The Elements and Animals (1)

Elemental Animals
In assigning correspondences between various animals and the elements, both the cultural aspects and natural aspects of each animal needs to be considered. For example, dragonflies are masters of their small ponds, which would indicate an affinity with water. However to the Chinese and Japanese, they are creatures of flight and the air.

Meanwhile the species of animal also needs to be taken into consideration. Salamanders, in general, like mudpuppy and tiger salamander need water because they are amphibians. However fire salamander has poisons to deter people. This salamander could then be assigned to the element of fire instead of water.

In some cases, the same animal could be considered for more than one element based on different cultural aspects of that animal. Raven is a case in point. As an animal of deep magic, raven would be assigned to water. However, for the Northwest Indians, the Raven brought fire to them. For me a combination the lore and natural habits of the animal determines their corresponding element.

MAMMALS

Bear (Brown): Earth

Brown Bears are one of the oldest recorded totemic beings. Ancient legends tell of people sharing caves with bears. (People were contemporaries of Cave Bears (Ursus speleus) in Eurasia.) Early people often sought permission from the elders and from the Brown Bears, before hunting a bear. Brown Bears were powerful shamanic beings that connected people with the Mother Earth through caves.

(Note: The Polar Bear, a maritime bear, could be assigned to water.)

Cat (Domestic): Spirit or Water

Spirit: Throughout the centuries, Domestic Cat’s fortunes has risen and fallen. In Ancient Rome and Egypt, she was a goddess. Because a domestic cat symbolized the Egyptian god Bast, any person who killed a Domestic Cat was put to death. As the Cat-Mother, Bast embodied the benevolent aspects of Cat: fertility, love, and life-giving heat. In Rome, she represented the Goddess of Liberty. Roman legions carried images of Domestic Cat on their shields and standards.

Water: In early Christian times, Domestic Cat was regarded as a helper. Aboard Noah’s Ark, she kept out the Devil, who had taken on the form of a gnawing mouse. The “M” on her forehead was placed there by the Virgin Mary, in gratitude for her aid in putting the Baby Jesus to sleep. Stories of the saints featured Domestic Cat killing the mice that tormented various Catholic saints.

A late arrival in Japan, Domestic Cat did not appear in Japanese folklore until about the 1400s. Since the Japanese believed that she brought good fortune, they made statues of Domestic Cat with her front left paw raised for good luck. In addition, Japanese sailors believed that Domestic Cat kept the evil spirits away that dwelled in the sea.

Canids: Wolf (Grey): Spirit

The Native Americans of the Plains heeded Grey Wolf’s wisdom since she taught them how to live properly. The Kiowa taught their children to respect Grey Wolf through prayer and proper hunting. In addition, many Indian people regarded Grey Wolf to be a good sign since she was strong, wise, and courageous.

Meanwhile among the Baltic peoples, Grey Wolf was associated with the Other World. Sniffing amber, Grey Wolf received the power to communicate with the Unseen Forces. For the Baltic peoples, she acted as a guide to the Other Side.

(Note: The Red Wolf, who dens in trees, could be assigned to the element of air.)

Canids: Coyote: Spirit

Among the Native Americans of the West, Coyote is revered for many things. The Shoshone say that Coyote and Wolf created the world. Among California Indians, Coyote taught people lessons about the mistakes they make in life.

Meanwhile among the Lakota, Coyote was a representative of Wakinyan (Thunder Beings). Those who saw Coyote in a vision were considered Heyoka (Sacred Clowns), who taught, through example, by doing things the wrong way. Within the concept of Heyoka was an acceptance of Coyote’s innate wisdom of purposeful chaos.