30 Rabbit (Fear)

A long time ago—no one really knows how long ago, it was—Rabbit was a brave and fearless warrior. Rabbit was befriended by Eye Walker, a witch. The witch and Rabbit spent much time together sharing and talking. The two were very close.

 One day Eye Walker and Rabbit were walking along and they saat down on the trail to rest. Rabbit said, “I’m thirsty.” Eye Walker picked up a leaf, blew on it, and then handed Rabbit a gourd of water. Rabbi drank the water but didn’t say anything. Then Rabbit said, “I’m hungry.” Eye Walker picked up a stone and blew on it and changed it to a turnip. She gave the turnip to Rabbit to eat. Rabbit tasted it and then ate the turnip with relish. But still Rabbit didn’t say anything.

 The two continued along the trail, which led into the mountains. Near the top, Rabbit tripped and fell and rolled almost to the bottom. Rabbit was in very sad condition when Eye Walker go to him. She used a magic salve on Rabbit to heal his great pain and mend his broken bones. Rabbit didn’t say anything.

 Several days later Eye Walker went searching for her friend. She searched high and low but Rabbit was nowhere to be found.

 Finally, Eye Walker gave up. She met Rabbit quite by accident one day. “Rabbit why are you hiding and avoiding me?” the witch asked.

 “Because I am afraid of you. I am afraid of magick,” answered rAbbit, coering. “Leave me alone!”

 “I see,” said Eye Walker. “I have used my magical powers on your behalf and now you turn on me and refuse my friendship.”

 “I want nothing to do with you or your powers.” Rabbit countered. Rabbit did not even see the tears his words were bringing to Eye Walker’s eyes. “I hope we never meet and that I never see you again.” Rabbit continued.

 “Rabbit,” Eye Walker said, “We once were great friends and companions, but no more. It is within my power to destroy you, but because the past and the medicines we have shared together I will not do this. But from this day forward I lay a curse on your and your tribe. From now on, you will call your fears andyour fears will come to you. Be on your way, for the sweet medicines that bound us together as friends are broken.

 Now Rabbit is the Fear Caller. He goes out and shouts “Eagle, I am so afraid of you.” If Eagle doesn’t hear him, Rabbit calls louder, “Eagle, stay away from me!”Eagle, now hearing Rabbit comes and eats him. Rabbit calls bobcats, wolves, coyotes and even snakes until they come.

As this story shows, Rabbit medicine people are so afraid of tragedy, illness, disaster, and “being taken,” that they call those very fears to them to teach them lessons. The keynote here is what you resist will persist! What you fear most is what you will become.

 Here is the lesson. If you pulled Rabbit, stop talking about horrible things happening and get rid of “what if” in your vocabulary. This card may signal a time of worry about the future or of trying to exercise your control over that which is not yet in form—the future. Stop now1 Write your fears down and be willing to feel them. Breathe into them, and feel them running through your body into Motehr Earth as a give-away.

 

CONTRARY:

 The paralyzed feeling which Rabbit experiences when being stalked is Rabbit in the contrary position. If you have tried to resolve a situation in your life and are unable to, you may be frozen in motion. This could indicate a time to wait for the forces of the universe to start moving again. It could also indicate the need to stop and take a rest. It will always indicate a time when you need to re-evaluate the process you are undergoing, and to rid yourself of any negative feelings, barriers, or duress. Simply put, you cannot have your influence felt until you rearrange your way of seeing the present set of circumstances.

 

There is always a way out of any situation, because the Universal Force does move on. It is the way to which you handle problems that allows you to succeed.

 

Take a hint from Rabbit. Burrow into a safe space to nurture yourself and release your fears until it is time again to move into the pasture, clear of prowlers who want a piece of your juicy energy.

 

 

Sams Jamie & Carson Medicine Cards 1999 . New York St. Martins Press. (157-159)

 

 

[From Arthurian Legends:]

The hare is a totem transformational animal. While it retains some of the attributes of the Trickster, such as the playful comedic nature, it has advanced beyond the selfish manner of the primitive Trickster phase. The hare represents the stage of intellectual development in which the child becomes conscious of the repercussions of the actions upon the outside world. The hare is a social creature, symbolizing an awakening cultural sense and enjoyable interaction with community. From Ferguson, Anna-Marie. Keeper of Words. 1995 Llewellyn Publications. St. Paul, Minnesota.