If you tend to be attracted to a particular animal, or dream about it often, it could be your power animal. The existence of power animals, those animals that can serve as a guide and inspiration for you personallyis a shamanic belief, as is the fact that we can establish a relationship with them that accompanies us in life and that can help us help face different challenges and situations.

Shamanism is a vision of the ancient world, probably the first that human beings had before the development of different religions and philosophies. It is a very ancient way of thinking that continues to be alive in native cultures and that has adopted new forms – neoshamanism – among people of Western and urban culture.

What are power animals?

Modern shamans work with power animals, as ancient shamans did, to overcome mental or emotional difficulties or to promote personal growth.

Therefore, they can be described as guides that take the form of animalswhich you can encounter in dreams, guided meditations or «chamic journeys.»

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«You can turn to your power animal for advice on any questions or concerns, when you are faced with a personal challenge or a moment of transition in your life,» explains psychology doctor Steven D. Farmer.

Power animals can be mammals, birds or reptilesalthough they can also be mythical creatures, such as unicorns or dragons.

When we talk about «power animal» we are referring to the entire species, not a specific animal. For example, if your power animal is the bear, it will not just be a particular bear, but an animal spirit guide that represents the entire species.

The animal concept of power fits with the description of archetype made by the doctor and psychologist Carl Gustav Jung, a disciple of Freud and developer of analytical psychology. According to Jung, archetypes are universal patterns of behavior and symbols found in the collective unconscious of humanity. For this reason, animal figures have been used in all cultures to represent ideas and are found in religious rituals or works of art.

How can you find your power animal?

The choice of power animal is not random or on a whim. It is the result of a «soul to soul connection», As Farmer says.

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If you have had a particular affinity or attraction for an animal, chances are this is your power animal. Also It is likely that the animal has presented itself to you on several occasions throughout its life, with a frequency that seems significant to you.

Your power animal can be one for life, but you can also find other animal guides as you need their qualities.

According to Farmer, new animals They can enter our lives precisely when we need them:

• For example, if you are taking on a leadership position, the spirit of the puma It could appear in your life as a power animal, helping you gain confidence and clarity.
• If you are going through a major transformation process with big changes, you could find the spirit of the snake or butterfly entering your life as a power animal.
• Often your power animal reflects your personality characteristics. A thin, energetic person, with a tendency to move quickly and with the ability to multitask, may have at least hummingbird as a power animal. On the other hand, the power animal of a large, friendly, but respectable person could be the bear.

The meaning of power animals

Each power animal has its own meaning. Although certain qualities are culturally attributed to certain animals, your personal experience with your power animal can be unique: the relationship with your power animal It is something deeply personal.