Recently I’ve been noticing many deer wandering by my mountainside home.   They are abundant here and very tame.  Because hunting is not allowed due to the nearby human population, and because the cars generally move relatively slowly (due partly to the abundance of cervine animals here), there is a lack of fear in these animals.  Thus they move slowly and with grace and beauty.

Often I have noticed a doe and her daughter grazing outside my windows.  These two have appeared several times in the last couple of weeks.  Other days there are small families of deer which walk past my home.  And two days ago I had a stunning visitation from a big, strong buck. 

So today I am reflecting on the meaning of Deer.

In native wisdom traditions, Deer represents gentleness.  There are other meanings, but this gentleness is the quality most often associated with Deer.

We need more gentleness in the world, don’t you think?  I know I’d certainly like to live in a gentler world.

Of course, I can also take this message very personally.  Perhaps I need to be more gentle with myself.  Perhaps I need to stop chastising myself for things I don’t get done.  Perhaps I need to stop worrying about things.  Perhaps I need to be kind to myself.

About two years ago I had a dream in which an injured white deer laid herself at my feet.  I intuited that she was hungry and gave her some of my banana.  I sensed she was thirsty and gave her some ice which I chipped from her own body.  I sat by her injured body and stroked her and sent her healing Reiki energy. 

Then, with a mixture of relief and sadness, I watched her as she got up and left.

Although it now seems obvious, at the time I needed my friend to gently suggest that the deer was probably me.  It was true that due to my circumstances at that time in my life, I was often hungry in the evening, as well as quite thirsty.  In addition, I did need healing on many levels.  I find it interesting that it was so much easier for me to take care of that dear deer than it was to take care of my own self.  However, as is often the case, my dreams brought me a message that needed to come to my consciousness and as a result I was able to focus more fully on my own nourishment and healing.

Perhaps the Deer who have been gracing my life want me to share these thoughts with you.  Wouldn’t it be nice if we lived in a gentler world?  Wouldn’t it be nice if we were more gentle with ourselves and others?

Thank you, sweet Deer, for your grace, your beauty, your gentleness, and your message.