By Ina Woolcott
Foxes are seen as power animals / totems throughout the world. The Chinese believed foxes could take human form. In Egypt the fox brought favour from the gods. There was a fox god in Peru. Foxes aid the dead get to the next life in Persia. The Cherokees, Hopi and various other Native American Indian tribes believed in its healing power, the Apache credited the fox with giving man fire.
Fox is amongst the most uniquely skilled and ingenious animals of nature. Being a night creature, fox is often imbued with supernatural powers. Foxes are usually seen at dawn and dusk. Dusk starts off their day, and the dawn is its ending. This is the time, when the world of magic and our every day realities cross paths. Foxes live on the edges of forests and open lands, the border areas. As fox is an animal of the between times and places, it can be a guide into the faerie realm. Fox has a long past of magic and cunning associated with it. It can move in and out of circumstance restoring order or causing confusion, depending on the occasion.
There are various species of fox, but they all share the extreme cleverness and cunning that paved the way for the expression, “sly as a fox.” Fox urges us to develop the art of camouflage, invisibility, and shape shifting. They are agile, skilled, and unpredictable.
Fox’s power lies in not being able to outrun the hounds, but to know in advance when they will be out hunting. They then use their ability to camouflage. When we learn to detach from our surroundings and to use all our senses to be observant, we will also be able to anticipate and create the future. A fox being followed by hounds will run across the tops of walls, cross streams diagonally, double back on its trail, run in circles – in short, do anything to break the trail of its scent. Fox has the amazing ability to outwit both predators and prey. Fox shows us how to slip out of unpleasant situations quietly and unnoticed. Those with fox as a spirit guide are frequently smart and witty but must remember to keep their crafty and clever demeanour balanced or it could backfire. Fox can also show you that your actions may be too obvious and the need to learn to be more discreet. Fox is a wise, potent, teacher for those who choose to live conscious and deliberate lives.
Due to their ability to blend into their surroundings, foxes are generally viewed as sly and cunning beings. Calling someone foxy is not always paying them a compliment, it can also mean that they are tricksters or liars.
Interestingly, the word cunning, originates in the Old English word, kenning, which means to know, especially as applied to seeing something which isn’t visible straight away. This can be related to the fox’s superb sight and their ability to anticipate.
Fox can show us the skills necessary when it comes to handling people. The ability to camouflage can be deduced as being able to take a step back and view an interpersonal situation with detachment. This includes opening up the less obvious senses, such as intuition.
Often the underlying basis of a situation may seem obvious, but instead of making a quick judgment, listen closely to the outer and inner senses. Then you may perhaps get a completely different picture of what is going on. When the outer situation and the inner senses don’t match it is wise to handle like a Fox, to trust ones intuition/instinct/inner voice, and to lay low.
Just like the wolf, the fox partner’s for life, and is very devoted to its young. Many of its clever hunting techniques are keyed to acquire food for the helpless young and the nursing vixen. This is am important element of the foxes power. Similarly, our own awareness, and flexibility can be used to greater ends, not just to serve ourselves.
Fox’s Wisdom Includes:
Shape shifting, cleverness, observational skills, cunning, stealth,
camouflage, feminine, courage, invisibility, ability to observe unseen,
persistence, gentleness, swiftness, wisdom, reliable friend, magic,
shape shifting, invisibility.
Fox can teach us to control our auras so we are more able to live in harmony with the world and others.
If fox is your power animal, learning to be invisible is very important in your life. Picture yourself blending in with your surroundings, becoming part of everything. Be extremely still and quiet. With practice and patience you will be able to go unnoticed even at a party or in a crowd. Fox also teaches good eating habits, as they eat small portions frequently. You have probably heard the suggestion that this is better for our health.
If fox is your power animal, pay attention to the way it moves and follow its lead. This is a powerful guide to have and those that have it to should learn to use its skills for the benefit of all, including themselves.
Thanks for sharing this. I see an insane amount of foxes. I just happen to be there..kind of thing.
Always seeing foxes at crucial times in my life def helpful info
My two friends and I did a meditation with a practicing Shaman, first time I had experienced this type of spirituality to feel or see which animal came to us – and it totally blew me away when the fox apeared and came straight to me. I was shocked because I have never had a great love for the fox because of its cunning, sly etc. And here it was, in my meditation telling me that in time to come I was going to need to use my cunning and my wit to weave my way through life’s challenges. Amazing experience.
I had a very similar experience just last week during a meditation, deep in trance, when something entered my body. The fox came to me after and I was really surprised as I never see the fox in my visuals before. This is how I got to this site, to research the fox. It has given me some answers. Pretty neat stuff!
A Fox spirit came to me, and steer at me, this was a powerful meditation, and the first time she shows. Is awareness, a teacher, and guide!
Hi, I am looking for the meaning of grey fox sightings. My son passed away a month ago and while on my way home one night, man miles away, I had a grey fox in the road staring at me while in my lane, an uncanny stare. I swerved the car but if I had stayed straight, I would’ve been ok and not hit it. I was at the candlelighting, two weeks later and after everyone left, while I was blowing out the candles after everyone left, a grey fox crossed the road right in front of me and 3 others! Before my son passed he came to me and told me that he was afraid that something was following him, something was gonna happen to him, he was scared. I don’t know if the fox has meaning for him, his spirit, or the bad spirit that was following him. Any input or information would be appreciated!
Dear Strawberry,
There are no words to express my sympathy for you on the loss of your son. But KNOW his SPIRIT is still very much ALIVE!
Write him a letter telling him how much you cherished and loved him. He will receive it in his heart, and it will help to heal you.
Look on “Google Search” for symbolism of foxes. There are actually many positive attributes to these animals. That is what brought me to this website.
Your son may have sensed that his time was near, and that what was frightening him. There is a beautiful story told by Dr. Wayne Dyer (who died in December 2015) about Death following a man from one city to another. I am not sure what speech he would have been giving when he brings this story up, but it will help you.
Your son may come to you in many ways. Be sure to ask him to visit you in your dreams and to leave signs for you.
The fox may be one way he is communicating with you. Remember to think of the times you laughed with each other.
My thoughts and prayers are with you during this most difficult time.
Best wishes,
Dianna
This probably means your sons soul is on its way into the next life, the fox spirit in many cultures symbolises reincarnation or rather help into the afterlife. Pay close attention to these foxes and try to befriend them. Im sorry to hear about you son,regards sam
Confirmation for you
I’ve grey fox as well as red. They are definitely more of a rare sighting but I was told a fox was a fox. Now if you feel your son’s presence then I’m guessing he’s sending grey foxes to you. We have a family friend who’s a shaman.
Awesome in-depth info – perfect timing! Thank you!
Thank you Ina. I have been trying to figure out what happened to me one night in November 2014. I was waiting for a bus outside the hospice where my mum was waiting to die, a very rural and yet beautiful place in Co. Cork, a young lad no more than 25, and younger than my eldest, engaged me in conversation, we talked for a while and also wondered why the bus was so late. He turned to me and said “he’s looking at you, never seen anything like that before” I looked and it was a brown fox, staring at me for the longest moment, then just turned and disappeared into the night. Following day I told my mam and she said ‘spirit guide’. But was it hers or mine? I’d love to know.
These are amazing stories! Angela, my name is Angela, I hope you are well 🙂 Your story was very interesting to me because I was just talking to my brother yesterday about the fox and hawk totem animals and a hawk flew onto the fence in the back yard of my dad’s home where my brother was at. He then said to me, “oh my god Ange, it looks like it’s staring right at me!” Then we talked for a min while he stared at it. He turned around to do something and when he turned around to see if the hawk was there, it had disappeared! I know that animals have numerous meanings in both of our situations 🙂 the thing is I’ve learned about signs of any kind are, everyone is unique and sees things through their own filter and it plays out in front of them. Since we all do this, we’re all meant to get our own meanings out of it based on that period in our lives. I like to read through these and try to connect how it would make sense in my life. Thank you for sharing your stories all! 🙂
I think, im the only beliving in foxes but no have so much people, and evrybody see one i dont see anyone but some people say in some days i have a fox shadow, and anyone there believe in the nine tailed fox?
This entire article described me completely! I am the Fox totally. I speak between the living and the dead, Death walks closely with me to help guide those passing on.
I know this sounds freaky but it isn’t. I am a comfort to others that’s how I choose to use my ability.
Hi, I wonder if anyone could give me advise or guidance..
Today I went to London to visit my mum. She has been caring for my sick step father and she is exhausted so I suggested we went out for a quick dinner. While walking back we saw a beautiful fox relaxed and laying under a tree. He stared right at me while we passed and we were surprised he/she just stayed put while we admired. We then got home and we took the dog for a walk, again another fox appears and calmly just stands at the other side of the road making full eye contact with me. We return the dog home as he is very old and continue our walk for another 20mins or so. Again we turn down a street and we see another beautiful fox just sitting as if waiting for us. We stop and my mum comments how she is surprised at how many foxes there are. While we stand there the Fox just sits staring straight at us with no fear or urge to leave.
I was very surprised by these encounters and felt something was being said but I am not sure what.. Can anyone advise me? All the foxes even though they are city ones looked beautifully healthy and well.
Ive been doing some guided meditation to find my animal spirit and done it for a few weeks and each time i get a red fox .very playful and friendly. And at one point it i believe that he told me his name . ^^ and after that ive had afew dreams with him. Also ive been seeing fox items every nos and then.
Last weekend my parents were visiting and pointed out that a fox was relaxing, stretched out in the sun on our fence. The side of him the sun was hitting was a golden brown–I got many photos as he sat and watched me take them. Broad daylight (which is concerning).
My canine companion on leash with me, the fox stayed put as I walked around to the shady side of the fence–on that side he was grey. Color really is a matter of light I suppose. The fox casually looked over his shoulder at us as we took photos of him/her(?)
Finally we left the fox and looked back and s/he had jumped down and was walking back toward the trees very relaxed. It totally seemed like the fox was teasing the dog!
What I am wondering is, when a few people see a wild animal, who is the message for?
Thank you!
Aho! Wondering if anyone has some input on this…
Fox has been my main totem for many years. It is part of my sacred name, present in many of my trance journeys, and often sighted at crucial times in my life.
There is a fox that lives not too far away, we can hear it calling some nights and occasionally see it in the forest. This morning it came to my yard and was able to eat a bunch of our young turkeys before I chased it off.
The fox will be back, but what do I do? There is no way to totally protect the birds from her but I do not want to kill her, since she is just trying to provide for her family and also I don’t want to incur and damage to our bond in the spirit world. But…this is my food for the winter I am raising, so I need to protect that too.
Thoughts?
I am thinking of trying to make an offering or strike a deal and see if that might work.
Or, maybe this fox represents some of the negative traits of the animal, such as using cunning in an immoral or unjust way? Do I kill the fox and kill part of the negative aspects of mysef? Or will it just kill my spirit slowly? Moral dilema…