photographer: Allan Colton

As we begin this Lunar New Year of the water rabbit (aka beaver!),

I reflect upon what I’ve learned about the beaver as a guide thus far. Here are just a few noteworthy beavery characteristics related to this year’s lunar outlook worth embracing…

TEACHINGS FROM BEAVER

• Beaver, a keystone species, are bringers of life, fertility, & biodiverse abundance.

• Beaver are peaceful in their interactions and able to share home-space with other creatures by their harmonious nature.

• By the ways in which they care for their families' needs and well-being, they simultaneously create bridges of interconnectedness. Many creatures find homes, food, and clean drinking water in and around the sturdy nest of a beaver family. All creatures, humans included, have the same basic needs in order to prosper; everyone can thrive when these needs are not under stress.

• Dams are built of what is available close at hand. They are impermanent, they are alive, and they will break down in time. This design of creating, tending, and disintegrating feeds a successional picture that grows complexity and leaves space for organic co-evolving creativity over time.

• Beaver are calm, listening attentively, navigating with patience and quietude attuned to the water and their environment. They are water-tenders. Their lifeways enhance the health and functions of the watershed, improving long-term stability and adaptability for the whole ecosystem.

• Perhaps distinct from the symbolism of the rabbit, though definitely a key ingredient to better flow in life and happy relationships… beaver seem to have a cute sense of humor.

These are only a few of the numerous aspects we can appreciate about beaver-folk.

How do beavers inspire you?

“Water is fluid, soft, and yielding. But water will wear away rock, which is rigid and cannot yield. As a rule, whatever is fluid, soft, and yielding will overcome whatever is rigid and hard. This is another paradox: what is soft is strong.”

– Lao Tzu

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A special thanks to those who have been my keystone mentors, ecological allies,

and watershed companions…

From my heart I thank you, and I celebrate peace, health in all of our relationships, and our shared successes in a flowing, harmonious life.

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