Because of their high metabolism, Members of the Weasel Family hunt endlessly. Since they are long and skinny, they also lose heat in their bodies. To keep warm, Members of the Weasel Family consume a lot of food. Long-Tail Weasels kill every Chicken in henhouse for stockpiling in lean times. Least Weasels cache hundreds of Rats and Mice in their burrows. Minks hoard Muskrats and Ducks They have killed. The bodies of the killed Animals provide food and insulation for cold winter days.
Members of the Weasel Family are great chasers. Tireless hunters, Least Weasels bound and zigzag across brushy ground after Rodents. European Polecats dart into burrows for Rabbits. Ferrets race into tunnels chasing the Inhabitants out of their homes. Swift and agile predators, Minks swim streams and marshes in pursuit of their Prey. Pouncing on the unfortunate animal, Weasels kill their Prey with a bite to the back of the head.
Belonging to the same Animal Family as Badger and Otter, as well as being a relative of Skunk, Members of the Weasel Family have glands that produce a strong smell. In fact, people claim that Weasel musk is stronger than Skunk scent. Medieval folklore says that Weasel’s smell could kill the legendary Basilisk. Since Members of the Weasel Family prefer to live solitary lives, They leave their scent to tell Others to hunt elsewhere.
Silent and graceful, Members of the Weasel Family go unseen and unheard about their territories. They quietly observe what is happening and then discern what is important. Since Weasels move unseen, scouting out their Enemies, Native Americans sought blessings from Weasel, when going into battle.
Shamans use Least Weasels as guides to underworld realms. Their primal energy and fierce courage make Them formidable allies. As Spirit Animals, Members of the Weasel Family are not easy to work with. Minks have forceful personalities but are powerful allies in gaining good fortune.
Among many people, Members of the Weasel Family have a mixed reputation. European folklore says that if Weasel appears near a house and squeaks, death is near. Meanwhile, only royalty wore Ermine, since they thought of Her as morally pure. Even though ancient Israelites considered Weasels unclean, Egyptians considered Them to be sacred animals. In
Various Members of the Weasel Family have a poor reputation among many people for being cowards. This is simply not true. In fact, They are bold and confident in taking on Animals larger than Themselves. Moreover, Members of the Weasel Family are tenaciously aggressive. Weasels have been known to kill Hawks, who were trying to kill Them.
Ancient Greeks said that the Goddess of Retribution, Nemesis, took the form of Weasel to pursue justice. Carpathians believed that Weasel would attack by the thousands to avenge the death of one of their own. To honour Weasel, they held Weasel festivals on St. Matthew’s Day. Medieval Christians regarded Weasel as a spiritual warrior able to defeat the Devil with faith.
Weasel was one of two animals who could kill the mythical Basilisk. (The other was Cock.) Because Weasels kill Snakes, symbols of vice, Christians thought of Them as a Symbol of Christ the Purifier.
Medieval Europeans claimed that Ermines would rather die than dishonour Themselves. Because their coats turn brown in the summer, White Ermines seem to die in the spring, but are reborn in winter. Christians took Ermine to be a symbol of Christ’s Resurrection.
Members of the Weasel Family do not do things in half measures. They live life with all of their heart. Ferrets race down tunnels out of curiosity, while Minks travel great distances for Fish. Folklore tells of Weasel’s ardent nature in confronting wrongs. Members of the Weasel Family put their whole being into what they do. Learn from Them to do the same. Experience life with all your senses. Live life fully but do not burn out while doing it, for Weasels have short lives.
The weasel as a totem animal relates to alacrity and observation. The weasel's power of observation is tremendous, and not much goes unnoticed to those who have this totem. The weasel encourages a higher level of observation - where observing and intuition combine to provide the observer with qualities of prediction of outcomes. Weasel animal totems are also quick as winks, and symbolize quick-witted characteristics.
Weasel Animal Totems traits include:
Quick wit, forethought, good mental acuity
Encourages intense observation of life situations
Ability to analyse these situations and deduce probable outcomes