Lessons from the Wolf for Wellbeing - monthly wellness with Roscrea's Emma Coonan

As July draws to a close, the summer season is still in full swing. Quiet morning and evening roads remind us that schools are enjoying their summer holidays, and many are planning, returning from, or enjoying a well-earned summer break.

In between summer activities, I have been watching and enjoying Yellowstone (no spoilers are coming don’t worry, for anyone who is also enjoying it!). Set in Montana, one of its attractions for me is the spectacular scenery and animals we in Ireland rarely get to see.

One of the great animals featured is the wolf, an animal Ireland did get to see much of at one time. Having always had a fascination for wolves, watching this show reignited that for me, and I have found myself reading up on its legends and history. And, as always, found some wellbeing messages in there worth reflecting on.

Villain or Protector?

The wolf featured regularly in Irish mythology, often representing nature as well as traits such as loyalty, strength, and wisdom. One of the reasons the wolf draws such awe and interest is perhaps because of the paradox it presents. It is sometimes seen as the villain, hunting and attacking its prey, and at other times is seen as the quiet strong protector, looking over the land with hundreds of years of lessons in its blood.

It is this paradox that we can perhaps relate to. When we have a bad day, we may find ourselves being short or snappy with others because of it. Equally on another day we may find ourselves reaching out to help a stranger without a second thought.

Mindfulness and wellbeing practices can help us to notice when these contrasting parts of us are activated, by bringing more awareness to how we feel in the moment. In this way, we can recognise when it is time to take a breath or a break, or to connect with others – whatever the mood may be.

Noone is an Island

Travelling in packs, wolves usually live with one mate and their offspring, making them a loyal and enduring companion. While wolves can sometimes travel alone, coining the term ‘the lone wolf,’ this is usually because it has been separated from its pack, and it will tend to re-join a pack soon afterwards.

These are traits we humans share with the wolf. Many of us travel with a pack, or a tribe, be it family, friends, or comrades we find along the journey. However we may also feel like the lone wolf at times, whether we find ourselves alone for a time, or feel like we are alone. Like the saying goes, too much of a good thing can be a bad thing. There are times where it does the soul good to be alone, enjoying the quiet and putting the phone away.

Equally, there are times where we need our pack and cannot go it alone. Finding a balance between these two states can support our wellbeing, and recognising when we need one over the other can help us to be where we need to be, when we need to be there.

Back to Nature

Known as Mac Tíre, meaning “Son of the Land” in Irish, the wolf in Irish folklore is a symbol of nature and the land. One of the reasons the symbol of the wolf is so powerful is because it reminds us of the expanse and depth of nature, places which existed long before us and will hopefully exist long after us.

While we may not roam the wild terrains of Celtic mythology anymore, we can still take some lessons from these stories by coming back to nature when we need to. One simple mindfulness practice when we are facing a problem or worry is to think of nature, or better yet to visit nature, to help to put some perspective on the problem at hand.

Imagining how long the tall oak outside your window or the chestnut trees in your local park has been there, and how long they will be there after us, is a simple practice which can help us to manage a worry or stress, by imagining a future where the problem or challenge we are facing has been resolved, one way or another. In this way we may gain some much needed calm and perhaps a different viewpoint.

A final thought...

Featuring prominently in Irish folklore and mythology, the Irish Wolf remains a symbol of strength, wisdom, and nature. This is perhaps because we still share a connection with this great creature, and in this way can take from an Mac Tíre some simple yet powerful lessons in wellbeing.