Skunk

Skunk Symbolism, Skunk Meaning, Skunk Totem, Skunk Dream, and Messages
Tread lightly and do no harm. Approach the problem from a passive direction and everything will simply come together.
-Skunk

Skunk Meaning and Messages

In this case, Skunk symbolism presents you with the perfect opportunity to become more confident in your interactions with others. In other words, this spirit animal asks you to meet life’s challenges with a calm and peaceful heart. Also, you have the respect that you require to get to where you wish to be. Thus the Skunk meaning implies that walking your talk is the only way to set the example for others. In this way, like the dog, you will also respect yourself and your own beliefs.

Alternatively, Skunk symbolism may be letting you know that you do have the courage and willpower to raise a stink to make right something that is wrong. In other words, justice needs to prevail at this time. Just remember that you do not need to “spray” to be compelling. Your reputation precedes you. Just stand your ground calmly and with confidence.

Skunk Totem, Spirit Animal

People with the Skunk totem are the ultimate pacifist, always preferring to avoid conflict and turmoil. They walk a fine line between being a people “pleaser” and balancing your self-respect. Folks with this spirit animal always maintain a “do no harm” attitude. They also know how to be assertive without ego. People with this power animal, like the poisonous snake,  know how to attract others and are very charismatic. They have a good understanding of energy and how to use energy flows to get what they want. These folks also understand the use of aromatherapy.

Skunk Dream Interpretation

When you have a Skunk dream, it is an indication that you have been driving people away or turning them off in some way. But, conversely, like the red angelfish dream, it could also mean that you are suppressing your anger and are on the verge of exploding. Thus you are not expressing your true feelings even though you disagree with a decision.

Alternatively, to smell this creature in your dream is a symbol of fear. In other words, you may be threatening to someone in your waking life. Occasionally, the vision may indicate that it is time to confront your repressed anger.

51 thoughts on “Skunk”

  1. I’ve never considered what my spirit animal would be except for a while, I thought it was an African Grey Vulture after having a visceral response to seeing one in person. Lately however, I’ve been having odd recurring encounters with skunks. Part of it probably has to do with that I must have a family of them living near my house. I’ve opened my door at night and had one at my door at least 3-4 times. Then I was camping at an RV lot campground and one charged past me while I was sitting by myself at the campfire. A few days ago, I was sitting out on the back patio around 10p and one came into view and watched me for a bit.

  2. I rarely ever dream …or remember dreams since medication I take but….I had a dream that I opened the front door and immediately i was getting sprayed by a skunk by bag of garbage I left of porch other day…like it was waiting for me.. ( garbage was not touched by skunk )
    I did have a blow up w someone manipulating n playing head games with me that was very disrespectful n lied alot …. I told them to never talk to me again and to stay off my Facebook..i didnt need reminders of them..and i was done being strung along. Of course replied with nothing nice like always but i have been given enough chances. I’m not gonna be anyone’s back burner and taken for granted in 2023…I deserve so much better then the absolute least they offered. That situation definitely stunk because I let it for so long. I think ppl will be diff next time but they never are

  3. When I went back to sleep, at 5 a.m. this morning, there appear a skunk near myself and associates. They wanted to chase the skunk away. I didn’t. I told them to leave the skunk alone or else it will spray. When the skunk came back, she had a bunch of baby skunks with her.

  4. Skunks are good family creatures, and find alternate means instead of violence to solve aggression toward themselves. So represent solid, nurturing, calm, positive, ways of being in the world.

  5. i just had a dream. was in a field of green plants in a squatting position to relieve myself was reaching for leaves to wipe myself off when i brought my hand up in it was a baby skunk we both looked into each others eyes for a minute or 2 then i looked down to return the animal back in the field and notice the mother and 4 other baby skunks, the one I returned to he bush joined the others, the mother gathered it and led it to a hole and she began to step on its back pressing it further in the ground. strange dream anyone can help me understand this one?

  6. A friend of mine had a video of a skunk they saw on a walk on their social media, and I told my friend that in the last few years I have rescued two skunks that were in trouble while I was on walks. One was trapped under a fence. I was walking my dog and noticed it at 8 AM. Since they are nocturnal, I was surprised to see it out in the daylight. I live in Los Angeles. My dog didn’t notice so I walked back home with him, and then I grabbed a towel so I could keep its tail from spraying me, and I freed it. About a year later, at 5:30 AM I left my house to ride my bike, and a skunk was in the middle of the street running into the curb, with a yoplait yogurt container stuck on his head so it couldn’t see. Went back home got a towel, and I was able to remove the container. It almost wouldn’t come off and I thought I would have to go home and get a scissors. And then of course three days later my dog got sprayed by a skunk. But telling this to my friend, they said maybe a skunk is my spirit animal. I never would’ve considered that, but then I read this, and it pretty much fits me to a T. So I guess the skunk is my spirit animal. I have always thought they were pretty cute, but why do they have to be so stinky?!
    At the very least it’s an interesting coincidence

  7. Hi I’ve stayed in my apartment for a year in a half Never really seen a skunk maybe twice if that… now for the past month I see them every other day and I’m so scared of them if I’m on my way to work and see one I’ll call
    Off I’m that scared of getting sprayed, what does this mean why am I so afraid more so terrified ? Some one please help me

    1. Just like our furry friend, you have what it takes to protect yourself . . . keep calm and carry on

      Walk softly and carry a big stink!

      Vancouver is full of skunks 😅

  8. I had a dream about an albino skunk last night. It was running in a circuit in my house. Dream-me watched it and wondered how to help it find its way out of the house. Meanings?

  9. So I’ve now been spiritual for around 5 years, I haven’t lasted in a relationship over 2 years every time I go for walks with any boyfriend I’ve dated skunks have come across our paths, different animals seem to come along at different times of my life but does anyone know why a skunk comes along every time I’m with a boyfriend walking is there a meaning to this?

  10. This literally just happened a few moments ago. So I started looking things up to see what it means. I’m up in the mountains right now on top of one of the tallest in this area. This happened at around 7:30pm. I’m up here praying to God, asking him about a current situation that I’m in.
    Now I believe God will communicate with us anyway he wants to and Something like this has never happened to me before. But I have a feeling he was trying to tell me something, I’m just not sure what or how to interpret it.
    I’m walking back and forth on top of this mountain praying. When I turned around, about 30 yards away. There is this Skunk, just standing there on all 4s just looking at me. We just looked at eatchother for a few moments and then it turned around and jogged off. I say jogged because it wasn’t walking but it wasn’t running in panic either. Though, it didn’t seem scared. I called out “peace” to put that kind of energy in the air so it knew I wasn’t there to harm him. Then… I got this feeling God was trying to tell me something but I really have no idea what.
    Would anyone happen to have any ideas to what he may of been saying?
    Thank you for your time and help.
    Zach

    1. Zach, I think it really depends on your personal situation and what you were praying on. After reading about the meaning of the skunk as spirit animal, I would say just use your intuition and answer for yourself, what do you think it means? Trust in your own inner voice to guide you in the meaning. You can also try to write about what you think it means and the answer might come through that way. Hope that helps and that your prayers are answered. Peace!

  11. Another Full Moon and another Skunk messenger. Must break through fear of getting “sprayed” and look that Priestess in the eye!

  12. One night I was driving home and I saw a skunk in the road. I tried to to avoid hitting it entirely. When I hit it the skunk did not spray or I did not smell it. This is the first time I have experienced this usually you can smell them a mile a way or when they have been hit.

  13. I got off a coaching call/ life is at an interesting turning point/ Maybe even stand still of my own doing!
    Decided to go vacuum out the car and took a wrong turn. Ended up seeing a skunk Walking around in circles. Its 1pm. 118 as I type. I watched it for a bit / It seems confused/ alone/ literally walking in circles! I can relate! After googling it- it’s evident he is infected with rabies. I called animal control.
    The question is/ what kind of message do I take from this/ the synchronicity of my wrong turn and my stumbling upon him. The totem seems to be of higher values and qualities- yet mine is walking around in circles! Future for this one does not seem so high! Either dead by moving vehicle/ or put to rest with a needle.

    Look forward to a reply! Much Aloha!
    A

  14. I had a dream that I was petting my black cat and it turned into a skunk and scurried down the steps of my aunts porch steps from my childhood

  15. Last night maybe 4 a.m. I smelled skunk scent . I was not in a dream. I awoke to it ; didn’t open my eyes. I had a conversation in my mind…was maybe there a coyote that had gotten the business end of a near by Skunk?
    But Somehow the smell was coming into my room? The smell was so strong and it lasted maybe it seems 5 minutes or more enough time for me to think Alot about if I was experiencing it. I was.

    it’s February so skunks are often out. I live in the woods. But still ….in my bedroom in the middle of the night ? it doesn’t seem likely that a really strong smell would get into my room with Windows closed!

    I love reading the replies and also the summary here at this website. Helps me evaluate.Thank you.

    I too am believer in Jesus and practicing yoga and yes, organized religion has its issues! We are people among humanity to be the salt.

    I am recently gone!!! from a really outrageous work situation with two ladies that abused power and did cruel things.

    I will people -please too long and I will experience verbal abuse in the workplace with curiosity, what’s going on? It takes a long time for me to conclude that the perpetrator is actually a personal threat. These women were.

    I am very aware of Kundalini, had specific experiences four years ago and am just remembering as I read this very thread!

    Phantom smell is what I’m calling this morning’s “event”. I was awakened to it.

    I have one other experience of another phantom smell some years ago. I was on a bus snoozing , we were was going to see the Dead Sea scrolls display.
    There was a sudden deadly whiteout, snow storm on the highway but since I was snoozing on the bus I was unaware. I knew nothing. During my snooze I had a strong smell experience , this time it was the incense that’s used during Baptism and confirmation mass. Ultra rare exotic scent.

    Again I didn’t open eyes…and again, it lasted minutes as I breathed in this beautiful, special fragrance, maybe ten or more breaths in. (I’m suddenly seeing the similarity to yoga’s focus on the breathe here! Eyes remain closed…. breathing in the smell over and over…. talking to myself
    “am I smelling (incense?)(skunk!)…
    breathe,” yes I am. ”
    Breathe, “what ,…how!!!? ”
    breathe in ” it is!”
    Breathe in “this is amazing, how can this be?!” Breathe in, “how am I smelling this beautiful rare smell on a bus, in my room?”
    Breath in, “am I really? I really am!”

    I should note that since living in woods and smelling the unfortunate road kill skunks(R.i.p.)…I’ve come to associate the smell with earth and wet spring, musky, a welcome olfactory encounter with nature heralding winter’s end. Special, rare really pungent but not rotten egg more like onion, garlic, hot peppers. Natural, real defense tool.

    I am very touched to have had a second phantom smell experience. The first was so profound because our school (!) Bus clearly drove through a deadly whiteout and as I snoozed and smelled incense, I felt total peace. then we stopped for lunch and the news was blaring a deadly massive car pileup where we just had driven. Maybe “phantom” is incorrect! Actual Angels incence?

    Harder to translate is skunk spray in my bedroom! This must be phantom. The message is something to consider today.
    This website a big resource. Right now, longest post award …goes to me! I appreciate opportunity to share!

    I will count the skunk as a “power Ally” thanks Carmine. This is a powerful manifestation from Spirit coming at a time when certain people I love and others who I wanted to respect ….are going to have to understand to STOP their encroachment, malice, disrespect.

    I’ll be thinking of “my” available “spray ingredients.”..
    Maybe a letter to our vice president which has been on my mind since I resigned last week ?

    Days after leaving I was Surprised by random encounters with two former coworker I respect immensely , both (without any cue from me) spoke against the two women….each used “mean girls” as a description.
    Well, I’ll not say “mean girls” to the VP, ha ha…but I’ve been composing in my mind a brief list of the abuse of authority.

    Perhaps Skunk woke me to say, “spray!”

  16. I had a dream that the dogs were barking so I looked out the window and thought there was a kitten on the balcony. So my husband went out to go see. Upon closer look he realized it was a baby skunk, and then it ran into the apartment!

    My husbands an architect and Iobtained a degree in fashion design, and just finishing up a certificate program in interior architecture. I recently got my first commission for interior design work with a cosmetic firm opening an office in the states. They’re a group of tough young ladies after our second meeting nearly gave up but I’m forging ahead and this dream really sent a message! Feeling so blessed and loved.

    1. That’s crazy I literally had a similar dream, It was dark out and I was in a backyard. I started running to the other side of the yard when I almost tripped over a Skunk. I kept going a couple steps to a table and noticed 2 or 3 baby skunks eating scraps on top of the table. I took off to a fence sensing momma skunk chasing me and as i jumped over the fence I felt it spray my entire backside, head to toe. I woke up wondering how am I going to wash this off! Lol

  17. This morning I started a job for this awful horse trainer, walking through the pasture with a horse in a hurry I saw a tail raise a step in front of me in the high grass. We didn’t get sprayed but on my way down the hill to the barn, the trainer was screaming at the other groom for being late. The groom had gone to the hospital the night before because of his breathing issues and was horribly sick. I guess he was asking if the trainer would please respect him is what I heard from the tail end of her freak out as I approached close enough that she thought I would here. I told the owner I’m grooming this horse and going home. I grabbed my dog and as I was getting in to my truck she opened my closing door and grabbed my arm demanding me to stay. I told her I’m leaving because you don’t scream at you’re employees& to get her hands off me because I’m backing out, and started reversing my truck as she was still standing in my door. After getting back to cell phone range she tried messaging me telling me to call her because she’s desperate for help since she can’t treat people decent. I told her she was lucky he even showed up today. And Thanks but no thanks. That skunk gave me the courage to serve justice for disrespected employees who are just trying to feed their kids.

  18. Spirit has lead me here. Please forgive me on the length of this commentary.
    Since I was a small child – always been connected to animal spirits. Over past few years I have gone thru some very difficult trails. This past 6 weeks I have begun a new path on my journey. I have been lead to practice yoga. Mind you, I also believe in Jesus Christ. However, I have always struggled with organized religion. During these past 6 weeks I have been experiencing more animals, unusual ones, but they have crossed my path over the past several years. For some reason certain birds are prominent and I adopted a red foot tortoise which I found out is one of my power animals.

    I just moved into a beautiful home and an area which is a preserve “ called spirit of the wild” how I got here was interesting. I already signed a lease on one place and paid the funds. A week prior to moving in, the tenants decided to stay. Then 3 days later found another, but couldn’t submit application until Monday morning, gave preliminary info and was approved. When I sent application in the next morning, within a few minutes after, agent stated another application was sent in night before. At this point I went into panic mode. However, as I was sitting on porch praying and seeking answers to why this craziness was happening blue jay came crying. End result to finding a perm home on earth, I was placed in this preserve called spirit of the wild.
    My first morning, blue jay fly by with his call. Saw redbreast robin which I have not seen since I was a child and 2 red cardinals which I have not seen in a couple of years.

    Now this brings me to a spirit animal I’m not very familiar with. I have yet to see it, but smell it every morning around the same time. It’s around 10- 1030 am- skunk.

    I’m about to embark on starting my own business and spending my life with someone.

    The battle to get to this point has been just that, a battle.

    What is this skunk smell all about?

    If you made it this far reading. Namaste 🙏🏻 and thank you 😊

    1. Also. Last night a skunk ran over to me while I was sitting outside. Not wanting to startle it i sat quietly as it sifted through my recycling bin. Then it came to me and nuzzled my toes, then waddled off.

      This skunk had no skunk smell at all.

      Funny little thing.

  19. Wow its a very amazing topic as we know that when the road that animals are crossing is smooth then this can point out that other people will assist them to at the path to good fortune.

  20. My story of the skunk. First of all I’m Cherokee Indian. I lost my fiance 5 weeks ago who loved that I was Cherokee and then my Dad one week ago today. So with this said. I drove up to my mail box Wednesday night and my son put his window 2 get the mail and when he went to put the window up it kept going up and down automatically and then as we drove down the driveway we spotted a skunk. Then Thursday evening the same exact thing happen. Window and skunk. I never had a problem with my window. I was like omg what are they trying to tell me. Mind you Wednesday was a viewing form my Dad and Thursday was the funeral. My dad was not Indian, but like I said my fiance loved I was. I’m still confused what one or the other or both were trying to tell me. Any ideas?

    1. Here is what I think:
      First – I don’t think it matters if your father was Indian; I believe we are all connected, no matter where we are coming from, and that biological or geographic “heritage” is just a surface-thing. Wherever our “mind” (or soul or spirit – however you like to call it) is going when it leaves the body we might have the chance to communicate with those whom we left behind, but like a Butterfly probably cannot speak directly to a caterpillar so caterpillar understands we have to use symbols.
      Second – I think you were probably very sad, maybe you still are. I think they wanted to tell you that it is okay to show your emotions the way they are. Of course you probably felt you have to be strong for your son, because this is what mothers do (and that is alright!), but I think there is nothing wrong with letting your child know that you as a parent feel sadness and grief as well.
      Sometimes people also feel “guilty” if they are laughing or enjoying good food in nice company after they just lost a beloved person. I also don’t think there is harm in that – as long as those feelings are true, and are not forcefully channeled because one wants to avoid the grief. A skunk is a (relatively) small, but self-confident animal. Maybe your father and your fiance wanted to tell you: “We are not here anymore to protect you – but you know what? Don’t feel lost – you can do it on your own. Be honest in what you are and follow your path steadily. Take your time. It is your path.”

    2. That was an extremely BEAUTIFUL response! Well written. Thank you for your spiritual insight. 🤗

  21. My totem is a skunk. I have known this since I was 5. I am now almost 65. I hate violence by doing everything to avoid it and the turmoil that surrounds it. I have self respect with a tiny ego. I seldom lose my temper with most people afraid of me because I can contain my anger. And, lastly, but not leastly, I stand up to those who insist on bad behavior, e.g., those that park in red zones or handicap parking that do not belong.

  22. I turned to spiritual way because thats where i thought i would find answers about life and i have been experiencing spiritual things one of them happened recently after i was really feeling down because of problems at work which were unbearable.
    I was sleeping and was pulled out of bed and i was held tight and told we love,i was shaking and i looked directly at my rooms doors side because i thought oh my daughter can hear thats not good dont want to scare her but the door waa closed and there was light on around it,than it continued it was a female voice you will be ok and i looked at the window because my curtin is transparent and so three faces which were made of light and i was scared and jumped in bed than i felt a snake behind my back and a snake being an animal which i was always scared of i started even shaking mire and the snake said dont be scared am here to heal you and after some seconds it was gone.
    Remember it was not a dream.

    1. Wow, snakes symbolize the kundalini. The divine faces you saw were most likely your angels and guides. No fear, embrace this.

  23. In September my dog got sprayed by a skunk in my yard twice within a week. Last night I almost hit a skunk with my car….thankfully I found this site and the information I read fits perfectly where I am at in my life….I was wondering why I was having this skunk Karma!!!

    1. Hi Michelle, I’ve been seeing skunks everywhere too… And they have also been coming to me in meditation! I know I am worried about a few things right now… definitely related to my root chakra. I have been getting a lot of messages to let go of controlling the outcome and to let things manifest naturally for the best possible outcome. The messages I found here lined up with what I have been uncovering in my meditations. I think skunk is helping nurture us and give us the confidence to leave things in the past and focus on our life purpose and soul mission. Best wishes!

  24. I accidentally ran over a skunk today, it has to be a sign! The symbolism matches perfectly with how I’ve been feeling the last couple weeks.

  25. 👿 a skunk ran in front of my car. I’m taking it it as a sign and the symbolism matches perfect with how I’ve been feeling

  26. 😎 Skunk is my power ally and protects my left side which is my female side. My reputation has always proceeded me. Unfortunately this has not always worked in my favor. Although I had always known about the powerful abilities I have to attract or repel and the way my body language can speak to others on a intuitive level, I never understood how I was able to do this until I discovered Skunk Medicine. What’s interesting is that I had always disliked the scent of Skunk but ever since I found my powerful ally, I really LOVE the scent of Skunk. Some how it just seems so nostalgic to me now. Carmine

  27. I had a dream that a skunk was following me I was running from it when I stopped running it said I wasn’t going to spray you I said why didn’t you tell me then I woke up

  28. When I arrived at my boyfriend’s house last night, there was a skunk nosing around by the door and I had to wait for it to move along. I dig skunks and I have a ceramic skunk in my kitchen window that was my grandmother’s. A few hours later, my car was broken into, the passenger window smashed, and my empty lunch box was stolen. I found this the next morning, and while it’s a hassle, it’s just “stuff”.

  29. One night I dreamt of a skunk then woke up smelling a skunk. I asked my husband and kids but no one else smelled a skunk. Then on the way to work there was a dead skunk on a neighbourhood road which was a little out of place. Reading this, it totally makes sense. Skunk had a message for me. Thank you!

  30. Years ago I waited for my unknown totem to come to me in a dream. It did; it was a skunk. A short time later a skunk crossed my path on my way to the mailbox. It was very close to me and just ambled on its way. I knew my totem was definitely skunk. Now years later at age 69 I decided to let my natural hair color grow out. I discovered I have a white stripe of hair from one side of my temple and around the back of my head to the other temple. Now I LOOK like a skunk. Bizarre!

  31. A neighbor dog killed a skunk right in front of my house, somehow I felt it was an omen, but can’t find any info. Poor skunky, poor dog.

  32. I was driving home on a different route from work and on this strange way home, I seen one skunk standing on the road, I slowed down, and went by it. Then a few hundred feet on this curvy road, rolled up on another one, and I thought, wow that’s cool, and neither one smelled, they were just doing their thing. Paying no mind to me.

  33. My dog walked around the back of my Hse and was barking.. By the time my daughter got back there a skunk had already sprayed.. We’ve never had this issue. I just started a new job and now I need to take emergency time off as my house and dig still smells.. What could this mean? Thank you, Kristy

  34. I had a dream I was hugging a skunk for quite some time. I said to the skunk that I really need that. The dream felt so real. I felt loved and protected. Does this having any meaning to my life at present. I’m really not sure? Many thanks ?

  35. 😉 I am grateful to have found your site: I appreciate the depth and accuracy of information! This is one of my new resources, thank you!!

    1. I had a few dreams about a black and white skunk. In one night… The first one was that I found a skunk in the middle of the street and I woke up. The next dream was I kept trying to get away from this skunk. It wasn’t trying to hurt me or spray. It was trying to be with me and I didn’t want it. I even ran into this apartment building and it crawled through vents to get to me. And then I woke up again. I went back to sleep and the last one was, I finally caught the skunk and put it in the dog cage. What could this mean?

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