Moose, the largest member of the herbivorous Cervidae family, which includes deer and elk, are native to northern climates in North America, Europe, and Asia. They became extinct in the UK centuries ago. These animals graze on grasses, shrubs, moss, lichens, pine cones and aquatic plants below and on the water’s surface.
They are diurnal or daytime solitary animals. Males are bulls; females, cows and the young, calves or mooselings. Both sexes call to each other during the rutting season in September and October. The bull emits heavy grunting sounds, while females make a wail-like call.
In North America, wolves, grizzly bears and humans are moose’s only predators. Wolves sometimes bite the animal’s sensitive nose to immobilize their prey because the pain paralyzes it.
Native American Symbolism of Moose
Moose represents self-esteem and is also about the magick of life and death. Late autumn and early winter is her cycle of power.
Moose symbolizes expressing joy of accomplishment, not in a boasting way or to seek recognition.
This is done in a spirit of sharing joy which is contagious. It’s about learning to explore new depths of awareness within that lie within the self and environment. Moose’s medicine includes primal female energies, longevity, value and integrity.
Athapaskan AmerIndians saw a relationship between Raven and Moose. The hunters would protect and talk to Raven. They prayed to her for a successful hunt. When they saw Moose, she was a sacred, sacred gift needed for their survival. This opens a sacred, unique energy.
Moose, a Native American Indian Legend
A Moose Family was sitting in their lodge around the fire. A long pipe entered and floated around them.
Old Bull Moose and the others ignored the pipe. It reached Young Bull Moose. He took the pipe and began to smoke it. Old Bull Moose told him he killed the Moose Family. The pipe was from the Human People who smoked it to ask for success in the next day’s hunt. They would find the Moose Family because he smoked the pipe.
Young Bull Moose said he wasn’t afraid because he could outrun the Human People.
In the morning, the Moose People left their lodge to find food. As soon as they got to the forest, they smelled the hunters. A thin crust on the snow made it hard for the Moose People to move swiftly.
The Moose People started to run as the Human People pursued them. Young Bull Moose ran away from the others, confident he could outrun the hunters. Human People pursued him until he was tired and had to rest. They reached him, then killed him.
The Human People thanked him for smoking their pipe and giving himself to them so that they could survive. His body was treated with care; his spirit soothed.
That night, Young Bull Moose woke in his lodge surrounded by his family. He received a present, a long pipe, from the Human People. He said it wasn’t wrong for him to accept the pipe the Human People sent the previous night. His body was treated with respect. It was right to allow the Human People catch Moose People.
This is why the hunters who show respect to Moose and other animals are the ones who have successful hunts.
Related articles:
Deer, Pagan Symbol of Gentleness
Sources:
Animal Magick, D. J. Conway, (Llewellyn Publications, 1996)
Animal-Speak, Ted Andrews, (Llewellyn Publications, 2002)
Favorite Animals of North America, Will Barker, (Portland House, 1987)
The Medicine Cards, Jamie Sams & David Carson, (Bear & Company, 1988)
Jill Stefko - I'd rather deal with the paranormal than human abnormal - having dealt extensively with both.
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