Animal Speak- the Hare

From the modern movie “The Matrix” where Neo is told to follow the White Rabbit to find the world underneath, to the childhood story of Alice chasing the March Hare through the hole. Jefferson Starship’s hit “White Rabbit” alluded to the magic that Hare can bring. Our modern vernacular still refers to someone being “crazy as a March hare.” (When really, there was no craziness at all. March was the time of the lengthening of days, that which the rabbit had been doing under the cover of darkness was now occurring in the early morning’s light and the fading of the day. Man could see hare’s acting erratically in the fields and hedgerows. What man then interpreted as insanity or craziness was actually the normal mating ritual for the animal. March is normally the best time to watch for this particularly dance consisting of zigs and zags and boxing matches. By the time April arrives, growth on the lower vegetation again hides the hare’s ritualized behavior from man’s eyes.

Hare is representative of the Corn Spirit and the two Equinoxes. Rebirth, fertile abundance and willing release are all considered to be part of Hare Totem’s energy. Sacred to the Goddess they have been a symbol of luck through numerous cultures down through the ages. Many a keychain still has the proverbial “lucky rabbit’s foot” that is supposed to bring protection to the owner. Although providing the foot may not be lucky for the rabbit, the association has not changed over thousands of years.

Transformation, fertility and healing energy are all within the realm of Hare energy. Rabbits were used as auguries for the future. There is a legend that the Warrior Celtic Chief Boudicca of the Iceni who went to war against the Romans after she and her daughters suffering terribly at their hand used a rabbit in such a way. Before leading her tribe and their allies against the might of Rome when addressing her warriors she concealed a rabbit within her skirts. At the appropriate time she allowed the hare to escape. The startled animal bolted quickly and darted to the side of the field that was considered “auspicious” for the Iceni’s efforts.

Many of us are familiar with the Easter Bunny. Many a Sunday School teacher has been stumped with the simple childish question of “But, if Easter is celebrating Christ’s rising from the grave, what’s that got to do with chocolate rabbits?” The entity we call the Easter Bunny today can be traced back to Alban Eiler (the Spring Equinox). This pagan festival celebrated the rebirth of life and the coming of spring and the beginning of the growing period. Hare was sacred to the Saxon Goddess Eostre (the root of the word “Easter”). The ancients thought hare could make eggs magically appear because of the way similarities between the nest of the hare and that of the lapwing. Hare, as Goddess brought new life and rebirth at the Spring Equinox (now you know why the new clothes for Easter Sunday too). The early Christian Church capitalized on these pagan roots and, transforming them to Christian Symbology, absorb them into the culture. It is not an unreasonable step. In the Christian belief, Easter is the time of the Resurrection, the ultimate rebirth. Even now Christians newly found to their faith are referred to as “born again.”

It wasn’t until the Romans moved north to the Celtic regions that rabbit became more of a meat source. Until that time they were allowed free reign and left to live free to honor the Corn Spirit. However, the power of Hare totem is easily seen in the belief of Celtic seamen that “hare” was one of the taboo words never to be said at sea. This is contrary to the more widely held association of luck and well being and fertility with the hare.
Not exactly known for a having a warrior’s heart, hares are considered timid and easily frightened. There is a native American traditional tale that talks of how the Rabbit was rewarded for poor behavior by Eye Walker with the curse not only of fear itself, but that Rabbit and his tribe would call that which they feared most. Rabbit is nicknamed “the fear caller.” Although fear, like any emotion, not controlled can paralyze, it can also create moments of intense clarity and strength. Fear can be used to help hone one’s instincts. Sometimes it is best to hide in the bushes and watch!

Carrying Hare Totem can give you strength and clarity. Hare normally stays hidden in his burrow during the heat of the day, snoozing away in the coolness his hole provides. A creature more of the night realms hare moves easily in the shadows from pale moonlight. Hare’s ties to the Moon and lunar energies is easily seen in their procreation cycle. In 28 days from birth the new litter is ready to go out on it’s own. If the mother is not already brooding she may let them stay. However, once she quickens, she is quick to push them out of the nest to make room for her new young.

Hare energy is celebrated in many traditions. Even the Brier Rabbit stories many of us grew up with hearing from “Uncle Reamus” or watched in the Disney movie, are based on tribal African tales. In many of these adventures the Rabbit is shown as wiley and, if restraint isn’t applied, conniving. The Cluny Tapestries utilize hare symbolism in their mille fluer beauty. Because of its associations in several cultures rabbit was a forbidden food. There is a Shi’ite belief that the hare is an incarnation of Muhammad’s son-in-law, Ali. In Japan tales are told of the White hare of Oki. The Chinese veneration of Hare is shown in the Rabbit being one of the 12 animal years of the Chinese Zodiac.

Hare energy is sometimes misunderstood. Those who Hare has chosen to grant her Totem to would do well watching before they take a step. Take the lesson that Hare so obviously gives: Is there an easier way? Beware lest you turn the corner from ease to conniving…it is sometimes a very short turn. Remember that Hare, although sometimes paralyzed with fear, is also a prolific breeder and quite a success at survival.

We are reminded of how Hare can be one of the animals to help us as we travel to the Underworld in many ways. The burrow that the rabbit calls home is normally snug and warm and below the level of the earth. The rabbit seeks protection from the earth mother. With connection to the lunar cycle and rebirth hare can show you new ways of thinking about yourself and your situation.

If Hare is placing herself into your life now, you may want to try to reevaluate the situation. What is it that you are afraid of? Are you causing the situation you fear the most to happen? Are you missing the fertility of the situation because of your fear? Should you hold your position and wait and see what happens? We talk of the hare being paralyzed by fear, actually, it is a good defense mechanism for Hare. By freezing and making no movement Hare essentially becomes invisible to many of her natural predators. Hare’s messages are clear and distinct when you study her life cycle and patterns.