Hunting the Buck Moon

Ah, Buck Moon, the very name puts me in mind of a guy dressed in a baseball cap and checked shirt in the US tradition, a guy as adept at lounging in a bar as he is handy at the rifle range. Actually, buck moon is the traditional name for the July lunar body, since this is the time of year when male antlers are in full velvet and their owners are ready for mating. The twinning of the moon and deer is not as unlikely as it seems. In many Native American traditions, the buck is seen as a symbol of strength, virility, and the connection between the spirit world and the earthly realm. In Greek mythology, deer were sacred to Artemis, the goddess of the hunt and wilderness, representing grace, swiftness, and independence. In Celtic religions,  the stag was a symbol for the god Cernunnos, “The Horned One”. He was often portrayed with antlers himself, and was a god of the forest and wild animals. In Norse mythology, deer were among the most divine animals. Many people believe that deer are good omens. A peaceful, happy dream of a deer could indicate that your troubles are ending soon, and good fortune is a-coming. Actual deer crossing your path is a positive omen, a sign that you should be open to new ideas and opportunities in life. Ultimately, deer represent gentleness and emotional intelligence, something for the real Buck Moon’s of this world to remember when they go out hunting.