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Discovering Your Animal Guides

November 19, 2017 by Triza Schultz

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Beyond wild diversity and domestic companionship, every creature possesses specific medicine and divine wisdom to help his fellow beings walk the earth in harmony with one another I once had a dream about a white ram.  It was simple.  The animal stood clearly in front of me.  His large spiral-back horns were massive.  His long coat was a brilliant white.  And most significantly, was the feeling I received from his presence – strength, power, surefootedness.  The energy I received from our eyes meeting in the dream clearly signaled to me that a new power animal had graced me with his medicine or power.  When I awoke, I wrote the dream and my feelings about this encounter in my dream journal. I realized that ram would be working with me for a while on a spiritual level that would manifest into the physical plane.  And I was correct in that sense.  I went directly to one of my reference books for further information: “Animal Speak: The Spiritual & Magical Powers of Creatures Great & Small” by Ted Andrews, and found the confirmation and additional knowledge I was looking for beyond my strong feelings. In a nutshell, ram embodies masculine strength and power.  I also learned that the presence of ram can represent seeking new beginnings, the horns are a significant feature of the ram, and because they are associated with the head, representing “a new stimulation of mental faculties, imagination, and inspiration – along with the energy to act upon it.” (Animal Speak)  I also knew the color white was associated with new beginnings.  Further confirmation! To place ram’s appearance in perspective, about a month ago, I was feeling and working with several big changes I could see coming.  I was dreaming, meditating, and praying about these changes that were concerned with my physical healing and strength, and creative work life. I humbly thanked ram for choosing to accompany me on my new life cycle by offering his strengthening and empowering creative energies.  I remembered a medallion that was given to me of a ram some years ago and I’m now wearing it to enhance ram’s energy and presence. I’ve been consciously working with the positive energies of healing, teaching, protecting, guiding, and companionship with animals, birds, insects – all considered a part of the overall animal realm for many years.  Insects you say?  Of course!  For example, the noble ant represents patience and strategy.  Call on ant medicine to help you remember that you’ll receive what you need when you need it, at the right time. We have animals that work with us throughout life.  Yet, any animal can come to us if we need their special help, healing, and companionship.  We may have their presence for weeks, months, or a few years, depending on what areas of life growth lessons and healing we are bringing about. Working with the animals on a spiritual level is so rewarding, always joyful, amazing, humbling, and helps us realize that every being is sacred and has special power and purpose.  We will also find that certain animals tend to be close to us physically because they feel a connection to us, as we feel with them. If you want to consciously work with the animals (includes birds, fish, reptiles, insects), I highly recommend you first begin to work with the books and medicine card deck I’ve listed in Resources below.  They’re essentials as far as I’m concerned.  I couldn’t do without them, and I have other wonderful ones also.   My books by now are very dog-eared from wear and sit on my bedside table along with my dream journal and dream books for immediate access. To begin the journey of discovering your personal animal guides or totems is an exciting one! Think about what animals you’ve been most attracted to – perhaps all your life.  Even an animal that you have a deep fear of may actually be a power animal for you that can teach you to overcome your fears.  For example, a lion may be the spiritual power animal you need at some time in your life to overcome your fear of stepping into the limelight and taking on that leadership role that secretly scares the pants off you.  Lion isn’t king of the mountain for nothing!  Lion’s essence is leadership among other things. I was impressed with this article that goes into more detail about finding your animal totems and the history and significance of animal totems.   Please check this direct link out: http://earthdna.wordpress.com/2012/03/02/how-to-find-your-animal-totem/ References:  Book & Card Deck:    “Medicine Cards: The Discovery of Power Through The Ways of The Animals” by Jamie Sams, David Carson & illustrator Angela Werneke Book:   “Animal Speak: The Spiritual & Magical Powers of Creatures Great & Small” by Ted   Andrews Book:   “Animal-Wise: The Spirit Language And Signs of Nature” by Ted Andrews Live in beauty and be well – Triza Copyright © 2012 – All rights reserved.  Permission by author to copy articles in their entirety only

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