Almost all cultures have talismans, or honored figurines of some kind. In some Native American practices, small animals and deities are carved out of particular materials such as stone or shells and can be carried with you (physically or energetically) for luck or protection. If you walk around Santa Fe, you’ll see many different variations of these figures, but my most favorite come from the artists of the Zuni Pueblo, located by Gallup, NM. In my opinion, Zuni artisans imbue these carved pieces with emotion, care, and frankly, magic. I’ve collected quite a few of these Zuni “fetishes,” and one day, I was inspired to paint this duo of a malachite rabbit and a lapis buffalo that appeared to me. I have an affinity for rabbits — I find them adorable, but also nimble, crafty and intuitive. In some Pueblo traditions, rabbit energy allows us to utilize fear as a tool: to examine our fears closely and to move through them gracefully as well as discard ones that are irrational; or, on the flip side, to honor some of our fears as valid and to discern what they have to teach us.

And, like my buffalo sketch above, I’ve recently been drawn to bison because of their pure massiveness, bravery, and their innate attitude of “don’t mess with me.” Bison energy medicine is traditionally thought of as all-encompassing healing, and is really powerful as Native tribes used every single aspect of a buffalo kill for tools, food, and clothing. Buffaloes represent strength, gratitude, wisdom, and humility.

I want to embody all of these attributes and so it became clear that I needed to combine them into something powerful and specific for me. The rabbit is the lookout, the scout, who is riding his defender, the buffalo, and both give me the fortitude and guidance I need to move ahead, even if I don’t know the next step.