What The Animals Tell Us: A Shaman's View

“I am the Sun’s son.
 I sit upon a turquoise horse
 At the
opening of the sky”
 Navajo Horse Song

In Shamanism there is much importance given to animals as
guides, totems and helpers. This is more than just having a
favorite animal or being attracted to butterflies. Animals have
been used as a source of diagnosis in healing and counseling by
Shamans all around the world throughout recorded history. 

Each animal has its own nature, its own traits and is a
representation of a power such as strength for the lion or speed
for the jaguar. By learning about animal strengths or powers a
Shaman comes to understand why people are attracted to certain
favorite animals and repulsed by others. These attractions and
repulsions actually become a tool that tells the Shaman what is
needed or missing in a person’s life. 

There was a woman who no matter how she tried, kept missing the
boat, missing out on opportunities that would have brought her
the abundance and connections she needed to succeed. In
hindsight she could see every instance in which she had failed
to recognize the chance to get ahead. It was very frustrating
for her but she could not find a way to break out of this rut. 

When asked what animal she most feared she related an experience
she had as a child with a horse. She was introduced to a
friend’s horse that was very high spirited and when she reached
out her little hand the horse bit it causing much trauma for the
child and a lot of consternation for the mother. But since that
time, the horse had represented fear for this woman. 

Yet if we look at the power of the horse it is a prey animal.
That means it is usually a source of food for some other animal.
So it is keenly aware of what is going on around it at all
times. One quick move, one strange sound and the horse will perk
up its ears and be on the alert for what is happening, ready to
run if it feels any danger. Horses also watch out for one
another and if one horse senses danger the whole herd is willing
to move as one, away from apparent threat. 

So examining this woman from a Shamanic perspective we see that
she is not aware of what is around her and she is afraid of the
power represented by the horse that would be keenly aware of her
situation at all times. By dealing with her fear of horses we
can allow her once again to become aware of her surroundings, to
prick her ears up and take full advantage of opportunities
around her. 

In the same regard we can use those animals we are most
attracted to for observations about powers we have or would like
to have. Recently a student became interested in developing her
spiritual gifts and stated that she was attracted to the snake.
Certainly it is an unusual animal to attract the favor of a
woman! She just seemed to think about the snake more often than
any other animal and it had only been this way for the past year
or so. 

When we look at the snake we see it represents the power of
transformation. The snake can shed its skin and recreate itself
within a short time. It has always been a symbol of power and
has even been regarded as the mother of all life. The life
energy called kundalini is often described as a snake rising up
the spinal column to bring enlightenment. 

So for this woman the snake was showing her that, yes, it is
time to begin developing her healing abilities and taking charge
of her own power to help others. As she progresses, other
animals will become her favorites and those too will have
significance in her own life. 

It is said that we carry 12 totem animals in our lives. Usually
there are four animals that stay with us constantly and they
represent the powers that are inherent in our Spirit before, now
and after, eternally. The other eight totems represent life
changing events or growth cycles as we move along this path of
life learning and practicing what we have learned. If you pay
attention to the animals you most like or don’t like you can
learn many things about your true desires and how to attain
them. Visit www.shamanelder.com for
more information.