March 14, 2012: Boar, Druid Animal Oracle
Last night I served pork-pie. Today is Pi day. Today's card is a Pig...the ultimate Pig, the Wild Boar. No--there are no accidents. So--what kind of an oracle do we have for today?
Wild Boars roamed freely through the forests of Britain and Ireland, as is evidenced by the many places named after them such as Boarhill, Boarhunt, and Wild Boar Fell. The Celts venerated the Boar and Pig as sacred animals connected with prophecy and magical powers; swineherds were considered magicians and were highly honored. Some grades of Druids were called "pigs," which was meant not as an insult but to indicate that they had an unique gift of Seership. Indeed, the flesh of certain red pigs was chewed in a divination rite called Imbas Forosnai.
Though the Celts loved pork, the meat was reserved for special feasts, especially Samhain and Yule. This may have been because of its association with death and the underworld; joints of pork were buried with nobles for use in the afterlife. It might also have indicated that not everyone should have been exposed to the magical resonance of consuming pork-meat, except on such days when the Gates were already open.
When Boar charges into your cards he issues a challenge that must be met with all your resources. Boars prefer to run in straight lines, going directly to their goal without veering to the right or left. They are capable of bursts of great speed, short lived, but incredibly powerful while they last. Don't vacillate - go straight to the heart of the matter and tackle it head on. Use the magic of Boar, and you will find that you are capable of far more than you can possibly imagine. In the story of Mannanan's pigs, the meat will only cook in the cauldron if a truth is spoken for each quarter. The cauldron is a vessel of transformation, and the pork is spiritual sustenance, which can only be gained through truth. To lie or take the easy option is not the path of the hero, who must show both personal and moral courage when faced with a difficult trial.
And so--what is in your Cauldron today? About what must you speak "taut truth" and simply stand up? What is the circumstance in which you must be a Hero? Fear not. You will have Boar at your back.
