Call IT In with Dar

Animal habits, symbolism, mythology, and folklore is a fun topic to explore. That is why I enjoyed doing these episodes, and how each animal is viewed in various cultures around the world, and what their habits are. What animal looks like it is wearing a mask and washes its food? The raccoon of course, that was easy… but they don't wash their food. They actually use water to remove unwanted parts of a plant before eating it. Raccoons have become notorious in urban areas for consuming food waste. They possess impressive problem-solving abilities, and can break into the most secure waste bins, which has earned him the nickname of “trash panda” in many areas. Overall, the raccoon symbolizes cleverness, dexterity, inquisitiveness, trickery, courage, disguise, nimbleness, resourcefulness, still, mystery and secrecy. A large portion of a raccoon's brain is devoted to the sense of touch, and mainly processing what their front paws come in contact with. Like humans, they have five fingers, but humans rely more on their sense of vision to process information. But Racoons do not have an opposing thumb. But they can grab things and open containers. Their hands are said to be four times more sensitive than ours. Overall raccoon medicine inspires introspection, and embracing one's authentic self. It encompasses wisdom, adaptability, and playfulness. So call the raccoon spirit into your life, call in the raccoon “Call IT in With Dar!” Support the showPhoto credit: Rebecca Lange Photography Music credit: Kevin MacLeod Incompetech.com (licensed under Creative Commons) Production credit: Erin Schenke @ Emerald Support Services LLC. Grab Dar's Flight Deck Oracle Card Deck

Animal folklore and symbolism can be found across the world… from culture to culture. I find the similarities to be amazing. In early times prior to social media, the synchronicities abound. In almost all cultures, rabbits are associated with positive symbols of luck, good fortune, abundance, gentleness, sensitivity, and intuition. White rabbits are believed to symbolize purity, longevity, and abundance. Many cultures believe the rabbit brought life to early Earth. We see this with today's customs of rabbits, delivering easter eggs. Due to this association with Easter, the Christians see rabbits as symbols of good luck, kindness and fertility. Rabbits are part of the Chinese zodiac and considered to be the luckiest of all animals. The moon goddess is believed to have had a rabbit by her side, who spends time mixing and grinding herbs to make medicine. Therefore, the Chinese also see the rabbit as a symbol of good health and longevity. In Japanese culture, rabbits are believed to symbolize progress, ambition, and self-devotion. In some areas, their folklore portrays them as tricksters. Overall rabbits symbolize fertility, abundance, stillness, shapeshifting, psychic senses, survival instincts and wit… so call in the rabbit to bring these characteristics into your life. Call in rabbit medicine! “Call IT in With Dar!”Support the showPhoto credit: Rebecca Lange Photography Music credit: Kevin MacLeod Incompetech.com (licensed under Creative Commons) Production credit: Erin Schenke @ Emerald Support Services LLC. Grab Dar's Flight Deck Oracle Card Deck

Animal symbolism is a fascinating subject of study, and today's animal is no exception. This small, cat sized vegetarian has 30,000 quills, which makes the gentle solitary animal seem fierce at first glance, but the porcupine has a childlike personality, sweet, inquisitive, energetic and happy. The porcupine spirit teaches us how to get through challenges and rough patches in life. It symbolizes protection, resilience, adaptability, gentleness, intuition, sensitivity, intelligence, problem solving. shyness and the need for solitude. It serves as a reminder to appreciate your own uniqueness and inner strength. Porcupines are unique animals, and are seen in many cultures as a symbol of good luck, strength, determination and resilience. They are found in North America, South America, Africa and Asia. They are nocturnal and sleep during the day, coming out only at night to eat, living on the ground and in trees. When a porcupine feels threatened, it will raise its hollow quills to make itself look much larger. The quills can be made into needles, and were the original acupuncture tools in China. So call on the porcupine spirit. Call the porcupine medicine into your life. “Call IT in With Dar!”Support the showPhoto credit: Rebecca Lange Photography Music credit: Kevin MacLeod Incompetech.com (licensed under Creative Commons) Production credit: Erin Schenke @ Emerald Support Services LLC. Grab Dar's Flight Deck Oracle Card Deck

I really enjoy studying different animals. I love looking into their folklore, mythology, unique characteristics and symbolism. Today's member of the large cat family is no exception. This episode is about the Panther, who originally inhabited North America, but slowly moved southward, which is why we find stories about it in Mexico and Peru, as well as Asia. Symbolically, the Panther is connected to leadership, power, movement, sensuality, solitude, strength, instinct, elusiveness, and aggression. It is also seen as an intuitive protector. A Black Panther is actually a leopard or a Jaguar with a genetic mutation. If you see a black panther in Africa, or Asia, it is actually a black leopard. If you see one in North Central or South America, it is a black Jaguar. The greatest of many gifts that the Panther brings is their ability to be silent and still, this spirit often walks alone, with intuitive abilities to hunt in secrecy. In many cultures, the Panther is seen as a symbol of fertility and sexuality. The Black Panthers symbolizes feminine power, grace, intelligence, and the wisdom of women and intuition. It is believed that the panther is a skilled communicator with all other creatures of the forest. So call in Panther medicine for transformation, personal power and rebirth. Embrace your inner power and trust your instincts, navigate through darkness and come out stronger on the other side. Call in the Panther’s spirit! “Call IT in With Dar!”Support the showPhoto credit: Rebecca Lange Photography Music credit: Kevin MacLeod Incompetech.com (licensed under Creative Commons) Production credit: Erin Schenke @ Emerald Support Services LLC. Grab Dar's Flight Deck Oracle Card Deck

Spirit animals, animal talisman, animal totems, animal symbolism or animal medicine, no matter what we call it…this study of animal folklore, mythology, and overall history is entirely fascinating. And the story of the ox or oxen is no exception! In many Asian communities, the Ox is historically respected for serving human masters for over 6000 years, with loyal, honorable patience and a commendable work ethic. The Ox was once part of a large herd that roamed across North America, Europe, Asia and Africa. While wild Oxen still exist in some parts of the world, South America and Australia have no wild oxen at all anymore. Oxen are docile, strong and useful for plowing fields and pulling heavy loads. In some regions they are also raised for food. The coat of an Oxen is commonly reddish brown. However, there are also black, gray and white ones in some areas. They have horns, a large flap of loose skin under their neck, shoehooves like horses, and long tails often feathered at the end. Overall, the ox symbolizes strength, power, determination, hard work, harmony, balance and perseverance. It also represents masculinity, renewal and leadership. Call in the ox spirit to help you unleash your talents and skills to accomplish the almost impossible goals in your life. Call in the ox for strength, power, determination, harmony, balance, and leadership. Call oxen medicine into your life. “Call IT in With Dar!”Support the showPhoto credit: Rebecca Lange Photography Music credit: Kevin MacLeod Incompetech.com (licensed under Creative Commons) Production credit: Erin Schenke @ Emerald Support Services LLC. Grab Dar's Flight Deck Oracle Card Deck

I really enjoy exploring animal characteristics, symbolism and folklore. I hope that you are enjoying listening about it too in this series. Do you know what animal is considered the dog of the water? It is the otter because they are fuzzy, cute and photogenic. They actually have a folklore history of being called that to their streamline streamlined, their bodies are made for swimming. They are actually part of the weasel family, but are the only ones that swim. Sea otters can hold their breath underwater for about five minutes, and river otters for about eight. Others have webbed feet and can close their nostrils and ear flaps when underwater. otters have a deep spiritual meaning in various cultures around the world, including transformation, mischief, friendship, feminine mystery, intelligence, and psychic abilities. As a spirit animal, they serve as reminders to find joy in life. Tap into creativity. Seek balance, nurture relationships and follow your intuition. The otter embodies both water and Earth energies. Otters are very social creatures and live in groups. The groups are called rafts, and they consist of anywhere from two to 100 adults. These furry creatures also have the name of romp when there is a group of them. So call in other medicine for relationships, creativity, joy, knowledge, playfulness, femininity, intuition, loyalty, and luck. Call in the otter,” Call it in with Dar!”Support the showPhoto credit: Rebecca Lange Photography Music credit: Kevin MacLeod Incompetech.com (licensed under Creative Commons) Production credit: Erin Schenke @ Emerald Support Services LLC. Grab Dar's Flight Deck Oracle Card Deck

In many cultures, animals are seen as spiritual beings that can teach us many lessons. The muskrat is no exception. Representing adaptability, resourcefulness, strength, courage, curiosity, fun, swimming and diving skills, and the ability to achieve tasks that appear insurmountable with diligence. So the muskrat can be a powerful reminder to adapt and transform to meet challenges in our lives. The muskrat is a small brown rodent that lives in the water mainly in North America and in Europe. Although it is not a popular animal, it has been an important symbol of adaptability. Among some Native American tribes, the muskrat can build its home using any material in both water and the land. It is also known for its swimming and diving skills when tribes respect their strength and courage. Also, the muskrat is associated with the moon and is believed to be able to travel between the world of the living and the spirit world. For these reasons, the muskrat is a powerful animal totem in native culture. So all on the muskrat medicine to help you through challenges to help you with positive transformation. To help you navigate change and achieve balance. Call on the muskrat, “Call IT in With Dar!”Support the showPhoto credit: Rebecca Lange Photography Music credit: Kevin MacLeod Incompetech.com (licensed under Creative Commons) Production credit: Erin Schenke @ Emerald Support Services LLC. Grab Dar's Flight Deck Oracle Card Deck

People around the world have been superstitious about mice across all cultures and across many centuries. Although the mouse arrived in North America with European settlers, they have been on Earth for more than 65 million years. They originated in Central Asia, and there are over 1,100 Different identified species. Although the mouse has terrible eyesight, it has supersonic hearing, and they are excellent jumpers, climbers and swimmers. They don't like cold weather and can squeeze through tiny gaps in search of warmer locations. Those of us who live in cold climates up north know that well. Their teeth never stop growing, and they are a common character in the folklore of many cultures. Overall, a mouse symbolizes endurance, focus, wit, fertility, opportunism, disease, and death. In the Far East, mice are associated with luxury and prosperity. Their images are sculpted into high price Chinese porcelain vases. It is the first of 12 zodiac signs in the Chinese calendar, and represents new beginnings, divine power, as well as being seen as a messenger between the physical and spiritual world. The world is certainly filled with multiple stories and symbolism of this tiny creature. So remember to call on mice medicine! Call on the spirit of the mouse! Call it into your life. “CallIT in With Dar!”Support the showPhoto credit: Rebecca Lange Photography Music credit: Kevin MacLeod Incompetech.com (licensed under Creative Commons) Production credit: Erin Schenke @ Emerald Support Services LLC. Grab Dar's Flight Deck Oracle Card Deck

Today’s animal is the majestic moose, symbolizing resilience, bravery, strength, stability, wisdom, balance, power, courage, speed, and agility. Moose makes its home in the northern parts of Canada, the United States, Europe, and Asia. This creature is a skilled swimmer, and can move through the water as fast as six miles an hour. It can also run 35 miles per hour, twice as fast as a human. The moose has exceptional vision, and its antlers are very sensitive, acting as a large satellite. In North America, several tribes including Chippewa and Menominee have moose clans. These tribes as well as the Cree see the moose as a symbol of survival and stamina. One native story from the Potawatomi tribe suggests the moose helped create humankind by marrying a native woman who admired his strength and the moose had her children. They believe that to this day, humans carry moose medicine with them. Call on the moose when you need more confidence, when you need to progress and move forward in life, when you are seeking wisdom and knowledge, when you need to remind yourself of your accomplishments, and feel proud of meeting your goals. When you need the endurance to deal with a difficult phase of life, when you need to be calm, and reduce a restless mind, when you need to be loving and kind, when you need to protect your loved ones. When you need to adapt to changes in life. When you need to be a valuable team member, when you need to be powerful and fearless, mentally and physically. So call on moose medicine often. Call on the moose spirit, bring moose spirit into your life.” Call it in with Dar!”Support the showPhoto credit: Rebecca Lange Photography Music credit: Kevin MacLeod Incompetech.com (licensed under Creative Commons) Production credit: Erin Schenke @ Emerald Support Services LLC. Grab Dar's Flight Deck Oracle Card Deck

Do you love to laugh? Does laughter seem to be second nature to you? If so, monkey medicine will seem like the perfect fit for your life. Monkeys are all about leaving room for fun. legendary for their playful, humorous, curious and mischievous antics. Making time to “monkey around” and having compassionate relationships with others is part of the monkey spirit. So, these creatures symbolize joy, inner child innocence, compassion, communication, laughter and problem solving. There is a loyal, strong and brave Monkey God of the winds in Hinduism that presides over justice. In Japan, you might be familiar with the three monkeys representing “hear no evil, see no evil, and speak no evil”. The Japanese term for monkey means “no evil”, and is the divine messenger who blesses marriage, pregnancy and birth, as well as protects people from negativity and toxins. In China, Buddha's stories depict the monkey as a brave intelligence and a protector. In the Mayan culture, a monkey was a respected Prophet, the Aztecs associated the spirit of the monkey with the element of fire and the sun. Through the monkey spirit the animal may bring messages of joy and childlike fun, there is plenty to learn from the monkey's trickster like nature. When Monkey Spirit comes into your life, it could be time to look around to see if someone is trying to fool or trick you. Is your life being steered in the right direction? Monkey can guide you to be more perceptive and aware of your surroundings. Your innate curiosity can lead you to new places. But remember to remain loyal to your friends and family at home. So, call in the monkey to enrich your life. Call in monkey medicine for adventure, compassion, creativity, humor, healing, intelligence, mischief, problem solving, innocence and ingenuity! Call in the monkey! Call IT in With Dar!Support the showPhoto credit: Rebecca Lange Photography Music credit: Kevin MacLeod Incompetech.com (licensed under Creative Commons) Production credit: Erin Schenke @ Emerald Support Services LLC. Grab Dar's Flight Deck Oracle Card Deck

Today's episode is about a small but powerful animal, the mongoose. It has a long list for such a small animal of things that it symbolizes. optimism, agility, speed, alertness, resistance, opportunism, courage, impatience, rebelliousness, adventurous adaptability, action, impulsiveness, honesty, self-confidence, fearlessness, as well as good luck. A mongoose is a small tropical mammal with a long tail that eats snakes, rats, and bird eggs. They are found mainly in Africa, Southern Europe and Asia. They have non retractable sharp claws, short legs, and are usually brown or grayish in fur. And some species have stripes. They range in size from perhaps a small mouse to as large as a cat. They are one of the few rare animals that are resistant to snake venom. And so, they symbolize luckiness because of it. Mongooses are very adaptable animals and can survive in a variety of different conditions. They're known as opportunists because they'll inhabit the burrow that's made from another animal, rather than building their own. The mongoose looks to be very self-confident and is a brave fighter. So call on the mongoose for protection and support & see how mongoose medicine can be part of your daily life with all its benefits! Call on the Mongoose! “Call IT in With Dar”!Support the showPhoto credit: Rebecca Lange Photography Music credit: Kevin MacLeod Incompetech.com (licensed under Creative Commons) Production credit: Erin Schenke @ Emerald Support Services LLC. Grab Dar's Flight Deck Oracle Card Deck

Do you love a good mystery? If so, the mole might be just the spirit animal that you can relate to. Overall, mole medicine is about getting down to the root of the problem or getting down to the root of the matter. It symbolizes persistence, organization, efficiency, conflict avoidance, energetic vibrations, psychic senses, weather prediction, luck, ancestry, magic, and the element of Earth. Mole spirits speak to your soul, and encourage you to turn inward for wisdom. Moles exist all over the world and on every continent, but for South America and Antarctica. Moles avoid mountainous regions, or any areas where the soil is too acidic. This avoidance of acidic soil is a message for us to avoid conflict, toxic situations, or negative relationships in our lives. They live in mole hills that sometimes serve many generations. The mole hills have several organized tunnels, leading to spaces for sleeping, food storage, and even a birthing chamber. A single mole can occupy over two acres all by itself. Mole medicine reminds us to remain humble and modest, embracing growth and success. So call in this everyday hero to build a solid foundation in your life. Call in the mole spirit, Call in mole medicine, “Call It in With Dar”Support the showPhoto credit: Rebecca Lange Photography Music credit: Kevin MacLeod Incompetech.com (licensed under Creative Commons) Production credit: Erin Schenke @ Emerald Support Services LLC. Grab Dar's Flight Deck Oracle Card Deck

Is life hectic and fast paced these days? Are you experiencing stress and overwhelm? Perhaps you don't feel as healthy as you'd like. Then call on the manatee to make steady and consistent progress in your life. Overall, the manatee is the spiritual sign of peace, calm, strength, serenity, and emotional balance. Seeing a manatee can be a reminder to slow down, practice self-care, and appreciate life. This gentle compassionate creature teaches us to apply inner wisdom and embrace emotions, and try not to change or control everything around you. In Okinawa, people regard the manatee as a messenger from the sea. One story tells that it was a manatee that first taught humans how to mate. In the South Pacific region there are many stories of the manatee, or “sea cow” as they call it. Their full glory includes women who transform into sea cows to help lost fishermen at sea find their way. They believe that if the creature ever becomes extinct, they also would become lost or extinct. West African stories speak of the lady manatee once an innocent young girl bathing in the water. A stranger took all of her clothes, so she turned into the lady of the sea, a water spirit who offers healing power and aids in fertility. Overall call on the manatee for compassion, curiosity, peace, generosity, breathwork, spiritual love, tranquility, shapeshifting, trust, maternal love, and the ease and flow of the element of water. So, call on the manatee, “Call IT in With Dar!”Support the showPhoto credit: Rebecca Lange Photography Music credit: Kevin MacLeod Incompetech.com (licensed under Creative Commons) Production credit: Erin Schenke @ Emerald Support Services LLC. Grab Dar's Flight Deck Oracle Card Deck

Today's animal is one of the most mysterious creatures among the wild cats of the world. Its name actually means” light.” And having Lynx medicine can illuminate, guide and assist you to discover the underlying truth of all things. Some cultures have labeled the Lynx as the “silent witness”, with sharp night vision, remarkable hearing, and incredible insights. Physically, the Lynx has a tight sleek body, bobtail and tufts of hair on top of each ear, appearing like little antennas to receive messages from the Divine. The paws have retractable claws, with thick fur for stealth and warmth. The lynx is known to be able to jump up to 22 feet, and its jumping skills add an element of air symbolism. One of the most unique aspects of this creature's appearance are the glowing expressive eyes that give the Lynx symbolic association of magnetism, seduction, hypnotic, clairvoyance, temptation and persuasion. With its keen senses, stealthy movement, and solitary nature the Lynx represents intuition, wisdom and the power of observation. This elusive feline can be called into your life guidance, intuition, wisdom, clearer vision, alertness, strength, transformation, and good fortune. So call in the powerful medicine of the Lynx! “Call IT in With Dar!”Support the showPhoto credit: Rebecca Lange Photography Music credit: Kevin MacLeod Incompetech.com (licensed under Creative Commons) Production credit: Erin Schenke @ Emerald Support Services LLC. Grab Dar's Flight Deck Oracle Card Deck

Do you like to be of service to others? I know that I do. But probably like many of you, I never considered the llama to be a symbol of service. But it is llama people who are in for the long haul of service and move slowly and steadily to their goals. They are easy going, social, gentle, persistent, adaptable, able to endure considerable stress and have a tendency to compromise to please others. Over all the llamas are a symbol of confidence, perseverance, wisdom, adaptability, and service to others. The ancestors of the llama are believed to have originated in the great plains of North America 40 million years ago, even back in the Ice Age. Then about 3 million years ago, they migrated to South America. As a result, much of their symbolic meaning comes from Peru and the Andies. There the llamas were a great relief to humans when it came to transporting goods across great distances. So, call on the llama to help you out on your journey, especially when you are in need of courage. With their support, follow your heart instead of your ego. The creature's powerful essence will provide some magic into your life. So call on llama medicine. “Call IT in With Dar!”Support the showPhoto credit: Rebecca Lange Photography Music credit: Kevin MacLeod Incompetech.com (licensed under Creative Commons) Production credit: Erin Schenke @ Emerald Support Services LLC. Grab Dar's Flight Deck Oracle Card Deck