As I begin to write this post, I’m realizing that many of my animal spirit encounters occur when I am walking my two Alaskan Malamutes. As you have probably guessed, animals are very important to me, and for me, they have been important teachers in my life. Maybe they know what messages are coming and lead me to walk in a certain direction or point out what I may have missed on my own. This is what happened one morning earlier this week. The pups pointed out a strange-looking object on the ground below a tree, but they seemed uninterested in it. As I looked closer, at first it looked like a shriveled up frog, but then upon close inspection I could clearly see that it was a mummified bat.
Seeing a dead animal may terrify many, but as mentioned in Animal Spirits: The Mouse/Rat, “Death is a transition, and it signifies a time of a new cycle, new beginnings, and evolution.” Bats, too, are terrifying to many, partly because of their connection to vampires, and partly because, being the only mammal that can fly, they seem like something unnatural or supernatural.
Bats, indeed, are extra-ordinary creatures. Besides being able to fly, they have a very strong sense of smell and hearing, including the ability to use echolocation, and some use ultraviolet detection to maneuver in the dark. Bats are creatures of the night, able to move about unseen yet see the unseen. They symbolize being able to see through illusions, to see past lives, dreams, and beyond the ego.
Most bats live in caves, deep in the womb of Mother Earth, so they also symbolize the Underworld and death and rebirth, especially the death of the ego so that the soul can fully express itself in our lives. Because they represent this process of journeying to the Underworld and the death of the ego, they symbolize initiation and journeying, both the shaman’s journey and the hero’s journey.
I wasn’t grossed out by seeing this mummified bat first thing in the morning. Honestly I felt a feeling of freedom. The last few years have been quite a deep journey within, and I feel ready to take off in flight, though that next step has been on hold or suspended, waiting for things to fall into place, aka divine timing. Mummification is a means to suspend decay, to suspend death and rebirth, and seeing this bat now free from the tree it must have been suspended in and able to return its old body to the Earth for new life, brought into my mind the Hanged Man from The Wild Unknown Tarot deck. The Hanged Man symbolizes suspension, but also acceptance of the current situation. Through letting go, I release and open the way for new beginnings.
Affirmation came the next day when I pulled my daily card from the Animal Wisdom Tarot deck. As I am sure you can guess, I pulled The Bat: Master of Suspension. Not only is it the card I pulled, but it had also popped out while shuffling! Release, Letting go, Acceptance, Patience.
The Bat symbolizes:
- Seeing past Illusions & Seeing the Invisible
- Awareness of the Spirit Realm & Dreams
- Shamanic Journey and Initiation
- Hero’s Journey
- Death and Rebirth
- Exploring the Underworld/Depths of the Psyche
Through the Peacock's Eyes 
After our chat on Tuesday, I see some wisdom here on your journey Bella. Perhaps you have written about these and of so please let me know and I will read the posts, but I request a post on the lion and the whooping crane. 💖💖💖😘
Thank you Lisa! ❤ Lion: http://juliannevictoria.com/2014/03/02/animal-spirits-the-lion/
And I did do Stork (close to a Crane): http://juliannevictoria.com/2015/04/09/animal-spirits-the-stork/
Thanks bella!!!
I love bats,such amazing creatures,xx Rachel
Reblogged this on lampmagician and commented:
“Death is a transition, and it signifies a time of a new cycle, new beginnings, and evolution.
Wonderful Julieanne i have been visiting in town a garden and conservatory..the gardens are home to bats..and i have been drawn to them to take their pictures..yesterday i went again and to listen to them talking to each other watch them cleaning and juts hanging put has been quite magical for me..so i am going through many many bat pictures today 🙂 interesting that i feel so drawn to these sweet creatures 🙂 loves Bev xx
Can’t wait to see your photos! ❤
Amazing reflections. Thank you so much. I really want to get my hands on an animal wisdom Tarot. Perfect for my Shamanic practice. I’ve had some incredible experiences with spider medicine recently. Keep an eye out. Post coming soon. Warmest regards.
I love bats and all they symbolize. It is nice to hear someone else loves them. So many people don’t. I hold the utmost respect for them, and have certainly journeyed to the underworld with their assistance,as well as experienced the deaths,rebirths and transformations of many people, including myself. Really nice post. Thank you. Very interesting – the symbology of the mummified bat.
Mary
Thank you Mary!
very informative Julie and I also like the synchronicity between your sighting and your daily card 🙂
It was a surprise, especially since I hadn’t ever seen that card in this new deck yet.
Hi Julie,
I recently came across some mummies at a local museum: a LOT of them, maybe 3 or 4. The exhibit was unexpected, because it was a long-term installation; and so there wasn’t very much advertising around it. I’m intrigued with the timing of your post about a mummified bat! In fact, I had quite some interesting vibes while at the exhibit, and having turned the corner just prior to witnessing the subject of the exhibit.
Thanks for sharing this experience…
Best, Ka
You’re welcome Ka!
also signals a journey to the underworld among others…
Yes, as mentioned above.
🙂
Beautiful, Julianne Victoria. The bat is one of my favorite wee animal allies, and your musing on your encounter with the mummified bat and the symbolism is powerful.
Thank you Jamie!