The common wombat occurs in Tasmania, southern Queensland, eastern New South Wales and eastern Victoria with remnant populations in south-eastern South Australia and south-western Victoria. There are two other species of wombat, both found on mainland Australia – the southern hairy-nosed wombat and the threatened northern hairy-nosed wombat.
The Lovers card is all about love, deep connections, and attraction. This card embodies the idea of unconditional love and in the majority of cards depicts the concept of twin flames. The cards generally imply that there is a strong bond and harmony between couples.
But what does ‘love’ mean? We all know that the ‘happy ending’ in fairy stories is not what many couples experience. Obviously love can be represented as romantic or sexual love but equally it can be platonic, familial, asexual, friendship or self-love.
In this Bush representation bush folk are gathered, celebrating the birth of a new infant. The emphasis of this ‘card’ is not only on the unconditional love that most mothers shows their infant but is acknowledging the pleasure others gain from witnessing the arrival of new life.
This card is deliberately calling upon us to adjust our perspective and ideas about the meaning of love, and consider how we see it expressed in our lives and in the world around us.
Wombat Breeding
Did you know that although wombats may breed at any time of the year, mating most often occurs during winter? The female has two teats in her pouch yet despite this, 30 days after mating, only one young is born. The juvenile remains in the pouch for six months, after which it stays with the female until it is 18 months old. From the time the juvenile leaves the pouch, it reduces its milk consumption and increases the amounts of plant material eaten. At about 15 months old, it stops suckling altogether. Sexual maturity is reached at two years of age and wombats live for in excess of five years in the wild. Due to the long period of time that the young is dependent on the mother, it is likely that females only rear one young every two years. However, if the young dies early, or if conditions are good enough for it to leave the pouch early, she may raise another.
A Rather Wild Garden 