Skunk - Pagan Symbol for Respect

AmerIndians Esteemed this Animal as Shown by Symbolism and Legend

Jan 23, 2009

Skunk's odorous defense is analogous to the Wiccan rede to do no harm. This self-protection has lessons for people to learn and is a representation of human qualities.

When most people think of skunks, the first thing that comes to mind is the animal’s malodorous defense, creating a reaction which is usually negative. In reality, the animal is inoffensive and, except for one major problem (not the odor), is an affectionate pet. An ode to skunks….

Skunk the Animal

Skunks were classified as members of the Mustelidae or weasel family, along with otter and badger. Recently, they were given their own family, Mephitidae. They’re notorious for their defense, a powerful foul acrid malodor. Before they release this, they puff up, hiss, stomp their forelegs and hold their tails high. Predators, including bears, foxes, badgers and wolves, seldom try to attack them, but there is one predator that skunks aren’t safe from. It’s the great horned owl because it has a poor or no sense of smell.

The majority of skunks are black and white; however they can be brown, grey or cream colored. They’re omnivorous, eating insects, small rodents, reptiles, amphibians, carrion, birds, eggs, honeybees, worms, berries, leaves, grasses and nuts. Their senses of smell and hearing are excellent; vision is poor.

Skunks have been domesticated. Colonists reported some AmerIndians kept them as pets and it’s been said the Pilgrims did too. In the USA, they are legal pets if ranch-raised. While these quacking animals make delightful companions, there is one rare major drawback. They can be silent carriers of rabies. Caveat emptor….

Skunk only releases her noxious spray when she feels threatened after her warnings are ignored. It’s a nonviolent message and a non-aggressive, non-combatant, but effective way of dealing with a would-be predator. This unique way of self-protection teaches non-aggressive self protection.

Her way of protecting herself is analogous to the Wiccan rede of doing no harm. While the spray can sting eyes, temporarily affect the sense of smell and cause its target to reek is really a matter of inconvenience and discomfort with no lasting harm done.

In addition to respect, skunk is symbolic of self-protection, deftness, confidence, awareness, effectiveness, good judgment, assurance, transformation and transmutation.

Legend: Skunk Outwits Coyote

Coyote was very hungry when he saw Skunk. He told her she looked hungry and if she would join him, he would play a trick to get them something to eat. Skunk agreed.

There was a prairie dog village beyond a hill. Coyote said Skunk should go there, lie down, pretending to be dead. She did this. Soon, Coyote came along. He called to the prairie dogs saying Skunk, their mutual enemy, was dead. They should join him in dancing, with their eyes closed around her. If they opened them, something bad would happen. As soon as they began dancing, Coyote killed one and told them to open their eyes. He cried out and said that, when they began to dance again, if anyone opened his eyes, he would die too.

As they danced, Coyote took one by one out of the circle and killed him. When this was done, Skunk and he began roasting the prairie dogs. The meat smelled so good that Coyote wanted all of it. He said they should race around the hill. The winner would have first choice of the morsels. He said he would tie a rock to his foot while she began to run.

When she was out of sight, Coyote kicked the rock free and began to run at top speed. He thought she was running ahead of him, but she hid in a pile of brush. When Coyote ran by, she went back to the fire and took the meat out of the embers. She carried it to her brush pile, leaving Coyote with none.

The copyright of the article Skunk - Pagan Symbol for Respect in Paganism/Wicca is owned by Jill Stefko . Permission to republish Skunk - Pagan Symbol for Respect in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.