Skunks are a member of the weasel family and in North America, there are four types of skunks.  About the size of a house cat, skunks are active at night but are also seen during the day.  Their habitat is in clearings, pastures, prairies and at the forest edge where they dig burrows or live in any convenient covered area.  Skunks prefer to eat meat and insects but also dine on vegetation and any food with a strong odor.  Of course, it's most famous characteristic is its horrendous defense system, skunk ink.  

SKUNK MEDICINE

• For all recorded time, skunks have been respected and feared.  When threatened, the skunk raises its bushy tail, stamps its feet, stiffens its legs and the hair on body raises up and it hisses like a angry cat.  It these tactics do not work to frighten the invader, the skunk simply turns its rump and sprays up to 10 - 14 feet with accuracy. This disgusting musk liquid irritates the eyes, temporarily blocks vision and stuns other senses of its victim such as smell and touch.  What the skunk spirit teaches with this display of power is unknown to this writer as we have never ventured close enough to find out.  Regardless, we can surmise the skunk 'medicine' teaches us to take heed when a warning presents itself.  When our instincts tell us there is danger or trouble facing us, we should not allow our brain to get in the way, but instead follow our senses and take appropriate steps to move in another direction.  If we respect the instinctual part of our being we can avoid problems before they develop.  If our stinky little friend appears, take heed - a smelly situation or danger is not far away.

• Skunks are solitary creatures (no doubt), slow moving and walk with an air confidence and pride.  If you get a whiff of skunk spirit in your dreams, it could be signal to emulate his message to improve your self-esteem and honor yourself as a sacred being. 

• Skunks are quiet creatures, not totally unsociable, but reserved and unobtrusive.   Should our odorous little friend visit you as spirit, it may be to remind you that being egotistical, self-righteous, boisterous or overbearing creates problems.  Follow the way of this animal guide (about 20 feet away) and learn to be humble and gentle with others.

• It is said the white stripe from the head to tail of the skunk is a sign of creativity and good medicine.