Author: mseclecticmind

Phoenix The phoenix has a legacy in many cultures, the the themes are consistent: transformation, longevity and renewal (rebirth, hope, renewal, progress, and eternity). The phoenix reminds us of our ability to regenerate from within, and our power in transformation. According to the Greek historian Herodotus, the phoenix was a mythical bird from Ethiopia. It… Continue reading episode #138 meaning of mystical creatures →

Snakes span the symbolic bridge between lunar and solar associations as well as aspects between water and fire, the impressive variety includes regeneration and renewal, female sexuality, agricultural fertility. In tarot, the snake is a symbol on the Magician card. It is a reference to having authority over energy (recognising the power of the unseen and utilising that power). As a Native American Indian… Continue reading episode #137 meaning of creatures →

Monkeys are depicted as mischievous chicanery figures in myth, legend and lore.It’s not surprising that monkeys are esteemed for their quick and keen wit, high observance and curiosity. In the Middle Ages, Western European art depicted them as the devil.  In the Chinese zodiac, the monkey represents versatility, movement, and activity.  The Indian Hindu god Hanuman is associated… Continue reading episode #136 meaning of creatures →

Horse Horse symbol meanings date back to prehistory, and the first civilised, written acknowledgment of the horse comes in the third millennium BC where historians uncovered slate tablets in Elam (present-day Iraq and Iran) which reference this noble, wild beast. As a Celtic symbol, the horse was associated with war. The Celts hailed the horse as the beast… Continue reading episode #135 meaning of creatures →

Horse As one of the most majestic creatures, the deer is associated with woodland deities Saba, Flidais, and Cernunnos. The deer is linked to the arts, specifically poetry and music in ancient Celtic animal lore due to its graceful form. The Celts also believed that deer were associated with the fairie realm, and would lead troops of fairies… Continue reading episode #134 meaning of creatures →

Cat In ancient Egypt, it was sacred to Bastet, the goddess of the home, fertility, and childbirth. They were a protective soul and defender of women and children. Cats are signified by fertility, resourcefulness, curiosity and provocation. Cats are the embodiment of supernatural grace with a foot into the spiritual realm, they’re known to be… Continue reading episode #133 meaning of creatures →

Writers and artists revived the genre of the illustrated bestiary in the late 19th and 20th centuries. A notable example is Le Bestiaire ou Cortège d’Orphée by the French poet Guillaume Apollinaire. Apollinaire was a bibliophile and a specialist in medieval bestiaries. In 1906, Picasso, a friend of Apollinaire's, had made some experimental woodcuts of… Continue reading episode #132 meaning of creatures →