Shamanism is not a religion, so has no conflicts with any of them. It is a way of looking at and being in the world that is very connected to the Earth and all the beings that live with us on the planet. It is about being in harmony and honoring all things, which is not incompatible with all forms of spirituality.
Connecting with guides is more like relationship building, or more like a quest. It can take time. My search for a totem took more than 2 years. Patience, persistence, openness is needed. And don't be surprised if your guides are exactly what/who you thought they would be!
I have never encountered a guide that could be termed "evil." My view is that "good" and "evil" are human concepts from our dimensional reality system and have little to do with the spirit world that I know. And, on a similar note, I do not believe in and have never encountered an "evil spirit." Wounded, yes; evil, no.
Yes in paganism its more about dark and light, chaos and order, negative and positive. Not all darkness or chaos is "bad' as not all light and order is "good." For those who still think like that. Took me years to change my perception of things to a pagan and shamanic way.
I know for sure that a deer is my power animal and I think a tiger is my shadow animal. I had a vision of a rainy valley and a forest. There was this deer who just stared at me, at the time the thought it was creepy and just ignored it. I kept walking and found a waterfall. Under the waterfall was a cave where a tiger lived. I walked up to the tiger and tried to pet it, but it roared at me. I ran through the forest while being chased by the tiger. I eventually reached the valley and saw the deer eating grass. I though "The tiger will eat the deer not me." Then I slipped on the wet grass and I could hear the tiger coming. The deer calmly walked up to me and sat down. Tiger and the deer stared at each other. The tiger would walk in and out of the forest waiting for the deer to leave, but it never did. The tiger eventually left us alone. Me and deer just sat there until I woke up. I think the deer is telling me to relax and the tiger won't get me. I have yet to figure out what the tiger means. Also sorry for this long comment.
I tried the journey and saw a deer tht time and on th other hand i keep on seeing crows everyday in real life. They seem always with me i know it sounds odd cos they are basically everywhere but im into crows since like always and i enjoy seeing them.They catch my eye everywhere. I feel happy whn they are arnd and i always have to admire thm. I saw a huge crow on a fountain lately while on the bus and i was so fascinated by its size of it, tht i got off the bus one stop earlier thn i was ought
Thank you! This makes so much sense. I've always been drawn to rabbits, ever since I could remember. Along with having a security blanket, I also had a security bunny. So the animal is like a comfort symbol to me. Whenever something's going wrong in my life and I see a rabbit, I know that everything will be ok. Sometimes I see rabbits when I take my husband to work. I got stressed out about the drive there one day and my husband was like, "It's ok, just look for a rabbit." I didn't see any, but not long after that the same day, I saw a stuffed rabbit in a store. It was like it was confirming what the universe was telling me. This happens to me a lot. The animal also guides me & has helped me out several times throughout my life.
Thank you for this awesome disambiguation! I started practicing shamanic journeys after heaving read Micheal Harner's books, and I encountered a Lynx which I started to call my "power animal" or "totem". After half a year another animal, a falcon, came into my journey all of a sudden and just became one with me. I could transform into the falcon at will, and I did to travel or to deal with hostile spirits. The lynx sometimes allowed me to see through his eyes or take lynx-shape, but we were at all time different beings. Everyone should know about the journey animal/ spirit guide and totem animal distinction.
Mine is the EAGLE. When I first met my fiance I was at the lake on a floaty with my children saw three Eagles overhead one dropped a fish from its talons right next to me. Then all three Eagles purched on a tree right next to the shore and watched over us as we all played in the water. It was like some kind of spirit guide offering or a way to show me I was good company.
Strong presentation Gerry The Red Tailed Hawk, The Peace Eagle, The Crow, The Butterfly and the Dragonfly have all communicated with me syncronistically of late on my journey. Most recently I had a powerful dream with an Orca just after the full Moon on the night that the late Taurus Moon was conjunct the Pleiades cluster. While I have been drawn to the Amazon River Brujo dolphins, I had not thought of Orcas at all conciously in years and was still under the incorrect assumption that they were whales. It was delightful to discover that they are of the dolphin family and it appears the Orca has come to me as my journey animal as I seek greater attunement with and immersion into the unseen (and non-english-speaking :-)) realms of spirit. The Orca message was quite elaborate and sophisticated. A true blessing.
Take a look at the more recent video "Working With Power Animals" to answer part of your question. Check out my "Shamanic Journey" video and Sandra Ingerman's book "Shamanic Journeying" for more.
Finally found my spirit animal. This vid helped me understand it better. I've often been guided by a wolverine or badger through a snowy mountain area. Usually led into a cave where it disappears
In my experience, Totem animals do not change often as you express in the last part of your comment. However, other guides and teachers may change fairly often, depending on what your current needs are. I have 1 Totem that I have had for many years, though my sense is that he will be changing as I enter a coming new phase. I have 3 primary Journey Guides and several Teachers, including humans as well as animals.
i am crazy fom this guy right now, and i think he might like me, but i'm allways shy, and dont even have the curege to look at him. but afther the tiger appeard i have felt more.... brave, and outgoing,it has really helped me.
My Power/Totem Animal is The Scorpion, fitting due to the Characteristics we share together. Not to mention, the Characteristics about me that never changed .
Complex subject. Spirit to me is "that which is greater than I am." Some refer to Spirit as Source or Great Spirit. To me, it is the energy of everything in flow, not personified. Spirit Beings (or entities perhaps) are beings not-in-form. My guides work through me to teach and heal, and they are aspects of Spirit, though more personified. None of them are spirits of the dead. And there are the essences of those who have passed, who are seeking their way home. Too much to answer here.
Thank you Gerry for this video that's informative, uplifting, empowering, inspiring, and consciousness expanding---aka mind + heart opening toward integrated Mind/Heart. Your vibrational frequency radiates much authenticity, full presence, keen awareness, transparent honesty, openness, profound wisdom, inner-peace, freedom, gentleness, loyalty (to Spirit within), Light and Unconditional Love. Continue Being an invaluable gift to your Multidimensional self (earthly and otherworldly physical selves)/Self (Source: Soul/Spirit within), interconnected humanity, Mother Earth, merging worlds, and beyond. Mulantis ^_^
Our society/culture has a false belief that black=bad and, from movies, red eyes are evil. This is not necessarily true in a shamanic context. That Kyleah was with you, spoke to you, and you were not afraid is more important. And, yes, most of the time our guides and teachers "speak" in ways we call telepathic, rather than with words. It's more efficient that way. ;-)
hello Gerry i can see my guided spiritual animal on my web cam it's a panther and i call her Kanaha Ohanzee means Powerful Shadow and i have been seeing a wolf peeking in as well and also see them in cloud form like a frog as well i want to be able to talk to them do i do this through meditation? thank you..
Question: Gerry, do I select my power animal, or do I wait for it to come to me during a drumming journey? A few years ago I found a neat formation of six eagle feathers on the ground while walking along a river path and I feel the incident was a signal or communication from eagle. This happened a week after I returned from St. Ignace, MI where I purchased an indian dream catcher. To me, there is a connection, wouldn't you agree?
I went back to the book shelf and I saw a book that was not previously there and lo and behold, she was looking straight at me from the book cover. I have named her 'Tipvigut' and have grown quite attached to her. I really want to find out if she really if my totem. Blessed be -Scar and 'Tipvigut'.
The shamanic journey is one way. I suggest reading Sandra Ingerman's book, Shamanic Journeying. There are others, but that one is very good. Comes with drumming CD.
I think my shadow animal might be a tiger. I'm not afraid of it, but at the beginning of my first journey, I saw a tiger and it seemed to be shifting but it was running towards me. I could sense the agressivity. I'm new to this, so I'm just trying to figure it out.
I have a friend who connects to Eagle and Bear strongly, so he considers EagleBear to be a key connection, if not his totem. I'm a bit more traditional. :) You might consider that, because Wolf shows up strongly for you in many contexts, s/he has already selected you and you are just catching up!
Every tribe on the planet has different traditions and teachings based on their history and locale. Yet they also have many things in common worldwide. For example, most all have medicine wheels of some sort, though the directions and ways they are related to it may be very different. And as the flora and fauna of the areas are different, they will also relate to the environment and spirit in different ways.
thanks, very informative. I'm almost certain owl is my power animal. There's been a number of incidents over the years where owl has come to me, most recently at an Ayahuasca ceremony in Peru. In the past i tried to ignore the signs but not anymore. Do South American Shamanism and North American Shamanism have similar teachings?
Hello! I'm just starting on my spiritual journey and I was wondering if you could help me. I think my life totem is a polar bear but I cannot meditate. I can never picture anything with the guided meditations on you-tube. I've asked her to show to me if she really was my totem and when I was working on an assignment I was looking for books and I skimmed over the same place of the book shelf a few times. I then went to take a break and asked Polar bear if she were my totem and then
Does the totem animal change very often in a lifetime( So like over 10 totem animals in a lifetime) or is it only due to energy changing situations and the transition from child to adult?
Hi Gerry, since I’ve started meditation and many years of having synchronicities and psychic dreams. I now just started having animals show up in my dreams more than ever. I dreamt of the white cobra at the doorway of my bedroom and toads/ frogs ( a baby frog and adult frog) at my nightstand all in same dream. I see the meaning of white cobra is spiritual wisdom and abundance and luck with frogs? The cobra showed me in the dream how much power and respect I have for it. With your expertise, please If you understand these symbols to have more meaning please let me kno! !
Hello Gerry, I was yesterday invoking my spiritual guides during meditation and I saw a bald eagle flying towards me. I never even knew about spirit animals till after that and started researching about it. After i saw the bald eagle I then saw the hand of a woman in thick iron hand cuffs (like the ones you see in old movies) and a machete striking it therefore freeing her. What do you think this means ? Thank you !
hello gerry how are you? i would like to go on a shamanic journey myself but, ive never done it before and it would be my first time and im a little scared. so i would like to know what the dangers of shamanic journey is if you could please get back to my question it would help me out alot thank you.
I visualized myself as a lioness, my grandson is 4 months old I visualized him as a Cub and my 2 daughters lioness’s I also see my grandson as King Kong I Love the Ocean it talks to me it’s meditation 🧘🏿♀️ it’s calm it’s purification but I am afraid of swimming but I am connected to the ocean and the animals in the ocean. I know when Animals are sick I can feel it and see it before it happen.
Jerry starnes- Thank you! I also have another question- my little brother keeps saying that he sees a solid black dog at the end of his bed and that it is hairless and is red and has red eyes. He sais that its ribs are poking out of his stomach and that it tries to bite him. Could this be kyleah trying to scare him? Because my brother and i hve always got into fights and we really dont like eachother.
i see a white tiger every time, i feel very close to it, and i feel like it brings a lot of strength. its walked with me to a lot of places. ive even sat with it under a tree and, it layed its head on my lap. is this my power animal or spirit guide?
Hy every one! Could any one explain to me or mr Gerry in person , please...i was visited by my cat spirit few times last year ...but some person with clairvoiance told me to release him...since then he never show out. now i,m suffering! did i hurt him in some way? What happened? am i gonne feel him again? thank you !
I found this fascinating, thank you. I am only just starting to explore this field, but have had animals around me & in my dreams & visions my whole life! I've even had dreams of transfiguring into an animal; this started in my teens. Back then it was a Panther. Dragon, Wolf & Raven have been around me for years & far more recently I started noticing first Lion, then Tiger (last 3 weeks!) I'm not sure HOW to really discover their meaning & purpose, because I don't know how to "journey".
I did a guided meditation the other night about spirit animals. When it starts you are suppose to imagine a fog, but before that could happen i saw cat like eyes of what I believe to be a leopard or a panther then i actually saw the big cat (though i can't tell which one it is). Then it vanished and when the fog moved a money was shown. So, my question is do you believe the leopard or panther is my spirit animal because it is said that the eyes are the door to the soul?
I saw your video, as I've read Andrew's AnimalSpeech. General symbolism of grasshoppers are moving forward and listening your inner voice. I can relate it with my current situation, but the whole scene today was quite bizarre, I even started crying thinking why isn't he jumping to the ceiling. Most surprising was his falling down on me, correctly in my t-shirt. I'll think about it anyhow, I thank you for the reply. Just wanted to share.
If I understand your question correctly, in some traditions it is inappropriate to discuss your animal guides with others. That may be true in your culture, I do not know. However, I have found that in some circumstances, that might be OK. My suggestion is to ask your guide what s/he would prefer. They will let you know.
How do we know the difference? For example, tonight in journey I became a buffalo. Felt the power and grace, peaceful and walking softly but unstoppable. Is that a message animal, or a new totem? (Until now I’ve felt I was tiger)
Question... You said that the "shadow animal" is normally an animal you fear, what if there aren't any animals you fear.? The "overwhelming" feeling, could you try to describe it.? Because I've attempted a few times to find my totem animal but whenever I do I feel something that... it kind of feels like something mentally pushing against my mind from different directions, but it never seems to tell me what the challenge is i need to overcome and what not..
Frankly, most people are way too hung up on "doing it right" or fear of ego-involvement. If you are seeking personal integrity, you don't need to worry so much about such things. Whether or not Bear is you totem, s/he is certainly important to you! So I would suggest a journey to connect with Bear and have a frank conversation. At the very least, she is a guide and protector for you, I believe, because that is part of what Bear is about. Seriously.
I've participated in many guided meditations on you tube and I've had trouble finding my spirit animal because I WANT it to be a said animal(bear) and I feel biased could you help me?
I was called near a lake but in my meditation I was laying comfortably lying on snow near a big lake or a river then I saw a grey wolf circling around me I felt really warm and safer with this he then maybe sit by my side I don't remember because I fell asleep
Red cardinals, the after my brother died this bird appears on top of a pine tree by the window staring at me. As I try to video record the bird, it stared back and flew away...
hi Gerry first of all I would like to thank you for your talks. I have listening to many Shamans but you make it so clear. However I am still a bit confused when you talk about spirit, entities and spirit animal. When you say entities or spirit, do you mean getting in touch or letting the spirit of people who died? or do you mean spirit is an aspect of ourselves, that are perfect and know like our blueprint. I find hard to connect to the idea the guides are spirits from that people.tks
Hi Gerry, Almost everyday for many months I see 1 or 2 of the same hawks perched on top a light post very near to the place that I work. For me, the site of these hawks has some type of inner connection or special feeling that I'm unclear of. I always look for them when I go to work and if they are not there I miss them. One time I was sitting outside my work and 1 was sitting on top of the roof looking directly at me as it sang it's song. Another time I was inside my work place near the large windows. It flew and perched itself just above me It revealed the underside of its feathers and it's true size to me. This meant something special to me, but I'm not sure what. For months now there has been 1 of the 2 Eurasian Collared Doves perched on the street light nearest to my house. I make sure that I look when I hear it sing. I feel it looks right at me when it sings. I find myself talking to it now telling it how beautiful it is and its song. I wish it and its mate good health and I pray for its well being. I play a First Nations hand drum. I listened carefully to its song and made up a song in honor of it. I attend a First Nation sweat lodge ceremony once a month. I am the fire keeper, and have been for almost a year. For some reason I'm unsure of right now there has been some type of tension between me and some of the other regular members. They are not saying what it is, but I can feel it. I always feel great after having a sweat, but the last time I felt just terrible and empty. This last time a small weasel came to the Site from inside the pile of wood as we all sat outside the Sweat Lodge. It did as weasels do, it darted in and out within the pile very quickly, but most of the time came right back to me and stayed by me looking at me for what I thought was quite awhile especially for this hyper weasel. I'm not sure what all of these encounters mean, but I really do feel that there is something these beautiful creatures are trying to tell me. It would be cool if someone could add their comments to what I have said.
+Wayne B My favorite resource for exploring animal medicines and messages is Animal Speak, by Ted Andrews. He talks about the characteristics of animals, rather than "what they mean," and as such give you a good context for understanding what the interaction or message is for you at that time. Highly recommended. As to the lodge tension, it seems to me that the spirit circle is an outstanding container for honest and respectful discussion about what you are sensing. There is no way to know what others are thinking, and it is a mistake to assume what it might be. I encourage you to discuss with the lodge keeper or elders what might work well in your community. That there is unspoken tension does not hold the circle container necessary for spirit work, in my opinion.
I sometimes see in my mind's eye a wolf fighting something invisible for me. After this happens, I feel better. I barely have any indian in me (1/16) and I'm christian. I look at the wolf as my guardian angel. I don't meditate or anything, and I have a very strong connection with animals, but I don't exactly 'worship' them as many websites say. Is this my spirit animal?
hey, when ever I am out side in many places and always look up i see about 1 or 2 hawks in the sky this has been going on for about 2 years. is this my messenger animal???
I was wondering if you could help me. I have fortunately found my journey totem, the crow/raven, but I am having a bit of trouble with finding my life totem. I see animals everywhere and I'm trying to bring back memories of when I was little, and what animal I felt connected to. I am also looking for omens and signs when I walk around. I see tigers, pumas, wolves, ibis, crows and foxes. However, I only really remember tigers, wolves, ibises and foxes from when I was little. My friend says I remind her of a fox, and others say wolves or tigers. Do you have any advice? :-)
Crocodiles have been coming to me- 1st time I can remember clearly- it was broad daylight, in the doorway looking at me. Majestic and mighty, revered I wasn’t afraid until at the end he ran under my bed and woke me up. Recently another one came and started to swallow a friend of mine. When I saw she was getting weak, I became brave and gently wiggled her from side to side and he opened his mouth and released her. When I think about them I’m deathly scared of them. But I know they have a message for me
I have a wolf...which appears from time to time within my dreams...never took note of it until it started 'communicating' with me directly within my dream...
Ever since I practice shamanic journey, and even in nightmares during my childhood, I stumble across a giant black wolf with yellow eyes. It is very hostile, sometimes it threatens me not to go a certain way, sometimes it is one inch from attacking me for no reason or just stalks me. It is not there in every journey, but appears seemingly without a reason. What is it about? Should I avoid it? Ask another spirit to help me fight it? Can I safely talk to it? By the way, it is NOT my own "dark side". that will appear to me in another shape and in special circumstances.
Continuation: also, is it possible that you're shadow animal DOESN'T give you the opposing feeling at times when you try.? Because there have been times when I try and I don't get that feeling.... But i swear sometimes after a while I either see what looks like a shadow or something of a dragon or phoenix.... is it possible for either of those to be a spirit animal.? As for the spirit guides, I haven't really noticed anything in particular yet :/ but I am only 15.. Please answer if you dn't mind
Hello Gerry, I was in a Shamanic Journey for a whole night. The Eagel came to me. It took me with it, inside of it until I became one with it, until I became the eagel. How do I know whether the eagel is my spirit animal or my shadow animal? Thank you.
I doubt it would be a shadow animal. Whether it is your spirit animal/totem is yet to be seen. Keep developing the relationship and it will become clear to you in time.
I am sorry for your loss. The idea of being "lost in the infinite" is a very human concept not shared by the four-legeds. Many people I know who have had a beloved pet die, who had a connection such as you describe, often feel that the connection persists beyond their death. They come in dreams and meditations, and sometimes seem to appear in ordinary reality, as well. So, I suggest that you remain open to the possibility that you will see him again.
Gerry......I have so many questions...and a really weird experience that has me questioning my very own sanity that happened about 3 years ago now...at the time I was going through some emotional events ..my boyfriend at the time was in a coma ...I was not sure that he was gonna make it...and my best friend had just been incarcierated and had multiple heart attacks upon being arrested...I was living off grid alone and one evening after a rather emotional day, I was approached by a very mystical black panther..... I was not meditating...I was awake...in fact I had just started a fire outside when it got my attention...it was so big...and slow....when I first saw it I only saw movement out of the corner of my eye.....I started to tell it to go home assuming it was a neighbors dogs...then I saw it ...it was maybe 40 ft away from me and it approached me from the side...not from behind...my body reacted and I instantly started heading towards my trailer....instinct? it was so very mesmerizing...I only got a glance of it as I got up into my trailer and it was slowly still walking towards me....it was just staring and approaching...not fast but so very slowly ...in my shock I got inside and shut the door......with my mind reeling I only kept telling myself I was not seeing what I thought I was....a moment went by I told myself it was my imagination but when I oened the door it was sitting just a few feet in front of me...just sitting there staring......shocked to see it still there I shut the door....turned off all the lights and told myself I was imagining this ....I went to sleep .......so I am just now really looking into all of this because a few things have led me to believe this could have been spiritual and not mental{a hulllucination} at that time in my life my spirit didn't feel so sad and with all I was dealing with it might sound weird but I feel like I need healing now more than ever....I don't know why and im lost .....this is why I am only just now trying to figure all of this out......3 yrs later.....I feel like I have went backwards spiritually ..like I was more aware and awake then..but didn't know it!!!!...and I feel like maybe I got lost....now I am in desperate need of healing and I don't know where to go or what to do......anything at all u can tell me is greatly appreciated....
Gerry how do I determine the type of totem animal? Messenger or shadow? Killing the fox seems very relevant to me at this point. It was more like a sacrifice on it's part or a wake up call. It's really bothering me. Thanks.
The other night i had a dream about my spirit animal- she said her name was kyleah.... But she didint speak.... It was like i could understand her without her talking. But what frightens me is that she is a solid black wolf with red eyes.... And i can feel her with me at all times. I can see her shadows sometimes to. Is it bad that she is black with red eyes? Is she a demon? Should i allow her to be with me?
in China, animal spirits that can become guides have to go through energy/taoist practices Some spirits are thousands of years old and are extremely powerful. I am curious about whether this is also the case in the west, namely, the animal guides have taken some spiritual practices, which is often done under the guide of higher spirits.
Can I ask is it possible for a spirit animal to try be in contact with you indirectly? Like you haven't seen it but its been mentioned before in your life
1) Yes, and you probably do. 2) They communicate in YOUR language. 3) Not if you treat them with respect. Know, too, that they can appear to die. This came up in the last journey circle. Yet, "death" is a human concept. In the spirit world, there is transition; "death" is not final in that world or this. So the question is, "What is your guide trying to tell you by 'disappearing' or 'dying'?" That is where to look...
Hi Gerry, Great video series, I just have a quick question... I have met several animals when journeying into each of my chakras. Would these be totem animals, journey animals, or messenger animals? I'm having a hard time processing this. Thanks!
Personally, I recommend the shamanic journey process. I have a couple of videos about that on my channel, and Sandra Ingerman's book, Shamanic Journeying, is a great resource.
I encounter crows basically every day and they always stand out to me. Some time ago I found a crow laying dead on the ground.I took it upon myself to burry this crow in a forest nearby. The whole thing felt like a very intense and powerful experience. Crows have always meant something to me and it feels like that moment just verified it for some reason. What type of power animal could the crow be to me? This is the only thing I can’t seem to find out. I only know I feel very connected to them.
i am a polar bear. I one time survived a blizzard without a scratch while my sister was cold and shivering. Plus with one goose bump. And i led my family out of the forest between one of four hours and my dad would usually take a day (i think). And thats not all, i can also dive in the water catching a fish with my bare hands or with my teeth and i will some times half roar half scream at the woods cause i think someone would steal my territory. and i one time beat my own dad at a arm wrestle.
Interesting have you ever heard of people with a black hat visiting dreams ? I had them once in a vivid colorful dream and a wolf was also there I think I even noticed them because of the wolf, when I woke up the hat person was hovering over me and proceeded to leave my room trough the window.
Shamanism is not a religion, so has no conflicts with any of them. It is a way of looking at and being in the world that is very connected to the Earth and all the beings that live with us on the planet. It is about being in harmony and honoring all things, which is not incompatible with all forms of spirituality.
Connecting with guides is more like relationship building, or more like a quest. It can take time. My search for a totem took more than 2 years. Patience, persistence, openness is needed. And don't be surprised if your guides are exactly what/who you thought they would be!
I have never encountered a guide that could be termed "evil." My view is that "good" and "evil" are human concepts from our dimensional reality system and have little to do with the spirit world that I know. And, on a similar note, I do not believe in and have never encountered an "evil spirit." Wounded, yes; evil, no.
Yes in paganism its more about dark and light, chaos and order, negative and positive. Not all darkness or chaos is "bad' as not all light and order is "good." For those who still think like that.
Took me years to change my perception of things to a pagan and shamanic way.
Here's a great book: "Shamanic Journeying" by Sandra Ingerman.
Thank you for your "easy to understand" explanations. Greatly Appreciated.
I know for sure that a deer is my power animal and I think a tiger is my shadow animal. I had a vision of a rainy valley and a forest. There was this deer who just stared at me, at the time the thought it was creepy and just ignored it. I kept walking and found a waterfall. Under the waterfall was a cave where a tiger lived. I walked up to the tiger and tried to pet it, but it roared at me. I ran through the forest while being chased by the tiger. I eventually reached the valley and saw the deer eating grass. I though "The tiger will eat the deer not me." Then I slipped on the wet grass and I could hear the tiger coming. The deer calmly walked up to me and sat down. Tiger and the deer stared at each other. The tiger would walk in and out of the forest waiting for the deer to leave, but it never did. The tiger eventually left us alone. Me and deer just sat there until I woke up.
I think the deer is telling me to relax and the tiger won't get me. I have yet to figure out what the tiger means.
Also sorry for this long comment.
I tried the journey and saw a deer tht time and on th other hand i keep on seeing crows everyday in real life. They seem always with me i know it sounds odd cos they are basically everywhere but im into crows since like always and i enjoy seeing them.They catch my eye everywhere. I feel happy whn they are arnd and i always have to admire thm. I saw a huge crow on a fountain lately while on the bus and i was so fascinated by its size of it, tht i got off the bus one stop earlier thn i was ought
I am so amazed by you.Thankyou so much.You have helped open the door for me to understand more.Again Thankyou .
Thank you! This makes so much sense. I've always been drawn to rabbits, ever since I could remember. Along with having a security blanket, I also had a security bunny. So the animal is like a comfort symbol to me. Whenever something's going wrong in my life and I see a rabbit, I know that everything will be ok. Sometimes I see rabbits when I take my husband to work. I got stressed out about the drive there one day and my husband was like, "It's ok, just look for a rabbit." I didn't see any, but not long after that the same day, I saw a stuffed rabbit in a store. It was like it was confirming what the universe was telling me. This happens to me a lot. The animal also guides me & has helped me out several times throughout my life.
Thank-you so much Mr Starnes! I think I just needed reassurance from a person who has been working with totems far longer then I have.
Don't sell Mouse short! Mouse is actually the totem of the south for many Medicine Wheels. :)
dear gerry thank you for the message..:)
Thank you for this awesome disambiguation! I started practicing shamanic journeys after heaving read Micheal Harner's books, and I encountered a Lynx which I started to call my "power animal" or "totem". After half a year another animal, a falcon, came into my journey all of a sudden and just became one with me. I could transform into the falcon at will, and I did to travel or to deal with hostile spirits. The lynx sometimes allowed me to see through his eyes or take lynx-shape, but we were at all time different beings. Everyone should know about the journey animal/ spirit guide and totem animal distinction.
With Gratitude for your videos and work in general. Your are a GREAT teacher.
Thank you.
Many Blessings!
Mine is the EAGLE. When I first met my fiance I was at the lake on a floaty with my children saw three Eagles overhead one dropped a fish from its talons right next to me. Then all three Eagles purched on a tree right next to the shore and watched over us as we all played in the water. It was like some kind of spirit guide offering or a way to show me I was good company.
Strong presentation Gerry
The Red Tailed Hawk, The Peace Eagle, The Crow, The Butterfly and the Dragonfly have all communicated with me syncronistically of late on my journey.
Most recently I had a powerful dream with an Orca just after the full Moon on the night that the late Taurus Moon was conjunct the Pleiades cluster. While I have been drawn to the Amazon River Brujo dolphins, I had not thought of Orcas at all conciously in years and was still under the incorrect assumption that they were whales. It was delightful to discover that they are of the dolphin family and it appears the Orca has come to me as my journey animal as I seek greater attunement with and immersion into the unseen (and non-english-speaking :-)) realms of spirit.
The Orca message was quite elaborate and sophisticated. A true blessing.
Take a look at the more recent video "Working With Power Animals" to answer part of your question. Check out my "Shamanic Journey" video and Sandra Ingerman's book "Shamanic Journeying" for more.
it marked a huge change in my life..
Thanks for sharing! Very useful info that has made me think about my recent experiences.
Thank you for uploading this excellent video.
Finally found my spirit animal. This vid helped me understand it better. I've often been guided by a wolverine or badger through a snowy mountain area. Usually led into a cave where it disappears
In my experience, Totem animals do not change often as you express in the last part of your comment. However, other guides and teachers may change fairly often, depending on what your current needs are. I have 1 Totem that I have had for many years, though my sense is that he will be changing as I enter a coming new phase. I have 3 primary Journey Guides and several Teachers, including humans as well as animals.
i am crazy fom this guy right now, and i think he might like me, but i'm allways shy, and dont even have the curege to look at him. but afther the tiger appeard i have felt more.... brave, and outgoing,it has really helped me.
My Power/Totem Animal is The Scorpion, fitting due to the Characteristics we share together. Not to mention, the Characteristics about me that never changed .
Complex subject. Spirit to me is "that which is greater than I am." Some refer to Spirit as Source or Great Spirit. To me, it is the energy of everything in flow, not personified. Spirit Beings (or entities perhaps) are beings not-in-form. My guides work through me to teach and heal, and they are aspects of Spirit, though more personified. None of them are spirits of the dead. And there are the essences of those who have passed, who are seeking their way home. Too much to answer here.
Thank you Gerry for this video that's informative, uplifting, empowering, inspiring, and consciousness expanding---aka mind + heart opening toward integrated Mind/Heart.
Your vibrational frequency radiates much authenticity, full presence, keen awareness, transparent honesty, openness, profound wisdom, inner-peace, freedom, gentleness, loyalty (to Spirit within), Light and Unconditional Love.
Continue Being an invaluable gift to your Multidimensional self (earthly and otherworldly physical selves)/Self (Source: Soul/Spirit within), interconnected humanity, Mother Earth, merging worlds, and beyond.
Mulantis ^_^
Our society/culture has a false belief that black=bad and, from movies, red eyes are evil. This is not necessarily true in a shamanic context. That Kyleah was with you, spoke to you, and you were not afraid is more important. And, yes, most of the time our guides and teachers "speak" in ways we call telepathic, rather than with words. It's more efficient that way. ;-)
Hi Gerry! Are we have the power or abilities to change our animal guides?
great stuff gerry. i listen to these often. along with way of the shaman. aloha. kurt. i am in southern pines nc.
Thank you!
hello Gerry i can see my guided spiritual animal on my web cam it's a panther and i call her Kanaha Ohanzee means Powerful Shadow and i have been seeing a wolf peeking in as well and also see them in cloud form like a frog as well i want to be able to talk to them do i do this through meditation? thank you..
hmm you are completely right thank you for you reply !! :)
Question: Gerry, do I select my power animal, or do I wait for it to come
to me during a drumming journey? A few years ago I found a neat formation of six eagle feathers on the ground while walking along a river path and I feel the incident was a signal or communication from eagle. This happened a week after I returned from St. Ignace, MI where I purchased an indian dream catcher. To me, there is a connection, wouldn't you agree?
I went back to the book shelf and I saw a book that was not previously there and lo and behold, she was looking straight at me from the book cover.
I have named her 'Tipvigut' and have grown quite attached to her. I really want to find out if she really if my totem.
Blessed be
-Scar and 'Tipvigut'.
The shamanic journey is one way. I suggest reading Sandra Ingerman's book, Shamanic Journeying. There are others, but that one is very good. Comes with drumming CD.
Thank you.
I think my shadow animal might be a tiger. I'm not afraid of it, but at the beginning of my first journey, I saw a tiger and it seemed to be shifting but it was running towards me. I could sense the agressivity. I'm new to this, so I'm just trying to figure it out.
I have a friend who connects to Eagle and Bear strongly, so he considers EagleBear to be a key connection, if not his totem. I'm a bit more traditional. :) You might consider that, because Wolf shows up strongly for you in many contexts, s/he has already selected you and you are just catching up!
Every tribe on the planet has different traditions and teachings based on their history and locale. Yet they also have many things in common worldwide. For example, most all have medicine wheels of some sort, though the directions and ways they are related to it may be very different. And as the flora and fauna of the areas are different, they will also relate to the environment and spirit in different ways.
thanks, very informative. I'm almost certain owl is my power animal. There's been a number of incidents over the years where owl has come to me, most recently at an Ayahuasca ceremony in Peru. In the past i tried to ignore the signs but not anymore. Do South American Shamanism and North American Shamanism have similar teachings?
Hello!
I'm just starting on my spiritual journey and I was wondering if you could help me.
I think my life totem is a polar bear but I cannot meditate. I can never picture anything with the guided meditations on you-tube. I've asked her to show to me if she really was my totem and when I was working on an assignment I was looking for books and I skimmed over the same place of the book shelf a few times. I then went to take a break and asked Polar bear if she were my totem and then
Does the totem animal change very often in a lifetime( So like over 10 totem animals in a lifetime) or is it only due to energy changing situations and the transition from child to adult?
Hi Gerry, since I’ve started meditation and many years of having synchronicities and psychic dreams. I now just started having animals show up in my dreams more than ever. I dreamt of the white cobra at the doorway of my bedroom and toads/ frogs ( a baby frog and adult frog) at my nightstand all in same dream. I see the meaning of white cobra is spiritual wisdom and abundance and luck with frogs? The cobra showed me in the dream how much power and respect I have for it. With your expertise, please If you understand these symbols to have more meaning please let me kno! !
Hello Gerry, I was yesterday invoking my spiritual guides during meditation and I saw a bald eagle flying towards me. I never even knew about spirit animals till after that and started researching about it. After i saw the bald eagle I then saw the hand of a woman in thick iron hand cuffs (like the ones you see in old movies) and a machete striking it therefore freeing her. What do you think this means ? Thank you !
hello gerry how are you? i would like to go on a shamanic journey myself but, ive never done it before and it would be my first time and im a little scared. so i would like to know what the dangers of shamanic journey is if you could please get back to my question it would help me out alot thank you.
I visualized myself as a lioness, my grandson is 4 months old I visualized him as a Cub and my 2 daughters lioness’s I also see my grandson as King Kong I Love the Ocean it talks to me it’s meditation 🧘🏿♀️ it’s calm it’s purification but I am afraid of swimming but I am connected to the ocean and the animals in the ocean. I know when Animals are sick I can feel it and see it before it happen.
If this were my experience, I would certainly consider them to be messengers!
Jerry starnes- Thank you! I also have another question- my little brother keeps saying that he sees a solid black dog at the end of his bed and that it is hairless and is red and has red eyes. He sais that its ribs are poking out of his stomach and that it tries to bite him. Could this be kyleah trying to scare him? Because my brother and i hve always got into fights and we really dont like eachother.
i see a white tiger every time, i feel very close to it, and i feel like it brings a lot of strength. its walked with me to a lot of places. ive even sat with it under a tree and, it layed its head on my lap. is this my power animal or spirit guide?
I thought this was very informative thank you for sharing your thoughts
Really interesting video. Thank you 👍
Thank you
Hy every one! Could any one explain to me or mr Gerry in person , please...i was visited by my cat spirit few times last year ...but some person with clairvoiance told me to release him...since then he never show out. now i,m suffering! did i hurt him in some way? What happened? am i gonne feel him again? thank you !
I found this fascinating, thank you. I am only just starting to explore this field, but have had animals around me & in my dreams & visions my whole life! I've even had dreams of transfiguring into an animal; this started in my teens. Back then it was a Panther. Dragon, Wolf & Raven have been around me for years & far more recently I started noticing first Lion, then Tiger (last 3 weeks!) I'm not sure HOW to really discover their meaning & purpose, because I don't know how to "journey".
I did a guided meditation the other night about spirit animals. When it starts you are suppose to imagine a fog, but before that could happen i saw cat like eyes of what I believe to be a leopard or a panther then i actually saw the big cat (though i can't tell which one it is). Then it vanished and when the fog moved a money was shown. So, my question is do you believe the leopard or panther is my spirit animal because it is said that the eyes are the door to the soul?
I feel connected to cats and crows in this life. I've also had dreams about lions a lot. I feel crows have been messengers to me.
I saw your video, as I've read Andrew's AnimalSpeech. General symbolism of grasshoppers are moving forward and listening your inner voice. I can relate it with my current situation, but the whole scene today was quite bizarre, I even started crying thinking why isn't he jumping to the ceiling. Most surprising was his falling down on me, correctly in my t-shirt. I'll think about it anyhow, I thank you for the reply. Just wanted to share.
If I understand your question correctly, in some traditions it is inappropriate to discuss your animal guides with others. That may be true in your culture, I do not know. However, I have found that in some circumstances, that might be OK. My suggestion is to ask your guide what s/he would prefer. They will let you know.
How do we know the difference? For example, tonight in journey I became a buffalo. Felt the power and grace, peaceful and walking softly but unstoppable. Is that a message animal, or a new totem? (Until now I’ve felt I was tiger)
How True! 🙏🏻
Question... You said that the "shadow animal" is normally an animal you fear, what if there aren't any animals you fear.?
The "overwhelming" feeling, could you try to describe it.? Because I've attempted a few times to find my totem animal but whenever I do I feel something that... it kind of feels like something mentally pushing against my mind from different directions, but it never seems to tell me what the challenge is i need to overcome and what not..
Frankly, most people are way too hung up on "doing it right" or fear of ego-involvement. If you are seeking personal integrity, you don't need to worry so much about such things. Whether or not Bear is you totem, s/he is certainly important to you! So I would suggest a journey to connect with Bear and have a frank conversation. At the very least, she is a guide and protector for you, I believe, because that is part of what Bear is about. Seriously.
How can I know I meet mine and soe every one have one. Becuse I have tried to find mine and I am haveing trouble
I've participated in many guided meditations on you tube and I've had trouble finding my spirit animal because I WANT it to be a said animal(bear) and I feel biased could you help me?
I was called near a lake but in my meditation I was laying comfortably lying on snow near a big lake or a river then I saw a grey wolf circling around me I felt really warm and safer with this he then maybe sit by my side I don't remember because I fell asleep
I saw a coyote walking along by itself one cold morning in town early & I was driving to work & wondered if he was an animal messenger to me ?
Red cardinals, the after my brother died this bird appears on top of a pine tree by the window staring at me. As I try to video record the bird, it stared back and flew away...
hi Gerry first of all I would like to thank you for your talks. I have listening to many Shamans but you make it so clear. However I am still a bit confused when you talk about spirit, entities and spirit animal. When you say entities or spirit, do you mean getting in touch or letting the spirit of people who died? or do you mean spirit is an aspect of ourselves, that are perfect and know like our blueprint. I find hard to connect to the idea the guides are spirits from that people.tks
Hi Gerry,
Almost everyday for many months I see 1 or 2 of the same hawks perched on top a light post very near to the place that I work. For me, the site of these hawks has some type of inner connection or special feeling that I'm unclear of. I always look for them when I go to work and if they are not there I miss them. One time I was sitting outside my work and 1 was sitting on top of the roof looking directly at me as it sang it's song. Another time I was inside my work place near the large windows. It flew and perched itself just above me It revealed the underside of its feathers and it's true size to me. This meant something special to me, but I'm not sure what.
For months now there has been 1 of the 2 Eurasian Collared Doves perched on the street light nearest to my house. I make sure that I look when I hear it sing. I feel it looks right at me when it sings. I find myself talking to it now telling it how beautiful it is and its song. I wish it and its mate good health and I pray for its well being. I play a First Nations hand drum. I listened carefully to its song and made up a song in honor of it.
I attend a First Nation sweat lodge ceremony once a month. I am the fire keeper, and have been for almost a year. For some reason I'm unsure of right now there has been some type of tension between me and some of the other regular members. They are not saying what it is, but I can feel it. I always feel great after having a sweat, but the last time I felt just terrible and empty. This last time a small weasel came to the Site from inside the pile of wood as we all sat outside the Sweat Lodge. It did as weasels do, it darted in and out within the pile very quickly, but most of the time came right back to me and stayed by me looking at me for what I thought was quite awhile especially for this hyper weasel.
I'm not sure what all of these encounters mean, but I really do feel that there is something these beautiful creatures are trying to tell me. It would be cool if someone could add their comments to what I have said.
+Wayne B My favorite resource for exploring animal medicines and messages is Animal Speak, by Ted Andrews. He talks about the characteristics of animals, rather than "what they mean," and as such give you a good context for understanding what the interaction or message is for you at that time. Highly recommended.
As to the lodge tension, it seems to me that the spirit circle is an outstanding container for honest and respectful discussion about what you are sensing. There is no way to know what others are thinking, and it is a mistake to assume what it might be. I encourage you to discuss with the lodge keeper or elders what might work well in your community. That there is unspoken tension does not hold the circle container necessary for spirit work, in my opinion.
I sometimes see in my mind's eye a wolf fighting something invisible for me. After this happens, I feel better. I barely have any indian in me (1/16) and I'm christian. I look at the wolf as my guardian angel. I don't meditate or anything, and I have a very strong connection with animals, but I don't exactly 'worship' them as many websites say. Is this my spirit animal?
hey, when ever I am out side in many places and always look up i see about 1 or 2 hawks in the sky this has been going on for about 2 years. is this my messenger animal???
I was wondering if you could help me. I have fortunately found my journey totem, the crow/raven, but I am having a bit of trouble with finding my life totem. I see animals everywhere and I'm trying to bring back memories of when I was little, and what animal I felt connected to. I am also looking for omens and signs when I walk around. I see tigers, pumas, wolves, ibis, crows and foxes. However, I only really remember tigers, wolves, ibises and foxes from when I was little. My friend says I remind her of a fox, and others say wolves or tigers. Do you have any advice? :-)
Crocodiles have been coming to me- 1st time I can remember clearly- it was broad daylight, in the doorway looking at me. Majestic and mighty, revered I wasn’t afraid until at the end he ran under my bed and woke me up. Recently another one came and started to swallow a friend of mine. When I saw she was getting weak, I became brave and gently wiggled her from side to side and he opened his mouth and released her.
When I think about them I’m deathly scared of them. But I know they have a message for me
Maybe something for me to face… maybe big dreams I have needing to come to fruition but will take more of something
I have a wolf...which appears from time to time within my dreams...never took note of it until it started 'communicating' with me directly within my dream...
Ever since I practice shamanic journey, and even in nightmares during my childhood, I stumble across a giant black wolf with yellow eyes. It is very hostile, sometimes it threatens me not to go a certain way, sometimes it is one inch from attacking me for no reason or just stalks me. It is not there in every journey, but appears seemingly without a reason. What is it about? Should I avoid it? Ask another spirit to help me fight it? Can I safely talk to it? By the way, it is NOT my own "dark side". that will appear to me in another shape and in special circumstances.
I believe that I answered this question in the video in regards to Shadow animals.
so i was wondering how do you get one i have never seen anything like that
wonderful information!!!
Can someone explain this to me ,, i dreamt and saw a gryfuan ,, does someone knows more about gryfuans
so how can I find what message they are trying to say?
Continuation:
also, is it possible that you're shadow animal DOESN'T give you the opposing feeling at times when you try.? Because there have been times when I try and I don't get that feeling.... But i swear sometimes after a while I either see what looks like a shadow or something of a dragon or phoenix.... is it possible for either of those to be a spirit animal.? As for the spirit guides, I haven't really noticed anything in particular yet :/ but I am only 15.. Please answer if you dn't mind
I was walking my daughter dog and saw baby owls 🦉 numerous of them they were beautiful I knew the mother wasn’t far behind.
Hello Gerry,
I was in a Shamanic Journey for a whole night. The Eagel came to me. It took me with it, inside of it until I became one with it, until I became the eagel. How do I know whether the eagel is my spirit animal or my shadow animal? Thank you.
I doubt it would be a shadow animal. Whether it is your spirit animal/totem is yet to be seen. Keep developing the relationship and it will become clear to you in time.
I am sorry for your loss. The idea of being "lost in the infinite" is a very human concept not shared by the four-legeds. Many people I know who have had a beloved pet die, who had a connection such as you describe, often feel that the connection persists beyond their death. They come in dreams and meditations, and sometimes seem to appear in ordinary reality, as well. So, I suggest that you remain open to the possibility that you will see him again.
Gerry......I have so many questions...and a really weird experience that has me questioning my very own sanity that happened about 3 years ago now...at the time I was going through some emotional events ..my boyfriend at the time was in a coma ...I was not sure that he was gonna make it...and my best friend had just been incarcierated and had multiple heart attacks upon being arrested...I was living off grid alone and one evening after a rather emotional day, I was approached by a very mystical black panther..... I was not meditating...I was awake...in fact I had just started a fire outside when it got my attention...it was so big...and slow....when I first saw it I only saw movement out of the corner of my eye.....I started to tell it to go home assuming it was a neighbors dogs...then I saw it ...it was maybe 40 ft away from me and it approached me from the side...not from behind...my body reacted and I instantly started heading towards my trailer....instinct? it was so very mesmerizing...I only got a glance of it as I got up into my trailer and it was slowly still walking towards me....it was just staring and approaching...not fast but so very slowly ...in my shock I got inside and shut the door......with my mind reeling I only kept telling myself I was not seeing what I thought I was....a moment went by I told myself it was my imagination but when I oened the door it was sitting just a few feet in front of me...just sitting there staring......shocked to see it still there I shut the door....turned off all the lights and told myself I was imagining this ....I went to sleep .......so I am just now really looking into all of this because a few things have led me to believe this could have been spiritual and not mental{a hulllucination} at that time in my life my spirit didn't feel so sad and with all I was dealing with it might sound weird but I feel like I need healing now more than ever....I don't know why and im lost .....this is why I am only just now trying to figure all of this out......3 yrs later.....I feel like I have went backwards spiritually ..like I was more aware and awake then..but didn't know it!!!!...and I feel like maybe I got lost....now I am in desperate need of healing and I don't know where to go or what to do......anything at all u can tell me is greatly appreciated....
Gerry how do I determine the type of totem animal? Messenger or shadow? Killing the fox seems very relevant to me at this point. It was more like a sacrifice on it's part or a wake up call. It's really bothering me. Thanks.
The other night i had a dream about my spirit animal- she said her name was kyleah.... But she didint speak.... It was like i could understand her without her talking. But what frightens me is that she is a solid black wolf with red eyes.... And i can feel her with me at all times. I can see her shadows sometimes to. Is it bad that she is black with red eyes? Is she a demon? Should i allow her to be with me?
in China, animal spirits that can become guides have to go through energy/taoist practices Some spirits are thousands of years old and are extremely powerful. I am curious about whether this is also the case in the west, namely, the animal guides have taken some spiritual practices, which is often done under the guide of higher spirits.
Can I ask is it possible for a spirit animal to try be in contact with you indirectly? Like you haven't seen it but its been mentioned before in your life
1) Yes, and you probably do. 2) They communicate in YOUR language. 3) Not if you treat them with respect. Know, too, that they can appear to die. This came up in the last journey circle. Yet, "death" is a human concept. In the spirit world, there is transition; "death" is not final in that world or this. So the question is, "What is your guide trying to tell you by 'disappearing' or 'dying'?" That is where to look...
Hi Gerry,
Great video series, I just have a quick question... I have met several animals when journeying into each of my chakras. Would these be totem animals, journey animals, or messenger animals? I'm having a hard time processing this.
Thanks!
so how can I find what they are trying to message me about ?
Personally, I recommend the shamanic journey process. I have a couple of videos about that on my channel, and Sandra Ingerman's book, Shamanic Journeying, is a great resource.
I encounter crows basically every day and they always stand out to me. Some time ago I found a crow laying dead on the ground.I took it upon myself to burry this crow in a forest nearby. The whole thing felt like a very intense and powerful experience. Crows have always meant something to me and it feels like that moment just verified it for some reason. What type of power animal could the crow be to me? This is the only thing I can’t seem to find out. I only know I feel very connected to them.
I'm brand new at this, i need help. I haven't even discovered what my Main Totem is, what should i do???
I have been seeing a eagle. Everyday since August 2019 and this eagle has been hovering .
How do u go on ur journey??!!??
I think Tipvigut gave you her answer. Who am I to second guess?? ;-)
i am a polar bear. I one time survived a blizzard without a scratch while my sister was cold and shivering. Plus with one goose bump.
And i led my family out of the forest between one of four hours and my dad would usually take a day (i think). And thats not all, i can also dive in the water catching a fish with my bare hands or with my teeth and i will some times half roar half scream at the woods cause i think someone would steal my territory.
and i one time beat my own dad at a arm wrestle.
What category is a medicine animal in?
also i had a dream of a black wolf standing by my side after i rescued him not sure what that means if a spirit animal or just a dream
Interesting have you ever heard of people with a black hat visiting dreams ? I had them once in a vivid colorful dream and a wolf was also there I think I even noticed them because of the wolf, when I woke up the hat person was hovering over me and proceeded to leave my room trough the window.