What is a Spirit Animal?
*Disclaimer: This entire post is based on my opinions, no offence meant by it at all*
What is a Spirit Animal?
In certain spiritual traditions or cultures, spirit animal refers to a spirit which helps guide or protect a person on a journey and whose characteristics that person shares or embodies. It is also metaphor, often humorous, for someone or something a person relates to or admires.
Why do I believe in Spirit Animals?
The answer to that question is rather an easy one. I believe in spirit animals because I am a somewhat spiritual person. I don't follow any set religion and I find that the spiritual path interests me more. Spirit Animals I believe have to show themselves to you somewhat, and mine (I have four that have shown up in various ways) always seems to show themselves the first time at least in the way of a dream. I believe that if a animal does not show themselves in a way that seems like a sign, I don't think that it really is a spirit animal but rather an animal that you simply like and feel somewhat of a connection to. Remember this is just my opinion and not fact.
Animals in dreams are common manifestations of unconscious imagery and guidance. If the animal in your dream is a power or spirit animals that has guided you in the past, pay particular attention to the message your dream delivers.
Animals in dreams whether they are spirit animals or not typically represent:
- feelings that have not been fully acknowledged yet by the dreamer
- aspect of the personality or feelings considered as “wild” or hard to control;
- basic instinctual drive or emotions;
- an event or person’s influence in the dreamer’s life
- intuitive guidance using the shape of an animal spirit guide
So what are my Spirit Animals & what do they mean?
Like I said above I have four spirit animals that have shown up in my dreams, all at times when I need a guide through a tough time.
The first one to show themselves was a grizzly bear, but for the sake of the meaning we will just say bear. This animal showed itself to me shortly after my Opa passed away in 2010. About a week after he passed away, I had a dream about this bear who was walking with my Opa. The next night it was just about the bear. During these dreams I also remember hearing a voice saying "It is going to be okay."
Bear Meaning
The bear has several meanings that will inspire those who have this animal as totem:
-The primary meaning of the bear spirit animal is strength and confidence
- Standing against adversity; taking action and leadership
- The spirit of the the bear indicates it’s time for healing or using healing abilities to help self or others
- The bear medicine emphasizes the importance of solitude, quiet time, rest
- The spirit of the bear provides strong grounding forces
The second animal to show themselves was a timber wolf, again for the sake of the meanings we will just say wolf. This animal showed up during my first year of university. I was feeling overwhelmed and was feeling rather isolated, I found it strange that the wolf was the one to show up but it did. However at the end of my first year I was diagnosed with depression and anxiety and when I read the meaning behind a wolf spirit animal I found that it actually fit.
The wolf symbolizes:
- Sharp intelligence, deep connection with instincts
- Appetite for freedom
- Expression of strong instincts
- Feeling threatened, lack of trust in someone or in yourself
The third animal that showed themselves was crazy enough, a dragon. This is one of the newer animals to show themselves to me and it was just last year that it did. I was going through a really dark time and one night I had a dream about flying on a dragon and then landing and then curling up and sleeping next to that dragon. The reason that I remember this dream vividly is because the night that I had this dream it was one of the best sleeps that I had in a long time.
When Dragon visits your dreams he is a reminder of your strong will and fiery personality. He reminds you of your passion but asks you to be cautious so that your passion does not lead you into trouble. Remember to practice self-control. According to Eastern cultures, dragons are spiritual creatures that symbolize good luck and fortune.
If the dragon is breathing fire, this suggests that you are utilizing your anger to get your own way. Sometimes it is a representation of an emotional pattern whether it is a hot fiery temper or sexual passion.
The Dragon is often seen as the guardian of treasure. The treasure symbolizes you. You must overcome your struggles and fears to reach your true self. Dragon is here to help you find what you are searching for.
The fourth and final animal that have shown themselves to me is the Snowy owl, but again for the sake of meanings we are just going to say owl. I don't know the reasoning behind the snowy owl other then maybe from Harry Potter because I loved the owl in those books/movies. The owl showed up in a rather weird way if you ask me. During this dream was actually a time when all of my spirit animals were all together. I was laying by a cliff up against the side of the dragon and had the bear and wolf were on either side of me. We were watching the sun set and then I heard a voice say "Things will soon change." I then seen the owl come and land right by my feet. He blinked his eyes at me and then got cozy by my feet. Ever since then an owl has made an appearance in almost every dream in some way, either an owl in the distance or I hear a hoot nearby. This animal is also a new one, it showed up only a couple of months ago.
The Owl symbolizes:
- Intuition, ability to see what others do not see
- The presence of the owl announces change
- Capacity to see beyond deceit and masks
- Wisdom
- The traditional meaning of the owl spirit animal is the announcer of death, most likely symbolic like a life transition, change
So I hope this post helped you understand spirit animals a little bit more.
Do you have a spirit animal? Has the thought of spirit animals intrigued you?
Hope you enjoyed today's post
See you next time :)