Power Animals are guardian spirits, which take the form of an animal. These are probably the most major power connection that most if not all shamans have. Every one of us has at least one such animal to help, protect, guide and energize us through our dreams and visions. The power animal is in many ways the carrier of our personal power. It also stores it for us.
Certain animals stay with us throughout our whole lives, while others come to lend us their powers while solving a current problem or situation, or to awaken a new potential and power in our lives.
In addition, power animals are strong allies who will help and protect you during your visits to the Underworld. For this reason, I would advice you to seek a power animal first before questing any further. This way you will have a guide and protector to help you in your quest.

How do you know which animal is your power animal?

Firstly, a power animal can be any kind of animal. Maybe you already feel a certain affinity or attraction to a certain animal. Quite possible you have felt this for a very long time. Naturally, most people want to have a big, strong animal, like a wolf, a bear or an eagle. If you pre-decide this, you may be cutting yourself off from power and limiting your options. When the ant revealed itself to me as a power animal, I was disappointed at first. Ants to me were bothersome little creatures rampaging through my kitchen - and they do bite! Then I did some research and found some remarkable facts about the power of the ant. The ant is a great symbol of work and industry. It is the teacher of how to build, how to become the architect on ones own life. In addition, they can carry many times their own size and weight, making the person connected to them strong enough to carry any load life throws at them.
Never underestimate the power of an animal only because it is small or seems insignificant.
There are many books available that will give a more detailed information on power animals, such as the wonderful books ‘Animal Speak’ and ‘Animal Wise’ by Ted Andrews, or the excellent ‘Medicine Cards’ by Jamie Sims.
Personally, I have several animals with which I work constantly. The interesting fact being, that I work with different animals when using different traditions. When working with the Inca tradition, I work with the jaguar by my side. The wolf and the bear are my constant companions when working with the North-American tradition. In addition, while being introduced to the Indonesian tradition, the wild boar made itself known to me. Other animals come to my aid as the situation calls for it.
Once you have found your power animal through affinity or journeying, honor it by researching its qualities, hanging up pictures and collecting items of this animal.
One of my constant companions is the crow. To honor it I have made a feather fan from crow feathers found in my neighborhood. This way I can always physically connect with it as well as spiritually.




How can you find your power animal? There are several ways to do so. Someone experienced in shamanism could gain a power animal on your behalf, or you could do it for yourself.
Power animals can be gained through dreams and meditations, or through journeying to the Underworld.
Here are two exercises to help you along the way.

Exercise 1: Finding your Power Animal

When you go to bed at night, relax and let your mind wander around the thought of animals. Try to remain detached. Do not focus on any specific animal. Let this flow in a dreamy sort of way and let the images find their own way to the surface of your mind. If particular animals come to you, just let them slip away without focusing on them. You will find that one image will lead to another, and that your imagination will work them into scenarios. This is fine. The important thing is to fall asleep with the images of animals in your mind. Some of you will have powerful dreams in the first night and make contact with all kinds of creatures and beings. Others will find that the process takes a while to work. If you have difficulty in remembering your dreams your might think that nothing much seems to happen at first. Do not worry about this – it might take a little time, but this will work for anybody.
If you seem to dream about a wider variety of creatures, this too will settle down over a period of days. At one point, you will find yourself dreaming of the same animal night after night. You will also find that you receive confirmations during your waking life. For example, you might dream of a squirrel at night, and then they might have a special on squirrels on TV. You might keep seeing squirrel images and actual squirrels in the following days.

Exercise 2: Journey to the Underworld to find a Power Animal

The instructions are the same as for the exercise on the journey to visit the Underworld. Yet now you will go a step further and actually venture into this world in search for your animal.

Make the same preparations as for the prior journey. Close your eyes and breathe deeply. Relax. Find your entrance to the Underworld and begin your journey. Feel yourself sliding deeper and deeper into Mother Earth. Again, if you come across an obstruction, find your way around it or find a gap through. If a spider or other insect blocks your path, return to the entrance and try another day. If your path is clear, continue deeper and deeper down the tunnel until you reach a cave. See the light ahead and follow it to the entrance of the cave. Step out of the cave into the warm sunlight into a beautiful meadow. The sun warms your face and the grass is soft beneath your feet. You hear the birds singing in the distance and you can smell the sweet fragrance of the flowers. You look around and you see a river and next to it a large, ancient oak tree. You go to the tree amazed about its size and cherishing its beauty. Next to the tree, you see a large stone shaped like a chair. You sit down on it and it seems made for you. It is a perfect fit. You breathe deeply and look around you again. Sit and enjoy the beauty and calmness of the nature around you. This is a place where wild animals can live in peace. It feels as if with each breath, you become more and more part of this place and this place becomes more and more part of you.
Suddenly you see a movement out of the corner of your eye. You hold your breath. You sit still and then from the edge of a forest is movement. It may fly above you or gently step out of the shadows.
You sit still, watching with wonder as an animal appears in your vision. As you watch, the eyes of the animal seek you out and hold your gaze. Never have you seen or felt anything so beautiful. This must be a dream.
Then it moves towards the cave. It pauses and looks back at you, as if to tell you it is time to go. You stand up and begin to follow it. As you approach the cave, it stops and waits. It is so close that you could touch it. Gently you extend your hand, but before you can actually touch it, it jumps and heads back to the edge of the forest.
Your eyes lock one more time before it disappears into the darkness of the forest. Do not feel disappointed. It will take time to develop a relationship of trust and love. You understand that you will have to be patient. You smile and you move back into the cave. As you step into the cave, you turn around one more time and there it is, standing at the edge of the forest telling you good-bye until next time.
You catch your breath and you feel a happiness you never felt before. You thank the animal for showing itself to you. As you do, it disappears. You step into the cave and feel the now familiar pull of the chord. Let the chord pull you back, higher and higher, back the tunnel you have come through, until you come out at the entrance of your journey. Now slowly return to your surroundings. Feel the texture of the furniture; hear the sounds of the room. Stretch, move your hands and feet and your whole body. Slowly count to three. You are now again in the present. Lie still for a while and contemplate the things you have experienced.
Take a minute and write down your experience. Honor your power animal by researching it and giving it attention during your waking life.

 

 

 

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