I noticed upon entering one of my most recent lakefront campsites that a family of ducks called the place home. They escaped the site before I touched down there that day, but as I made my way along the lake, they got used to me, and began approaching me, perhaps curious or attracted to my energy. I hadn’t started feeding them my oats yet. No, I just let them come to me on their own accord (and then I began feeding my new friends).
Any time we come across an animal (or plant, or fungus, or mineral…) in nature that stands out to us for some reason, that comes just a little closer than they usually do, that animal is bringing us its medicine. Often it’s because we are already resonating at the frequency of that animal and they recognize us as kin, and Spirit wants us to recognize and focus on its qualities. Sometimes it’s because we are going astray and need to be reminded of certain qualities. Other times the message may be a warning. Only context and experience in interpreting the meaning of animal visitors can say for sure what the message is for you. This article is meant to go through some of the symbolism and messages that Duck species may be bringing to you in most normal situations.
What does Duck represent?
Many people overlook Duck as a powerful messenger due to its ubiquitousness: after all, ducks are pretty much anywhere there are healthy moving bodies of water, and on every continent except Antarctica. Yet, this ubiquituousness is indicative of some of their most wonderful qualities.
Adaptability
As mentioned, ducks can live in almost every climate, and so they represent being able to thrive under any conditions. However, there is another way in which they represent unusual adaptability: their being at home in all three above-ground realms: water, earth, and air. This is a general waterfowl quality that other families like Geese have, and so it may be applied to them as well. While most species occupy one or sometimes two realms, fowl are equally as comfortable in three. Metaphysically, this means that Duck represents a balance and ease of fluidity between the realms of feeling (water), physicality (earth), and thought/spirit (air).
Ease
Indeed, the ease with which Duck moves in between these realms, and especially through the water, is notable. Watching Duck navigate its central realm of Water is quite soothing: although we know their webbed feet (made perfectly for the job) are kicking, above the surface we see an effortless glide. We notice their buoyancy and how their gliding seems to be assisted by their natural repulsion of the water: due to their natural oils, they don’t “get wet” or absorb it, and so they slip right on through. And then, with a flap of wings they can be on the air, and then on solid ground. It’s so easy for them. We can learn a lot about transitioning between these realms in our own experience from observing Duck.
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