THE BAT:Some ancient cultures believed that bats were once a kind of bird that was cganged into part human-looking in answer to their prayers. Finnish people believed that during sleep the soul often took the form of a bat, and that violent death turned the soul into a bat condemned to remain on the Earth. Contrary to superstition, bats do not become tangled in women's hair. Nor will they stay in hair until it thunders. This idea is probably a collective unconscious memory of the connection between bats and the Great Mother Goddess. Their high-pitched squeaks enable them to avoid the tiniest strand of wire, even in total darkness. Bats were considered to be unlucky and unclean in some cultures, fortunate and edible in others. Because they are creatures of the night and dark places, bats are often symbolic of desolation and the Underworld. In China, the name for bat is "fu", which means happiness; the Chinese believe that the bat brings happiness and good luck. A drawing of two bats represents Shou-Hsing, god of long life; this symbolizes good wishes. A drawing of five bats signifies the five blessings of health, wealth, long life, happiness, and peace. In Japan, however, the bat symbolizes unhappiness, unrest, and chaos. To the Buddhists, it means incomplete and dark understanding. The ancient Mayans worshiped a bat god whom they considered a very powerful deity. In Mexico, there was a city named Tzinacent Lan ("Bat City"). The bat was treasured medicine power to the Aztec, Toltec, Tolucan, and Mayan people. In medievil alchemy, the meaning of the bat was similar to that of the dragon and the hermaphrodite. SuperstitionsEarly Christians believed that when the devil was idle, he turned into a bat to harass people.The bat was also considered to be a familiar that lent its shape to witches. Some people believe that ghosts can take the form of bats; therefore, a house with bats in it is haunted. Bats will deliberately tangle themselves in your hair and not let go until it thunders. There is also a superstition that if you carried the dried heart of a bat in your pocket it will turn a bullet or stop you from bleeding to death. Another belief is if you wash your face in bats blood you can see in the dark. In Scotland, it is said that a flying bat, rising and then descending, does so near a witch's house. A certain tribe of southeastern Austrailia believe that to kill a bat shortens a man's life. One flying near you is a sign that someone is trying to bewitch or betray you. A bat hitting a building is a sure sign of rain. Carrying a bat bone will ensure constant good luck. Carrying the right eye will make you invisible. Magickal AttributesThe knowledge to avoid obstacles, barriers, and troublesome people.Undergoing a shamanistic death, which is learning to transform the old self into a new being. Releasing habits and personality patterns that keep you from progressing. Viewing past lives in order to learn how death occurred each time; using this knowledge to make you more comfortable with the life and death cycle of all life. Especially helpful when facing the death of a loved one or close friend. ChantDark night flyer, lift me to higherRealms of life where loved ones go, That I might find joy mind to mind, My heart hurts less. I miss them so. Teach me that death can hurt much less If I accept it as no end, But see it true, just another view Of life continuing round a bend. |
