Squirrel Spirit

20-26 December 2021

The weekly astro-oracle is a theriomancic message:

Squirrel Spirit

Image Credit: image of a squirrel on a fruit bowl by JLG from Pixabay.com

What is theriomancy? Theriomancy or zoomancy is a form of divination that involves observation of the appearance and behavior of wild animals. Common forms of theriomancy include ailuromancy, the study of cat movements, and augury, the study of bird formations. While augury appears to be more fixed than other systems of divination, with some sources going as far as to interpret the direction of the birds’ flight, calls, and times of day, individual animal totem or spirit animals also have rich symbolism, which can be accessed by tuning into the oversoul of the animal.

I asked Spirit, what do all those who frequent this page need to know this week to stay in alignment with the highest good? Then I went out for a walk and rendezvoused with a pair of squirrels playfully chasing each other near the roadside. Since they were so absorbed in their antics that they nearly collided with me, I recognized them as our spirit animal.

Squirrel symbolizes energy, practicality, and playfulness. The spirit animal may be associated with an abundance of money, food, warmth, love, health, comfort, and rest. It is a good representation of hard work and determination. It teaches us work-life balance by showing us how it diligently collects nuts, all the while keeping up with playful antics. Squirrel Spirit may be here to say, “You need to have more fun in your life!”

Since squirrel can always be seen stocking up on nuts for the cold, dark winter days ahead, it is also a symbol of preparedness. Seeing a squirrel could mean that you must invest in your present for a better future. On a more personal, daily level, it may also be here remind you to stop dilly-dallying around, especially if you have a time-sensitive task to complete. Alternatively, it may indicate that you have been working too hard, are too serious, or that you need to relax a bit and have some fun. In dreams if you have been working towards a particular goal, or even multiple projects and feel that everything you are doing is futile, Squirrel encourages you to persist so that you can reap the rewards!

INTERPRETATION

As the new week begins, Australian cosmologist Elizabeth Peru reminds us that Chiron has just gone direct. Since mid-July, the wounded healer asteroid has been in retrograde, nudging us within to access and free ourselves from old wounds and traumas. “Are you feeling the uptick in your cellular regeneration?” asks Peru. With only two planets remaining in retrograde, there’s a palpable lift in the air. The other notable cosmic event is the completion of the post-eclipse period. This week, the source and resourceful Squirrel Spirit invite us to honor the discerning life choices that we’ve acted upon, empowering us to “move forward in [our] integrity and with resolve.” More to this effect, the trine between Mercury in Capricorn and Retrograding Uranus in Taurus on Monday, December 20 makes us progressive, energetic, determined, unconventional, and creative. Intuitive and inventive in our thinking, astrosofa.com says we may also possess an elocutionary prowess and a predisposition toward technology, physics, and mathematics.

On Tuesday, December 21, it’s the Winter Solstice as the Sun moves into Capricorn. As the the cusps of the Cardinal signs are activated, we receive a tremendous energy and sense of direction.“We now feel we can move mountains,” explains astrobutterfly.com. “This is a great time to be clear about what it is that [we] want to achieve.” As the seasons shift into winter in the northern hemisphere, culminating in the shortest day of the year, the theme of the Global Solstice celebrates a life in balance. “It’s the cosmic occasion for focusing on projects and plans that will manifest at the summer solstice, 6 months from now,” adds Peru and Squirrel Spirit. “Wherever you are, be in nature today. The Solstice is mystical.”

Just before Christmas, a wave of grounding energy comes in as the Sun, Venus, Pluto, and Mercury begin to form a stellium in pragmatic Capricorn on Thursday, December 23. “If you find yourself seeking resolution with a personal situation, rise above it and ask to see it from the higher vantage point,” asserts Peru; “[Trust] that all is working out in your favor.” Also on this day, Venus Retrograde continues to transform our love lives. We may feel as though solutions aren’t presenting quickly enough, particularly as it pertains to our closest relationships. “This can be a trap if you only focus upon your repetitive thoughts,” warn Peru and Squirrel Spirit. “Stop the worry, as you replace it with present-moment awareness… [reclaim your power] by focusing on what you love. Solutions follow on from this.”

On Friday, December 24, we have the third square between Saturn in Aquarius and Retrograding Uranus in Taurus. Although the two planets have remained in an orb throughout much of the year, their final face-off may be accompanied by some pretty conclusive shifts in the collective. “It is not that something will suddenly happen (although with Uranus, it might) and then we will never hear about Saturn-Uranus again,” explains astrobutterfly.com. Since the slow-moving outer planets will still remain in an orb as they move out of this hard aspect throughout 2022, “the true outcome [may now] become part of our reality. Whether [it is a] positive or a negative one (most likely a bit of both) all depends on how well we have integrated the lessons of the first two squares” Producing a “marked impact” on our lives, Peru adds that the square to Saturn in Aquarius challenges us to implement progressive communication. Especially where we may still stay silent about important matters, the source and Squirrel Spirit empower us “to break out of [our] normal routine and to follow [our] life path with a renewed passion and meaning.”

With the Capricorn Stellium now in effect until January 4, 2022, this stacked up planetary influence is preparing us to enter the new year in a more grounded and practical light. Also at this time, with the North Node’s recent shift into Taurus now comes what Peru describes as a Grand X with Mars, Jupiter, Moon as the base points of a pyramidal formation in the skies. This re-centering energy entrains us to pull within to regain our innate strength and to bring our power back home to ourselves. To make the most of this influence, the source and Squirrel Spirit recommend, “focus[ing] upon your heart space and ask[ing] for your energy to return to you. And so it is.”

As we enter our Christmas weekend, Saturday, December 25, we have the second of three Venus-Pluto conjunctions in Capricorn, now with Venus in Retrograde. An intense transit that triggers a rebirth of the heart, especially since it occurs simultaneously with the Saturn-Uranus square, “we’ll want to be mindful of what we say and do” emphasizes astrobutterfly.com. “It’s not that we want to run away from the powerful, liberating truth that these transits will most certainly bring, but we should remember that we always have a choice of ‘how’ we deal with what the planets offer us.” Peru adds that Venus is helping us smooth over any misgivings we may have been having over our sense of self-worth. Especially when in conjunction with Pluto, we’re being cosmically encouraged to shift out of old patterns. Transmute them by “handing over the over-control of your head to your heart” is the recommendation of the source and Squirrel Spirit.

Meanwhile, the sextile between Mercury in Capricorn and Neptune in Pisces on Sunday, December 26 gives us refined mental sensation, dreamy imagination; a keen intuition, and sense of poetry and art. We have high hopes and beliefs today, and Squirrel Spirit empowers us to harness this energy to realize our plans! Peru adds that the Capricorn Stellium continues to inspire us to new heights of personal understanding: “If you’re inspired to dive into your spiritual toolbox of well-being practices then you’re right in the flow. Command your inner world to lead you ahead; 2022 is only 6 days away and you’re laying the foundation now.”

Get Inspired

Does this message resonate? Tell us more in the comments below. To add more detail to your week, you can also try your own theriomancic draw. Set an intention or ask a question. Then let go, and see what animal comes shows up. Now research its animal spirit symbolism. How does the symbolism inform your question? Want help interpreting what you found? Book a reading with me now, www.readingsbytheladyofshalott.com/services.