As those of you who visit my social media accounts will already know, I receive a lot of wisdom from the Natural World. One of my favorite ways to do this is to notice what animals have been showing up in my consciousness and then learning what medicine they have to offer for my life. This is a classic Native American Shamanic practice, and can also be seen in other spiritual traditions, especially the pagan paths, which consider Nature sacred.
Recently I’ve been receiving a lot of Groundhog medicine. This wasn’t so uncommon in Asheville, but I was really kind of surprised to see so many of these little critters in Kentucky. Not because it’s a particularly inhospitable place for them, but because in all my years of living here as a kid and visiting on the reg since then, I can’t recall ever seeing a single groundhog. This, of course, further confirms my belief in the notion that Groundhog’s wisdom is particularly intended for me at this particular time in my life.
So, what medicine, or wisdom, does Groundhog offer?I was so hoping you’d ask that!
Groundhogs are diggers of tunnels. They are excavators of great and intricate systems of tunnels that connect deep underground which allow them to travel where they want to go at a pace of their choosing with safety and ease. As such, Groundhog offers the medicine of digging beneath the surface to make connections for greater flow and safer passage through life. They aren’t afraid of the dark. In fact, the cool darkness is an ally in allowing the progress of Groundhog. See where I’m going with this? Digging deep into the dark places beneath the surface will make for easier growth and expansion.
Groundhogs also hibernate for half the year. During that time they slow their metabolism and sleep. Like, sleeeeeeeeeeep. They emerge in Spring ready to reset their metabolism, awaken to the latent energy that’s been rebuilding during the stillness of Winter. They arise bright-eyed and bushy-tailed (metaphorically and literally), and ready to get back to L-I-V-I-N! This feels particularly applicable for me right now. I feel like I’ve been awakening from a looooong hibernation, and now am starting to get my groove back. I’m back in the gym. I’m outside walking and playing in the sun again. It feels great, but, after being so slow and still for so long, I am finding myself struggling, at times, with being a relative beginner again. But, Groundhog is reminding me that this is just part of the process. I’ve been doing that deep digging. I’ve been resting in the dark heaviness of hibernation, and I’m ready for this reintegration to full-on living. This is just the readjustment period. I have all the resources I need to tackle this transition smoothly and joyfully, and that’s what I’ll do.
And one of my favorite traits about Groundhog is how vocal they are. They are not afraid to speak up and share their truth. They are not afraid to establish their boundaries and to let someone know if they’ve been breached. They are Natural masters of knowing what Soul wants and needs and speaking in alignment. And while I feel like I’ve gotten pretty good at this authentic expression, being with family can definitely test those skills. This is good medicine for me now, too.
The keyword for Groundhog is Retreat. This is where deep and profound power can be created and mined. It is through retreating into the dark quiet stillness of Self and Soul that we can emerge aligned with Soul and connected to our power.
Thank you, Groundhog, for your wisdom. Thank you for revealing your medicine to me just when I need it most. I will do my very best to make good use of it.
Who’s showing up for you in the Natural World these days? What medicine are you receiving?