The Sheep

We associate sheep with a shepherd and you are both the child and teenager who needs protection – but also, in later life – the adult who is extremely sensitive to the need for shielding and guarding, with the children and young adults around you.

You can also be like Peter Pan, who never grows up. You can choose to be the eternal child or teenager, lost in your own world – the sheep who is still a lamb – playing with the other lambs.

The innocence and purity of youth matters to you. Sheep are associated with lambs. To the Jews, the lamb symbolises the Children of Israel who belong to God’s flock. Early Christians referred to Jesus as the lamb of God. This reflects on John: “Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sins of the world.”

There is something sacred about childhood as it is so pure and unspoiled – or should be. As a parent, godparent, teacher, grandparent, aunt, uncle you are aware of that. There is also something pure about your own spirit.

Even the black sheep of any family, the ne’er-do-well who brings shame, was a child once, or may still be a child even now. The shady character in any group is known as the black sheep, of course.

Going back to the simplicity and innocence of childhood is important, because this is where an exchange of souls can take place, no matter if there is a black sheep in your world or even if you feel like a black sheep, yourself. Forgiveness and understanding is part of your personality and life story.

You can also be sheepish – awkward, shy and bashful – or make sheep’s eyes – at somebody who attracts you. This is true from adolescence to old age.

You are sensitive and also appreciate the sensitivity of young souls. The role of the shepherd in your life or the times you must be the shepherd, are central to your destiny and character.

This may be your father. It may be you, as a father or mother. Jesus Christ was The Good Shepherd. As it says in John, “I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep.”

We might say that security guards, the police or the armed forces, shepherd the flock. Spencer named Sir Walter Raleigh as ‘the shepherd of the ocean.’

Protection and defence, shielding and guarding are issues from your own infancy because they were also major issues for (very likely) a parent or teacher.