One moment you're minding your own business walking along, and suddenly, you see a flash of red fur, and too deep soulful eyes looking back at you. Some people would run away if they spotted a fox, but other people know that seeing a fox is a good thing. The truth is, sometimes when you see a fox, you just happen to be in the right place at the right time to spot it, but other times seeing a fox has a deeper spiritual meaning. Learn all about the spiritual meaning of foxes including what they are and the different things they symbolize. Find out what it means when you dream of foxes and how to know if the fox is your spirit animal. Find out if the tales about foxes being a threat are true, or if we are more of a threat to foxes.
What’s a Fox?
Foxes are small furry omnivores who are known for their pointy ears and bushy tails. They exist on every continent except Antarctica and they are known as chicken thieves that were hunted in Europe by packs of dogs. Female foxes are called vixens and their babies are called kits. There are 12 species known as true foxes and 25 other species which are called foxes. They are in the same family as wolves and jackals and unlike other members of the family they belong to, their claws are partially retractable. Their fur ranges from being white to black and white to gray or red and even gold. Some foxes' coats change with the season, and their fur sometimes changes colors as they age. At their largest, foxes can get to be about 31 pounds and the smallest fox is called the kit fox which can be as small as 3 1/2 pounds as an adult.
Foxes typically live for about three years in the wild but they can live up to 10 years. Most foxes live in small family groups, but some species of foxes are solitary. They are omnivores and eat insects, reptiles, birds, eggs, and even vegetation. Some foxes even eat seafood like crabs. They usually have about four kits per litter although some foxes can have up to 11 kits at once. There are a lot of different sounds that foxes make. They yelp, whine, bark, growl, and howl. Some people consider them to be pests because they eat livestock sometimes, but other people keep them as pets and say they're very sweet and affectionate. Foxes have adapted well to human urban environments and while they have been known to feed on people's pet cats, dogs, and chickens, they don't have a problem eating discarded food waste.
Fox Spiritual Meaning
Spiritually, the fox has deep meaning for human beings. All around the world people have lived nearby foxes, and have shared the earth with them. Seeing a fox might just be a coincidence, but a lot of people believe that when they see a fox it is significant. Foxes symbolize a lot of different things to a lot of different people. They symbolize intelligence and cunning, taking advantage of opportunities, unseen dangers, being misunderstood, and good luck.
Intelligence and Cunning
How smart are foxes? The large variety of sounds that a fox can make is evidence of how complex their communications to one another are. They are also able to understand what human body language and hand gestures mean. They are intelligent enough to construct comfortable underground dens where they take care of their families. They are adaptable enough to eat almost anything including invertebrates and small animals, and even berries. They can outwit humans, sneaking into chicken yards and stealing both eggs and chickens to eat for their dinner. For these reasons, they represent intelligence and cunning. One sign known for their intelligence is Gemini and you can read about them here: Gemini Zodiac Traits and Love Compatibility
Seizing Opportunities
Foxes are content to wait until the opportunity is right and they will make their move. Perhaps this is because they are active at night, when people are asleep and unaware of the movements of the fox. They also adapt very well to a variety of environments, which makes them seem like smart opportunists. They don't just wait until they're hungry to find food, however, they will hide food in a hole to eat for later. One sign that won't hesitate to take advantage of opportunities is Virgo and you can read about them here: Virgo Traits and Love Compatibility
Hidden Dangers
Because foxes camouflage well in the forest, in backyards, in the snow, and in the desert, you never know when what is about to strike. So, they represent hidden dangers. They have been known to ravage livestock when you would least expect it, and leave behind no trace that they've been there. To read about a terrifying creature of lore that lurks in the shadows see here: Are Vampires Real?
Being Misunderstood
Foxes are some of the most misunderstood animals on the planet. It is said that they steal, but they're only taking what they need to survive. Some people feel that their intent is malicious, but foxes just want to eat. They are thought of as bold and vicious predators because they hunt domestic animals and livestock, but they're actually shy creatures that just want to live. They are not aggressive, and prefer to run away if they feel threatened. They actually eat a lot of creatures that are harmful to livestock and farms like mice and insects, and some people believe that this more than compensates for them taking some chickens or eggs. Some people don't understand what it means to be born on the cusp, but you can read about that here: The Sun Signs Cusps and Their Meanings
Luck
In Great Britain, seeing a fox on your wedding day is seen as a lucky omen that you will have a long happy marriage. In the Old Testament of the Bible, Samson got the help of 300 foxes in burning down the cornfield of the Philistines. Some people would hang fox fur above their cow shed or stable to ward off evil and bring in good luck. In Japanese folklore, some protective fox spirits helped families to get wealth and to create problems for their enemies. Some fox spirits were said to be messengers from the spirit world, and some even had shrines dedicated to them. To read about the black cat, one creature that brings luck see here: The Magic and Superstitions of Black Cats
What Do Dreams About Foxes Mean?
When you dream about foxes, it could mean any of the things that foxes stand for spiritually. The details of the dream can help you to understand specifically what the dream is telling you, however. If you dream about an arctic fox, that means something different from dreaming of a red fox. Dreams of grey foxes mean something completely different from dreaming of wild foxes.
Dreams of an Arctic Fox
Dreams about arctic foxes are about endurance. These foxes live in some of the coldest parts of the world, and they are active outside all four seasons and don't hibernate. They have to be able to adapt to stand extreme cold and winds and snowy, icy conditions. They survive and thrive despite the extreme weather. When you dream of an arctic fox, you are being called to get in touch with your inner warrior. Like the arctic fox can survive seemingly unendurable conditions, you can survive and thrive despite what is going on around you. To read more about dreams see here: Your Guide to Dreams and Interpretation of Them
Dreams of a Red Fox
In general, red foxes symbolize cunning and trickery. If you dream that a red fox is watching you, you're being told that someone is sitting in judgment of you. If you dream that there is a red fox in your house, someone who you know and have a close relationship with is being dishonest with you. If you dream that you are a red fox, you're being told to keep your business to yourself and to make sure not to share your secrets with anybody. To read more about dreams, see here: Your Guide to Dream Meanings
Dreams of a Grey Fox
Grey foxes symbolize wisdom. If you dream that you encounter a grey fox in the forest, you're being told that you will receive wisdom from an unexpected place so, pay attention to everything that you are told. If you dream that you are bitten by the grey fox, you're being put on notice that the truth is going to hurt but it's going to be worth it to finally find out what's going on. If you dream that you have a pet grey fox, it means that you are about to enter and to a situation that will teach you some deep truths. To read more about dreams, see here: Your Dream Bible and Dream Analysis Guide
Dreams of Wild Foxes
Wild foxes symbolize mischief, freedom, and playfulness. If you have a dream about a family of wild foxes playing, you are being told to go out and enjoy yourself more and that all work and no play makes your life dull. If you dream about being a wild fox, it means that you want to set yourself free from some constructive things in your life that are holding you back from being happy. To read about dreams about flying, see here: Soaring to new heights: Unveiling the Spiritual Significance of Flying in Dreams
The Fox Spirit Animal
Spirit animals are animals that we share a spiritual kinship with, and they are kind enough to teach us their wisdom. Some people seem to instinctively know which animal they share this relationship with, and some people do meditation or prayers to find out what their spirit animal is. When the fox is your spirit animal, it teaches you endurance, resourcefulness, wisdom, and how to have fun. Foxes teach you to pay attention to everything that is going on around you and to make smart decisions based on what will benefit you most. They are always looking for the best opportunity, and they will teach you how to do so as well.
Some people like to keep bones, teeth, or pelts from foxes to absorb their energy. However, if the fox truly is your spirit animal, make sure that you buy these things from someone who does not poach foxes, or the things you buy will hold the bad energy from the animal’s suffering. Once you learn what your spirit animal is, you might decide that you want to give gifts to it in thankfulness for its teachings. You can leave gifts of berries, seeds, and other fruits in the wild for foxes to enjoy to show your thanks. To read about another animal that might be your spirit animal, the butterfly see here: What Does a Butterfly Symbolize?
Are Foxes a Threat?
Since at least the 1600s in Europe, people have hunted foxes and put them to death. Foxes were seen as predatory pests that decimated local livestock, and men on horseback with specially trained hounds would hunt foxes and kill them. Some people insist that foxes carry disease, kill more livestock than they can eat, and should be exterminated for those reasons. In the early 2000s, nations began banning this practice, calling it inhumane, however. Some farmers appreciate the work of foxes in keeping mice, rabbits, and insects that would eat their crops in check. Will a wild fox hurt you if it crosses your path? Usually, if you see a fox in nature, and you leave it alone, it goes about its business and does not bother you.
What about the dangers that foxes pose to humans? Foxes rarely attack humans, and it's usually only if they are rabid. They can carry fleas and ticks, which can jump off of them into the grass and jump onto you. They can carry mange, tapeworm, and distemper, all of which your pet can catch if they encounter them in the wild. You can keep your pets safe by keeping them indoors, or installing an electric fence with buried lines so that they don't leave your garden. If you have a fox den nearby your home, don’t kill them. Simply contact your local wildlife agency to help and relocate them. You need not fear being endangered by foxes. To read more about what to do if you see a fox see here: Are foxes dangerous? Here's how to act if you see one in the wild.
Sometimes when you see a fox, it just means the animal is going somewhere, but sometimes seeing a fox means so much more than that. Foxes symbolize intelligence, luck, being misunderstood, hidden dangers, and finding opportunities and using them for your own advantage. Some people might think that foxes are a threat, but humans have always been more of a threat to foxes than foxes have ever been to humans. When you see a fox or dream about a fox, pay close attention, because they may be bringing you deep spiritual truths. May the fox bring you its blessings, and may it never come to harm at the hands of humans. So be It.
Would you like to learn more about your fox spirit animal? Get a reading started with one of our SpiritualBlossom psychics today and they can answer all your questions about it. Make sure to read all of our articles to learn about spirituality, folklore, astrology, and love.
About the Author: Lady Saoirse has studied magic and lore for most of her life but started walking her own Magical Path after being spiritually reborn in the desert. Today she is a High Priestess for The Temple of the Goddess, she is a psychic advisor and spiritual counselor, she shares her gifts as a Psychic and Content Writer for SpiritualBlossom. She has written for Mysticsense and PaganPagesOrg emag.
