Animal Spirits

Throughout history tribal and ancient cultures have seeked guidance from their animal spirits. In the Amazon
jungle the Native Indians would go into trances to contact their guides for help in their lives and tribe. These
same rituals were also used by American Indians, Australian Aborigines, African Bushmen and more. All
these individuals would invoke their guides for inspiration and guidance.

In today's world where people are seeking guidance and inner peace away from the hectic daily grind of their
lives more and more people are seeking the way of the ancients. People of todays society are realising that
there is something missing from their lives and are going back to the way of the elders.

Following is some information that I have found on Animal Spirits and how you can make contact with your
guide.
Animal and Spiritual Guides
Spirit Animals
http://www.phoenixarises.com/spirits/spiritshome.htm

Spirit Animals are animals that we are born with. Native Americans believe that upon birth an animal's spirit
enters into that person. Its duties are to keep each person strong and wise as well as to excel in matters of
attributes given to that Animal.

A Deer is an animal of love, tenderness, and swiftness.

There is an old story about the animal kingdom wanting to get into heaven to see the Almighty God. At a
council meeting all the animals stood up to tell why they would be the most appropriate one to get to the
kingdom of God.

The Bear stood up and said, “I, Bear, who is the strongest bravest creature will go to see the Creator". Upon
the road to the Creator stood a big, nasty, monster. The bear took one look and ran back to the animal
kingdom to tell of the nasty, monster.

The Eagle Screeched, "I will fly over the monster to get to see the Creator". Off went the eagle. He flew
higher and higher and got closer to the kingdom of the Creator than any other animal before. He started to
screech a prayer. "Almighty Great Creator, I so would like to see You". The Almighty Creator said, "It is true
you are the best at reaching high enough to talk to me, but a messenger is all you will be. Tell the rest of the
animals that they have to go through the red road of truth to find me". The eagle said to The Almighty
Creator," But there is a monster in the way, how can we cross?

The Almighty said no further. The eagle went back and told all the animals of what the Almighty had said to
him. And all the animals started to fight and argue.

The Deer hearing such a roar jumped so high he landed right in front of the nasty monster. The deer looked
into the eyes of the monster and stared. The monster looked deep into the deer's eyes and saw love, warmth
and tenderness, and upon seeing that the monster melted away. And so the deer was the first to go through the
red road of truth to see the Almighty.

How to Find Your Animal Spirit Guide

Take a long, slow, deep breath. Find that quiet place inside yourself. Go into your place of inner vision.
Imagine yourself as an ancient Shaman sitting on the top of a tall, sacred cliff at sunset.

You face the west and feel the last warm rays of the sun as it sinks below the horizon. You honour the west as
the place of sacred dreams and inner vision, balance and self-healing. You have come to this sacred cliff to
seek totem's for your inner wisdom. These totem's may never have form on your Earth Walk planes. These
totem's may come to you only in your place of inner vision. They will be totem's of great power, And will
bring you gifts of self, gifts of nature, and gifts of spirit.
These totem's may be your special secret Medicine, kept sacred in your heart. These totem's may reflect your
higher self in balance. These totem's may form your inner Medicine Circle, your circle of self-healing, your
Sanctuary of source.

The evening sun sets behind the horizon, leaving a veil of twilight in its place. In this quiet time between the
world of day and the world of night, you call your sacred medicine circle together. This circle represents your
inner powers-known only to yourself, shared with no one. You make your own medicine.

Still facing the West, you call forth your sacred inner totem from the West. This is your Dream Speaker
totem. This totem calls forth images of wisdom from your inner vision. Let this totem emerge in your inner
vision. This totem carries the water of your water, the depth of your inner most emotions. This is your Dream
Speaker self-connector.

Take all the time you need to communicate with your totem. When you are ready, turn to face the North.

Facing the North, you call forth your sacred inner totem from the North. This is your Elder totem. This totem
calls forth your helping guides to sacred wisdom. Let this totem emerge in your inner vision. This totem
carries the Earth of your waters, the wisdom of your intuition.... This is your Elder self-connector.

Take all the time you need to communicate with your totem. When you are ready,
turn to face the East.

Facing the East, you call forth your sacred inner totem from the East. This is your Sacred Clown totem. This
totem calls forth divine humor and inspiration. Let this totem emerge in your inner vision. This totem carries
the Air of your water, the creativity of your inner balance. This is your Sacred Clown self-connector.

Take all the time you need to communicate with your totem. When you are ready, turn to face the South.

Facing South, you call forth your sacred inner totem from the south. This is your Guardian totem. This totem
calls forth healing harmony in all aspects of yourself. Let this totem emerge in your inner vision. This totem
carries the Fire of your water, the protection of your self-healing. This is your Guardian Self-connector.

Take all the time you need to communicate with your totem. When you are ready, turn to face the West once
more.

Stand facing the West. Now slowly look upward and call forth your inner totem from Spirit. This is your
Creator totem. This totem calls forth the depths of your soul consciousness. Let this totem emerge in your
inner vision. This totem carries the Spirit of your water, the gifts of your sacred dreams. This is your Creator
self-connector.

Take all the time you need to communicate with your totem. When you are ready, lean down and touch the
Earth.

Touching the Earth, call forth your sacred inner totem from the Earth. This is your Sacred Mother totem. This
totem calls forth sustenance from the inner mother. Let this totem emerge in your inner vision. This totem
carries the Heart of your water, the compassion of your inner knowing. This is your Sacred Mother self-
connector.

Take all the time you need to communicate with your totem. When you are ready, go deeper inside yourself to
find your quiet place.

In your quiet place, call forth your sacred inner totem of self-image. This is your Magic Lake totem. This
totem calls forth self-recognition from within. Let this totem emerge in your inner vision. This totem carries
the reflection of your water, the strength of introspection. This is your Magic Mirror self-connector.

Take all the time you need to communicate with your totem. When you are ready, stand and face the West
once more. Give honor to the West, place of inner visions, healing balance, and sacred inner wisdom.

Honor all of your totem's in your medicine circle for the qualities they represent and for the elements they
balance in yourself.

Allow yourself to return slowly from the quiet place of within. Know that you carry the energy of your sacred
inner totem's within your heart. Know that your Medicine Circle is always there for your Journey. Return to
present time and place. Go in balance.
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There are 7 directions, not 4: South, West, North, East, up(Spirit), Down(Earth), And Within(Self) Also there
is a left and right side.

The Right side: This animal protects your male side and teaches you that, no matter where you
turn, it will be your Father-protector within. This Animal also carries your courage
and Warrior spirit.

The left Side: This animal is the protector of your female side and teaches you that you must
learn to receive abundance as well as to nurture yourself and others. The left-side animal is
also your teacher about relationships and mothering.

(To learn more about this Read: "In The Shadow of the Shaman" By: Amber Wolf)
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TENDERFOOT POUCH

(Use at least one totem from each world).

Find yourself a medicine bag that can hang around your neck. Place in this bag one of each item.

Mineral World--A stone, any kind you feel drawn to except a crystal or gem.
Animal World--A small feather, bit of fur, claw, whiskers, rabbit tails, wings of butterflies, snake skin.
Plant World--Dried flowers, leaves, herbs, interesting twigs or roots.
Human World--Personal charms, buttons, hair, chains, locket, tiny figures, such as miniatures from games
and models.

Add a seed or a nut for growth, Add a crystal or gem stone for spirit, Add a colored marble, bead, or ribbon
for your special color.

Let no one see or touch your bag or its contents.

© Tania Collier ~ March 2006

This document is licensed under the Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 2.5 Australia license, available at
http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/2.5/au/.