ANIMAL WISDOM SPEAKS - Animal Wisdom Speaks

Rook Wisdom

31/3/2025

Rook is a mentor and companion that teaches about the importance of working together and building a community and friendships while not losing our unique self and way of being.

Rooks mate for life and serve as mirrors to each other, challenging each other time and time again to look deep into their soul, see themselves for whom they truly are and let go of the masks of old.

"Curious White Rook", white pastels, Kristin Raphaela Otti (2025, Carinthia, Austria)

When rooks are maturing the white feathers covering their beaks fall away, leaving the beaks bare and uncovered. While looking into each other’s mirror, rooks experience that a truth spoken from the heart, honest and with the intention to heal, needs no mask hiding the true face of the speaker.

Rook knows that by bringing together different ways of thinking and problem-solving new ways open up in moving past old energies transforming them into healing wisdom. She knows that showing her face openly, facing challenges and speaking her truth, open the gateways to transformation and growth.

"White Rook", white pastels, Kristin Raphaela Otti (2024, Hotel, Café & Konditorei Hecher, Wolfsberg, Carinthia)

Rook knows that by bringing together different ways of thinking and problem-solving new ways open up in moving past old energies transforming them into healing wisdom.

The masks and thoughts of old falling away make way for the truth found during the darkest of nights and the seeds for a new sun rising on the morrow.

Rooks are so-called psychopomps, guides who accompany the souls of the newly deceased and the souls that got lost between the worlds through the veils. They serve as sentinels at the gates, their eyes able to see through any deception and illusion. They remember the true face of every soul and call out those trying to wear masks while facing the guardian of the gates.

Crow Wisdom

1/3/2025

Crow is a mentor and companion that is neither light nor dark but dwells in the in-between and listens to all the stories told with open ears. She is a being of the void, the canvas between the stars, where there is no contrast, no shadows or light, no differences or disbalance, but harmony and singing the songs of our souls from heart to heart.

"White Crow", white pastels, Kristin Raphaela Otti (2023)

When the All-and-One was telling all beings of creation about their purpose, the All-and-One was called away, when the All-and-One was about to talk with Crow about her tasks. As Crow loves learning and getting to know new things, she grew impatient of waiting after a while and chose to find her purpose on her own.

On her journeys to find her purpose, she became friends with all of creation, a counsellor and mentor, teaching them about free will, the gift of choice and that life is theirs to experience and live, finding her own purpose by being her true and authentic self.

Crow is a shapeshifter, a jack-of-all-trades and an agent of change that never stops learning and exploring and who does not see a world that is black and white, but a world that is a meadow of unique and colorful flowers whose seeds are a boon to all of creation, as those seeds will grow into different shades of the same flower, carry different healing properties and experiences and at the end of their circle become stars on the canvas in the sky, guiding their fellow travelers on their way home.

"White Crow Enjoying the Storm", white pastels, Kristin Raphaela Otti (2024, Café Müller, Munich)

Crow knows that harmony and balance can be brought into any situation, as differences are puzzle pieces that lead us to the keys to the gateways on our paths, confusion is losing an old way to find a new path and friction sets ablaze the fires of creation that warm our hearts and feed and nurture our dreams or devour the old so that we can rise anew from the ashes.

"Ancestral Crow", coloured pastels, Kristin Raphaela Otti (2025, Hotel Hecher, Wolfsberg, Carinthia)

Everything you give out, every deed done, every word spoken, returns to you in one way, shape, form or another, for every deed done and every word spoken is the beginning of a circle and it will return to you at one point on your path, so you are able to understand and learn the lesson, truth and wisdom behind it. The joy you brought, the pain you caused. It is not a punishment, but the nature of free will and choice, a gift given to experience and explore both light and darkness so you can understand the in-between, the being one with all of creation.

Crow is the Keeper of Sacred Law, a being of neutrality and balance. Sacred law is non-negotiable. You bear the responsibility for your words and deeds and everything you have put out in the world, every truth and every lie, will return to you. It cannot be put on someone else’s back for them to bear or suffer for you.

The consequences of your actions are to be experienced by yourself, so you can learn and understand how to mend the wounds you inflicted upon others and yourself. No law written by human beings, no idol or precious gem can buy you absolution and freedom from it, as it was your own choice and doing, your own free will to speak and act the way you did.

She says, “Everything you give out, every deed done, every word spoken, returns to you in one way, shape, form or another, for every deed done and every word spoken is the beginning of a circle and it will return to you at one point on your path, so you are able to understand and learn the lesson, truth and wisdom behind it. The joy you brought, the pain you caused. It is not a punishment, but the nature of free will and choice, a gift given to experience and explore both light and darkness so you can understand the in-between, the being one with all of creation.”

Capricorn Wisdom

8/1/2025

Since I was born in Capricorn season, let me tell you bit about Capricorn, starting off with a personal story:

Going headfirst through walls is a very common practice among us, we are perfectly equipped for that, sporting horns and having a thick skull. Using open doors is no challenge and thus not very appealing. I have a scar on my forehead attesting to that. According to my parents – I was still very small – I tried to break a way through the wall instead of using our front door, running straight into it.

"White Capricorn Resting on the Top of the Mountain", white pastels, Kristin Raphaela Otti (2023)

A few years back a friend of mine suggested that I could use open doors for a change and - if I felt that that would be too easy - I could always learn how to levitate and hover through them. I have a suspicion - albeit a very slight one - that he might be right and open doors are indeed the challenge for us Capricorns, but I have to contemplate that for a while longer.

Yes, we like to take our time, when contemplating or building something. We are Earth signs after all. Extremely patient. With others that is, not so much with ourselves and what we start today better be finished the day before yesterday.

"White Ibex", white pastels, Kristin Raphaela Otti (2024, Wolfsberg, Carinthia)

Once you have found a place in a Capricorn’s heart, you have a friend who will stand by your side no matter what. Up for a walk through hell? Let’s go for a stroll, we are game.

If that patience ever reaches an end, however, we don’t start a fiery blaze. We are born and bred in winter. We grow cold.

The opposite holds true as well: Once you have found a place in a Capricorn’s heart, you have found a friend who will stand by your side no matter what. Up for a walk through hell? Let’s go for a stroll, we are game.

And yes. We do have a sense of humor.

Capricorn says, “Your limitations in being and creating are, where you yourself place them. Your spirit, your heart and your soul do not know any limits. There is no mountain you cannot climb; no mountain top you cannot reach. Let go of the chains of your mind and dare dream your dream into being.”

Polar Bear Wisdom

2/1/2025

Polar Bear the Great Wanderer is a gentle mentor and fierce protector who travels through all the realms with unfailing stamina. She teaches us not to be afraid to travel in solitude and silence for a while, to take a rest and to find balance within ourselves.

“Nanoq Playing with her Cub”, white pastels, Kristin Raphaela Otti (2024, Hotel Hecher, Wolfsberg, Carinthia)

She is fearless and invites us to leave what we know and are used to behind, to step out of our comfort zone and face our challenges head on. Nanoq says, “Meet the gaze of the unknown, look into its eyes and walk tall and powerful into new beginnings.”

Nanoq says, „In the center of your heart, there is an ember, tiny, yet as strong as the winter sun. With every step you take through the desert of ice and frost, it is growing stronger, every breath nourishing the spark that has been lit inside you, a fire growing, a dream rekindled, a heart unstoppable.”

“Nanoq Enjoying the Falling Snow”, white pastels, Kristin Raphaela Otti (2024, in ceremony, Wolfsberg, Carinthia)

„In the center of your heart, there is an ember, tiny, yet as strong as the winter sun. With every step you take through the desert of ice and frost, it is growing stronger, every breath nourishing the spark that has been lit inside you, a fire growing, a dream rekindled, a heart unstoppable.”

Polar Bear is very protective of her cubs. She says, “Trust yourself and leave fear behind when standing up for your loved ones and yourself. Everything you need you bear within: a fire in your heart to warm you, a spirit unbreakable and the courage to face the harshest of winters.”

Starling Wisdom

9/5/2024

Starlings are great mentors and companions, harbingers of spring, that fly together in murmurations of thousands of birds, protecting each other. They sing of unity and purpose and the power of collective strength. The power of the collective is transformative and many voices united create a beautiful choir, when there is balance in cooperation.

Be still and listen! There is a song in your heart, sung with the voice of love and truth. Embrace your true voice and let it be heard loud and clear.”

The starling says, “Be careful about who you let into your inner circle!” A murmuration of starlings is a gathering of smaller circles working together. In those circles, there is absolute trust and seven birds fly together in perfect unison. The starling is a shapeshifter and mimic, constantly learning from the beings and nature around her, absorbing new sounds and energies. She says, “Be careful that you don’t lose yourself when trying to make yourself into someone’s image! Fly side by side, heart to heart, but never follow blindly. Observe, how the words and actions of those around you influence you and your behavior.”

Starlings are both, the void between the stars and the stars sown into the fertile grounds of the in-between.

"White Starling", white pastels, Kristin Raphaela Otti (2023)

When you look at them from afar, their feathers look grey and colorless, but as soon as the sun shines upon them, their feathers are shimmering and glittering purple and emerald green, showing their heart. Starling says, “Who are you, when you are walking in your shadows? Who are you, when the sun is shining on you? Let your true colors shine and embrace, honor and celebrate who you are!”

Every heart knows a sacred song, bears a medicine within. Starling says, “Be still and listen! There is a song in your heart, sung with the voice of love and truth. Embrace your true voice and let it be heard loud and clear.” Starlings communicate and vocalize their needs without shame and are not afraid of speaking their truth. They know that relationships require clarity in communication.

Fox Wisdom

7/5/2024

Fox is a great companion and teacher. It never gives up or complains, but adapts to its surroundings and circumstances and turns them into an advantage by using its creative and resourceful way of thinking. Fox is a playful trickster, cunning and able to react immediately in tricky situations thus escaping even the direst circumstances with ease.

Fox is not attached to its identity or any label put on it, for it knows, that once you let go of who you thought you were, you are free to become whoever you want to be and leave all limitations behind.

It is able to see through any illusion or deception, even the ones, it created itself. After becoming aware of them, fox quickly changes its point of view and is able to do things in a completely different – and sometimes - unexpected way and uses its quick wit and energy to get out of any unfavorable situation.

Fox is a shapeshifter, a jack-of-all-trades, but a master-of-none. It is able to become whoever it wants to be or needs to be to blend right into its surroundings and camouflage itself perfectly. It is not attached to its identity or any label put on it, for it knows, that once you let go of who you thought you were, you are free to become whoever you want to be and leave all limitations behind.

"White Reynard", white pastels, Kristin Raphaela Otti (2023)

Fox is a walker of the in-between, a being of dusk and dawn. It understands the unspoken and is able to view any situation with complete detachment. It teaches you to see a situation for what it is and not as you wish to see it and to take a step back and become still, until you are able to see a way out.

"White Fox", white pastels, Kristin Raphaela Otti (2023)

Squirrel Wisdom

2/5/2024

Squirrel is a quick-witted and resourceful mento, taking you by the hand showing you, that every challenge comes with a solution deep within and that there is no nut, that cannot be cracked. Impossible? Well, think again!

Hustling and bustling, squirrel reminds you playfully, that there are – indeed – only two days over the course of a year, where you can truly do nothing: yesterday and tomorrow.

"White Squirrel Jumping", white pastels, Kristin Raphaela Otti (2023)

"White Squirrel", white pastels, Kristin Raphaela Otti (2023)

Sometimes squirrel collects a nut, a well-earned treat, to be eaten later, and forgets, where she has stowed it away, but she does not feel regret about it, for any seed you plant with good intention, will grow into a gift for everyone and may very well become the tree, that will shelter you down the road, when you need it the most.

Hustling and bustling, squirrel reminds you playfully, that there are – indeed – only two days over the course of a year, where you can truly do nothing: yesterday and tomorrow. Instead of living in yesterday’s regrets and tomorrow’s fear, she embraces today, experiencing the world around her with an open heart.

Seahorse Wisdom

30/4/2024

Seahorse medicine is incredibly strong. Seahorses have three hearts beating simultaneously, so if one heart gets tired, the others keep the seahorse strong until it is fully recovered. They show us, that we have many resources within us and that when the heart that has been wounded in the past, is tired, the one being in the here and now and the one dreaming our highest good into being, our future, will be able to keep us whole until the wounded one is mended.

Seahorses are poor swimmers, yet they are able to rest even in the roughest of seas with their tails wound around a stationary object. They swim along their path, one stroke after the other, resting and securing themselves when needed and continue on their path, when they have regained their balance, showing us how to navigate the stormiest of emotions and situations.

Their eyes move independently, they can see what lies behind them in the past, their present state and even glimpse into the future and see what lies in front of them at the same time. All while being able to anchor themselves to any object, while being completely at peace within themselves, finding their balance again if needed.

Seahorse knows that it is vulnerable, but it knows its vulnerabilities are not weaknesses. It acknowledges them and teaches us that recognizing our vulnerabilities is a way to empower and protect us and others.

"White Seahorse", white pastels, Kristin Raphaela Otti (2023)

They swim along their path, one stroke after the other, resting and securing themselves when needed and continue on their path, when they have regained their balance, showing us how to navigate the stormiest of emotions and situations.

Instead of lamenting over the fact, that it is a poor swimmer and thus not able to speed along its path, it uses the time needed to anchor itself to reflect and rebalance, thus gaining insights and wisdom, learning.

Peacock Wisdom

25/4/2024

The peacock is a great companion and teacher. It is not afraid of being itself and showing its true colors. It is standing tall and proud, its feathers glistening in the sunlight, showing its talents and gifts openly for everyone to see. Its inner light is emanating from its heart, nothing is hidden away. The Peacock teaches us to show our true colors, to shine and be ourselves, for standing in our power and shining our light has nothing to do with being arrogant but everything to do with daring to be the unique gift we are.

It sees true beauty in every being and everything. Like a swan it has grown into its precious colorful feathers after a long time of learning and experienced and seen the beauty and uniqueness of the beings around it before the sunlight has touched its own beautiful feathers for the first time.

"White Peacock Thinking", white pastels, Kristin Raphaela Otti (2023)

It has gotten to know its inner strength and power by taking one step after the other on its path and thus it knows, that whatever is needed to achieve its dream, is already inside its heart and growing and will see the light of day at the right moment in time.

The peacock does not hide, it shows its true colors. It has never learned to sing, a songbird it is not. It has no heart for shallow and fake compliments and flattery does not stop it from speaking its truth.

"White Peacock", white pastels, Kristin Raphaela Otti (2023)

The peacock does not hide, it shows its true colors. It has never learned to sing, a songbird it is not. It has no heart for shallow and fake compliments and flattery does not stop it from speaking its truth.

It knows, when it is time to speak up. It does not mask its words; it speaks with a loud and clear voice.

It sees through a thousand eyes, what was, what is and all the paths that lead into tomorrow. The Peacock knows its past lives and can see through any falsehood and deception. It sees true and is able to mend the eyes of those, that have seen, what they should not have had to see, so they can see the beauty of the world around them once more.

The peacock was asked to guard this realm and protect the peace. Nothing goes by its eyes; it finds the viper among a thousand snakes and calls it out. There is no place in his heart for lies and deceit, it is incorruptible and will keep those under its protection from harm.

Koala Wisdom

23/4/2024

The Koala is a peaceful and patient companion and mentor, who knows about the strengths of the beings around it and helps them to blossom, bloom and thrive. It never puts itself above others, but listens calmly to what each and every one has to say. Though it is quiet, it does not shy away from speaking up, but is always mindful of not putting anyone down.

Koala is a peacekeeper, whose mere presence soothes the minds and ailing hearts of others. It takes much to upset a koala, because it finds joy in the smallest of things and peace even in the harshest of storms.

The koala joeys are very vulnerable and as a result, the koala is very protective around them. It is also able to see deep into the hearts of its young and knows about their inner strength and inner fire. It trusts them fully, showing patience and foresight, and helps them grow into independent and strong adults, who stand tall and proud on their own two feet.

The koala is a natural born leader and nurturer, it senses, when someone in its tribe needs help and offers a helping hand without strings attached.

"White Koala", white pastels, Kristin Raphaela Otti (2023)

Its wisdom lies therein, that it knows, that help can only be given to those, who are willing to help themselves, and that change cannot be called forth, where there is no open heart to welcome it. Its instincts tell it, when to take someone’s hand and walk with him and when to patiently wait.

It is patient and gentle, filled with peace. It is able to calm down even the most restless mind and the greatest of storms with its loving and soothing embrace. It is a peacekeeper, whose mere presence soothes the minds and ailing hearts of others. It takes much to upset a koala, because it finds joy in the smallest of things and peace even in the harshest of storms.