Next in the series of moving through each animal in the The Wild Unknown Animal Spirit deck, now in the water element, we come to the most joyous and playful animal- the Otter.
The Otter is a universally beloved animal, even by some people who may not entirely be animal lovers. As we will delve into with the invitations of this card, and this animal’s energy, the Otter is going to pull out some of the most beautiful, needed, and radical parts of us.
The Otter sits in the 10th position in this deck. You do not need to know the numerological correspondence in order to read these cards, but it can be a helpful layer to creating a more in-depth reading.
From one of my most favorite numerological websites, we have this quote, and you can find the full article here.
10/1 is a number for luck, synchronicity, flow, winning mentality, harmony with cosmos, and an inner feeling of happiness. You are loved by all, spontaneous and playful, optimistic, open, and full of joy. You breeze through life because you feel protected by the cosmos, which gives you intuition and luck. You gain success with the minimum effort because you always follow the synchronicities of life, which always show the direct and easy path.
These are all themes that come with the Otter.
Let's play with the Otter
In the element of Water, it is in alignment that this creature speaks to the emotional space within us. All the animals in the Water element are here to help us open into our emotions, intuition, dreams, subconscious, and how we connect and relate to each other.
The Otter is one of the most beloved animals on the Earth, bringing out a softness in us. This same energy of Disney-animation-level cute is going to be found in this card. When working with the energy of the Otter, we are asked to find a sense of radical joy.
This joy is radical because in a world like what we are living in in 2025, it is HARD to find joy. It is hard to find that softness in a world that is cruel, unjust, and oppressive. The Otter card is here is remind us that joy is not removing the truth, nor is it spiritual-bypassing. This card is a reminder that joy, contentment, and play are how we counteract the darkness in the world.
Literally.
When working with Otter energy, we do ourselves well when we allow ourselves to play, express, create, and engage with the world in a way that removes attachments to things like capitalism, to-dos, or ego. We all know those people who are sooooo serious in life. Any sort of play or fun to be had is squashed when these people come around. It is tragic when someone grows out of the ability and need to play.
When children play, it is one of the most sacred things because they don’t want for anything. A box becomes a rocket ship. A toy kitchen set becomes a science lab where great accomplishments are made (courtesy of my niece when she was little). They play in the rain. They dance like morons. They become superheroes with a blanket tied around their necks. They become knights and save the world with a pool noodle or the cardboard from an empty roll of paper towels. They make pillow and blanket forts, and invite all the stuffed animals inside.
This energy is needed more in this world, but there is a perception that, as adults, we shouldn’t engage in these activities because it is childish. To that I say, “That is entirely the point.” Connecting to the inner child soothes our adult brains and hearts. Engaging and being in the world without judgment, shame, worry, or a sense of lack is something from which almost all adults could benefit.
The Otter says that play is sacred. Joy is radical. Contentment in a world trying to make you hate yourself is revolutionary. This card is a literal permission slip to play and do the things that make you happy in this world because there are countless things that benefit from you being sad, alone, and isolated.
Guidance from the guidebook
Some key references from the guidebook
Keywords/phrases: Unobstructed joy, Playfulness, Contentment
When in balance: full of love, needs nothing
When out of balance: gloomy, sighs, makes silly excuses
To bring into balance: dance party or celebration
Following the guidance from the guidebook, the Otter is the card and animal energy that reminds us that life is beautiful. There is always going to be something in the world that fills your heart. There are still reasons to find the beauty in life for the sake of living a beautiful life. The Otter says that being full of love is the oil to the water of a cruel world. Having a fullness in your heart is where you power is found.
Again, this isn’t about toxic positivity or love and light. This is about letting the beauty, magick, and wonder of this world fill you with awe so that you may show up the things that fill your cup, and live a life of purpose. Part of your purpose is to have a life that you love; a life that conjures the softness, vulnerability, and laughter out of you. You deserve a beautiful life. The Otter says Choose joy. Choose love. Choose play. These things are what help us get through the hard times and fill our memory banks with riches that cannot be bought.
Out of balance, Otter energy is gloomy, sighs, and makes silly excuses. To be clear, if you are in a space where these themes of the Otter feel unattainable, you are not broken, nor are you alone. Emotional levity can be very hard to come by, but the Otter reminds you that because you are worthy of joy and play, the first steps to that life are often taking care of the heaviness and confronting the truth of the situation. So, if you are in a space where this is hard for you, seek the help you need. You are worth getting the help.
To bring the energies into balance, other than what was mentioned above, the guidebook says to have a dance party and celebrations. For me I enjoy learning and playing Magic: The Gathering with my friends. I like playing games, and some of my greatest memories with Grizzly are playing Diablo during a snowstorm for days and eating good food. Whatever brings you joy, make time for it. Schedule it in, if you have to, because there will always be an excuse or reason to put it off. The more you put it off, the harder it is to bring it back in. Make it a priority, because this world needs more sacred play.
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Ashlie McDiarmid
Hello there! I hope you liked this blog post. As a tarot and oracle reader, my goal with my blogs is to offer you content, resources, and access to the tools that have transformed my life.
I believe that your own intuition is the deepest form of knowing, but here in my little corner of the internet, I share insights based in intuition and instinct. I share my love for nature, witchcraft, and the wild spirit.
- If your spirit is at home in wild places
- If you feel the need to claim your autonomy as ritual
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