Connecting with Your Animal Spirit for Guidance

Animals possess a powerfully intuitive connection – to humans, to other animals, and to nature.  The indigenous people, particularly Native Americans, believe that each person is connected to spirit animal throughout their lifetime. Alternatively referred to as animal guides or power animals, these creatures can help us greatly on our path of personal growth.

When a particular animal crosses your path, it’s not a coincidence but instead a sign from the universe. The animal energy that speaks directly to your soul becomes your spirit animal – it provides wisdom, insight, support and self-discovery during the course of your life.

It is there to offer guidance, to be the sign you need for a confirmation or to remind you of your inner strength. Spirit animals and their meaning are up for personal interpretation. One thing is for sure – connecting with your spirit animal can offer valuable insight into your daily life and the questions or any challenges that arise.

For example, if the lion is your spirit animal, you may possess characteristics of a dominant personality, the “head of the tribe,” and an insatiable hunger for life, power, and community.

As you shift and mature, so does the energy of your spirit animal. After all, it is a representation of your subconscious mind. The spirit animal actually chooses you and seeks you at pivotal points in your life, so incorporating spirit animals in your life can affirm your spiritual goals.

Spirit animals are typically discovered through meditation and dreams. They appear during times when you are seeking direction, and as reminder of the unique bond you share. As you focus on the attributes of your spirit animal, you begin to harbor their characteristics internally, and externalize the virtues of the spirit guide.

In essence, spirit animals motivate you to live your most abundant life. They act as teachers and advisers when needed, and their energy offers assistance to your life mission.

Ask Yourself These Questions to Find Your Spirit Animal:

Have you felt a connection to an animal since childhood?

Do you have a recurring dream about a particular animal?

Is there an animal you always see when you’re in nature?

Do you gravitate towards an animal when on prints, art, jewelry?

The answers to these questions are not coincidences . . . this was possibly your spirit animal communicating to you all along! If you are having difficulty accessing your spirit animal, you may want to seek guidance from a Shaman, which is a healer that can connect you to spiritual energy.

Here are some spirit animals and determine if any of these attributes resonate with you.

Bear: Industrious, instinctive, healing, power, sovereignty, guardian of the world, watcher, courage, willpower, self-preservation, introspection, and great strength

Elephant: Strength, power, affection, loyalty, royalty, wisdom, reliability, sense of history, pride, family-centric

Owl: Wisdom, deception, intuition, insight, messenger, mystery, freedom, secrets, stealth, vision

Tiger: Strength, valor, power, energy, devotion, tactful, royal, illuminated, unpredictable

Wolf: Loyalty, perseverance, success, intuition, spirit, appetite for freedom, can be a loner

Lion: Strength, assertiveness, personal power, courage, dominant personality

Ultimately, your guide is a gift that shows you various aspects of your personality that are coming from within to assist in your life.  Be open to learning about this aspect of yourself.  This connection can help you learn valuable lessons that you will carry for lifetimes.

Just like a sign or a synchronicity, animal spirit guides are all around us, waiting to share messages and guidance – if we’re open enough to recognize and listen.  Honor your animal nature inside, and allow the world to see who you are.

Leopardskin Jasper is connected with Shamanism.  It is a great stone to utilize when you are looking to connect with animals on a physical plan or discovering your personal animal spirit.