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Posted by Tyson Yunkaporta Apr 20, 2006 |
Native American and Celtic shamanistic beliefs are strong on animal symbols. These symbols are referred to as "totem animals" or "power animals." You'll often hear the two referred to synonymously, but those that follow traditional Native beliefs explain that a totem animal is one that is with you for life, often an animal with whom you share a connection, either through interest in the animal or your resemblance to or shared characteristics of the animal in question. A power animal or spirit animal is a spirit in animal form that comes through with a specific lesson for you, and will change throughout the course of your life.
There are many different power animals, almost any animal you name can be represented as a power animal. You can have many different ones, but usually only 6 at a time. They represent your self and help you throughout your journey of life. They are spirit guides, and they can be around to teach you something, to help you through a certain time in your life, or be there to just watch over and protect you.
You can find your power animals in your dreams, through meditation, in your life. Is there any animal that you feel heavly connected too in general, or is there a certian animal that comes to you while your dreaming, or do you own any pets that you feel really connected to? Most likely those are your power animals coming to you in different ways.
These animals come and go throughout your life; once they've taught you a lesson or done their purpose they will leave until you need them again, or another animal will come into play in your life.