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Animal Familiars -
Spirit Guides
"I think I could
turn and live with the animals, they're so placid and self
contained," wrote the poet Walt Whitman. There are many myths,
legends, and stories of a magical time in which there were no
boundaries between humans and the rest of the animal kingdom. Humans
were at peace with the animals and exercised a symbiotic relationship
with them, both physically and spiritually. Humans relied on animals
for food and in return they gratefully accepted the creatures as
equals and gifts of nature. This reflected a time of transition
between divine and human. Animals and humans could speak to each
other and learn from one another.
In our quest for the
rational and scientific, humans have come to look at nature and Her
elements as objects separate from us and only for being studied and
used for monetary profit. This scientific approach to nature has
destroyed most of the mysticism and spirituality surrounding it.
Nothing could be so wrong. What science reveals about nature should
amaze us and fill us with even greater respect for Earth, our mother.
It should teach us how intricately every aspect of nature is woven
into the whole plan of life.
The animal kingdom
has much to teach us. Many animals are experts at survival and
adaptation. Some are great protectors and nurturers. Some exhibit
great gentleness and peace. Some embody courage, strength, and
agility. Others can teach playfulness. These are all qualities the
human race has, for the most part, lost a great deal of through
evolution and human socialization, but are all qualities to be
unfolded on a personal level.
Animals are a
gateway to the phenomenal world of the human spirit. When we connect
with the animal world we learn to listen with animal ears and see
through animal eyes. We experience the mystical power and essence of
our own animal potential, and it is then that they are no longer our
subordinates. They become our teachers, friends, family, and
companions. They restore our repressed childlike wonder, and restore
our lost belief in magic, dreams, and possibilities.
In ancient times
shamans, priests, and priestesses were the keepers of the sacred
knowledge of life. These individuals believed strongly in the rhythms
and forces of nature. They were capable of traveling the threads
between the visible and the invisible. They taught that all is divine
and the animals will talk to those who listen. The early shamans
would adopt the guise of animals, wearing skins and masks, to
symbolize a reawakening and endowing of oneself with energies. To
these people, every species and every aspect of the environment had
the power to remind them of what they could manifest within their own
lives. These beliefs placed a bridge between the natural and the
supernatural (Andrews pg.1).
One of the most
common forms spirit guides take is in the form of animals. Gods and
Goddesses were often portrayed as animals, had shape shifting
abilities, or a specific animal familiar, or spiritual companion.
Early Germanic peoples worshiped the shamanic God "Odin", who was
often seen upon an eight legged horse, riding between worlds. In
journeys to the heaven, or otherworld, shamans are usually depicted
riding some sort of animal. The character of the creature varies, but
the horse is fairly common (Davidson pg.142).
The horse is well
known through the worship of the goddess Epona, a popular deity known
in Britain and Gaul. Her British and Irish equivalents are Rhiannon
(Wales) and Macha and Etain (Ireland). The famous White Horse and
Uffington Castle (in England) are likely constructs of the Belgae,
who worshiped Epona (Stewart pg.54). The horse has been associated
with burial rites and birth - with humans riding into and out of the
world. Hindu legend tells of the chariot of Surya, the sun god, being
pulled by stallions in a chariot, similar to the story of Apollo in
Greek mythology (Andrews pg.281).
The pig is
considered one of the most sacred of Celtic animals, representing
certain energies of the land. These energies, embodied within the
animal, were thus set in motion, being both animal and land. The pig
was the creature of both the Underworld and the human world, because
of its associations with fertility, plenty, food, and multiple birth.
In turn, the animal was endowed with divinity, with the Welsh mother
goddess Cerridwen, and with certain heroes, gods, and magicians, who
were associated with the pig through their dedication to the goddess
(Stewart pg.50).
The bear was still
thought of as a heraldic animal with the old Stewart family of
Traquair in Scotland as late as the eighteenth century, as a sign of
kingship. There is a possible relationship between King Arthur and
the bear, commented upon by various writers. Connections have been
made between the bear, Arthur, and the constellation of Arcturus, the
Great Bear of the north. Artio and Andarta were Celtic bear
goddesses, and there is the Greek goddess Artemis, who could take the
form of a bear. Stone figures of bears from the pagan Celtic period
were found during the rebuilding of Armagh Cathedral in 1840 (Stewart
pg.52)
The Bull strongly
features in the creation mythology of Ireland. Ritual practices
associated with bulls are found all over the Western world. One
ritual of the Druids involved being wrapped in the hide of freshly
slain bull. This seems to hold similarities with ceremonies of the
American Indians. The image of the bull has been found on coins, as
statuettes, and in relief carving in eastern and central Gaul, and in
Scotland and England (Stewart pg53).
The serpent is one
of the important Underworld or magical creatures found in Celtic
tradition. Late legends of St. Patrick banishing snakes from Ireland
may relate to pagan worship of the serpent. The ram-headed serpent
was associated with the god Cernunnos, the Lord of the Animals.
Serpents are common decorations for torcs, the sacred neck ornaments
of Celtic kings and divinities; such serpents may also have a ram's
head (Stewart pg.54). In Native American tradition the snake is a
symbol of transformation and healing. Snake ceremonies involved
learning to transmute the poisons after being bit several times
(Andrews pg.360).
In astrology, the first sign
of the zodiac is under the sign of the Ram, symbolizing spring and
overcoming the power of darkness. The ram deity is often a symbol of
strong sexuality. The Egyptian hieroglyph for ram, translated, means
"solar heat". The Berbers of northern Africa believed the ram to be
an embodiment of supernatural forces. High on the wall of a shrine in
Turkey, a leopard goddess is shown giving birth to a ram (Johnson
pg.202-204).
Dolphins were well
known by the Sumerians and said they were connected to Astarte and
Ishtar. Ancient Egyptians thought of the creatures as symbols of
Isis. Some classical literature portrays dolphins harnessed to sea
chariots, as carriers to sea deities. They were called the King of
Fishes and Arrow of the Sea, and were considered guides to the
Underworld. Sculpted on the walls of Apollo's temple at Delphi were
dolphins. The Greek word delphinos means both dolphin and womb, and
is seen as the World Center. Painted on funeral urns, the dolphin
represented the passing of the soul from one world to another. These
sea creatures appear on Celtic coins and art, usually ridden by a
human figure. Dolphins have been known to rescue drowning humans,
this is not just a superstition (Conway pg. 218-219).
Aphrodite, the Greek
love Goddess had three bird familiars: the dove, swan, and goose.
Swans were said to pull the chariot of Venus through the air. Zeus
took the form to satisfy his lust with Leto and Helen. Some Celtic
folk legends tell of the mystical sacred swan. It's feathers were
used making for ritual cloaks by the Bards since swans are connected
with music and song. Heavenly nymphs were often portrayed as swans
(Conway pg.189-190).
In Ireland, the
raven was associated with the Morrigan, the goddess of battle and
death. The Morrigan could shape shift into a crow or raven. The
Celtic god Lugh had two magical ravens as companions. One of the
great heros of Welsh legend was Owein, who had an army of magical
ravens that fought King Arthur's men. Although an important totem of
the Celts, it had a devious reputation, and they took great care when
dealing with it. If a raven had any white on it , the bird was seen
as beneficial. To Native Americans, the raven was a great shape
shifter, a bird of ceremonial magic and healing (Conway
pg.183-184).
The peacock was a
sacred bird in China and Japan, symbolizing dignity and beauty. As
the "Bird of Paradise" (soul bird), the peacock was and still is
allowed to wander the grounds of Indian temples and gardens. An old
Hindu saying states that this bird has angel's wings, a devil's
voice, and a thief's walk. Sometimes the Hindu goddess Sarasvati was
shown riding or accompanied by a peacock. It is considered lucky to
have one around because it warns of intruders. The soul bird is said
to dance when rain is coming (Conway pg.180).
Messengers of the
Hindu death god Yama were usually two dogs, but occasionally he would
send an owl. This bird is identified with many Crone goddesses in
Europe and the Mediterranean. During the Middle Ages the owl was seen
as the Night Hag, or Crone. The owl was called the Night Eagle by
Native Americans, and was a frequent spirit animal in their dreams.
In Latin, the owl was referred to as strix, a word that came to mean
"witch." To the Celts, in general, this bird was a sacred, magical
creature, symbolizing the Crone and Underworld deities (Conway
pg.177).
These are only a few
examples of animals, their magic, and spirituality. There are many
living things and all possess some importance. Many people have a
favorite animal and will collect pictures or statues of that
creature. They may not realize they are subconsciously communicating
with that animal. One never "owns" an animal, pet lovers will tell
you this. Whether physical pet, astral familiar, or both, you can
enjoy their company, and provide them with love and protection - but
you never own them.
In seeking an astral
familiar, you must be patient and accepting. The creature chooses
you, not the other way around. It may come to you during meditation,
in your dreams, artwork or other expression of the subconscious.
Different species of familiars may come and go. You may have one or
two totem animals that remain constant throughout your life. Some
magicians say you have to see an astral creature at least three times
for it to mean anything. However, that is not always the case. Be
observant when listening for telepathic messages, it will take much
practice (Conway pg.10-12).
The living world is charged
with spirituality, which flows between all beings. Our fellow
creatures, as we have observed, can be both complex and subtle. They
exhibit emotion with moods ranging from grief and sadness to gaiety
and glee. Their family structures can be as intricate and their bonds
with one another as strong and tender as our own. We must learn to
revere and respect the creatures, and share this amazing planet with
them. We must join a biospirituality that celebrates the sacred in
all life.
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Works Cited /
Recomended Reading
Andrews, Ted. Animal
Speak. St. Paul, MN: Llewellyn Publications, 1988.
Conway, D.J. Animal
Magic. St. Paul, MN: Llewellyn Publications, 1995.
Davidson, Ellis,
H.R. Gods and Myths of Northern Europe. NY, NY: Pelican Books,
1964.
Johnson, Buffie.
Lady of the Beasts. Rochester, Vermont: Inner Traditions,
1994.
Stewart, R.J. Celtic
Gods, Celtic Goddesses. NY, NY: Sterling Publishing, 1990.
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