Saturday, December 3, 2016

Advent Hedgehogs

The reason remains a mystery, but I adore these little critters.

Ever since last Christmas, I have stumbled upon them in the oddest places.  Craft stores, internet blogs, and boutique shoppes, to name a few locations.

Maybe hedgehogs are following me around.  Or they are my totem animal.

Here are a few things I learned about this little critter.

"...those who honor the hedgehog as their totem - these people always land on their feet and go through challenges with the same calm, cool practicality as the hedgehog does."

But what I found intriguing in this season of Advent- expectation, pregnancy with Mary, waiting- is other meaning of my little critter friend.

"The hedgehog is also symbolic of fertility and being connected to the earth. It's belly is close to the Mother (earth, that is) and this close proximity is symbolic of its connection to earth and all that is fertile. The hedgehog's tendency to curl up in the fetal position is also a message of centering, and connecting with the source."

Finally, as we consider the messages that Mary received from the angel Gabriel, I am tickled to consider the other wisdom this little critter has given various cultures and traditions...

"Being a nocturnal creature, the symbolism of the hedgehog deals with intuition, psychic ability, prophetic dreams and visions. This is because the night deals with concepts that are cloaked in shadow - a realm that is not altogether clear. That the hedgehog's active time is at night is symbolic of "second sight.""  

Advent hedgehogs!  They do help point to the story of the Christ child!

No comments: