Our Sacred Animals

I have been watching the seasons change and for our busy hustle and bustle sometimes we need to take a look at another world. The world of animals, our sacred animals. As Pagans i believe we see all living beings as sacred, and for the greater part of it we focus on our selves. but we should turn to the realm of animals, Not just as familiars and guides but as genuinely sacred for who and what they are. Look at some of the spiritual phrases and images we have that verify this every day. Such as the image of the earth being supported by 4 elephants, the phrase "its turtles all the way down" or "sacred cow" and so on, and so forth. The folklore tied to so many animals of the Gods and Goddesses from cultures around the world. The Norse and Scandinavian cultures with Sleipnir and the Fenris wolf. The Egyptians with Bast and sacred cats. The Celtic culture with the raven of the Morrigan, Epona's horse, the Boar and the hound, the Salmon of Knowledge. The Native Americans with Trickster the coyote. All these animals, all these beings are sacred because they empower us, when we eat of the flesh and bone of an animal we internalize that animal, it gives us renewed life. Sacred animals give us wisdom, we learn as we watch the birds migrate, that winter is coming. We learn by observing their habits lessons of patience, skill and innovation. We are not lords over the animal kingdom, we are on the same footing. Animals give us pleasure, music , and beauty, they inspire stories, poetry, and artistry. Our sacred animals are gifts from the Gods themselves. Even in this modern age we have animals that seem outside the realm of sacredness, but are by far the most sacred. Our family pets, our frisky cats, and our regal and trusting dog friends, who daily make us smile, laugh, and cry. These are our children, entrusted in our care, magick with a furry face, and a soft purr.As Pagans we need to look beyond the fanciful trappings of ritual, spells, and black cats, to the reality of sacredness that is in our homes, and are out there in fields, and forests, the oceans, and the mountain streams. After all, these ARE our sacred animals.