Power Animals Totem Animals And Spirit Animals

The use of a totem animal is not part of traditional Wiccan
practice. However, as Wicca and other modern Pagan practices

or performing astral travel, then that may be your power
animal… or it may just be curious about what you're up to.

evolve and blend together, many people who follow
non-mainstream spiritual paths find themselves working with

Our Guide to Healing, Phylameana lila Desy, has a great
piece on different types of animal totems and what they

a mix of many different belief systems. Because of this,
someone following a Native American or Indo-European

mean: Animal Totems.

shamanic path might find themselves working with totem
animals. While totem animals or power animals have nothing

Unfortunately, as often is seen in the Pagan community, many
times the connection to a power animal is simply the result

to do with the Wiccan religion, some people do incorporate
them into non-Wiccan shamanic practices.

of wishful thinking. When someone tells you they have a
spirit animal, they'll almost always tell you it's the bear,

It should be pointed out that sometimes, the use of totem

the eagle, or the wolf. Why? Because these are animals that
exemplify the characteristics we'd really like to see in

animals and other Native American practices is sometimes
seen as cultural appropriation when it's done by non-Native

ourselves -- we want to be strong and formidable like Bear,
independent and mysterious like Wolf, or all-seeing like

American individuals. Some European shamanic systems do
connect with animal spirits, but the use of the specific

Eagle. No one will every tell you their "totem animal" is
the wombat, the hedgehog, or the three-toed sloth.

word "totem" implies a Native American connection. It has a
very specific, anthropological meaning, and chances are that

There are a number of books available that discuss the

if you have made a spiritual connection with an animal
entity, it does not qualify as a true "totem." Be cautious

spiritual nature of animals. Nearly all will tell you to
"choose" your spirit animal based upon which animals you

what you call your beliefs, because you may find yourself
taking ownership of a heritage that's not actually yours to

want to see first at the zoo or which ones you just find
really interesting. Generally, in true shamanic practice,

claim. If you're not Native American, but are practicing
some other form of shamanism, you may want to consider using

one meets their power animal through meditation or a vision
quest. Often, it's an animal you never expected to

the term "power animal" or even "spirit animal" instead.

encounter. If you are fortunate enough to have this take
place, do some research on the animal you've connected with,

A power animal is a spiritual guardian that some people
connect with. However, much like other spiritual entities,

and find out why that particular creature has attached
itself to you. Animals have different symbolism in different

there's no rule or guideline that says you must have one. If
you happen to connect with an animal entity while meditating

cultures and societies. Take the time to do some research,
and you may end up learning something new about yourself.