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`Totem Animals`

We all have power animals.The practice of using animals is of Native American, shamanic, and tribal origins.

Shamans believe that animals are messengers of the Great Spirit. Also Native American's recognized all these spirit's had something to offer. Power animals may be or may not be a part of the Wiccan or Witchcraft Traditions. There are a few ways you can connect and meet with your power animal . One is in the astral plane & discover which animal is right for you. You could also write & perform a ritual to call the spirit or essense of the animal that would suit you best & assist you in your present magickal workings. Note though you may be expecting a specific animal but another might manifest. This means you need that essence of that particualr animal at the time. Meditative is also a great way to find your animal. The other way is you can go for a walk in astral travel into the forest, ocean's, mountains, sky etc and meet your animal. Also you can pick your animal by looking it up on the medicine wheel and see which one represents your sign or you the most. Mine for example is the Brown Bear. In everyway the Brown Bear is my animal totem, that is it is my sign on the medicine wheel, its characteristics are just like mine. Whenever I feel I'm in the presence of the Brown Bear I feel peace, and a magickal connection. Learn to travel in the other worlds, then to discover your Totem or Power animal. Any positive spirit may be your Power Animal. This can include mythical creatures too. Such as a Unicorn . Dragons, Pegasus,Wryvren etc.

The Great Spirits of these beautiful beings are here sharing Earth and we can learn much from them. The Native American's always took time to learn of the animals spirits and what they had to offer in many ways both of needs and spiritual, and guides. They share information with you through way of visions and of dreams using animals to represent what you should do

Familiars are not necessarily your animal totem. It is true though that many Witches have a familiar. Some have cats, dogs, horses, rabbits etc. Yes of course mine is a Black Cat and his name is Morpheus. He is my familiar because he actually does assist me in my magickal workings. He joins my circle during rituals, he stays right by my side when I do the tarot, and runes. He loves to sleep in my cauldron. No! It is not full of brew. Many animals sense magickal workings and will join you. Now as far as working with my totem animal, since it is the Brown Bear and I can't bring a Bear into my home ,I then use my totem animal for my astral self. I will be adding another page explaining some issues such as astral travel, dreams, and visions soon. Also you can call on several animals to help with different rituals. This can be needed to be done often. It is important though that you learn to work with each animal one at a time and get to know them. Start out with the one you are choosing specifically for you to start. Keep in mind that totem animals may come and go out of your life as you continue grow. Some may stay with you for life, while some may leave, but do not get upset if the spirit had to leave. There is obviously always a reason for such events.

Animals do not need to be limited to mammals. They can be any animal from retilian to insect etc.

Power animals can assist you in your waking state as well. Lets say you are trying to teach someone something and it is difficult ,then go ahead and call on wolf, wolf is a great teacher. Maybe you need help to hide, then ask fox. What about strength to deal with your children, then call on Bear she is a great mother and very strong.

The energy of the animals, birds & other creatures that assist us should be honored. The Native Americans leave gifts. You could leave incense, tobacco, or a gem, and even a little statue of the animals.

Ready to look for a Power Animal

Find or quiet place or just relax where you feel most comfortable if possible. After all we are trying to reach a meditative state.

Close your eyes.Now relax your mind, use rythmatic deep slow breathing in your nose and out your nose deeply. breathe to help you relax, make sure you let your entire body, neck , shoulders, back, even jaw, legs, face relax keep breathing in and out your nose slowly, deeply, relaxing until you are just at total peace. If you know yoga breathing for meditation use it. If you really need help understanding deep meditative breathing please go get a yoga book. I do recommend it highly for all meditation. It helpes life immensly to know how to breathe properly.

Calm your thoughts till you make them still while breathing slowly and deeply in then out your nose.

An image may appear behind your eyes.

Now with telepathy ask your Power animal to show itself.

Be patient keep breathing, it may take a minute use your mind eye or third eye to see the image

Your animal will appear, do NOT be disappointed if it is not the animal you expected. The animal may appear all at once or slowly come into focus, it may show it's side view.

Watch what the animal does and what it is doing

Listen to the animal and listen to the animals telepathic message

keep all images and words in your mental motebook until the images fade.

Once the images fade write down everything in detail, I mean everything from colors, settings, OF COURSE the animal,if it was more than one animal, as it maybe, was it mythical

Ask the animal to come to you in your dreams and always right the dreams down.

The Power Animals list