Embracing Gratitude: the Wisdom of Cow and Turkey by Judith Shaw

Even though the world is full of injustices, system breakdowns, and wars, I am thankful to be alive.

Even though the current trajectory of climate change, together with inaction to change the way society is organized, promises the collapse of modern industrial civilization, I am thankful to be alive.

Even though my own life has had many set backs and personal disappointments, I am thankful to be alive. 

Practicing gratitude helps me deal with these adversities. But practicing gratitude goes beyond its ability to deal with adversity. It helps me to feel more positive, to appreciate small everyday occurrences like sunsets and running water, to treasure good experiences, and to build strong relationships. 

Whenever I get overwhelmed with my problems and forget to practice gratitude there are two animals who generally show up for me, reminding me to get back on the gratitude path.

Cow

Cow, a gentle and giving being, exemplifies nurturing, nourishment, fertility, gratitude and abundance. After nine months in utero, a calf nurses for up to 3 months, sometimes longer. If separated from their mother they will cry and stop eating. Calves are often seen frolicking about under the watchful eyes of their mothers.

Cow is deeply connected to the ancient Egyptian Goddess Hathor, who was depicted as a woman with a cow head or as a cow with stars above her. Hathor is associated with motherhood, nurturing, agriculture, fertility and childbirth.

In addition, Hathor was associated with joy, music, love, dance and gratitude. Initiation into her cult included the enactment of The Five Gifts of Hathor ritual. In this ceremony, initiates named five reasons for being grateful, assigning one to each finger of the left hand thus creating a daily reminder of the importance of gratitude. What a beautiful and simple way to remind ourselves of the power of gratitude! Our fingers accompany us everywhere, making it easy to engage in the practice of gratitude, no matter where you are. 

Cow, like the Mother Goddess herself, nourishes you with her love, offering assurance and understanding in an uncertain world. Cow gifts you with fertility of body and soul and reminds you of the power and strength of the gentle, loving, patient side of feminine energy. Cow calls you to experience the blessings of gratitude.

Turkey

In North America we are all familiar with the turkey’s association with our harvest celebration, Thanksgiving. The turkey is undoubtedly on our minds as we gather together to express gratitude for our many blessings. 

The use of turkeys as sacrifices during fertility and harvest festivals, which always involved significant expressions of gratitude, predates the arrival of Europeans. Domesticated by the native peoples of Mexico around 800 B.C., turkeys were primarily raised for their feathers, often used in rituals and ceremonies. The Maya, in particular, both venerated and sacrificed turkeys.

In the Four Corners area of the U.S. archaeologist have found burial sites dated around 4 B.C. to 1500 A.D. with ceremonial arrangements of whole turkeys. It appears the turkeys had not been eaten – only used for ceremonial purposes. Young turkeys were found interred under ceremonial plazas, suggesting a link to fertility and spring planting. 

Turkeys are gentle, inquisitive animals who enjoy the company of others, forming strong bonds with both their fellow turkeys and humans. Despite their reputation for being dumb, turkeys are, in fact, quite intelligent and capable problem-solvers. Their love for exploration is complemented by an excellent understanding of the details of their surroundings.

Wild turkey mothers care for their chicks for five months. The male chicks, or jakes, leave to form a lifelong sibling group, displaying unwavering loyalty and hostility to outsiders. Older male turkeys have separate groups, and hens live in flocks with their female poults.

Turkey uses its excellent eyesight and concern for community for protection. While scavenging the forest floor at least one turkey remains vigilant, constantly scanning the trees for possible predators. But at night they are vulnerable, preferring to sleep in trees far from predators. Upon waking they call softly to each other before descending, checking that the flock is safe.

Turkey serves as a reminder that, at times, personal sacrifice is necessary to protect and promote the well-being of the community. It opens your eyes to the importance of working together with your community and the value of generosity, demonstrating positive and useful ways to give.

Additionally, Turkey underscores the connection we all share with Mother Earth and her abundant blessings. As Earth’s resources are not limitless, Turkey encourages you to be content with and honor what is offered, all the while caring for the Earth from which these gifts emanate.

Turkey encourages gratitude for even the smallest blessings, guiding you through life with this attitude of gratitude. Grounded in gratitude, Turkey promotes well-being and calls for harmony with all your relations—Earth, community, family, and self.

Practicing Gratitude

How can we find the time in our busy lives, filled with numerous distractions, to remain focused on what we are grateful for?  Perhaps, during this Thanksgiving season, you too can draw on the wisdom of Cow and Turkey to initiate an ongoing practice of gratitude. Consider placing an image of Cow and/or Turkey somewhere you’ll see every day, serving as a reminder to remain grateful. Alternatively, the Five Gifts of Hathor could be a good starting point — a fun activity to engage in with your friends and family during the Thanksgiving meal.

I personally remain ever grateful for you, members of this community of peace-loving thinkers and seekers, who take time from your busy days to read the thoughts I post here. May the blessings offered by life be uppermost in your hearts and minds during both the good and challenging times you encounter on life’s path.

_{Judith’s new oracle deck, Animal Wisdom Oracle is available.
Experience the wisdom of our animal kin.  Order it here.
The Celtic Goddess Oracle Deck is still available. Order your deck here.}