Lessons From Raccoon
I was recently asked by a regular reader to revisit the Raccoon as a Native American totem and to share with her the totem medicine as she is being taught by the little bandit of the animal kingdom at the moment. I am happy to do this because I truly love the message that raccoon works with us on. This creature teacher can be best referred to as the animal version of Robin Hood. His lesson is one of caring and generosity. Standing up for the underdog and providing for those in need.
When brother or sister raccoon comes into your spiritual radar, you are being asked to get in touch with your inner warrior to become a provider and protector. There is a slight twist to this, though. You must learn to protect and provide in a way that does not make the ones you are helping to become dependent on your help.
If you have ever watched a merry little band of raccoons scouting for food, you can’t helped to have been entertained. Often they seem to be playing with the food before they ever begin to settle down to actually eat it. Notice, however, that there is always a lookout posted somewhere close to warn of danger. Most times it will be the dominant male of the group. Before the others eat their food, they will take the best morsels to their sentinel to honor his or her vigilance in protecting the group. A rare and uncommon trait in both humans and animals…no greed. They understand the universal law of giving back to the source of their strength, protection, and guidance. Instinctively, they know that benevolence and generosity comes around full circle to the givers.
When The Raccoon Totem Comes To You
This creature teacher is asking you to look around and determine who might be in need of your strength. Is there someone you should speak up for when others are gossiping? Perhaps you need to give some time or energy to the less fortunate while also teaching them how to develop their own skills in protection and providing.
You must also remember to provide for your own needs so that there is something to give when called upon. So, sometimes Raccoon comes to remind you that you have given too much of yourself and it is time to honor your own needs.
Keep mindful of the “takers” who are too needy and too greedy and never give back. Balanced medicine from Raccoon dictates that you not waste your generosity on those who do not help themselves, who are too lazy to learn self-reliance, or contribute something of themselves.
~Mitakuye Oyasin~ We are all related
A couple of nights ago, a raccoon on the roof of our porch looked in at me through the second story window. The raccoon’s beautiful face was close to the glass and I was about three feet away. I was reading and singing to my three year old grandson who was spending the night. I alerted him quietly to the animal behind him and he turned around slowly so that his face was less than a foot from the raccoon’s on the other side of the glass. The raccoon slowly backed away. This was my grandson’s first overnight in a while; for the last six weeks my sister had been living with us after a difficult cancer diagnosis and it was a sad, scary, and challenging time for our whole family. She had only recently returned to her own home and started treatment there. The messages about caretaking and resourcing others and ourselves really resonates for me. I know I need to welcome raccoon energy into my life and the life of my kin.
During difficult time I look to my teachers, elders…..but today my spirit was lifted of a large weight. I have been giving so mutch of my self and in return I was hurt in a terrible way by a person who I have been and would of given the world to. Tonight as I passed by a window a small raccoon was watching me inside my house. I stopped, we looked at eachother for a few momments, all this curious creature did was stand up on his rear leg, reach out his funny little hand and tilt his to one side as if he was telling something. Just then my 80lb germain sheppard spotted him and barked at the window, scaring my teacher away. straight to the computer I came to find my little teacher “Raccoon” with the perfect message that I needed. “Chi’Migwetch Gemnedo and Raccoon” tonight I sleep well.xoxo
That’s an awesome story. I just rescued a raccoon today and took it to a rehabilitation center. Their eyes speak volumes. I came to the computer as well to see what message my little teacher brought to me. I found out that he or she had a dislocated or broken shoulder. I am happy that my little friend is in the care of a professional and safe and sound. They truly are beautiful creatures.