The moose, also known as the American elk, is the largest of all deer. Its antlers are large and partly flat just before the tip. Long legs and a long neck allow it to graze even under water and to swim well. Without sinking, it can walk on soft ground such as mud, snow and sphagnum bogs.
The sound of a bull moose in rut is very impressive. That is why the key word in moose medicine is self-esteem.
With this sound, he proclaims his pride in his masculinity, his desire to share his seed with the female moose, and demonstrates his sense of confidence and self-esteem. He is ready to tell the world his desire and proclaim his strength. This is the only time the moose can be aggressive, as he is usually very gentle, solitary and sometimes curious when in quiet environments.
There is great joy in our ability to express our strengths and the satisfaction we feel at a job well done. This spontaneous sharing of our joy is a mark of self-confidence that comes from deep within.
People with moose medicine know how to express their talents, their abilities, and, through this expression, promote the continual creation of new ideas and new inventions.
Moose medicine is therefore about having self-confidence, not being afraid to walk our own path even if it is different from that of others, expressing our accomplishments with pride, and knowing how to encourage others. Older people often have the medicine of the moose. They are ready, having walked their earthly path for a long time, to encourage the young to walk theirs with confidence.
There is nothing pejorative or bad about being proud of what we have achieved. It is very important to distinguish between the ego’s self glorification and being proud of our accomplishments. The two things are very different. Some forms of pride puts the ego on top and ignores the achievements of others, often deluding itself about its own abilities. Being correctly proud recognizes what has been achieved and recognizes the same achievements in others.
We should not be afraid to express ourselves, as from the expression of our pride and joy comes the energy to create more good things for our communities. It is also about knowing the law of silence: knowing when to walk with the soft steps of a deer, and when to charge with the strength of a buffalo.
Knowing how to recognize one’s strengths and weaknesses allows the wise person to encourage the good in the new generation and to be tolerant of the mistakes of those who are learning. There is wisdom in error, for it is often through our errors that we learn the most. Those who have the medicine of the moose know how to recognize this and do not enter into judgement when accompanying those who are learning.
Having self-esteem gives great strength and allows us to walk peacefully on our life path, without fear, affirming our strengths and desires in order to obtain them quickly in joy and calm. Use the medicine of the moose to cultivate this essential and quiet strength of self-confidence and self-esteem.