In understanding the role of spirit animals (or “power animals”) in our lives, I think it is important to understand the role of animals in the lives of early Native Americans. That is not to say there were not other animal “cults” around the world, but the native people of America were the last hold over of this practice. This is because the belief in animal spirits is closely allied to many concepts of Shamanism. There’s good evidence to indicate that the Celts (especially animals like the boar, cat, cow, crow/raven, deer, dog, fox, horse, salmon, swan) and the Vikings (especially the bear, boar, cat, crow/raven, snake, swan, wolf) had similar practices at one time. The practice has also been seen in Africa, South America, and Siberia. The tales of human-animal hybridization, were-wolves and other combinations, may also point to our formerly close connections to the animal world.In the Native American belief system, animals were fully capable of transforming into a human form and interacting with humanity as equals. Though they are seen by much of the modern world (ie scientific, psychological, analyzing world) as merely archetypes, animal spirits and all physical manifestations of nature are living, thinking extensions of a living, thinking entity –that is, the world. Much has been made of the Native American respect for nature, of thanking an animal before killing it and of using all parts of animals without waste. But in the Native American way of life, that animal was a part of the whole "skan" (great mystery), a part of the circle of nature just as they were, and therefore needed to be thanked. One of the most basic beliefs of shamanism is the belief in the web of power that runs through all things. Everything is alive and connected in a mutually supportive way to everything else in the world. This web of power brings sense to the world.
Saying the animal guide is not an archetype does not mean that its own unique personality does not flavor your dealings with it. Obviously if one of your spirit animals is a dog, it is going to be very different in habit from a wolf because there is a unique rhythm of nature in each animal. Each animal has it own particular rhythm as it lives out its life, and shares that rhythm, as you need it.
There are many different theories as to how many animal spirits each person has. Some believe that each person has three –one for the past, the present and the future. Others state each person has four animal spirits –one each for North, South, East, and West– or one for each “element” –fire, air, water, and earth. Some go as far as seven animal guides that revolve in dominance around the wheel of your life. According to popular Pagan beliefs, the most commonly accepted belief is that each person has one main power animal or that an animal may come into your life as you need its specific wisdom and then depart at will.
Animal spirits vary in purpose. Some act solely as protectors and guardians, while others are healers and comforters. Sometimes a spirit animal is just there to nip you in the butt when your feet are dragging or warn you of a dangerous situation approaching. Their activities are as diverse as the situations you will encounter in your life. There is really no way of knowing what path a spirit animals is going to take to help you. A swift kick is sometimes just as useful in life as a comforting pat on the back.
It is important to remember that we do not choose our spirit animals. They choose us. A totem is an animal “cult” that you were born into, but a spirit animal is an animal (or animals) that has chosen to act as your guide in this life. Though some people refer to their animal spirit(s) as their totem, an animal totem is more properly the ancestral patron animal of your family or clan while an animal spirit is the guardian or guide of individuals. Your animal spirit and totem can be the same animal, but they are often different. And you can and often will have more than one animal spirit, but only one totem which will never change.
There are many ways to find, or should I say, notice a spirit animal. In Central America, new parents would leave the door of their home open and spread soft soil or powder around the cradle. Whatever animal prints appeared near the baby’s crib was thought to be its spirit animal. More often, spirit animals will appear in your dreams or in the material world. You may actively seek them, or they may present themselves to you without preamble. Even if you should actively go out searching for your spirit animal however, you should remember that you can’t force it to show itself.
Many people seem to think that they can just choose an animal and start communicating with it. Some individuals choose the animal he or she believes to be the most glamorous and powerful, rather than what is harmonious. You will find your greatest success in an animal that comes to you on its own terms. In developing a relationship with your totem, communication demands respect. You must learn to relate to their point of view. Very few animals warm up to people immediately.
Spirit animals are usually wild, not domestic. Though there are a few exceptions, people may have dogs or cats as totems, the domesticated animal may only be a softened form of its wild counterpart. Many domestic animals have wild counterparts. Look to their wilder nature for messages.
Some helpful questions when meditating on finding your Animal Totem:
1) Which animal, bird, insect etc are you drawn to or interested in? Which animals have always fascinated you, especially in childhood? Conversely, do any animals frighten you? This can also indicate a spirit animal from which you have something to learn. Some Shamans believe fears take the shape of animals, and only when we confront them without fear do their powers/medicine work for us instead of against us. Such an animal then becomes a shadow totem.
2) At the park, forest, or zoo what animal are you most interested in seeing? Do any animals appear with greater frequency than one would expect in your area? What animals do you see frequently in the wild? Do you feel drawn to collect pictures or figurines of certain animals?
3) Make note of your dreams and visions. Does any animal appear more often or did one appear in a dream that you have never forgotten? Have you ever been attacked or badly wounded by an animal (in dreams or reality)? Historically, if a Shaman survived an attack the animal was the Shaman's spirit totem. The attack was the totem's way of testing the Shaman's ability to understand and handle its power.
4) Are there any animals that have played a meaningful part in your life? Make a list of animals that have drawn your interest or left a deep impression on you from paintings, photographs, stories, movies, carvings, etc.
5) How do you react in extreme or stressful situations? Does your behavior mirror any of the animals to which you feel linked? Which quality of animal best describes your personality?Working With Your Animal Spirits:
Animal spirits can help you in many areas of you life whether they are of the physical or astral plane. Once you are well acquainted with them, you can call upon them to help focus and raise the energy of a ritual or magickal circle. They can protect you in your dreams, meditations and quests, as well as in the real world. They can teach you how to take on their abilities through “shapeshifting.” They can help you learn to take yourself less seriously (or more so if needed). A guide can be your friend, confidant, sibling, teacher…
Talk with your guide. Ask it to teach you. To talk with it, visualize your animal spirit and call it to you. Get to know it as you would get to know any close friend. You will learn how to work with it as you get to know each other, as you learn to become a team and understand each other’s needs. Just remember to always treat your guide with respect and gratitude for the help it gives.
You work with spirit guides the same way you work with anyone else –ask for help, advice, or support, ask for whatever you need. They will decide if they will do what you ask. If it benefits you, they will almost always help, but not always in a way you expect. If they do not come when you call, try again later or try working out the problem on your own.
An animal spirit must be honored for its medicine to work in your life. The more you honor them, the more significance you give them within your life and the more powerful they become. Hanging pictures of them, draw pictures, reading and learning as much about them as possible. Buy or make figurines of your spirit animal for yourself. They are a reminder of the power and spirit of your totem animal. Learn to mimic its behaviors. Keep the animal alive within your imagination. See yourself as the animal totem using its qualities in appropriate places within your life. Parts of the animal can also be very powerful. You shouldn’t go out and buys these, but if they are given as a gift (you find it on the ground) it is a great gift from your spirit animal. I keep a feather I received from Raven on my altar.
Every animal has a specialty, its own talents or characteristics that affect your life if the animal adopts you. A study of its flaws and advantages will reveal the kind of medicine, magic, and power it can help you to develop within your own life. Spirit animals don’t choose you necessarily because you have something in common. Many choose you because there are skills or abilities that that animals has that you could benefit from learning.