| With the rebirth of interest in esoteric knowledge in | | | | journey. You will sit here in silence until twilight. You |
| recent decades, more and more people are | | | | must call on all your strength to keep from looking |
| discovering the magic of animal medicine. The | | | | around you. Just be still and face any fears that come |
| archetypes that animals have brought to life, through | | | | up. You are preparing yourself to call on your power |
| the stories and art of all cultures, resonate deep within | | | | animal, to guide you in future journeys, and to give you |
| us. Spirit animals (sometimes called power animals or | | | | strength and help you to connect with your own wild, |
| totem spirits) are metaphysical allies that we can call | | | | natural self. State this intention in your own words at |
| on to aid us in our journey. | | | | this time. Now you will sit and wait. |
| Contacting Your Spirit Animal | | | | After some time, you begin to hear a noise, something |
| Get comfortable, and do some deep breathing to clear | | | | is approaching you. Without opening your eyes, see if |
| your mind and center yourself. Listen to the drum, and | | | | you can identify it. Listen carefully. It is coming closer. |
| allow the rhythm to penetrate your body and mind. | | | | Breathe deeply, and allow yourself to trust in the |
| Feel how the drum beat resonates with the very | | | | protection of the sacred space you have created for |
| center of your being, transporting you into a deep | | | | yourself. |
| state of relaxed consciousness. Just take some time | | | | You feel the touch of this other presence, a light, |
| with this, allowing yourself to go deep. | | | | inquiring touch. You open your eyes, and find yourself |
| Find yourself walking along a path. Your surroundings | | | | looking into the eyes of your power animal. Pay very |
| are your favorite place in nature, either someplace you | | | | close attention now. The meeting may be long, and it |
| have been before, or someplace that you are drawn | | | | may be brief. This can tell you a lot about this |
| to. It is peaceful here, and you feel very relaxed. Just | | | | creature's nature. Pay attention to any sounds, |
| walk for a bit, noticing your surroundings. What is this | | | | movements, actions, or communications that you |
| place? What are the sights, the sounds, the smells? | | | | notice. This is a very personal experience. Take some |
| Immerse yourself in this sacred place. Take some time | | | | time. Your animal guide may have communication for |
| with this. | | | | you in words, or possibly just in actions or expression. |
| After awhile, the path opens up on a clearing of some | | | | Just allow it to be what it is, and try to get a feeling |
| sort. Again, just notice the details. | | | | about what is being shown to you. |
| In the center of the clearing, you notice a small pile of | | | | After awhile, it will be time for you to find out what you |
| stones. Pick them up, one at a time. Notice their colors | | | | have to offer this creature in return for its guidance. Sit |
| and textures. Place one in each of the four directions, | | | | with this for a bit, and it may come to you. You can |
| intuiting which one goes where. As you place each | | | | also ask the animal, and see what response you get. |
| directional stone, give thanks for your life, and for the | | | | When you have discerned what this is, you will enter |
| energies in that direction which sustain you. Ask for the | | | | into a pact with this creature, promising what you have |
| protection of the energies of that direction. Now, with | | | | to give, in return for this one becoming your faithful |
| your intention, state out loud, "All energies and forms | | | | guide and mentor, your liason with the natural world. |
| that enter this space enter it for the highest good of | | | | Again, this is very personal. Pay close attention to all |
| myself and all beings." After you have done this, go | | | | that occurs. |
| around to three of the four quarters of the circle, and | | | | When the meeting seems finished, thank your animal |
| place 4 more stones, creating a ring around you, all the | | | | guide, and ask if it chooses to reveal its name to you. If |
| while, carrying the intention and energy of your | | | | not, this is okay, it might another time. Go to your circle, |
| statement. Leave a doorway in one direction, which | | | | and place the stones back in a pile, giving thanks for all |
| ever one feels appropriate to you. | | | | the help you received and blessing the stones as you |
| Now, sit in the middle of your circle, and close your | | | | place them. Now it is time to walk back down the path, |
| eyes. Call on your own inner strength and wisdom to | | | | slowly returning to normal consciousness. |
| give you courage and fortitude as you make this | | | | |