Spiritual Animal: Recognizing and interpreting the messages of our spiritual guides
- 2018
"The eyes of an animal have the power to speak a great language."
- Martin Buber
The idea of a spiritual animal does not come from nothing. Since the beginning of time, humanity has used the image of animals to symbolize the highest values and ideals to be achieved. The first civilizations gave animals their gods, such as Quetzalcoatl, the winged snake . The Chinese calendar is composed entirely of images of animals, and the western zodiac also presents a large majority of animal-shaped signs.
Cultural identification with animals has always been strong. So much so that entire civilizations have adopted them as symbols.
These representations throughout history have not occurred arbitrarily, but are related to the connection that the ancient human being had with nature. Connection whose consciousness has diminished considerably in recent centuries. Although that doesn't mean I'm not there.
In fact, that is why each person has a guide that is presented in the form of an animal to convey messages related to a Higher Force . However, connecting with our spiritual animal is an intellectual process that relates to the person we are becoming during the different events of our lives. It has nothing to do with the person we would like to be . It is up to us purely and exclusively to learn his teachings to the extent that he reveals his wisdom to us.
What is a spiritual animal?
A spiritual animal is, in some way, a projection of yourself, presented to you to remind you of your own inherent wisdom. They are the archetypal energies personified by a specific creature. This is to guide you, be your ally, teacher and protector. If it shows in your life, it is because it has a message that it wants to share with you.
That way they will be our spiritual guide, just like a guardian angel .
However, it is our duty to recognize our spiritual animal to give rise to contact, and then know how to interpret the message they have for us .
Fortunately, when we are ready, messages will arrive continuously, so it is only a matter of being attentive . And that attention we need can be trained. In that way, one predisposes the ground for communication to take place.
In this sense, there are some practices that can help you.
Recognizing your spiritual animal
We constantly cross animals and images of animals in our daily lives. That is why when the time comes, it is not so easy for us to recognize which of them is our guide. However, there are many things that can help us prepare the ground for the meeting .
It is essential to get in touch with nature . Finding that green space, while further away from the city, the better, although if you live in the middle of a metropolis, a park far from the center is fine. Spend time establishing that connection with nature . Watch the animals, not everyone will be your spiritual animal, but everyone can teach you something. If you have a pet, share time with her. If you see animals in the park, go to bed, watch them, if you can interact with them, the better.
Avoid using headphones, turn off your cell phone, avoid any distractions that don't allow you to live in the present moment .
If at the moment you do not have the possibility to leave, at least it is preferable that you make your space a little more natural. Turn off the air conditioning, open your windows to let the air renew. Either way, nothing replaces open space.
Manifestation of your spiritual animal
As you begin to spend more time outside, you will let your spiritual animal manifest. For this, it is a good idea to recognize patterns of behavior of each animal. Animals have a type of intelligence that has nothing to do with understanding logic exercises or speaking in your language . They are not human, so not anthropomorphic. Their intelligence has to do with the way they behave given a given stimulus. How else do you explain that sea turtles migrate kilometers and kilometers according to the seasons, without needing a map or GPS ?
Another channel through which your spiritual animal usually communicates is through dreams . Try to keep track of the dreams you experience, with the highest possible level of detail. Many times the animal appears to you, many other times you will see an image of him on a wall, or someone will have a tattoo of a certain animal. Just like in real life.
Meditation also predisposes you to be more sensitive to its manifestations. There are even guided meditations that are oriented to meet your spiritual animal inside. Although, even if that does not happen, the practice of meditation opens channels that will make you more receptive to the messages that you can try to get in your daily routine. Of course, meditating in open places is always a good idea.
Meditation also sharpens your senses to perceive those things that in the vertiginous rhythm of today can escape your consciousness. Do not lose sight of it, it is one of the best advice you have ever given me, and it has really changed my life.
But let's get back to what we have in this moment.
Connecting with your spiritual animal
Once your spiritual animal is manifested, you can start working on capturing its message .
For this, a good place to start is to learn all you can about it . What are your habits? Where do you live? What do you eat? Become a student of their behaviors.
If you can, try to spend time in the natural habitat of your spiritual animal . Don't interrupt your natural life, but observe and learn all you can about your life in the wild world. Those behavior patterns and their innate abilities are part of their wisdom, what they call their ' medicine ' or power. And this power is what you can implement to make your decisions, deal with unwanted situations and get the results you are looking for.
Without a doubt, you will need to remain open to messages. Your spiritual animal will manifest in different ways. And don't expect the message to be clear and straightforward. They do not communicate the same way we do.
Honor your spiritual animal . Treat him and other animals that live in the world with respect. In shamanic currents, the respect and honor in the relationship will directly influence the depth with which this connection develops. Defend him and his habitat whenever possible.
Animals are wise and generous guides. Unlike us, they have not forgotten their connection with the earth and with us. They need us to re-establish our connection with nature to work to preserve our planet and life on it . But as always, this path begins with us.
AUTHOR: Lucas, editor of the great family of HermandadBlanca.org
SOURCES:
- https://www.wikihow.com/Find-Your-Spirit-Animal
- https://www.mindbodygreen.com/articles/how-to-find-your-spirit-animal
- https://www.the-numinous.com/2016/07/19/work-with-your-spirit-animal/
- https://thefourwinds.com/blog/shamanism/what-is-a-power-animal/
