Ant- Ants lead a busy life which is full of purpose. This little creature is a symbol of organization, submission to authority, communal life, toil and restless motion. They also symbolize numberless multitudes and the insignificance of the individual. Folklore says that their kingdoms underground are fairy kingdoms. Do not kill them -- ask them 3X for 3 nights during a Waning Moon to leave your garden if you don't want them around. Speak it to them with authority and respect and soon they'll be gone.

Bat- The bat is related to the night, caves, ruins, darkness and blindness. In some cultures, the bat is a symbol of intelligence and wisdom because it can navigate in darkness. They are frequently used as symbols of immortality because they live in caves which are said by some to be gateways to other realms. In folklore, it's said that when bats rise heavenwards in their flight and then drop swiftly again, the witching hour has come, and all pure and inoffensive charms and spells will work especially well at this time. It's also a sign of extraordinary good luck if a bat touches you in it's flight.

Bee- The bee is the embodiment of industry, activity, zeal, order, and communal life. Sometimes they are used as symbols of refining and distillation because they produces honey. The bee also appears as a symbol of the soul. In folklore, they are said to come from paradise and to have a special connection with Venus. They're traditionally revered as divine messengers, foretellers of the future and wise guardians of the secrets of nature. They can neither endure irreverence or profanity nor remain where there is anger or hatred. They love purity, and tradition says that a virgin can walk safely through a swarm of bees. It is lucky for a bee to come into the house. A bee alighting on your hand predicts the coming of money and one settling on your head denotes that you are destined to rise to glory. If a bee flies around a sleeping baby, the child will be blessed with healing and prophetic powers and will have a happy life.

Beetle- Never kill one. Leave him to go about his business in the garden for he has work to do. It is said in folklore the Fae will come, bringing bad luck and rain if you step on one as cruel behavior angers them. It is also said if a black one crawls over your shoe, it is a sign to take better care of yourself. Many nocturnal flying beetles predict good weather.

Birds- Associations include the sky, the powers of the Air, the heavens, the Sun, heavenly bodies, weather, and the seasons. In general, birds symbolize freedom, flight, aspiration, spiritualization through ascension, transcendence, thought and imagination. In the myths of many cultures, birds reside in the branches of the World tree, often symbolizing human souls. (Nocturnal birds are occasionally viewed as the souls of the dead.) They also appear as a link between heaven and Earth and are frequently thought to possess secret knowledge. Birds are still associated today with messages and messengers and as a result, many forms of divination are based on their behavior. In myth, the ability to transform into a bird symbolizes the ability to communicate with the other world. Some believe that a dream of birds signifies the beginning of psychic transformation. The bird's nest is sometimes used as a symbol of security, family, and home.

Blackbird- The blackbird is of the crow family. She is a magical sorceress/witch for she has learned to sing sweetly. She brings luck and can also help to enchant a lover if her arts are called upon. Like all birdsong, hers is hallowed in the morning and the evening.

Butterfly- The butterfly is symbolic of transformation and metamorphosis, rebirth, and resurrection therefore, immortality. Like the bird, it is sometimes seen as a symbol of the soul in ascension -- it rises from its cocoon(the body) and flies away. The butterfly is a symbol of ephemeral and fantastic beauty and is the embodiment of freedom and joy, however it is also a symbol of transience and frailty.

Cicada- A symbol of cycles. The cicada is also seen as representing transformation.

Cuckoo- The cuckoo is representative of the Goddess and the spirit of spring. Make a wish at the first call of the cuckoo.

Crow- Like the raven, the crow is often portrayed in mythology as a trickster and often appears as a messenger or oracle. He is a bird of wisdom who knows the secrets of life and death -- he serves the Underworld. Seeing one crow is good luck, however seeing more than one often symbolizes a coming death. When death is within your house, it is not surprising to see crows gather. Like the magpie, the crow is also a symbol of thievery because it will steal small shiny objects.

Dove- The dove is the bird of Venus and is very lucky for lovers. This bird is a good omen, signifying love, joy and wedding bliss.

Finch- All the finch family are birds of good omen, and there is a magical belief that if you tell them your burdens, they will fly away with them and subsequently your life will be healed.

Frog- Like the butterfly, the frog is a symbol of human psychic transformation, metamorphosis and resurrection. It has been a symbol of rebirth since Neolithic times. The frog is connected to the goddess Hecate, the fertilizing power of water(particularly rain), life, generation, fertility, sexuality, and the forces of the unconscious. It is a natural symbol of evolution as its life history is analogous to the course of evolution as a whole. To find a frog in your garden is lucky. Look for the frogstone --a yellow stone shaped something like a frog. They are lucky and should be kept for they contain secrets which the spirit can hear when the stone is held in the hand.

Grasshoppers- Grasshoppers foretell travel and good news.

Hawk- The hawk is often associated with the Sun and symbolizes perception, alertness, swiftness, fierceness, and warlike and predatory nature. Also, the hawk is sometimes viewed as a symbol of the spirit or soul.

Hedgehogs- A hedgehog makes a sweet-natured and affectionate friend. It will surely come about at night if left a dish of cream -- don't leave out milk for them as it upsets their digestive systems. It knows when storms are brewing and can tell the direction of the wind, building its nest in accordance with its wisdom. The hedgehog is an animal of good omen -- to overtake a hedgehog is lucky, to meet one going in the opposite direction is even more auspicious.

Housemartin- This bird brings domestic bliss, romance to singles and protection from thunder. The housemartin is a bird of hearth and home.

Insects- Insects often appear in folk tales as a symbol of industry, meticulousness, or precision, however, they are also associated with insignificance, uncountable multitude, and the denial of individuality and identity.

Jay- The jay is associated with pride, arrogance, and mischief.

Ladybug- Lady bugs are a symbol of fire and the Sun. Folklore says if one lands on your clothing, you will soon wear your wedding dress. If it settles on your flesh or hair, good fortune is prophesied -- you will have as many months good luck as the ladybug has spots. A ladybug with 7 spots is a faery's pet...make 3 wishes before it flies away!

Lark- Even more than most birds, the lark is a symbol of the connection between Heaven and Earth because it builds its nest on the ground and ascends straight up into the sky.

Magpie- A bird of duality, it is divined that to see one magpie is bad luck -- to see two is very fortunate.

Mole- The chthonic mole is a symbol of the powers of the earth and of that which is hidden and underground. It is also associated with darkness, vulnerability to light and poor eyesight. Though unlucky for your lawn, it is lucky to find a molehill. Place an upright glass bottle into it -- the sounds the wind makes in the bottle will encourage the mole to leave. Use the earth he has turned up for potting.

Moth- The moth is occasionally a symbol of fatal attraction, obsession, and foolishness because of its habit of flying into light and flames. The moth also symbolizes fragility and the ephemeral for the same reasons.

Mouse- The mouse symbolizes gentleness, meekness, and timidity, quietness and stealth.

Owl- The owl, the bird of enchantment and witchcraft, is commonly associated with the Moon and the night. Because of its ability to see in the dark and its association with the Moon, the owl symbolizes wisdom and knowledge. The owl is also a symbol of watchfulness because of its large eyes, eyesight, hunting skill, and it's nocturnal nature. In the Middle and Far East, the owl is sometimes considered an omen of death probably because of it association with darkness and the night. In folklore, it is said if you asked her questions, she can divine your future. One hoot means no, two distinct ones means yes, and more than two means you must ask her again at a later time.

Porcupine/Hedgehog- The porcupine is commonly a symbol of prickliness and defensiveness and meetings with them are sometimes used as a symbol of initiatory experience.

Rabbit/Hare- The rabbit, most often related to the Moon, is an important symbolic figure that often appears in dreams and mythology. It is typically a symbol of swiftness, fertility, plenty, and the proliferation of living things hence, material wealth. The rabbit and hare are frequently trickster figures in myth.

Raven- The raven is associated with speech, prophecy, and fate and also with destruction, war, death and bloodshed. The raven is frequently an underworld figure. Many separate cultural myths explain that the raven was originally white -- until cursed and turned black.

Robin- Because of its red breast, the robin is associated with fire in European myth. Like the raven, the robin is said to have brought fire from heaven. Folklore considers the robin a holy bird and one which loves gardeners for they remind him of paradise which is his true home. The robin brings good luck during the holiday season.

Rook- These are birds of fortune and should never be driven away. You should always tell them the news of the household.

Snails- The snail is generally a symbol of slowness and unhurried patience and is also associated with rain and the Moon. It sometimes shares some of the symbolic associations of the spiral. Snails will eat moss, thus tending your garden.

Snake- The serpent is a paradoxical symbol. Associated with life force energy and sexuality, it is also symbolic of death and danger. It is viewed as masculine but is also associated with the female principles of wisdom and intuition. The serpent has nearly universal chthonic associations as a symbol of primordial life and powers from the depths of the unconscious. It is also used as a symbol of darkness, eternity and the Underworld -- sometimes as a mediator between these two worlds. The snake appears as a trickster figure in many myths.

Sparrow- The sparrow is the spirit of merry mischief and is also lucky for lovers. In folklore it is said that if a sparrow flies into your house, it comes to warn of illness.

Spider- The spider is often associated with creation and fate because of her webweaving -- she spins a web of life and sits in its center like the Creator. She is a sacred symbol of the goddess and of the Great Mother in her devouring aspect, spinning her threads of human destiny. Spiders are friends of the garden and they possess the gift of healing and wisdom. They are sensitive to our feelings and will respond to our words. Many folktales tell of spiders helping humans in their time of need -- usually it comes to those who are kind and merciful to living creatures and that have an open heart. The wise say they are very lucky so don't kill them! To see one in the house, means prosperity and happiness. If it drops down upon you, it means money and luck. If it runs over your clothes, means beautiful new garments soon. To put one in your pocket without hurting it is a money charm. They are prophets of the weather and weave and deconstruct their webs accordingly.

Swallow- Because of its annual return, the swallow is often used as a symbol of spring, increasing light, fertility, regeneration, and birth and awakening. In Mali, swallows are considered symbols of purity because they never land on the ground. One of the most fortunate of birds, to see a swallow in the early days of spring is very lucky. If swallows nest in the eaves of your house, success, happiness, good fortune and protection from storms are assured for all.

Swift- A symbol of summer and also of the human soul, it is the bird of tears which can be both sorrowful and joyful.

Tits- The tit family are happily-omened. If they fly much about your dwelling in the winter, your home and garden will be protected from winter's ravages, and there will always be fuel for the fire.

Toad- Many associations arise from the fact that some use poisonous venom if threatened or annoyed. Because some venoms contain a hallucinogen and are used by some to alter consciousness, the toad is often associated with witchcraft and sorcery. It is a symbol of darkness (as it often hides in dark places) and also of ugliness. Like the frog, the toad is frequently associated with water, especially rain. If a toad should take up residence, honor his presence for he is a guardian and within him lives the spirit of the garden. He will keep away all pestilence, attract the fairies and ward off bad energy within the home. Folklore tells of a precious stone that lived within the toad's head with a guardian angel inside it. If you befriend him, you will be able to see the spirit of wisdom in his eyes.

Turtle- Associated with the powers of the Earth , the turtle often symbolizes strength and stability. Because of their long lifespan, they also signify longevity. In many myths, the tortoise is the animal upon whose back the world rests. In modern times, it most often appears both as a symbol of slowness, avoidance, defensiveness, or refuge from attack.

Wagtail- Symbolizing peace and contentment, to see a wren hopping about your garden is a lucky sign.

Wasp- According to folklore, a wasp sting is a warning to protect yourself against jealousy, deception, grudge-holding and danger.

Woodpecker- Many cultures associate the woodpecker with thunder and the coming of rain.

Worm- The worm is a symbol of death and decomposition. It is also associated with the soil and the earth.

Wren- The wren is the bird of life and hope, and a welcome sight in the garden, promising fulfillment.