Yesterday while walking toward the sunrise on my favorite backroad in the Beltsville Agricultural Research Center (BARC) I saw something I’ve never seen before in BARC — a father and son deer together.
I did not know how rare this sighting was until I googled its significance when I got home: “In a spiritual context, seeing a father and son deer together is rare and a powerful and potentially multifaceted symbol.” Possible interpretations include:
- Gentleness and compassion within family bonds.
- Balance of masculine and feminine energy: “Some interpretations suggest deer, particularly the stag, represent a balance between masculine and feminine energies, with the stag symbolizing vitality and gentleness. A father and son pairing could suggest finding this balance within family dynamics or oneself.”
- Growth and transformation symbolized by the fact that deer shed their antlers annually, and they regrow. In an individual, “this could signify a positive new phase or understanding.”
I’m not sure what that new phase or understanding might be for me, but what I do know is that seeing this father and son together stopped me in my tracks in awe and gratitude. After years of walking this backroad, I was witnessing something I’d never witnessed before.
I continued my sunrise walk and then came across a rabbit. Rabbits on this back road typically hop and leap into the thicket and tall grasses as soon as they sense any sound or motion. This one just sat there:
According to the book Animal Speak: The Spiritual & Magical Powers of Creatures Great and Small, a rabbit crossing your path “may indicate a need to do some more planning or check those you have already set in motion. You do not want to box yourself into a corner . . . if you are involved in competition — in work or play — it will be important not to foreshadow your moves.” With the upcoming potential “vacating” of BARC by the current administration, perhaps it would be best if I did not reveal my plans for being part of the resistance.
All in all, the BARC sunrise yesterday was more special than usual given the rare company I shared. In the spirit of those deer and one rabbit, I await the challenge of resisting the present administration with intuition, gentleness and grace.
Grace is definitely missing in my response to this administration. I appreciate and applaud your efforts. In fact, I feel the grace being granted to me around me all the time, but I struggle to reflect it outward (not just toward this regime). The last five years have been so difficult that I am often angry and bitter and resentful and miserable. Not all the time but too much of it. Thank you for the reminder to let grace boomerang off of me. ❤️
Neola, grace has “boomeranged” off you all your life. I have been a recipient. So sorry for your last five years. You are not alone.❤️💪🙏😘
I am as stunned as you are. What astounding physical signs–all reminding you of compassion and grace. What I dislike most about this present time is that it brings out in me the qualities that I hate most in them. So, I am even more delighted when you (and all who read you) are reminded of gentleness and kindness. So worth getting up for. Thank you.
You are so welcome, Charlotte. I am glad I captured this image of father and son that offer signs of physical grace.
I, too, hate what this present administration brings out in me — particularly how grumpy I get. My sense of humor is suffering, too, though Adrienne stokes it quite a bit which could be another sign of grace.
Beautiful, as always. Thank you.
❤️❤️❤️❤️😘🙏
Lovely you were able to experience this “blessing” from the creatures at BARC.
And even more lovely that this blessing led you to a place of determination to resist the current administration with intuition, gentleness and grace.
And lovelier still that you shared this blessing and this determination with all of us! Thank you.
Carol — and even more lovely: your comment.🙏❤️