Power Animals
Power animals are an expression of your wild and
free nature. Certain powers of nature are vested in
specific animals, as reflected in their innate qualities
and characteristics. By finding and communicating with
your power animal, for a specific time and for a particular
purpose, you can increase your knowledge and magical
ability, which in turn transforms you. Besides, it's fun!
Many a tale begins with the line "These things happened
long ago, when animals could speak like men." Throughout
the folk traditions and religions of the world, animals
appear as reincarnated ancestors, messengers of the gods
and goddesses, divine beings themselves, creators as well
as supporters of the world. They assume the roles of causers
of earthquakes, familiars, protectors, teachers, weather makers,
life tokens, doubles, and guides of souls to other worlds of
existence. In Norse tradition, the Swedish wise women called
"vargamors" were known to have wolf familiars.
Fylgia is the word in the Northern Tradition that corresponds
to "power animal." It means a magical force, defined as a
shapeshifting power or fetch, which is a partly separate
aspect of the human self that appears in the form of a
spirit beast of power.
The relationship between humans and animals is a divine one.
Many traditions around the world perceive animals and people
as coming from the same divine place. Because of this, some
cultures believe individual people and animals share a soul.
Certain people are born with the ability to understand the
speech, communication, and messages of power animals. Other
people acquire the faculty as a divine gift, from a specific
power animal, goddess or god, or by magical means.
One simple way to connect with power animals is to use certain
three-rune bindrunes. For example:
Wunjo, Laguz, and Kenaz (WLK)
Uruz, Lagaz, and Fehu (ULF) are both wolf,
Berkana, Ansuz, Raidho (BAR) for bear,
Kenaz, Ansuz, Tiewaz (KAT) for cat,
Dagaz, Othala, Gebo (DOG) for dog,
Dagaz, Fehu, Raidho (DFR) for deer,
Raidho, Ansuz, Wunjo (RAW) for raven.
Be creative, and make up your own three-rune power animal
bindrunes. Just make sure the runes you select match the
specific animals' special qualities.
As mentioned earlier, in the Northern Tradition Odin, the
Norse god of wisdom, had a pair of ravens, Hugin (thought)
and Munin (memory), that perched on his shoulders. At dawn
the ravens explored the Earth and at night they returned to
whisper the secrets they discovered in Odin's ear. Other power
animals, already mentioned, and associated with Odin, are Slepnir,
the eight-legged horse, the wolves Geri and Freki, the snake, and
the eagle. Odin changed himself first into a snake and later into
an eagle. Freyja's power animals were the falcon and the cat, and
she was associated with the raven even before Odin. Sif, the second
wife of Thor, was a swan maiden and could assume the swan's form.
Traditionally, four power animals correspond to the four
directions. In a story about Harald Gormsson, King of Norway,
for example, the king's wizard shapeshifted into a whale and
went to Iceland on a scouting mission. When he arrived, four
guardian beings warned him to leave. They were the dragon (north),
the bull (east), the rock giant (south), and the eagle (west). The
wizard quickly returned to the king and told of his experience. King
Harald promptly called off his planned invasion of Iceland.
Finding your own power animal and communicating with it once you
find it, is a uniquely personal experience. It is guaranteed to expand
your understanding of the runes and the diverse interpretations of these
ancient symbols. Here is one method for finding your power animal:
1) Set up your altar, and place
your rune stones upon it.
2) Establish your sacred space
3) Call in the Four Wards.
4) Light a green or blue candle.
5) Look at the flame of the candle
and merge with its divine light.
6) Take your runes, mix them in their
pouch, and then pull the first nine that come
up to you. Place these in a horizontal row,
faceup, from left to right.
Interpret the runes along the following guidelines:
Rune #1 What is the basis of my connection with my
power animal? What do I have to learn from the animal?
Rune #2 How can I contact my power animal?
Rune #3 Will I contact my power animal soon?
Rune #4 How will we communicate, and to what purpose?
Rune #5 What influences block communication with my
power animal? What are the present delays and obstacles?
Rune #6 What runic energies can help me better know my
power animal?
Rune #7 How can my power animal help me walk between
the Nine Worlds of Yggdrasil and learn the powers of the
runes?
Rune #8 Will my power animal appear in the physical
form in the near future?
Rune #9 What gift will be exchanged between us? What
will be the outcome of my knowing my power animal?
Write down the nine runes you pull, in the order you pull them.
Allow the candle to burn down completely.
In a month look back on this sheet with the nine runes written on it.
Also for the next month pay close attention to animal signs in your
daily life. Notice what animal names you encounter, what animals
you see, what animals are in your dreams, what animals you most resemble,
and what animals you admire or think about most. Also be aware of which
animals you are most attracted to and which ones seem to like you.
Behavorial mannerisms you display also may give you clues to your power
animal. For example, do you growl, purr, or fly around a lot? Do you wear
clothing with animals on it or drive a car with an animal name such as
Mustang or Jaguar?
Whatever your power animal, the creature has magical power to offer when
you open yourself up to receiving its natural gifts and abilities. As you
work with your power animal, you will rediscover your sacred connection
with the dignity, beauty, and wisdom of the natural world around you,
helping you build a more positive relationship with the Earth and Her
creatures.
Rune Magic
Magical Timing
The Eight-Fold Moon Phase
The Elements
The Four Directions
Magical Focals
Rune Galdr Songs
The Altar
Magical Tools
Making A Gandr (Runic Wand)
Consecrating Your Magical Tools
The Three Steps Of Magic
The Sacred Enclosure
Sending Runes
Runic Charms
Rune Cord or String Magic
Rune Script Magic
Rune Candle Magic
Essential Oils
The Talisman
The Runic Circle
The Runes
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