Finding the Balance... Fav & Least Fav. pt. 2

If you haven't read pt. 1, please see that first... here:
http://souljourney-deckstudy.blogspot.com/2009/01/finding-balance-fav-and-least-fav-pt-1.html

I sort of did look at the animal and the picture for both of these. For favorite it was honestly more difficult. I really had several I really, really liked. Luckily for me some of my favorite animals, also were my favorite pictures so I didn't feel I had to really choose which criteria to pick.
I will admit the least favorite choice was more difficult. Do I automatically pick a bug because I can't stand them, or do I let art play more into it? Well... I really, really, really wanted to pick two cards here BUT I kept thinking about how "oh... this card is my least favorite, even though it's not a bug" so I went with it. Also not an aminal I am really a fan of... I know some people will love them however.

Drumroll...
Favorite card is: TIGER. I think not only is the card itself lovely, but I'm such a cat person. . I love the way it shows both an orange and white tiger. The "reflection" is neat. I feel like tigers have 2 sides, the fiery, passionate side... but the quiet side of solitude and a quiet type of power until at the exact striking moment. Tigers can be so focused an look at the way both sets of eyes seem to look out of the card. The water and lotus make me think of a more spiritual and emotional side that isn't normally seen with the tiger.
So what am I supposed to learn: The negative aspects of Tiger are aloofness and unpredictability. I think at times I can appear aloof, probably not as much as I used to in personal life, but maybe in other areas still. As far as unpredictable... well I am a Gemini so we can go from on thing to the next. I agree I need to be more focused and grounded. Maybe the Buddhism & Meditation classes we start on Wednesday will help some of this.
On to my least favorite card: PRIMATE (apes & monkeys). Some people LOVE the monkeys and the apes at the zoo... you know I can bypass that area totally. I don't like nature shows about them or anything. I like the lemurs and tamarinds but that's about it. I have speculated this is because they seem human and/or baby-like. And I'm not a kid person. I don't go nuts when someone has a kid and just have to run and see it. I'm like that with kittens, puppies, and just about any other animal.... but not the primates. Weird. Also weird... my Chinese Zodiac sign: the Monkey. It seems just wrong in a way. Oh... and this card. HATE the dark background and the big black ape head that looks like a blob of dark ink. You have to get it in so much light to figure it out. Don't like the card design in general... it's all smushed together.
Ok... lets look at my lesson: The positive aspects of Primates are they are very family-oriented. This I am. The are very agile in both their physical ability and mental ability. I could use work in the physical strength/agility category for sure. Maybe this is saying get off my butt and join a gym or yoga class... well anything. I am taking more classes in my field and starting the class mentioned above so that will help the mind keep learning. Monkey/primates are great at observation. The first thing they do when they enter a new area is climb a tree and look all around in every direction before making a choice of home, etc. I need to observe more... shut up and watch and listen. Very good messages.

I think both these animals are good messages for me. Wondering if should incorporate them into the Totem animals I have for the year... I think I will. So much to learn, so much to do.

Pangolin's Animal Guide for 2009

Hey Pangolin! Sorry it took so long to get your post up.
You get three animals. Tiger just popped out while shuffling. Oh... just a note, maybe my bird/flying phase is on hold. LOL.
Lets look at Tiger first since he really wanted to show up. I love this Tiger card. It shows both the orange and white tigers, one as a reflection almost. Tiger has passion, energy, strength (in a strong, silent type of way). Something this year will really get you going. Being passionate about something/someone/everything/anything is going to be a great lesson for you and really help you with something. You don't need to be full of spastic energy about it, but a calm consistent energy. Notice also the pink water flower (lotus perhaps?). I think there is something to note about a softness to the tiger. They don't really kill just because.. it has a purpose.
Wild Dog is a really need card. I love the pattern on the dogs. It looks so random and Fun. Wild dogs are about Teamwork. They work together really well. This reminds you to do just that but also it doesn't have to be in a perfectly planned way. There is something to be learned about "thinking outside the box" from these guys.
Opposum is your last animal. Opposum eat on our porch every night. They are masters of cleverness and strategy. They "play dead" to avoid attack. This also a practical approach. Everything they do... being out at night, hanging high up, carrying slower babies on their backs is about practical strategy. Also being smart and clever.
I am wondering if you have some new business venture or career change happening. All these animals would be fabulous for that. These are great Animal Guides for the year. I hope you learn much from them. j
Book meanings:
Tiger: Passion, fire, energy, forcefulness
Wild Dog: Teamwork, Success, Family, Sharing
Opposum: Practicality, deceptiveness, strategy, appearances
On a personal note, Tiger and Wild Dog were in my Deck Interview reading...

Deck Interview with the Animals...

Deck Interview…

1. What is your most important characteristic? Wild Dog. The biggest message I get here is about teamwork and success. Wild dogs hunt and bring down prey in packs and have amazing success doing so. This also means family to me too. Hopefully the blog and study group on AT will bring that sense of teamwork. Teamwork can also mean adding my own meanings to each animal through my experiences and research.
2. What are your strengths as a deck? Cougar. This is a cougar mom with 2 cubs. She is leadership, gentleness, and honesty. Just like animals this deck has no option but to be honest. That seems fitting. Evidently Pathfinders is to lead the way in the study of animal deck and the “medicine” animals offer.
3. What are your limits as a deck? Panda. I love this card, not only does it have a black & white panda, but a red panda as well. Panda represents polarity, willpower, and misrepresentation. A panda must consume a huge amount of food to leads it’s basically sedentary life. They have to have willpower to get to the part of the bamboo they eat. Misrepresentation comes in by the masks they wear. So… as a deck I need to make sure to look at the good and bad qualities of each animal. Also wondering if animal decks in general aren’t going to be able to be read as easily in many spreads or questions.
4. What are you here to teach me? Tiger. Both orange and white tigers are on this card, as mirror reflections. Passion, fire, energy. This will be a great start to putting me on the path of listening to the animals. This deck already has ignited that fire. I have found myself looking into shamanism a little bit.. Learning to do anything with passion is a good thing. This will be welcome at work, home, etc.

Not bad for a Deck Interview. Wasn’t sure how it would read. Currently working on some Totem Animal readings for some friends.