Liz; Richard the Third? well having played Lady Anne in Shakespeare's version, I would have to say, um, I am of divided mind on that! The Celts saw the boar as being very much in synch with the warrior persona: ruthless, strong, fierecly loyal, bloodthirsty when provoked, but otherwise peaceful...much like Richard I guess... The boar is also a clan totem among various names in Scotland, most notably the Campbells... When I was discovering this totem spoke to me, I also found out it is associated in the rather dubious "science" of Celtic astrology with my month of birth; also that my magical name, Albion, is a version of Albina, the Celtic goddess associated with the sow (though the archetype I most identify with is the male animal). I once, very randomly, found a gorgeous three-piece boars' head carving set in a box at a Salvation Army store. The box was practically hidden behind other stuff on a table in the back of the store. I saw the tarnished old carving set, grabbed it before it was priced and said I wanted to buy it;found out several customers who saw it at the checkout while I browsed also wanted it. For about twelve dollars I got a knife, fork and carving spike made with deer antler handles, topped with a boar's head of silver, decorated with silver oak leaves and acorns, with garnets for the eyes...once polished, it was amazing to behold. Stupidly enough, I gave this most magical gift from the gods to an old boyfriend (a current beau at the time). He said it was the best present he had ever gotten; weren't that the truth! Karmic lesson: give away what is treasured? or hang onto what comes your way via serendipity? Either way, I now seek out images and objects bearing this animal...including the warthog character from The Lion King--close enough...

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