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

Boar (Courage, Leadership)
Boar roots its way through the undergrowth. Wild boar originally occurred in North Africa and much of Eurasia. Boar is especially linked to courage, when confronted and would rather fight than run away. Boar’s will even become aggressive against armed hunters, charging forward and using its tusks to gouge at the enemy. As omnivores boars have a diverse diet of roots, fruits, small animals, and even carrion. Typically social animals boars will live in female-dominated groups. Female boars may live in these type of groups permanently. Male boars will break off to form bachelor groups until they are older and become more solitary. Male boars, prior to mating, develop thicker skin and extra fat stores to help them survive mating displays. Boars will maul one another to get the best mating opportunities and a single male boar can impregnate 5-10 sows. Although boars are well suited to many habitats most prefer lightly forested areas where food is abundant and predators are less frequent.

Boar legends are plentiful. In some cultures boar is linked to sun gods; Scandinavia and Iran especially. The Celts viewed boar as sacred to the goddess Arduinna. In Greek myth Artemis sent the Caledonian Boar to ravage that region. Japanese culture views the boar as being linked to the moon and the lunar sign of the boar (sometimes pig). This may reflect similar thought in Chinese culture. Perhaps because of its size, or because of its ability to sire so many offspring, boar is seen as a symbol of great fertility. The wildness of boar is best when bent towards true acts of courage and heroism. Boar will use its strength when confronting a problem, rushing head-long even though there may be danger. Because of its great courage and strength boar is looked upon favourable as a symbol of leadership. Boar was seen as a prestigious quarry during medieval hunts because of its ferocity. Even domesticated pigs, if left to go feral, will return to their boar roots quickly; further showing that a true warrior spirit cannot be kept in check forever.

When boar has rooted its way into a reading it may be time to confront some things about yourself. What have you been avoiding or procrastinating? How can you use those sharp tusks to cut to the matter at hand? Are you willing or unwilling to come face to face with the wild untamed power within yourself? Because of its prolific nature boar is linked to several of the major arcana, sun, moon, earth, and water are the most direct links.

Astrology- (Chinese 1947, 1959, 1971, 1983, 1995, 2007, 2019, 2031, 2043 or Nov 7- Dec 6) The Chinese lunar sign of Boar (sometimes called pig) has a flair for authenticity. Boar is surprisingly sensitive, with a sweet nature and outgoing personality. When pushed Boar can be overly competitive, and play games of ‘Keeping up with the Jones' or ‘One-upmanship’. Boar can have a strong authoritarian nature that can be channeled towards good. Boar craves the good things in life and can be quite adept at making money, though sometimes spends it poorly. At its core the water sign of Boar is a tolerant personality; both sensible and sincere.

Stars and Constellations
Warrior Spirit, Direction, Be Bold, Root Around, Confront