Part of the Sky Above Earth Below Oracle Deck I created in 2014. Mixed Media

Shark (Keen Senses, Guidance)
Shark stalks its prey. Sharks belong to the same family as fish but can be characterized by their cartilage skeleton. The skin of a shark is a covering of dermal denticles that protects from damage and improved fluid motility. Shark have multiple rows of teeth that are constantly replaced throughout the shark’s life. Most sharks need to swim constantly in order to breathe; though some are able to direct water over their gills without this need. Sharks are common to all seas and can be found at depths up to 2000 meters (6600 ft). Although often seen as solitary hunters, many sharks will group together in schools and hunt together. Even solitary species of sharks will come together for breeding purposes; sometimes traveling great distances to do so. Little is known about sharks breeding behaviour. Unlike other fish sharks, use internal fertilization. Sharks have incredibly keen olfactory senses, with some species able to smell as little as one part per million of blood in seawater. It was this trait that lead sharks to be linked symbolically with keen senses.

Sharks have been consumed as food; most notably in shark fin soup. Jewelry made out of shark teeth is popular in many Polynesian cultures. Sharks feature predominantly in Polynesian culture; particularly in Hawaiian myth. In Hawaiian myth there were several shark gods. Corpses could be offered to these gods to be transformed into sharks themselves. In Fijian mythology there exists a shark god called Dakuwaqa who was greatly respected by fishermen. In Greek mythology the goddess Aphrodite once transformed a young man into a shark-shaped demon for boasting that he was more beautiful than her. The ancient Maori saw the shark as a guardian spirit and many families had shark ‘protectors’.

When shark stalks its way into your cards it may be time to sharpen your senses. What are you being guided towards? What are your senses telling you? Are you moving for a purpose, or are you just going out of habit? Shark is representative of water, a study of the ocean biome may also prove helpful.

Stars and Constellations
Misunderstood, Power of Predation, Fortitude to Frighten, Prowess, Thick Skinned