Zebra

Did some more research on Zebra today. Looked at the African Animal Messages deck I have for her take on Zebra. The key word here is SOCIABLE. Ok, it's a herd animal, I can see that.

Paraphrasing the entry... A herd of zebras is an optical illusion to predators, they can't really pick out an individual animal... it's just a bunch of stripes. Zebra are in the company of other animals in the wild... especially Wildebeest. They graze on different grasses, so no competition, and they have similar enemies, ie big cats. It is said zebra looks after Wildebeest in the day, using itself as camoflauge I gather. And the Wildebeest uses it's better night vision to help protect zebra at night.
Zebra mom's keep the baby from seeing other zebras for a while so it will recognize her unique stripe pattern.
Zebra is honored by many African tribes.
Man has never been able to tame zebras.

Zebra's message to me is that they are all unique, so celebrate that... but be part of the bigger community. Also serving and helping others. Don't be a loner be social.

I really like this message. I feel community, service, helping is all about my profession as a healer. My father lives with us, so we are helping him out. I like to be social... they key is finding people who don't drag me down with their own crap. I want to surround myself with like-minded people who aren't into drama. I feel like Zebra is going to be good for me this year.

2009 Animal Guide reading...

Obviously using the Pathfinder's Cards...
First card: Zebra... I like this one. The book discusses community, because it's a herd animal, Service, Diplomacy, and Individuality. I guess I see individuality more as uniqueness, vs. being an individual as in not part of a group.
Next: Dolphin... book meanings here are intelligence, family, community, compassion and journeying. Agree with this... notice "community" has shown up twice.
Sphinx is the next card. Not sure how I feel about a mythical being as a "animal" for the year. BOok discusses cunning, strength, guardianship, versatility. I also know they can be not very nice being... at least according to the one Greek myth.
Lastly I drew Boar... I see boar generally as stubborn and very earthy based on Chinese zodiac stuff. The book on this one says: Prosperity, Strength, Fearlessness and Healing.
In general I think these are good animals for the year.
Would love to hear some other takes on meanings. I'll go into studying each animal in more depth. Briefly I did a search for "X" Symbolism and found TONS of links for Dolphin and Boar. Very little for the other two. I do however have a African Animal Deck I ordered from an artist in South Africa that has Zebra in it also. I will need to look at her interpretation too. I honestly know nobody else that has this deck. It's beautiful and I think I got it for $35. I think it's $50 now, but worth it.
Well... until next time.