The Bat is BENEFICIAL!

Nature's Wisdom Oracle Card # 2

Today I would like to introduce you to the bat. I did this painting years ago in gouache while I was leading an ART TOUR to Costa Rica. Bats are fascinating creatures and I thought that they had to be included in my oracle deck.

Bats symbolize beneficial. They belong to the order Chiroptera, deriving from two Greek words, cheir,"hand" and pteron "wing." Their forelimbs, being webbed, developed as wings, making them the only mammal capable of true and sustained flight. Bats roost in large colonies inhabiting trees, caves or any structure that provides an overhang where they can hang upside down.

There are nearly 1,100 species of bats worldwide. The phrase, "Blind as a bat," comes from the fact that bats are almost blind. They have the ability to make sounds that bounce back to them. This is called echolocation and is used to detect, localize and classify their prey in complete darkness.

Throughout history to present day, bats have been portrayed as evil, bloodthirsty, winged demons. This is a great misconception. They are very beneficial to humans by pollinating plants, dispersing seeds, and feeding on insects. A little brown bat can eat 600 mosquitoes in an hour.

Special message:

The bat is often misunderstood and feared. Do not be afraid of your present situation. The bat will help you to see there are many benefits waiting for you. Go out and find them!