As with all of the big cats, the Leopard is surrounded with mysticism.

Of all the big cats, it is the best at stalking its prey. It can leap up to 20 feet horizontally and 10 feet vertically. Leopards are often found sleeping in trees and will carry their food up into trees to protect it from scavengers. They prey on a large variety of food with protein source, from insects to animals twice their size. The Leopard is very intelligent and quick to learn anything to its advantage. It is very adaptable to a large range of habitat. 

Two of the beautiful varieties of this species are the Clouded and Snow Leopards. Each have a few distinctive characteristics, along with the general traits of the Leopard.

Leopards are, in general, a very solitary animal. After mating, they do not stay together. The female raises the young on her own. Women who have the Leopard or Black Panther (a very dark Leopard or Jaguar) as a totem often end up raising their children on their own, or resenting any interference -- even from their mate -- regarding the way their children are brought up.

Leopards are very sensitive to touch, especially around the facial area. The Spirit of the Leopard can help one develop a very sensitive "inner knowing" when touching or being touched by another person.

The Leopard rarely stays in one spot for long and wanders a large territory. It can bring a longing for travel and expanding of horizons on many levels when it enters your life. It is basically nocturnal and often gives a person a strong creative ability during the night hours. As with all the big cats, it is also strongly connected to the moon cycles.

When the Spirit of the Leopard enters your life, it brings strong instinct and intuition. Be aware, and pay attention, to these within yourself. Learn to trust your intuitive feelings. The Leopard can assist you in becoming more active and aggressive in pursuing your goals. It often brings an interest in mysticism and the opportunity to develop strong psychic abilities. 


THE SPIRIT OF THE LEOPARD IS:
SWIFTNESS
STRENGTH
PERSEVERANCE
BOLDNESS
CONFIDENCE
INSTINCT AND INTUITION
MYSTICISM