Beavers are semiaquatic, mostly nocturnal animals. Iconic symbols of hard work, they will reengineer a landscape as few other animals can. Some Native Americans called the beaver the “sacred center” of the land. A family of beavers will dam a stream that, once flooded, becomes wetlands and home to nearly half the endangered and threatened species in North America. For this reason, many scientists considered them a keystone species, meaning the ecosystem and its inhabitants rely on it for support. Beavers may move with an ungainly waddle on land, but they are graceful swimmers and can remain underwater for nearly fifteen minutes without surfacing. A fun fact about beavers is that they have transparent eyelids that function as goggles, helping them see underwater.
Key Attributes
Industriousness, team player, family and social ties, mastery at building, achieving goals through collaboration, and acting on one’s dreams.
Chakra Interpretations
Root
In a perfect world, you would probably choose to live in a wooded area, near water, and in a collaborative community. You may dream of building your own house or may have done so already. It could very well be that you are a builder or architect by trade. If this is not what you do for your living, you might enjoy volunteering your time with organizations that build homes for families in need or rebuild homes for people who lost theirs due to a natural disaster. It could be that you, like beavers, spend nearly all your time working, but it is who you are and doesn’t seem to affect your health in a negative way. Most likely, you are the kind of person who doesn’t vacation well, unless it involves taking time off from your day job so you can build something for fun.
Sacral
The beaver is happiest when it is creating something. Your passion is building something—be it a home, a family, community, or a business—and you do so through your love of teamwork and collaboration. You would do well as an engineer or organizer for a cause. You work well with others and can keep your ego out of it. As mentioned earlier, a beaver will change a landscape in very beneficial ways, so another passion for you could be working as an environmental engineer.
Solar Plexus
The beaver is a reminder that our dreams need definitive action before they can become a reality. Once you set your mind on a goal, you will work until you achieve it. When beavers construct their home, they leave many ways to escape—a good lesson that forethought will keep you from painting yourself into a metaphorical corner. Some wildlife rehabilitators have found beavers to be gentle beings with a sense of humor. You may have been, or currently are, the class (or office) clown. If nothing else, you have no problem laughing at yourself. Another side of the beaver says you may feel self-conscious about how the world sees you. It might be that you don’t feel graceful. If this is the case, try visualizing yourself gliding through water as you move. This aspect of beaver energy will help you find your grace.
Heart
Beavers are monogamous, mate for life, and live in multigenerational communities. Your partner, children, and extended family are what fill your heart. To you, a family doesn’t necessarily mean “human”; it can also mean animal companions. Your work environment is where you can be your most authentic self, but only if you are a member of a collaborative team that works to make the world a better place. As mentioned above, if your work environment does not offer you fulfillment, find a place where you can use your skills as a volunteer.
Throat
Beavers are watchful and protective of their lodge-mates. If one of them senses danger, it will use its tail to slap a warning to the invader and raise the alarm. The beaver in this chakra could be saying that while you may not speak out very often, when you do, it is for a good cause. Given the beaver’s combined need to be a team player and a builder, you would do well working as a mediator or teaching groups how to work together to build something meaningful. It could also mean something as grounded and practical as teaching shop classes in high schools or volunteering to train unemployed workers new skills.
Third Eye
As mentioned earlier, beavers have transparent eyelids that function as goggles, helping them see underwater. If you tap into this trait, you might be able to glimpse into other realms, worlds, and dimensions that most people can’t. You can also use it as a shield to filter out any negativity that might try to creep in. Another possible interpretation is that you tend to look at the world through the proverbial rose-colored glasses. If that is the case, it will benefit you to try clarity. From a practical perspective, if you have a family history of cataracts, it will be wise for you to visit an eye doctor on a regular basis, especially as you get older.
Crown
The beaver in this chakra is an acknowledgment that you prefer working with others in a spiritual or magical community, one with strong ties and that perhaps is even multigenerational. If you aren’t already working with a group like this, you would find a lot of benefit in seeking one out. If you are fortunate enough to have a spiritual family already, it is with this family that you are regularly able to tap into something greater than yourself. If your group doesn’t already have one, try building a dream lodge together so you can meet up on the astral plane.