Just what it sounds like. This probably means different things to different people, so feel free to tell me what you think. I asked a question similar to this and nobody answered it. Thank you for your response.
2006-06-09 11:14:59 · 12 answers · asked by Strange Design 5 in Society & Culture ➔ Mythology & Folklore
A totem is different than "having an animal spirit" a totem is usually associated with clans & families... not individuals and not necessarily blood familys, but intiatory familys as well such as tradtional wiccan groups, they may have thier own totems... your animal spirit guide refers to a personal power animal which you have but may not be aware of. Michael Harner has a good book called " The Way of the Shaman" it is about 'universal core shamanism' the book teaches you the meditations to prepare for an underworld journey which is where you will meet your power animal... if you have ever seen the movie "Fight Club" Edward Norton's character "narrator" goes on an underworld journey in the cancer therapy group to meet his power animal ( a penguin)...Also in the movie "Serpent & the Rainbow" Bill Pullman's character meets his power animal in the jungle at the begining of the movie with the help of the south american witch doctor...the word "shaman" comes from an indigenous siberian culture... Native American spirituality does not corner the market on power animals, animal allies, or totems... each culture has it's own mythos behind animal allies..see the link below for more information on universal core shamanism
2006-06-09 16:21:40 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
If you are referring to 'having an animal spirit' with you, then you are talking about having a animal totem or animal spirit guide. This animal is a symbol of a phase of life you are going through at the time. This animal acts as a guide/teacher/mentor during the process.
If you are referring to 'having an animal spirit' with you such as a pet, then you are talking about sensing your pet's soul visiting you. And although this pet has 'crossed over', you can feel the love and healing from your Fido or Fluffy or Polly.
2006-06-09 19:39:13 · answer #2 · answered by anku7448 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
This is mostly found in native beliefs. I live in Alaska and I hear this a lot. I believe that an animal spirit is almost like a gardian angel except it is an animal. The animal spirit can be a bear or a chimpmunk but it is there to guide you.
One book that is great, kind of a young readers book, is "Touching Spirit Bear" by Ben Mikaelsen. It is set in Alaska and it is about a boy that almost killed another boy by beating him and is sent to an island to live by himself for a while, and he must learn the hurt of the other boy and encounters Spirit Bear.
2006-06-09 18:29:11 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
It is from the Native American societies. Each culture has a guide, spirit, angel, watching over them. Sometimes this animal spirit is called an animal totem. You are to learn lessons from your animal spirit. Study it in real life. Are there things that you do that are similar to what this animal does? Most nature religions are to help you connect yourself to Mother Earth and the cyclical paths in life. To respect and honor the earth and her creatures. Generally they tend to be peaceful (Except when it comes to survival, even then Bear and Panther help)
2006-06-09 18:45:25 · answer #4 · answered by Ding-Ding 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
this isnt native as much as its aboriginal and im not talking about australians im talking about any native shamanistic group of aboriginal people belonging to an area. celts and vikings are aboriginal. so are native americans. most aboriginal societies have their own version of witch doctor or shaman. kahuna the famous hawain word is their name for shaman. many of these spiritually guided people were often guided by animal spirits. my spirits are mourning dove and wolf. mournyngwolf is my wiccan craft name. a mourning dove is a spiritual messenger. a wolf is often a traveller or trickster. each animal has its own merits. bears are healers. etc. a person with a known animal guide is lucky and possibly shaman. some it takes forever to find a spirit animal. but either way you do feel a close tieing bond with that animal and aspects of your personality will show to be similar to that animal's
2006-06-09 20:22:59 · answer #5 · answered by mournyngwolf 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Well it could mean that you are close to nature. Or that you have an animal totem, a guide to help you through life. Sort of like a guardian angel. Mine are grey wolf and snow owl.
2006-06-09 21:56:22 · answer #6 · answered by marjojung 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It means the Gaia is interested in what you are doing in your home. The animal is most likely representing Gaia. Everyone has there own opinion but I had an animal in my house and all it did was give me good luck. NO WORRIES!
2006-06-10 14:01:34 · answer #7 · answered by buffyfansjaykay 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The animal spirit is your totem, the one animal you bear a likeness to.
2006-06-14 09:54:31 · answer #8 · answered by trance_gemni 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
it means that you are in tune or close to Nature,and the powers of Gaia
2006-06-09 18:17:41 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
it means i'm driven by lust and an insatiable desire for female flesh
2006-06-09 18:20:04 · answer #10 · answered by ardent_psychonaut 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋