The Deer Family includes Caribou, Elk, Moose, and of course Deer. Members of the Deer Family range from the very small Andean Pudi to the very large Moose. Although their body shapes may differ, Members of the Deer Family have slender legs. Also, the Male Members usually have antlers. In addition, the Young are spotted with white. Most of the Members of the Deer family live in the subtropical forests or forest-edge habitats.
Deer Family is one of the few Mammal Families that has had new members discovered in recent years. In fact, scientists cannot agree on how many types of Deer there are - from as low as 19 to as high as 45 species. Added to the scientific confusion over species are people’s common names for Deer. In Europe, Moose (Alces alces) is Eurasian Elk. Meanwhile, Caribou of North America (Rangifer tarandus) is the wild form of Reindeer of Eurasia. And, Elk (Wapiti) of the New World and Red Deer of the Old World are actually the same animal living different lives on different continents.
Antlers are what the Deer Family is all about. With their antlers, Male Members of the Deer Family engage in combat for their Mates. For most of the year, Members of the Deer Family segregate Themselves by gender. In their male-only herd, Bachelors learn how to be an Adult Male, while in their group, Females learn the same about Themselves. When Stag and Hind meet to mate, They both arrive from a place of power and knowledge about Themselves.
In many cultures, Deer were considered magical and sacred. The ancient Egyptians depicted the Goddess Isis as a Deer. Among the Celts, Stag symbolized Cernunnos, the Lord of the Animals. In China, Lu-Hsing, God of Employees, rode a Deer, which represented his high rank, official success, and wealth.
Deer Family teaches people how to find their own places of power. Members of the Deer Family live confidently on the land. Alert to danger, They either choose to fight with their antlers and hooves or use their strong legs to flee. Members of the Deer Family carry within Themselves their own power that They use when They need to.
Deer Family’s Teachings Also Include:
“The Deer has knowledge and power gained through silent observation rather than force of presence.” Copyright: “The Spirit of Place”, Loren Cruden.
“Deer medicine teaches us to be immediately aware of anything that is not good for our emotion, spiritual or physical well-being, and if the situation warrants it, to exit gracefully but quickly.” Copyright: Dolfyn.
Take time to read what the Individual Deer Family members have to teach.
Purchase books on deer from Amazon.com
Va. Carper
November 27, 2007