5. BEAUTY Position ~ PORCUPINE

Spirit of Porcupine ~ Innocence, Wonder, Inner Child

Knows humility, inner innocence, appears scared and defensive, private nature, renewed sense of wonder, create your own path and allow others their path.

Porcupine's Wisdom Includes:

* Innocence
* Trust in Spirit
* Renewed sense of wonder
* Creating your own path
* Protection of boundaries
* Defense when threatened
* Allowing others their path
* Non-interference

About Porcupine:

The porcupine, a member of the rodent family, is an interesting looking animal because of its needle-like barbs. The barbs serve as a protective shield keeping enemies at a distance. This is especially helpful because the porcupine does not have good eyesight and does not always notice when other animals are approaching. Its face and the underbelly are the vulnerable areas on its body. As a totem the porcupine teaches you to face your vulnerabilities and to protect your inner self. The porcupine also has a curious nature, finding joy in small things life offers. The porcupine person is often a joyful person that is content to to take life at a slower pace.

The Porcupine has very powerful medicine: that of faith and trust. You can move mountains with these powers. A Porcupine totem reminds you not to get caught
in the chaos of the world, where fear, greed and suffering are commonplace. Its medicine is relief from the seriousness of life. Open your heart to those things that gave you joy as a child; remember fantasy and imaginationand bring into your life again.

If a Porcupine is your totem you might be overly sensitive to criticism from others or overly critical of others. Perhaps you are allowing barbs from long ago to still effect your life now.

Porcupine people often crave and overindulge in salt intake. Beware of this and watch your intake.

The Porcupine Totem

The Porcupine is a good natured animal and are known to have a sweet childlike disposition. They carry their defense around with them in the form of sharp quills that cover their bodies. The quills do not shoot or fly from the Porcupine, but rather they release themselves only when the animal is touched and feels threatened by something or someone. The Porcupine has few natural enemies. This unassuming little creature has much to teach humans about the joyful animal spirit.

The Porcupine is generally a solitary creature, preferring to wander about at night, on its own, foraging for food in the woods. The only time they den with others of their kind is in the cold winter months when it is practical for them to do so. The have very poor vision, but possess excellent hearing and a keen sense of smell. Their quills are actually very sharp, stiff hairs and they cover much of their body, including their tails. A fully mature Porcupine will have in excess of 30,000 quills on their body. They are capable of swinging their tails quickly in a predator’s direction covering it with the sharp, and painful quills. The predator becomes so startled and occupied with the task of removing them that the Porcupine usually slips away unharmed and un-pursued.

Porcupine quills were often used by American Indians for sewing needles and to adorn clothing and cover their chest armor. African tribes have carried the quills with them for centuries as amulets and talisman and they were also used for their ornamental beauty. These tribes also used the hollow, rattle, quills for musical instruments and to frighten off evil spirits. Porcupine quills, as they are hairs, will grow back to replace the ones that are released from their body.

The Porcupine possesses many animal virtues that are powerful and valuable and which any person would be wise to emulate or divine. One who has the power of the Porcupine will see enhanced solidarity, wonder and joy, allowing one the ability to use childlike qualities in their everyday activities.

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