Spirit Animals: DELICATELY DEER

Deer Spirit Animal

She nibbles grass by gathering at a few blades at a time with her gentle lips and clipping the greens into her immaculate, petite mouth. Nearby, another of her kind, a male with velvet dripping off his headful of antlers tenderly plucks leaves from a service berry bush. She senses her others also around quietly browsing, but the brush and their tawny coats obscures them from view. Everything appears halcyon, at peace, but this belies the sparkling tension in the air. With an unexpected crack from a small twig they know not to be born by one of their own, they all turn and take flight into the woods.

Deer are so commonly known in myth and in everyday life, and still there is a magic about them that startles the ordinary away. Their delicate yet tenacious manner has lead many hunter astray into other worlds and even to their death.

The Goddess Artemis & Deer

There is the myth of the goddess Artemis, huntress and protector of animals. Artemis was in a pond washing naked and swimming with her similarly unclothed nymphs one day.

A straying hunter came upon them and gawked at the site. In her anger, Artemis turned him to a stag and called his own hunting dogs upon him. He was killed by his own hunting party. Artemis was a virgin goddess and this tale reminds us of the importance of guarding our own innocence. Innocence and purity are at the heart of deer spirit animal.

Meaning of White Deer

White stags appear in legends from around the world, but most notably in the stories of King Arthur. He was never able to catch the white stag, but in his attempts to do so he was lead in to great adventures and mystical places.

By following the deer spirit animal into the woods of the mystery either within ourselves or within spiritual teachings we risk losing track of all time like the children of Narnia caught up in the wardrobe. And too we are invited into forgetting ourselves all together.

Stag Symbolism

There are three aspects to deer worth considering – stag (buck), doe, and fawn. Each has their own particular expression that is unique enough to explore independently.

Bucks are more independent traveling alone or in lose, unrelated bachelor groups. Their antlers symbolize connection to the heavens and intuition received through the mental plane. Their crown of antlers also corresponds to royalty and, thus, power. Bambi’s father was called the Great Prince or King of the Forest for this reason.

A mature buck with a 6-point rack in full rut strikes reverence in the heart of any man. There is a confidence and valor in a buck that rivals even the most fierce of predators. The biggest and strongest bucks in the forest mate with the most does and produce the most off-spring. They do so by fending off other suitors in battle. This is the quintessential Darwinian “survival of the fittest”.

Notice that for most of the year the bucks live peacefully side by side, but there is a season for competition with deer spirit animal. When in your life are you in competition? Are you able to enter into a test of strength when appropriate and then drop your weapons (antlers) and move on to coexist without strife the majority of the time? We sometimes judge against competitiveness, but there is a striving and refining that happens in these trials that carries us through tough times (winter) and births new energy into the world.

Stags can teach us that by knowing when to compete and when to drop our attachment to the game we can become the kings of our own inner wild nature.

Doe Deer Symbolism

Does stick together in groups related maternally year round. Their presence is of a drastically different measure. To understand the nature of doe energy simply think of the phrase “doe eyes”. Their eyes are big and soft, and any woman with doe eyes is known for luring you in.

There are many myths around the world of women who turn into animals or who are half woman, half beast. In some North American tribes there is a legend of the Deer Woman who is half woman, half doe. Some stories tell of how she lures men to their deaths. This relates back to the story of Artemis and how the gawking hunter lost his life. So, despite the fact that bucks are confident and courageous and does are soft and sweet, the two have a reputation for luring men into potential danger.

The masculine aspect of all of us (the animus) is our active nature, our “doing” way in the world. When we are caught up in the activity of our lives we easily go on auto-pilot. Then we are unknowingly subject to the luring energy of deer spirit animal. Before we know it we’ve wandered into an unknown part of our own inner forest and we think to ourselves, “I don’t know who I am anymore and I’m not sure where I was going.” This is when deer spirit animal magic has been at work in you.

Creativity and Deer Spirit Animal

Courtship and mating occurs in late fall, early winter (October-December) and the gestation period is 7 months. We often think of spring as the time for babies, but really fawns are not seen until summer officially arrives. This speaks to running on a later schedule than is expected, possibly even being prone to procrastination. This can also be a tendency to wait until you know what the picture is going to look like before moving forward.

By November, the deer have a good sense of how they will fare through the winter because they have seen the fall harvest and built up their reserves as best as nature will allow. The timing of their breeding depends on rainfall, temperature, and day length. Some species of deer will wait until January to breed.

In thinking about deer power animal, How are you approaching new creative projects right now? Are you holding out as long as you can to see what the environment will be like? Are you able to recognize a good or mild season when you are in one and move forward as to take advantage of the favorable conditions?

Symbolism of Deer Fawns

There is a doe that sets up residence around our house with her fawn(s) each year. As these things go, she just showed up for the first time this year, today, during the process of this writing. She announced her presence by chasing and charging our dog Diesel. Diesel was jumping and barking at her, and then she was in hot pursuit of him, front hooves lashing out.

We called him off and looked back in time to see a teeny, tiny little spotted fawn jump up and run the other way. The fawn had been laying down just feet from where we had walked. Our dog never saw her until she was on the move. By then he was back with us and stood and watched politely.

In the first three weeks of the fawn’s life, the mother leaves her young bedded down for up to 8 hours at a time while she wanders and grazes. The fawn is not yet able to run quickly enough to evade predators, so the best protection is to lay in hiding and wait until mom comes back with udders full of milk.

Deer Spirit Animal in Fight or Freeze

A combination of the defensive mother, the camouflage of a dappled coat, the ability to be completely still, and the lack of any scent is what keeps the fawns safe. The mothers clean their fawns immaculately, so no trace of a scent remains. All of these kept our keen nosed and eyed dog from spotting the little one.

Seeing how small this newborn was and thinking of it laying there frozen, waiting for danger to pass reminded me how intensely vulnerable these tender creatures are. We often think of freezing in the face of fear as a weakness, but the combination of the fiercely protective mother and the perfectly still fawn makes an incredibly strong pairing. I mentioned before that purity and innocence is at the heart of the deer totem, this is because as fawns they begin life pure (clean of scent) and innocent (unable to defend themselves or run from danger).

With deer spirit animal, what is your relationship to being vulnerable? Are you ashamed of the tender part of you that lays frozen in the brush? Do you over-emphasize the protective nature of the mother? All of this is necessary for your well being. Keep in mind a balance. Judge not your innocence, love the purity of your soul, and honor your own courageous spirit.

PHOTO CREDIT: David Anton. To view more of David’s beautiful photos visit his website: https://kitestream.wordpress.com

 

Want to learn more about spirit animals?
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Stacey Couch

About Author, Stacey L. L. Couch

Stacey Couch is a Spiritual Advisor who supports creative seekers learning as they go on the spiritual path. She serves beginner and life-long students of the soul. Her compassionate and collaborative approach honors the humanity and value of each person. Wisdom found in story, mysticism, and nature provide guidance and healing in her work. Through meeting with Stacey, lost souls find refuge. Connection to the Divine is realized. Belonging comes. She is the author of Gracious Wild: A Shamanic Journey with Hawks. Learn About working with Stacey
14 replies
  1. Cynthia Riegle
    Cynthia Riegle says:

    thanks for posting this about the deer. for the last week I have had encounters with deer, now three times. the first I was going about life and encountered a deer who i assumed had been hit and she lied in a wet ditch on the side of the road. I gave her my blessings, did a little reiki and returned later to find she had passed. I remember her beautiful still eyes of innocence and I am very sad about her passing. the next morning I looked out in my field to see a doe laying in the field with her head up looking toward my bedroom, just sitting there watching. and this morning their was a deer drinking from the top of my pool cover. I could only make out the silhouette but getting up at just that right moment I feel there is more to these encounters. though I am not sure what they mean, hence my googling animal totem. I am at a point where I am not sure what is next in my life. though I make small safe strides forward, i am not sure about my path. so the doe may have reflected my unsure feelings.
    thank you for your insights.
    cynthia

    Reply
    • Stacey Couch
      Stacey Couch says:

      You are welcome Cynthia and thank you for sharing the story of your synchronicities with deer spirit animal. Just reading what you wrote I can feel the gentle nature of the doe leading you deeper into yourself. What a gift and a comfort. Thank you also for your witness and kindness for the doe that had been hit. So often we miss these tender moments no matter how painful. These moments bring us back into the circle of life and more of us need to be in it, hands on, doing the work. I’m glad to know you’re in the tribe, being of service. Many Blessings My Dear, Stacey

      Reply
  2. Colleen
    Colleen says:

    Oh my how beautiful! Thank you for your eloquent description of the deer. Last night I dreamed of gentle baby deers with their spotted coats. I woke up and Googled fawn and totem animals and found your perfect article! I am in transition and making many changes in my life. I’m being led to take off my mask and be more authentic with my spiritual walk which is leading me to leave my marriage relationship. It is a decision that doesn’t seem logical to those looking from the outside, considering the so called comfortable living I’m enjoy now. But still I’m being led to keep moving forward into a rich and spacious new life of spirit. And gentleness and mercy on myself is what the deer totem is calling me to do. I loved the passage, ” judge not your innocence, love the purity of your soul, and honor your courageous spirit.” I penned that in my journal this morning thank you for your words of wisdom!

    Reply
    • Stacey Couch
      Stacey Couch says:

      You are so very welcome Colleen! It sure sounds like you are following the deer into the forest about to embark on a grand and mysterious adventure. Many Blessings on the Path, Stacey

      Reply
  3. Carrie Leopold
    Carrie Leopold says:

    WOW! I am so glad to read this. I was gifted a baby buck antler and some doe, and baby buck hair. I just found out that my gift is to be an Animal Shaman. I go in my back yard, and there is a group of Doe that hang out in the small patch of trees. One of them when i say ” Hi baby!” Runs up to me like she is excited to see me. So does a baby Buck. They are so comfortable around me that they fart in front of me, and then look at me like i did it. They are so so cute. I love them so much. Thank you for this article.

    Reply
    • Stacey Couch
      Stacey Couch says:

      Hello Carrie, You are most welcome. I am glad that you are getting the opportunity to connect with these beautiful animals. What a gift. Happy exploration of this new world, Stacey

      Reply
  4. Eric Stirner
    Eric Stirner says:

    In my guided meditations for PTSD a white doe without antlers always guides me. Any mythic tales of anter-less white does?

    Reply
    • Stacey Couch
      Stacey Couch says:

      Hello Eric, I do not know of any specific mythic tales about white hinds. I do know they have a good deal of significance in Celtic folklore much like any white animal does around the world. There is an element of mystery, sacredness, and purity with these ghosts in the forest. Couple that with what I write about doe medicine in general and there is an amplification of the powers of innocence and purity within your own inner forest that is a rare and reverential sight to see. Many Blessings, Stacey

      Reply
  5. Inas Bseiso
    Inas Bseiso says:

    What is your relationship to being vulnerable? Are you ashamed of the tender part of you that lays frozen in the brush? Do you over-emphasize the protective nature of the mother? All of this is necessary for your well being. Keep in mind a balance. Judge not your innocence, love the purity of your soul, and honor your own courageous spirit.

    Just beautiful
    Thanks Stacy

    Reply
  6. yolanda
    yolanda says:

    I have been meaning to write to you for awhile. Your sight is beautifully done. I love learning all that you have brought to me. Subscribing to you was a blessing. Learning about all the creatures in this wonderful earth that we have been given as a gift…has taught me so much about myself.
    Unfortunately I live in a location where not many people explore the creature’s, or think about ways symbolically.
    Right now in my life I am 48 yrs old…raised a family, went through a divorce…went to school in 2006 to become a nurse. In saying all that I am not content…I have this yearning in my soul for something else. How do I reach what my soul yearns for?
    I want to help others….that part I know. Even as a little girl I had that desire. But I now know nursing saddens me. I want to help in other ways. I am not religious but I have a spiritual being that I have cultivated while taking time to myself.
    I am writing to ask your guidance in this matter.

    yolanda

    Reply
    • Stacey Couch
      Stacey Couch says:

      Hello Yolanda, How lovely to hear from you and thank you for your kind feedback. I’m delighted to hear that what you’ve learned here has helped you learn about yourself. What a beautiful thing. It sounds to me that you are already reaching for what you yearn for. The next step is to touch it it seems. I encourage you to follow your inner promptings, what brings you joy and inspiration. Gather the courage to follow the gentle luring of the teachings you admire into the vast wilderness. I am guessing that you already know where you want to go, but that you’re afraid to do so. You might even be holding back because you have no idea how it will all work out. If you wait for a guarantee of the outcome, you’ll never start the journey. Stepping into the unknown can be very frightening, but also very liberating. I trust you have what it takes to go where your soul leads. Many Blessings, Stacey

      Reply
  7. yolanda
    yolanda says:

    The masculine aspect of all of us (the animus) is our active nature, our “doing” way in the world. When we are caught up in the activity of our lives we easily go on auto-pilot. Then we are unknowingly subject to the luring energy of deer spirit animal. Before we know it we’ve wandered into an unknown part of our own inner forest and we think to ourselves, “I don’t know who I am anymore and I’m not sure where I was going.” This is when deer spirit animal magic has been at work in you.

    In your writing…that’s exactly what I am feeling.
    I have such a love for the shamans ways. Is it possible that I could be trained to become a healer in that way rather than with medicine?

    Reply

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