I’ve posted about this in the past, but as she’s back I’ll mention it again.
When
I was 10, walking along a country path on my way to school, I had an
encounter with a fox. At first, because she didn’t run away, I assumed
it was a dog and started chatting to her. It was when she slowly turned
and walked away that I saw it was a fox, and also apparently pregnant.
During
my final year as a teacher I started seeing foxes again. These were the
months I was starting to think about leaving work, making that big
change. I remember on two occasions a fox crossing the road in front of
my car as I was heading for home. I remember one evening seeing one sat
outside the chip shop I was visiting. And there were many visits to my
garden during those years from 2006 to 2010 when I was in a relationship
and concentrating on my art. That’s when my story about having a
“spirit animal guide” started, and I named her Rusty Pearl. She seemed
to turn up when big changes were on the way, and my mind was
pre-occupied with them.
Last night she turned up again, for the
first time in years. Lately my mind has been troubled about the state
England has sunk to, the changes in my city and neighbourhood, and my
serious intention to move house. I think Rusty is saying “Go on, do it,
make the move”.
All text copyright ian gordon craig.
