This creative in New York is predicting your future through your spirit animals

We've all been there—feeling lost, confused, and in need of some direction, some guidance. Artist, author, and speaker Cara Elizabeth's Animal Apothecary is an oracle deck that offers exactly that. Comprising 44 hand-drawn cards and an accompanying guidebook, the deck is born from a fusion of indigenous American philosophy, Jungian psychology, ancient Chinese teachings, and other spiritual principles. Each card serves as a metaphorical “pill”, addressing specific challenges by connecting users with animal wisdom.

One of the cards from the deck, for instance, is the pig card, which represents self-love and abundance. As Elizabeth explains, the pig is a messenger sent by nature to share his healing and uplifting energy with whoever needs it. “It's for empowerment, it's for aligning with your purpose and it's for overcoming tests and difficulties.” The philosophy behind this is that even though the pig is belittled time and again, it still represents wealth and prosperity in the Animal Apothecary. The deck is full of cards depicting various animals with their own characteristics and specific symbolism, catering to each individual who chooses to indulge. It is not the card itself that determines its use in an individual's life, but where, when, and how it came from too. 

Elizabeth's personal experiences with animal medicine have been an important milestone in her journey. A vivid dream at 18 involving ravens led her to confront a repressed childhood trauma, setting her on a long journey of healing and self-discovery. This path culminated in a powerful real-life encounter with a dying raven on her birthday, symbolising the end of her suffering. “I had 18 years of complex PTSD, reliving my trauma and pain, looking everywhere outside me for someone to heal me and fix me until I decided to do it myself,” she said. This journey of self-reflection eventually set Elizabeth off on a path to help others around her move forward with intention and clarity.

As she continues to evolve her practice, Elizabeth is now expanding into new territory with her upcoming “Body Tech” deck, which aims to merge body movements with intentions for manifesting and healing. “Understanding that the most sophisticated technology is us. It's our body. And the whole development of AI and advanced kind of technology is just a reflection of our own technology inside”, she says, describing the purpose of her new project. Through her work, Elizabeth offers a bridge between ancient wisdom and modern healing practices, inviting people to tap into the profound guidance nature offers for personal growth and transformation.

Lead image: Olimpia Dior

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