Gemini Rewilded: 5 Totem Animals of the Mutable Air Sign

Welcome to Gemini Season and the next article in this Rewilding the Zodiac series, in which we will be taking a look at five animals which embody the ways of the mutable air sign of the zodiac, Gemini. 

Gemini is perhaps an intriguing sign for us to consider in this manner, as it is the first sign of the zodiac traditionally represented by the human animal - more specifically, the twins (fun fact: the word Gemini actually translates as ‘twins’ from Latin).

In Greek mythology, the Gemini twins are Castor and Pollux, also known as the Dioscuri. The story goes that on the night of their conception their mother Leda, Queen of Sparta, was seduced by Zeus in the guise of a swan, and on that same night she also slept with her husband, King Tyndareus. Consequently, Castor and Pollux had different fathers; Pollux was the son of Zeus and was immortal, while Castor was the son of Tyndareus and was mortal. The twins were inseparable despite this, and would become known for many great exploits during their lives, including being amongst the Argonauts who embarked upon the quest for the Golden Fleece with Jason. Their success can be at least partly attributed to their differing but complementary skillsets, for whilst Pollux was known for his boxing skills, Castor was an excellent horseman. When Castor was eventually killed during a fight with the twins’ cousins caused by a dispute over stolen cattle, Pollux was inconsolable. He begged Zeus to either make Castor immortal, or to allow him to share his own immortality with his brother. Eventually, Zeus relented and gave the brothers their eternal place in the heavens as the constellation of Gemini, with the caveat that they would spend half the year in the heavens, and the other half in the Underworld.

The twins and their constellation Gemini are thus representative of dualities and opposites - mortal and immortal, mundane and divine, this world and the Underworld. They were seen as being able to bridge the gap between gods and humans, and they symbolise the communion of two contrasting perspectives, bound together by brotherhood.

Shedding a light upon Gemini

As the Sun enters Gemini, the days continue to lengthen and the natural world is awake and alive, having blossomed in Taurus Season. Gemini is the first air sign of the zodiac, associated with the conscious mind and rational thought, and symbolically the brightening days could be seen as a metaphor for growing awareness and mental clarity. I am thinking specifically of the idiom “to shed light” on something, making it easier to understand by revealing new information,   metaphorically illuminating that which is dark, obscure or unclear.

This is also the time of pollinators flitting cheerfully from flower to flower in their search for nectar, spreading pollen and enabling the plants and trees to create seeds and fruit to sustain the ecosystem. Meanwhile, other types of pollen are taking to the breeze with the same purpose, and the wind acts as messenger, delivering these little packages of genetic material to their destinations. Many ancient cultures actually believed the wind and the air to be sacred and alive with spirits and messages, and fascinatingly, both the words ‘spirit’ and ‘inspiration’ can be traced back to the Latin spirare, meaning ‘to breathe’, hinting at the divine connection between the air and the voice.

Mercury, named after the messenger of the Gods in Roman mythology, is the ruling planet of Gemini, and he is likewise associated with communication, language and the intellect. Known as Hermes in the Greek pantheon, this silver-tongued and fleet-of-foot deity rules travel, trade and trickery, and as the herald of the gods it is his duty to carry messages between the heavens, the earth and the Underworld. He is also tasked with the responsibility of psychopomp, lord of the threshold, ferrying the souls of the deceased to the Underworld realm. Mercury’s nature reflects Gemini’s designation as a mutable sign; the word ‘mercurial’ of course traces back to the god himself, usually meaning someone who is either quick-witted, changeable or otherwise unpredictable (or all of the above!). 

People with strong Gemini energy in their charts are thus usually seen to be adaptable, curious, intelligent and sociable. They are quite comfortable with change, and indeed their aptitude for seeking out new information and mental stimuli mean they are likely to get bored if things stay the same for too long. However, as we’ve touched on above, the shadow of this can be their unpredictability, and without at least occasional grounding they can come across as erratic and fickle. 

Totem Animals of Gemini

The Rooster

We will begin with one of the sacred animals of Hermes and Mercury, the rooster. There are frequent depictions in Greek and Roman art of Hermes and Mercury respectively, either alongside a rooster or in a chariot being pulled by a pair in harness.

It seems the primary connection between the messenger of the gods and the rooster is exactly that - the role of messenger. Roosters are probably most famous for the accuracy (and volume!) with which they announce the dawn of the new day. They are unapologetic in their crowing, which earns them a reputation as either a charming and quaint natural alarm clock or an intolerable disruptor of sleep, depending on whether you’re someone who likes to rise with the sun or not. Incidentally, Hermes was said to have been born at dawn, which is another connection we can make between the two. 

The Gemini medicine of the rooster is that of helping us to find our voice and of not being afraid to use it. The rooster cares not whether you wish to hear his salutations to the sun, and shows us that sometimes it is more important just to be heard. But words have immense power, and it is necessary to be mindful of how we use them. Consider this: spell is a verb meaning to write the letters of a word in the correct order, but it is also a noun meaning a magical enchantment, and this is no coincidence. Words can weave a sort of magic over us, whether we consider them esoterically or not, and this is evident from the way that stories, rhetoric and poetry can move us in ways that, perhaps ironically, we struggle to describe. They have the ability to either inspire or dishearten, to heal or to hurt, to give hope or to take it away. But such dualities are the Gemini way, and thus this is a medicine we must use with discernment, and ascertain whether or not it is appropriate in a given situation to give voice to our thoughts.

We also see another common theme among cultural associations of the rooster, which is that of vigilance. Roosters are natural sentinels and peacekeepers; they will watch over their hens, mediating any squabbling and keeping an eye out for predators. This instinctive behaviour bled into their symbolism (as it so often does) and they were thus given roles reflective of it in various mythologies. For example, it is a rooster that sits atop of the great Norse ash tree, Yggdrasil, posted there to warn the gods when the giants were preparing to attack. Similarly, we see roosters perched upon church spires; their greeting to the sun at dawn led to an association with resurrection and the triumphs of light over dark and good over evil, and it was believed that they would likewise herald the return of Christ when the time came. And although such symbolism is largely forgotten today, these associations are also most likely why we still see so many cockerels perched atop weather vanes! 

All of this is to say that the rooster does not miss much, and he reminds us that watching and listening are just as important as speaking and being heard. Indeed, the art of paying attention is one that can help us in the aforementioned process of discernment, knowing when and how to use our voice most effectively, as well as helping us to accurately interpret the information we gather from the world around us.

The Hawk

Another sacred animal of Hermes and Mercury is the hawk, and in the Homeric Hymn to Hermes it is said that Zeus named Hermes as lord of all birds of prey. Common attributes of Hermes in Classical Greek art are his winged sandals and his winged helmet, which are symbolic of this association, as well as representing his swiftness and his role as god of movement and travel.

Birds were often considered as messengers themselves in many indigenous and ancient cultures, due to their ability to fly and thus reach places and gather knowledge that humans could not. Ornithomancy (the practice of reading omens from the behaviour, calls and flight patterns of birds) was a popular form of ancient divination, and in fact a small study I conducted about animal divination a few years ago revealed that quite a few modern-day diviners still do it today! But whilst all birds can be considered to have access to a higher knowledge, those like hawks, falcons and eagles are often associated with conscious awareness and the intellect, whilst their more mysterious cousins like owls and ravens were often connected with more intuitive ways of knowing, and with prophecy, foresight or deeper wisdom.

Hawks are known for their impressive finesse in flight, thanks to the deftness with which they perform their aerial acrobatics. Being fast, agile and extremely perceptive (it is worth mentioning the phrase ‘hawk-eyed’ here!), they are capable of hunting with terrifying precision, all of which makes them ideal symbols of the logical mind which can fly from one thought to another, conducting coherent analysis and making connections as it goes.

The hawk also shows us the importance of balancing the birds-eye view with the details. When on the hunt, the hawk begins with the overview, the big picture, and hones in once it finds its target. This Gemini totem thus reminds us to keep an open mind and to place the details within the context of the whole, so that we might make our own decisions based upon sound and well-informed reasoning.

The Butterfly

Now we have considered a couple of creatures sacred to Hermes and Mercury, I’d like to introduce you to a few other animals who don’t necessarily feature in related mythology, but who also make excellent ambassadors of the Gemini way. The first of these is the butterfly.

I briefly mentioned pollinators in the introduction to this article, and honestly I can’t think of a pollinator off the top of my head that wouldn’t make a good Gemini totem. Butterflies, bees and their kin are essentially nature’s very own postal service, collecting pollen from one plant and delivering it to another with the same efficiency as Hermes/Mercury carrying messages between the realms. Even the genetic material that pollinators distribute is itself unavoidably Gemini in nature, being in essence the specific code or instructions needed for the creation of the next generation. Gathering information is one of the things that Gemini does best, and passing it on is another!

The butterfly however stands apart (for me at least) as the finest pollinator for the purposes of this exercise, for two reasons. The first of these is the stunning symmetry that these delightful little creatures exhibit by way of their wings, reflective of the dual nature of Gemini and the symbolism of the twins. Furthermore, the bright and oh-so-colourful variety of their patterning seems to represent the vibrancy and diverse capabilities of the Gemini mind, and butterflies actually use their colours coupled with intricate movements and flight to convey messages, which resonates with Gemini’s skill as an fluent communicator and eloquent storyteller.

The second reason that the butterfly takes first place as Gemini’s totem pollinator is the famous transformation it undergoes, for of course all butterflies start life as humble caterpillars. Once a caterpillar has eaten its fill it encases itself, and inside its chrysalis it undergoes an extraordinary biological metamorphosis before emerging into its new life as a butterfly. As a mutable sign, Gemini excels at navigating change with a lightness of spirit. The Gemini perspective is ever-evolving with every new titbit of information gathered and every new understanding made; it’s not just about adapting to change, but thriving on the process. 

The Magpie

Our next Gemini totem comes from the Corvid family. Not unlike pollinators, the corvids generally share some very Geminian qualities, most notably their intelligence and their inquisitive, curious natures. They are renowned problem solvers, and many corvid species like ravens, crows, rooks and jackdaws are also extremely sociable, living in complex social communities and forming strong pair bonds. And like most people with strong Gemini in their charts, they are known for being chatterboxes! But it is the magpie who just might rule the Gemini roost among the corvids.

The magpie shares all those characteristics above with its cousins, but what sets it apart is actually an aspect of Gemini’s ruling planet Mercury which we haven’t yet discussed - the role of the thief and trickster! One of Hermes’ first acts after birth is to steal cattle from under the nose of his older brother, Apollo. This, the mythological first theft, he then follows up with the mythological first lie: that such a feat could not possibly have been carried out by little Hermes, a mere babe. But Hermes is of course both intelligent enough to carry out the theft, as well as articulate and creative enough to deny doing so after the fact!

Among birds, the magpie’s reputation as a thief is possibly unparalleled. They will steal both eggs and hatchlings from other birds’ nests as part of their diet, and even plunder resources gathered by other corvids. But more curiously, they have also acquired a peculiar reputation for pilfering items that appear to have no other purpose, most of them shiny or colourful - jewellery, cutlery, shards of glass, and even tinfoil all make intriguing trinkets for the taking. It has to be said that there is no real proof that magpies actually have a particular attraction to shiny objects, and most evidence seems to be either anecdotal or based in folklore and fiction, but perhaps this ambiguity is in itself another Gemini trait of the magpie. Whether elaborate heist or subtle sleight of hand, thieves, riddlers, magicians and tricksters all fall under the patronage of Hermes/Mercury, and in Gemini, not everything is always as it seems! 

The Chameleon 

So far, we’ve only considered members of the animal kingdom capable of flight, and perhaps that’s not really much of a surprise, given that we are discussing the Mercury-ruled air sign! However, it is not just animals of the air that exhibit this sign’s characteristics, and before saying goodbye I’d like to offer you one last Gemini animal who much prefers to keep its feet attached to a branch - the chameleon! 

Chameleons are known for their ability to change colour and adapt to their environment, and we might say the same of Gemini people (metaphorically, that is!). Indeed, a person who readily adjusts to different social settings and changing circumstances is often referred to as a chameleon, as they seem (at least outwardly) to blend seamlessly into any situation. That said, most real chameleons don’t change colour to deliberately blend in with their surroundings; whilst it is true that some species can do this, it is generally within a rather limited spectrum, and their more dramatic colour changes are usually either responses to other environmental changes (such as fluctuations in temperature, light and humidity), reflective of their moods, or a method of communication.

The optical skills of the chameleon are also worth mentioning here. Rather like birds, who have long been considered messengers and creatures of omen because their wings give them access to places and knowledge unreachable to humans, the chameleon is also capable of perceiving information that we cannot because they can see ultraviolet light! They can see things that we would miss even right under our nose. In addition, they also have the peculiar ability to move their eyes independently of each other; each eye has approximately an 180° field of vision, meaning that they essentially possess 360 vision. As we have seen throughout this exploration, Gemini is well-known for it’s curious nature, its eye for detail and the many means through which it likes to gather information, and the chameleon thus makes an apt totem through which we can connect with this energy of the sign of Gemini. 

Final Thoughts

When it comes to Gemini, I had a list of animals almost as long as my arm which I could have chosen from for the sake of this article. Despite being typically represented by a human symbol, many creatures share in the Gemini traits of being adaptable, inquisitive, perceptive and fleet of foot. Narrowing it down was no small task, and in typical Gemini fashion, a vast quantity of information has been gathered along the way! However, I cherry-picked a small and deliberately varied selection here which I think make some of the most interesting Gemini totem animals. You’ll have to let me know how they sit with you, and whether one of them speaks to you above the rest.

Each animal offers us insight into different strengths and different shadows, and we might like to call on or connect with different creatures depending on our current circumstances or whatever task we find at hand. The rooster can help us to find our voice, as well as teaching us of discernment and vigilance, whilst the sharp and swift hawk is a valuable ally when we need to enhance our powers of perception or mental agility. The butterfly shows us of dualities and of remaining light of heart in the face of dramatic transformation, releasing the past without carrying it as a burden, whilst embracing the colourful chameleon can help us when we struggle to adapt to seemingly ever-changing circumstances. And the astute magpie can be our friend should we find we need to learn the ways of Hermes in his guise as trickster and magician.

If you wanted to be especially Geminian, you might even like to work with two animals at once, choosing a pair that embody differing but complementary traits - just like the twins!

As always with these zodiac totem animals, and as I have hinted at above, this list is far from exhaustive and I’m sure you yourself can think of many other possible contenders. Some I considered but ultimately didn’t include (mostly because this article is already far too long!) include the parrot, the otter, the squirrel, the monkey and the mockingbird, as well as another of Hermes’ sacred animals, the snake. If you have time, have a think about these animals and see if and how they embody the essence of Gemini for you.

And with that, I’ve kept you long enough! Thank you for reading, and for your interest in this Rewilding the Zodiac project. If you’ve read this far, it means more than you know. 

I look forward to connecting with you again next time, when we’ll be taking a look at the animals of our first water sign, Cancer. 

With love and magic, 

Merry x