Within the shamanic bestiary countless animal spirits and totems arise. An ancestor of the Puma once roamed the fertile valleys and rugged mountains of Northern Europe. A delightful spirit animal, Butterfly defines freedom and happiness. The Dog is a faithful spirit companion, guide and protector. Enjoy a few animal meanings, for beginners to pro shamans.
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Practitioners can summon animal spirits through a chant, drumming, interpretive dance, dressing as the animal. Since early pagan history people have worn costumes of animal skins, antlers or horns, or jewelry made of teeth or claws.
Draw, paint or sculpt the animal. Imitate its sounds and movement. Wear an animal charm or hang an ornament. Drumming can harmonize with rhythms of the earth and open deeper channels of the mind. The animal might appear in a dream or as an unexpected encounter. It can be a pet or creature of the wild.
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1. Puma, Cougar, Mountain Lion - Observation, Female Warrior, Intuition
The Puma (Puma concolor), also called cougar, mountain lion, mountain screamer, panther, dwells in the mountain ranges from Alaska to the tip of South America.
An elusive wild cat, the Mountain Lion brings forth qualities of power, wisdom, dominance, observation, and protective magic. Puma is a feminine energy and attunes to the female warrior spirit. Any gender can use this energy when seeking traits of night, moon, Yin, introspection, intuition and self-awareness. The Puma can also cross spiritual borders and is linked to journeying.
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The Puma is the largest of the 'small cat' family, which includes lynx, bobcat and domestic cats. Cougars are more closely related to pet cats than to big cats like African lions. The Puma can't roar but utters unearthly screams in the night. The vocals can relate to the primal scream, the expression of one's inner nature, or manifest a warning of evil afoot.
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People with Cougar energy or Cougar totem animal may be found behind the scenes, as the mystic Puma shuns the spotlight. Often sedate on the outside, Pumas are fierce in battle and may have special talents. They prefer to observe quietly before taking action. When they do, it's quick and precise. They may have strong emotions and must work to prevent these from emerging in destructive ways.
2. Butterfly (Rhopalocera) - Freedom, Romance, Beauty
Butterflies and butterfly symbolism exist in almost every culture. The Butterfly symbolizes freedom, happiness, beauty, dance, society, art and self-expression, and romance. For single people, if a Butterfly lands on you, whichever direction the Butterfly flies is where your true love waits.
Butterfly people bring art and color into life. They may be dancers, seekers and travelers, free spirits, optimists, artists, beauticians, gardeners, social stars. In some cultures butterflies are wandering spirits of the dead, and it's unlucky to harm one.
The Butterfly can represent metamorphosis and transformation and as a spirit animal can be fortunate for people going through major changes. A dream of butterflies may symbolize positive change or good luck coming your way. The Butterfly also calls upon us to celebrate life and all its beauty. Most butterflies live less than a month in their winged forms. The Butterfly Spirit says seize the day!
Those attracted to Butterfly as a spirit animal may be whimsical and occasionally flighty. However, a Butterfly person has a fertile imagination with an aura to beautify any room. You can't hold down a Butterfly person, as one of the butterfly's strongest associations is freedom.
3. Dog (Canis familiaris) - Protection, Loyalty, Empathy
For beginning practitioners to high-ranking shamans, the Dog is a helpful animal spirit. The Dog is a friend, a worker, a commiserate soul. Once the Dog spirit appears to you, you can be sure of a long and happy relationship with this animal energy. If you work with multiple spirit animals, the Dog spirit is a lucky companion.
Dog people might be attracted to a specific breed or type of dog. Each type of Dog brings special qualities, which perhaps are missing from everyday life. People with a Dog animal spirit or totem are usually socially oriented and value their friends and family. A Dog person never hesitates to help others.
The Dog is faithful and can be fierce. Protector of the hearth and winner of the heart, a Dog spirit will stick by you in times of trouble, and bring laughter into your life.
Dog people are caring and generous, though some may tend toward jealousy. Dogs and Dog people are great communicators and you'll never have a better friend or companion in life.
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