Two weeks ago, a young deer was hit by a car in front of my home. As I watched from the window, a wave of anguish hit me. I ran outside, my heart pounding, hoping it wasn’t too late. But when I reached the deer, I found it already lifeless. I knelt beside it and gently closed its eyes, feeling the fragility of life in that moment. It wasn’t just the death of this beautiful creature that troubled me—it was a deeper sense of loss.
Just the day before, I had been at a nearby graveyard, a place where I often find myself when I am seeking a sense of peace. Sadly, however, the land surrounding it is being cleared, the forest giving way to the skeletons of future condominiums. I couldn’t shake the sadness of watching the woods vanish, knowing the deer and other wildlife would be pushed into smaller and smaller spaces. Their forest home is disappearing, just as the land of the Lenape, the original caretakers of this place, once did.
When the deer was killed in front of my home, it felt like a stark reminder of this encroaching danger—not just to the animals but to the spirit of the land itself. I wondered how many more deer would fall victim to the threat of traffic as they are forced into shrinking patches of forest.
The Stag Appears
A week later, I had an encounter that felt nothing short of magical. I was walking a familiar trail when I came face to face with a 10-point buck. He stood just a few feet away from me, his antlers towering like a crown over his regal head. Time seemed to stand still. I snapped a photo, but I knew what was happening went beyond the lens. The presence of this buck felt like a message, a connection to something ancient, something sacred.
In that moment, I felt the energy of Cernunnos, the horned god, stirring in the air around us. The stag, a symbol of strength, wisdom, and protection, seemed to stand as a guardian between the worlds—between life and death, the wild and the civilized. I left that trail with a sense that this encounter had deeper meaning, especially as I continued to honor my ancestors and the land spirits during this sacred time of year.
A Scattered Skeleton: A Sign from Cernunnos?
Today, as I returned to that same graveyard, I found what remained of another deer. Its skeleton was scattered across the ground, the bones bleached by the sun, likely hit by a car and then picked apart by vultures. It felt like the final piece of a pattern, a message echoing louder with each encounter.
The discovery of the skeleton stirred something within me—a desire to honor this creature, whose life had been cut short. As I carefully gathered the bones, I knew I wanted to clean and preserve them, adding them to my ancestor altar as a way to honor the spirits of the land and the cycle of life and death they represent. This would be more than just a physical act; it would be a spiritual offering, a recognition of the interconnectedness of all beings, both human and animal, who walk the land.
In that moment, I understood that this wasn’t just about the animals. It was about the spirits of the land, the ancestors, and the balance between life and death that Cernunnos watches over. My work with the ancestors this month wasn’t just about the human spirits; it was also about the spirits of the land—those who walked here before, both human and animal, who are all interconnected.
The Spirit Feast and Honoring the Deer
This encounter with the deer’s remains happened during a deeply reflective time for me, as I have been holding a spirit feast throughout the month of October. Each evening, I light candles and incense, opening my home and my heart to the spirits—my ancestors, gods, goddesses, and even the land and animal spirits I encounter.
Each night, I honor a different spirit, leaving offerings and reflecting on their presence in my life. With the discovery of the deer skeleton, it became clear that this animal, too, was a spirit to be honored in my feast. I plan to add the deer bones to my ancestor altar, alongside the candles and keepsakes of my human ancestors, as a way to connect with both the spirits of the land and those who came before me.
As I prepare for the culmination of this feast on Samhain and Día de los Muertos, I feel a deepening connection to the cycles of life and death that Cernunnos represents. The deer, both in life and death, have shown me that all spirits—whether human, animal, or land—deserve recognition and reverence.
Painting the Deer: A Sacred Tribute
As part of this journey, I also found myself drawn to paint the deer. After my encounter with the 10-point buck, I felt compelled to capture his essence on canvas. The process of painting became a meditative practice for me, a way to honor the spirit of the deer and reflect on the themes of life, death, and rebirth that Cernunnos embodies.
The painting, much like the deer itself, has become a symbol of strength and transition. With every brushstroke, I felt as though I was deepening my connection not just to the animal, but to the energy of Cernunnos and the spirits of the land. The stag’s regal presence in the painting serves as a reminder of the sacred balance of nature, and it will find its place on my altar beside the deer’s bones.
In this way, my altar becomes a living tribute—combining the physical remains of the deer, my creative expression through the painting, and the spiritual energy that ties them all together.
Deer as Messengers of the Divine
Deer have long been seen as spiritual guides, messengers between worlds. In many cultures, they symbolize transition, gentleness, and the ability to navigate difficult paths. For me, these deer felt like messengers—not just of Cernunnos, but of the land itself, crying out for recognition, respect, and care.
In the Native American traditions, particularly the Lenape who once lived on this land, deer were seen as sacred, embodying patience, grace, and the ability to move between worlds. In Celtic traditions, the stag was associated with the otherworld, often guiding souls through transitions. Both of these cultural perspectives remind me of the delicate balance between life and death, between the natural world and the human-made.
Cernunnos: The Stag-Lord of the Forest
Cernunnos, the horned god, stands as a guardian of the wild. He watches over the animals and the forests, balancing the forces of life and death. His presence is powerful yet elusive, often felt in the spaces between—between the trees, between the worlds.
When the 10-point buck appeared on the trail, I felt that Cernunnos was revealing himself, reminding me of the importance of honoring not only human ancestors but the land and animal spirits as well. The stag, with its majestic antlers that are shed and regrown each year, is a perfect symbol for Cernunnos’ connection to the cycles of nature—the eternal dance of life, death, and rebirth.
A Ritual to Connect with Cernunnos
In response to this deepening connection, I created a ritual to honor Cernunnos and the deer as messengers of the spirit world. If you feel called to connect with Cernunnos, the stag, or the spirits of the forest, you can adapt this ritual for your own practice.
What You Will Need:
- A candle (green, brown, or black)
- An offering (natural items like nuts, berries, or meat)
- A bowl of water
- A symbolic item representing the stag or deer
Steps:
- Prepare Your Space: Find a quiet place, indoors or outdoors, where you can connect with nature. Place your candle in the center, surrounded by your offering and the bowl of water.
- Ground and Center: Close your eyes and visualize roots growing from your feet into the earth, connecting you deeply with the land beneath you.
- Call in the Spirits: Light the candle and say, “I call upon the spirits of the land and the ancestors of this place. I honor the spirits who walk with me.”
- Invoke Cernunnos: Hold your deer symbol in your hands and say, “Cernunnos, Lord of the Wild, Guardian of the Crossroads, I seek your guidance. Stag of the woods, show me the way.”
- Meditate: Sit quietly, visualizing Cernunnos and the stag. Ask for guidance in walking the balance between life and death, and honor the natural cycle.
- Make an Offering: Place your offering near the candle and say, “I offer this to you, Cernunnos, in gratitude for the wisdom you bring.”
- Water Ritual: Dip your fingers in the water and sprinkle some on your head, symbolizing renewal and rebirth.
- Close the Ritual: Thank Cernunnos and the spirits for their presence, and extinguish the candle.
Honoring Deer, Ancestors, and the Land Spirits
As I’ve worked with these deer spirits, I’ve realized that their messages run deep. They remind me of the importance of honoring not only the human ancestors but the land and animal spirits that share our space. The deer, particularly in these shrinking patches of forest, are powerful guides through the liminal spaces of life and death—just as Cernunnos himself is.
Adding the bones of the deer to my altar feels like a way to honor both the spirit of the animal and the land it once roamed. It is a reminder of the fragility of the natural world and a call to honor all life, both human and animal. In doing so, I am continuing the work of connecting with the spirits of this place—recognizing that we are all part of the cycle, and that the land remembers.
If you feel a connection to the deer or any other animal spirits, consider creating your own rituals or offerings to honor them. Listen to the land, to the animals, and to the spirits that walk beside us. They have much to teach us if we are willing to pay attention.
The deer that have crossed my path, both in life and in death, have brought me closer to the spirits of the land and the cycles of life that Cernunnos oversees. In honoring them, I am honoring the delicate balance that exists between life and death, between human and animal, between the wild and the civilized world. As I continue my work with the ancestors, I also make space to honor the spirits of the land, knowing that they, too, have a place in this sacred dance.
Recommended Reading:
- “The Book of the Great Queen: The Many Faces of the Morrigan from Ancient Legends to Modern Devotions” by Morpheus Ravenna – Although primarily focused on the Morrigan, this book touches on Celtic deities like Cernunnos and offers deep insights into working with nature spirits and the cycles of life and death.
- “Cernunnos: Ancient Celtic God of Shamanic Ecstasy, Hunt, and the Otherworld” by Kristian Kristof – This book explores Cernunnos’ role as the lord of the forest and guide through the liminal spaces, focusing on his connections to animals, hunting, and the spirit world.
- “Animal-Speak: The Spiritual & Magical Powers of Creatures Great & Small” by Ted Andrews – A fantastic resource for understanding the symbolism of animals, including deer, and how they serve as messengers in the spiritual world.
- “The Lost Beliefs of Northern Europe” by Hilda Ellis Davidson – This book delves into pre-Christian Northern European mythology and folk traditions, including the role of stags, deities like Cernunnos, and the spiritual significance of animals in these ancient cultures.
- “Shaman Pathways: Trees of the Goddess” by Elen Sentier – This book explores trees and animals in Celtic and shamanic traditions, including their relationship with deities like Cernunnos and how to work with their energy.
- “Walking the Tides: Seasonal Magical Rhythms and Lore” by Nigel G. Pearson – For those interested in deepening their seasonal and nature-based practice, this book provides insight into the cycles of the earth, nature spirits, and the gods who walk the wild places.
- “The Druid Animal Oracle” by Philip and Stephanie Carr-Gomm – This book and oracle deck offer guidance on how to connect with animal spirits, including the stag, through the lens of Druidry, providing insight into their symbolism and spiritual significance.
- “The Celtic Shaman” by John Matthews – A comprehensive guide to practicing shamanism within the Celtic tradition, with practical exercises for connecting with deities like Cernunnos and the spirits of the natural world.
For as long as I can remember, I always wanted to be a Grandma. I was fortunate to have two wonderful grandmothers while I was growing up and I have many happy memories of each of them. Today, I live in a “Grandmother’s House” where my husband and I enjoy lots of time with our family. In addition to my role as Grandma to nine grandchildren, I am a daughter, a wife, a mother of three grown children, a sister, an aunt, a friend, a writer, an artist … and a witch.
✨Grandma’s Grimoire✨ is a collection of family wisdom interwoven with a touch of magick. Our goal is to create a living and lasting legacy that we hope will inspire our future generations as well as anyone who is drawn to it.