New month, new animal to work with and learn about! This month’s animal is Peacock. In January, the animal of the month was Lion, and in February it was Grasshopper. I invite you to take a couple of minutes to meet Lion and Grasshopper, if you haven’t already done so.
Peacock, a member of the pheasant family, is a beautiful bird with a very strident call. Their long tail feathers, which can be five feet in length, have been used for decoration and embellishment. His wingspan can be up to six feet. They are omnivores, eating mostly insects and other small creatures, grasses, plants and grain. In the wild, peacocks can live up to twenty years. They are social and peaceful birds, avoiding commotion and only fly for short distances.
According to Greek mythology, the peacock was the physical depiction of Hera, the Queen of the Gods, and the Goddess of Home and Hearth. In Egypt, the peacock was considered sacred because it killed poisonous snakes. Peacock is the bird who most resembles the Phoenix, the legendary bird of resurrection, who would burst into flame and rise again from it’s own ashes. Fawkes of Harry Potter fame was a phoenix.
So how can Peacock help me this month?
- With the many ‘eyes’ on Peacock’s feathers, he reminds me to watch for new events, keep a watch over what’s going on. Be observant. Conversely, I feel safe with Peacock’s many ‘eyes’ watching over me.
- Peacock’s raucous call reminds me to keep my sense of humor and laugh at life. In keeping my sense of humor, even with broken goals or tough experiences, I can more easily turn those experiences around.
- Peacock’s similarity to Phoenix reminds me that death and resurrection are part of life. Just like the leaves on a tree which die and come back in the spring, life is full of beginnings and endings. It’s a cycle, one follows the other. No matter what’s going on, there is always rebirth.
- The showy Peacock prompts me to dress more beautifully, act with a natural dignity. Paying attention to my own ‘plumage’ can make me feel more gorgeous and more self confident.
What does Peacock say to you? Is Peacock able to help you this month? Don’t answer that last question without checking with Peacock first!
If you are interested in learning more about the animals and how they can help you, I invite you to add Ted Andrews’ book ‘The Animal-Wise Tarot’ to your library. This book comes with a deck of cards and is organized so that it is easy to use and simple to learn about the animals. I have used the book and cards for almost a decade and I highly recommend them. Click on the book and you will be taken directly to Amazon.
Harmony,
Janet Roper
