The Non-Ordinary – Part IV: Connecting With Animals – Squirrel

"Acorn Theory"

A squirrel is kind of an odd animal, darting about with almost imperceptible “turn on a dime” shifts of direction, shifts in which motivation and intention remain a mystery. There is also the twitching of the tail that seems faster than the speed of light.

The word squirrely describes someone lacking in stability or can even refer to someone dubious in character. This is not the full story of one small creature so intent on full bore participation in all work and all play. This "full bore" has been the draw for me, the fascination with the squirrel. And this is how the squirrel has become in some sense my alter-ego.

My three sisters and I have always been pretty close, each of us born on a Monday and each of us bearing a name beginning with the letter “A.” It’s not surprising then, with this history of auspicious beginnings that our bonds have only strengthened over the years.

When our mother died, the loss we shared brought us even closer. We planned trips together, had regular meet-ups in our favorite haunts (flying in from various parts of the country), and we created together. In one of our wild and silly creative spurts, we chose animals to represent our alter-egos, or a better description would be, we chose animals to represent one of our personas.

My sisters all chose beautiful, powerful and elegant birds. I chose a squirrel. I really don’t know why except that I had recently seen a squirrel in a park that had a beautiful silver streak down its back, I had never seen anything like it before. We had dubbed ourselves the Silver Sisters, so the Silver Squirrel seemed like the right choice for me.

Over the years I’ve recognized that my squirrel persona may have more significance and meaning in my life than I first realized.

One of the most profound things I’ve pondered is the role of the squirrel in the proliferation of trees. She takes a small acorn, or hazelnut or other seed and buries it. Her intention is to store up a supply. What happens is that many of those acorns or other seeds find themselves planted long term, growing roots and sprouting branches, thickening and becoming who they are intended to be, a might oak or any number of other types of trees. The squirrel is a significant contributor to this ecosystem.

Looking at that principle metaphorically, a seemingly insignificant and rather odd creature is planting potential in hidden realms for future harvest, awaiting vibrant life to break though into the world.

In James Hillman’s book, The Soul’s Code: In Search of Character and Calling, Hillman describes the “Acorn Theory.” The entire book is an explanation of this and so it’s impossible to do it adequate justice in a short phrase or even a paragraph, yet if pressed I would say that the theory suggests each of us is born already possessing a blueprint, or an image that stays with us throughout our lifetime. It has nothing to do with genetics or environment in terms of who we become. It is an innate reality, the soul part of us, our essence. It has to do with fate, with vision and with the larger story of life, purpose and destiny. Is the “squirrel” perhaps in the business of finding nurturing spaces for various “acorns” in the soil of the soul?

Now, many years after taking on the persona of the squirrel as an aspect of my self, I see the rationale of it, or trans-rational aspect (beyond what the rational mind might conceive). My connection and respect in regard to this playful and purposeful being has deepened and grown in richness. As I acknowledge her characteristic in myself and as I give them free reign, I am changed.

What instinctual (animal) aspects of yourself are under the surface?

Writing Prompt for the Week: Trans-rational