Totem Spirit Animals | Spirit Guides
A Spirit Animal, also known as a shadow animal, totem animal, or an animal guide, is an animal one relates to or looks to in times of need. For example; a person seeking courage might visualize oneself as a Tiger or a Bear to help oneself through a tough situation.

 

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An animal guide need not be a real animal, it may be mythological. A Unicorn; a Dragon; a Griffin; all are animals which may have spiritual value to a person. Also, the color or size of one’s spirit animal need not be realistic so long as it provides a spiritual value or symbolism.

One may also grow into or out of a spirit animal. It need not be a lifelong thing. One may have more than one spirit animal so as to cover the many aspects of life during their time of need. Usually at least one will dominate in your personality and the others will be more like good friends you call upon in your time of need, but if you experience a drastic change in life your animal may change.

We recommended that one choose an animal guide, even if it is only to help one find one’s true Animal Guide. Some people take a four day outing in which they seek out their spirit animal. Often they abstain from using man made foods or items during these journeys, but should you choose to take such a quest we recommend taking along the essentials for safety purposes.

Having a spirit animal may help one with their awareness of nature and… self nature.

When selecting a Spirit Animal, select a particular bird or animal with which you feel a strong kinship. Study the animal as much as possible. Read books, look at photos, watch movies and documentaries, and read folklore. If you wish, state your true desire for kinship aloud. This may help you with your relationship, and in times of need you may even ask your spirit animal for guidance.

One Celtic tradition when seeking to take on characteristics of one’s Spirit Animal is to repeat the phrase “faet fida” over and over until one is ready to proceed with one’s trial. Faet fida literally means “the appearance of a wild animal”.

Having a Spirit animal may also help one with their awareness of nature and… self nature. Some people, upon realization of a deep bond with their spirit animal get a tattoo in honor of it. Others make shields and hang them on the wall, displaying their Spirit Animal.