There are nine totem animals, also referred to as spiritual symbols or power animals, which are said to guide tribal members during their spiritual realities encompassed by the physical world. These animals can appear to members in a dream, through their interests, or through the act of sharing.
With Easter plans afoot and spring on its way, we thought it appropriate to share with you a story behind the sacred rabbit totem.
Rabbit and Eye Walker Folklore
The origin of the rabbit totem in Native American cultures is often told through the story of the Rabbit and Eye Walker. Eye Walker was a witch who befriended the rabbit. Eye Walker showed unrequited loyalty to her dear rabbit friend in the legend, but the acts of kindness were never acknowledged by rabbit. Rabbit abandons Eye Walker because he fears her magical powers. Eye Walker is saddened and feels betrayed so she sets a curse on Rabbit.
The rabbit for evermore will be called “Fear Caller,” for when he calls out to the eagle in flight or any of the predators he states he is afraid of them; in turn they take him as a meal. This story teaches people about the power and value of friendship and about expressing gratitude for that friendship, all while demonstrating to us that our actions and in-actions have consequences.
The Ultimate Lesson
Above all, Rabbit and Eye Walker teach people how to confront fear by acknowledging it first, then letting go of it. If one lives in fear of an imagined tragedy, the perceived “what-ifs,” then misfortune will find you. If you instead focus on the “what is,” you will find happiness. The rabbit reminds us not to focus on the bad in our lives and in the world, but on the good.
Call your inner rabbit totem to life and display it proudly through one of our small hand-painted Rabbits or our hand-crafted Rabbit Nativity Scenes by Debi Flanigan from Mata Ortiz! We also have Zuni carved rabbit fetishes for purchase. The Zuni believe the rabbit represents gentleness, charm, and the importance of family.
The rabbit is the special guardian of pregnant women, bringing safe childbirth and a long life for the children. All of the items at Kachina House are crafted in the tradition of Native American legends of past and present, and stay true to the morals they teach.
Thank you for having this site. During my last stretch of sleep, before I got up I dreamed with a big rabbit with the tail cut it off. As I know that when an animal shows up your life is because we need its medecine as soon as I got up I searched its meaning. I am right now going right now through a quarentine because one of my coworkers had covid and even when I don’t feel that I am afraid, and luckily I am not paralyze by fear, I think it is always a good reminder to keep the fears under control. Thank you for your site again. I will meditate on the Rabbit Totem today. Thank you! Keep safe.
That is a great link. Thank you for sharing!
So basically, the story is that the Rabbit and the Witch were good friends. Then the Witch shows off her magic in front of the Rabbit and brags about all the tricks and curses and hexes she can cast on other animals etc. The rabbit is shocked and scared of the Witch now so he slowly drifts away from the Witch for his own protection. The Witch is so upset that the Rabbit could ever think that The Witch will use her craft on the Rabbit, so as revenge…..The Witch uses her craft on the Rabbit….
Is that really what this folklore is telling us? I’m sorry but I’m not sure what the Rabbit did wrong here. It sounds like the Rabbit just wanted to do the responsible thing and not stick his nose in risky business, which messing around with Magic will certainly do.
I think you are reading into it….the witch loved the rabbit, the rabbit did not return the friendship or loyalty to the witch. The rabbit abandoned the witch, abandoning the friendship, and the witch was hurt and cursed the rabbit with fear. The moral is not to dismiss friendships and that hurting someone has consequences.
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Thank you for letting us know. We’ll look forward to hearing more from you.