Power Animals:
Companions for the Journey

You can learn more from watching the animals than you can from a guru or a minister - or from reading my book.
Seth (as channeled by Jane Roberts) in The Nature of Personal Reality

Several years ago I set up a small pyramid on the living room floor. My cat, Binx, showed immediate interest in it. Although she was too large to fulfill her obvious desire to sit inside it she marked it as hers by rubbing against it, and sat as close to it as possible.

One night I programmed a large citrine for prosperity and put it inside the pyramid. The next morning I discovered that Binx had put a catnip mouse next to the stone. The following morning I found two feathers on the other side of the stone.

I don't know whether Binx wanted to charge up the energy of her favorite toys, if she was assisting me in materializing abundance, or performing a ritual beyond my limited human comprehension, but her actions once again reminded me that the world of spirit is part of the normal reality of animals' lives.

Body and Spirit

More and more of us are awakening to the idea that our bodies, minds, and spirits are one; this is a principal theme of alternative and vibrational healing. In the same sense the physical world merges with a world of spirit, one whose powers and gifts are available to us once we open ourselves to it.

One way to make the world of spirit part of our normal reality is to create and deepen our connection to the animals. Many cultures believe that animals can bring us messages from the spiritual plane and can guide us during our explorations in that dimension, and simply to open ourselves to the energies of a different kind of being expands the dimensions of consciousness.

As we open ourselves to a deepened awareness of animals we become more able to appreciate how the physical and spiritual worlds are one. Spirit has never gifted me with a more profound vision than the sight of a young fawn emerging from the shadows of the forest into my back yard, or that of a wild turkey carefully guiding her tiny chicks through the tall grass. Such scenes help me to be thankful that I, like the animals, am a spiritual being in a physical body.

The Human Animal

Working with animal energies, either directly, or through imagery and symbolism, also serves to bring us in touch with our own animal natures - an aspect of ourselves which is so often repressed. When we discover the animals which most strongly call to us we discover important elements of ourselves.

Sometimes it is a strength. I first realized a deep connection to frogs when I was expected to dissect one in college biology. Instead, I tucked the frog into my pocket, and later released it by a stream.

By the time I discovered that frogs relate to healing (especially in terms of releasing blockages) I had begun my work with crystals and Bach Flower Remedies. I then began to call on Frog consciously as my ally in healing work, and continued to do so as I practiced and taught Reiki. Surely this power animal guided me to my present home, surrounded by streams and abandoned quarries where frog songs fill the night.

Sometimes our animal tells us what we need to learn. Bear is another of my power animals. As a teenager in Yellowstone Park I was chased by one, and since them I regularly have bear dreams. While I thought I appreciated Bear's theme of going within for wisdom through dreams and contemplation (as symbolized by hibernation) I didn't want it in my life in physical form.

Bear wisely guided me to upstate New York where, during my first summer, the bear population suddenly became visible as it had not been for many years. I was (quite unwillingly) one of the first to see one of the new neighbors, a 500-lb. male who strolled past my glass door, knocked down the bird feeder, and had a sunflower seed orgy. I didn't say, "Greetings, power animal, what do you want to teach me today." I screamed and called the police. I was, after all, a former New Yorker.

Bear was determined to teach me, though, and every summer I've seen at least one in my back yard. I recently realized that it was time to go within more deeply.

Finding Your Power Animal

• Think about animals to whom you've always been attracted - and remember that "animal" includes birds, reptiles, amphibians, fish, insects.
• Did you collect owls? Draw pictures of dragons? Live for the sight of horses? Swear that you would never want to live without a cat? (I believe that Cat is one of the most popular (and certainly one of the most accessible) power animals, closely followed by Dolphin and Wolf.)
• What animal do you feel is most like you?
• If you could be an animal what would you most want to be? What would you least want to be?
• Are there animals you dream about regularly?

If none of the above questions produce any inspiration, or if what you come up with doesn't feel quite right be open to and affirm that your power animal(s) (there may well be more than one) will show themselves to you soon.

• Before you go to sleep each night ask for your power animal to appear.
• Make the same request while in meditation.
• Be aware of the animal images you see in the course of the day.
• Someone sent you a card with a picture of a wolf? There's a special on the wolves in Yellowstone National Park on TV? This may be worth investigating.
• If you live in an area where wildlife abounds see who the most frequent visitors are. Which birds come most often to your feeder?
• Take out books on animals, preferably with pictures, from the library, and see whether any of them stir feelings within you.

The book and deck, Medicine Cards, by Jamie Sams and David Carson, invites you to choose seven power animals from the deck. This may seem mechanical, but I pulled both the Bear and Frog cards, as well as Hummingbird, which has always been one of my favorite birds. (They hang around my house, too).

You can also choose power animals based on qualities you would like to have in your life. The Druid Animal Oracle, by Philip and Stephanie Carr-Gomm, has a chart listing the particular gifts of animals of the Celtic tradition. Adder, Boar, Dog, Frog, Ram, and Raven, for example, relate to healing.

Above all, be patient. You may be just opening up to the idea that animals have something to teach you. Your relationship with one will flower in its time, and you may find as you grow and evolve that your power animals change.

Walking (Flying, Swimming) With Your Power Animals

Do keep in mind that your interactions with animal energies is not limited to those which have specifically called to you. Any animal may be called on when you are in need.

If you're feeling depressed think of Hummingbird for joy. When details are slipping through your fingers call on meticulous Mouse. If you're having a communication difficulty ask for Dolphin's help. Butterfly helps all those who are going through important life changes. (There is a link to characteristics of 19 power animals at the end of this article.)

Also keep in mind that while the attributes given to animals in most books on the subject are usually singular, each species (to say nothing of individual animals) has many other qualities. Squirrel, for example, is given the quality of Gathering, meaning gathering only that which is needed. For humans, this refers not only to material possessions but to the ability to shed old sorrows, fixations, beliefs. If you study Squirrel you will also discover that it is an incredibly inventive animal, and one which does not know the meaning of defeat. The squirrel-proof bird feeder has not yet been invented.

You may want to learn more about your power animal(s). On the Web a world of information is at your fingertips. Study the legends and folklore related to your animal(s). There may be lessons for you in them.

As you can ask to find your power animal(s) through dreams and meditation so you can become more attuned to them.

Imagine yourself as a particular animal. If, for example, you choose turtle, feel how it feels to be close to the ground, protected by a shell; feel the slowness and sureness of your movement.

Ask your power animal to meet you in a dream. Do the same in meditation.

I recently in meditation asked for a meeting with my troublesome Bear power animal. It began as a frightening encounter. I was walking in the woods behind my house and a black bear appeared. I curled up in a ball and whimpered as if I were a bear cub. Then I became one, and experienced what I knew intellectually, that a cub is one of the most vulnerable of animal babies. I felt my helplessness and the protectiveness of my very large mother. As I came out of meditation I realized that when I, as a human, feel helpless and unprotected, I can call on my dear cat-Mother, Binx (protection being one of the qualities of Cat) or the Earth Mother Herself.

Keeping Your Power Animals Close By

An image of your power animal may belong on your altar (or somewhere in your house), either in picture or statue form, and it's also a nice idea to have pictures on your wall. Animal calendars, for example, are easy to find, and the photographs are often lovely and frame-able.

Since one of the purposes of our power animals is to remind us of who we really are, wearing or carrying images of them can be a particularly effective form of reminder.

I've compiled a chart of power animal images available on this website. They come in varied forms: carved crystals, jewelry, candles, mugs, stained glass, and T-shirts. The link to the list is at the end of this article.

The Sacred Journey

When we open our hearts and our lives to the companionship - whether actual or symbolic - of animals our world becomes so much larger and richer. Our senses deepen; as we become aware of how naturally animals enjoy their bodies we become more comfortable with our own.

We find ourselves with access to unsuspected wisdom; we begin to let go of the terrible burden of being "human," i.e., separate from nature. We are no longer the intruders in the world in which we live; we come to care ever more deeply for its other inhabitants.

And as we increasingly rejoice in our physicality we find that like Eagle, we bridge heaven and earth, creatures of flesh, creatures of spirit.

Crystal Companions

My focus here is on crystals for expansion of consciousness. These are principally third-eye chakra stones (this chakra is located between and slightly above the eyebrows).

Amethyst, a stone the color of twilight, helps us to bridge the gap between ordinary and expanded consciousness, and thus can help us make the transition between our familiar and other realities, such as those of the world of nature.

Hawk's Eye helps us to see our reality as if from an aerial perspective, thus enabling us to recognize that our view of life isn't the only one.

Labradorite/spectrolite is a stone for the wise use of psychic powers. It can help us reach out to other forms of consciousness and attune to power animals.

Lapis, a stone the color of the night sky, helps us to explore inner dimensions of consciousness.

The Flower Dimension

Cosmos (FES) which in general helps us to express our thoughts and feelings, is also helpful for deepened communication with animals.

Forget-Me-Not (FES) helps us to connect with animals as spiritual guides.

St. John's Wort (FES) has a psychic protective influence while in a deep state of meditation or dreaming. It is recommended for all stages of spiritual opening.

Queen Anne's Lace: Helps us to integrate our psychic activity with our emotional growth.