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

Squirrel (Cleverness, Gathering)
Squirrel gathers food to store for the winter. Squirrels are small rodent indigenous to the Americas, Eurasia, and Africa. Generally, squirrels are herbivores, eating nuts, grains, and seeds. They may also eat insects and even other meat sources, from time to time. As their large eyes indicate squirrels have excellent vision and good hearing as well. The bushy tail of a squirrel serves many functions. A squirrel’s tail may serve as a guard against the cold, as a counter weight for balance, and may act as a sort of parachute to soften a fall. Squirrels possess thick fur, suitable for many climates, and display highly variable colouration. Because their hind legs can rotate at the ankles, squirrels can grip a tree easily and are even capable of descending headfirst. With dexterous paws and sharp claws squirrels are natural climbers. Squirrels will cache nuts and seeds to eat at a later time, easily linking them to the trait of gathering. Although some seeds may be forgotten or left behind if they aren’t needed, squirrels have an excellent memory about where they stashed their seeds; displaying the cleverness for which they are known.

In Norse mythology it is a squirrel that runs up and down the world tree Yggdrasil carrying messages with him. Native folklore often sees squirrels as characters who spread gossip or annoy others with their noisy behaviour. Some Native American myths however praise squirrel for their nut gathering abilities; seeing them as industrious and even courageous. The ability of squirrel to ascend and descend headfirst may have given rise to squirrels being seen as a sort of shaman. They were able to traverse the upper world of the branches (the heavens/ realm of the gods), the trunk (the physical world/ realm of humans), and the roots (the lower realm/ underworld/ spirit animal realm). In Hindu mythology squirrel is said to have been given its stripes by Rama. After doing a favour to the avatar of Vishnu squirrel was pet by the avatar, Rama, leaving stripes. A joke made in an episode of the TV show ‘The Simpsons’ showed a tarot card called The Happy Squirrel. In the episode this card is said to be vague and mysterious. Some tarot decks have even begun to include a Happy Squirrel card.

When squirrel gathers in a reading it brings a lesson about cleverness. How have you gathered what you need to prepare for the journey ahead? Are you gathering everything you need, or are you hoarding what you have? What have you lost or forgotten and what have you cleverly remembered? Squirrel is most associated with the elements of earth and wood.

Astrology- (Western Virgo Aug 23- Sept 22) This western sign is naturally inquisitive. Virgo’s have keen minds, with remarkable memories. This earth sign works well with others and make excellent teammates. Virgos need to be cautious of becoming short tempered, self-serving, and impatient. Intuitive Virgo craves balance but has no trouble expressing their opinions. Virgos have a great knack for knowing exactly what to reveal and what to keep to themselves, giving them an easy sort of charm.

Stars and Constellations
Plans, Details, Persistent, Activity, Preparedness