Once regarded as the favorite familiar of witches, rabbits have a long history of involvement in all forms of magick, from their power of transformation to their quickness. Long known as messengers of the departed and strongly associated with the moon. As a harbinger of seasonal change, rabbits contribute greatly to the Wheel of the Year. Much more than the March Hare or the Ostara Bunny, but yet it’s in spring when the call of the rabbit urges us to get back outside, to get of the couch, and get busy (in more ways than one). Honor those witches of old by adopting their practice of transforming into rabbit to bring about personal rebirth using ecstatic dance.

Rabbits And Witchcraft

Rabbits, or hares, have long been associated with the moon and witchcraft. In European folklore, rabbits were often seen as favored familiars of witches. In some cultures, such as Ireland and Scotland, a common belief was that witches shapeshifted into rabbits to travel undetected. This spirit-rabbit was only vulnerable to silver bullets.

Rabbits are strongly associated with spring. It’s curious that rabbits are such a symbol of the Christian Easter when in the Bible they are regarded as filthy and have such a long association with witchcraft.

Rabbits And The Moon

Many cultures have stories about the rabbit that is visible on the moon. In some of them, the rabbit is pounding a mortar and pestle or accompanied by a log. In China, rabbit is associated with the moon, and is one of the twelve astrological signs. The Chinese moon goddess Chang’e has a rabbit companion who pounds the life force for her in its pestle. The Moon Rabbit is involved in many Chinese folktales, including one where it saved Beijing from plague. Many other Asian countries have stories of the Moon Rabbit. In North America, several indigenous peoples have tales of the Moon Rabbit. The Aztec myth of the rabbit in the moon involves an impetuous god hurling his leporine ally.

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