Spirit AnimalsThere are two different categories of spirit animals. The first is the totem, which is a symbol of a family, clan or tribe somewhat similar to the mascot of a sports team. The second category is known by numerous names including power animal, animal guide or spirit animal. This second category is the focus today. The knowledge of power animals may have its roots in shamanism but you don’t need to be a shaman to have a power animal. Whether you’re aware of it or not, you always have at least one power animal and may have several at the same time. But what are they? And how do you get acquainted with yours? A power animal is a spiritual ally who is ready, willing and able to provide power, wisdom and guidance to help you navigate through life. The assistance that you need changes over time which is why your power animals may come and go (at least from your awareness), one stepping aside to allow a guide more relevant to the current situation to step in. They may provide wisdom to help you master a lesson, strength to persevere through a challenge, comfort in times of distress or hope for a better tomorrow. They might also guide you away from a harmful choice or situation. Their purposes are as varied as their shapes and sizes, but each one is a gift to be treasured. Is there an animal that you have always been drawn to? I have a friend who has had an affinity for butterflies her entire life, a client with a resounding connection to a childhood book about caterpillars and another with an unexplained attraction to dragonflies. These are undoubtedly power animals for those individuals. Not sure what your power animal might be? A session with a shaman is one way to be introduced to your power animal. The shaman will travel into the spirit world, or non-ordinary reality, on your behalf to find your power animal. But just as you don’t need to be a shaman to have a power animal, you don’t need to utilize a shaman to meet your power animal. You can seek out your power animal through meditation or by working with oracle cards. Less meaningful but fun options include the quiz or the instant reading in the Resources section below. There is also the scenario of the introduction through repetition. What do I mean by that? You begin to notice a certain animal appearing over and over, possibly in physical form but also via images, dreams, books or even in conversations with others. Pay attention. This is your power animal introducing itself. Here’s an example: you have a dream about whales, then you’re channel surfing and a documentary about whales pops up, then you’re driving down the road when you see a truck whose side panel has a picture of a whale, and then you pass a restaurant named Sign of The Whale or Jonah & the Whale. These things might happen over the course of a few days or even a few weeks. One of them in and of itself is likely meaningless, but combined? It’s an introduction! Your power animal is saying hello. Once you notice, do a little research to find out more about that animal, what it’s telling you, and learn why it’s appearing at that particular moment. Native Americans believe that each of us has nine different power animals. To date, I have met five of mine. Two were introduced by separate shamans. Two introduced themselves in meditation and one through repetition. In every single instance the meaning represented by that particular animal was pertinent to where I was, what I was experiencing and what message I needed at that time in my life. It was truly uncanny. If the Native Americans are correct, and I have no reason to believe otherwise, then there are still four power animals I have yet to meet. They’ll introduce themselves when most needed. And I’m definitely paying attention!
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