influence of water) and more balanced with greater mental clarity and control in as they mature (the influence of air). | ~ |
Duck | Laying dark brown eggs - bad omen. Flapping it's wings while swimming rain | maneuverability, protection, comfort, emotions, feminine energy | ~ | ~ |
Dust Mite | ~ | ~ | ~ | Mix 5 drops of Eucalyptus oil to the rinse cycle of your washing machine. Decant into a spray bottle 8 oz. methylated spirits and 40 drops Eucalyptus oil. Add 6 oz. water and lightly spray under beds. |
Elephant | ~ | love, wisdom, intellect, preparedness, removal of obstacles, generational awareness, being, art and creativity, memory, ancient power, strength, royalty | ~ | ~ |
Ewe | ~ | seasonal abundance, earth energy, purity, community, solutions, assistance. | ~ | ~ |
Falcon | ~ | vision, rebirth, healing, spirituality, freedom, high-mindedness, solar and lunar energies, hunting prowess, victory, mental speed, agility and grace | They like to be a position where they can see everything around them, want to explore past-life connections. | ~ |
Firefly | ~ | hope, life, attraction, light in the darkness, creativity, spiritual inspirations. the symbolic meaning of the firefly of course deals with light, illumination and the like. | ~ | ~ |
Fish | Burning fish bones unlucky. To ensure good luck and safety, it is said that a fish should always be consumed from the head towards the tail. | ~ | ~ | ~ |
Flamingo | ~ | heart healing | They use psychometry, the ability to sense, things through the touching of objects, do not like to be alone and are usually in company of others and flirtatious. | ~ |
Flea | Suddenly leaving a body who was infested - death of the host. Flea bite on the hand - a kiss or good news. Person leaping over the midsummer bonfire - riddance of fleas. | ~ | ~ | Pennyroyal oil is specific against fleas. For a spray, place 20 drops into a spray bottle and add 4 oz. water. One to two extra drops of Cedarwood, Citronella, Lemongrass or Lavender may also be added. Lightly spray your animal (without saturating and avoiding eyes) and its bedding areas. |
Fly | ~ | persistence, self-nurturing, confronting difficult feelings, opportunities, ego | ~ | Place a handful of dried cloves in a bowl and sprinkle with a few drops of Clove and Lavender, Citronella or Peppermint oil. Recharge with additional oil from time to time. |
Fox | ~ | sharp senses, adaptability, clear observation, trickery, stealth, cunning, camouflage, walking between realms. | ~ | ~ |
Fox Spirit | ~ | mental dexterity, sharp senses, adaptability, shape shifting, warrior spirit, clear observation, trickery, stealth, cunning, camouflage, walking between realms | ~ | ~ |
Frog | A frog brings good luck to the house it enters. | fertility, resurrection, survival, changes, potentials | ~ | ~ |
Gnat | When allowed into a sick room - removal of ailments. Flying close to the ground rain. Flying high - good weather. | ~ | ~ | ~ |
Goose | Goose eaten on Michelmas day - good luck. Brown tinted meat - mild winter. White meat - harsh winter. Geese leaving a farm - omen of a fire. A goose laying two eggs - bad omen. | ~ | ~ | ~ |
Grasshopper | ~ | ~ | They are uncanny and leaps forward never backward. | ~ |
Great Horned Owl | ~ | ~ | They are a fierce protector. | ~ |
Griffin (Gryphon) | Guardian of hidden treasures and gateway to spiritual enlightenment | stewardship, guardianship, enlightenment, hidden treasures, solar energies, rebirth, fearlessness, soaring to new heights | ~ | ~ |
Grouse | ~ | sacred spiral, sacred dance grouse medicine is the medicine of personal power | ~ | ~ |
Hellbender | ~ | emotional security, protection against toxic situations, fire energetics, unique being, nocturnal energy cycles, defense, sensitivity | ~ | ~ |
Hen | A hen with tail-feathers like those of a rooster is considered to be unlucky; previously these birds would be killed on most farms. Hens which roost in the morning are said to be foretelling a death, usually that of the farmer or someone in his household. A hen which enters the house is an omen that a visitor will arrive, and this is also the case if a rooster crows near the door or comes inside. | ~ | ~ | ~ |
Heron | Seeing a heron near the house - bad luck. Killing a heron - extremely bad luck. | self-reliance, motivation, determination, authority, assertiveness, balance, boundaries and security | They usually have assertiveness problems. | ~ |
Hogs | ~ | fertility, abundance, growth, wealth, prosperity, luck, balance, trickery, determination | ~ | ~ |
Homet | If the hornets build their nests high in trees during the summer, it will be a bad winter. If they build their nests low in bushes, it will be an easy winter. | ~ | ~ | ~ |
Horse | A white horse could warn of danger, and lived longer than a dark horse, so was considered a living amulet against early death. Spotted horses are magical. Grey horses and horses with four white socks are unlucky. Inhaling a horses breath - cure for whooping cough | ~ | ~ | ~ |
Hummingbird | ~ | joy, magic, solar enegies, beauty, war and victory, dance, the solving of riddles, magic, comfortable movement | ~ | ~ |
Iatiku & Nautsiti Spider | ~ | web of life, agriculture, weaving, creating, building, linking of past-present-future, cycles | ~ | ~ |
Jackal | ~ | endurance, loyalty, independence, survival, resourcefulness, pack behavior, path finding, family oriented, and live together in packs | They are very aware of their surroundings and are exceedingly resourceful and more than able to survive. | ~ |
Jackdaw | Settling on the house - an omen of death. On the roof - a new arrival. Seeing one jackdaw - bad omen. | ~ | ~ | ~ |
Jaguar | ~ | wholeness, divinity, and rebirth | They have the ability to do a variety of tasks at the same time. | ~ |
Jellyfish | ~ | simplicity, trust, rest, careful communications, balance, transparency, truth | ~ | ~ |
King Whale | ~ | protection, versatility, determination, harmony, life magic, communication | ~ | ~ |
Komodo Dragon | ~ | survival instincts and impulses | They are quick decisions, changes and actions. | ~ |
Ladybug | If a young girl catches a ladybug and then releases it, the direction in which it flies away will be the direction from which her future husband will come. | ~ | ~ | ~ |
Lamb | First lamb of spring (black) - Good omen. First lambs of spring (twin white) - Excellent fortune. | ~ | ~ | ~ |
Lion | ~ | pride, warrior spirit, victory, conservation of energy, friendship, solar energies, family, vitality | ~ | ~ |
Lizard | ~ | dreaming | ~ | ~ |
Lobster | ~ | concentration, moving forward, survival, territoriality, shapeshifting, hidden depths, secrets | ~ | ~ |
Lynx | ~ | secrets, clairvoyance, solitude, reservation, vigilance, mystery, knowledge | ~ | ~ |
Magpie | The best way to avoid bad luck when you pass a magpie is to doff your hat (England). | intelligence, familiars, occult knowledge | ~ | ~ |
Manatee | ~ | curiosity, gentle nature, trust, emotional balance, serenity, female energy patterns | ~ | ~ |
Matamats | ~ | patience, ancient wisdom, stability, earth energy, longevity, pacing, shapeshifting, camouflage | ~ | ~ |
Mink | ~ | stealth, secrets, observation, playfulness, caring, sleek design, balance, nocturnal cycles, dreams | ~ | ~ |
Mockingbird | ~ | sacred songs, helpfulness, life mission, inner talents, generosity, mimicry | They are known for the helpfulness in achieving life missions, such as when they vigorously defend their own nest and young. Inner talents and generosity are also totemic hallmarks for the mockingbird. | ~ |
Monkey | ~ | communication, progressiveness, expression, social interaction, hierarchy | They are creative and imaginative. | ~ |
Moth | ~ | ~ | ~ | Add a few drops of Cedarwood to cotton and place in wardrobes and drawers. An extra drop of Spearmint, Lavender, Citronella or Peppermint can be added for reinforcement. |
Mouse | ~ | ~ | ~ | Add a few drops of Peppermint, Eucalyptus or Spearmint to cotton and place in the ceiling and anywhere mice might enter the house. |
Nautilus | ~ | beauty and proportional perfection | They show importance in appearance but this is not vanity, but environment. | ~ |
Nightjar (whippoorwill) | Heard after dark - premonition of death. First call in spring - A wish made will come true. | ~ | ~ | ~ |
Octopus | ~ | intelligent and camouflage well | good memories | ~ |
Ostrich | ~ | ~ | They stay grounded with speed and willingness to learn and grow and are a unique being. | ~ |
Owl | Any man who eats roasted owl will be obedient and a slave to his wife. | feminine, the moon and the night | They can see into the darkness of others souls, most owl people are clairvoyant. | ~ |
Oyster | Oysters should only be eaten in months with an R in them. Oysters have aphrodisiac properties (dating back to Roman times). Carrying an oyster shell - good luck. | ~ | ~ | ~ |
Parrot | ~ | sharp visions, spiritual perceptions, high level of intelligence, language, vibrancy, alertness, bravery, calm demeanor, style | ~ | ~ |
Peacock | Peacock feathers indoors - Bad luck. Hearing a peacock cry - Storms approaching. | ~ | ~ | ~ |
Pegasus | ~ | inspiration | They give you inspiration, quick and agile wisdom and the ability to fly over any situation. | ~ |
Penguin | ~ | grace in emotions and actions, thoughtfulness, attention, endurance in extreme circumstances | ~ | ~ |
Phoenix | ~ | death and rebirth, transformation and regeneration, protector of all fire, creation, solar energies, shape shifting, hope, personal renewal, sacred rites | ~ | ~ |
Pigeon | A lone white pigeon perching on a chimney is said to be a death omen. | building, lessons of home and hearth, security, family, intellect, powers of air, earth energy | ~ | ~ |
Porpoise | Harbinger of good luck. Seen swimming north - Fine weather. Seen swimming south - Bad weather. | ~ | ~ | ~ |
Praying Mantis | ~ | ~ | They use their inner stillness to focus their healing power. | ~ |
Rabbit | ~ | fertility and new life | They may find that their endeavors go in leaps and bounds. | ~ |
Rat | ~ | ~ | They have a pronounced drive for success, a great ability to adapt to almost any environment, cunning and shrewd, and can defend themselves aggressively when necessary, restless and nervous and need to be careful of these traits. | ~ |
Rattlesnake | ~ | venomous nature, venoms that become healing medicine, transformation, wisdom, respect and understanding of the life-death-rebirth cycle, and an energetic vision that stretches to eternity | ~ | ~ |
Raven | An ill-omened bird, able to predict the future, particularly death. Welsh belief - A raven on a chimney is good luck to those within. Ravens leaving The Tower of London - The United Kingdom will fall. Flying towards the Sun - fine weather. | magic, illusions, light in the darkness, balance, intuition, creation, trickster nature, alternatives | ~ | ~ |
Red Kites | ~ | vision, death and rebirth, healing, spirituality, determination, and freedom, passion, adventure, sensuous nature, secret paths, ancient ways, patterns and symmetry, controlled power, magic, mystical energies, devotion | ~ | ~ |
Rhinoceros | ~ | protection, achievement, heightened senses, earth energy, freedom, stability, grounding | ~ | ~ |
Robin | The robin is perhaps the most loved of all wild birds and dire are the omens if you should kill one. Killing a robin - extremely bad luck. Causing a robin injury - a similar injury to the perpetrator. Entering a house or church - omen of death. | ~ | ~ | ~ |
Rooster | When a cock crows at midnight a spirit is passing. It is a death omen if one crows three times between sunset and midnight. Crowing at other times is often a warning against misfortune. If a cock crows while perched on a gate, or at nightfall, the next day will be rainy. A white rooster is considered very lucky, and should not be killed as it protects the farm on which it lives; black cocks, however, were more ill-omened, being often associated with sacrifice. | communication, watchfulness, resurrection, mystery, enthusiasm, power, boundaries | ~ | ~ |
Salamander | ~ | fire energetics, transformation, unique being, defense, sensitivity, nocturnal cycles | ~ | ~ |
Scarab | ~ | life, recycling, repurposing, using that which is discarded, seeds of creation | ~ | ~ |
Scorpion | ~ | protection, justice, transformation, mystery, magic, endurance, ferocity, passion, intensity, dignity, expression, heightened awareness, wildness, elusiveness, variety, complexity, fulfillment, power | ~ | ~ |
Screech Owl | ~ | ~ | They are very courageous and ferocious, this Owl teaches you how to be a fierce individual with an ability to cooperate with others. | ~ |
Sea Horse | ~ | chivalry, bravery, dominance, duty, honor, mastery, wearing an outward armor for protection (symbolic or literal), water energy patterns | ~ | ~ |
Seagull | Three seagulls flying together, directly overhead, are a warning of death soon to come. Killing a seagull - bad luck. Seen far inland - bad weather. | spiritual messengers | ~ | ~ |
Sheep | A shepherd counting his flock - bad luck. Sitting still on the grass fine weather. Walking about and bleating - bad weather. To meet a flock of sheep on a journey is an omen of good luck. An old Manx belief states that sheep cannot be counted accurately unless the person counting them has washed his or her eyes under running water first. Peaceful sheep, lying in the field, are said to herald fine weather, but rain is foretold if they are restless and baa for no apparent reason. The knuckle-bone from a piece of mutton was once thought to be a preventative charm against rheumatism if carried about in the pocket; similarly, a certain T-shaped bone from a sheep's head was believed to protect its carrier from bad luck and evil. The knuckle-bone from a piece of mutton was once thought to be a preventative charm against rheumatism if carried about in the pocket; similarly, a certain T-shaped bone from a sheep's head was believed to protect its carrier from bad luck and evil. A strip of sheepskin on a horse's collar was once used as a prevention against the evil eye, and a rather gruesome method of breaking a curse was to stick a sheep's heart full of pins and roast it at midnight in a room where all doors, windows and openings had been firmly closed. Parts of sheep were often used in folk cures; a sheep's lung was once applied to the feet of a pneumonia sufferer, and was thought to draw the disease downward into itself. People could be wrapped in the skin of a freshly-killed sheep in an attempt to cure an adder bite; children with whooping-cough were thought to be cured by letting a sheep breathe on them. If sheep gnash their teeth during round-up in the autumn, the winter will be hard. If sheep gnash their teeth somewhere else, it presages very bad weather. | ~ | ~ | ~ |
Short-Eared Owl | ~ | ~ | They give you the ability to show up at the right place to take advantage of opportunity. | ~ |
Silk Moth | ~ | metamorphosis, embracing life, creativity, beauty, rebirth | ~ | ~ |
Sow Bug | A bag filled with 13 sow bugs tied around a child's neck will cure the child from the thrash, or sores in the mouth. | ~ | ~ | ~ |
Sparrow | Carries the souls of the dead, it's unlucky to kill one. | self-worth | ~ | ~ |
Sphinx | ~ | perplexing nature, merciless, ravenous, treacherous, benevolent, guardianship, pride, solar enegies, vitality, illumination, power | ~ | ~ |
Spider | When the spiders build their webs high, it's going to rain soon. A spider with syrup cures fever. Seeing a spider run down a web in the afternoon means you'll take a trip. You'll meet a new friend if you run into a web. A spider is a repellent against plague when worn around the neck in a walnut shell. | ~ | They are creative and Weaver of Fate and teaches you balance between past and future, physical and spirit, male and female. | ~ |
Sponge | ~ | simplicity, efficiency, environmental sensitivity, emotional release | ~ | ~ |
Squid | ~ | intelligence and camouflage | Able to read the moods of others. | ~ |
Squirrel | ~ | precociousness, cunning, balance, preparedness, sustenance, living in the moment, bounty, change, earth energy | They are about action and gathering. | ~ |
Starfish | ~ | inspiration, mental speed and agility | They need to trust their instincts and to follow their own star. | ~ |
Starling | ~ | worth, daring, ability, warning, group | They need communication it is important. | ~ |
Stingray | ~ | planning and counter-planning, protection, emotional and mental balance, sensory talents, creating fundamental realities, awareness | ~ | ~ |
Stork | Storks deliver babies. If a stork builds a nest on your roof, you have received a blessing and a promise of never ending love from Venus. Aristotle made killing a stork a crime, and Romans passed a stork law, saying that children must care for their elderly parents. Killing a stork - bad luck. Builing a nest on the roof - good omen. Seeing two storks - omen of pregnancy. | ~ | ~ | ~ |
Thai Water Dragon | ~ | environmental sensitivity, keen senses and awareness, escaping dangers, productive dream states, transformation, water and earth energies | ~ | ~ |
Tiger | ~ | darkness | ~ | ~ |
Toad | Crossing the path of a bride on the way to the church - prosperous and happy union. Seeing a toad - end of drought or good fortune. Thought to be the familiars of witches. Killing a toad rainstorms. Carrying a dried toad - protection against plague. Handling toads - causes warts. | money, luck, prosperity, inner strength, sensitivity. superstitions: swallow a toad in the morning and you will encounter nothing more disgusting the rest of the day | ~ | ~ |
Turtle | Killing a tortoise - bad luck. Wearing a tortoiseshell bracelet - protection against evil. | ancient wisdom, ocean energetics, patience, determination, creativity, perseverance, family | ~ | ~ |
Vampire Bat | ~ | transcending failures, limitless future, possibilities, strength, speed, agility, stealth, cunning, intellectual prowess, earth energy, striving, rebirth | ~ | ~ |
Violet Sea Snail | ~ | direction, adaptation, purpose, unique being, emotional buoyancy, trust | ~ | ~ |
Vulture | ~ | death and rebirth, the mother symbol, and represents purification. | ~ | ~ |
Wasp | Killing the first wasp of the season - good luck. | ~ | ~ | ~ |
Weasle | The following folklore tale about the weasel originated from south-west Ulster. Some people say the weasel is enchanted. Some say it is very unlucky to destroy a weasel. Here is a story I heard which was told to me as true. There were two or three men mowing a meadow for a man. It would be about three miles away from here and it was away back in the time of the scythe mowing. These men came It is bad luck if one crosses your path and appears near your home making its distinctive squeaking sound. | ~ | ~ | ~ |
Werewolf | ~ | wildness, primal power, true nature, rawness, intensity, breaking through the confines of social structure and approved image | ~ | ~ |
Western Diamondback Rattlesnake | ~ | warning, inevitable change, healing through dis-ease and illness, shedding of burdens, new skin | ~ | ~ |
Wolf | A horse that stepped in a wolf print would be crippled. The gaze of a wolf was once thought to cause blindness. The breath of the wolf could cook meat. It was believed that Wolves sharpened their teeth before hunting. Dead wolves were buried at a village entrance to keep out other wolves (some farmers continue to shoot predators and hang them on fence posts to repel other predators.) | intuition, learning and spirit | ~ | ~ |
Wren | It is now very unlucky for a sailor to kill one. | ~ | ~ | ~ |
Zebra | ~ | agility and individuality, blending into a crowd without losing your individuality | ~ | ~ |