Animal Medicine #24

Who can’t fall in love with this cute, cuddly, playful, ball of fluff?  Wombat is a strong, solid, weighty animal about a metre long, and because of her shape and her cuddly looks – and the fact that she tends to doze all day in her burrow, she’s generally thought of as being a very docile and lazy animal.  But really? That is a major under-estimation!  She is fast, very intelligent, obstinate, assertive, has a short temper, and is very protective of her home.

She is the biggest burrowing animal on the planet.  She has a pouch that faces backwards to protect her baby from dirt or snow when she digs, and she loves digging!  Even though she lives by herself, her burrow is big – sometimes with as many as 12 rooms. 

Some people think of her as a being of destruction as she digs her massive burrow – but she is also creating a place of safety for herself and her young.  This reminds us that we too have the ability to destroy, and to create.  We need to remain balanced in how we move through our world. Ask yourself:  What kind of world are you creating around you?  Is it one of safety or one you need to defend; one of calm and peaceful security, or one filled with fear and drama?

She lives deep in the Earth, a place of rest, of growth and the gaining of knowledge through silent contemplation.  She does this alone, and only emerges at sunset in order to eat.  For us, we need to recognise that there are times when we too need to withdraw; to leave behind the mindless scrolling through information that does not assist in our growth.

Wombat is often underestimated – she is big and cuddly and playful – and she asks if you are, perhaps, also being underestimated.  Underestimated by others?  Or do you perhaps underestimate yourself? 

We need to recognise the skills and strengths we hold that may be hidden from the world.  And even hidden from our self.

We have to learn to trust in our self.