The concept of a Power
Animal is universal to all cultures.
Tribal cultures will
recognize a Totem for the tribe, one for the clan one belongs to, and
one for the family that one is born into. In the United States, and in
other countries, the Tribal and Clan Totem still exists, although it is
thought of in a slightly different manner.
There are also totems for our adopted cultures, such as clubs or
societies which we may belong to, such as the Benevolent and Protective
Order of Elks, the Loyal Order of Moose, and the Lions Club.
Even Christianity, the prevalent religion of this country, has
maintained two Totem animals, these being the Fish and the Lamb.
Specialized Totems are also seen in organized sports, their names being
reflected in the team names. Example: Chicago Bulls, Atlanta Falcons
The next type of Power Animal or Totem is that which is personal for the
individual. These Totems are protective spirits which help us in our
everyday life. Everyone has such a Totem. Even today most parents give a
special protective Power Animal to their children and tell the child
that it will be protected over night by that Power Animal. They don't
realize that is what they are doing when they give a teddy bear to their
little one.
We often unconsciously recognize the Power Animal affecting someone, and
use terms which give away our unconscious recognition. Our
heavens/zodiac include animal references (Leo - Scorpio - Cancer -
Taurus).
Shamanism
The first item of business for a potential Shaman is to learn to travel
in the other worlds, then to discover his Totem or Power Animal.
That knowledge is necessary in order to start the long process
of learning.
Power Animals are usually a reflection of your deepest
self and also represent qualities which you need in this world, but
which are often hidden or obscured. A mistake that people often make is
to be dissatisfied when they find that their Power Animal
is some non-ferocious animal like a mouse.
We tend to think that a mouse
is not very powerful - that it is meek and afraid. What they forget is
that spirits are not limited to physical reality and that size is
irrelevant. Your Power Animal may be a tiny mouse, but in times of need
this mouse can and will change its size and deportment to that which is
appropriate to the occasion.
There is nothing weak of meek about a 500-foot tall mouse! Your
personal Power Animal (as opposed to your family, clan, or
tribal spirit) may change several times in your lifetime, depending upon
your specific needs. If you are dispirited, your animal is far away from
you and needs to be brought back, or a replacement found.
When you make your first exploratory journey you are likely to encounter
spirits which may represent themselves as being your Totem or Power Animal. If you are already aware of your spirit that
spirit may greet you and give you additional power.
All mammals and birds are positive spirits. Any positive spirit may be
your Power Animal.
Your Power Animal may also be a
mythical animal, such as a unicorn or Pegasus, or even one which does
not exist in myth or legend.
LESSON 1 -
Meeting Your Power Animal
We all have power animals - spirit animals - that are connected
to us as protectors.
Many power animals are our spirit guardians
that exist in other realms. Some animals were with us from past
lives but may have been another physical form.
Example: We might
have had a wolf or other wild animal as a friend or protector. In
this timeline the animal incarnates as a dog.
Time to find your power animal.
Find
or quiet place or just relax at your computer. . .
Relax your mind . . .
Feel the muscles in your body relaxing . . . your
head . . . your shoulders . . . your neck . . . your jaw . . .
the torso of your body . . . your arms . . .
Close your eyes . . .
Take 2 long slow deep breaths . . . breathing in
through your nose . . . holding the breath as is comfortable for
you . . . exhaling slowly through your mouth . .
Still your thoughts.
You are going to watch the screen just behind your
eyes . . .
You may see a pretty color . . . or shape . . .
coming into view . . .
Telepathically ask your power animal to show
itself to you on the screen in your mind.
Be patient! Your third eye (pineal gland) must
open before you can see images.
Soon the image of an animal will appear.
It may - or may not - be the animal you are
expecting - so have no expectations.
The image may come all at once or appear to move
towards you.
You may see the front view of the animal or see it
at another angle.
The animal may not be your favorite animal!
Just allow the image to manifest before you!
Once you see the animal - watch it carefully to
see what it does.
Listen with your thoughts to get a telepathic
message from the animal.
It may seem funny to get a message in a human
language - from an animal - but it can happen.
Your animal may appear in a scene that is
significant for you.
Focus as best you can . . .
Note the colors around the animal - colors have
significance.
When the image fades . . . slowly open your eyes
and write - or draw what you have seen.
You may see more than one animal.
You may see an animal that seems mythological vs.
animals in our reality.
You may find that another day brings a different
animal with a different message.
Things to consider:
Have you ever
dreamed about this type of animal? What happened in the
dream? Ask the animal to come to you in tonight's dream time and
interact with you.
Why would such an animal appear to you?
Perhaps you must seek the meaning of this animal.
LESSON 2 - Working with your Power Animal
Prepare
to meet your power animal - as you did in the first lesson.
You can try this while at your computer - or in a
place you meditate.
Out in nature might give the best results!
Relax your mind and body.
Now close you eyes and take two long deep breaths
- breathing slowly in through your nose - holding the breath as
is comfortable for you - and breathing out slowly through your
mouth!
Connect with your power animal as your third eye
begins to open and shows you images . . .
If you can see the animal in movement - follow the
animal to see where it takes you and what messages it wishes you
to learn.
If you are having trouble following the animal -
first visualize the animal - then see it moving away - perhaps
through time and space - perhaps on the Earth plane . . .
Once you have connected with the animal - mentally
tell the animal that you wish it to take you on a spirit journey
so you can learn more about your soul journey at this time.
It will take you on a journey . . .
Make notes about your journey when you return.
LESSON 3 - Meditating with your Power Animal
Shamans are
spiritual beings with the ability to heal, work with Earth
energies and 'see' visions.
The ability to consciously move beyond the
physical body is the particular specialty of the traditional
shaman. These journeys of Soul may take the shaman into the
nether realms, higher levels of existence or to parallel
physical worlds or other regions of this world. Shamanic Flight,
is in most instances, an experience not of an inner imaginary
landscape, but is reported to be the shamans flight beyond the
limitations of the physical body.
Today you are going to become a Shaman - in the
sense that you will connect with your power animal to heal and
bring light to the planet.
Please take your time . . .
As you are now seated at a computer - begin by
calling your power animal to you and establishing a connection.
'Tell' the animal you wish it to remain with you
today so that you can connect at various times to experience.
If you can physically go into nature - or even
make contact with a tree (indoors or outdoors) - this would
enhance your experience.
You may use music to enhance your experience.
The use of any kind of mind altering drugs is your
option - preferably not to be used today.
Once you are ready - close your eyes.
Take two long, slow breaths (inhaling through the
nose and - exhaling slowly through the mouth).
Feel totally relaxed.
Disconnected from your physical environment.
See yourself slowly shape-shifting from your
physical form - to that of a Shaman Healer.
(Shamans sometimes have the ability to shape shift).
Experience your physical body - its age, skin
color, 'make-up' you may have applied, your geographic location,
your confidence to heal, your personal power returned, the
secrets you possess from the ages -
Become one with that person - and experience.
Slowly shape shift again - this time into your
power animal. . .
Feel each cell in your body changing . . .
Go into nature - physically or telepathically!
Move through nature as your power animal would.
Listen to the sounds. Experience all of the
sensations of nature - on a higher level.
Listen to the animals communicating with each
other.
Sense portals that open to other realms.
Observe how they open and close.
You stop near a tree. Make a connection - physical
or telepathic.
Pull in the energy of the 'white light' from
Source.
Feel the 'white light' surging through all that
you are - the power animal, the shaman, your physical
expression.
Allow yourself as a shaman/power animal - to see
what needs to be healed today.
Heal by illuminating what you 'see' in 'white
light'.
As you heal with the 'white light' - send the
energy out to the planet.
Connect with the healing of the shaman energies of
the indigenous people around the world.
Allow the other shaman to show you how they heal.
This may result in your initiation into higher
realms of spirit and healing.