How to Find an Animal Spirit Guide
Totem Animal Discovery - Seek a Power Animal for Shamanic Journeying
Jun 3, 2009
A shamanic journey can be a challenging, and even hazardous, experience. A totem animal, or animal spirit guide, may be a powerful ally to the shaman.
Animal spirits are often the most easily accessible guides on shamanic journeys, and it is quite possible that a practitioner will have more than one totem animal. Many traditional shamanic ritual costumes include feathers, fur, bones or symbols representing the shaman's power animals to encourage the creatures to accompany the shaman in his or her work.
Benefits of a Totem Animal Spirit Guide
Animals are very sure of their path, and of what they should do, even in difficult situations, and they share these qualities when they accompany a shaman on an inner journey. A totem animal spirit guide lends confidence and security, as well as offering simple companionship; a precious gift indeed on what can be very lonely journeys. They act as a guide who has insight into, and instincts about, the dangers and opportunities of the inner realms.
Totem Animal Discovery Meditation
- Find a quiet place without distractions.
- Burn an incense including one or more of the following: cinnamon, frankincense, myrrh and sandalwood. These all strengthen spiritual potential.
- Concentrate on the in-breath, and then on the out-breath, in turn, until fully relaxed and calm.
- Visualize sitting in a tranquil, safe and supportive natural setting such as a forest, beach or garden.
- Visualize a pool or other calm body of water. Walk over to the water, and look into it. Gaze at the reflection in the still water’s reflection.
- Slowly, without forcing, watch as the reflection transforms into a creature.
- Gaze at the animal, observe and study it in great detail. What is the atmosphere and mood around the animal?
- Spend some time with the animal, feeling both respect and love towards it.
- Bring the image of the animal back from the mediation.
Children Often Know Their Animal Spirit Guide
This meditation for identifying an animal spirit guide may yield a surprise, but this is unlikely. Often children are drawn to particular animals, even becoming rather obsessive over them! Think back to childhood, perhaps there was an animal that was particularly fascinating? It is quite possible that this was a direct link to an animal familiar that became forgotten and neglected in later life. An important aspect of Shamanism is to reconnect with a less intellectual state of mind, to learn to trust to instinct and to follow ones inner path.
Discovering a totem animal spirit guide is just the first step on an enriching journey ever deeper into the mysteries of shamanism.
Related ArticlesFour noble animal spirit guides are the Wolf Power Animal along with the the Totem Owl Spirit Guide the mighty Bear Spirit Guide and the perceptive and intuitive Totem Hawk. Readers may also wish to Deepen the Bond with an Animal Sprit Guide.
Sources:
- Shamanism, by Nevill Drury.
- Pure Magic, by Judika Illes.
- Encyclopedia of Magical Herbs, by Scott Cunningham.
- The Complete Illustrated Encyclopedia of Witchcraft and Practical Magic, by Susan Greenwood and Raje Airey.
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