Shamanism 101: Power Animals
If I were cornered and pressed to define shamanism in a pithy way, it would be "A craft that uses the unseen and the imaginative to bring abundance to yourself, your family, your community and our planet." (And, yes, I still believe in referring to EARTH as our agreed-upon planet!). There are several tools of the craft such as
- gratitude (the most salient tool of the program)
- dreams and the interpretation thereof
- journeys (i.e. a specific form of guided meditation that uses the sound of drumming)
- and spirit allies or animal spirits that can be found in both ordinary and non-ordinary realities such as those found on journeys.
The most joyful part of a shamanic practice is undoubtedly the companionship of animal spirits, also known as power animals or spirit allies. As European-Americans we've had our totems literally beaten out of us with the spread of Christianity. I'm not trying to be controversial or anti-Christian but it's the truth. The bible does contain lots of animal imagery which has its roots in shamanism.
It must be noted that shamanism is not a religion. Both priests and shamans, however, share a skill and inclination to connect people with helping spirit(s). There are many things I love about the Catholic faith but to be honest I find Christianity and all the major religions to be a little anthropocentric, meaning they all seem to cast man as actor, director and producer. One of the main reasons I moved out to California was to heed a calling and take courses at the Foundation for Shamanic Studies, an organization based in Marin County that teaches core shamanism. The 'core' refers to a method that has no indigenous specificity but is rather focused on simple direction in a modern and democratic pursuit. Anyone can practice shamanism, although the spirits in every culture usually choose a few individuals to connect lay people to the spirits.
Blue Crane at McLaren Reservoir
It must be noted that shamanism is not a religion. Both priests and shamans, however, share a skill and inclination to connect people with helping spirit(s). There are many things I love about the Catholic faith but to be honest I find Christianity and all the major religions to be a little anthropocentric, meaning they all seem to cast man as actor, director and producer. One of the main reasons I moved out to California was to heed a calling and take courses at the Foundation for Shamanic Studies, an organization based in Marin County that teaches core shamanism. The 'core' refers to a method that has no indigenous specificity but is rather focused on simple direction in a modern and democratic pursuit. Anyone can practice shamanism, although the spirits in every culture usually choose a few individuals to connect lay people to the spirits.
Blue Crane at McLaren Reservoir
Animal spirits have never disappeared from American culture but our recognition of them has been clouded and diminished. But behold how they survive in our lexicon and our imagery! On Wall Street, for instance, there's a famous bronze statue devoted to "the bull market," which can mean three things A.) invoking the spirit of an animal that is unafraid to charge full-steam ahead, B.) a nod to a creature known for being a hard worker, C.) a respect and shout-out for Taureans, the most financially successful sign of the zodiac whose motto is "I have." On opposite ends you have "the bear market," a ferocious animal who is known to hibernate for four months out of the year. Economists fear the bear. For could you imagine what would happen if all our money were to hibernate simultaneously?
People often have a favorite animal from childhood yet this does not necessarily indicate that this same animal is a spirit ally of adulthood. To make matters more complex there are totems (i.e. a lifelong power animal or one that watches over your family, country, city, automobile, house or community) and then helping spirits or animal helpers (animals that visit us during certain times, seasons, issues or situations). For example, as a kid I was always attracted to whales, having many dreams of them swimming, diving and breaching. According to my medicine deck, the whale is known as the record keeper of humankind. During my childhood and adolescence it was vitally important that I keep track of my thoughts and emotions as a sensitive suburbanite by way of a journal. In this way, whale helped shaped my narrative as a part-time writer and mystic. The catch (no pun intended) is that whale doesn't visit me anymore. So was he just an animal helper for a couple of years or a totem who watches over my literary life? Perhaps he's a totem whose lesson I truly absorbed so he was free to swim away and help the next suburban kid.
Turtle at Stern Grove
Power animals often show up in dreams and in ordinary reality (references on television, literature, conversation and the the serendipity of witnessing them in the flesh). It is very rare for a power animal to be a domesticated animal (like a dog, cat or cow) for the medicine of a wild animal is what we're craving. And when I talk about an animal's medicine, I mean to say his value or employment or lesson he can offer you. Never reveal your spirit ally's identity unless he gives you a green light.Chit-chatting about your power animal at a cocktail party is not very nice or wise (this knack for easy gossip is something I'm trying to control in my own life and boy it's a struggle!). Gossiping or bragging about your power animal is to jeopardize her loyalty and strength and to attract envy. Oh that's another thing, many people have at least two power animals at any one time, a male and a female spirit.
The best way to meet your power animal(s) is on a journey which I will tackle in a future blog post.
People often have a favorite animal from childhood yet this does not necessarily indicate that this same animal is a spirit ally of adulthood. To make matters more complex there are totems (i.e. a lifelong power animal or one that watches over your family, country, city, automobile, house or community) and then helping spirits or animal helpers (animals that visit us during certain times, seasons, issues or situations). For example, as a kid I was always attracted to whales, having many dreams of them swimming, diving and breaching. According to my medicine deck, the whale is known as the record keeper of humankind. During my childhood and adolescence it was vitally important that I keep track of my thoughts and emotions as a sensitive suburbanite by way of a journal. In this way, whale helped shaped my narrative as a part-time writer and mystic. The catch (no pun intended) is that whale doesn't visit me anymore. So was he just an animal helper for a couple of years or a totem who watches over my literary life? Perhaps he's a totem whose lesson I truly absorbed so he was free to swim away and help the next suburban kid.
Turtle at Stern GrovePower animals often show up in dreams and in ordinary reality (references on television, literature, conversation and the the serendipity of witnessing them in the flesh). It is very rare for a power animal to be a domesticated animal (like a dog, cat or cow) for the medicine of a wild animal is what we're craving. And when I talk about an animal's medicine, I mean to say his value or employment or lesson he can offer you. Never reveal your spirit ally's identity unless he gives you a green light.Chit-chatting about your power animal at a cocktail party is not very nice or wise (this knack for easy gossip is something I'm trying to control in my own life and boy it's a struggle!). Gossiping or bragging about your power animal is to jeopardize her loyalty and strength and to attract envy. Oh that's another thing, many people have at least two power animals at any one time, a male and a female spirit.
The best way to meet your power animal(s) is on a journey which I will tackle in a future blog post.
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