What is a power animal?
Power animals (sometimes called Totems) are spirits that can guide and protect you in the physical world, on the Astral Plane, and even in your dreams. How do I find my Power Animal? Most people go on a shamanic journey in meditation or visualisation When I wanted to meet my power animal, I went on a meditative journey (see Meditation and Visualisation for how to do this) to try to meet it. I walked into the forest from the meadow, but no animals appeared. When I had almost returned to waking state, I suddenly had a vision. I was standing in a forest, my hair was braided and I wore strange clothes. I had my right arm stretched over the shoulders of a white ox. It wasn’t very tall, but broad in girth and had short curved horns. I was amazed to say the least. After further investigation, the only picture of an animal that looked the same turned out to be of the White Forest Cattle that were bred by the ancient Celts and Druids.
Author Kenneth Meadows offers a very astute definition of power animals here: A power animal is not an external entity that can somehow take possession of you. You possess it, for it is an internal energy-pattern that has attributes similar to the animal species it characterizes. In order to comprehend that fully, let us examine the title “power animal.” The word “power” has a number of meanings. It can be defined as “an energizing force”–like nuclear power. Power can also mean “to have control over” or “to exert mastery.” Another meaning is “authority to govern.” There is a further definition, however: “the ability to perform work.” This is the definition that applies to power animals and to Shamanics. Power–shamanic power–is an ability to perform specific work! Now let us examine the word “animal.” According to dictionary definitions, an animal is “an intelligent creature that possesses life, sensation, and the power of voluntary motion.
By Dawn Dancing Otter There are many metaphors in which one will find the unfolding of authentic self. Traditionally, the power animal has been integrated in indigenous cultures as a method of discovering the personality, strengths, karma, and life purpose of a person. I like also to think of power animal as our sixth sense, providing us with tools of intuition, health, boundaries, energy, and instincts. We all have a power animal, though most of us are unaware of it. We are most at ease with life when we live in harmony with our natures. Stress comes from ignoring our natural instincts and tendencies in favor of perceived external expectations. If we have an awareness of our individual nature, then we can start to make positive changes to bring about more balance, and therefore comfort and ease. For example, a person with a deer power animal will have natural tendencies to be gentle, compassionate, and nurturing.
Author Kenneth Meadows offers a very astute definition of power animals here: ‘A power animal is not an external entity that can somehow take possession of you. You possess it, for it is an internal energy-pattern that has attributes similar to the animal species it characterizes. In order to comprehend that fully, let us examine the title “power animal.” The word “power” has a number of meanings. It can be defined as “an energizing force”–like nuclear power. Power can also mean “to have control over” or “to exert mastery.” Another meaning is “authority to govern.” There is a further definition, however: “the ability to perform work.” This is the definition that applies to power animals and to Shamanics. Power–shamanic power–is an ability to perform specific work! Now let us examine the word “animal.” According to dictionary definitions, an animal is “an intelligent creature that possesses life, sensation, and the power of voluntary motion.
Before you’re ready to find out who your Power Animal is, you might be curious about what an animal totem is and why you’d want to know about yours. Although Indigenous North American spirituality is presently most famous for totem and power animal work, the indigenous peoples of all lands once utilized (and many still do) shamanic practices to connect with the Earth around them and with the power of various animals. By observing the way each animal lived, located food, found mates and protected itself, the shaman was able to learn of the particular strengths and weaknesses of that animal. Bears, for instance, hibernate during the winter, and thus possessed the magick of dreams. They were also formidable foes to those who would hunt them, and thus Bear energy was also about strength and physical power. Mouse, on the other hand, represents scrutiny, because of they way they observe objects up close.
