Of all Nature's Night Children, Bats, Cats, Rats, Owls, and Wolves tend to be the creatures of the night that inspire the most fear in humans. Of course spiders and snakes along with, mice and cockroaches  are right up there in the top ten listing of fear inspiring night children.

While much of this site deals with the mysterious and unknown, this particular section delves into the true nature of some these night children.

Remember, that which we fear the most has the most to teach us.

Bats: The bat is one of the most misunderstood mammals. Modern depictions in movies and television have give it a sinister reputation, but it plays an important role in Nature and as a symbol in the totem traditions. Although more modern lore places the bat in cohorts with the devil, with its dragon-like wings, in more ancient times it was a powerful symbol.

In Babalonia bats represented the souls of the dead. In China they were symbols for happiness and long life. To the ancient Mayans, they were symbols of initiation and rebirth. To the medieval peoples, they were miniature dragons.

Keynote to Bats:  As a totem animal, bats represent transition and initiation with their cycle of power being the night time.

From a naturalistic view, bats are NOT sinister. They play a very valuable role in nature. They feed on insects and are essential to the pollination of many plants. Their waste produce, guano, is also used as a valuable fertilizer. This hints that every aspect of facing our fears will have value to us, no matter how messy it seem to be.

In addition, the Bat is the ONLY flying mammal. Its tremendously elongated finger bones support wings made of a tough leathery skin. The bat's flight seems fluttery and jerky, but is is flight nonetheless. All flight implies a rising above.

Cats: Although a domesticated animal, it would be unjust not to touch upon the energies and essence of the cat as a totem animal. Many of the larger cats - the Panther in particular - hold great interest for me. Panthers are very powerful and ancient animals and are part of the leopard and jaguar family. As with most larger cats, the panther is a symbol of ferocity and valor and with the Black Panther there is a definite lunar significance.

Keynote to Panthers: Reclaiming One's True Power, with their cycle of power being the dark of the moon, the new moon and winter.

Rats: Whenever I think of rats, I think of the movie "Ben". I also had a friend who kept a pet rat named Ben. To say that my cats did not approve of him was an understatement of the highest order!

The sight of a rat usually distresses most people as rats often carry contagious diseases and though rats do not have a very elegant reputation, they are tremendously adaptable.

In Chinese astrology, the first year is assigned to the Rat. Legend tells of how at one time Buddha summoned all of the animals to him. Only twelve showed up and the first was the Rat.

People born in the Chinese year of the rat are said to be success oriented, sometimes restless and nervous, but always shrewd.

Keynote to Rats: Success, restlessness and shrewdness with their cycle of power being year round.

Owls: No bird has as much myth and mystery surrounding it than the owl. Most perceptions of it are confused. It is not unusual to get contrary opinions of the owl. It has an ancient aura of mystery about it, in part because it is a nocturnal bird and night time has always seemed mysterious to humans.

Often those with an owl as a power totem have a unique ability for seeing into the eyes and souls of others. Often these perceptions are discarded as wild imaginings or with such phrases as "now why in earth would I think that about this person?". These kinds of imaginings, positive and negative, should always be trusted for they are seldom wrong.

In addition, Owls fly silently. This is something all those with Owl as a totem should practice: Keep silent and go about your business. This will bring you the greatest success.

Keynote to Owls:  The Mystery of Magick, Omens, Silent Wisdom, and vision in the Night with their cycle of power being nocturnal and year round.

Gyrfalcon

Wolves : My favorite of all the night children, and probably the most misunderstood of all wild mammals. Tales of terror and their cold-bloodedness abound. Although many stores tell otherwise, there has NEVER been any confirmed killing of a human by a healthy wolf. In spite of their negative press, Wolves are the exact opposite of how they are portrayed. Wolves are friendly, social, and highly intelligent. Their sense of family is strong and loyal, and they live by carefully defined rules and rituals.

Keynote to Wolves: Guardianship, Ritual, Loyalty and Spirit, with their cycle of power being Year Round, Full Moons & Twilight.

Spiders and Snakes: yuck! However I have been told that which we fear the most has the most to teach us. I must have an awful lot to learn!

The Spider is the master weaver. To the Native Americans, Grandmother Spider kept and taught the mysteries of the past and how they were affecting the future. Spider reminds us to awaken our own sensibilities to be more creative in life.

Unlike insects, spiders have a two section body instead of three, often giving them a figure eight kind of appearance. This is in conjunction with its eight legs (insects have 6) links it to the mysticism associated with the geometric form of the figure eight. On its side, this is the symbol of infinity. It is the wheel of life, flowing from one circle to the next.  The difficulty is learning to walk those circles or even hold your position within the middle between the two.

Keynote to Spiders: Creativity and the weaving of fate.

Of all reptiles, maybe even of all animals, the Snake has been the subject of great controversy and paradox. Religious sources argue over whether it is a symbol of a higher power or of the lower power. Sometimes seen as devil and sometimes as healer, it is an animal that truly has earned its mythical reputation.

The Snake has long been the symbol of death and rebirth. Before it sheds its skin, its eyes begin to cloud over, as if to indicate it is entering into a stage between life and death. Snake medicine people were those who learned to imitate the snake and move between the realms of life and death for healing and enlightenment.

Keynote to Snakes: Rebirth, resurrection, initiation, and wisdom.

Reference Data on this page taken from:
Ted Andrews "Animal Speak" ISBN0875420281
Llewellyn Publications