I love the New Year, any New Year, I’m not particular. The holidaze is over and my birthday is fairly soon after the New Year. Out with the old, in with the new. I have always resonated with that kind of thinking.
One of my yearly traditions is to ask the animals for their help in the upcoming year. I do this using Ted Andrews’ Animal Wise Tarot cards. It’s very fun and simple to do, yet the wisdom I receive is astounding. Each month has its own animal, and that animal is my guide for that month. During that month I also take time to learn more about that particular animal.
For instance, my animal guide for the month of January is Lion. Lion represents strength, patience, fearlessness and gentleness, and they work in a community. Because the females do most of the work within the pride, the feminine is also associated with Lion.
Here are some questions I’ll be asking myself this month and some ways I’ll be seeking Lion’s help and guidance:
- What is the significance of Lion guiding me during my birthday month?
- Am I trying to do everything myself?
- Do I have a community that can help me with my needs, be they business or personal?
- Am I trying to force things?
- How do I find the balance between asserting myself and being patient? (Just for the record, patience is not necessarily one of my strong suits.)
- What is Lion’s lesson of the day for me?
- How can Lion’s strengths help me in my life?
- What are Lion’s weaknesses that I need to be aware of?
I always find it fun to explore fictional characters of the animals. This month I can explore The Cowardly Lion from the Wizard of Oz; Aslan, the lion from Narnia; Snagglepuss, the Hanna-Barbera character; Disney’s The Lion King, Kimba the White Lion and the MGM lion.
I invite you to ask the animals to help you in this new year. I think you will be astounded at the ways they help and the depth of their help.
Harmony,
Janet Roper
{ 8 comments… read them below or add one }
Be a blood thirsty meat eater (-: Predator or Prey, don’t blame and play the victim role , be clear and focus on what you want and GET IT !
Hi John,
Good seeing you here. Don’t forget that part of Lion’s strength is gentleness and patience!
Hope you’re having a terrific New Year.
Harmony,
Janet
As you might guess, Lion is my guide all the time. The feminine is indeed very strong, but don’t write off the males–the women do most of the hunting because having a mane is like wearing 3 army blankets in the hot African climate! The mane serves as armor, though, when it comes time to defend the territory. If you get a chance to observe a group of lions, notice how much they love to touch each other–their love for family members is very strong and they enjoy physical contact.
Now I am sure you are related to Doug, patience isn’t his strong point either:)
A great idea, Janet. I love the animals guiding you month by month through the year.
A therapist friend uses those cards for her child clients, who pick them based on what they want to work on or get help with. I thought that was a pretty wonderful use for them, too.
Hi billie,
Thanks, billie, it’s fun having the animals guide me through the year. They’re amazing teachers. That’s also a cool idea to use the cards/animals for helping children figure out what they want help on. Thanks for sharing!
Harmony,
Janet
Hi Gail,
Thanks for stopping by! Good seeing you here.
Shhh! Don’t tell anyone about that patience thing!
Have a good day,
Harmony,
Janet
Hi Kimba,
Thanks for stopping by AND reminding us about the male energy. You are so correct not to discount the male energy. I hadn’t thought of the mane acting as armor, thanks for pointing that out.
Have a good day!
Harmony,
Janet