subject: Meeting and Working with Animal Guides [print this page] Meeting and Working with Animal Guides Meeting and Working with Animal Guides
The tradition of speaking to spirit through Animal Guides, has been handed down to us, not only from the North American Indian tribes but worldwide from every culture that has lived so closely to our natural world as hunter gatherers who take on the attributes of their prey and honoring their life spirit. From a western perspective, it is hard to imagine us walking around in animal headdresses or dancing dressed as a bird or a deer, as a Shaman might do to enhance their connection, to their animal spirit guide. But as with all ancient truth, there is much for us to learn and use.
We use the shamanic path to give us the opportunity to connect with our spiritual guides on a level that is completely non-confrontational, allowing us to assimilate their messages through the use of the attributes of each animal guide, in order to show us and bring to our attention what is important. For example, one of my life guides that is always with me is a wolf and one of their key attributes is family, which highlights what is important to me. My wolf will often point to where I am straying, and on how I might interact with a family member. In another situation my wolf might bring in another animal guide to make aware of what I need in a particular situation.
When working with animals you should also be aware of their associate animals and prey, as they are their shadows and also contain many meanings. To follow this path you will really need to invest in a few good books to use as a reference. Whilst some may give conflicting information, always trust your own intuition as to what feels right for you. Your intuition, is also your guidance, not only from spirit, but also your own higher self.
Working with animal guides can be very rewarding, show you a way to help you with many aspects of your physical and spiritual path. I have found that very often, I start to work with an animal guide and as our mutual trust and respect grow over time, has revealed themselves as a North American Indian. No real surprise, for they have lived the shamanic animal path for so many years it is normal to think of themselves in that way as spirit guides. For me there is no conflict between the spirit and guide, I believe for many this is an easier way to accept their guidance. Just as so many stories handed down through the ages seek to teach us through metaphors, be that Arthur and the round table, the values or fairness and loyalty or the story of the creation in the Book of Genesis.
