Animal Spirits Guides

Our spirit guides walk by our sides throughout this life, and guide us in different aspects of our lives, in the

seven directions - North, East, South, West, Above, Below and Within. They

show themselves to us through dreams, physical appearance and divination

cards. Like spirit guides, animal guides come in and out of our lives depending on the message we need to be told at the time. Every animal has a powerful

spirit; this spirit may be its own or that of a being who uses the animal image to

communicate messages of the world to humans. A totem is a guide. This guide will lead us as we travel, in this world and the OtherWorld. An animal spirit

chooses you, you do not choose them. A totem is any natural object, being or

animal whose energy we feel closely associated with in our lifetime.

North: The animal that gives wise council and reminds you when to speak and when to listen. East: The animal that

guides you to your greatest spiritual challenges and guards your path.

South: The animal that protects the child within so that innocence will be

balanced in your personality. West: The animal that leads you to your personal

truth and inner answers. Above: This animal is the guardian of the Dreamtime - for your personal access to the other

dimensions. Below: The animal that teaches you about inner Earth, and how

to stay grounded and on the path. Within: The animal that is the protector

of your sacred space. Below are listed a few of the totems and their meanings

~Alligator~

*Revenge through patience* *Understanding weather*

~Ant~ *Patience* *Stamina* *Planning*

~Armadillo~ *Protection at all times* *Understanding

your vulnerabilities* ~Bat~

*Camouflage* *Invisibility* *Viewing past lives* ~Badger~

*Cunning* *Revenge* *Perseverance* ~Bear~

*Healing and inner knowledge* *Transformation* *Astral travel*

*Creature of dreams, shamans and mystics*

~Beaver~ *Being persistent* *Using available

resources*

~Bee~ *Female warrior energy*

*Reincarnation* *Communication with the dead*

~Birds~ *Associated with death and transitions*

~Black Panther~ *Astral travel* *Guardian energy*

*Ability to know the dark* ~Boar~

*Masculine power* ~Buffalo~

*Strength* *Challenge* *Survival* ~Bull~

*Virility, strength and wealth* *Being alert to danger*

~Butterfly~ *Reincarnation* *Magick*

~Cheetah~

*Swiftness* *Self-esteem* *Accelerating time* *Keenness of sight*

~Cat~ *Guardians* *Independence* *Seeing

the unseen* ~Cardinal~

*Understanding the power of the wind* *Finding your soul song*

~Cow~ *Economy* *Connection to the grasses*

~Crane~ *Change* *Astral travel* *New knowledge* *Seeing all things

associated with secrets* ~Coyote~

*Brings rain* *Illumination* *Stealth* ~Crow~

*Death and War* *Male warrior energy* ~Dragonfly~

*Mysteries* *Understanding dreams* *Power of light*

~Dragon~ *Strength, passion* *Wisdom and earth

mysteries* ~Deer~

*Physical pacing and body awareness* ~Dingo~

*Assistance in hunting* *Tracking skills* *Understanding silence*

~Dog~ *Family and wisdom* *Unquestioned

loyalty* *Knowledge of all things sensual* *Protection*

~Dolphin~ *Psychic abilities and intuition* *Water

element magick* *Communication skills* *Wisdom*

~Dove~ *Spirit messenger* *Communicates

between the two worlds* ~Eagle~

*Spiritual philosophy* *Keen sight* *illumination of Spirit*

~Elephant~ *Connection to ancient wisdom*

*Removal of obstacles and barriers* *Confidence* *Patience*

~Elk~ *Stamina* *Strength*

~Falcon~ *Assisting in soul healing*

*Accompanying soul back to the other world* *Understanding magick*

~Flamingo~ *Ability to filter soul lessons from

emotional waters * *Understanding the language of colour*

~Fox~ *Elusiveness and cleverness*

*Camouflage* *Feminine courage* *Invisibility*

~Frog~ *Transformation* *Cleansing*

*Understanding emotions* *Rebirth* ~Giraffe~

*Communication* *Intuition* *Ability to remain above the fray*

~Goat~ *Independence* *Surefootedness*

~Goose~ *Movement along ones soul path*

*Happiness* ~Hawk~

*Messages from spirit* *Guardianship* *Recalling past lives*

~Horse~ *Stability and courage* *Astral travel*

*Guardian of travellers* *Warns of possible danger*

~Heron~ *Organization* *Self-reliance*

~Hummingbird~ *Joy* *Happiness* *Love*

~Hyena~ *Knows the secrets of the wild*

*Communication in dark spaces* ~Jaguar~

*Shamanic wisdom and focused power* *Understanding the patterns of chaos* *Moving without fear in the darkness*

~Jackal~ *Ability to see in the dark* *Connection

to the Pyramids of Egypt* ~Leopard~

*Stalking* *Sensitivity to touch* ~Lion~

*Strength* *Courage* *Energy* ~Lizard~

*Detachment from ego* *Facing fear* ~Lynx~

*Divination* *Developing psychic senses* *Keeper of all secrets*

~Manatee~ *Seeing clearly what lives in water*

*Connection to water herbs* ~Mongoose~

*Use of speed in defence* *Lack of fear in attacking and defending oneself*

~Mouse~ *Innocence, faith and trust* *Shyness* *Quietness* *Understanding details*

~Mountain Lion~ *Strength and elusiveness* *Using

leadership power wisely and without ego* *Freedom from guilt* *Balancing

power, intention, strength* ~Mole~

*Guardian of the lower regions*

*Knowledge of herbs, roots, minerals, seeds*

~Opossum~ *Proper use of deception* *Use of

appearances* ~Otter~

*Sensibility without suspicion* *Guidance in unmasking talents*

~Owl~ *Symbolic wisdom* *Messenger of secrets and omens* *Comfort with

shadow self ~Pelican~

*Control of ego* *Recovery from loss* ~Penguin~

*Astral Projection* *Patience* *Endurance* ~Peacock~

*Ability to see into the past, present, and future* *Dignity* *Self-confidence*

~Polar Bear~ *Creature of dreams, shamans, mystics

and visionaries* *Defence and revenge* *Communication with Spirit*

~Porcupine~ *Protection of boundaries* *Defence

when threatened* ~Raccoon~ *Disguise* *Dexterity*

~Raven~ *Inner journeys, dreams* *Symbol of the Shape changer* *Divination* *Change in consciousness* *New occurrences*

~Ram~ *Fertility* ~Rabbit~

*Faith and nurturance* *Living by one’s own wits*

~Rat~ *Abundant reproduction* *Ability to live

unseen*

~Reindeer~ *Power of wandering* *Protection while

travelling* ~Salmon~

*Deep emotion and great knowledge* *Understanding divination messages*

*Rebirth of spiritual knowledge* ~Scorpion~

*Attacking from the rear* *Death and rebirth* *Transmutation of poison*

*Reflecting dark and negative energy back to its sender*

~Seal~ *Protection during change* *Lucid

dreaming* *Protection from danger* ~Shark~

*Never being caught off guard* *Ability to defend oneself*

~Sheep~ *New beginnings* *Abundance*

~Skunk~ *Will-power* *Self-confidence*

~Snake~ *Transmutation* *Exploration of the

mysteries of life* *Primitive or elemental energy*

~Snow Leopard~ *Understanding one’s shadow side*

*Trusting one’s inner self* ~Spider~

*Shapeshifting* *Understanding the patterns of illusion* *Female energy*

~Sow~ *Healing* *Deep Earth magick* *Past life

knowledge* ~Squirrel~

*Warning* *Discovery* *Change* ~Swan~

*Understanding dream symbols* *Seeing into the future*

~Tarantula~ *Defense of territory* *Intimidation by size* *Use of environment to conceal

oneself* ~Tiger~

*Power* *Energy* *Strength in the face of adversity*

~Turtle~ *Self-reliance* *Tenacity* *Non-violent

defence* ~Vulture~

*Death and rebirth* *Prophecy* ~Weasel~

*Cunning* *Ingenuity* *Revenge* ~Whale~

*Finding your soul song* *Soul memory* ~Wren~

*Messenger from the gods* *Power of voice* *Fearlessness* *Seeing future

events*

~Woodpecker~ *Warnings* *Prophecy* *Associated with

thunder* ~Wolf~

*Earth wisdom, protection and shadow work* *Guidance in dreams and meditations* *Instinct linked with

intelligence* ~Wolverine~

*Standing your ground* *Fierceness* ~Zebra~

*Balance* *Power*

How do I communicate with my Spirit Guides? There are many ways to communicate with your Spirit Guides, no method is better than the other, it just depends on what you're comfortable with.

Some people choose to meditate, others find it's easier to communicate through their dreams, while other people write letters and others are able to just talk and have a conversation as they would with a live person. Experiment to find what works best for you. If you choose to communicate through your dreams, go to bed asking your guides to come to you in your dreams and then ask that they assist you to remember your dreams when you wake up. Make sure before you go to bed that you have paper and pen at your bed side so you can write down your dreams. Don't even get out of bed, you start forgetting your dreams as soon as you wake up. Another way is to write your feelings down on paper. Write everything that is in your heart, everything you want to

say to your guides. Don't worry about other people seeing what you write because when you're done, burn the letter. It's said that the words of your letter are carried to the spiritual realm in the smoke. Please continue as I have listed in detail ways to communicate/invoke your animal spirit guides. Contact Your Spirit Guide

Items needed: Altar CandleDay candle (whichever color for the day you be will doing your spell)(Monday-white Tuesday-red Wednesday-purple Thursday-blue Friday-greenSaturday-black Sunday-yellow)Offertory Candles: 3 Violet candles, 3 White candles Tools: Athame to inscribe candlesProps: Crystal ball or clear glass of waterIncense: anise, cardamom, and corianderOil: jasmine, lemon, rose, and sandalwoodBathing Herbs: cinnamon, frankincense, myrrh, and sandalwoodTiming: Best done during the Mercury hour of the day, although any hourshould work. Any moon phase is appropriate.Preparation:Breathe

deeply and build a ball of protective light around you. While soaking in your ritual bath, meditate on the whole ritual: the steps you will take and what you wish to say to your spirit guide when you make contact.Ritual:Enter the circle in the Hour of Mercury. Light the incense. With the oil, dress the Altar Candle and the Day Candle while concentrating on the purpose of the ritual. Light your Altar candle and your Day candle and state your intent:"I am here to make contact with my Spirit Guide, and to acknowledge him or her."With your Athame, inscribe Violet Candle #1 with the word "Spirit". Dress it with oil.Light the Violet candle #1, direct your energies into it, and say: "Here do I light the first Lamp of Spirit. May

its light reach out across the barriers from this world to the next. May it make contact with that World of Spirit into which we will eventually enter."Take your censer or incense wand and swing in around censing the whole area around the altar, while rhythmically repeating the word "Merge" and building up energy to focus.Replace the censer and pick up Violet candle #2. Inscribe it with the word "Spirit" and dress it with the oil. Put it back on the altar, light it, direct your energy into it, and say:"Here do I light the second Lamp of Spirit. May it's light also reach out across the barriers from this world to the next. May it make contact with that World of Spirit and help spread the light, illuminating the passageway

between our worlds."Again, take the censer or incense wand and cense the entire area around the altar while chanting the word "Merge" Build up your energy to focus. Take violet candle #3, inscribe with the word "Spirit", dress with oil, charge with your energy, light it and say:"Here do I light the third Lamp of Spirit. May its light also reach out across the barriers from this world to the next. May the light from these three lamps blend and grow, dispelling all darkness and lighting the way that my Spirit Guide may come to me and speak with me here today."Inscribe the 3 white candles with the word "Truth" and anoint each candle with oil. Light the 3 white candles in order of 1, 2, 3, and say:

"Here do I build Truth. As these candles burn throughout this ritual, their power generates nothing but truth in all that transpires between this world and the next. Through these candles there is truth in all communications that come to me".Again, cense the entire altar area while chanting the word "Merge".Replace the censer and continue chanting. Sit comfortably while chanting, and gaze into the crystal ball, or the clear glass of water. Continue chanting until you feel it is right to let the chant taper off.Continue to quietly look into the crystal ball or glass, not trying to picture anything. Keep your mind blank, so whatever comes will appear will come in it's own free

will.Gaze into the center of the crystal, there is no need to try not to blink. Look into the crystal and blink naturally. Try not to notice anything in your peripheral vision, just the center of the crystal. Eventually a face or figure will appear. This may take a long time, or it may appear almost immediately. If it doesn't come at all within approximately 20 minutes, abandon this attempt, extinguish the candles in the order in which they were lit, leave the altar set up, and try this ritual again in three days. You should have results within a month at most.When a figure does appear, ask if he/she is your Spirit Guide. You will hear an answer. You may not hear it out loud, or even see the figures lips move, but you will be aware of the answer. This is how

most of your conversation will proceed. You will ask your questions mentally (or out loud) and the answers will be clear inside your mind.Ask if you have more than one spirit guide. If yes, ask them to appear also. You may ask anything you wish to know, but it is suggested to establish a connection first where your Spirit Guide may appear to you at any time, or at specific times, so that you can converse with other spirits through him/her.When you have finished speaking with your Guide, thank him/her, then sit for a moment with your eyes closed, meditating on all that you have learned.Extinguish the candles in reverse order to clear the circle.

Meeting Your Animal Guides

There are many ways to finding out what your animal guide or guides are. But when you make the journey, it is best to meet one at a time in order to make the most of the visit. My favorite way and most recommend is through a special meditation journey. That is, a meditation with a specific purpose and intent. As usual, grab your journal so you can write down your experience as soon as you've finished. You don't want to forget anything. When you have completed your journey, start your research about your particular animal. You might want to pull in their essence during your daily events, so pick a calendar, a picture, a statue or whatever you like. The most important part to this

meditation is to keep an open mind. Don't go into this with preconceived ideas or perceptions!

Animal Guide Meditation Since this is a special meditation, you may want to prepare your meditation space in a special way. Add a few ritualistic events, such as lighting a white candle and saying a prayer stating your intent for this meditative session. You may want to decorate your space with several animal statues or books about a variety of animals. Once you meet your animal guide, you can remove these generic items and replace them with specific ones of your personal animal spirit(s). Once you are all set and prepared, this is what you do. Take your time, try to imagine as much detail as possible. And it can't be stressed enough how

important it is not to go into this meditation with pre-conceived ideas about what you would LIKE your guide to be. Keep an open mind and an open heart.

Sit in a comfortable position, one that you can sustain for about 30-45 minutes.

Close your eyes and take in a deep cleansing breath. Fill your lungs to their fullest capacity. Then release the breath through your mouth and push all the air out of your body. Take in 3 deep breaths through the nose, imagine the white light from the universe coming into your lungs.

With all 3 exhales, image all the stress, anxiety and negativity you have leaving your body carried out to the universe on a gay smoke

where it can be dissipated and no longer do harm to anyone. As you exhale, imagine the events of the day or week floating out of your body. Put these worries aside and begin to relax your entire body and mind. Feel the tension in your muscles begin to subside. Begin at your solar plexus and imagine the white light moving up and down your body from this point. Imagine the warmth of the energy as it passes through your muscles and organs. Feel the tingling sensations as the light moves down to your toes and up your body to the top of your head. Imagine your entire body engulfed by this white divine light, from the inside out.

Say a prayer once more asking your guides and teachers to come to

you and to help with the purpose of this mediation. State your intention clearly and ask 'God' to help you with your meditative journey. Don't forget to thank them up front for their efforts.

This step takes a little practice, don't worry if you can't do this for any extended period of time, but at least give it a try. Keep your eyes closed, but look up at the pineal gland. This is a small gland located in the middle of your forehead, just above the brow. (this is also considered to be the position of your third eye and is therefore the gateway to higher conscious realms). Try to keep your eyes focused on this point. The muscles around your eyes may become sore as you stretch them upward,

so don't over do this at first. As you practice, this step will become easier and easier to do.

As you focus on your third eye imagine your at the base of a tunnel, dimly light and slanted upward. Imagine your astral body (or your soul) standing up from your physical body and begin to walk toward and into the tunnel. See the lights on the walls and the texture of the floor as you walk through the tunnel. Imagine yourself moving upward.

Just ahead you see the opening to the tunnel and as you reach the top, you realize you are standing on a ledge high above your town. You feel propelled to raise your arms and step off the cliff. At the very second you leave the cliff,

your astral body morphs into a beautiful bird and you begin to fly westward toward the Pacific.

Imagine the landscape passing below you, the mountains, rivers, forests and deserts. Imagine your soul flying over the coastline of California and out over the ocean. Now turn your wings a little to the north, flying toward the center of the northern pacific.

As you travel over the water you see in the distance an island. It's not a terribly big island, but it's large enough to hold a tall dormant volcano which now has a great water fall spilling into a clear pool at it's base. Now dip your wings slightly and make your way to the edge of that pool. As you step onto the island under a large shade tree,

you instantly morph back into your human soul form. Look around and see the soft carpet of moss under your feet, listen to the crashing soothing sounds of the waterfall, take in a deep breath and smell the fresh flower sweetened air. This is the Island of the Animal Kingdom. Every animal that has ever existed lives on this island or in the pool of water before you.

Now imagine yourself sitting under this tree on the moss, next to the pool of water. Get very comfortable and prepare yourself for another internal meditation on this island. Imagine yourself going into a meditation state. Call your animal guide and ask them to come and make themselves known to you. Imagine yourself

getting as relaxed as possible. As soon as your ready, imagine yourself opening your eyes. The first image you see before you is your animal spirit. Either on the land or in the water, the animal makes itself known to you.

The remainder of this meditation is up to the individual. You can ask their name, ask them what lessons you have to learn from them. Ask them what strengths and/or weaknesses they bring to you. Ask them how they can help you combat these weaknesses. And ask them how you can call on their strengths to help you during stressful situations or when ever you need a little extra energy.

When you have concluded your visit, make sure you thank them deeply

for their gift of service and protection to you. Thank them for coming here during this meditation to meet you and/or visit with you. Give them a goodbye hug. Then imagine yourself lifting your arms and morphing back into the bird spirit. Fly back over the ocean to California, over the deserts and forests and rivers. Back to the edge of the tunnel. As soon as you step down on the tunnel you morph back into your human self again.

Imagine yourself walking back into the tunnel and heading back down to your meditative space. Imagine your soul walking through the door to your room, and seeing your physical body right where you left it. As your soul steps back inside your spiritual body, all the visions

sensations and answers you received merge with your physical brain and are automatically stored into your conscious mind.

Take in a deep breath, begin to feel your body, become more and more aware of your surroundings, have a nice long and hard stretch, then open your eyes.

Remember: The last thing you should do before you get up from your meditative spot is to record this event either on tape or in a journal. It's important to do it right away while the images, feelings and sounds are still clear in your mind.

Next, find information about your animal guide. Read about it's habits, talents and personality. How much does this animal reflect your own personality? You should also begin to surround yourself with images of you

animal guide. This helps the conscious mind connect with the animal spirit during the day and can give you added strength and support during your activities.

The more you meet with your animal guide, the more you begin to feel their presence around you during your conscious states. You will feel them at your side, perhaps lying down next to you, protecting you, and giving you comfort when you may feel all alone. They are truly our best friends and will never leave us. OTHER SUGGESTIONS

_ Honor your spirit animal guide Wear jewelry and clothing illustrating your totem;

Decorate your space with pictures and other memorabilia; Educate yourself on its life and habits; Visit the habitat of your spirit guide; Help protect its home, contribute time and resources.

_ Pay attention to the messages of your animal guide Spend time in meditation with your friend and guide; Give thanks to the Creator and your guide for its assistance; Understand the message can be negative or positive in nature; Listen. Even when the message seems negative;

_ Study the element (water, fire, air, earth) most closely associated with

your spirit guide

If you have any questions I am always here to help you along your magickal path email me @ WitchesPlanet@gmail.com

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May you be blessed in all things.