~:|:~ The Boundless Path ~:|:~

Animals

Familiars are a spiritually attuned creature to whom a witch turns for insights into nature's lessons, and for help in magick. Any living creature with whom a witch can have an ongoing relationship or rapport can fulfill the role of the familiar. No matter what kind of creature it might be, the familiar is no mere pet. The animal in question is the revealer of truths and a respected partner in every sense except being human.
Power animals and totems serve as helpers to witches and shamans. A power animal is a creature whose attributes you take on for a short time, while that energy is "in play." These animals have strong associations with protective maternal instincts. In comparison, a totem animal is more strongly attached to a person's spirit and often becomes a lifelong spiritual companion.
The Sacred Nine:
According to some Native American tribes, you can have up to nine separate totem animals, each animal sitting in a different direction around your physical body. These are: East, West, North, South, Above, Below and Within. Within is inside of you, but at the same time surrounds you, for the entire universe can exist within your consciousness. (When you see or experience something, it becomes part of you, Within you simply because you're aware of it.)
Two other directions, Left and Right, exist on a more spiritual plane.
At each of the nine directions you have a totem animal. The Left and Right animals have been walking beside you since birth, so in a sense they are your parent totem animals. Often people see or become these animals in dreams. Yet despite always being near, Left and Right animals may be the last two totem creatures a person discovers, simply because their constant presence has made them unnoticable.
The nine directions each have a special meaning, so where a totem animal resides, expresses the aspects in which the animal is connected to you.
East - Guides you through spiritual challenges and guards your path to enlightenment.

West - Helps you find personal truths, inner answers, and wants you to realize your ambitions.
North - Gives you wise advise and reminds you to be thankful for what you have every day. Tells you when to speak and when to listen.

South - Protects your inner child, and reminds you to be humble. Wants yourpersonality to be balanced.
Above - Reminds you that your time on Earth is not forever. Represents your spiritual potential. Guards you in the dreamtime and on the astral plane.

Below - Keeps you grounded, teaches you about the inner Earth and reminds you to stay on the path to your goals.

Within - Your main counselor that helps you to reach your goals. Wants you to find happiness without abandoning your personal truths. Protects your inner space.

Left - Always walks beside you and protects your feminine side, your nurturing instincts. Teaches you to appreciate nature, gives advice about relationships and mothering.

Right - Always walks beside you and protects your masculine side, your protective and territorial instincts. Represents your courage and warrior spirit.

Meditation, day dreams, and night dreams seem to be the tried and true forums for finding your totem animals. It is possible to inherit totem animals, as the more you are influenced by your family the more likely it is that you share or inherit totems. Be aware that totem animals can be an extinct species, but it is unusual. They can be irregular colors, ie. a white buffalo. The color may be a symbolic message, or just a nod to the animals spirit form. An individual must judge this for them self. Also check your zodiac, Chinese and Roman, as these animals are believed to guard and influence humans. You can also get Totem Animal readings from Medicine Cards or a gifted Shaman.
In dreaming, any reoccurring dream that either features you meeting an animal or you becoming an animal, odds are that the animal in the dream is one of your totems. Above animal is supposed to be the most active one in dreams. Yet the other eight animals will sometimes appear in dreams in order to give you guidance on the issues that they represent, ie. if Left animal appears in a dream then the dream may pertain to a relationship that you are in - whether the relationship is with nature, a lover or a child.

Animals' and Their Medicine Power

Ant patience, stamina, community-mindedness

Antelope knowledgeable action, speed, rapid growth, grace

Armadillo knowledge of boundaries, objectivity

Badger aggressiveness, persistence, centeredness

Bat releasing old habits, new growth, rebirth

Bear strength, introspection, self-knowledge

Beaver balance, alterations, building, shaping

Bee service, gathering, community

Buffalo abundance, prayer, healing, good fortune

Bull masculine energy, stubborness, creativity, leadership skills

Butterfly transformation, courage to change, balance, grace

Caribou travel, mobility

Cat grace, independence, sensuality, psychic vision

Cougar balanced leadership, cunning, wit

Coyote humor, trickiness, adaptability, reversal of fortune

Deer gentleness, sensitivity, alertness, peace

Dog loyalty, courage, unconditional love

Dolphin harmony, love, wisdom, connection with self

Dragonfly refinement of skills, illusion, need for change, relentlessness

Elephant memory, learning abilitly, health, good luck

Elk stamina, friendship, pride, power, majesty

Fox cleverness, adaptability, cunning, subtlety, discretion

Frog emotional healing, cleansing, peace

Giraffe streaching yourself, open-mindedness

Goat tenacity, diligence

Goose safe return, love of home

Gopher gathering, preparation for the future

Hedgehog self-preservation

Horse inner power, freedom, safe movement

Lion association with the sun, courage, nobleness, prosperity

Lizard caution, regeneration, renewal, growth

Lynx subtlety, silence, secretiveness, elusiveness

Manatee serenity, gentleness, trust

Moose self-esteem, confidence, strength, spontaneity, unpredictability

Mouse scrutiny, caution, success, awareness of danger, illusion, charm

Opossum peaceful alternatives, deception

Otter playfulness, efficiency, female energy, healing power of laughter

Porcupine self-protection, memory, security, innocence, humility

Rabbit conquering fear, safety, gentleness with self

Raccoon curiosity, skillful investigation, playful energy

Salmon determination, persistence

Seal contentment

Skunk reputation, self-preservation, respect

Snake transmutation, fertility, regeneration, life force,sexual potency

Spider creativity, balance, interconnectedness, industry

Squirrel planning ahead, playfulness, trust

Tiger caution, appropriate timing, stealth

Turtle protection,grounding,longevity,healing,symbol of the bounty of Mother Earth

Weasel stealth, seeing beneath the surface, supernatural power

Whale intelligence, self-expression, intuition, creativity

Wolf eliminating weakness, committment, family loyalty, teaching skill

Zebra power, alertness, community

Birds and Their Medicine Power

Blackbird understanding of the energies of Mother Nature

Bluebird modesty, unassuming, confidence and happiness

Blue Jay proper use of power

Canary power of song and voice. heightened sensitivity

Cardinal renewed vitality through recognizing our importance

Catbird language and communication

Chickadee cheerful expression of truth

Chicken fertility and sacrifice

Cock sexuality, watchfulness and resurrection, optimism

Cowbird parent and child relationships, resolving old issues

Crane longevity and creation through focus, expression of feminine energies

Crow magic, creation, spiritual strength

Cuckoo heralding new fate, intuitive ability

Dove feminine energies of peace, maternity, prophecy and promise of future

Ducks emotional comfort and protection

Eagle spiritual enlightenment, clarity of vision, transcendence, messengers, healing and creation

Finch energy of variety and multiplicity, increased potentials

Flicker rapid growth and trust, increased healing love, new sensitivity of heart

Goldfinch awakening to the nature spirits- fairies, elves and devas

Goose call of the quest, travels to legendary places, search new dimensions

Grackle overcoming excess, dealing with emotions

Grosbeak Healing the family heart

Grouse completion, sacred spiral dance, fulfillment

Hawk Awakening visionary power, guardianship, awareness, truth

Heron Aggressive self-determination, self-reliance

Hummingbird Tireless joy, accomplishing the impossible, beauty, agility

Kestrel Mental speed, agility, grace, control

Kingfisher New warmth, sunshine, prosperity, and love

Loon Lucid dreaming and re-awakening of old hopes, wishes and dreams, communication

Magpie The proper use of intelligence, familiars, and occult knowledge

Martin Good luck and community peace, peaceful living energies

Meadowlark Cheerful journey inward, discovery of intuition, innate abilities

Mockingbird Finding your Sacred Song (soul purpose) and recognition of your innate abilities

Nuthatch Grounding of faith and higher wisdom, teaches true path to realization is learning to manifest the spiritual within the physical

Oriole The weaving of new sunshine, can open doors to positive relationship with all members of nature realm

Ostrich Becoming grounded

Owl The mystery of magic, omens, silent wisdom, and vision in the night; symbol of the feminine, the moon and the night

Parrot Sunshine and color healing; teaches power of light and colors

Peacock Resurrection and wise vision (watchfulness)

Pelican Renewed buoyancy and unselfishness; teaches how not to be overcome by emotion

Penguin Lucid dreaming and astral projection

Pheasant Family, fertility and sexuality

Pigeon Return to the love and security of home; very gentle and loving energy

Quail Group nourishment and protection

Raven Magic, shapeshifting and creation

Road Runner Mental speed and agility

Robin Spread of New Growth in a variety of areas of life

Sparrow Awakening and triumph of common nobility; shows how to survive

Starling Group behavior and etiquette; clear communication

Stork Birth and unspoken communication

Swallow Protection and warmth for the home and proper perspective

Swans Awakening the true beauty and power of the self

Swift Speed and agility in the great quest; responding to opportunity

Swisher Awakening to the Fairy realm

Turkey Sharing blessings and harvest

Vulture Purification - death and rebirth - new vision

Waxwing Gentleness and courtesy

Woodpecker The power of rhythm and determination; stimulates new rhythms

Wren Resourcefulness and boldness

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