FIND YOUR SPIRIT POWER ANIMAL
Use the Shamanic Meditation below to tune in
The Meditation
Here’s a traditional meditation used by shamans to help you connect with your animal guide.
Start by finding a quiet, comfortable place where you can sit in meditation quietly or listen to shamanic drumming. Close your eyes and set the intention to travel into the lower world to find a spiritual animal. Find a place where you can go down into the earth, maybe it’s a cavern deep in the ocean, a tree that lets you travel down its roots or a cave. Make your way down into the lower world through a tunnel. When you see the light at the end, step out into your surroundings. Walk around and observe whatever you see. You might notice many different animals, but you’ll know your animal guide because it will appear to you three times. Once this happens, you can ask what gifts or information it has for you. Spend time with your animal and let it take you on a journey – be open to its messages. When you’re finished, embrace your animal and thank it for its guidance; feel its energy within you. Now it’s time to start back the same way you came, retracing your steps until you find yourself in the place where you started. Slowly move several parts of your body before opening your eyes. Know that your animal is with you and will come to help you whenever it is summoned. If you encounter an animal and feel that it is not your true spiritual animal, embrace it anyway for it might be bringing you an important message. You can repeat the meditation at a later time. Also, pay close attention to the presence of animals in your dreams and waking life – they could be meaningful signs. If you’re still doubtful about your animal, a medicine man or woman may be a helpful resource.
MEET MY SPIRIT GUIDES BATH BY MAMA MEDICINE
Spirit guides are energies of plants, animals, stars, ancestors, angels, and multidimensional beings who guide and protect us. From my perspective, everyone has spirit guides and sometimes they show up in Medicine Readings with messages for my clients. In the ceremony part of a Medicine Reading, they come through to pour their love, healing, and medicine on my clients. Actually, during the ceremony, I feel like it isn’t even me doing any of the work. I feel like more of a recipient than anything. The client’s guides come through, happily getting the chance to work with them.
When I look at someone’s aura, spirit guides are almost always cobalt blue dots. Depending on where in the aura they are, I can see if it is an ancestor, an angel, an animal, or something else.
One of the superpowers of being your own healer is even without a Medicine Reading, you can meet your spirit guides. This simple kitchen witch Ritual Bath can help.
INGREDIENTS:
1 cup salt (any kind)
At least 1 cup fresh or dried rosemary (if dried, make a tub tea)
1/2 cup fresh or dried thyme (if dried, make a tub tea)
Fresh or dried basil (if dried, make a tub tea)
1 cup blackberries and blueberries mixed in with 3 cups milk, 1 tablespoon of honey, and 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
10 drops of lavender essential oil
Moon water (to make, set a cup of clean water on a windowsill during a full moon to catch the light)
Any non-water-soluble crystals you have (ideally ones you found yourself in nature)1 fresh cucumber, sliced
RITUAL:
Add each ingredient to the running water of your bath as an offering to your guides. Light a candle.
Create a smudge using a cinnamon stick by putting it in a nonflammable tray of some kind and igniting it. Waft the smoke around your body using a feather you have found.
Step into the bath and dunk your head underwater.
Place the palms of your hands on the surface of the water.
Close your eyes and go into a meditation.
Go to that special place within yourself where no one else can go.
Invite your spirit guides one at a time to come meet you there.
Introduce yourself to them and ask them questions, like you are meeting a new friend.
Thank them for all they do for you.
Be patient, you guides may come through in the bath or they may come later in your dreams or waking visions.
Take time after the bath or after meeting your guides to journal characteristics about them or things that they told you.
A Brief History
The concept of spirit power animals is neither new nor foreign to the human race. It is a theme that was very much present and documented throughout many ancient cultures in history. Myths and legends describe animals as guides who lead the deceased into the spirit world. Therefore, these animals represent the great powers of the unseen universe and connect humans with the interior world. The Egyptians had reverence and affection for exotic animals, as evidenced by depictions in their artwork. They had a special connection to cats, which were adorned with beaded necklaces and gold earrings, and dogs, who were seen as immensely powerful and effective beings. Several bird tombs have also been found, showing that even they were given ceremonial burial. The Mayans lived in tropical forests and cohabitated with all kinds of animals, helping them form a special relationship to them as well. One of the most symbolic animals in Mayan culture, the jaguar, ruled the jungle and was used to represent the best warriors and highest societal classes. Hummingbirds were greatly revered and believed to carry only good thoughts among mankind, while butterflies represented brave warriors who died in battle.
A Personal Connection
You may have experienced the power of animal guides knowingly or unknowingly. While their presence can be subtle, it is noticeable if attention is paid. Maybe you’ve seen a bird of prey that seems to follow you or circle your home. Perhaps, you’ve had an affinity for cats your entire life, or find yourself often visited by butterflies. These can all be instances of a spiritual animal presence wanting to deliver a message. If you’re open to the connection, and tune in, you may be surprised just how close you really are to your animal(s).
A Traditional Blessing
In an effort to heighten the power of Star Animal Sundays charms, they are blessed in a special ceremony by a shaman. Spiritual animals are the invisible allies in the shamanic tradition – they are sources of guidance and healing. Shamans develop a relationship with these animals by dancing their movements, imitating their sounds, and wearing the feathers, fur, claws, and bone of those that have naturally passed from this earth. Animals themselves are seen as symbols of unseen forces, rather than actual physical beings – they have an independent existence in the spirit world which co-exists with the physical universe we inhabit. As such, by connecting with the animal’s spirit in ceremony, each piece of jewelry is instilled with its unique strength.
