February 2, 2012: Imbolc Day, and Groundhog Day
Again, today, on the second day of Imbolc, our draw is not a Tarot card, but a Celtic oracle. Yesterday we dealt with trees, today we are using the Animal Oracle...Happy
Groundhog Day to our American brothers and sisters, and today's draw is
a cousin of the groundhog!
The Animal Totem for today is "Badger."
Badgers were highly revered by the Celts, with Badger skins found buried
in the graves of chieftains. The nickname "Brock" is derived from its
old Gaelic name of Brocc. Pictish Druids were known as Badgers. This is
probably because the Badger lives deep within the earth, the supposed
dwelling place of gods and ancestral spirits, and is therefore privy to
their secrets, including the mysterious germination of life that takes
place in the underworld. The Badger is one of the sacred animals of the
goddess Brighid and a totem of Imbolc, when the Celtic women gathered
together to celebrate the rebirth of spring symbolized by the Badger
emerging from beneath the earth, just as new growth mysteriously
emerges from the ground.
If it sometimes seems that the whole world is
against you, turning you into the "Badger in a bag", then listen to the
lessons of Badger. His defenses are his fortitude and his indomitable
will, even against overwhelming odds. He does not waste time on blame or
regret, but stands his ground, tenacious and unyielding. If you feel
powerless and angry, stop blaming other people, they can only make you
feel what you allow them to. Go within yourself and find the power of
Badger - centered, grounded, and unshakable. Badger may be advising you
that healing may come from earth-based therapies, such as herbs,
essential oils, massage, and body work, from grounding and feeling your
deep connection to the physical realm. Blessed Bees!
