Totem animals, Animal spirits, Animal guides.  No matter what you call them Animals are there in our world as mesengers, guides, and teachers.  They are our link to nature, and they are part of our world.

 

The animals, insects and birds that we see on a day to day basis may have special messages, all we have to do is learn how to listen.  Perhaps in learning to understand the language of the animals we can learn to better understand ourselves.

 

"The animal world has much to teach us.  Some animals are experts at survival and adaptation.  There are times when we can use those same skills.  Some animals never get cancerous conditions.  Wouldn't it be wonderful to learn their secrets?  Some are great nurturers and protectors. Some have great fertility and others have great gentleness.  Some embody strength and courage, while others can teach playfulness.  THe animal world shows us the potentials we can unfold.  But to learn from them, we must first learn to speak with them." - Ted Andrews in the introduction to "Animal Speak"

 

In the following pages I will show a sample shamanic voyage to meet with your animal totems, as well as a few of the different messages, or powers of various animals.  We are as much a part of their world as they are of ours, it therefore makes some sense to learn from them.

 

"If you talk to the animals

 they will talk to you

               and you will know each other.

If you do not talk to them,

 you will not know them,

and what you do not know

you will fear.

What one fears one destroys."

-Chief Dan George

as quoted in the book "Animal Speak" by Ted Andrews.