Spirit Animal - Caribou

These are the headlines that attracted my attention....

Another caribou herd in steep decline: study   Last Updated: Monday, December 1, 2008 | 9:12 AM MT   The Canadian Press

Caribou cross a river in this undated handout photo. Six of the eight western Arctic caribou herds appear to be in serious, long-term decline. (Canadian Press)   

Caribou facing extinction as recovery efforts stall, biologist says   Last Updated  : Wednesday, May 21, 2008 | 1:26 PM ET  CBC

This is the third time in several days that CARIBOU have popped up on the radar of "what I need to pay attention to".  For me, this "attention" is very much like a little TV with knobs and details streaming across it.  When something is important, the screen flashes and attracts my attention - hence the name. 

Going back to Caribou,  I wondered what the importance of Caribou was to me at the moment.  I always thought of Caribou as another "Deer".  If that was the case, then I should simply be seeing Deer.  So, what is the significance of Caribou and these articles?

Caribou are slowly becoming extinct.  They represented a way of life for the Inuit for hundreds of years.  The stats are showing huge drops in the number of Caribou, and yet, there is nothing about finding many skeletons of Caribou in one area, showing that a mass  hunting of the animal took place or that some disease wiped them out. 

What immediately came to mind is "the old ways are not required anymore - the animals do not have to sacrifice themselves".  That thought made me think of the Monarch Butterfly disappearing.  Perhaps the Caribou is now attuning to the next realm or realms and is slowly leaving the planet through an open portal.

Caribou is also about getting ready for new adventures.  Every year, Caribou migrates to new pastures, and this happens twice per year.  So, Caribou showing up may be a signal for long and wonderful journeys that will completely transform life.  Caribou is also about courage - the journeys take a month or so, and the Caribou must swim very cold rivers and seas.  At times, all one can see are the head and antlers.  The message - keep your head above water (emotions and challenges) and simply keep going.  Caribou never turns back.

If Caribou is showing up in your life, take a look at what you need to let go of, and prepare for the transformational journey!

(See the Articles at the Wise Words page at www.angelsandancestors.com)