The terms spirit guide, spirit animal, and power animal have become popularized in much of the new age and spiritual cultures of today. Especially as we, as a collective, have been waking up to the existing wisdom that many indigenous cultures have understood and taught in a variety of ways.
There are several public figures in spirituality, science, and researchers that have brought into our modern civilization the values, wisdom, and insights taught and understood by the different cultures around the world. It is certainly a big step in the direction of raising our awareness, and consciousness, and finding common ground in our humanity in everyone and everything being all our relations - brothers and sisters in the heart of the Great Spirit.
Something that is often asked is, "What is the difference between a power animal and a spirit animal?" This is common when people are first realizing that they can feel a connection to Spirit through the environment - the earth, plants, atmosphere, and animals.
A Spirit Animal is the energy of an animal that may show itself symbolically to you in dreams, sightings in nature, or pictured someplace, on various or many occasions when you are working through a concern or have prayed for insight, guidance, and support. This is more likely for those that are in the habit or practice of regularly connecting with the animal kingdom on a spiritual level because the messages that Spirit would relay, that are intended for those that do not have that relationship, would logically fall on deaf ears or be misunderstood.
A Power Animal is the spiritual energy of an animal (or insect) that aids a person long-term in walking their path - or finding their personal "power" (soul path or soul expression through the physical world) in life, or during a phase in life. For example, there may be a relationship with one animal that aids in the spiritual awareness and development of youth, while another will take its place as you become wiser, broaden your awareness, and evolve in different areas of life.
Because of the intimate relationship with one's Power Animal, it is strongly advised not to share this information with anyone. This is a sacred union and must be treated as such to ensure that external opinions do not overshadow the spiritual guidance or relationship between you and this Animal Spirit that has agreed to walk "your" path with you to assist, guide, or train you. A request can be made to the spirit world and then through soulful or shamanic journeying, they can reveal themselves to you. This may also be done by requesting guidance from spirit animals that arise to assist with specific concerns, trying times, or getting past a pattern that is no longer serving you.
Many mistakenly interchange the names (or meanings) of spirit or power animal guide. There's also an erroneous belief that we choose the animal, thereby egoically seeking an animal we think is charismatic, cool, or (unfortunately) socially acceptable for the sake of feeling important.
Making a decision from a state of needing to be seen by others as of value or important, to feel valued and important, is a response driven by an inner wound. Otherwise, called a trauma response. So it's important to check in with yourself and see if there's a part of you that needs healing and to give that part of you, your loving attention. Doing so demonstrates valuing oneself, thereby invoking the sensation of importance. This is a step in the process of doing inner work.
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Written by Josephine Sheppard
April 27, 2024
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