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The
Power & Wisdom of Fin, Fur & Feather: Animal Guides Everything and everyone we encounter is a potential teacher, for we have unlimited opportunities for learning and growth in our lives. Animals are by no means an exception, and throughout time have always played an important role in human lives. Our ancestors maintained a much deeper relationship with them than we do today, evidenced archaeologically in surviving cave art, figurines and ritual burials. We can all learn a great deal from the animal kingdom, especially when working with them on a spiritual level, allowing them to lead us forward on our paths and reconnect us with the natural wisdom of the earth. In particular, animals are worked with as guardians and guides in the practice of shamanism. We all have our roots in shamanism; shamanic cultures have existed since the earliest of times in all areas of the world, including Britain, although this Siberian term has not been widely applied in lands such as these. The word shaman is generally understood to mean ‘one who knows’, hence shamanism is not concerned with belief systems but rather with a sense of knowing, gained from the experience of life and the commitment to exploring it as fully as possible on all levels. Understanding that all things are connected and permeated by spirit, shamans always work with the aid of spirit helpers, the most powerful and universal of which are animal guides. But, of course, you do not have to work within shamanism in order to have animals as spiritual allies: you simply have to be open to the messages they may present to you in the inner realms of dream and meditation, as well as in the natural, physical world around you. Most
people have particularly strong connections to one or two specific animals which
they work with consistently as guides and helpers, to call on in times of need
for support, guidance and companionship. Those
working shamanically never undertake any shamanic work without these guides, and
often have two main animal helpers. One
of these is a totem or guardian animal, usually representing the essential
energy of that person and sharing a special bond with them, rather like a clan
or tribal totem. The other is a
power animal, which often possess talents and qualities that we may lack or not
use fully, but need to develop in order to move forwards.
Power animals help us to do this by becoming our guides and teachers, and
are so called because they are conveyors of our personal power. Totem animals
usually remain with us throughout our lives, although power animals sometimes
change at pivotal points on our path. In
addition to these two primary guides, other animals may also appear from time to
time in both the inner and outer worlds to bring a particular energy or teaching
into our lives, retreating once the lessons have been learned and understood.
We can also, when needed, call upon the energies of specific animals to
help us, such as the strength of Bear
or Badger,
the leadership qualities of Boar,
the eloquence of Swan
or the perspective of Hawk.
The power and wisdom of the animal kingdom can be accessed using
meditation & visualisation, dreaming, divination, ritual & ceremony,
nature walking and through myth and story, as well as using shamanic journeying
techniques. So
our animal guides protect & empower us, guarding over us and helping
us navigate our path through life, indicating what we need and constantly
pushing us to grow and to learn. Although
they are often powerful messengers, animal guides can also be challenging when
we need them to be rather than simply providing us with all the answers,
empowering us to take responsibility for ourselves and for our life choices,
pushing us to see the bigger picture. All
animals are wisdom carriers who can help us reconnect with the natural world
around us and sharpen our instincts and intuition, for they retain a much closer
relationship with the earth than we have. Each
animal species possesses its own unique medicine teachings or gifts which can
provide us with clues and insights into problems or situations as well as giving
us support in our day to day lives. Animal
guides usually represent the energy of the entire species, and so are often
referred to as simply Crow,
Hare
or Otter,
as opposed to a crow, a hare, or an otter.
But our guides can also have distinctive personalities which emerge as we
work more deeply with them, and they can have a great sense of humour!
Relationships
with animal guides are always two-way and should be based on respect and
reverence rather than sentiment; after all, they are teachers, not pets! Animal
guides can be anything – feathered or furry; mammal, bird, insect or
amphibian; each as valuable as any other: Mouse
and Wren
are just as powerful as Lynx
and Buffalo.
You can, of course, work with animals from anywhere in the world, but it
is important to also be aware of the animal medicine inherent in your own land.
Being able to interact with the physical animal in your natural
environment can significantly deepen your relationship with your guide.
Totem animals in particular are often appropriate to where we live, as
shamanism is concerned with true connection to the world around us, beginning on
our own doorstep. The surviving
myths of many cultures are full of stories about animals and their medicine
qualities and can tell us a great deal about working with particular animals,
which are often linked to particular archetypal figures or deities.
One particularly strong tradition is that of the oldest animals or
council of wise animals. In
ancient British tradition, the oldest and wisest of all is the Salmon
of wisdom & knowledge who teaches us of the need to journey back to our
beginnings, determinedly seeking true understanding & ancestral memory. So how do we know what a particular animal might mean for us? Looking at their behaviour in the wild provides clues to their medicine qualities and how to apply them in our lives, as does myth and folklore. You can, of course, also use one of the many books, card packs or Internet sites to discover the symbolism of a particular animal from a variety of cultural viewpoints. But it is important to remember that working with animal guides is fundamentally about personal empowerment, and so a far better way to discover their meaning in your life is to ask them yourself. Simply tune in to the energies of the animal, clearly formulating an intention or question about what you want to know. And then ask, trusting yourself, your guides and the universe that whatever you need to know will be provided, but accepting that it is unlikely to be what you expect! Take note also of any animals occurring in your dreams, meditating afterwards for more clarity of meaning. Similarly, be aware of animals when out in the everyday world, and even go into the countryside with intention to receive a sign. Be open to whatever animal may appear to you, always remembering to find a way in which to apply the energy or information received in your everyday life.
Some examples... DEERDeer
energy carries a potent polarity if you work with both the male and female.
Stag is a proud and dignified creature, concerned with questing,
self-determination and new beginnings, as well as the strength to find and
maintain independence and integrity. He
is linked to such archetypal figures as Merlin & Herne the Hunter.
Hind, in contrast, is a much more subtle creature, embodying gracefulness
and femininity; teaching us of the healing power of gentleness and the need to
seek the spiritual heart of things beyond the material, superficial aspects of
daily life as she gently call us to new adventure.
Deer also have great awareness of their surroundings and are swift to act
if need be. OWL Strongly
linked to the wisdom of change, Owl possesses the ability to turn inconvenient
or unfavourable circumstances to an advantage. Set apart from other birds as she hunts silently
through the dark, Owl carries a strong sense of mystery and can reveal the
hidden knowledge and secrets of the night; her silent, discreet action
demonstrating true wisdom, which is quiet rather than proclaimed.
Her insight makes her a true seer, and she can help awaken this
clairvoyant aspect in ourselves, signifying guidance through the darkness and
the ability to see through deception. Owl
is often connected to Crone Goddesses such as Ragnell and The Cailleach, and in
North American traditions is often referred to as night eagle. HORSEWOLFWolf
is a teacher, a pathfinder who can aid our discovery of this quality in
ourselves, empowering the teacher within. Wolf
has great inner strength and is very intuitive, knowing when to be fierce and
take risks. Wolf is both a wild and
a social creature, whose loyal and faithful energy can be used when dealing with
problems concerning family. Wolf
also teaches us not to fear being alone, as this can enable us to find our deep
inner selves, learning to trust in our own experiences. EAGLEClosely
connected with the element of air, Eagle helps us to see the bigger picture,
overcoming everyday concerns with clarity, objectivity, perspective and a sense
of renewal. He also brings the
courage to broaden our horizons and see our journeys through with a real sense
of purpose. A strong ally whose
power can be harnessed in decision-making, Eagle possesses both far-sight and
foresight, carrying messages from spirit. Drawing
its power from the sun, Eagle is also associated with vision and is strongly
linked to solar deities. BLACK
PANTHER Black
Cat embodies a true sense of mystery and shows us how to embrace the unknown in
our lives by facing our fears (of the dark, of change, of our own weaknesses)
and exploring our shadow side. Leading
us to find healing and truth in the darkness, Black Panther teaches us to trust
in mystery and to flow with life rather than resist it, letting go of our fears
and making that leap into the void when necessary. The energy of Black Cat, then, is about reclaiming
personal power through embracing the mystery of our own true selves as well as
the mysteries of life. She is also
associated with seership and with the Norse Goddess Frejya. Connecting with
animal such as these in a sacred and respectful manner can help us to move
forward spiritually and increase our instincts, intuition and understanding of
both ourselves and the world around us. And
where to begin? Simply ask
yourself, (trusting the first answer!) which animal you most connect with, which
animal you most respect? Start
here… First published in One Source Magazine, July/August edition 2005 ©
2005 Susan Garlick & One Source Magazine.
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