Hare - Hase

(Lepus europaeus)

The European hare, also known as the brown hare, can measure up to 27in (70 cm) and reach a weight of 5.5 to 15.4lb (2.5 to 7 k) It has a long curly fur of grizzled yellow-brown color, which can vary depending on the time of the year. The small tail is black on the upper surface and white underneath. It has striking gray ears. It has a highly developed auditory system. The have big brown eyes and can see nearly 360 degrees, with a small blind spot at the bridge of the nose. This feature lets them perceive immediately their potential enemies. Hares' natural predators are some carnivorous animals and birds. Men hunt hares for their meat and fur. The limb musculature of hares is adapted for high-speed endurance running in open areas.

Hare in Mythology: In the Aztecs myths, the hare is the companion of Mayahuel, the goddess of drunkenness. In many cultures, the hare is considered a lunar animal. In classical Greece, it was regarded as the emissary of Hermes; the Romans subordinate it to Mercury. In Norse mythology, the hare represents the Moon Goddess Holda. The Celts considered it the symbol of fertility and during Easter time, in spring, it was related to the goddess Ostara, as a symbol of rebirth and fertility. The concept of the Easter Bunny and Easter Eggs come from her legends. In Christianity, because of their ability to modify the color of their fur, it is considered as a symbol of transformation and resurrection. For the Chinese, it symbolizes a long and healthy life. The Rabbit is fourth in the Chinese Zodiac. 1951, 1963, 1975, 1987, 1999, etc. were years of the rabbit. Those years were years of peace and harmony, health and balance. In the Mayan calendar, the rabbit means fullness, maturity, regeneration and resurrection. The Hare in the interpretation of dreams: it is a symbol of fertility and of healing in the cardiac area.

Hare essence: This essence increases the capacity for empathy and perception, especially the listening capacity. Our perception becomes sharp and we are more sensitive to the environment. There is a German saying: "Sei kein Hasenfuss" which literally translated means “Don't be a rabbit's foot" which popularly means that one must learn to cope with the obligations and fears. On the body level: The hare essence increases our vital energy and our vitality. We become fresher and more attentive and it also increases our sexuality. It works as an energy source of renewal by increasing our attention and exacerbating our senses. The essence especially works on the listening capacity, the ears and our acoustic ability. Many people are permanently exposed to background noise or damage their ears when listening to loud music. It is currently very difficult to find a peaceful place, free of noises. The essence places us in our center and increases our power of concentration. We learn to listen to the others paying attention to what they say, to perceive acoustically, but also to hear once again our inner voice.

On the emotional level: By having a better perception of ourselves and of the exterior, our feeling of security is increased. We are once again safe and centered. We recover our courage and as a result many fears disappear. Through the increase of our energy, we are again conscious of our vital energy and then we are able to get closer to other people and we regain confidence. So fears of closeness may disappear and we become more loving. The increase in our vitality also increases our self-healing forces.

On the spiritual level: We are no longer victims. In the same way that the hare serves as food for other animals, the fact that the smallest sacrifice themselves for the greatest and it will thus become part of something greater is a law of nature. Thanks to new self-confidence, we learn to overcome our fears and to modify our behavior toward fleeing. We also learn to deal with our problems and trust in God's protection. This is mainly an aid for people with problems of drug abuse and other addiction problems. The wounds of the inner child and the behavior related to the position of victim and the feeling of helplessness can be transformed.