With his impressive rack of antlers, Red Deer makes an awesome sight. His power and agility makes Red Deer, a challenge to hunt. For that reason, the Europeans regarded Him the “Lord of the Forest.” For many chieftains and kings, to bring Him down was proof of their power. Because of his regal bearing and grandeur, Red Deer became a part of European religions.
Red Deer (Cervus elaphus) is the Eurasian twin of North America Elk (Cervus elaphus). The largest surviving member of the ancient British forests, He first appeared before the Ice Age. After surviving the Ice Age, Red Deer went to North America and developed a separate life as Elk (Wapiti). There, He became a part of people’s religious lives also.
During the fall mating season, Red Deer uses his rack of antlers as a weapon to prove his worth to the Hinds (Females), He challenges other Stags for kingship of the Herd. In the rutting season, about a hundred Deer join together into one herd until winter. Then Stags separate to form their Bachelor Herds, while Hinds stay together in their group.
Red Deer offers a glimpse into the sacredness of nature. His regal bearing inspires people with awe. Because of Red Deer’s connection with ancient lives, He brings the old religions alive. He teaches what is worthy of worship and what is not.
Because of Red Deer’s ancient connection with people, they endowed special meaning to Stag and Hind as well. Each represents the male and female spirit. “The adventurous guides will lead you down hidden paths and help you discover secret ways in Faerie. Many adventures begin with the hunting of a Stag or Hind.” (Copyright: “Through the Unremembered Gate”, Tira Brandon Evans.)
Stag
Stag’s impressive rack of antlers has drawn such intense attention that people have special terms for the different types. A Royal is Stag with 12-point antlers. A Hummel is Stag without antlers. A Smith is Stag with two beams and nothing else. Smiths are killers since They can bypass natural antler defenses, and pierce their opponent’s brain. A Cromie is Stag with goat-like horns.
Stag worship has ancient roots. To the people of the Black Sea and Anatolia, He was a god of fertility. For Celts, Stag was associated with Cernunnos, the Lord of the Animals. Stag was also the one of the earliest representations of the “Horned God” (the male spirit). In fertility rites, people dressed as Stags. Because of this, the early Christian Church associated Him, with the Devil.
In many stories, Stag signified a great change in a person’s life. White Stag initiated a series of challenges for a person to overcome. For later Christians, Stag came to represent Christ leading souls through the darkness. In both traditions, Stag is the one who guided the person through changes.
Stag’s Teachings Also Include:
“Venerated by many peoples in the past and today, Stag is a creature who is generously willing to share its life with people.” Copyright: “Through the Unremembered Gate”, Tira Brandon Evans.
“The White Stag is infact one representation of our own soul with the hunt, proving to be a vital lesson in self-discovery.” Copyright: “Animal Messengers”, Scott Alexander King.
Hind
The Celts regarded Hind to be a fairy creature who could pass between worlds. Upon seeing White Hind, the seeker would be guided safely into the forest towards the gates of the Otherworld and beyond. Hind were “fairy cattle.” They were guides for people when life seemed chaotic and illusionary.
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Va. Carper
March 6, 2008