Animal Medicine

[skydog]

Who else does this, connecting with animals

 

Right now I am a lion..very powerful

 

[silent thunder]

mmmm animal medicine...

I shift often and with great joy!

[skydog]

cool man hah

[Unseen_Abilities]

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Edited January 31, 2014 by Unseen_Abilities

[Unseen_Abilities]

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Edited January 31, 2014 by Unseen_Abilities

[silent thunder]

Sometimes it's me sitting down with the intention of gathering/exploring the energy of a particular animal for a purpose/insight.

 

Many more times however, they come to me on their own, without my bidding. Usually it's a gentle tug of awareness that offers a different perspective, other times, it's more like a hammer. lol

Edited January 26, 2014 by silent thunder

[skydog]

What's your technique for this, skydog?

My Technique is mostly intuitive, it sort of just comes in my vision, or in my heart, a certain animal.

 

I either put it as a picture for facebook, or this or make art of it or imagine I am it

 

Like shapeshifting, I become the lion and appreciate it, really feel like a lion.

 

Something good to do is a playful animal imitation qigong, where you imagine you are different animals, deer, tiger, eagle, bear etc

 

Many ancient cultures, where special masks, and make many rituals etc

 

Very Very powerful for the energy.

 

I hear connecting to nature is one of the most powerful energetic practices that exist

 

I think you do this too. I am sure of it.

 

I also like to google the meaning of different symbols later.

Edited January 26, 2014 by skydog

[skydog]

Lion Spirit Animal

By Elena Harris, SpiritAnimal.com Editor

 

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In the realm of spirit animals, the lion wins the prize for most relentless fighter in the face of life challenges. The lion spirit animal represents courage, strength in overcoming difficulties. The presence of this power animal could also mean that something “wild” or difficult to control is happening. As such, lions symbolizes emotions that are difficult to manage, such a anger or fear.

Lion Totem Meaning

The lion as a spirit animal or totem symbolizes:

• Strength, assertiveness, personal power
• A common meaning for the lion spirit animal is predatory feelings, such as anger, aggression directed at someone else or towards you
• Personal struggle to deal with these feelings
• Lion spirit animals warn about a threatening situation or event in your life

Lion spirit animal, symbol of personal strength and courage

The lion spirit animal is generally associated with a representation of personal strength. If the lion appears powerful to you, its presence as a spirit guide can be interpreted as a positive representation of your self-confidence or personal power. As such, lions point to qualities of strength, courage, assertiveness.

Lions are also animals who dominate other animals in nature. Remember as an example the expression “the lion, king of the jungle”. When a lion appears as your power animal, it could reflect your ability to lead others or tendency to dominate in relationships or at work.

When lion spirit animals warn about challenges

This spirit animal could point to one of your weak spots or a difficult situation you’re experiencing. The lion animal spirit guide is perhaps showing you the way to deal with the issue and keep going with the courage it also embodies.

Lions could also represent an authority that may feel overpowering or a conflicting relationship with power and authority. When you see a lion as a spirit animal, it could symbolize external power, authority, forces that dominate or rule parts of your life. For instance, if you dream about a scar or threatening lion, it may remind you that you need to deal with an overbearing boss, partner or teacher in your waking life.

Lion spirit animal, symbol for anger & personal struggle

Seeing your lion spirit animal could be an invitation to control your temper or your moderate aggressive impulses. For instance, observe if you could really listen to what people have to say before striking back at them. Or explore how to express your needs or anger more openly and constructively to reduce your level of frustration.

If you are dreaming of being chased by a lion, it may represent a situation that brings about personal struggle. Common dream scenarios with threatening lions are as follows: A lion suddenly appears in your dream. You feel threatened by this wild animal known for devouring its prey with no mercy. The lion is now preying on you. You’re trying to escape, but it still behind you, chasing you like you’re about to get devoured.

Dream interpretation: Being chased by a lion

This lion dream scenario is classic. Dreaming of being chased by a lion is one of the most common themes featuring this creature in the dream world. The lion chasing you generally connects to the struggle the dreamer is experiencing regarding feelings of anger or aggression in waking life.

The dream about your lion spirit animal could point to anger you may feel towards someone or aggression that is directed at you. Being chased by a lion in a dream could be a warning from your animal totem that you’re struggling with these feelings and how to express them. The lion totem could mean that you’re having difficulties dealing with a situation where someone is mean or aggressive with you.

Scary dreams about lions Terrorized by your lion spirit animal?

If you are terrified by a lion, reassure yourself. The dream is expressing in strong images what you feel inside. It is a symbolic representation of strong psychological or emotional tensions you may experience in your life. Dreaming about a lion in this way is an invitation to examine what’s happening in your life that is causing tension and despair.

Most likely, you’re facing a challenging situation or behavior that is hard to comprehend at a conscious level and the lion appears as a spirit animal to help. It may be too hard to deal with or seem unacceptable to you and therefore is rejected out of your awareness, a bit like a protection, a defense mechanism. The presence of your lion spirit animal could be a warning to pay attention to a situation or person who’s creating worries or concerns for you.

On a positive note, a terrifying lion is likely indicating that you’re in the process of becoming more aware of the issues at hand. It works as a reminder that whatever is bothering you in your waking life needs to come out in the open to be dealt with. Bring forth the courage that lion totems symbolize.

Lion spirit animals in dreams: When the lion bites you

A lion that bites you in your dream could be a warning from your spirit animal and signify that you’re feeling overwhelmed in your waking life. The source of worries could be about feelings you or someone else may have or a situation that is particularly challenging. The image of the lion bite is a strong call to look at what’s going on in your life that could feel threatening or dangerous before it really “bites” you.

Another interpretation of such lion dream is to ask yourself what is dominating your life these days and see if you can bring more balance.

Scary images of lion spirit animals and the “shadow self”

When you are scared by the presence of your lion spirit animal, whether it’s in dreams or in waking life, this could be an invitation to look at your “shadow self”. The shadow self is a part of yourself that you prefer to keep “in the shadow” or the dark. In other words, a part of yourself you would hide or reject because it’s not likeable, you or other people think it’s unacceptable, not worthy, etc.

Your spirit animal indicates the need to look at these aspects of yourself and resolve the tensions inner conflicts may create. For instance, by just starting to acknowledge parts of your “shadow self”, looking at them, perhaps understanding what they are about, what they are connected with, you can start bringing a better understanding of yourself.

[skydog]

Bear Spirit Animal

 

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In the kingdom of spirit animals, the bear is emblematic of grounding forces and strength. This animal has been worshiped throughout time as a powerful totem, inspiring those who need it the courage to stand up against adversity. As a spirit animal in touch with the earth and the cycles of nature, it is a powerful guide to support physical and emotional healing.

Bear Meaning

The bear has several meanings that will inspire those who have this animal as totem:

• The primary meaning of the bear spirit animalis strength and confidence
• Standing against adversity; taking action and leadership
• The spirit of the the bear indicates it’s time for healing or using healing abilities to help self or others
• The bear medicine emphasizes the importance of solitude, quiet time, rest
• The spirit of the bear provides strong grounding forces

The bear, an ancient spirit animal worshiped in many traditions

The bear as a spirit animal or totem is one of the most ancient worshiped animals. Remains of bears have been found in many archeological sites in Europe especially, where bear bones and skulls were found together with human bones dating back to the Neanderthals.

It is said that the Vikings would wear bear skins in times of war to scare off their enemies. They would appear as powerful as these wild animals. Bears symbolize warrior spirit and courage to fight. The bear’s spirit would be invoked to help the warriors in the battle.

In ancient Greece and Rom, the bear was a totem animal associated with the Goddess Artemis and Diana, goddesses of fertility. In contrast, for the Celts, the bear would represent the sun.

The spirit of the bear as healer and teacher

Interestingly, in Siberia, the name used to designate women shaman is the same as the word “bear”. In Northern America, in the Inuit tradition, the bear spirit animal is also connected to the shamanic tradition and women.

For the Inuit people, the bear is a strong power or totem animal. In some beliefs, it is said that if an Inuit hunter accepts to be eaten by a bear, he may reincarnate as a shaman and carry the spirit of this animal. The polar bear is considered as the “Wise Teacher” as it shows how to survive in harsh conditions.

The bear, a spirit animal symbolic of strength and courage

The spirit of the bear is a strong source of support in times of difficulty. It provides courage and a stable foundation to face challenges. When the bear shows up as a spirit guide in your life, it’s perhaps time to stand for your beliefs or your truth. This power animal will provide for support and strength.

The bear is also a guide to take leadership in your life or in other people’s lives. This animal is feared and admired for its strength. Its presence inspires respect. Its strength and powerful stature will inspire you to step into a leadership role in your life and take action without fear.

When you invoke the power of the bear totem, reflect on the qualities of inner strength, fearlessness, and confidence in yourself and how you can project them in your world.

The spirit of the bear and healing

Since the bear is often associated with shamans in many traditions, this spirit animal can symbolize healing abilities and stepping into the role of the healer. If the bear shows up in your life, it may also be time to take care of your own needs for healing, whether it’s at the physical, emotional or spiritual level.

Be sensitive to where you are at and reflect on where you would most need healing. You can call on the bear spirit guidance to direct your energy in a more conservative or focused way.

Bear spirit animal and grounding forces

The bear is an animal that lives a solitary life. Having a bear as a spirit animal can mean that you find balance and comfort in solitude. The presence of this power animal could point to the need to “regroup” and set up boundaries, so you feel comfortable in your own space. It may be a call to find time away from the crowd or busyness and favor quiet time and rest.

The bear spirit can also be a great helper to dedicate time and energy to more introspective practices, such as self-inquiry or meditation. Call on the spirit of the bear to help you find your center and ground yourself in a strong foundation that will support you in more busy and noisy times.

[skydog]

Symbolic Eagle Meaning

 

I've been seeing eagles and moles in my meditations lately. When creatures persist in my awareness, I know it's time to write a page on them. Plus, I've gotten several requests from readers of this site wanting to know more about symbolic eagle meaning, so here are a few thoughts.

I've had the luxury of observing Golden Eagles in the wild. Like our nature-inclined forebears, the sheer size of these creatures is mind-numbing.

Size does matter to the Native mind. It is the mammoth size of the eagle that, in part, wins its title as the King of the Birds in myth and lore. In spite of its enormous size, the eagle still takes flight, seemingly effortlessly. This is the first of many symbolic cues from the eagle about perception (not judging a book by its cover) and, not allowing the illusion of limitation to ground us in our flight.

What else matters when considering symbolic eagle meaning? Here are a few attributes and keywords associated with Eagle Medicine...

Symbolic Eagle Meanings

• Opportunity
• Protection
• Guardianship
• Masculinity
• Dominance
• Control
• Freedom
• Community
• Command
• Action
• Authority
• Skill
• Focus
• Determination
• Vision
• Power
• Liberation
• Inspiration
• Ruler
• Judgment

 

 

Native wisdom also honors the eagle for their opportunistic ways. It's not that they're skilled hunters (they are), but the go about gaining their needs in ways that are most efficient. This is a lesson for conserving resources. Work smarter, not harder.

Some Native American (plains tribes) refers to the eagle as an earthly incarnation of the great Thunderbird spirit. Legend further states that lightning bolts shoot from the eyes of the bald eagle, and with the beating of its expansive wings, rain is conjured from the skies. That's easy to envision.

Coming from the mindset that all energy is interconnected, an average wingspan of 5-7 feet (in golden's and bald's) could understandably cause some massive energetic ripples in the cosmos. Even prompt rain. I love how eagles as rain bringers segways into the cleansing theme of water.

And, we see from the Native mind that eagle feathers are tribal tools resonating patterns of healing within ritual. Do a little research into Native wisdom, and you will find the eagle is invoked for revitalization, creation and healing purposes. I like to think this deals with the eagle's connection with water.

In this vein of thought, we can contemplate the healing messages the eagle may offer us in our daily life. When the eagle soars into our psychic vision, it may be a sign of getting prepared for symbolic cleansing rains. What needs cleaning in our lives?

Of course, as rulers of the sky, eagle meaning is connected with the air element, which symbolizes communication and thought. All bird totems speak to us about higher thinking, dreams, and mental liberation. As king of the birds, the eagle's message of mental acuity is super-dominant.

Visually, everything about the eagle's appearance is sharp. Streamlined, sleek, chiseled. This prompts our deeper minds to hone our thoughts and skills. The eagle commands us to tailor our intelligence and talents in a form that best suits our needs. We all have inner abilities, but when the eagle shows up - it's a clear sign it's time to use these abilities in a laser-like fashion to bring about focused change in our lives.

To revisit the Thunderbird association, eagles are said to bring down lightning with the storms. This makes me think of flashes of insight, surges of power - electrifying vision.

I also like to look into the eyes of the eagle. There I see the lightning. I see the sun itself living in those all-seeing bright yellow orbs.

Do these observations this strike a chord with you? If so, take flight with the eagle meaning by experimenting with these visualizations:

Eagle Totem Encouragements

• Contemplate the power cased in the heart of the eagle.

 

• Synchronize your own heart beat with that of the eagle's - visualize each pulse as a flash of lighting - an impulse of divine thought.

 

• Picture the power of the gods clapping like thunder with each flap of their wings. With each crack of thunder consider barriers and blockages in your life being shattered.

 

• Then see the great seven foot wingspan of the eagle growing even longer in your vision in order to swipe away the rubble - making all trace of limitation disappear.

 

• Look into the eyes of the eagle, and see the dawning sun shine clarity upon the dawning of your own awareness. These eyes are like a light into your own contemplative vision - let them illuminate your from the inside out.

 

These kind of powerful connections can liberate on so many levels.

But, you don't have to take my word for it. Consider our ancestors perspectives on the eagle meaning for more inspiration.

Eagle Meanings in Cultural Lore

 

Alchemy symbolic eagle meaning:
A representation of prime matter, the start of an alchemical operation. The eagle spreads its wings over the step into creation and fans the fire, encouraging growth of new matter.

Aztec and Mayan meaning of eagle:
The eagle carries the veil of night and dark over our existence and awareness. It's affiliated with the dawning sun, and is a magnificent celestial power, able to shine light into our world.

Celtic animal symbolism of eagle:
Associated with the symbolism of water, and the intuitive oracle water serves as. Perhaps because our Celtic kin observed their magnificent ability to see into waters with miraculous clarity. Like scrying. I like to think the Celts skimmed across the waters of their existence invoked the eagle for assistance in "diving in" for treasures of wisdom.

Christian eagle meaning:
Associated with the Christ himself. Because the eagle seems to easily ascend the skies, looking into the sun with unblinking focus, we relate symbolism of Christ's unblinking faith in the Way, the Truth, and the Light. We also see themes of renewal (baptism) as the eagle plunges the soul of man into the sea, and lifts them out renewed and cleansed.

Greek meaning:
Another reference as a solar animal, the eagle is symbolic of authority, rulership and virility. It's depicted with thunderbolts in each talon. In my mind, this seems like a phallic reference would bolster sexual energy as well as warrior status (energy, thrust, courage, bravery, fearlessness). I get a confirmation of this by Zeus's strong affiliation with the eagle in myth.

I could go on forever about the symbolic meaning of the eagle. It's an inspiring creature, so it's only natural that every human eye that has witnessed it would be enraptured by its regal presence.

The eagle imparts spectacular wisdom. Take purposeful, meditative time to connect with the eagle, and discover what kind of glorious insight it can share with you.

 

Last word on the symbolic eagle meaning: "Fly Higher."

[z00se]

Best go to the zoo and see the animal face to face. Beats reading lists of descriptive words and its a good day out, im sure the animals will like it too!

[silent thunder]

My interactions with animals in zoos didn't bring much understanding in terms of behavior and spirit.

They're fairly hobbled in their little holes and pits.

 

The only animals I found to be well adjusted to zoo life were the lemurs I spent a summer studying.

They appeared pretty well suited to their environment, the big carnivores were shells.