In last week’s post, I introduced the concept of shamanic journeying and for paid subscribers, I included a guided journey to meet a power animal. When we journey, we enter an altered state of consciousness typically to the sound of drumming, rattling or journey music and travel outside of time into the invisible realms called non-ordinary reality. According to shamanic traditions, in these hidden realms there are helping and compassionate spirits in the forms of power animals or spirit guides who offer protection, guidance and healing on behalf of ourselves, families, communities and all life on earth.
Also, according to shamanic traditions, a power animal joins us at the time of our birth and brings gifts and attributes that we have the potential to develop. During our lives we have other power animals that provide resources that we need throughout our lives. When we call for a power animal, Spirit provides us with whatever we need – we do not get to choose. In fact, we may retrieve one that is entirely unforeseen, or actively disliked. The animal that comes to us represents an instinctual part of ourselves that we may have become disconnected from – or even find distasteful but may need in our lives.
It is important to remember that no animal is superior, more important or more spiritual than another. An ant or a cockroach is as powerful and as important as an elephant or a jaguar. For example, a cockroach is extremely adaptable. If you’ve ever wondered why it’s hard to step on one, it’s because the antennae spikes on their backs are able to detect subtle changes in air movement so they can escape before being killed. Part of their message is about survival and being adaptable by using what is available to us.
Each animal has its own power or medicine. Each animal has a unique set of skills and abilities that allow it to survive. These skills and abilities symbolize the archetypal power they hold. If an animal shows up, it may symbolize that you have similar abilities, or be telling us what abilities you need to develop to make good decisions or take a certain type of action. Working with a power animal is an instinctual process about who we are becoming, not about who we would prefer to be. It is up to us to learn its attributes as it reveals its wisdom.
When you get a power animal, develop a relationship with the animal. Ask your power animal what gift it has for you that you need most in your life at this time. Accept its gift. Ask you power animal what gift it would like from you and then give it this gift. Ask your power animal what talents or strengths it brings to you. Ask your power animal what wisdom it has for you, why it is in your life, what you can work on together. Ask your power animal what is wants or needs from you. Power animals are our allies, our spirit helpers, our companions. Treat them like you would treat an important and respected friend.
Once you have established a relationship with the animals, here are some other ways to connect with a power animal.
(1) Outline a situation, why is bothers you and ask what the best way is to resolve it for the highest good of everyone. An animal symbol should soon show up. The animal may appear physically in your life or symbolically, such as a picture that grabs your attention. It might be a picture in a magazine or on a t-shirt or when you open Facebook. You then need to decipher the meaning of the animal. You can ask the animal directly. There are also various books and websites that can help with this.
(2) The animal may show up in a dream.
(3) You can also journey to your power animal and ask it for guidance and help for the situation.
(4) Read about the animal. Study it habits. Ask how the animal’s habits might be helpful in your life. How can you integrate the habits and ways of the animal into your life?
(5) Think symbolically. For example, suppose a zebra shows up in a dream or a journey or on Facebook shortly after you’ve posed a question. You might ask “Am I looking at things too black and white?” Or “do I need to hold opposing viewpoints together?” Notice what comes to you when you ask “what are you telling me?”
David Richo in The Power of Coincidence says that animals will appear in both waking and dream life to serve as guides or as triggers to transformation. Carl Jung points out that when we become more spiritual, an animal appears. Animals may appear in life experience and in dreams at important times in our lives to accompany or even escort us along our path. Joseph Campbell says that animals are the great shamans and teachers—messengers and personal guardians that come to bestow their warning and protection. Animals will appear synchronously when we need information about our path.
Therefore, the power animal can be a very significant resource to you. It will help you develop an aspect of your instinctual self that has not been dulled by society and civilization. It will retune your instincts. Your power animal will make you alert and give you sense and ways of perceiving the world that you ordinarily do not have available to you.
Many years ago, as I was contemplating what direction to take in my life, rabbit came to me and told me to “lighten up.” He further explained that “lighten up” meant to stop taking things so seriously, embrace life, play with life, enjoy the journey. Rabbit also explained that I needed to lighten up by letting go of old stories, fears, old beliefs, perceptions, and assumptions that weighed me down and discover my light. Recently, a mountain goat came to me with the gifts of sure-footedness, steadfastness, and balance telling me that he had come to bring me the ability to move easily and confidently in what for some would be challenging or even impossible terrain. When we call for a power animal, Spirit provides us with whatever we need.
Here is a guided journey to discover a power animal.
This is the last week that I will be posting on The Other Man in Me. The purpose of The Other Man in Me was to introduce my book by that name and provide a format for people to read my book. All chapters have been published so I am moving my future posts to a new substack newsletter called Psychotherapist and the Shaman. This newsletter will focus on shamanism and energy healing. If you want to continue to receive my posts, please sign up for sheldon’s substack, Psychotherapist and the Shaman. Here is the link. shamanshalley.substack.com
Thank you for your past interest in my book and I look forward to connecting with you on shamanshalley.substack.com.