Power Animals
 

Shaman's have long believed that their powers were of animals, plants, the Sun etc... the basic energies of the universe. Long before Charles Darwin, people in Shamanistic cultures were convinced that human and animal were related. In myth, animals were depicted in human physical form, but were distinguished by certain characteristics that are familiar to the species. In North and South American Indian Mythology, animal characters are not referred to as 'a coyote', 'a raven' or 'a bear'. Instead these animals are referred to as Coyote, Raven or Bear. In other words, these individual characters represent the entire species.

Every Shaman has at least one Guardian Spirit or Power animal. It is through this animal, that the Shaman connects with the power of the entire species of that animal. The power animal can also appear to the Shaman in human form. Appearing in human form, is often indicative of the animal's power. Another indication of this, is when, the animal is seen moving through an element that is not their own, such as snakes flying through the air, or birds swimming. When a Power Animal is in a Shaman's possession, it acts as an alter ego for the Shaman, giving the Shaman the power of transformation. Specially the power to transform from human to animal, and back again.

It is important to remember that there are no mythical animals in the SSC. For example, a Dragon is just as real as any other animal.

It is possible for a person to have a power animal and not be aware of it. Thus many people, specially children have at some point had the protection of a guardian spirit, and have lost it. The following are exercises which will help you get in touch with one or more of your unknown power animals.

 

Totem Animals and Other Beings

compilation by Pat Kramer   (kramer@helix.net)

 

Thunderbird

Grand lord of the Sky Realm;  frightens humans who disturb him; needs homage; busy with his own wars carried out beyond human perception; eats Whales; likes to come to human's dance ceremonies.

Kolus

Thunderbird's dull-witted brother; a show off; competitive; strong; will occasionally transport huge longhouse beams for humans.

Eagle

Aristocratic lord of the Sky Realm; part of Thunderbird's entourage or live with other lordly Eagles; occasionally transforms into a human dancer.

Hawk

 Transforms regularly into Hawk Woman or Hawk Man; hates Mosquitoes; quite regal; stand-offish but will assist humans.

Raven

Powerful, ever-transforming trickster; ever hungry; ever curious; deviant; compulsive; crooked, corrupt and deceptive but somehow likeable; ever politically incorrect.

Whale

Ruler of His own Underwater City; lives with noble supernatural beings there; hates Thunderbirds; some turn into Wolves.

Copper Woman

Ever-interfering, social climbing wife of Komowkwa, the Underwater King of copper smelting; grants wealth to her personal favourites; particular friend of Frog; causes volcanic eruptions disguised as Volcano Woman.

Siskiutl,

 The Two-headed Sea Serpent Can turn enemy warriors into stone with one glance; has been known to swiftly pull huge war canoes to the site of a battle; protects his crest holders from injury during war; has removable crystal eyes; hates Thunderbirds (his enemy).

Dzunkwa (Tsnoqua)

Cannibal woman who owns certain valuable treasures that humans like to steal; lives on the Earth Realm; smells awful; collects children but they often get away; dull-witted; cannot be killed.

Bear

Can easily transform into a human; must not be insulted/cursed; lumbering, caring figure with a yen to marry good-looking human princesses; has twin children who grow to adulthood in record time; able to make fires with wet sticks (Bear wood).

Beaver

Vengeful creature; occasionally murders humans; if provoked digs underground tunnels that cause earthquakes and landslides; constructs fine arrows.

Wolf

Powerful; generally avoids humans; able to heal human sickness but this healing is costly; fraternises with Ghosts at night; when in the mood turns into Whale; powerful ones are pure white.

Frog

Much misunderstood and underestimated; associated with great wealth; survives volcanic eruptions; must not be insulted; friend of Copper Woman.

Mosquito

Arose from the transformed remains of chopped-up cannibal beings; it continues to love blood.

 

Power Animals by Alernon

Come to us: Eagle, Wolf, Bear and Cougar. Dance we now The Power dances.

 

Eagle soaring above the peaks, Share with us freedom, majesty and fighting skills. Teach us lessons we need to learn. Dance with us The Power dances.

Wolf, cunning tracker, by day or night. Share with us endurance, courage and adaptability. Teach us lessons we need to learn. Dance with us The Power dances.

Bear, trampling along earthen paths, Share with us Mighty strength and sense of smell. Teach us lessons we need to learn. Dance with us The Power dances.

Cougar, lonely tracker of terrain's, Share with us Agility, stamina and endless curiosity. Teach us lessons we need to learn. Dance with us The Power dances.

Movements slow Movements rapid. Frenzied swaying Upward, downward. Dipping, turning Round and round. Dance we now The Power dances.

Dancing partners, You and I. With me, in me I am you, you are me. Together as one, Yet separate, too. Dance we now The Power dances.

Awaken now All Spirit Beings, To dance the dances With your human kin.

Dance the Cycles Of Life and Death, Hope and Fear, Good and Evil. Dance the Cycles, Now and Again.

Lowerworld, Upperworld, Journeying now and forevermore. Of Time and Space All is Once, There is none. Dance the dances Again and again. ......

This article is excerpted from the Rocky Mountain Pagan Journal. Each issue of the Rocky Mountain Pagan Journal is published by High Plains Arts and Sciences; P.O. Box 620604, Littleton Co., 80123