A CONNECTIONS EDITION

This edition published In Great Bri1aln In 2005 by

Connections Book Publishing Limited St Chad's House, 148 King's Cross Road London WC1X 9DH

www.connections-publlshing.com

Text copyright (c) Philip and Stephanie Carr-Gomm 1994

Card illustrations copyright (c) Bill Worthlngton 1994

This edition copyright (c) Eddison Sadd Editions 2005

Text and illustrations extracted from The Druid Animal Oracle published by Connections Book Publishing In 1996

The right of Philip and Stephanie Carr-Gomm to be identified as the authors of the work has been asserted by them in accordance with the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988.

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced, stored In a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means without the prior written permission of the publisher,

nor be otherwise circulated in any form of binding or cover other than that in which it Is published and without a similar condition being imposed on the subsequent purchaser.

British Library Cataloguing-in-Publication data available on request.

ISBN 978-1-85906-1725

579101164

Phototypeset in CgAdroit using QuarkXPress on Apple Macintosh

Origination by Pixel Tech, Singapore

Printed and bound by CT Printing Ltd.,China

CONTENTS

Introduction ... 4

The Cards ... 7

How to Use the Cards ... 41

THE ANIMAL ORACLE

AND THE DRUID WAY ... 48

THE AUTHORS *. 48

THE ARTIST .** 48

Goose and salmon on a Pictish stone from Morayshire, possibly sixth century

TheAnimal Oracle, building on the accumulated wisdom of the past, is a new contribution to the ever-growing and changing tradition of Druidry. In particular, we see it as a contribution to the Ovate stream of Druid teaching, in which the art of divination is informed and deepened by an understanding of psychology as well as traditional lore.

The inspiration for it arose when we were shown the Medicine Cards of Jamie Sams and David Carson during a workshop in America. Bringing a set back to England, we realized that Celtic and Druid animal lore could also be presented in the form of a card set. lt seemed the perfect way to convey the richness of a tradition which is now being rediscovered. The Medicine Cards present primarily Native American animal teachings, but the first card spread suggested is a Druidic one, and its mention seemed a beautiful symbol of the rainbow bridge that connects our respective traditions. They have much in common: sacred circles, the honouring of the directions, a deep reverence for the natural world, a belief in animal guides, and an abiding sense that the land itself is sacred. There is even evidence that the Druids worked in sweat lodges and we know that birds' feathers were used in ceremonial clothing and headdresses.

When we were in America some Native American teachers expressed. the opinion that 'white people' were taking their traditions from them, just as they had taken their land. 'They should make connection with their own roots first,' they told us. 'Then they can come to us if they like, but first let them make peace with their own ancestors.'

Once we can feel fully at home in our own indigenous tradition, then somehow it is easier for us to relate to other traditions. Coming from a secure, rooted base we no longer have the feel of an outsider or a predator, and we can transcend the divisions of race and culture to feel truly at home in all traditions, with all of humanity.

In recognition of the deep bond that exists between the native traditions of all lands, we would like to offer this Animal Oracle as one means of helping people to connect to the richness of their spiritual heritage.

The following pages present a summary of the Druid, Celtic and traditional teachings concerning twenty-nine animals and four dragons. Traditional lore can be found on additional real and mythological animals, but we feel we have included the most important of them in our choice of thirty-three.

In addition to the thirty-three cards representing these

animals, three blank cards are included for you to add your own favourite animals, should you find they are not among those in the deck. You might like to draw pictures of them on the blank cards.

The cards have been drawn using the principles of sacred geometry, a science of great importance to the megalith-building, pre-Celtic Druids, who employed it extensively in the building of stone circles. Each image incorporates the same use of a pentagram, circle and square. The border of the animal cards conveys a message in Ogham - the tree language of the Druids.

The names of the animals are given in English and

Gaelic - mostly Scottish but with some Irish. Each animal has many different names in Gaelic, and we have tried to choose the most evocative. The keywords and interpretations for each animal have been derived from a reading of the traditional lore associated with that creature.

The interpretations should not be read as predictions, but should be used to provide words of advice, and insights into the inner dynamics behind events.

Far from encouraging a fatalism, the interpretations should be used to empower you - to give insights that can help you correct imbalances and create more positive outcomes.

The animals are presented in a sequence starting with the Blackbird, who stands at the Gateway, the Place of Beginnings, calling us to adventure and change. Journeying to the four other Oldest Animals of Stag, Owl, Eagle and Salmon, we come to know animals that lead us deeper into the Otherworld, through a cycle of personal change that leads to turning to the outer world again, the empowerment of the four dragons and the concluding card of the Seal - the card of love and the necessity for choice in a world that is both joyous and challenging.

The Cards

Wisdom of serpent be thine, Wisdom of raven be thine, Wisdom of valiant eagle. Voice of swan be thine, Voice of honey be thine,

Voice of the sun of the stars.

SCOITISH GAELIC BLESSING

Meaning Druid Dhubh calls to us from the Gateway between two worlds, urging us to follow a spiritual path or to become more self-aware. He calls to us in the twilight, showing us the path to Otherworldly secrets, pointing out the ways in which we can discover more about our hidden motivations and potential. There are times in life when it is important to concentrate on the outer world and your responsibilities in that world, but there are also times when you must attend to the haunting song of your soul which calls you to a study of spiritual truths, and to an exploration of the inner world through dreams and myths. In heeding Druid Dhubh's song, you will discover healing and new depths in your soul.

Reverse meaning The blackbird is the smith's bird, and his song may be calling you to work in the forge of your own heart-to create a life of passion and purpose. All four elements are used in metal-working, and to create a healthy and balanced life we must work with the power of the four elements, integrating and developing our minds and hearts, our instinct and our intuition. Just standing at the Gateway between two worlds, without truly working in either, is a denial of our own power and responsibility.

Meaning Eilid brings us the gentleness and grace of the feminine principle. Whether you are male or female, opening to the qualities of the hind will enable you to achieve a greater degree of sophistication, subtlety and elegance - in the best possible senses of these terms.

Deer, and the white bind in particular, call to us from the Otherworld, from the realm of Faery, and Invite us to look beyond the material, beyond the superficialities of life, towards the heart of things, towards the realm of causes rather than effects. Poised in moon - or sunlight, Eilid invites us to begin an exploration of the Otherworld, of the spiritual dimension of life.

Reverse meaning This may be advising you to be less self-effacing. Rather than adapting, like a chameleon, to the perceived demands and expectations of those around you, you may need to be more assertive. You may also need to be wary of becoming preoccupied with the Otherworld. Our psychic life has its seasons, and at times it is good for us to explore the inner mysteries, but at other times we must focus on everyday life. Perhaps, at this time, you need to balance these two worlds. Do not worry about losing touch with the Otherworld, for the magical white hind will always be waiting for you at the edge of the woods, ready to guide you into the heart of the forest.

Meaning Damh brings grace, majesty and integrity, and, if you ever feel vulnerable or under scrutiny, attuning to the stag and asking fur the protection of his spirit will bring you calmness, strength and dignity. He will also help you to gain and maintain independence. In Ogham, the Druid language of the sacred trees, the Stag is related to Beith - the birch tree and the number one - which is linked to the blessing of beginnings. It is auspicious to draw this card when considering new projects. The stag's connection with fertility and sexuality signifies that you will bring dignity, grace, power and integrity to your sexual life.

Reverse meaning When pride helps you to give your best, it can be an asset to you; but if it merely protects feelings of vulnerability and inadequacy, it can prevent you from developing and enjoying life. If your pride isn't serving you well, ask yourself if the qualities of the Stag can help you find integrity and dignity. The Stag God, as Lord of the Hunt, is responsible for culling - seen as a process of purification or sacrifice - to maintain a proper ecological balance. The Stag reversed may signify a need for sacrifice or purification in your life - perhaps by letting go of possessions or emotional attachments - to help you gain independence and integrity.

Meaning Art connects you with the very deepest of your ancestral roots. Here, at this level, you are in touch with the Primal Mother - the Bear Goddess Artio who will defend you fiercely from all danger. You are connected also with the Bear God Artaois, the mighty warrior Arthur, the guiding Pole Star of the Great Bear. Your intuition will never fail you, if you will listen to it in the still darkness of the night. Working with the Bear gives you the opportunity to become a spiritual warrior - like Arthur. You can find the way to come into your power by marrying your strength with your intuition. Integrating your primal power with your intuition means uniting your star power with your animal power - and both are symbolized by Art, the Bear.

Reverse meaning This is a clear warning that you must take care not to be overwhelmed by the ferocious mother, by the berserk warrior - by forces of anger and primal ferocity that, untempered with the human qualities of compassion and reason, can damage not only your own life, but those of others around you. Art brings a strong presence and great reserves of power, and with perseverance you will be able to integrate your spiritual, intuitive qualities with your primal, instinctual qualities.

Meaning Sionnach is a graceful creature who typifies the beauty and harmony of the natural world. Working with the power of the fox, you will know when to come out into the open and be counted, and when to remain silent. With others, you will be able to be diplomatic - one of the attributes of the fox is being 'strong in council'. However, take care, when working with 'fox power', not to let skill and diplomacy become dishonesty or slyness. Remaining silent, or becoming invisible so as to watch the unfolding drama, is an asset that can bring its own special culpability, if it is not tempered with wisdom.

Reverse meaning Take care not to use your cleverness dishonestly. The kenning of the fox can easily become cunning, which turns into conning. You may feel as though you are a victim. In the past, the fox was hunted for its fur, but the hunt was considered sacred and was dedicated to the Goddess - a hunter would need her permission to take the life of any animal. More recently, the fox has become a symbol of the innocence and beauty of the natural world being destroyed by man. If you feel you are at the mercy of circumstances, or are being unfairly or cruelly treated, take a lesson from the fox and 'lie low' for a while. Develop your skills of mediation and diplomacy.

Meaning Torc can open you to the warrior spirit, helping you to find your direction in life. A wild and powerful animal, he calls you into the forest to discover a secret about yourself and about the world. The ritual boar paths that exist in Wales, Cornwall, Ireland and Scotland exist in the Inner World too, and if you follow them you will come face to face with an animal embodying the wild and untamed power that lives within all of us. Stare closely at him and you will discover he is a representative of the Goddess - his skin can heal you, he can inspire you to write music and poetry, his primal power can make you leader or chief. See if you can use your wildness and your energy for genuine acts of heroism in a world that longs for insight and healing.

Reverse meaning There is a close connection, in tradition, between madness and the boar or pig. This 'folly' is expressed by the morris dancer who beats the audience with a pig's bladder. But, at a more serious level, those who were mad were often made to act as swineherds. Merlin, in his period of madness, talks to pigs, and within this image is conveyed the concept that madness and insight are closely allied. Sometimes we have to go through a period of 'break-down' to allow something deeper to enter our lives. The Boar is the emissary of the Terrible Mother - also the Initiator.

Meaning Seabhac brings the ability to see your life in perspective, to free you of unnecessary 'baggage' and to connect you to your ancestral roots. See if you can take some time out of your daily routine to survey your life calmly and to see events in context. The Hawk can help you to recollect the missing pieces of the jigsaw you will be trying to assemble and he will help, too, to spot the details which are significant. When you have a sense of your roots and of the breadth of your life, you will start to feel pride and a growing sense of nobility and stature. Once you know where you have come from and where you are going, your life will be filled with inspiration and enthusiasm, you will sense a new day dawning, and you will be able to make decisions with confidence.

Reverse meaning You could be paying too much attention to detail. Being precise and 'hawk eyed' can be valuable, but taken to its extreme and without a wider overview, it can lead to cruelty. High ideals if not balanced with a sense of humility lead to arrogance and ultimately a denial of the heart. Be careful not to get carried away by the justness of your cause, while forgetting to take into consideration the feelings of others.

Meaning Cu brings guidance and protection, acting as a loyal companion and friend on your journey in both this life and the next. In the Druid tradition the dog is seen as the Guardian of the Mysteries. As such, be can be fierce but, if our intentions are Cu will lead us over the threshold, through the darkness and the waters of the Unconscious, towards the shimmering realm of the Goddess.

The time may come when you need to act with the spirit of Cu - to defend your values or protect that which you hold sacred. Faithfulness, trust and loyalty are vital in close relationships, and the time may have come for you to focus on these qualities - to develop them gradually in yourself and to appreciate them in others.

Reverse meaning You are being urged to examine the degree to which you or those around you may be lacking in faithfulness 01' loyalty. Ask yourself to what extent you value these qualities in your friends and lovers, and to what extent you and they express these values. If you find it difficult to keep friendships, Cu, as your ally, will help you to develop the qualities of selflessness and trust that will nurture close relationships. But remember that sometimes loyalty and faithfulness can be inappropriate - a dog is often submissive and anxious to please even a cruel owner.

Meaning Cailleach-oidhche teaches us the wisdom of turning a disadvantage into an advantage. For most birds, the coming of darkness renders it impossible for them to feed, but the owl's exceptional hearing enables it to pick out and swoop on unsuspecting prey during the night. Twilight has been described as owl light, and going for a

quiet walk in the woods at this shimmering time of twilight is an excellent way to develop a sensibility to the Otherworld and the inner soul of Nature. You may feel drawn to a study of esoteric lore or clairvoyancy. Working with the owl as your ally will help you to do this.

Reverse meaning You may need to be wary of withdrawing too much from the world. An ability to be detached and discerning is an asset, unless it becomes a defence against being fully alive with all the vulnerability this entails. Perhaps there is not such a need for secrecy or holding back. The owl can signal a time of change, of initiation, of new beginnings. It can portend the death of one thing, but also the birth of another. An old Sussex saying is: 'When owls whoop at night, expect a fair morrow.' Expect a bright dawn and it will surely come.

Meaning Cat brings us the ability to observe situations quietly, without judgement, before making decisions. Apparently asleep, but really listening, a cat can sit for hours before it acts with decisiveness. Remember the saying: 'A cat may look at a king.' You have a right to know and to judge important issues for yourself in your own time.

The cat unites an awareness of the spirit world with a highly developed sensuality. These two attributes are not polar opposites, but are facets of one continuum of awareness and sensitivity. Working towards wholeness involves enhancing our appreciation of both the physical and non-physical worlds.

Reverse meaning You must be wary of becoming an axen cat, an old term which means a fireside cat, too lazy to bother much about the world. An indolent and self-absorbed sensuality, rather than an opening of the self to the magic of the physical world, is usually a means of escaping from reality. The cat is easily able to travel in her spirit form in the Otherworld, but it is important for you to be strongly earthed in everyday physical reality. An interest in the mysterious and the occult can sometimes be inappropriate, especially if it is used as a defence against the pain and difficulty of being in the world.

Meaning Corr brings the qualities of patience, perseverance, focus and concentration, standing for hours peering into the water until the time comes to dart at its prey. It guides others into the Underworld, to help them with their transition at the time of dying, or with their journeying in the inner realms. Besides an ability to work in the Underworld, the crane symbolizes arcane science, or secret knowledge, which, in the Druid tradition, is represented by the Ogham script - the tree language of Druidry. In its widest sense, learning this language involves learning to read the 'Book of Nature'.

Reverse meaning The crane stands alone for hours, but it will also join others to fly or dance. The Crane reversed may signify a need to find a balance between being alone and being with others. Spending too much time alone can create feelings of isolation; having no time to oneself can be an avoidance of self-knowledge and loneliness. The 'shadow' side of the crane manifests as harshness, meanness and a nagging, complaining disposition. If this describes you, try to relate to the deeper aspects of the crane, in which it becomes an animal of the Goddess-as-crone or wise woman. Ask yourself if you are denying the wise woman, who has a knowledge of death and the Underworld, and whether your negative behaviour may be a reflection of this denial.

Meaning Losgann unites the elements of water and earth, bringing joy, delight and healing in its singing and hopping, and leading you to the sacred spring from which you may be refreshed and renewed. A cold-blooded creature living half on the land and half in the water, the frog possesses an extremely sensitive skin, considered magical by shamans. A companion of the rain spirits, the frog can help you develop your sensitivity to others, to healing and to sound through your skin and your whole body and aura.

Nothing is what it appears to be, and life is more fun

than you at first supposed! There is a hidden beauty and a hidden power in all of nature, and as you open yourself to this you will feel close to the Goddess and close to both the earth and to water. Look for the beauty and the magic behind appearances.

Reverse meaning This suggests that you are learning how to embrace difficult circumstances. The frog that you must marry may well turn out to be a prince. The circumstances you have chosen to accept - while apparently unappealing or difficult - may well bring you rich rewards in the end. Remember that the frog brings medicine, and medicine brings healing.

Meaning Bran offers initiation, protection and the gift of prophecy. The initiation, in practice, may be as formal as undergoing an initiation ceremony, or as informal as being initiated into a new profession. It marks the death of one thing, and the birth of another. The power of the raven can also bring you the very deepest form of healing, which is achieved through a process known as 'the resolution of the opposites', making it possible for you to resolve conflicts that have long lain buried in your unconscious or in your past.

Reverse meaning Try to become aware of the forces of destruction that exist in your life and in the world. Although we might wish that destruction didn't occur, we know that without it there can't be construction and recreation. The raven speaks of the dark and difficult aspects of life, which it is hard for us to understand. Sometimes we must go through a process of disintegration and darkness, in order to emerge into the light of a new morning. To a great extent, our fear of the dark is worse than what we find there. Drawing this card reversed may mean that we can come to terms with our own destructiveness, knowing that we have the protection of the Goddess. It may also mean that we can come to a resolution of the opposites - experiencing the reality that in darkness there is light, and in light darkness.

Meaning Eala brings us the qualities of soul - of love and depth, grace and beauty. Being associated with the Druid festival time of Samhuinn, the swan is also a bird of the threshold, and represents that part of us which can travel into the Otherworld. Drawing this card may indicate that you will receive inspiration from the Otherworld, or that love is entering into your life. It is auspicious to draw this card if you are preparing to write a song or poem, for the swan's skin and feathers were used to make the bard's ceremonial cloak, the tugen.

Reverse meaning You may need to come to terms with a separation. The old tales of the swan show that in reality there is no separation from the ones we love - only transformation from one form to another. But to continue our journey in this world, we need to be able to say 'goodbye' to those we are separated from, even though we know that ultimately we may be together again. The separation we are faced with, however, may be internal rather than external, and Eala may be calling us to connect more deeply with our own soul.

Meaning Foil brings a strong sense of faithfulness, inner strength and intuition. But the wolf brings learning, too. Sometimes you need to cross barriers, to take risks, to go beyond the limited compass of 'normal' behaviour in order to learn and grow, although crossing these boundaries may seem unattractive, even painful. You need not fear the inner power and strength you feel when you spend time alone. Come to know your deepest self and even in the darkest places you will find courage and spiritual companionship.

Reverse meaning You may need to come into a new relationship with your sense of aloneness in the world. Behind a fear of loneliness may lie a fear of your own inner strength, fierceness and power. Learn to trust this and to come to know your deeper self. Through dreams and intuitions you may come to learn more of the hidden side of your being which is sometimes called the Shadow. A1s well as there being 'lone wolves' in the world, you should know that the wolf is a faithful animal which often mates for life. In tradition, it was considered lucky when a wolf crossed the path of a bridal party, precisely because of this faithfulness. Even though you may need to spend times of your life alone, you should know that you will also have times of companionship and togetherness.

Meaning Nathair offers healing and transformation. Its ability to glide into the darkness through crevices in the rocks connects it to the Under-or Otherworld, and the realm of Death. It is the totem animal of the Earth Goddess, and also the Sky Father Sun God, and represents our ability to die and be reborn. The energy that enables us to be born on earth is sexual energy, but this also necessitates our death. Befriending adder or snake power will enable you to journey through life gracefully and magically, shedding your old life easily when the time comes - whether that old life be of the physical body or of a stage in this present incarnation.

Reverse meaning The Adder urges you to abandon the ability to wound, and to replace it with the power to heal. Although the snake is poisonous, and has been used in the Christian tradition as a symbol of evil, in the Druid and other traditions it represents healing and the power of transformation. The snake as totem animal urges us to use our powers of energy, penetration, swift and silent movement, not to harm others but to help and heal them. We can learn to love and channel the serpent currents that flow through our body and the body of the earth so that they become beneficent, healing, life-giving currents that ultimately flow - like the meandering snake rivers of the plains - to the wide sea.

Meaning Iolair helps you to see your life in the wider context, enabling you to make decisions and chart your goals with clarity and objectivity. The eagle is a powerful ally; it is courageous and strong, drawing its power from the sun. If you will allow the eagle to work for you, it will bring you a sense of purpose and the courage to see this through, enabling you to venture into fresh territory with confidence. It will allow you to detach yourself from everyday worries and cares, and will enable you to grasp subtle concepts. The eagle, when accepted, will also show you how to renew and rejuvenate yourself, by demonstrating the art of plunging - at just the right moment - into the lake of the heart.

Reverse meaning You may need to guard against the dangers of an overpowering intellect. 'The eagle, when it knows how to renew itself in the secret lake, is able to balance its masculine, fiery qualities with the feminine, watery aspects of the lake. But when it cannot find the secret lake, when we deny our minds access to the heart, our lives can become dry and sterile, our intellects harsh and overly analytical. Now may be the time to see whether your mind and heart are in balance. You may want to pay more attention to your dreams

- to listen to the call of the unconscious, to the depths within,

without denying the value of your questing, rational mind.

Meaning Muc, with her large litters, symbolizes abundance and fertility. Drawn upright, this card may mean that you are called upon to be generous. Feeling connected to the love of the Goddess for all her creatures, you are able to give freely, knowing that you, in turn, are nourished and sustained by her. Choosing this card, you can open yourself to the abundance that exists throughout nature, knowing that life perpetually renews itself and that you need not worry about ever being disconnected from it. Allow yourself to feast on life, to enjoy its beauties and its sensual delights. The Goddess is generous, giving to all and renewing all.

Reverse meaning You may need to revise your image of yourself. There is an old Gaelic saying: 'When you thought you were on the sow's back, you were beside her in the puddle.' Although the sow symbolizes nourishment, fertility and giving, she can also represent greed and 'pig ignorance'. Perhaps you need to work towards a greater understanding of the subtleties of life, rather than relying simply on your looks or physique. Without wisdom, even beauty can be unattractive. Appearances can be deceptive, so judge people or propositions on their true merits and intrinsic worth rather than their outward appearance.

Meaning Tarbh mediates the influence of Taranis, the Jupiter-like God of the Druids, whose beneficence and expansiveness bring the opportunity for a rich and abundant life. The bull is a symbol of wealth, and it is auspicious to draw this card when considering financial matters. But, remember that the ancient ones understood that true wealth is found in the heart and soul first, and only then in the material world. The bull represents fertility, potency, abundance and prosperity, things that can sometimes take a while to achieve. If your goals require you to work steadfastly in trying circumstances fur a considerable period of time, the bull will help you to succeed without becoming drained or depressed.

Reverse meaning Do you have difficulty getting motivated? There is no animal more stubborn than a bull who refuses to move, and it may be important fur you to look at the roots of your lack of motivation. You may also need to ask yourself whether you are sufficiently sensitive to others' needs. Do you have a tendency to act like 'a bull in a china shop'? A bull's power, when harnessed or channelled, can be awesome, but when a bull is maddened he can become dangerous. How do you react under provocation? Think about whether you are tempted to use your personal power as power over others.

Meaning Drawn upright, this card may indicate that you are ready to take on the responsibilities of raising a family, or of committing yourself to a long-term partnership. Geadh brings creative and productive power, and allows you to open to this power, secure in the knowledge that your relationship, family or working partnership will provide a stable environment to act as a crucible for your creativity. The goose, with its strong attachment to its family and the ability to fly extraordinarily high from one continent to another, shows us that it is possible to be both grounded and spiritual in our daily lives.

Reverse meaning Are you overly concerned about your rights, possessions or territory? Perhaps you are too possessive of your partner. While geese tend to mate for life, many humans do not - staying together may not be in your best interests. If the relationship is meant to last, it will thrive on mutual respect and freedom, not jealousy and possessiveness.

The ancient Celts kept geese for their eggs rather than their flesh. They knew it was best to keep the goose alive and productive. The lesson for us is that if we want to ensure our productive power, our capacity for creativity, we must look after ourselves. To make sure the goose keeps laying the golden eggs, we must keep the goose alive - well fed, well rested, well exercised.

Meaning Reithe brings the ability to achieve a breakthrough. Attached to its place of birth, the ram represents connection, rootedness, stability, and yet also the power to penetrate, overcome and achieve. Working with the ram as your ally will help you find the inner strength you need to succeed. At the same time, you need not fear 'losing your head' on the dizzy heights of success, because the ram will help to keep you grounded, and will remind you of the practical necessities of life. By persevering, being patient and attending to your daily life as well as your future goals, you will find the day comes when you achieve a breakthrough - reaching your goals and discovering that you have 'come home'.

Reverse meaning Although a part of you may enjoy competition - locking horns with a friend or enemy - you may be called on to make a sacrifice. Sometimes, letting go, however painful, can open a door to a new life that you never thought possible. Rather than banging your head against a brick wall, see if you can walk round it! Or, maybe you should be moving in a different direction, and the brick wall is there for a reason, even if you cannot figure out why just yet. Ask yourself the question: 'Where do I feel really at home?' Follow your instincts and your practical nature to create a home that is truly comfortable and truly yours.

Meaning Gearr is a creature of the Goddess, the moon and the night, and yet it also represents the dawn, brightness and the east. It is the most adept of animals at shape shifting: we can never be sure exactly where the hare is - in this or the Otherworld. It represents intuition, which makes things appear suddenly in our consciousness, like the lapwing eggs of Eostre, that magically appear in the hare's form (nest). As representative of the Corn Spirit and the two equinoxes, the hare brings the excitement of rebirth, fertile abundance and willing release as each creative cycle comes to an end. With the hare as your ally, you will be well able to negotiate times of change, and you will be able to draw on your intuition to guide you through life.

Reverse meaning There may be an imbalance in your life. It is possible that you are allowing yourself to be overly concerned with the Otherworld: regarding every unusual sign as a portent, or paying too much attention to

'channelled' messages. To achieve balance, we need to

concern ourselves with the outer realm just as much as the inner. Wisdom and guidance come from many sources, and you may need to apply common sense to a greater degree than you have in the past.

Meaning Bradan is revered as extremely sacred in the Druid tradition - it is the Oldest Animal, and it offers us wisdom and inspiration. Often with great difficulty, the salmon will return to the place of its birth to mate. To find wisdom, we too need to recapitulate our lives, to journey in consciousness back to our beginnings - to our childhood and perhaps beyond to our very origins in God or Goddess. Bradan brings not only wisdom but youthfulness and inspiration, but remember that to find these things you must maintain an attitude of openness and innocence rather than strong-headed determination.

Reverse meaning You may be trying too hard to reach your goals, or relying on someone else to find your wisdom for you. Contemplate the stories of Talieain and Fionn mac Cumhaill and try to adopt a more relaxed and open approach to life. The salmon is able to jump upstream not by fighting against the current, but by utilizing its knowledge of the reverse current which flows beneath the surface current. From this salmon leaping we have derived the word 'summersault', as a corruption of 'salmon-sault'. Children summersault, and choosing this card - reversed or upright - is urging you to connect with the leaping, dancing child within.

Meaning Beach invites us to celebrate. You may have a special reason for celebration, or you may simply need to celebrate the wonder and mystery of being alive. In the Druid tradition there are occasions to celebrate every six weeks or so. As human beings, we need times when we can come together to enjoy each other's company. The bee tells us that we can live together in harmony, however impossible this may sometimes seem. By being at one with the natural world, by paying homage to the sun, by centring our lives around Spirit or the Goddess, we can work together in community.

Reverse meaning Do you feel out of place - unsure of your role in the world? A beehive functions harmoniously because each bee knows its role - consequently, it is highly productive and plays an important part in the local ecology. If you lack motivation, or feel isolated from the community that surrounds you, think about your role in life and make decisions in accordance with your sense of purpose and the goals you wish to reach. Remember that the bee knows the value of organization, of paying homage to the Goddess and the sun, and of working hard. Remember, too, that she calls us to a celebration of life and an inner recognition of our membership of the community of all Nature.

Meaning Bo opens us to an awareness of the Goddess. Her generosity, healing and nourishing power is present all around you - in your friends and children, in your food and drink, in your dreams, and particularly in the natural world that you are blessed to live in. She brings protection from all harmful influences, and by attuning to her presence you can gain the inestimable benefit of deep and peaceful sleep. By opening yourself to Bo and to her sacred quality as a manifestation of the Goddess on earth, you will be connecting to the perpetual stream of nourishing energy that flows from the Goddess to each one of us. To experience this, there is nothing you need to do.

Reverse meaning This card may be calling you to examine the ways in which you give to the world. If you believe your resources are limited, then you will be anxious about giving fully from your heart, but if you know that you are one with all of Creation and all of nature then you will be able to give fully and freely. But you can only give if you are also able to receive. How easy is it for you to receive the love and concern of others?

Meaning The spirit of Each calls us to journey, to travel. This may manifest itself as a desire to travel in the physical world, or we may be drawn to voyaging in the inner realms. She brings us energy and speed and connects us to the power of both the land and the sun. The Horse Goddess is patroness of the complete life cycle of birth, death, the afterlife and rebirth. By working with the spirit of Each, we will grow to feel comfortable with every aspect of the life cycle, knowing that the Goddess protects and guides us through each of its stages.

Reverse meaning The horse may be asking us to look at the roots of our restlessness. If we have difficulty settling down, staying in one place or completing tasks, it may be that we have not fully accepted the flow of the life cycle and our part within it. Attuning to the spirit of the horse may help us to connect with our sense of place in the world - with the spirit of the land beneath us and the sky above us.

Meaning Drui-en allows us to glimpse the beauty of God or Goddess in all things. He tells us that 'small is beautiful', and that self-realization lies not in grandiosity or apparent power, but in humility, gentleness and subtlety. Cunning, if tempered with humour and good intent, is a way of achieving great things with an economy and effort, and a rational and honest use of the achievements of others.

Reverse meaning This could indicate that you need to look at whether your humility and gentleness actually render you invisible to others. Are they your way of defending yourself from life and from others, rather than facing life and its difficulties? Perhaps you also need to look at how you use your cunning, your native wit. It is easy for the habit of building on the work of others to become a dishonest exploitation of others' achievements, just as it Is easy for cunning to become malign rather than benign. Remember that the story of the wren and the eagle can also be interpreted in a way that sees the wren as a cheeky and dishonest 'upstart' who naively believes he can fool others and win status for himself through his ruse. Cleverness and building on the work of others require wisdom and honest skill if they are to be of value.

. . :" .*

Meaning Draig-uisge brings that which is hidden into the light of day. Memories and wishes, which may have long lain forgotten or repressed in the Unconscious, may emerge to frighten or overwhelm you with their apparent negativity or destructiveness. Facing these experiences with compassion and courage will, in the end, bring you to an experience of a greater depth of soul and a greater sense of connectedness to all life. Although you may at times feel overwhelmed with emotion, with time you will be able to achieve a sense of balance and stability, as these strong feelings are integrated in your consciousness.

Reverse meaning The Water Dragon is warning us to approach an exploration of our psyche and our past with caution. The conscious self can absorb the impact of only a limited amount of repressed or unconscious material being released into awareness. It is wise to work fractionally, little by little, to integrate unconscious material into consciousness. It is often best for healing and wholeness to be achieved slowly. Beware also of allowing your emotions to rule you in a way that later you will regret.

Meaning Droig-talamh brings us face to face with our potential. Within us we have a treasure house of riches - of powers and capacities - which we can learn how to use. In the past we may have been denied access by the guardian of this treasure. But now we are coming to understand that this sometimes fierce guardian is in reality an aspect of ourselves. By coming to know and love the Earth Dragon we will be able to unlock the secrets of our heart, and at the same time we will find ourselves discovering the beauty and the power that lie within the hearts of those around us and in the very earth itself.

Reverse meaning Perhaps, somehow, you are relating to your inner reserves and potential in an inappropriate way. Draig-talamh guards the treasures of your soul fiercely, but he is your ally, not your enemy - do not try to kill him, and do not try to wrest the treasure from him. You may need to spend time befriending this creature who has slumbered in your soul for so long. A precipitous attempt to capitalize on your talents or express your potential may be unwise.

Meaning Coming into contact with Draig-athar can be as a bolt of lightning to the psyche and intellect - and as such must be treated with care and considerable respect. Sometimes manifesting as sudden flashes of illumination, the Air Dragon brings insight and clarity to your thought and imagination. As conveyor of numinous power, the Air Dragon can be seen as a symbol of visitation - for he is a messenger of the Sky God.

Reverse meaning You may be in danger of becoming the servant of an idea, dogma or belief system. Contact with spiritual concepts and energies can sometimes stimulate the intellect in a way that produces inflation and delusion. To avoid this, constant reality-testing in the everyday world of relationships and practicalities is essential.

Meaning Draig-teine brings vitality, enthusiasm, courage

and an increased ability to overcome obstacles and to find the energy to cope with life's problems. Having the powerful Fire Dragon as an ally will align you with the qualities of leadership and mastery. With care, he will fuel your inner fire, which can be directed and channelled, with laser-like precision, to help you accomplish tasks and achieve objectives.

Reverse meaning Are you repressing a lot of anger? If so, you may feel that you're not in control of your life energy. Either this energy seems out of control, or you sense it as scattered or dissipated. Do you often lack energy and vitality? Do you find it hard to get excited or motivated? Or, do you have too much nervous energy, making you overexcited and unable to relax? Whether you have too much or too little energy, developing a harmonious relationship with the Fire Dragon will help you. If you lack energy, you may need to ask the dragon to give you a little more of the treasure he is guarding. Or, if your energy level is too high, you could ask the Dragon to take charge of some of your energy, sure in the knowledge that you will be given access when you need it. Draig-teine can be dangerous, but if the inner rage that has been repressed for so long can be expressed and worked with in therapeutic setting, he can become a powerful ally.

Meaning Ron calls to you from the seal people of the sea. The Dan nan Ron - the song of the seals - frightens many who hear it. Its mournful and human sound stirs the heart of the listener to the core. It is a call to us from the depths, from the Unconscious, from the waters of our birth, from our beginnings on earth, from our brothers and sisters in the animal realm who are closer to us than we dare imagine. We fear this call, anxious that we may be drowned, overwhelmed by our feelings. Do not let your intellect imprison your heart, as the human imprisons his selchie spouse - the magical seal. Opening yourself to the promptings of the Unconscious, of the Feminine, of your dreams and longings, will bring transformation, healing and love into your life.

Reverse meaning You may be facing a dilemma, whichever way you turn could involve risk and potential loss, and yet you know you must make a choice. The seal speaks of the longing of the heart, of true love, of a sense of humanity and goodness. In the end, these should be the determining factors in your choice. Although the seal may represent loneliness and separation, as the selchie imprisoned on dry land, the time will come when she will be released and will act as a guide and companion through the watery realm of the emotions and the Otherworld.

How to Use the Cards

Serpent and Z-rod carved on a stone , from Aberdeenshire

The Druid Animal Oracle does not predict the future. Instead, it offers ideas and suggestions that may provide you with insights into your own life or the events surrounding you. These insights can help you take responsibility for your life rather than passively accepting your 'fate' or 'destiny'.

To get the best out of the Oracle, it is important that you use it at times when you are able to be reasonably detached and objective - so that you can weigh its words against your own intuition and knowledge, and so that you can note the relationships between the cards given in the spread. Some people like to spend a few moments settling themselves and getting into the right frame of mind before using an Oracle - perhaps lighting a candle, closing their eyes and letting go of everyday cares and concerns by taking several deep breaths. A Druidic way of doing this is to sense the earth beneath you, allowing yourself to develop a strong sense of connection with it, and then becoming aware of the sky above you while focusing on your breathing. You can then open yourself to feeling the earth's energy and the sky's energy meeting in the centre of your body (which is usually felt as the Solar Plexus). When you feel ready, open your eyes. You are now prepared to start the reading.

ASKING THE QUESTION

It is important to formulate a clear question in your mind before consulting the Oracle. It is tempting to skip this part, but if you have trouble formulating a question, ask yourself why this is. Maybe you do not have a question but just want some advice or guidance. That's fine - a request for advice is your question! But often there will be something worrying you, which is why you want to use the Oracle, and this initial stage of formu1ating a question is an integral part of the process of consulting the Oracle - it will help you to clarify your concerns, and it will also help you to interpret the cards more accurately.

REVERSED CARDS

Some people worry that reversed cards are 'bad' or

'unlucky' - this is not the case with the Animal Oracle. In most instances, a reversed card simply offers more challenge than one which is upright. So, turn half of the cards upside down and then shuffle the pack well, while holding the question in your mind. By using reversed cards as well as upright ones, the Oracle has the ability to give you sixty-six readings rather than thirty-three.

CHOOSING THE CARDS

There are two ways to select cards for a reading. The first involves spreading all the cards face downwards, like this:

The second option is to hold the pack in your left hand, cut it from the bottom of the pack twice to the left, forming three piles, and then reassemble the complete pack from right to left, so that 1 is now the top third and 3 the bottom.

The left represents the Unconscious and, in most people, the left hand is controlled by the right, more intuitive, side of the brain. In some people (usually left-handers), the reverse is the case and they might prefer to use the right hand, cutting the pack to the right.

With the first method, you can now choose cards one at

a time from the row spread in front of you, to build up the spread. With the second method, you can lay the cards out in the sequence required for the spread, starting with the top card and working down through the pack.

Both methods allow moments for the Spirit or your

Unconscious to choose the right cards: with the first method, during the selection of each card from the row; and with the second method, during shuffling and cutting the cards - with the exact places where the pack is cut being decisive.

WORKING WITH THE CARDS

The simplest way to work with the Oracle is to shuffle the pack as described above, and then pick one card. Your question, as you shuffle and pick the card, may be a general one, as simple as, 'May 1 receive some inspiration for the coming day?' or it may be as specific as, 'What is it that is holding me back?'

Working with one card at a time is an excellent way to develop a familiarity with the sacred animals and their meanings, and can also be used to provide insights for a daily meditation. After you have read the interpretation, try to open yourself to any message the animal may want to convey to you personally. Gazing at the card, or visualizing the animal with eyes closed, you may be able to smell it, to feel it breathing, to touch its fur or skin or feathers. Gradually you will develop a relationship with each of the animals, and your readings will become more complete and intuitive as they become dialogues with the animal spirits or, when using more than one card, a conference of animal guides.

You can lay a number of cards out in a spread to explore specific questions or to provide a general reading. The Druid Animal Oracle (1996 edition) provides more information about the lore associated with each animal, and gives details of six spreads you can use.

THE TRIUNE SPREAD

To gain an overview of a situation, and an insight into the reasons why it has arisen and its effects on both the emotional and the physical level, choose three cards and lay them out like this:

The first card represents the cause, dynamic, impulse, guiding idea, or motive behind a situation or event. The second card represents its effect at the emotional, social, or relationship level. The third card represents its effect at the physical level of manifestation - in the body or the concrete tangible world.

INTERPRETING THE CARDS

To begin with, you will need to use the keywords and interpretations given for each card (see earlier). If you are interpreting a reversed card, read the first paragraph of the interpretation as well as the second. You may also like to read the reversed card's meaning even when you have drawn it upright - for sometimes it can represent a 'shadow' or hidden side of the issue being considered.

One way of understanding the Oracle is to see it as an expression of the totality of your being and its potential. Like a diamond with thirty-three facets, each card can be seen as a symbolic representation of one facet - one part of yourself. When you do a reading, or a reading is done for you, a number of facets are highlighted, but it is important not to forget the whole.

Once you have read the keywords and interpretations, and related these to their positions in the spread, take some time to look at any patterns or groupings that may exist. You may have a preponderance of birds or animals related to one particular element or quality, for example. Or you might have related animals in significant positions within the spread.

A summary of groupings is given opposite. You may wish to add your own, or alter these groupings in accordance with your own intuitions and guidance.

Always leaving room for exceptions, it can be said that generally a preponderance of air cards suggests intellectual and mental issues to be considered; of water cards, emotional issues or factors; of earth cards, practical matters; and of fire cards, issues of energy and will. A number of dragons appearing in one spread may indicate a great deal of spiritual energy present in the issue being considered, and several reversed cards in a spread could suggest that there are a considerable number of challenges to be faced.

GIFT, QUALITY OR ABILITY

Healing

Adder, Boar, Dog, Frog, Ram, Raven

Protection

Bear, Boar, cat, Dog, Goose, Otter, Raven

Fertility and creativity

Adder, Bull, Cow, Goose, Hare, Ram, Sow

Sensitivity to the Otherworld

Blackbird, Cat, Crane, Frog, Hare, Hind, Horse, Owl, Raven, Seal, Stag, Swan, Wolf

Connection with Faerie

Cat, Cow, Hind, Swan, Horse

Initiation

Owl, Raven

Shape-shifting

Cat, Hare, Hind, Seal, Stag, Swan, Wolf

Journeying

Crane, Dog, Horse, Stag, Air Dragon

Pairs

Cow and Bull, Boar and Sow, Stag

and Hind, Hare and cat, Dog and Wolf

Elements

Earth

Dragon, Adder, Bear, Boar, Bull, Cat, Cow, Dog, Fox, Hare, Hind, Horse, Ram, Sow, Stag, Wolf

Water

Dragon, Crane, Dog, Frog, Otter, Salmon, Seal, Swan

Air

Dragon, Bee, Blackbird, Crane, Eagle, Goose, Hawk, Owl, Raven, Swan, Wren

Fire

Dragon, Adder, Eagle, Hare