Animals and Astrology
                                                  Jonathan Keyes

I like to take off into the Olympic Mountains in the summer time and hike along the long stream beds and valleys up the hills and small mountains. The tremendous amount of rainfall helps create one of the most magnificent temperate rain forests in the world. The Olympics create an incredible environment for a diverse array of animal life to grow and thrive. These animals teach me many lessons as I walk with them. The bear teaches me to be slower and more attentive. The eagle teaches me to be stronger and to see with clear vision. Each animal carries itself in a certain way that enlightens and heals me when I pay attention.

These animals can act as powerful allies and healers of our souls if we take the time to watch them and take their spirit into our hearts. Many indigenous tribal peoples view animals as powerful spiritual entities with much to teach. I once witnessed a Quichua Indian shaman from Ecuador taking on the attributes of a jaguar while doing healing work. Coastal Indians have had profound reverence for whales for thousands of years. The whale not only is a source of food and fuel, but also is a form of spiritual sustenance for the entire tribe.

Animals and Astrology

When I take the time to observe these animals’ habits, I notice their natural affinity to the various elements and planets we study in astrology. Birds have a strong connection to the air element, and seals and whales have an association with the water element. But when we study
the animals a little more deeply, we can see how their characteristics attune to different planets as well. Though dolphins may have a basic affinity to the water element, their playfulness and communicative style link them to the planet Mercury. And though great blue herons are connected to air, their graceful majesty and large stature shows their Jupiterian nature.

Each environment produces its own diversity of animal life, and the climate will help attune animals to a certain disposition. A dry, sunny region, like the canyons of southern Utah, will naturally have more fiery animals like lizards and reptiles. Windswept plains and tall gusty crags will have creatures that are connected to the air element, such as ravens, hawks and eagles.

Animals as Medicine

When we learn about an animal through studying, watching and reading about it, we can discover what it has to teach. Perhaps the lesson is about steadfastness and perseverance (buffalo). Or perhaps the lesson they have to teach is about agility and speed (hummingbird). In each case, we can emulate their abilities so we may grow stronger and wiser ourselves.

Often it is helpful to work with an animal that connects with our astrological chart. If we have a predominance of fire planets, we may want to work with a fiery animal to learn how to better access our own innate energy. We may also want to work with an animal that balances our chart and strengthens an element we are missing. If we have a lot of fire we may want to work with a water creature like whale or otter.

Below is a partial list of fire and air animals and birds. There are many ways to connect to these beings and the best way is to watch them in their natural environment. If they have died naturally, we may want to ask for a feather, a bone or some of their fur to remind us of their power.

Fire

Lion, linked to the Sun. This powerful animal comes in many shapes and forms, from the domesticated house cat to the tigers of the Serengeti Plains. They all share skills of agility, gracefulness and ferocity if necessary. Mountain lions are strong and stealthy hunters and teach us to be quiet, elusive and noble.

Coyote, linked to Mercury and Uranus. Coyotes are known for their howling cry, and hunt by themselves or with one other. They have long been seen as a trickster totem by many traditions. Coyote teaches us to be wise by being the fool. They can test us as well as make us laugh and help open doors of realization in sudden brilliant flashes.

Snake, linked to Pluto. Snakes have a primal power and can induce tremendous fear due to their speed and sometimes venomous fangs. These reptiles can sense their environment through their tongue, eyes and the vibrations they feel in their bodies. They will shed their skin at least once a year. Snakes are powerful allies for healers and medicine people, as much of their work is transformational. One of the most famous symbols of healing is the caduceus, which depicts two snakes coiling around a staff. Snakes teach us to be powerful, intense and alert.

Bee, linked to the Sun and Neptune. Honeybees live in colonies of up to 60,000 workers, a queen and a few hundred male drones. They help pollinate plants and trees by gathering the nectar and pollen from flowers. Workers communicate where pollen is to be found by dancing.

This powerful little creature teaches us to gather sweetness in our lives, to nourish the community through service and to buzz with love and sexuality.

Air Beings

Eagle, linked to Jupiter. This majestic raptor often sits in perches high above streams and the ground. With powerful vision, eagles are able to sight their prey and fly with lightning speed toward their kill. Eagles teach mature and solid strength, clear vision and leadership skills.
Mountain goat, linked to Saturn. Though these beings also have an affinity to the earth element, their natural terrain is up high in the clouds and mists of windswept mountains.

Mountain goats have a steady and sure-footed gait, and can use their powerful strength to quickly bound over boulders and up crags. These beings help us to be direct and sure on our path, to be clear and grounded in our movements and in our relationships.

Swallow, linked to Mercury. Watch as they dance and swim in circles in the air, joyfully playing with each other as they dart by trees and brush. These birds teach us to be playful and to laugh, to be joyful in the moment.

Raven, linked to Pluto. This powerful bird is watchful and confident. With tremendous intelligence, they take in everything around them and strategize, make their decisions and then directly go after what they
want and need. Ravens help us to act boldly and truthfully, to face what is dark or hidden in order to reveal the truth.

Water

Whale: Linked to Neptune. This majestic creature is found throughout the world’s oceans.
It is the largest mammal on the Earth and yet holds tremendous grace and beauty in its immense frame. Whales also communicate in a complex series of wails, snorts and whistles that are expressive and bewitching. This powerful being carries a vast reservoir of emotional intelligence. They are empathic, hypersensitive and tap us into the deepest layers of our
hearts and souls.

Dolphin: Linked to Mercury and Neptune. These mammals have a great playfulness and joy in their manner. They enjoy chattering away to each other with a language of whistles and clicking sounds. They live in small groups and take care of and tend to each other when in danger. Dolphin is a great totem animal for friendship, communication, playfulness and expressiveness.

Otter: Linked to Neptune and Mercury. These sleek and solitary creatures have a tremendous ability to dive and swim quickly and gracefully along shores of rivers and lakes. They usually live alone and spend endless hours cleaning themselves. Otters do not settle in one place their entire lives, but instead will move around, searching for the best places to find a meal. Otter is a good ally for those who need quickness, agility, grace and fluidity in their lives. Otter also helps us to be more joyful, playful and in the moment.

Salmon: Linked to the Moon, Neptune. This powerful creature has long been a totem to the coastal Native American peoples and is a source of strength and power for many tribes. Salmon live in salt water for much of their lives, then will travel upstream through fresh water to hatch their eggs. The newborn then cycles and rhythms and remind us to flow with our environment. Salmon is highly nourishing on a physical, emotional and spiritual level, bringing us strength and serenity.

Earth

Bear: Linked to Mars and Neptune. These large animals roam in forests and mountains and one can often spot them near a streambed drinking water or waiting to catch a fish. Their slow and lumbering quality is deceptive, for if they need to, they can run at tremendous speeds and
hurdle boulders and tree stumps easily. Bears are usually relaxed and will spend hours foraging for berries and good plant life. If threatened or cornered, they can become ferocious and will use their claws and teeth to quickly kill their opponent. Bears are a good ally for those needing strength, confidence and power. They also have a special relationship to dreaming as they spend much of the winter hibernating.

Buffalo: Linked to Saturn. Buffalo once roamed in immense herds across the plains of North America. Hunted almost to extinction, they are slowly growing in number again. These creatures spend much of the day feeding on grass to help nourish their large frames. Buffalo travel with packs for long distances to find suitable feeding grounds. They have long been revered as a source of food, clothing, shelter and tools. Buffalo teach us endurance, strength and the power to remain firm and true under adverse conditions.

Badger: Linked to the Moon and Mars. Badgers make their home in burrows that they dig under the ground. They prefer to stay there in the daytime and come out in the dark to forage and feed. These animals are incredibly skillful at digging and will rapidly make a new hole to live in. They can become aggressive if threatened and will hunt other small animals with their sharp claws and teeth. Badgers are resilient, industrious and fierce when necessary. They are a good ally for protection and courage.

Elk: Linked to Saturn. These strong and sturdy creatures like to travel alone or in packs through forests and mountainous areas. They walk cautiously and precisely but can flee with bounding leaps when endangered. They have a very acute sense of smell and hearing and can pick up on activity from hundreds of yards away. Elk is a strong ally for those needing to feel more grounded and self-confident. Elk are proud and self-contained, sensitive and restrained in their manner.

Conclusion

Animals are a source of strength and power that we can call on in our daily life. Find an animal that best suits your elemental makeup in your astrological chart. To help call on these beings, find a feather, a bone, a tooth or even a picture of them and keep it in a sacred place
like on an altar. Include the animal in your prayers and thoughts and take some time to observe them in their natural environment. Slowly, your relationship with the spirit of the animal will grow and in time you will gain some of the wisdom of that being.

Jonathan Keyes, B.S., is an astrologer, herbalist and plant spirit medicine practitioner. His writing has appeared in The Mountain Astrologer and in numerous Llewellyn almanacs. Jon has written a book entitled 'Guide to Natural Health, The Horoscope as a key to Ancient
Healing Practices'.