Witch Willows WanderingsLIONS AND TIGERS AND BEARS...OH MY!
July 10th 2008 16:58
Animal Guides, Allies and Totems
Have you ever watched an eagle soar above the tree tops and feel an exhilaration you can’t explain? Are you drawn to certain animals without knowing why? Do you want to run with the wolves, swim with the otter, or do you fantasize about dragons??? All of these animals whether real or imaginary make up a long list of Animal Guides, Allies or Totems.
You’re probably asking yourself what exactly is an Animal Ally or Guide. For centuries, nearly all Shamanic cultures have believed in Animal Allies or helpers. While these creatures have the appearance and most characteristics of ordinary animals, they are able to communicate with the Shaman. Often these animals become protectors and guides for the Shaman, both in the “other-worlds” and in this physical realm.
The Celts believed in Individual Animal Allies as well as Clan animals. Many of the Celtic clan names reflected this. To the Native Americans these same animals are called Totem animals. In what may have been the precursor of the Heraldic insignia, the Celts would display a banner on which were displayed the picture or symbol of their clan animal. On their personal shields and armor, their clothing and often tattooed on their bodies were the pictures of their personal animal ally.
There is one thing to remember about animal guides, they choose you. The old Shamanic way of finding an animal guide was to go on a journey to the other world or on a “vision quest.” The Shaman would watch carefully for an animal to appear and if it appeared at least 3 times to him/her, they knew they had been accepted by the animal. A Shaman usually has one very important animal guide or ally who acts as a protector and close companion during journeying, but it is not uncommon to have several others who will help with specific problems or issues. Some guides will be with us our entire lifetime, offering guidance and aiding us in our world. Others will come into our lives to help us work through a specific problem or lesson, and once we’ve accomplished that goal, they will move on to work with someone else who needs their help.
Following are some of the more popular Animal Guides and their significant traits:
BEAR: Protective, hidden strength, inward Looking, to know oneself.
BUTTERFLY: Changeling, Able to transform. Balanced in all things, grace and beauty.
COUGAR: Self assurance, ability to lead, move unseen. balance.
COYOTE: Humor in all things, Deceiver (without malice). Trickster
CROW: Crows are symbols of creation and spiritual strength. They remind us to look for opportunities to create and manifest the magic of life.
DOLPHIN: Joy and happiness. Harmonious with oneself and surroundings.
DOG: Holds the key to unconditional love. Serve Selflessly. Able to forgive freely.
EAGLE: Sacred messenger. master of patience, bringer of visions from spirit, ability to hear spiritually. Ability to heal. Able to see beyond the horizon.
HAWK: Awareness, teller of truths. Messenger, able to move between the seen and unseen world. Prophetic insight.
LION: Fearlessness, balanced leadership, gentle and patient.
OTTER: Bringer of Joy and laughter, lightness of touch, woman medicine.
OWL: Wisdom, ability to see into the shadows, a solo worker but able to assist others when required.
RAVEN: Destroyer/Rebuilder, explorer of the unknown, mysterious.
SNAKE: Associated with rebirth, able to see the true person, guardian of sacred places and keeper of hidden knowledge, power, life force, and able to use earth energies.
WOLF: Wolf is the teacher and it will guard you as it teaches you. Wolf can teach you to use ritual to establish order and harmony in your own life. Wolf helps us to understand that discipline within a group can create true freedom, find new paths and take new journeys. Loyal, independent.
So it goes that you may already have your animal allies or guides in place. You may recognize them, talk to them, and they may assist you in living your daily life.
There are a lot of great articles and books out there that can teach you about animal guides and help you become familiar with your personal ally. I’ve only listed a few of the more popular animals to pique your interest and help you get started. Now it’s up to you to follow the path that leads you to what you need to know. Like the Eagle, I’m a messenger, and it is for you to go on your own vision quest to find those beings that will help you in your life’s journey. May I recommend the following:
Animal Speak, by: Ted Andrews
By Oak, Ash & Thorn by: DJ Conway
Until we meet again, Walk in the Light,
Michelle White Willow[/SIZE]
Have you ever watched an eagle soar above the tree tops and feel an exhilaration you can’t explain? Are you drawn to certain animals without knowing why? Do you want to run with the wolves, swim with the otter, or do you fantasize about dragons??? All of these animals whether real or imaginary make up a long list of Animal Guides, Allies or Totems.
You’re probably asking yourself what exactly is an Animal Ally or Guide. For centuries, nearly all Shamanic cultures have believed in Animal Allies or helpers. While these creatures have the appearance and most characteristics of ordinary animals, they are able to communicate with the Shaman. Often these animals become protectors and guides for the Shaman, both in the “other-worlds” and in this physical realm.
The Celts believed in Individual Animal Allies as well as Clan animals. Many of the Celtic clan names reflected this. To the Native Americans these same animals are called Totem animals. In what may have been the precursor of the Heraldic insignia, the Celts would display a banner on which were displayed the picture or symbol of their clan animal. On their personal shields and armor, their clothing and often tattooed on their bodies were the pictures of their personal animal ally.
There is one thing to remember about animal guides, they choose you. The old Shamanic way of finding an animal guide was to go on a journey to the other world or on a “vision quest.” The Shaman would watch carefully for an animal to appear and if it appeared at least 3 times to him/her, they knew they had been accepted by the animal. A Shaman usually has one very important animal guide or ally who acts as a protector and close companion during journeying, but it is not uncommon to have several others who will help with specific problems or issues. Some guides will be with us our entire lifetime, offering guidance and aiding us in our world. Others will come into our lives to help us work through a specific problem or lesson, and once we’ve accomplished that goal, they will move on to work with someone else who needs their help.
Following are some of the more popular Animal Guides and their significant traits:
BEAR: Protective, hidden strength, inward Looking, to know oneself.
BUTTERFLY: Changeling, Able to transform. Balanced in all things, grace and beauty.
COUGAR: Self assurance, ability to lead, move unseen. balance.
COYOTE: Humor in all things, Deceiver (without malice). Trickster
CROW: Crows are symbols of creation and spiritual strength. They remind us to look for opportunities to create and manifest the magic of life.
DOLPHIN: Joy and happiness. Harmonious with oneself and surroundings.
DOG: Holds the key to unconditional love. Serve Selflessly. Able to forgive freely.
EAGLE: Sacred messenger. master of patience, bringer of visions from spirit, ability to hear spiritually. Ability to heal. Able to see beyond the horizon.
HAWK: Awareness, teller of truths. Messenger, able to move between the seen and unseen world. Prophetic insight.
LION: Fearlessness, balanced leadership, gentle and patient.
OTTER: Bringer of Joy and laughter, lightness of touch, woman medicine.
OWL: Wisdom, ability to see into the shadows, a solo worker but able to assist others when required.
RAVEN: Destroyer/Rebuilder, explorer of the unknown, mysterious.
SNAKE: Associated with rebirth, able to see the true person, guardian of sacred places and keeper of hidden knowledge, power, life force, and able to use earth energies.
WOLF: Wolf is the teacher and it will guard you as it teaches you. Wolf can teach you to use ritual to establish order and harmony in your own life. Wolf helps us to understand that discipline within a group can create true freedom, find new paths and take new journeys. Loyal, independent.
So it goes that you may already have your animal allies or guides in place. You may recognize them, talk to them, and they may assist you in living your daily life.
There are a lot of great articles and books out there that can teach you about animal guides and help you become familiar with your personal ally. I’ve only listed a few of the more popular animals to pique your interest and help you get started. Now it’s up to you to follow the path that leads you to what you need to know. Like the Eagle, I’m a messenger, and it is for you to go on your own vision quest to find those beings that will help you in your life’s journey. May I recommend the following:
Animal Speak, by: Ted Andrews
By Oak, Ash & Thorn by: DJ Conway
Until we meet again, Walk in the Light,
Michelle White Willow[/SIZE]
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