The chart of boreal animal emotions: a gentle guide for recentering.
A symbolic and introspective tool.
The Boreal Animal Emotions Chart was created by Indigenous Crafts to offer a simple and sensitive guide when emotions are difficult to name. Each card associates an emotion, a need, and a concrete action. The chart is offered free of charge and can be used freely, daily, as a tool for centering and self-awareness.
The Charter of Boreal Animal Emotions
Naming what you feel is sometimes the first step towards finding peace. To support you in this inner exploration, I've created a set of 12 boreal animal cards , designed as a visual and sensitive guide. Whether for a child searching for words or an adult wishing to take a break, these illustrations act as a kind mirror.
Each animal was chosen for its symbolism and presence, offering a gentle anchor to help you find your center amidst the daily turmoil. I offer this tool to you free of charge because I sincerely believe that self-understanding should be accessible to everyone, plain and simple.
Why boreal wildlife?
Wild nature possesses a raw honesty. By associating an emotion with the quiet strength of the bear , the playful joy of the otter , or the soaring perspective of the eagle , we remove some of the judgment we place on our own feelings. We simply observe an inner weather, as changeable and natural as the northern seasons. Each creature teaches us that every feeling has its place and its reason for being in our personal ecosystem.
A tool for everyday life
These cards are entirely up to you. You can print them out to create a bedtime ritual, keep them on your phone as reminders, or use them in class to spark discussion. The important thing is to let the gentleness of the images facilitate conversation.
Yes, it's a tool created by Indigenous Craftsmanship, and yes, it's offered free of charge. Because sharing, understanding, and respecting each other should be accessible.
This is not a test. This is not a truth. It is a gentle way of speaking to each other with respect.
How the charter helps, in three steps
Each card follows the same structure, so that it is clear and easy to use.
- What I feel
- What I need
- What I can do
When everything is mixed up, this logic brings calm without forcing it.
How to use the cards, even when you have zero energy
There are days when everything feels overwhelming. These cards are here to support you, not to add another task to your list. Here are three easy ways to use them:
- 1 card, 2 minutes: Take a card at random or choose the one that appeals to you. Read the three lines. Perform only one of the suggested actions, even a tiny one. That's enough.
- One card, one notebook: Take a moment to write three sentences in your journal. No need to write for long, the important thing is just to be true to yourself.
- One card, for families: For teens and children, the card becomes a bridge. It's used to open up discussion, without interpretation or moralizing. It allows you to simply state the facts.
The chart cards, integrated here
Below, each card is presented with its image and three markers. You can read them, save them, or come back to them whenever you need to.
The chart cards
Each card associates an emotion, a need, and a possible action. They can be used freely, at each person's own pace.
The fox
What I feel: confusion, anxiety
What I need: a solution
What I can do: find a way out
The deer
What I feel: vulnerability, sadness
What I need: gentleness, support
What I can do: share my emotions
The bear
What I'm feeling: fatigue, saturation
What I need: peace and quiet, rest
What I can do: withdraw without guilt
The wolf
What I feel: loyalty, anger, a need for belonging
What I need: to protect a connection, to be heard
What I can do: talk, set a limit
The hare
What I'm feeling: fear, nervousness, agitation
What I need: immediate security
What I can do: take refuge, seek shelter
The owl
What I feel: introspection, intuition
What I need: silence, observation
What I can do: take a step back
The beaver
What I feel: tension, anticipation
What I need: structure, organization
What I can do: move forward step by step
The otter
What I feel: joy, lightness
What I need: to play, to move
What I can do: laugh, create
The porcupine
What I feel: hurt, mistrust
What I need: respect, clear boundaries
What I can do: set limits
The clearing
What I feel: calm, a surge of life
What I need: sharing, movement
What I can do: enjoy the present moment
The eagle
What I feel: a need for clarity
What I need: perspective
What I can do: observe the situation
The fog
What I feel: confusion, loss of meaning
What I need is to take it slow.
What I can do: take a break
Why this charter is offered for free
Because refocusing, understanding, and respecting oneself shouldn't be a luxury. Indigenous Crafts freely shares this tool, in a spirit of transmission and kindness.
First purchase
For those who wish to extend this reading with a simple and meaningful gesture.
Article written by Dave Verreault, an Innu craftsman passionate about sharing indigenous traditions and spirituality.