Different species of animal see in very different ways.

As a general rule animals that hunt have eyes that face forward and animals that are prey have their eyes to the side to enable better peripheral view.

Cows have almost total 360 degree panoramic vision. They are also able to see colours except red.

The eagle has the strongest vision of any animal. Their eyesight is estimated at 4 to 8 times stronger than that of the average human. An eagle is said to be able to spot a rabbit 3.2 km away.

Different animals also perceive colours differently. This is due to the photoreceptors in the Retina of the eye. These photoreceptors are called Rods and Cones.

Rods enable us to see grey tones in low light.

Cones enable us to see colour. Humans have 3 types of cones. Each type detects a different frequency of light (colour) and allows us to see the spectrum of colour we perceive.

Some animals such as dogs cats and cows have only two types of cones and they cannot perceive reds.

The ratio of cones and rods also differs greatly. Some animals such as owls are colour blind but can see excellently in the dark. This enables them to hunt at night.

People can be affected by colour blindness too. Approximately 1 in 12 men (8%) and 1 in 200 women (0.5%) have limited colour perception.

This gets interesting as men in general also have a more focused/narrow view and women have better peripheral vision. This is said to be a throwback to our hunter/gatherer ancestry.

Back then men’s focused vision and limited colour perception would be advantageous when hunting and women’s peripheral vision would be beneficial for gathering food and looking after children.

Did you ever wonder how your mother had eyes in the back of her head????

This may also answer why men can never find their keys too. This or just untidy!!!!

The Mars symbol is used to represent the male sex ♂. It is a circle with an arrow emerging from it, pointing to the upper right. Arrows symbolise being direct, to the point and focused. These are elements of masculine energy.

The Venus Symbol ♀ is used to represent the female sex. The Venus Symbol consists of a circle with a small cross below it.

If we were to interpret the Venus symbol in the same way as the Mars Symbol, the cross points in four different directions. It could be interpreted as indirect, scattered and unfocused. These are all traits that are often considered undesirable, but are they?

We try to focus a lot. We focus on tasks at work and to relax we focus on books, TV and films. As much as we try to focus our eyes, our minds wander. What if it’s not natural to spend all our time being focused?

What if we should regularly relax our gaze and let our minds wander? In these moments we allow ourselves to be inspired, have those eureka moments or remember where we left the keys. The unfocused may see what the focused can overlook.

From an energetic point of view we are a blend of both male and female energy. If our male and female energy was equally balanced should we not spend an equal amount of time being focused and unfocused?

Taking this a step further, if we are to be energetically androgynous should we be both focused and unfocused at the same time? Would this enable us to be truly aware?

Mark- The Alchemist’s Journey