POWER ANIMALS


In shamanic traditions, all people are guarded and watched over by a totem beast, which joins them at the time of their birth. In addition to this totem animal, which can remain with a person throughout their life, the shamanic practitioner acquires additional power animals at different times. These animal spirits serve as guides and spirit helpers. They may come of their own bidding, or may be called specifically because of their innate skills. In some cases the shaman draws upon the strength, the speed or the intuition of a particular animal, or the sharpness of the animals senses. In other situations the animal may tell the shaman things which the shaman cannot see for his or herself.





"Spirit Tatanka" © Paul Callie

BUFFALO


Buffalo Abundance
The buffalo or bison is considered by many
tribes to be a symbol of adundance for it was
the meat of the buffalo that fed the people,
the hides that provided clothing and shelter,
the bones and sinew provided tools of survival.
The Lakota's trace the origin of the sacred pipe
to the appearance of the white buffalo calf
woman who promised abundance for the tribe as
they honored, by prayer, the Great Spirit and
all of their relations, meaning the other
creations of nature.

"Buffalo Medicine" means to bring a special
honor, reverence or appreciation for all of
the things that the Earth provides for her
children.




 

"Spirits Soar" © MAIJA

EAGLE

Eagle-----Courage, Spirit, and Bravery
Eagles have long been associated with the
highest pursuits. In 1969 a voice rang out to
the world, "The eagle has landed." What better
symbology for a landing on the moon than the
"eagle". From the time that the Persians and
Romans carried eagles into battle, these
majestic birds have symbolized courage,strength
and bravery. As aerial hunters, eagles are
the undisputed masters of the skies. Many
tribes have identified the eagle as the one
closest to the Creator.
The wings of the eagle are an engineering
marvel with feathers that can act as little
winglets to reduce turbulence, increase lift,
and prevent stalling at low speeds. With a
grasp much stronger than a human hand, the
eagles talons have legendary power. It uses its
powerful back talon to kill small prey
instantaneously while its front three grasp
its prey securely.

Eagle feathers, revered by Native American
Healers as having powerful medicine, are
regulated by a "feather bank", insuring that
eagles are not killed for their powerful
medicine. Eagle Medicine is the power of the
Great Spirit. It is the spirit of tenacity.
People with Eagle Medicine often have "high
ideals", and need space to spread their wings.
It is no accident that men in many tribes
adorned themselves with eagle feathers given
for acts of courage and bravery, and that a
healer gingerly wraps his eagle feather in
his medicine bundle after a ceremony.



"Distant Eyes" © Maija

WOLF


Teaching, A Guide to the Sacred
Wolves have been long regarded by Native
Americans as teachers or pathfinders. Wolves
are fiercely loyal to their mates, and have a
strong sense of family while maintaining
individualism. In the stars, Wolf is represented
by the Dog, Sirius, thought by many abroginal
tribes to be the home of the "Ancients." It
seems to be through this connection that Wolf
has come to be associated with ancient teachings.
Wolves are probably the most misunderstood of
the wild animals. Tales of cold bloodedness
abound, in spite of the their friendly, social
and intelligent traits. They are truly free
spirits even though their packs are highly
organized. They seem to go out of their way to
avoid a fight. One is rarely necessary when a
shift in posture, a growl, or a glance gets
the point across quite readily. Traditionally,
someone with Wolf Medicine has a strong sense
of self, and communicates well through subtle
changes in voice inflection and body movements.
They often find new solutions to problems while
providing stability and support that one
normally associates with a family structure.


 


"Mahtola" by ©Julie Kramer Cole

BEAR

Gentle Strength and Dreaming
The brown bear, common to areas of the
Southwestern US can grow from 4 to 5 feet and
weigh as much as 400 lbs. Although they have
great strength, their gentelness makes the
bear's behavior almost "human like". They are
relatively good natured, but don't plan on
making them mad. They have a serious side!

Bears hibernate in the winter, which may
explain their association with "dreaming the
Great Spirit" orretrospection. The symbolism
of the bears cave being like returning to the
womb of Mother Earth also suggests a strong
feminine aspect, one of nurturing and
protection. Bear cubs, born in the early spring
can spend as many as 7 years with the mother
bear before reaching maturity.
People with "Brown Bear Medicine" are
considered by many as self sufficient, and would
rather stand on their own 2 feet than rely on
others. They are often considered "dreamers".
Many have developed the skill of visualizing
new things, but as a result can get caught up
in the "dreaming" making little progress in
"waking" reality.

 


 

"Spirit Wild World" © J.D. Challenger
 

HORSE

The horse has been pictured as an animal with
supernatural power in many cultures. In the
Native American tradition, Shamans fly other
realms on mythical horses. Before horses were
introduced by the Spanish, the life of the
plains tribes was much more earth bound, having
to carry all of their belongings from place to
place. With the arrival of the horse, they were
free to move and travel great distances with
these beasts of burden.
People with Horse Medicine often carry the
burdens of other people. They are strong and
able to "bare up" under the strain of difficult
circumstances.



 


"Canyon of the Cat" © Julie Kramer Cole

 

COUGAR

COUGAR...Power, Swiftness and Balance


By watching the swift movements of the cougar,
one is keenly aware that no movement is wasted,
no footing unplanned, in their quest for the
item they desire. The cougar never wastes
anything, but the grace of this hunter provides
the young with nourishment and security.

Cougars mark their home range, which differs from
a true territory because the home ranges
often overlap. The juveniles may establish a
home range of from six to ten miles away. Within
that area, the cat maintains a small resting
range for its exclusive use while sharing the
remaining hunting area with its neighbor. The
cougar scrapes together a pile of leaves along
well-traveled trails and marks them with urine.
Any wandering lion respects the "No Tresspassing"
sign and turns away to avoid conflict.

Someone with "Mountain lion or Cougar Medicine"
is likely to be very sure of his or her goals
or purpose. They often prefer solitude, and
have little regret in taking the easiest prey.


*From The Power Source Gallery





SITE MAP


Midi: "Guiding Spirits", "Mystic Waters"
CD, compliments of:
Elan Michaels used with permission.



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