Weasel: Pagan Symbolism
Furred Kin: Symbol of Stealth, Fierceness, Tenacity
Weasels have a negative reputation as being sneaky cowards for those who don’t know the true nature of the animal. In reality, they are bold, aggressive, tenacious, clever and confident. They prey upon mammals and birds larger than themselves and have been known to kill hawks when these raptors try to capture and kill them.
Intriguing symbolism and lore surrounds these, sometimes misunderstood, animals.
Weasel: The Animal
Weasels are the smallest members of the carnivorous mustelidae family which includes stoats, fishers, minks, martens, wolverines, otters, badgers and polecats, which aren’t skunks, a common misconception, but an animal of its own. Mustelids are native to all continents except Australia and Antarctica, oceanic islands and Madagascar.
They are cunning and tireless hunters, bounding and zigzagging, while pursuing their prey. Weasels can burrow into tunnels, swim and climb trees. Their preferred meal is mice. When mice aren’t abundant, weasels will also hunt rabbits, rats, chickens, moles, chipmunks, frogs, snakes, shrews, insects, pikas, birds and their eggs, gophers, voles, fish, and hares. They kill as many of their prey as and when they can, then store it in a side compartment of their dens. Because weasels have a high metabolism rate and are skinny and long, they have to eat large amounts of food, 40 percent or more of their weight, to keep them warm. Weasels’ weight, depending on the type, ranges from 2.1 to 14 ounces!
Weasels have glands that produce a strong smell and some people claim that their musk is stronger than the skunk's.
Weasel Symbolism
The silent and graceful weasel imparts the ability go unseen and unheard into places to be able to observe what is happening, then discern what’s important. Native Americans believed their scouts had Weasel Medicine and sought blessings from her when they went into battle.
Weasel symbolizes quick movement, justice achieved, retribution, stealth, warrior energy, fierceness, curiosity, discernment, tenacity and cunning. She helps people to gain deeper intuition and is a guide to the Underworld. One of her lessons is that small size isn’t a barrier to achievement. She gives people the ability to use one’s intuition to see the intent behind words and acts and not to underestimate others.
Weasel Lore
- Medieval European: Weasel, by her odor, could kill the Basilisk, a legendary animal with a rooster’s head and talons, snake’s body and a lethal tail. Weasel squeaking near a house was a death omen.
- Medieval Christian: The animal was a symbol of Christ because she kills snakes, symbolic of sin. The animal was a spiritual warrior, able to defeat Satan by faith. St. Jordan of Battberg had a pet Weasel who represented the attribute of vigilance and watchfulness.
- Ancient Israelite: Weasel was unclean.
- Ancient Egyptian: The animal was sacred.
- Ancient Greek: Nemesis, Goddess of Retribution, shapeshifted into Weasel to pursue justice.
- Carpathian: Thousands of Weasels would attack to avenge the death of one of their kind. Chinese: Weasel was one of five animals with the ability to hear all that was said.
Related articles:
Coyote, Pagan Symbol: Trickster
Sources:
Animal Magick, D. J. Conway, (Llewellyn Publications, 1996)
Animal-Speak, Ted Andrews, (Llewellyn Publications, 2002)
Favorite Animals of North America, Will Barker, (Portland House, 1987)
The Medicine Cards, Jamie Sams & David Carson, (Bear & Company, 1988)
