Beaver may be one of the hardest working animals on the planet. Beaver is attuned to both earth and water medicine, and is strongly attached to home and family. Beaver appears in your reading to remind you that sometimes there’s no substitute for hard work. Make a plan, create a solid foundation, then take the next indicated step.
Power Animals
A power animal, is a broadly animistic and shamanic concept that has entered the English language from Anthropology, Ethnography and Sociology. A tutelary spirit guides, helps or protects individuals, lineages and nations. In the shamanic worldview, everything is alive, bearing an inherent virtue, power and wisdom. Power animals represent a person’s connection to all life, their qualities of character, and their power.
Power animals are endemic to shamanic practice in both Eurasia and the Americas. They are the helping or ministering spirit or familiar which empowers individuals and is essential for success in any venture undertaken.
In the shamanic worldview, everyone has power animals or tutelary spirits which empower and protect them from harm, like guardian spirits or angels in the Abrahamic Traditions. The power animal may also lend its ward or charge the wisdom or attributes of its kind. For example, a hawk power animal provides hawk attributes, such as hawk-eye.
Power animals most often come to us in dreams, meditations, initiations, and visions. You can have more than one power animal. Your power animal at a given time can change depending on your life-path at that time. Power animals are often attracted by one’s emotional needs of the person – viewed as protectors who help overcome fears and empower us.
The concept of a Power Animal is universal to all cultures. Tribal cultures will recognize a Totem for the tribe, one for the clan one belongs to, and one for the family that one is born into. In the United States, and in other countries, the Tribal and Clan Totem still exists, although it is thought of in a slightly different manner.
There are also totems for our adopted cultures, such as clubs or societies which we may belong to, such as the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, the Loyal Order of Moose, and the Lions Club.
Even Christianity, the prevalent religion of this country, has maintained two Totem animals, these being the Fish and the Lamb. Specialized Totems are also seen in organized sports, their names being reflected in the team names. Example: Chicago Bulls, Atlanta Falcons
The next type of Power Animal or Totem is that which is personal for the individual. These Totems are protective spirits which help us in our everyday life. Everyone has such a Totem. Even today most parents give a special protective Power Animal to their children and tell the child that it will be protected over night by that Power Animal. They don’t realize that is what they are doing when they give a teddy bear to their little one.
We often unconsciously recognize the Power Animal affecting someone, and use terms which give away our unconscious recognition.
In the shamanic belief every thing is alive and carries with it power and wisdom. Power animals are an essential component of shamanic practice. They are the helping spirit which add to the power of the shaman and are essential for success in any venture undertaken by the shaman.
Shamans believe that everyone has power animals – animal spirits which reside with each individual adding to their power and protecting them from illness, acting similarly to a guardian angel. Each power animal that you have increases your power so that illnesses or negative energy cannot enter your body. The spirit also lends you the wisdom of its kind. A hawk spirit will give you hawk wisdom, and lend you some of the attributes of hawk.
Everyone is thought to have a few of these guardian power animals or it is thought that the individual could not survive childhood. Over the course of her or his life the person may have several. If a power animal leaves and one does not come to take its place the individual is considered, by the shaman, to be disempowered and therefore vulnerable to illness and bad luck.
Power animals do not have to be mammals and can be reptiles, insects or sea creatures. Any living creature can serve as a power animal. (Plants and trees can serve as plant spirit guides.) Domesticated animals are generally not considered power animals because they already in service to human beings. It is possible to have a domesticated animal, but it is more likely to have a wild untamed animal serve in the capacity of a power animal.
The gifts that a particular animal is thought to give an individual varies depending on the culture. Although there are certain consistencies for certain animals. A particular power animal can come to help you with an issue that is very specific for you. It is important not to lock each animal into a category, and be open to the gifts it may be coming to share with you.
It is important to honor your power animal. In many western cultures we are not taught to value animals or the gifts that they add to our life and the world around us. In shamanic work the power animal is essential, for a shaman who has no power – is not going to have very good results.
On a personal level by honoring your power animal you let it know that its assistance is appreciated. The spirit of the animal is giving up its mobility in order to spend its time with you and assist you with your life. Also, by honoring the power animal we make a deeper connection with it. Honoring it can be as simple a saying a thank you inside yourself, or getting an object which represents it and putting it where you can see it as you go about your day.
Shamanic practice honors and acknowledges the life and wisdom that exists in all things. Everything is believed to have something to teach you and animals are thought to have a wealth of wisdom and protection to offer you.
If you would like to find out who your power animal is, consulting a shamanic practitioner is an option. But to discover this on you own, you can ask for a dream and see if anything comes up. You can ask the power animal to show itself to you and if you start seeing one or another animal frequently that would be its way of revealing itself to you.
Power Animals are usually a reflection of your deepest self and also represent qualities which you need in this world, but which are often hidden or obscured. A mistake that people often make is to be dissatisfied when they find that their Power Animal is some non-ferocious animal like a mouse. We tend to think that a mouse is not very powerful – that it is meek and afraid. What they forget is that spirits are not limited to physical reality and that size is irrelevant. Your Power Animal may be a tiny mouse, but in times of need this mouse can and will change its size and deportment to that which is appropriate to the occasion.
Source:
Crystalinks
Wake up! Cardinal is chirping at you—bringing a message of personal power. Stop shrinking from your destiny. Stop pretending that you are less than. If you are unsure of your path, ask Cardinal to fly with you—it’s certain he will help you focus, gain clarity, formulate a plan, become self-assured, and step out into the world with the confidence befitting a person of your power.
A few years ago a group of animal rights activists were presenting an alternative to the ranchers for controlling the coyote population.
It seemed that after years of the ranchers using the tried and true methods of shooting and/or trapping the predators, the activists had a “more humane” solution. What they proposed was that the animals were to be captured alive, then the males would be castrated and let loose. By implementing this method they explained, the population would be controlled.
Believe it or not, this was actually proposed to the Wyoming Wool and Sheep Grower’s association.
Well, all the ranchers thought about this amazing idea. Then finally, an old boy in the back stood up, tipped his hat back and said; “Son, I don’t think you understand the problem. These coyotes ain’t screwing our sheep, they’re eating them!”
Beaver may be one of the hardest working animals on the planet. Beaver is attuned to both earth and water medicine, and is strongly attached to home and family. Beaver appears in your reading to remind you that sometimes there’s no substitute for hard work. Make a plan, create a solid foundation, then take the next indicated step.
Items You Will Need:
None
Instructions:
The animal kingdom is very important to those who immerse themselves in natural magick. Sometimes you may want to communicate with animals or simply see the world through their eyes. A simple spell for merging your mind with animal is as follows:
Center yourself by sitting or lying upon the ground, closing your eyes, and imagine a whirlpool of energy surrounding you travelling in clockwise motion from your head down to your feet, back up to your head, and back down to your feet. Continue this imagery until you feel grounded and centered, oblivious to daily distractions and cares. Once centered, allow your mind to wander to the animal you wish to merge with. Don’t force the imagery, rather allow it to happen.
Picture this animal clearly in your mind. Watch it, empathize with it, feel yourself merging with it. Imagine what it is like to be the animal. Imagine the sights it sees, the smells it senses, the motivations and ways of thinking it may have. Become those thoughts. Merge with the animal by dissolving the distinctions that make it separate.
Once you have fully merged with the animal, you can communicate with it. Ask it what you want to know. Tell it what you want it to know.
——By Ghost Writer
I don’t know if it is a whirlwind Monday or a manic Monday? I must apologize for us running late. We had a call come in from a local Vet for an animal pick-up. I took the call and the Vet made me promise not to tell Lady A what she was coming to pick up. It is a turkey vulture, ugh! Lady A won’t refuse to pick it up, nurse it back to health and then re-release. She tells us that the vulture is one animal that creeps her out. And she is hard to creep out. I admit myself I like holding and cuddling with some of the animals we get. But you won’t find me cuddling with a turkey vulture, no way. As soon as she get back with it and gets it settled I will take a photo of it. Then you can see for yourself what I am talking about.
Lady had just started up her computer as I took the phone call. She told me I could use it for the day. I wonder what kind of goodies she has hide on this thing, hmm. I think the Countess told everyone that the firefighter destroyed my computer. Lady A has a regular PC, she is going to bring down here for me to use. It is one she has stored several old Books of Shadows on. I can’t wait to get it and snoop through it. She has already told me I could use anything I find on it. Which means one of two things, she has already wiped it cleaned or I can actually use anything on it? Time for me to quit dreaming and get to work. If I don’t have something done by the time she gets back, she will think I have been playing on this one.
Have a blessed day,
Annie
More Monday Comments
Good afternoon dear family and friends! Today we will only make one quick post, this one. In a matter of a few minutes, I will be conducting an Animal Passing Ritual. The male cougar that was brought to us did not make it. He passed this morning at 6:45 a.m. In spite of all my efforts, I did not want to face facts. His injuries were too much for him to recover from and it was his time to leave this plane. Needless to say, all my energy and powers are exhausted. I was with him till the time we got him till the time he passed. I believe no one, not even an animal should have to leave this world alone. He has his head in my lap when he passed. I looked in his eyes and saw his gentle soul leave his wounded body. He was a magnificent animal and deserve all the respect we can give him as we bury him.
Due to this fact, we will not be doing any posting today. We will honoring this great animal and easing his passing over to the next realm. I pray he will be reborn into a much kinder and gentler world. Please enjoy our site, look around and we will be back tomorrow as usual. This is just one of the many hazards of dealing with witches. You never know when the unexpected is going to hit.
Thank you for your understanding and your love,
Lady Of The Abyss
Does everyone have a totem animal that stays with them their entire life? Some say yes, others say no. Regardless, totemism isn’t just about those “primary” totems. The same person may have all kinds of different relationships and interactions with animal totems, and they don’t all have to last a lifetime.
That has been my experience since I began working with animal totems in my spirituality since the 1990’s. Rather than following what other people told me to do to connect with totems. I found my own path through that forest via a lot of trial and error. I quickly discovered was that there was no set number of totems a person could or should have and not every totem stuck around for a long time.
As I met and worked with more and more totem animals. I created an easy organizational system to help me describe some of these totemic relationships:
*Primary totems are what most people think of when they talk about animal totems. These are your “life” totems, the ones who are around for the long haul, as it were.
*Secondary totems are ones that come into your life on their own volition to help you through a stage of your life or a particular time period. Once their intent has been fulfilled, they generally leave your life, though some do make visits later on.. But even then, they aren’t as consistently present as primary totems.
*Tertiary totems are totems that you approach to ask for help with something specific or simply to find out more about them. If you want elp with a single ritual or untangling a problem in your life, you can find out what totem or totems may be best able to help you, and then approach them for that help.
Any totem animal can be primary, secondary or tertiary totem. It all depends on the nature of its relationship with that person. The particular totem itself isn’t crucial — what matters is the intensity and duration of the connection between the totem and person.
While not everyone may have a primary totem, just about anyone can ask totems for help with more short-term goals, even if you’ve never worked with totems before.
Reference:
Excerpt from: Everyday Totemism By Lupa Llewellyn’s 2013Magical Almanac
| A few years ago a group of animal rights activists were presenting an alternative to the ranchers for controlling the coyote population.
It seemed that after years of the ranchers using the tried and true methods of shooting and/or trapping the predators, the activists had a “more humane” solution. What they proposed was that the animals were to be captured alive, then the males would be castrated and let loose. By implementing this method they explained, the population would be controlled. Believe it or not, this was actually proposed to the Wyoming Wool and Sheep Grower’s association. Well, all the ranchers thought about this amazing idea. Then finally, an old boy in the back stood up, tipped his hat back and said; “Son, I don’t think you understand the problem. These coyotes ain’t screwin’ our sheep, they’re eating them!”
|
Before I forget, I don’t know if you have checked out our Pinterest page or not. But there is a section on there that has to do with “Furry Creatures.” That’s not the entire title but you see that you will know where to go. I found my camera and I am going to start taking photos of the animals we take in and care for at the refuge there. I already have my three on there but I look at them as if they are the “animal wardens,” lol!
But anyway, check that section out. In the future when I ask very politely for help with the critters, you will be able to see what your money is going to help.
Anyway, got to run. Get a moment check it out, Pinterest button in the right hand corner.
Love ya!
More Animals Comments
Wake up! Cardinal is chirping at you—bringing a message of personal power. Stop shrinking from your destiny. Stop pretending that you are less than. If you are unsure of your path, ask Cardinal to fly with you—it’s certain he will help you focus, gain clarity, formulate a plan, become self-assured, and step out into the world with the confidence befitting a person of your power.
(excerpted from Animal Spirit Guides by Dr. Steven Farmer)
Those spirits that are in animal form that teach us, guide us, empower us, and help us heal are called animal spirit guides or spirit animals. In shamanic and indigenous cultures they’re usually called totem animals or power animals. Often these terms are used interchangeably, although there are subtle differences in meaning.
The term totem animal has two meanings. First, a totem animal is typically one that is shared by a family, clan, or group. In indigenous cultures, the family you were born into all have a totem animal in common. In modern societies, various groups also have communal totems, such as sports teams or clubs that identify with a totem animal. A second meaning of totem animal is a representational object of a particular animal, like a small tortoise, owl, raccoon, or hawk figurines. We often give our children totem animals, like teddy bears or bunny rabbits to give them comfort.
The term power animal has its origins in shamanism. This is a specialized animal spirit guide the shaman or shamanic practitioner acquires early in their initiation into their practice. Their power animal travels with them whenever they go on a shamanic journey, which is an altered state of awareness in which the practitioner sends his soul or consciousness into non-ordinary reality—another term for the spirit world—to receive teachings, guidance, and healings. You can, however, have a relationship with a power animal even if you’re not a shaman or shamanic practitioner. They may come to you in meditations, visions, dreams, or shamanic journeys. It’s a highly personal and specialized relationship with an animal spirit guide, one where the personality and characteristics of the particular power animal that you have attracted to you are reflective of your own personality and characteristics.
Although every creature on the planet can be an animal spirit guide, in some traditions domesticated animals can’t be power animals because they’ve lost much of their wildness and are removed from the natural world. Likewise, some traditions believe that insects are to be excluded from being power animals because of their size and nature. I have, however, included both domesticated animals and some insects such as butterfly and dragonfly my book, and even two mythological animals, dragon and unicorn, to account for those who have enough of a special relationship with them to call them power animals.
However to experience the tremendous value of working with animal spirit guides you don’t need to be a shaman, have any interest in shamanism, nor be associated with an indigenous culture. For most purposes you don’t even need to be concerned as to whether an animal spirit guide is a totem or power animal. Instead, consider these wonderful beings as spiritual allies that want to reach out to each and everyone one of us who are open to their guidance and, when called with sincere intent, will respond.
One of the great advantages of working with animal spirit guides is that the actual animal is physically and symbolically present in so many ways throughout every society and culture on earth. Because of their abundant representations in third-dimensional reality, they’re continually in our consciousness. Depending on how and in what way they show up in the material world, whether in the flesh or as a symbol, their appearance can be a representative of the spirit of that animal. When an animal shows up in an uncommon way or repetitively as spirit guide, that animal isn’t just the single animal, but is representing the entire species. The hummingbird that flits about and then hovers for several seconds directly in front of you isn’t just a hummingbird but is carrying with her the essence of all hummingbirds, and is therefore Hummingbird with a capital “H.” That’s also why when we speak of an animal spirit guide, we leave out the “a” or “an” as a way of recognizing and honoring that spirit animal. The hawk that visited me wasn’t only a hawk, but in those instances was representing the essence of all hawks, and was therefore Hawk.
Not only do these spirit animals help us in many ways, but another positive effect is that you’ll deepen your appreciation for the magic and mystery of all animals, whether they are of the air, water, or the land. Every being on this beautiful and majestic planet has its place in the web of life, and as we develop our consciousness and awareness of the unique quality of animal spirit guides, we enhance our relationships with all of our animal brothers and sisters.
What Are Power Animals? Power animals are spirit guides in animal form, valuable allies who can help you navigate through life’s challenges and transitions. Perceptive and trustworthy oracles, you can turn to them for advice and counsel on any questions or concerns. They’re exceptional teachers who’ll help you learn about both the spirit world and the natural world. Working with them on a regular basis will enhance your personal life and expand your spiritual capacities immensely.
Power animals can appear in meditations, visions, dreams, shamanic journeys, or on the earth in their physical form. They can be mammals, birds, or reptiles. Even so-called mythical animals such as unicorns or dragons can be power animals, although they have no physical representations in the material world. Since a spirit animal’s power is drawn from their instinctual and wild nature, it’s uncommon, however, for purely domesticated animals such as pets to be power animals.
The source of power for your animal spirit guide is not just a single animal, but the entire species. For instance, if your power animal is Bear, it’s not just any particular bear, but an animal spirit guide that’s representative of the entire species of bears.
Another positive effect of working with your power animal is that you’ll develop a greater appreciation for that species, and likely extend that care and respect to the entire animal kingdom. If Dolphin is your power animal, for example, your love and appreciation will likely go out to all creatures of the sea and naturally expand to include those of the land and the air. Your power animal will also teach you to use this power compassionately and in service, to heal and empower yourself and others.
Spirit Guides and Power Animals
The term, Spirit Guides, also called guardian spirits or helping spirits, describes any spiritual being that helps us in a positive way. They protect us, guide us, and provide encouragement and inspiration. We may have any number of spirit guides throughout our life, whether or not we’re consciously aware of them. Some have been with us since childhood, while others have appeared at various periods in our life, perhaps to help us through a difficult transition. Spirit guides can be religious figures, angels, ascended masters, ancestors, faeries, or, for our purposes, animal spirits.
Animal spirit guides, familiar to indigenous and shamanic cultures, are called either power animals or totem animals. Typically these terms are used interchangeably, although there are some subtle differences in meaning. Totem animal is the more widely used term, and this concept is universal to all cultures. Indigenous cultures typically have a tribal totem, another one for the “clan,” and another for the family you were born into. Contemporary cultures also have totem animals, such as ones for clubs or societies like Lions Club or the Loyal Order of Moose. Sports teams often carry animal totem names, such as the Chicago Bears or the Philadelphia Eagles. Even Christianity has the totems of the lamb and the fish.
Parents often give their child a special protective totem animal, such as a teddy bear, telling the child that it will protect them. The child believes this, and by their belief in the animal they hold in their hands they’re unwittingly calling in the spirit of that animal and its associated powers. The bear becomes a personal totem, or power animal, for the child, and this animal spirit guide may remain with them into their adult lives.
Power animals, rather than being associated with a family or a group, are specific and personal for each individual. Like totem animals, they are guardian spirits that empower us in our everyday lives. They also protect and guide us as we explore non-ordinary reality-the realm where spirits reside, just across the veil of our usual and ordinary perceptions.
Finding a Familiar on the Astral Plane
Begin your meditation the usual way. Cross the bridge and drop the stones into the stream. This time, when you travel into the astral plane, be sure to remember why you are there. Keep your eyes open for creatures. The animal you encounter will most likely be a worldly animal. One will approach you. You will not have to seek it out. You may be discouraged when you find that the animal that approaches you may not be your favorite. It could be any creature: a cat, fox, rabbit, bird, owl, horse, turtle or even an insect. Do not turn the animal down, even if you feel disappointed. A specific animal will have a specific lesson to teach you. When you have learned all you can from the animal, it will leave you. These spirit guides may remain with you for years or longer. Remember always to listen to what they have to say and explore thoroughly what they have to show you. Some of the more common animals seen are:
Wolf – knowledge and companionship
Owl – wisdom, silence, solitude
Turtle – patience, humility
Hawk – watchfulness
Horse – nobility and fidelity
Cat – cleanliness
Bear – strength and play
Fox – cunning, thinking through actions
Dolphin/Whale – love, compassion
Rabbit – nature and wariness
Witches Of The Craft® 
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