- Thursday, October 27, 2011
- Posted in connection,gentleness,mother earth





Every day this sweetness of a deer comes to visit us. Walks up near our doorstep. Peeks in near our window. Sometimes the mama comes. And each time, the gentle medicine it offers is at just the right time.
When we see it stepping on our lawn, Boho Boy runs to our backyard to grab a few apples from our tree and we throw it the apples and sit on the steps to watch it feast. Such a peace washes over us with her gaze. We look forward to this every day.
The first photo I took was the first one up above. When looking at it on my phone, I thought I caught a sun flare at the top right corner. But once I uploaded it onto my computer, I realized it was my reflection in the window. It somehow seemed significant to the place I am at in my life right now. Me, connecting to my roots, what connects me to Mother Earth and the Divine and how we are all so connected.
I was given this book by a friend when I lived in Berkeley 10 years ago. It was my first introduction into animal totems and the medicine and messages animals offer us when they come into our path. Most recently I have been awakened and made more aware of this by some dear souls in my life.
As I said earlier…this deer offers wisdom that I deeply need right now. I was guided to this link by a friend and it resonates so deep with where I am right now on my path, especially the section I wrote in blue:
Deer’s medicine includes gentleness in word, thought and touch. The ability to listen, grace and appreciation for the beauty of balance. Understanding of what’s necessary for survival, power of gratitude and giving, ability to sacrifice for the higher good, connection to the woodland goddess, alternative paths to a goal.
Only when we move through life in the spirit of love for all beings can we melt the barriers that separate us from others, from other life forms, and from the beautiful mystery which is our own magical and spiritual gift.
By observing the ways in which deer behave, it is possible to see what amazing qualities – or powers – they possess. From the deer we can learn that the gift of gentleness and caring can help us overcome and put aside many testing situations. Only love, both for ourselves and for others, helps us understand the true meaning of wholeness.
If a deer crosses your path, this may show you that you are a very compassionate, gentle and loving person. If you don’t have these qualities, then consider if you have a problem that needs addressing. Are you facing a challenge in your life, whether with a fellow human being or a delicate situation? If you are feeling negative emotions such as anger, try letting go. Think about whether a gentler and more loving approach can sort the issue out. It may be necessary to speak the truth, this is best done with kindness and from the heart, this will generally give a better result.
Deer teaches us how powerful it is to be of gentle demeanor, to exert keen observation and sensitivity. Deer’s are in tune with nature and all it comprises. They are sacred carriers of peace and show those with this power animal how to open their hearts and love unconditionally.
Deer has entered your life to help you walk the path of love with full consciousness and awareness, to know that love sometimes requires caring and protection, not only in how we love others, but also in how we love ourselves.
Deer teaches us to be gentle, to touch the hearts and minds of wounded beings who are in our lives. Don’t push people to change, rather gently nudge them in right direction, with the love that comes from deer. Love and accept people as they are. The balance of true power lays in love and compassion.
When a Deer totem enters your world, a new innocence and freshness in about to be awakened. New adventures are just around the corner and there will be an opportunity to express the gentle love that will open new doors for you.





















October 27, 2011
So glad to see you posting again. One night as my husband and I were camping in a park, we were sitting around a campfire talking quietly, when about five deer stepped out of the forrest and near us. They came so close to us, sniffing us and looking around. We were so surprised we sat silent and just soaked it up. It was a magical moment . Even our dog was silent which amazed us. I guess even she knew this was a special moment.
October 27, 2011
Wow, you are truely blessed, enjoy…
October 27, 2011
how exquisite…both the moments and the portraits. thank you for giving such a tender and sacred glimpse into your life. i especially love the first image where you are reflected.
October 27, 2011
Your post is powerful for me. The night my father died, I was driving my mother to my home. Of course, we were both quite numb. It was around 3:00 a.m. and my car was quite alone on the road. As I approached the turnoff for my house, a large buck stood by the edge of the road. The moon shone down on him like a spotlight. I expected him to dash across the street, but he just stood there so majestically looking directly at us. I slowed the car down to a crawl and we simply stared at him and he returned our gaze. After what seemed like several minutes, he turned and gently returned to the woods, never crossing the street. It was a powerful moment both my mother and I felt.
Two days later, as I drove my older children to school, we stopped at light. On the green field to the left of us was a family of seven deer. (Seven was a significant number for me. My family has four children, my husband and I, and my mother = 7). Not one of them fled. They all stopped exploring and looked at our car. One of my children said, “Those are gift from Papa. He sent them to make us smile.” I had never mentioned the buck my mother and I saw the night of my father’s death to them. Peace filled us all.
Your post is beautiful and reminds me of those wonderful gifts we received during such a difficult time, when we were just trying to breathe.
October 27, 2011
So divinely perfect…you are one gentle *dear* encountering nature’s other *deer*…two beautiful specimens greeting each other and no language is needed to be understood perfectly. Beautiful
oxox
Trish
October 27, 2011
this relationship that you are building with your new home, new environment, and these precious dear is so beautiful to watch. the last photo of cedar and the baby dear leaves me breathless… he seems to have a way of communicating without words. such a beautiful moment
xx, kara
October 27, 2011
deep deep love for you, in this place. I’ve been saving ‘everything deer’ to my ETSY favorites for a month now with no idea why. I’ve not been, ever, exposed to the idea of animal totems (at least in such a way that it stayed as a thought in my heart). Um — wow!
meanwhile, I would like to ask if I can use the photo of the deer and your reflection as my desktop wallpaper … it is SINGING to me and filling me with really hot heart tears.
October 27, 2011
I love the deer with it’s gentle nature. One of our favorite bedtime activities when my first son was about Cedar’s age was pulling Medicine Cards with the animal totems on them. He loved trying to pick the Mountain Lion, which was his favorite. We also tried to get the Lizard, as it was the “Good Dreams” card. We still pull them out and play with them every once in a while and he’s 17 now. Maybe you already know about them, but it if you don’t then I think you might like them. Here’s a link:
http://www.amazon.com/Medicine-Cards-Discovery-Through-Animals/dp/0312204914
October 27, 2011
love love love
what more can i say
i am always so moved when it comes to animal encounters as i truly believe they bring us message from God
how blessed you are!
thank you so much for these words and images today…i will be carrying them
love and light
October 27, 2011
The first photo is amazing in it’s spontaneity alone. You couldn’t have captured such a moment if you had tried. May I ask, what are the pink and yellow items hanging from the tree limbs?
October 27, 2011
The last photo, of Cedar and the deer gazing at one another, is perfection!
October 27, 2011
This post couldn’t have come at a better time. I, with my family, recently had a deer encounter. It was incredibly moving and now thanks to your post, I have a fuller understanding and appreciation of that encounter. What a beautiful and eye-opening experience for you and me both…thank you
I adore the first photo you took capturing your own reflection. Lovely!
October 28, 2011
thought you might like this D.
http://loveandlight-cat.blogspot.com/2011/09/i-hear-drums.html
love and light
October 28, 2011
crap…I forgot to give you this
it came to me, for you, when I was reflecting some time today on this beautiful post…
this is an affirmation I am sure:
“you are exactly where you need to be”
xo
October 28, 2011
We put out a block of salt for them, they love it and need it i guess
October 28, 2011
I missed your reflection in the first photo and when you made reference to it, I went back to see and almost fell over. It is so beautiful! How lucky you are to have that photo, it’s a huge gift of a moment captured. I love seeing it, but will admit that a teeny part of me feels envious…I have lots of good moments, but moments related to beauty/growth captured on film never happen. Sometimes it’s hard to see all of your beautiful self portraits and not feel dull by comparison, but I know know know it’s just my own stuff coming up. I find your blog so inspiring so I keep coming back and hope to someday have similar news to report and photos to share
October 29, 2011
Hello Denise,
I’ve been following you for quite some time and you have changed so much recently: you are peaceful, gorgeously feminine and spirituality awaked. I envy you (in a good way, that is) for finding this balance, this calling inside of you and being able to answer it. For the longest time I have been drawn toward paganism and shamanism and every fall, I am feeling the need, the so urgent need to embrace it all – you know that they say that the veil between the worlds are tiner at Halloween?).
As the wheel of year continue turning, parts of me are fall into numbness of the “normal/modern” world: everything we do in the day to day and my sacred space inside is quickly forgotten. This has been going on for years (I am shy to admit, 15 years at least)… You will see things, feel things so differently and you will have so many moments when it will all make “sense”. Finding your spiritual path, whatever it is, is …divine
I am soooo, so glad you found someone to guide you. I wish you the most amazing journey on your spiritual path!
Sincerely,
Jenifer
October 29, 2011
How wonderful. I try to be open as well when animals visit my life, it is up to us to see the gifts…That first photo is AMAZING. There are no accidents, just magic. Xo.
October 29, 2011
These deer photos have been so moving to me when you’ve shared them on Instagram. I feel such a resonance with that little creature. His ears and his eyes and his soft coat. It makes me feel a tenderness and longing. So the words you shared about the deer medicine really spoke to me. It helped make sense of why the deer is speaking to me, because my own heart contains much of what the deer’s heart also contains. We are kindreds.
Love to you. xoxo
October 29, 2011
Beautiful. I love the pictures with Cedar. Living in New England, deer medicine is a frequent visitor in my life. Even as a child we would watch the white tails along the stone wall line of our property.
October 30, 2011
I love the first picture, it’s magic. What a wonderful shock to find that when it’s unexpected. It looks like you’re free falling into your fate in these posts of yours. I end up crying a lot but it’s a release and I’m learning a lot, as much by what is said as what isn’t. The pictures speak so loudly, they shout in a whispered hush, if that makes sense. So happy for you. I think this is your time to breathe in who you are and that’s exciting and inspiring. xo
October 31, 2011
Hi Denise…..this is such a magical post…..beautiful pictures. I don’t know if you even read my email I sent to you…..but this post answers everything…..I found SouLodge through this blog….and I start my first session with her tomorrow…..I found exactly what I needed thanks to you…..I find it each and every time I come here to this wonderful space….thank you so much for sharing all that you do……
October 31, 2011
When my oldest was three, while on a morning stroll we came across a baby deer, no mama deer in sight. The deer walked right up to the stroller and licked my son’s hand. It was one of the most magical moments in my life. I remind him all the time about how mother nature baptized him and the special job he has to take care of her. Its one of his favorite stories.
October 31, 2011
What I love about this is that there is no tension in your face, in that first photo. Amazing. Love this post.
November 3, 2011
That first photo is incredible – so powerful to see your face inscribed in nature in such an ethereal way <3