Deer Medicine

Deer Medicine – Gentleness and Innocence – Gentle Luring to New Adventure

I’m sitting here typing and watching one of our mama deer and her fawn, refresh with the nectar of the Faery Fountain and munch their way through our back yard. So, deer medicine seems the appropriate topic for our first blog.

We have been blessed by several deer families that reside here. We have had the opportunity to witness mamas with new fawns that were barely able to walk on their wobbly legs. And they have adopted us as one of their own. This is their home and we’ve just moved in. They sleep under our deck, just look at us as we go about our business outdoors, and don’t bother to move when we approach an area where they are resting. Today I was working on the sprinklers for my herbs and three deer approached the fountain in the front for a drink. We were only a few feet apart. They acknowledged me, got their drink and left. So, there is no doubt, we are part of the deer family.

By observing the ways in which deer behave, it is possible to see what amazing qualities they possess. Just looking into their deep, soft, brown eyes, we can learn that the gift of gentleness, caring and kindness. Deer, especially whitetail, are quite social and forage with other families, giving the appearance of a herd. Even when grazing, the deer are constantly watchful, fully aware and alert of what is going on all around them. They travel through field and forest with deliberateness and clarity, mindful of the herd and the young fawns they nurture and protect. Watching the deer and their young is a reminder to honor the child-like innocence within yourself, stand strong on the path, be alert and aware at all times, and not to get distracted by outside influences and go about your life with gentleness and an open heart. Deer teaches us to find the gentleness of spirit that heals all wounds, to stop pushing to get others to change and to love and accept them as they are.

Deer’s antlers grow behind the eyes and are very protective, hinting at the symbolism of heightened perception. They shed their antlers every year for five years, each year growing back larger and with more points. If deer has entered your life, look for new perceptions to grow and expand over the next five years.

Deer blend well with their environment but are very sensitive to every sound or movement. Their vision is designed for clarity at a distance, especially in dim light. Deer also has sharp hearing and clairvoyant sight, and are able to move instinctively and make quick decisions, moving with grace and agility. People with Deer Medicine are often described as being swift and alert. They are intuitive, often appearing to have well developed extrasensory perceptions.

Native American Deer Legend

Fawn heard Great Spirit calling her. On the way to His lodge, she encountered a horrid demon who tried to keep all creatures from the lodge by making them think Spirit didn’t want to be bothered by them. This made him feel powerful.

When Fawn met the demon, she was curious, not scared. The demon was ugly, breathed fire and made horrible sounds. Fawn asked him to let her pass because she was on the way to see Spirit, her eyes filled with compassion. He was shocked by her fearlessness. Her love penetrated his hardened heart and his body shrank to the size of a walnut. Her gentleness and caring cleared the path for all of Spirit’s children to visit Him without the fear of demons blocking their way. (“Deer, Pagan Symbol of Gentleness”)

Celtic Deer Symbolism

The Celts believed deer were supernatural animals and called them faerie cattle. According to Celtic myth, the Hind is believed to call to us from the Faery realm, tempting us to go deep into the forest of magic, to explore our own magical and spiritual nature.  There are many stories and myths of deer luring hunters or even kings deep into the woods until they are lost and begin to encounter new adventures. One example is of Sir Gawain (Knight of the Round Table) following a white stag to many adventurous encounters (Knowles, Sir James. King Arthur and His Knights (New York: Longmeadow Press, 1986), pp. 103-119).

If Deer shows up in your life:

• It is time to be gentle with yourself and others
• You need to trust your gut instinct
• There is a gentle, enticing lure to new adventures

As always, we invite you to experience Deer for yourself through shamanic journey, meditation or however you connect with Spirit. Connect with Deer Spirit and see what messages it has to offer you.

Until next time,

Mitakuye Oyasin (A Lakota prayer reminding us we are all related),

Debbie