Affirmations for Today

 

 "My animal spirit guide travels with me wherever I go.  He/She guides me and protects me." 

OR 

 "I call upon the spiritual energy of the (fill in your animal here).  (Fill in animal here) helps me to better understand myself, my life's path, and the energy it embodies."

 

 

There are many cultures that recognize the role that animals play in our lives.  These cultures have watched the animal world and made observations about the nature of each animal.  They have observed how they hunt, hide, build their homes, create communities, attract a mate, protect their young, and survive in the wild. 

 

These observations led each culture to identify the characteristics, strengths, and weaknesses of each animal.  They then would draw from or call upon the powerful energy of the animal to help them, guide them, and share their wisdom.  The Native Americans called this powerful energy-medicine. 

 

The animal kingdom has much to share with us.  They enrich our lives, expand our experiences, bring us wisdom, and show us in which direction we should be or should not be going.  If we could access their knowledge and their energy, we could add another, deeper dimension to our personal and spiritual growth. 

 

But how do we access the realm of animal spirits?  Try this:

 

Sit quietly with your hands in your lap and your feet flat on the floor.  Close your eyes, relax, and breath-in through your nose and out through your mouth. Clear your mind of mind-chatter.

 

Next, ask the Universe to show you the animal spirit that can best assist you on your current path.  Say something like this, "I ask the Universe to provide guide and insight through the animal kingdom.  I am open to accepting the identity and help of my animal spirit guide."

 

Then sit patiently and wait.  An image should come to you.  Let the image develop in your mind.  As the image forms, bring it into focus. 

 

Don't question whether it is the right image.  Don't question whether or not you are making it up.  Just accept that the Universe has chosen this animal spirit especially for you because this animal has the knowledge, experience, and power to guide you.

 

Let the animal spirit that has come to you, reveal something special about itself.  Let it take you wherever you need to go.  Follow it.  Trust its instinct.  Listen to its message.  You may not hear words necessarily, but you may get a sense of knowing.

 

When you are certain that your encounter with your animal spirit is done, thank the animal spirit for revealing itself to you.

 

Say something like, "I thank the spirit of the (fill in animal here) for introducing itself to me.    I accept its guidance and wisdom.  I am grateful for any lessons the (animal) can teach me."

 

Then take a deep breath and open your eyes.

 

You may notice that in the following days, you may see the animal in your dreams or in magazines or on television. This is just a reinforcement for you that the animal you encountered is with you.

 

O.K. so how do you process the information?  What does it all mean?  What does the animal represent to you?  All good questions.

 

Think about the nature of that animal.  Consider its role in the natural world.  Think about the qualities that it has that allows it to make its own way and survive in the natural world.  Little by little, it will become clear to you exactly what that animal brings to you.  It may courage, stealth, need to protect the home field.  It may be about persevering or standing your ground or submitting and retreating in order to fight another day. 

 

In order to help you, here is a short list of some common animals and what they generally represent.  To get the greatest understanding of your animal spirit guide experience, you may want to record it in a journal or research the animal and what it represents in other cultures. 

 

 

Ants-Diligence, hard work, perseverance

Apes & monkeys –Social order, institutions, group cooperation

Bats-Developing our senses; traveling in unexpected places

Bears-Physical strength; preparation for difficult times

Beavers-Personal industry; attention to home issues

Big Cats (lions, tigers, jaguars, leopards, etc.)-Stealth, protection, ferocity, strength, control

Birds-Song, joy, happiness

Birds of Prey (eagles, falcons, hawks, etc.)-Vision, Insight, Wisdom, Higher consciousness

Boars-Obstinacy; research, unearthing hidden or buried information

Butterflies-Breaking free; transformation, letting go of the old

Camels-Conserving resources

Caribou-Quick movement, long distance travel

Deer-Caution; gentleness; knowing when to flee

Dogs-Loyalty, friendship

Dolphins-Communication

Dragonflies-Magic, miracles

Dragons-Power, using power wisely; using power to assist others

Elephants-Nurturing, mothering, comfort, mothers & daughters

Elk-Provisions; storing resources

Fish-Societal groups; conformity

Foxes-Cleverness, Using new and creative ideas to approach common situations

Giraffes-Point of view; developing a keener perspective

Hippopotami-Defending and protecting our territories

Horses-Work and play, balance between the two

Mice-Unobtrusiveness, not attracting undue attention

Moles-Blindness; lack of information or understanding

Moose-Camouflage, silence, thinking before speaking

Otters-Playfulness; fun

Oxen-Physical labor; burdens, strength to carry heavy loads

Peacock-Pride, showiness, display of one’s talents

Rabbits-Retreat, protecting oneself from adversaries more powerful than oneself

Rats-Resourcefulness; acting on opportunity

Skunks-Respect for one’s self and one’s opponents; Personal defenses

Snakes-Renewal; shedding the old

Spiders-Planning and preparation

Swans-Grace, gracefulness, grace under pressure

Tortoise-Endurance; great wisdom

Turtles-Slowness of pace; slow and steady progress

Whales-Movement of long distances; migration; travel, extended trips

Wolves-Community and Family

 

 

Love and Light,

Robin