Humans are a part of nature. Not apart from nature. Our ancestors understood this in a way that modern people do not. They saw the world around them as a way to survive but also as a mirror that reflects deep truth about themselves.
One of the profound ways that this connection has manifested is through working with the animals as guides and wise advisors. Animal Kindred Spirits as I call them.
Animals play a central role in my life both in the physical world and in my spiritual practices, becoming powerful allies in my personal journey.
You’ll hear a lot of terminology used to describe these beings. Probably the most common being spirit animal. However, out of respect for the cultures that term belongs to, I have chosen to use an alternate term and I’ve chosen kindred spirit.
(You can check out a couple of linked posts within this blog post if you want to know more about why it’s important to choose a different term and the options.)
We love simplicity here, so in this post, you’ll be introduced to them in a very straightforward way. It only scratches the surface, but I hope after reading this, you’ll be inspired to begin your own journey of working with animal kindred spirits.
The Ancient Connections to Animal Kindred Spirits
Before cities and technology and the artificial structures that dominate our modern society, humans depended on nature for their very survival. They used the stars to navigate, they watched the animals behavior for clues to weather changes and this is how they lived their daily lives, creating traditions from what they saw.
The animals round them held a significance to them beyond food or materials for creating shelter. The qualities that each animal embodied were admired and emulated. Animals were held in reverence.
Working with animals as kindred spirits is found in cultures around the world. For example, this practice appears in Native American ways, the shamanic traditions of Siberia, and in the Aboriginal culture of Australia.
Some animals are seen as protectors, guides, or ancestors in these traditions, sharing their wisdom or unique energies with either the individual or the collective.
How Do They Show Up?
When working with these guides, they may appear in different ways like in your dreams or you might even run across the animal itself. It may come to you in meditation or in quiet moments of reflection. However they show up, they will make themselves known to you.
How Many Animal Kindred Spirits Do I Have?
There are different ways to think of these kindred spirits.
Some believe that you have an assigned power animal from birth. Others believe that we have multiple animals that we work with throughout our lives as circumstances call for it. Others feel that animals may come to you for “a season or a reason” as the saying goes.
Here at Ravynwood, we fully embrace all of these ways of working with animal kindred spirits as true.
On a personal note, I have one that I’ve had since earliest memory. This is my animal from birth. Then, I have others that show up for me when I journey (the simplest way to think of this shamanic practice is as meditation) and there are those that I have called upon at certain times when I needed their wisdom and guidance to navigate challenges in my life.
How Does Working with Your Animal Kindred Spirit Help?
- Guidance for Making Decisions: Working with a kindred spirit can help you when you need to make a decision. Animals can offer you intuitive insight beyond conscious reasoning.
- Empowerment: You can draw inspiration from a power animal. Think of how a lion is brave or a turtle is persistent or how rat is adaptable. This can help you meet challenges in your life head-on and in an empowered way.
- Personal Reflection: If you’re drawn to working with a certain animal, this often reflects qualities that you either have or you need. Eagle may signify that you already have good vision, or it may prompt you to look at the broader view.
- Emotional Healing: During difficult times, animals can support your healing. Deer encourages you to be kind to yourself and dolphin inspires joy and playfulness.
So, the essence of animal kindred spirits is more than just the symbolism they represent.
They’re also ancient and wise guides, deeply woven into the fabric of our collective consciousness, reminding us of our connection to the natural world around us.
This connection is something that many of us in today’s society have forgotten but long to remember.
Your Animal Kindred Spirit Supports Your Journey Inward
Each of us has a unique path in life.
It will include lessons we must learn. It will have challenges. There will be moments of insight. Whatever comes, it will be yours to navigate.
Just as our ancestors did, we can use the ancient wisdom of the animal kindred spirits to provide us with guidance. They help us go inward where we can get to know who we really are, and they help connect us to our place in the cosmos.
How to Identify Your Animal Kindred Spirit
While there’s no one way to do this, let me give you a few ideas to help get you thinking about how you can meet your very own power animal.
I often say that I don’t believe in accidents, only synchronicities and meeting your animal is no different. It’s a journey often marked with profound moments and synchronicity.
Here’s some ways you might identify your animal:
- Through Your Dreams: A certain animal may appear to you over and over again during dreams. This might intensify during times of stress or during life transitions.
- Real – Life Encounters: A chance encounter with an animal could be a sign.
- Meditation, Journeying & Visualization: You may see an animal during meditation, journeying or visualization.
- Through Affinity: If there’s an animal that you’ve always felt drawn to, this could be a way to identify your power animal.
It should also be noted here that it isn’t enough to just make the connections, you must cultivate your relationship with your animal (or any animal that you wish to work with) just as you would any other meaningful relationship you have.
Journal prompts to explore your animal guide further:
- What animal have you always been drawn to? Set a timer and explore this animal’s presence in your life as far back as you can remember. When you’ve finished, review what you’ve written and meditate for a few minutes for further insights.
- During times of difficulty in your life, has an animal showed up to help you? This can be in the physical world as well as showing up in a more spiritual sense.
Animal Kindred Spirit Summary
Through this post, you’ve been introduced to the basics including the concept of animal kindred spirits, what they are, how they can help you, and how you can connect with yours. When you cultivate relationships with these beings, they can truly become powerful allies for your transformational or spiritual journey.
So, I’m curious, do you work with them? If you’re new to it, will you give it a try?
You can message me here. I’d love to hear from you.
Blessed be.
You might like these too:
The Rat Kindred Animal Spirit
Connect to Nature Like a Witch in the Printables Store
Karen
