In honour of deer, and the deeply interconnected lives we humans have shared with them for thousands of years, I’d like to relate the true story of my very special encounter with two handsome young bucks.
One day, eleven years ago, and right around this time of year, my husband and I discussed the fact that we had seen no deer in our yard, or on the street, since we moved into our new community a few months before. There were many deer in and around town but it was clear that they were not in the habit of wandering through our immediate area. Having previously lived with deer eating, sleeping, and even rutting in our backyard much of the time, we missed them.
That night, as I relaxed in bed after closing my book, I realized that I was gently stepping out of my body, in a manner which had occurred once before (and then again a couple of years later). I was aware of my actual physical surroundings, although the walls and furniture were less distinct; the soft light that surrounded me was like the glow of a candle. I walked across the room, through the bedroom door, and along the hallway, where I looked down to see only the upper part of my body. I felt detached, but not because my legs were invisible. That didn’t concern me at all. I moved with purpose toward the dining room window. Once there I looked through the glass, and into a dense grey mist that obscured the front yard, as well as the road and houses beyond.
Before long a small golden light appeared, and grew quite quickly to reveal the figure of a handsome young buck. He sported a set of antlers, but was still quite young, and so very proud! We looked at one another for a minute or so and then he turned to his left and sauntered through the mist, which had begun to lift, allowing me to see him walk up to, and nibble, the vibrant peach-coloured roses beside my neighbour Dorothy’s front door.
I watched the buck for a short while, then turned and floated back down the hallway and into bed. The next day I had some memory of the event, but it was fuzzy. I was thoughtful, peaceful, and even a little giddy. On some level, I must have known that something special had happened.
Otherwise, it was an average day, and that evening I made the rounds to lock up for the night. I approached the dining room window, which was open, and as I reached out to close it, something caught my eye. Across the road, feasting on the very this worldly peach-coloured roses next to Dorothy’s front door, was a beautiful young buck! I was stunned as the details of my recent encounter on the threshold came back to me. For some time I stood, transfixed, and absorbed the scene before me.
How wonderful it was to receive two such unexpected visits, one from a very old ally, and the other from a brand new friend. Perhaps I was being encouraged to connect with the energetic nature of my new environment, and being reminded that there was much to enjoy and explore in the unfamiliar, wildish land that I had made my new home. And perhaps the Stag, appearing in his youthful guise, was quite simply reminding me to remain full of wonder – to stop and nibble the roses.
The young buck pictured is standing in my grandparents’ apple orchard, where deer have long been present, and appreciated.
Brigid's Creel 