Animal Spirit Wisdom

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Animal Spirit Wisdom A Pocket Reference to 45 Power Animals PHILLIP KANSA and ELKE KIRCHNER-YOUNG A full-color pocket guide to 45 important spirit animals • Explores 45 different power animals alphabetically and shares their strengths, wisdom, special energies, and how to connect with them • Provides a meditative journey to help you discover which animal is your personal soul companion • Offers practices—such as observing your dreams, carving or drawing your animal guide, or opening the book to a random page—to intuitively find the right power animal for a given situation or for support and protection in a difficult period

Since the beginning of time, animals have played an important role in each of our lives. Early humans were almost entirely dependent on the animal kingdom for survival. Shamans both ancient and modern merged in trance with their animal allies for spiritual guidance. Native Americans learned their personal totem animal in childhood and viewed them as life-long companions. And today we can still call on our power animals for strength, serenity, inspiration, and support. In this full-color pocket guide featuring beautiful animal photos, the authors introduce 45 important spirit animals alphabetically and explore their wisdom, special energies, and how to connect with them. They provide a meditative journey to help you discover which animal is your personal soul companion and offer practices—such as observing your dreams, carving or drawing your animal guide, or opening the book to a random page—to intuitively find the right power animal for a given situation or for support and protection in a difficult period. Is your spirit animal an eagle, deer, or wolf, or will you be surprised to find connections to a hummingbird, dolphin, or fire salamander? With this reference, you can call on the healing power of the bear to strengthen your body and keep calm, the far-reaching and precise vision of the hawk to see imbalances in your life, or the intelligence of the owl to make wise decisions. This book offers an accessible starting point for your journey of discovery through the diverse kingdom of spirit animals. Phillip Kansa (1943–2018) was a trained psychologist and shaman who worked as a spiritual teacher and consultant for more than 30 years. Born in the United States, his mother was descended from the Kansa Native American tribe. He was able to speak with the ancestors and was in contact with the kingdom of light. Elke Kirchner-Young is clairvoyant and walks the path of the shaman. She channels Archangel Uriel and is in contact with light beings and power animals. She has been leading angel and shamanic seminars for more than 20 years and is the founder of soul power events to support people to find and follow their unique healing path. She lives near Hamburg, Germany.

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Earthdancer Books • ISBN 978-1-64411-115-4 • $9.99 (CAN $12.50) Paper Also available as an ebook • 112 pages, 4½ x 6½ Rights: World English • Spirituality/Animals

May 2021

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11/25/20 10:20 AM

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Phillip Kansa Elke Kirchner-Young

ANIMAL SPIRIT WISDOM A POCKET REFERENCE

For Only TO 45Review POWER ANIMALS

First edition 2021 Animal Spirit Wisdom A Pocket Reference to 45 Power Animals Phillip Kansa, Elke Kirchner-Young This English edition © 2021 Earthdancer GmbH English translation © 2021 JMS books LLP Editing by JMS books LLP (www.jmseditorial.com) Originally published in German as Finde dein Krafttier, und höre die Botschaft deiner Seele World © 2010, 2018 Schirner Verlag, Darmstadt, Germany All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reprinted or reproduced or utilized in any form or by any electronic, mechanical, or other means, now known or hereafter invented, including photocopying and recording, or in any information storage or retrieval system, without permission in writing from the publisher.

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Cover design: Silja Bernspitz Cover photography: arturasker (deer and landscape), Mikadun (fox), mariait (horse), nelik (squirrel), djgis (sky), Serjio74 (eagle), Butterfly Hunter (butterfly). Cover Illustrations: Irina Kildiushova (ornaments) Typesetting: DesignIsIdentity.com Typeset in Minion Printed and bound in China by Reliance Printing Co., Ltd. ISBN 978-1-64411-115-4 (print) ISBN 978-1-64411-039-3 (ebook) Published by Earthdancer, an imprint of Inner Traditions www.earthdancerbooks.com, www.innertraditions.com

Contents Acknowledgments . . . . 6 Introduction . . . . . . . 8 A Power Animal Journey . . 12 Power Animals . Ant . . . . . . . Bear . . . . . . Beaver . . . . . Bee . . . . . . Buffalo . . . . . Butterfly . . . . Buzzard . . . . . Cougar . . . . . Coyote . . . . . Dolphin . . . . Dragonfly . . . . Duck . . . . . . Eagle . . . . . . Ermine . . . . . Falcon . . . . . Fire Salamander . Fox . . . . . . . Frog . . . . . . Grey Goose . . . Hawk . . . . . . Horse . . . . . Hummingbird . . Ladybug . . . .

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Lizard . . . . . . . Lynx . . . . . . . . Mole . . . . . . . . Mouse . . . . . . . Otter . . . . . . . . Owl . . . . . . . . Pronghorn Antelope . Rabbit . . . . . . . Raven . . . . . . . Red Deer . . . . . . Roe Deer . . . . . . Salmon . . . . . . . Snake . . . . . . . Spider . . . . . . . Squirrel . . . . . . . Swallow . . . . . . Swan . . . . . . . . Turtle . . . . . . . Whale . . . . . . . Wild Boar . . . . . . Wildcat . . . . . . . Wolf . . . . . . . .

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A Last Word . . . . . . .

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About the Authors . . . . Picture credits . . . . . .

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Acknowledgments I would like to thank my daughters Brigitte and Charlotte for their openness and for letting me follow my vocation, even when it took me thousands of miles away from them. They have always been close to me in my heart!

Phillip Kansa (Spirit Bear) It was while I was following my shamanic path that the door that would lead to power animals opened, a path that I am able to follow thanks to the love, tolerance, and support of my family. I would particularly like to thank my mother Ingeborg, my sisters Barbara and Heike, and their children, Anika, Anna, and Simon; you have always believed in me. My thanks also go out to my beloved companion, best friend, and life partner Spirit Bear. Thank you for your greatness, your love, and for making me realize that love is the most important thing for all conscious beings.

For Review Only Elke Kirchner-Young

We would both like to thank the participants in our seminars for their insights, for they have often been our teachers. We must also thank Schirner Verlag for the faith they have placed in us, and Markus Schirner and Elke Truckses for their support and for the love they have shown as we follow our path.

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Introduction Knowledge of power animals still remains a key part of the lives of many Native American tribes to this day. The tradition is handed down orally, and shamans in particular work with power animals, also known as totem animals. Power animals are spiritual helpers from the animal kingdom that bring healing, strength, protection, companionship, and support to our daily lives. They connect us with our spiritual dimensions and deliver the gift of their power. Bear’s healing power, for example, will help you maintain a strong body and a cool head. The sharp eyes of Hawk will bring perspective, and the wisdom of Owl will guide smart decisions. All these animals share a connection with the Divine Source, with your own higher self, and with your soul, which bears all knowledge within it. They also connect you with Mother Earth and all her creatures.

Choose a place in which you feel calm and relaxed for the exercises. Light a candle and use it to invite the spiritual world to be present. Soothing background music will make it easier for you to connect with light-filled dimensions. We wish you great joy on your inner and outer journeys, and in your encounters. Read this book in one hit or dip in and out of it. Hold it against your heart while thinking about a situation in which you could use the support of a power animal; using your intuition, open the book and find the power animal that can help you at that precise moment. You can also use the same approach to invite a power animal into your life for a day, a week, or a month. Spending time thinking about power animals will open up a whole new world for you. More and more animals will begin to come to you, they can greatly enrich your life and help you at every level.

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We invite you to make your world a richer place and to accept the help of animal energy from other dimensions. The exercises in this book will enable you to make contact, receive strength and support, and enjoy deep spiritual experiences that will strengthen you in your daily life and in specific circumstances.

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Power animals accompany people from childhood in a number of different traditions and the animals become closely connected to their spiritual destiny. In order to discover your spirit animal, make a power animal journey (see p. 12) with a shaman or another spiritual leader.

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Ancient peoples would often carve an image of their animal into rock, capturing the strength of the animal within the carving (fetish figure). As a sign of your connection, wear an image of your power animal around your neck as a pendant or hang a picture of it on your wall. The animals you encounter in the natural world could be a sign that you need their strength at that particular time. Interpret it as a clear signal if an animal shows itself to you several times and refer to the relevant pages in this book for its message. However, if the animal does not feature in the book, focus on it in your thoughts in absolute silence in order to contact it and ask for its message. Always trust your intuition.

Animals that come to you in dreams also have meaning. If the animal you dream of is not described within these pages, think about it and connect with it by imagining a small rainbow in perfect colors emerging from your heart and ask for the animal’s message. Be patient if the answer does not come immediately.

The answer will come…

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A Power Animal Journey Allow approximately ten minutes for your spirit animal journey. Light a candle and perhaps play some soothing background music. Close your eyes and focus on taking four deep breaths, in and out. On your next breath out, you find yourself standing in a beautiful, sunlit meadow. You can feel Mother Earth beneath your bare feet and a warm and comforting energy spreading through your body; it is complete trust. Look at the meadow with its magnificent colors and enjoy the wonderful natural fragrances. This meadow is your soul landscape. See your spirit guide taking visible form, full of light and goodness; hear it say in a soft voice that you know you can trust, “I will come with you, I will be by your side.” This is one of your inner, heavenly guides. You are shown a bridge that spans a wide river. The opposite bank seems to be brighter and planted with trees and plants that are even more beautiful. You begin to cross the bridge together with your spirit guide, which says: “With every step you take across this bridge, you reach a higher level of consciousness, a level at which you can see and feel more and more.” Now walk across the bridge, step by step. The closer you get to the opposite side, the more brilliant the colors of the plants, the scents, and the light become. You are now in a higher world. There is a jungle full of animal calls. Your spirit guide enters the primeval forest with you and leads you to a clearing. In the middle is a large flat

stone. Sit down upon it and in your mind call your power animal to you. It has been waiting for you for a long time. Entice it in with your desire for a connection. Suddenly, the clearing falls silent and you notice that a creature filled with light and power is approaching from the depths of the ­primeval forest. It is your power animal! It moves toward you, gently and full of love. Greet it as you feel is appropriate and tell it how very glad you are that it has come. It will return with you to your normal life. Filled with joy, leave the jungle and walk back to the bridge, returning to your normal consciousness one step at a time. Once you have reached the other side once more, thank your spirit guide. You can meet it here any time you wish to call upon a power animal.

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Now, inhale and exhale consciously four times. Welcome back! From this day onward, your power animal will always be by your side; simply call it, and it will come and support you.

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For Review Only Spirit Animals

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and that Mother Earth is supporting you with the energy of primordial femininity, both physically and energetically. When life gets too much, Ant reminds you that every journey starts with a single step, that action brings strength. Connection with the limitless power of Mother Earth protects you from overload and burnout.

Ant Positive key words

Hard work Healing powers Connection with the energy of Mother Earth

Connection exercise Imagine you are standing on an anthill and observing the insects. Suddenly, you find yourself in the center of the hill, as tiny as those within it. You can sense and see how well the energy of the ants connects with Mother Earth and how they are constantly replenishing their energy levels. These tiny, hardworking creatures put their energy to good use in their labors. Now you know why these small creatures never tire. This stream of energy flows into you, too. Breathe it deep into your heart. You return to your normal size, standing beside the anthill. Breathe in and out deeply several times and return to the here and now. Sense the flow of energy coursing up through your feet and your whole body. Thank the ants and Mother Earth.

How can Ant protect me? Ant protects from stagnation and gives you the inspiration to take the next step. It shows you that you are not alone 16

Spirit Animals

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How can the animal help? Ant will show you what you need to do now and help you to be in the right place at the right time. It lives in Mother Earth and is your connection to primordial femininity. Ants transport tiny stones to the surface of their anthill; they are sacred to Native Americans and are used in their ritual rattles, strengthening the connection with other dimensions. In this way, this totem animal’s gift is helping to establish a link with the Creator and with healing powers.

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How can Bear protect me? It provides protection in key situations, ensuring your strength does not fail you. Bear protects you from falling ill or feeling unsettled and supports healers in their work.

Bear Positive key words

Healing Strength Calm

Connection exercise It is winter and very cold. You are standing in front of Bear’s cave and you know that it is hibernating inside. You crawl into the cave to join it. It is dark but you can hear deep breathing. You draw close to Bear and can feel its hide. You lie down on its back and feel the rhythm of its breath. It is as if you were diving into its energy, which takes over your entire body. Lie there until you feel wholly recharged. If you feel in need of it, ask for Bear’s healing power. Now thank Bear, crawl out of the cave, and return to the here and now.

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Spirit Animals

How can the animal help? Bear knows where healing herbs grow. It brings you healing, along with the ability to heal. Impressive in size and strength, Bear demonstrates how to emphasize these same properties within you. Call on its power when you need support and want to use or enhance your healing ability. Bear will help you to become centered again and to revitalize your energy reserves when in need of strength or serenity.

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strong and stable home should be constructed. Summon the power of Beaver if you are still unsure where your new home should be located. Beavers build their lodges by flowing water, constructing them where the water currents permit and in places that are beneficial. If you want to know where to settle on your life’s journey, ask Beaver.

Beaver Positive key words

Letting go of the old Following your inner voice

Connection exercise Close your eyes and imagine you are standing beside a river. The sun is shining and you are looking out over the water. You can see a beaver’s dam on the riverbank. One of the animals comes up out of the water and looks at you. You sense the strength of freedom it possesses, how it always follows its inner voice. You feel awakening inside you a sense of security and the certainty that you too have this ability, that a part of you knows what is right and ­positive for you. Ask Beaver to answer a question. Listen to your heart; this is where Beaver will send its answer. Thank it and know that this place and your power animal are always there for you.

How can Beaver protect me? Beaver can deter you from clinging to the negative, bringing you the gift of flexibility and joy in the new, together with an ability to let go of the old. Call on it when you want to renovate or build a house. Beaver knows how a 20

Spirit Animals

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How can the animal help? Beaver is an excellent builder and will help you feel safe and secure in your own home. However, if your home is no longer suitable, it will encourage you to be flexible and brave enough to look for something new and better. It will help you to settle in the right place. Beaver wants to make things easier for you and to support your enthusiasm for new things.

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the next, revealing a vision of beauty and reminding us that work lends us wings in life’s great flux.

Bee Positive key words

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How can the animal help? Bee will help you discover your inner potential. Using its strength, you will find your golden nectar, your true calling or vocation. It will unlock your creativity and imagination and help you apply these to all your tasks and actions. It will deliver the gift of warmth and tenacity so that you can turn your goals and projects into reality with ease. How can Bee protect me? Bee protects you from abandoning projects or losing patience too quickly. It reveals how much you are needed and your very special place in this world, complete with your character and talents. It prevents you from setting off in the wrong direction. Bee flies from one pretty bloom to 22

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Finding your vocation Hardworking creativity

Connection exercise Imagine a beautiful flower meadow full of color. Observe this lovely setting and take in its sounds and scents. See how Bee flies calmly from one flower to another, collecting nectar; it works very hard but at its own pace. It leaves the flowers and flies toward you, settling lovingly on your hand. You feel its soft legs against your skin. A warm, golden light travels from its small body into your hand, entering your very essence. There is a stillness within you; the golden light gradually fills your whole body. Concentrate on your heart, also now filled with a golden light. Let its strength lend you wings, the golden strength of the bees that you need in your life.

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and its connection with the elements will also help you to believe in what is good and right. It will protect you from fear. Buffalo will provide the courage never to give up, even during the most troubled times.

Buffalo Positive key words

Abundance and strength Discovering your resilience

Connection exercise Close your eyes and imagine a prairie stretching out before you. You see a herd of large brown buffalo standing close by. They are grazing, undisturbed by your presence. Ask them for the strength of Buffalo. Suddenly, you find yourself sitting on the back of one of these powerful animals and hear its spirit saying, “Hold on tight and feel what strength, trust, and perseverance flow from me to you.” It starts to move. Now think of the times in your life when you are in need Buffalo’s powers and let them flow into these situations. Notice how they change, and, importantly, benefit all those involved. Even simply imagining this taking place can prompt change. Ask the animal to stand still once more when it is time to return to the here and now. Call Buffalo whenever you need its support.

How can Buffalo protect me? Buffalo protects from having to go without. It will give you the strength to carry on, even through life’s storms. Its trust 24

Spirit Animals

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How can the animal help? This large and powerful animal will help you to remain rooted in the infinite variety of life. Buffalo have provided generations of Native Americans with all they need for survival. The spiritual nourishment that Buffalo brings is the knowledge that we are all one and can trust in the Great Spirit, who will look after us. Buffalo is the only animal with the resilience to face up to the storms and gales of the prairies, and it is this strength that will guide you on your own path, however strong the headwinds become.

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and commitment to endure long journeys before reaching your goal. It protects you from abandoning your quest too soon, particularly if the final goal marks an important point in your life.

Butterfly Positive key words

Transformation Coping with new beginnings with ease

Connection exercise Imagine you are sitting in a beautiful summer meadow. You can smell the intoxicating scent of the flowers. A ­stunning and colorful butterfly settles on your shoulder. You notice how delicate and gentle it is. Think about the things that you want to let go of in order to embark upon a new beginning. What burden can be lifted from your shoulders today? Butterfly takes to the air and flies away, and you sense how obstacles that stand in the way of a new start have been removed. Feel how light your shoulders feel and realize that the time has already come for a fresh beginning.

How can Butterfly protect me? Butterfly protects you from becoming ensnared in old ­habits and situations. Its powers of transformation will help you to leave your cocoon. It gives you the strength 26

Spirit Animals

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How can the animal help? Butterfly will help you to let go of the old. A fresh start lies hidden within its lifecycle, its process of metamorphosis, a new beginning. Butterfly will encourage you to cast off old habits and situations from the past and embark upon new paths, full of freedom. It brings the gift of serenity and the knowledge that once you emerge from your cocoon, the road ahead will be effortless and beautiful. You can fly freely, with warmth and strength.

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more easily in the future. It protects you from mistakes and failures. Call on Buzzard when you sense that important projects have become stuck in a rut, or when obstacles crop up repeatedly. Perhaps it is simply time to look at things from a wider perspective.

Buzzard Positive key words

Gaining a wider perspective Understanding the past Seeing and interpreting the present and the future

Connection exercise Find a place where you won’t be disturbed and ask your higher self for guidance. Think of Buzzard circling high in the sky and see how easily and gracefully it soars above you. You begin to feel a longing in your heart, a desire to be hovering up high beside it, and suddenly you are looking down on a green landscape, seeing everything with newfound crystal clarity. Buzzard has lent you its body for a journey of reflection. Ask the spirit of Buzzard to fly over the path of your life. Now that you can clearly see the important moments in your life, you can reflect on the most fitting route ahead. Take all the time you need. Breathe in deeply and return to your body. Give thanks to Buzzard.

How can the animal help? Buzzard hovers over your life, bringing fresh perspective. At what point in your life are you right now? At what point did things come to a standstill? By flying high into the air with you, Buzzard will reveal the path your life is taking. Its bird’s-eye view will allow you to see the connections between past and present and to identify clearly how best to shape your future. How can Buzzard protect me? Buzzard invites you to look back at the past, without judgment, and to see how things connect in order to move on 28

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Connection exercise Sit down and close your eyes. Breathe in deeply, down into your heart. Now ask Cougar for its strength and support. You hear its breath nearby; perhaps you can see its graceful figure in your mind’s eye. Its energy flows into you and you can sense a new inner awareness. Let this strength flow into every aspect of your life, wherever you need it. Now see the positive results. Thank Cougar and return to the here and now.

Cougar Positive key words

Leadership and decisiveness Awakening grace

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How can Cougar protect me? This power animal ensures that good opportunities are not missed. It reinforces leadership skills, ridding you of apathy and making you aware that acting with decisiveness and charm will have a positive effect on your self-confidence and on those around you.

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Spirit Animals

How can the animal help? Cougar will encourage you to shake off lethargy and act more swiftly. As a strong leader, it will help you to embark upon and complete projects with purpose and grace. Cougar energy brings physical strength.

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How can Coyote protect me? It protects you from adopting views that are too rigid. It uncovers what is hidden, often when you are least expecting it. In this way it helps protect you from bottling up and repressing things. If you take the opportunity it opens up for you, you will be able to free yourself from old and obstructive thought patterns with more humor and a lighter heart.

Coyote

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Appreciating the joyful side of life’s twists and turns The wise trickster

How can the animal help? Coyote will help you see the wise and humorous side of life, encouraging you not to take yourself or life too seriously. Its message is: “Play more and take it easy in life. Be aware that there is a higher power that loves you and will help everything turn out for the best, if you will just allow it.” Coyote’s power helps us realize that there is an alternative way of looking at things. It is cunning and likes to have fun. It enjoys playing tricks. It has positive and intelligent solutions in store for you, although they may not be the ones you were expecting!

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Spirit Animals

Positive key words

Connection exercise Imagine sitting on a low hill in a desert in North America. Ask Coyote for its power from the very depths of your heart. Suddenly, you see an animal slowly approaching. It lies down in the warm sand about six feet in front of you and stares at you. Now think about a situation in which its power would really be of help. Close your eyes and Coyote will send you the solution in image form; trust your intuition. Thank the animal and return to the here and now. Remember that when you ask Coyote for help in life, the solutions will be effective, but also often surprising and amusing.

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areas. This totem animal allows you to move on from traumatic childhood experiences, healing old wounds and enabling you to experience the joy of life again.

Dolphin Positive key words

Healing through play and joy in life

Connection exercise Imagine you are in a boat on the ocean. The sun is shining and a pod of dolphins is swimming nearby. These graceful, joyous creatures are diving in and out of the water. Your boat moves smoothly through the waves and the dolphins start to slow down. You jump into the water and one comes closer. Carefully and lovingly, it nudges you, inviting you to swim with it. You hold on tightly to its fin and together you slowly glide through the ocean. Its gentle, playful manner touches your heart and you feel its boundless love and support. Divine affection spreads through you with feelings of joyfulness and healing. Thank Dolphin, take several deep breaths, and return to the here and now. Take all the time you need.

How can Dolphin protect me? Dolphin protects you from seeing life as overly difficult. It allows you to recognize that you can improve and achieve many things through joyfulness and play. Its presence and its sincere and friendly nature bring healing in unexpected 34

Spirit Animals

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How can the animal help? Dolphin swims through your life, helping you to live it freely, with lightheartedness and compassion. It makes a strong connection with your inner child and helps clear emotional blockages, allowing you to enjoy life once more in all its rich and infinite variety. Closely linked with love and compassion, it has the power to heal broken hearts and to bring out the joyous child in you, showing the world that you are a playful force that brings happiness.

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in life and will support you in making swift and assured decisions about the next step. Call on Dragonfly when you feel trapped in a certain situation or face challenging decisions.

Dragonfly Positive key words

Contact with fairies and elves Speed and agility

Connection exercise Call out to Dragonfly’s power with your heart. It invites you to fly on its back. With the whole of your being, feel how its agility and speed now flow through you. Allow yourself to be transported to the world of the little people, where you can ask the fairies and elves for their magical support. Dragonfly’s swiftness and nimbleness will remain with you long after your return.

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How can Dragonfly protect me? Dragonfly enables you to see the little people, the fairies and elves. It will not allow you to close your eyes to them. It will show you that it is wrong to be deterred by obstacles 36

Spirit Animals

How can the animal help? Dragonfly will help you make contact with fairies and elves. With its pairs of double wings, Dragonfly lives in two worlds—when it appears, it heralds the presence of both the real and the magical worlds. Supremely quick and agile, it can correct its flight path in a fraction of a second if it sees an obstacle in its way. Dragonfly will help you to make decisions quickly and to find deft and graceful solutions to the obstacles in your path.

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when you are on the cusp of a new beginning. It will not let you miss or indeed sleep through it.

Duck Positive key words

Help with new beginnings Balance, hope, and tranquility

Connection exercise Close your eyes and imagine sitting on the bank of a gently flowing river, dangling your feet in the warm water. You are feeling good. Suddenly, you see a family of ducks g­ athered on the bank nearby. They are looking at you with curious but open glances. Return their gaze and ask for their strength. Joy fills your heart. If you wish, ask them to fill your mind with images or words that will show you the next steps on your life’s path. Ask your higher self for guidance and make a note of everything that comes into your mind. Thank the ducks and take several deep breaths, becoming conscious of your body once more. Welcome back to the here and now.

How can Duck protect me? With its gift of variety, Duck helps avoid monotony, deters stagnation, and delivers hope. It brings ideas for different ways of moving forward and will steer you toward the ­correct rhythm for your life, making sure you are aware 38

Spirit Animals

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How can the animal help? Duck generally appears in spring and heralds a new beginning. It helps you muster the courage for a new start. Your task now is to strike a balance between activity and movement on the one hand, and rest and relaxation on the other. This power animal is at home in the air, on water, and on land, and so can show you how to move forward in life. It always brings hope.

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Eagle Positive key words

Connection to spiritual consciousness and to the Creator

Connection exercise You are looking up into the sky and see something circling up high. It is hard to make out what it is. From deep within your heart, ask it to come closer. It draws near and you begin to make out its great wings in more detail. Eagle is inviting you to climb aboard and fly. It carries a golden ribbon in its beak: this is your connection to God. You touch it gently and feel how golden light flows into your aura, your energy field, and every pore and cell of your body. Your connection to your divine consciousness is growing stronger and you can now receive messages. Whenever you call Eagle to you, the golden ribbon will be ready in its beak.

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How can Eagle protect me? It protects from loss of belief, teaching you to ask for help from above in your daily life. Eagle flies high to bring ­messages from God. It shows you that you are a spiritual being and connects you with higher dimensions. Call Eagle and the heavens will be open to you.

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Spirit Animals

How can the animal help? Eagle delivers messages from God and strengthens your spiritual consciousness. It connects you with your higher self and the potential of the divine. It gives you the power to incorporate your spiritual self into your daily life.

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you too will adapt to new circumstances. It will help you to pursue your intentions honestly and not to act willfully. Its purity reminds you of the purity of your own heart.

Ermine Positive key words

Purity and honesty of intentions Flexible adaptation to changes in circumstances

Connection exercise Imagine it is dark and you are sitting in a forest clearing. You call Ermine and immediately feel it sniffing your hand to take your scent. As you gaze at it, you sense a stream of energy flowing toward you. Feel this power in every cell of your being. It pervades your every thought and action, inspiring you to be adaptable. Imagine you are wearing a headdress containing a piece of ermine fur as a constant reminder of your honest and pure intentions. Thank the animal and return to the here and now.

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How can Ermine protect me? If things in your life seem up and down, changing like the seasons, this power animal will prevent you from feeling exposed and unprotected. Just as its coat changes color, 42

Spirit Animals

How can the animal help? Ermine will help you to approach life with sincerity and good intentions. The Native Americans on the prairies demonstrate the honesty of their endeavors by wearing ermine fur in their headdresses. Ermine has a white coat in winter and a brown one in summer; it can help you adapt easily to life’s circumstances. Its message is: “Don’t get trapped in the past. Go with the rhythm of your life.”

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Falcon Positive key words

Perspective on difficult situations Recognition of our inner divine abilities and strengths Taking advantage of opportunities

Connection exercise Find a quiet place and sit down. Breathe deeply, down into your heart, and ask your higher self to guide you. Now imagine you are standing beside an old church with a lovely garden. You sit down on a bench in this peaceful, holy place. You see a very beautiful falcon in the bell tower. It looks down at you and you return its gaze. Ask for its strength; feel how it makes a connection with you. An image or symbol forms in your mind’s eye and you recognize Falcon’s answer to your questions. Thank this beautiful place and thank Falcon. Take a deep breath, feel the bench beneath you, and return to the here and now.

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How can Falcon protect me? Falcon will protect you from making wrong decisions. Call upon it to help you observe situations from above, viewing things from a better angle. Falcon reminds you of your own talents and deters you from taking wrong turns on your spiritual journey. 44

Spirit Animals

How can the animal help? Falcon reminds you of your inner strength and divine gifts. Call on it for help when you are about to embark upon something new and are unsure if it is the right time. Falcon knows when positive opportunities will present themselves.

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deserve; it ensures you are aware of their significance. Fire Salamander helps you to become conscious of the areas in your life in which transformation can take place. It will help you to recognize holy places as such, and to honor and make use of them. It stands by you during times of crisis, protecting you from being overcome by suffering and pain.

Fire Salamander Positive key words

Reaching new levels of existence through transformation Guardian of holy plants

Connection exercise Imagine you are sitting on a tree stump in an enchanted wood. You hear a rustling in the leaves on the forest floor in front of you. At first, you catch sight of some yellow spots, then you see Fire Salamander with its gleaming, black body. Focus on it and you will instantly notice an intense connection start to grow strongly within you. Think about the areas in your life in which you seek greater ­clarity. Let Fire Salamander’s strength flow into these areas and see how they undergo positive change. Take note of whether you should let go of an old point of view that has now served its purpose, and be aware of how Fire Salamander’s energy transforms this old, mistaken perspective into a new way of seeing things. Take all the time you need and return to a new world.

How can Fire Salamander protect me? Fire Salamander offers protection from failing to give the important experiences in your life the recognition they 46

Spirit Animals

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How can the animal help? Fire Salamander will suddenly appear, unannounced and almost unnoticed, in your life. It will help you to overcome obstacles that stand in your way and keep you from achieving a higher and more joyful level of spirituality. It supports you as you move away from conventional ways of thinking in order to experience the transcendental world. This mysterious being is also the guardian of holy places. You will become more sensitive and better able to recognize such places and tap into their energy.

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thing at the right time and prevent you from “putting your foot in it” by being impulsive. The elegance of the fox will spur you along the path ahead and bring a sense of joy to all your plans.

Fox Positive key words

Approaching tasks with intelligence Diplomacy Achieving personal goals with ease

Connection exercise Find a place where you will not be disturbed. Imagine you are sitting beside Fox’s den; call the animal and ask it for help. You will soon see the shrewd eyes of a red-brown animal looking back at you. You can sense its strength and its sharp mind. Now invite Fox into your life; whenever you think of its eyes, its power will be at your disposal.

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How can Fox protect me? Fox will deter you from revealing too hastily something that could cause you harm. It will help you to say the right 48

Spirit Animals

How can the animal help? Fox will help you stay alert in conversations and interpersonal relationships. Call on it when you need assistance with negotiations. Fox is cunning; it knows when to speak and when to stay silent. This does not mean you should be deceitful, but Fox will make it clear when it is best to speak your mind and when to hold your counsel. A master of diplomacy, it will show you how to achieve your goals with ease.

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Frog Positive key words

Finding new perspectives on life Discovering possible solutions Cleansing and clarity

Connection exercise Imagine standing by a pond in a summer landscape. You are alone in this beautiful place. Connect with your heart and call upon the power of Frog. Imagine it before you, powerful and full of life. Ask it to support you on your life path and let it know where you need its strength. Feel how its healing and regenerative power flow through you and into your life. Spend a few moments absorbing this life force, then thank Frog and the beautiful environment in which you have had this encounter and return to the here and now. Look for a stone lying near water and keep it to symbolize Frog. Carry the stone with you whenever you need its strength.

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How can Frog protect me? Call upon its powers to protect you from and clear away physical and spiritual blockages. Frog will prevent you from becoming stuck in your old ways and from clinging to the past. Its powers bring about rebirth.

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Spirit Animals

How can the animal help? In druidry, Frog is revered as a seer and healer because of its regenerative powers. Call upon its strength if you are in need of healing and renewal. If you are seeking to move to a new spiritual plane, Frog will help you achieve this with ease and in a way that affects every fiber of your being.

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during times of crisis. It gives you the strength to stay true to your ideals and not to stray from your inner path.

Gray Goose Positive key words

Loyalty in partnerships and community Staying true to the best in you

Connection exercise Breathe deeply, down into your heart, and imagine a flock of gray geese flying across the sky. As you breathe out, you rise up, exhilarated, and fly alongside them. You take your place within the formation and fly in the slipstream of the other birds. You begin to feel safe and secure. You fly effortlessly, filled with a great sense of belonging and of true contentment. As the flock dips lower, you catch sight of yourself standing on the ground below, and from your vantage point you can make out where you need Gray Goose’s power. The flock lands and the geese form a circle around you, filling you with energy that will give you wings. Loyalty, self-love, and a sense of security flow into you and into your life. Once you have sufficient for now, thank the geese. They take wing and fly off.

How can Gray Goose protect me? It provides protection from disloyalty in all its forms. Gray Goose spends its entire life with one partner and makes sure that communities and families are not torn apart

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Spirit Animals

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How can the animal help? Gray Goose has come into your life to bring support in matters of loyalty. If you seek greater closeness and connection with your partner or someone around you, simply ask it for help. Gray Goose will give you the power and contentment to see where you belong and with whom, and it can help you to find your place in life and to recognize your mission for the greater good.

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strength not to be dragged under by the vicissitudes of life, but instead to recognize your innate abilities and to make use of them.

Hawk Positive key words

Gives the gift of inner freedom Protection and safeguarding

Connection exercise Imagine you are sitting on a wooden bench in a forest clearing. Breathe down deeply into your heart and enter its depths. Now call to Hawk in your mind. You will soon see a bird of prey circling high in the sky. It descends, coming ever closer; perhaps you can hear its cries. Now it is c­ ircling so close above that you can make out its striped flight feathers. Feel how a precious and powerful energy flows from Hawk to you. Allow every cell of your being to be charged with this stream of energy. You are protected. This energy will give you the freedom to love yourself; heaven will help you. Take a moment to accept all these gifts in your heart and thank the animal. You watch Hawk climb back up into the sky and it bids you farewell. You can be sure that Hawk will always be there when you need it. Take a few deep breaths. Be aware of the bench on which you are sitting and return to the here and now.

How can Hawk protect me? This power animal provides significant protection. If Hawk appears at times when you are particularly busy, it is telling you that the spiritual world is watching over you. It will stop you from feeling lost and adrift. It lends you the 54

Spirit Animals

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How can the animal help? When Hawk appears in your life, it will tell you that you are protected and cared for. It is a sign of divine protection. It uses its power to help you recognize that you are free to live your life as an individual. It tells you not to follow rules so closely that you forget you are free to have your own personality and desires. Hawk is also happy to be your companion and to watch over your spiritual goals.

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Horse Positive key words

Achieving your goals with flexibility and willpower Finding your own place in the community

Connection exercise Imagine you are standing beside a paddock, looking at a group of horses. One captures your attention. Connect to this animal through your heart. It slowly separates from the herd and approaches you at a walking pace. You sense its strength and grace. Its power flows into your energy field and fills your entire body. Horse moves its head toward you and you stroke it gently. You both enjoy this shared moment of closeness. Ask Horse for its strength and, if you wish, tell it in what part of your life you require its power. Ask for its name so that you can call on it at any time. Once your encounter has come to an end, thank the animal, breathe deeply into your heart, and return to the here and now.

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How can Horse protect me? Horse will shield you from loneliness and act as a reminder that everyone can find their place in society. Its perseverance and willpower teach you not to give up on something too soon, while its agility teaches you to overcome or circumvent obstacles and take a new path. 56

Spirit Animals

How can the animal help? As a power animal, Horse will give you the commitment and the desire to do your best. Those who understand its language will receive its help with both grace and strength. Horse seeks out closeness to its companions in order to feel good. It will help you to live in communities and to accept that there is a place for everyone.

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its shimmering, colorful feathers will encourage you to see the world around you with your heart and to realize that, however difficult life may seem, you can always connect with the rainbow and the beautiful vibrations that will lift your emotions. Your heart will be flooded with pulses of light from the rainbow.

Hummingbird Positive key words

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How can the animal help? Hummingbird opens you up to higher vibrations and to life’s delicate beauty, helping you to sense the subtle ­energies that surround you and lend magic to life. As an exquisitely beautiful power animal, it will enable you to open your heart and perceive the world as a rainbowcolored energy field.

How can Hummingbird protect me? Hummingbird prevents you from overlooking the beautiful things in life, from being too hard on yourself and on others. Instead, your heart will open up and your life will be full of sensitivity and tenderness. This small bird with 58

Spirit Animals

Sensitivity Tenderness Heightened awareness

Connection exercise Choose a place where you will not be disturbed. Close your eyes and imagine you are sitting on the veranda of a house and in front of you is a bush with the most stunning flowers. The sun is shining and the air is dry and warm. You notice a small bird with a long bill beating its wings at an astonishing speed. Call to it in your mind and it will come to you. You can feel the eddies in the air caused by the rapid movement of its wings and your heart opens. It touches something deep within you, awakening tender feelings. Allow these feelings to flood through you, as if heaven is opening up for you. Hummingbird is now flying away, but the feeling of connection remains. Enjoy it and, when the time is right, return to the here and now.

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you to be aware that good fortune can be found in even the briefest moments of happiness and to be thankful for them. These moments will be blessed and multiply. When we realize that tiny Ladybug wishes to remind us of the greatest joys that exist in life, heaven will open for us.

Ladybug Positive key words

Good fortune in life Connection to the Divine Mother

Connection exercise Silently call to Ladybug and it will appear in front of you. Look at it closely, notice its bright color and gentle nature, and see how it turns to face you. Allow it to crawl across the back of your hand. It begins to move toward your heart, drawing level with it. A delicate yet intense feeling of happiness instantly consumes you. Let it flow through you and enjoy it. Now think about those areas in your life where you are in need of happiness and, in your thoughts, direct this powerful energy toward them. Let it fill you up as you feel life flood with joy.

How can Ladybug protect me? It enables you to see that good fortune is your constant companion and that happiness awaits; you just need to open the door and welcome it in. Ladybug encourages 60

Spirit Animals

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How can the animal help? Ladybug brings good fortune into all aspects of life. ­Projects and plans will be more successful. You will be filled with contentment, creating a positive energy that can touch all areas of your life, blessing everything you do. Ladybug reveals that the power of love and goodness can enrich every aspect of daily life. It tells you that good luck does not happen by chance, you need only be consciously open to and ready to receive it.

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How can Lizard protect me? With Lizard’s help, you will not become lost in your daily routine, but instead will be able to set aside time for calmness and re-centering. It will support and protect you by ensuring you do not take on other people’s feelings, and are able to experience yourself as a spiritual being on every level.

Lizard Positive key words

Maintaining or dissolving boundaries Making a connection Revitalizing energy reserves

Connection exercise Imagine you are standing in a warm, dry place amid sand and stones. You sit down in the sun and notice Lizard on a rock. You can sense that it is just as closely connected with Mother Earth as it is with the warming sun. It is inviting you to be the same. As the sun fills you with strength and warmth, you feel more and more centered. The earth on which you are sitting grounds you and imparts security and energy. Now ask Lizard to help you maintain your daily boundaries and clear away inner limitations so that you can perceive yourself as a perfect divine being. Take your time, and then return to the here and now.

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Spirit Animals

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How can the animal help? Lizard reveals the importance of moments of calm during which you can take stock and recharge your batteries. It will help you find a safe, sunlit place amid life’s storms, a place where you can center yourself once more. Lizard provides protection from the maelstrom going on around you. It will encourage you to maintain boundaries in order to be more self-aware in the very core of your being, so that you are better able to help yourself. Lizard will support your awareness of every level of your being.

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to the darkness; it will watch over you on your journey to spiritual insight and on the new paths you choose.

Lynx Positive key words

Perceptiveness Ability to reveal the hidden

Connection exercise Find a quiet place. Close your eyes and imagine you are sitting at the edge of a forest on a soundless night under a full moon. Call Lynx with every fiber of your being and then wait silently. The animal will show itself in your mind’s eye. You sense its presence and strength. Now think of a situation in which you need its power and let the energy of Lynx flow into it. New insights will become evident. You will view events from new and higher perspectives. From now on, always ask Lynx for its light when you seek solutions that will benefit everyone. Take all the time you need, then thank Lynx and come back to the here and now.

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How can Lynx protect me? Lynx will keep you safe from the deceit of others. It will ­prevent you from viewing a situation or a person with whom you are dealing on a purely superficial level. It will protect you from the secrets around and within you. It brings light 64

Spirit Animals

How can the animal help? Lynx is a mighty power animal. It will bring perceptiveness into your life, helping you recognize and understand what lies hidden. Do you feel at a loss in certain situations? Lynx will allow you to look more closely and see more clearly what is concealed in underlying situations. This totem animal is a bearer of light and will connect you to the energy and clarity of heaven.

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surroundings and reminds you that this connection is important for a harmonious life. It teaches you to trust your feelings and intuition, helping you to move forward in life by carrying on even when you cannot see your path ahead.

Mole Positive key words

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How can the animal help? Mole is highly sensitive. It can detect every tiny vibration in the ground, even from worms as they move through the soil. It will help you to become more perceptive and aware of small instances of discord and disharmony, enabling you to respond to them in good time. Mole grants you the gift of the roots from which you can draw strength and will ensure you are grounded. For the Kaw Nation of North America, this power animal also has knowledge of medicinal herbs and healing roots. How can Mole protect me? Mole protects you from losing contact with the ground beneath your feet. It encourages you to be aware of your 66

Spirit Animals

Grounding Heightened sensitivity

Connection exercise Imagine it is getting dark and you are sitting in a meadow, surrounded by molehills. One of them starts to move and you see the head of a small animal peeping out. Mole is inviting you on a journey of the imagination. Suddenly, you are on its back and its small pink paws are digging down into Mother Earth, taking you with it. It is dark and you can smell and feel the soil around you; it is as though you are absorbing the nourishment and protection of Mother Earth with every fiber of your being. You sense her power and everything feels alive. You are aware that there is a unique world here, underground in the dark; you can sense it. Thank Mole and when you feel sufficiently grounded, strong, and aware, return to the here and now. Take several deep breaths. Welcome back!

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things in a manageable way, dealing with them one by one. This will protect you from taking on too much.

Mouse Positive key words

Paying attention to detail Generosity in modest circumstances

Connection exercise Close your eyes and breathe deeply, down into your heart. Be fully present. Imagine sweet, small Mouse approaching you. It is exploring its surroundings with its whiskers and discovering every tiny crumb it can eat. You begin to understand its behavior. Now think of your life. Where would it help to see things from a mouse’s perspective? Where will the next step take you? Have you overburdened yourself? Let Mouse’s power show you where to focus now in your life. When all your questions have been answered, return to the here and now. Thank the animal for its support.

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How can Mouse protect me? It will help you to see a situation from a perspective that embraces all its key individual elements. Mouse teaches how not to expect yourself or other people to be able to deal with everything at once. Concentrate on approaching 68

Spirit Animals

How can the animal help? Mouse is modest and content with its lot. It will help you, too, to be thankful for what you have. Its message is: “Focus first on the most important things in life before you do anything else!” Mouse will make you generous in your dealings with the people around you and the situations in which you find yourself, and will deter you from being overly critical.

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burnout with its powers of regeneration. Its inventiveness will show you how to avoid being unable to move forward by being trapped in an impasse and will inspire you never to abandon plans that are important to you.

Otter Positive key words

Inventiveness Joy Renewal of your vital energies

Connection exercise Close your eyes and imagine you are sitting beside a river. Otter will not appear unprompted; you will have to call it from the depths of your heart. Something is moving in the water. Two dark eyes are watching you and, like a beam of light, power suddenly flows into you from this small, lithe animal. Be aware of it in every cell of your being. Let it flow wherever you need joy and regeneration. If you are looking for new ideas for a particular project, relax and trust your imagination; let the solution simply emerge from within you. Now that you feel fully charged and filled with energy, thank Otter, smile, and return to the here and now.

How can Otter protect me? Otter offers protection from regarding work as a burden, enabling you to see that, with the right attitude, anything in life can bring joy. It will safeguard you from exhaustion and 70

Spirit Animals

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How can the animal help? Otter will make you more inventive in your plans and projects, ensuring they come to fruition successfully and smoothly. Its gift is the power of renewal and regeneration, demonstrating that you can deal with challenging and ­difficult times more easily when you have joy in your heart. The concept of family is important to Otter and so it provides the strength of a good family network.

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Connection exercise Find a large tree with solid roots in a wood, or in your mind’s eye; it should be somewhere that you can feel safe and secure. Rest against the tree and watch the sun go down and darkness slowly descend. As you gaze upward, you find yourself looking into the large eyes of an owl. Ask for its power and you will feel it connecting with you. Now pause for a few moments, until you receive its wisdom or experience a vision. When you have finished your exercise, thank Owl and know that it is always there for you. You need only call to it in your mind.

Owl Positive key words

Recognizing eternal wisdom Obtaining answers through clairvoyance Activating your Third Eye

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How can Owl protect me? Owl protects you from making wrong decisions by connecting you with your inner wisdom. If you wish to travel to other dimensions, it will activate your Third Eye and can boost clairvoyant abilities. When you seek vision or are in deep meditation, it will connect you with ancient seers, watching over this contact so that it can take place undisturbed. 72

Spirit Animals

How can the animal help? Owl helps you to connect with your inner wisdom and to open your Third Eye. It will activate your extrasensory perception and help you to access the wisdom of ancient seers.

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from apathy and its graceful body engenders a feeling of lightness and purity, opening you up to its cleansing and regenerative power.

Pronghorn Antelope Positive key words

Speed Purity Renewal

Connection exercise Close your eyes and breathe deeply, down into your heart. You are on the North American prairie. A graceful animal separates from its herd and approaches you. You are entranced by its great beauty. Now ask it for the strength that you need. It inclines its head and you touch its forehead. You are deeply moved. Pronghorn Antelope’s message is: “Call on me when you need purification and renewal. Call on me in the night, when the moon shines, before you fall asleep.” Thank the animal and return to the here and now.

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How can Pronghorn Antelope protect me? Its powers of renewal help to prevent you from becoming trapped in old situations and issues. Its swiftness deters you 74

Spirit Animals

How can the animal help? Pronghorn Antelope will help you react with speed and grace, with harmonious guidance from your higher self. It reminds you to remain pure in all aspects of life, as well as in your thoughts. This antelope eats sage, a plant that Native Americans from the northern part of North America prepare as tea for inner physical purification and to cleanse their auras. This spirit animal brings the power of renewal to relevant areas of your life.

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Connection exercise Imagine you can see a group of rabbits in a meadow. Watch them for a while; you can sense their vitality, even when they are quietly nibbling grass. They remain alert, aware of everything happening around them. Open your heart and ask Rabbit for its strength. Notice how you feel full of life. Imagine Rabbit’s fertility flowing playfully and joyfully into those aspects of your life where it is most needed. Now return to the here and now and thank the animal.

Rabbit Positive key words

Fertility and creativity in your endeavors Achieving your goals with cheerfulness

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How can Rabbit protect me? Rabbit protects you from seeing life as a chore. It invites you to approach life instead with imagination and a lightness of heart. It will bring playfulness back to your activities and deter you from giving up when tasks and projects threaten to grind to a halt. Rabbit’s power spurs you on to make good ideas come to fruition. 76

Spirit Animals

How can the animal help? Rabbit helps you to express your creativity and approach your work in a cheerful manner. This totem animal offers support in projects that demand enthusiasm and creativity. It will help you to fulfil ideas and visions, allowing them to bear fruit.

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accompany you in magical rituals and on journeys into other worlds. It helps you to express your inner truth, even when the truth expressed by the different opinions of others must be faced.

Raven Positive key words

Passing on magic Keeping faith with the truth Protective companionship on journeys into other worlds

Connection exercise Concentrate on your Third Eye, located in the center of your forehead, just above your eyebrows. Relax and call Raven. Ask it for a sign. Imagine you are gently touching its feathers and gazing into its dark eyes. Will it give you a feather? Its power flows into you, protecting you in the present and on all your journeys into other dimensions.

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How can Raven protect me? Raven promises magical moments in your life. It can act simultaneously in multiple dimensions. It will protect and 78

Spirit Animals

How can the animal help? Call on Raven to make magical and healing powers part of your life. Keep Raven by your side when you journey into other dimensions (shamanic journeys). Request its protective companionship. If there is an important issue that you have been trying to deal with for some time, connect with Raven’s power and it will provide the courage you need to express your desires fully.

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find your own peace and strength by following your journey and your own inner guidance.

Red Deer Positive key words

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How can the animal help? Red Deer will support your self-esteem. It will show you that strength lies in serenity. It connects you with your ­spiritual guidance and helps you to keep to the right path. It reveals how you can take responsibility for your life and not feel obliged to agree with others. How can Red Deer protect me? Red Deer will deter you from attaching greater importance to the opinions of others than to your own. It will help you adhere to your path in life and keep faith with the higher guidance within you. With Red Deer’s protection, you can

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Spirit Animals

Strength Self-esteem Finding the right path

Connection exercise Imagine you are standing in a forest clearing. Take a moment to enjoy the sight of the beautiful trees that surround you. Ask Red Deer to show itself to you. After a while you hear a noise that indicates that Red Deer is approaching. Suddenly, it arrives in the clearing, strong and majestic. A voice within you says: “Have no fear. My strength and power belong to you. Connect with me and you, too, will feel it.” Now ask for this connection and you will become aware of an increasing sense of calm. It feels as though you are growing, your back straightening and your posture strengthening. You are entirely present in the moment, wholly self-aware, calm, and strong. If it feels right, ask your inner guidance for the next step along your path. Red Deer looks at you and slowly leaves the clearing. You know that you can return to this place and that it will be there for you whenever you need its strength.

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the strongest power of all, and empathy and understanding are the path toward it.” Recognize love and goodness in everyone, even when they are concealed by anger. Roe Deer protects you from the belief that a person’s negative emotions represent their true identity; it helps you see that love is the foundation of this world.

Roe Deer Positive key words

Purity, gentleness, and love Turning away from negativity through love

Connection exercise Take a stroll to a forest clearing within your inner world. You are alone in this very beautiful, peaceful place when you suddenly see a small herd of Roe Deer in the middle distance. Both you and the Roe Deer stand still. Connect with the animals in your heart by sending them love. One of them looks directly into your eyes. Approach it slowly. You sense how its gaze floods your heart with gentleness and purity, touching you deeply. It is like a wave, washing away everything within you that is not love. Thank the animal. Roe Deer will always be waiting for you in this place.

How can Roe Deer protect me? Roe Deer protects you from becoming caught up in anger and rage. It shows you how to banish the negative emotions and feelings of others through purity and gentleness. Whenever you feel exposed to such negative feelings, ­listen to Roe Deer’s powerful message: “Take courage! Love is 82

Spirit Animals

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How can the animal help? Roe Deer encourages you to follow the promptings of your heart. It tells you: “Don’t stray from the path of humility and goodness; let all darkness melt away.” When this spirit animal looks into your eyes, its pure and gentle nature will transform anger, rage, and even wickedness into empathy and love.

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to lose your foothold on life’s constantly changing path. There is always the option of returning to the source of your heart and reenergizing. Salmon prevents you from losing sight of your goals.

Salmon Positive key words

Moving powerfully along your life’s path from your source Gaining wisdom and reaching your goal

Connection exercise You are sitting beside a river watching a large fish draw near. Salmon makes energetic contact with you and you feel yourself swimming through the water alongside it. It touches your feet and energy courses through you, from your toes to your head. Vitality, strength, and a sense of purpose flood your body. Now think of everything that you would like to achieve in life. Consciously allow this energy to flow toward these goals. Imagine following your path with strength, achieving your ambitions, and enjoying the fruits of your labor in total calm and contentment. Call on Salmon whenever you need this energy.

How can Salmon protect me? It deters you from giving up too soon and from failing to acknowledge that there is meaning behind every experience, each being a source of wisdom. You will learn not 84

Spirit Animals

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How can the animal help? Salmon helps you see life’s flux as a potential treasure trove of experiences through which you acquire wisdom. It will teach you to focus on your goals, to be strong, and to follow your path, even when it means swimming against the current. Salmon’s message is: “Return to the source of your heart, revitalize your strength, and act wisely, using your wealth of experience.”

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to travel between energetic levels or dimensions, and during initiations.

Snake Positive key words

Boosting your healing powers Protection during meditation Uncovering Nature’s powerful places

Connection exercise Imagine sitting in front of a cave in one of Nature’s power­ ful locations. The sun is warm. You lean back against a rock and gaze at the entrance to the cave. The gold dust that you hold in your hand will help you to know when your power animal comes to you. You call Snake and watch how one slowly slithers out of the cave. Sprinkle some gold dust on its back and if it becomes even brighter and more beautiful, it is your power animal. If the gold dust dissolves away, wait for another snake and repeat the ­process. When you find your power animal, ask its name so that you can call it at any time.

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How can Snake protect me? Snake offers great protection during shamanic journeys into other dimensions. It will guard against illness for those who work in a healing profession. There are many aspects to this powerful protection. Call on it whenever you wish 86

Spirit Animals

How can the animal help? Snake has strong restorative abilities and can help people in healing professions. It protects those who operate on different energetic levels or who experience great spiritual awakenings. The places in which Snake appears are likely to be powerful locations from where other dimensions can be perceived.

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you. It will help you spin a web of loving connections to every being.

Connection exercise Sit quietly, relax, and call to Spider in your thoughts. You see it in your mind’s eye. Ask it for the connection you wish to make. Focus within yourself and listen until you see or become aware of a reply or a message. Thank Spider and when the time is right, return to the here and now. Make a note of everything you have discovered.

Spider Positive key words

Connection with higher consciousness Being lucky

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How can Spider protect me? As a power animal, Spider protects you from forgetting your connection to higher dimensions and light-beings as you go about your busy daily life. If you need advice from a spiritual helper, ask Spider; it will weave a connection for you. Take a quiet moment to listen to what it has to tell 88

Spirit Animals

How can the animal help? Spider spins a thread to connect you with your higher self, your angels, and your spiritual helpers. Its gift is a connection to heaven, where the answers to all your questions concerning your existence and your path in life lie. For many Native American tribes, an encounter with Spider indicates good luck.

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ease. It reminds you of the power of play, which protects you from tedium and routine. Squirrel teaches you to look at things with your heart.

Squirrel Positive key words

Enjoyment of work Playful effectiveness

Connection exercise Imagine you are in a beautiful garden. You can see a playful squirrel scurrying about in a tree. Call to it silently. As if guided by an unseen hand, it comes to sit at arm’s length from you. Ask Squirrel for strength, joy, playfulness, and abundance. You feel warmth in your heart and you smile to yourself; you have received its gifts. Whenever you think of this feeling of warmth, it will be reawakened and Squirrel’s strength will be with you once more.

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How can Squirrel protect me? Squirrel offers protection from sorrow and support in doing the right thing at the right time. It lifts you out of your daily rut, guiding you back toward enjoyment and 90

Spirit Animals

How can the animal help? Squirrel encourages you to become more effective and to see work as a source of fun. Relaxed and playful, it collects nuts for the winter; its charming appearance touches and gladdens the heart. Squirrel helps you to recognize that in times of plenty rewards are reaped through a combination of hard work and enjoyment. Listen to the rhythms of Nature and your soul, then scamper back to a safe place, where you can find time to relax, dream, and forge future plans.

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Connection exercise Close your eyes and imagine you are watching a flock of swallows. One flies past you in ever-decreasing circles. Ask it for a connection. Concentrate on your core and allow its strength to enter your heart. Be wholly self-aware; happiness and renewal will open up to you. Let this power flow into every aspect of your life. When you are finished, return to the here and now. Thank Swallow and enjoy your life!

Swallow Positive key words

Happiness in life and in your partnership

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How can Swallow protect me? Swallow protects from becoming trapped in the past. It helps you enjoy the here and now and frees you from being distracted by your thoughts. It will watch over your partnership.

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Spirit Animals

How can the animal help? Swallow’s power brings happiness into your life and into your partnership in particular. It helps you to be present in and enjoy the moment. Swallow reminds you not to dwell in the past or to think obsessively about the future. It is said that swallows removed the thorns from Jesus’ crown. Ask this totem animal to bring you relief and free you from past “thorns.”

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a part of your being. It delivers a holistic connection and brings joy to every area of life. Swan brings the gift of true love and divine connection.

Swan Positive key words

Connection to wholeness, courage, and your life partner

Connection exercise Take several deep breaths and imagine you are inside your heart, standing in front of a white, curved door. Open it to find you are inside the landscape of your soul. A peaceful lake lies ahead and you sit down on the shore. You see two swans. Remain very quiet and call to them with all your heart. Make a wish for them to approach, and as they do so, see them watching you with their dark, friendly eyes. Feel how your heart is touched and flooded with love. Your whole being is connecting powerfully with the peace in your heart. This link with your higher self gives you divine confidence and you sense that anything is possible. Your mind is at peace and your body relaxed. Open your eyes when you are ready and return to the here and now.

How can Swan protect me? Swan will protect you from finishing a relationship too hastily and remind you that you can only see things ­properly and make reasonable decisions with your heart. This power animal prevents you from living life with only 94

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How can the animal help? Swan brings peace, constant love, and a connection to all levels of your consciousness. It helps to bring your body, mind, and soul into harmony and opens the door to your higher self. Swan chooses a partner for life and loves unconditionally. It will encourage you to live in harmony with yourself and the world, opening up new spaces in your heart.

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hastily, encouraging you to remain calm and true to your path. It reveals the wisdom of caution when a storm is raging, and of not putting yourself in harm’s way, instead taking the time to compose yourself and gather strength before facing life’s challenges anew.

Turtle Positive key words

Retreat Reenergizing Connecting with protection and a sense of security

Connection exercise Close your eyes and imagine you are beside a river in beautiful, lush countryside. Sit down on a large rock on the riverbank and call Turtle. A large, old, and venerable animal approaches. When it sees you, it pauses and looks at you. You go to it and touch its shell. Power and peace flow into you and in your mind you hear it say: “Whenever you need my protection and my strength, touch my shell in your imagination and my power will be yours.” Remain seated on the riverbank and Turtle will stay beside you for as long as necessary before you are ready to embark upon your journey back to the here and now. Take a deep breath and open your eyes. Welcome back!

How can the animal help? Turtle helps you to withdraw from situations when the time is right. It reminds you not to make hasty decisions or take ill-considered actions. For Native Americans, Turtle represents Mother Earth, who gives us the gift of nourishment and grounding. Turtle’s power connects you with all that protects and provides for primordial femininity. It ensures you have solid ground beneath your feet. How can Turtle protect me? Its strength keeps you afloat amid life’s busy comings and goings. Turtle prevents you from acting prematurely and 96

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events from your past. These include trauma and any wrong conclusions that you may have come to that continue to exert an influence on your life with undesirable results. Whale knows the story of your soul and stops you from seeing yourself and your life from one angle only.

Whale Positive key words

Old and new knowledge Your connection to the universe

Connection exercise Breathe deeply, down into your heart, and imagine you are standing on a beach beside the ocean. You look out over the still water and in the far distance you see water spouting upward. It is a pod of whales, your whale family. They come closer and you swim a short way toward them. The water cradles you and keeps you afloat. A large whale approaches you gently, full of trust, allowing you to touch it. A subtle, loving energy radiates from this creature. Allow this energy to fill you completely. You can now ask Whale for old knowledge, for the connecting energy of the universe, or to expand your consciousness. Be aware of what Whale gives to you, before slowly returning to your beach in your own time.

How can Whale protect me? Whale protects from seeing only certain aspects of your previous life and from failing to be aware of significant 98

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How can the animal help? Whale swims powerfully into your life to help you connect with every level of consciousness in your being. If aspects of your life simply refuse to fall into place, it will say: “Let’s dive deep into your past to find old obstructions, bring them to light, and make them vanish. Let’s join together to call the light powers of the universe and ask for their support in setting you free in the here and now.” Whale will be of great assistance in your ability to understand yourself and your history and in getting to know your ancestors.

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when you need it and prevents loss of energy. Wild Boar ensures you do not forget the important things in life, such as being grounded, good nutrition, and enjoying the company of others.

Wild Boar Positive key words

Power Grounding Activating your instinct to get to the bottom of things

Connection exercise Breathe deeply, down into your heart. As you breathe out, you find yourself in a beautiful forest clearing. Sit down in the middle of this enchanting place and feel Mother Earth beneath you. Suddenly, you notice Wild Boar close by, watching you carefully. It approaches and lies down before you, gazing at you in a friendly manner. You sense how strength and power flow into you from Mother Earth. You allow this power to enter you, transporting you instantly to the core of your being. Wild Boar begins to grub in the earth at your feet. In your imagination, you are also loosening the earth with your hands to uncover treasure. Think of a problem that needs a solution. Use your instincts and ask Wild Boar for help. Together, you find an image, a feeling, or a thought from within that will help you in your quest. When you feel you have sufficient understanding and insight to reach a solution, return to the here and now. Enjoy your newfound clarity and the power to solve problems with greater ease.

How can the animal help? Wild Boar enters your life today to empower you with its message: “Think beyond logic and reason and focus on your instincts instead. Ground yourself and discover your primordial strength.” This power animal shows you how to grasp the essence of difficult situations with sensitivity and transform them into success and joy. Wild Boar will help you take your place both in life and within the constellation of your family. How can Wild Boar protect me? It protects you from taking decisions only with your head, without paying attention to your heart. It gives you strength 100

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help you distinguish between what strengthens you and what might prevent you from clearly recognizing the essential and primordial power of your soul.

Wildcat Positive key words

Strengthening your spiritual will Perceiving the world with all your senses

Connection exercise Imagine Wildcat looking at you. Its eyes cast their spell, as power and gentleness flow toward you from their graygreen depths. Allow yourself to be filled with this energy. Wildcat approaches and rubs its head against your legs; it wants to support you. Its gentle character and strength of will touch you deep within your heart. It fills you with certainty; your intuition and clear-sightedness have been awakened and strengthened. Enjoy this connection. Charge yourself with its power. Be aware that you can repeat this encounter at any time.

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How can Wildcat protect me? Its primary protection is from being overwhelmed by the opinions of others. It will support you in recognizing those spiritual teachings that are positive for you and warns against precepts that do not sit easily with your soul. Wildcat will 102

Spirit Animals

How can the animal help? Wildcat accompanies you on the path to your spiritual life. It boosts your ability to perceive your own spiritual p ­ owers. This cat will share its gifts, sharpening your seventh sense, the ability to see things as they really are, and your intuitive “gut feeling.” This gentle yet powerful creature will be by your side and support you in standing up for yourself and your convictions in a centered yet dynamic way.

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everyone in your community or family works together. All for one, one for all.

Wolf Positive key words

Powerful companionship Protection

Connection exercise Find a quiet place where you can call on Wolf, making sure you allow enough time for this important encounter. Take a deep breath in, close your eyes, and open your heart. Be very still and you may hear it coming or feel its presence. At first, Wolf will sniff you to take your scent; keep still and slowly open your eyes. Do not look at Wolf directly, but instead slightly lower your gaze so that it can sense that it can lead you. Close your eyes again and the companionship and energy of Wolf will spread through your whole body. Give Wolf a name that you can use to call it whenever you need its help.

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How can Wolf protect me? Wolf protects on every path in life. Wherever you are, it will be beside you, baring its teeth when someone gets too close. It watches over you and your love, making sure that 104

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How can the animal help? Wolf is very powerful; there is no greater protector. It is a companion that will never leave your side, providing ­security, strength, and a sense of connection. Wolf protects its family, the pack, and provides comfort, security, and a sense of safety. It will help you belong to a family, community, or group, freeing you from isolation and loneliness and encouraging you to love and appreciate your own pack, your family.

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A Last Word

About the Authors

This book has connected us more closely with our own power animals. While writing it, a mouse took up residence in our house, reminding us that we should not forget the essential things in life. Hawk has long been a companion on our walks, often appearing when it is time to remind us that the Great Spirit is watching over us. We have had the great good fortune to enjoy a deep connection with the Native Americans in the United States. Their self-awareness and the way they live, respect, and honor their power ­animals have always been a source of great enrichment for us. Call your power animals. They will come with all their strengths. Allow heaven to deliver support through these creatures. May they become a part of your lives as helpers and companions.

Elke Kirchner-Young is clairvoyant and walks the path of the shaman. She channels the angel Uriel and is in constant contact with light- beings and power animals. She has been leading shaman and angel seminars for 21 years and is the founder of Soul-Power-Events to support people to find and follow their healing and unique path.

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Phillip Kansa was born in the USA in 1943 and left his earthly body at the end of 2018. His grandmother was a Native American. As a psychology graduate and a practicing shaman, he worked as a spiritual teacher and consultant for more than 30 years. He was clairvoyant with access to the spiritual worlds. He spoke with his ancestors and was in constant contact with the kingdom of light.

Elke and Phillip worked and taught in Germany as a ­visionary and spiritual couple for 21 years. Together they founded the Shaman Training of the New Age and held

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“soul power” events aimed at making people more aware of how all beings are interconnected, how every human being deserves a happy life, and how the Creator loves us unconditionally. We are created in love and out of love. Elke continues to lead New Age seminars and rituals, pursuing the same goals within herself and into the world. Elke Kirchner-Young global seminars [email protected] www.soul-power-events.com

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Other books by Earthdancer

Picture Credits All images from www.shutterstock.com Backgrounds: Sky: djgis, earth: Elya Vatel; water: Idambies; p. 5: Suzanne Tucker; p. 6, 14-15: Cako; p. 8-9: Whiteandb; p. 13: Cocos.Bounty; p. 106-107: Sealstep; p. 108-109: Kichigin; p. 110: LedyX; p. 111: Juliana Nan Ornamental: Feather pendant and picture frames: Ilya Martynov; feather drawing: meookami; tribal: Joy’s vectors; dreamcatcher: illustration one love; feather photograph: kzww; p. 12: Marigam Animals: page 1: Serjio74 (eagle), mariait (horse), Production Perig (butterfly); p. 3: aDam Wildlife; p. 4: Michal Ninger; p. 7: Jim Cumming; p. 8: Production Perig (butterfly), ZAO2006 (lizard); p. 10: alslutsky; p. 11: Dima Zel; p. 14: John Berthoty; p. 16 Irina Kozorog; p. 17: Andrey Pavlov; p. 18: vz maze; p. 19: Georgia Evans; p. 20: Daniel Rose; p. 21: Jody Ann; p. 22: Dancestrokes; p. 23: Daniel Prudek; p. 24: David Brown Eyes; p. 25: sfriessner; p. 26: Astrid Gast; p. 27: Cindy de Bree; p. 28: Michele Aldeghi; p. 29: Tomasz Czadowski; p. 30: TigerStocks; p. 31: Ondrej Prosicky; p. 32: Warren Metcalf; p. 33: Warren Metcalf; p. 34: Facanv; p. 35: Willyam Bradberry; p. 36: Edwin Butter; p. 37: alslutsky; p. 38: VarnaK; p. 39: Rostislav Stach; p. 40: Colin Edwards Wildside; p. 41: thatmacroguy; p. 42: osafus; p. 43: Bildagentur Zoonar GmbH; p. 44: Brian E Kushner; p. 45: Teri Virbickis; p. 46: Photobank gallery; p. 47: bogdan ionescu; p. 48: Mark Bridger; p. 49: Richard Guijt Photography; p. 50: tomas.klacek; p. 51: Georgy Shafeev; p. 52: Michal Pesata; p. 53: serkan mutan; p. 54: John Berthoty; p. 55 Milan Zygmunt; p. 56: Callipso; p. 57: kyslynskahal; p. 58: Ondrej Prosicky; p. 59: Greg A Wilson; p. 60: Christian Musat; p. 61: Christian Mueller; p. 62: Marek R. Swadzba; p. 63: ZAO2006; p. 64: godi photo; p. 65: tgladkova; p. 66: pictoplay; p. 67: TunedIn by Westend; p. 68: Rudmer Zwerver; p. 69: Paul A Carpenter; p. 70: Menno Schaefer; p. 71: Jukka Jantunen; p. 72: Miles Away Photography; p. 73: effective stock photos; p. 74: Tom Reichner; p. 75: Paul Tessier; p. 76: Manolines; p. 77: William Booth; p. 78: Michael Schroeder; p. 79: Marcin Perkowski; p. 80: James Alex Duncan; p. 81 Tom Reichner; p. 82: Menno Schaefer; p. 83: Volodymyr Burdiak; p. 84: Under TheSea; p. 85: Sekar B; p. 86: DedeDian; p. 87: ANP; p. 88: FABRIZIO CONTE; p. 89: nico99; p. 90: Klimek Pavol; p. 91: WildStrawberry; p. 92: Gallinago_media; p. 93: Paul Reeves Photography; p. 94: Denis Martynov; p. 95: Maciej Olszewski; p. 96: Fotos593; p. 97: Viktor Loki; p. 98: Seb c’est bien; p. 99: Catmando; p. 100: Volodymyr Burdiak; p. 101: Branislav Cerven; p. 102: Martin Mecnarowski; p. 103: Martin Mecnarowski; p. 104: davemhuntphotography; p. 105: TMArt; p. 109: Volodymyr Burdiak; p. 110: Production Perig

This oracle set offers a hands-on way to connect with the spiritual wisdom of dragons. Each of the 43 cards features beautiful artwork to allow you to activate dragon energies and use them on an intuitive level. The guidebook details the message of each card and offers meditative journeys into the world of dragons. Christine Arana Fader Dragon Wisdom 43-Card Oracle Deck and Book Includes 112-page book and 43 full-color cards ISBN 978-1-64411-108-6

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Huna is an ancient shamanic tradition from Hawaii that recognizes seven elemental Nature powers into which we can tap anywhere and at any time. Connect your soul with water, fire, wind, rock, plants, animals, and beings of light. The easy to implement exercises, techniques, and rituals presented in this book will enable you to draw on the strength of the natural forces for empowerment. Susanne Weikl The Seven Elemental Forces of Huna Practices for Tapping into the Energies of Nature from the Hawaiian Tradition Paperback, full-color throughout, 128 pages ISBN 978-1-62055-885-0

For Review Only For further information and to request a book catalog contact: Inner Traditions, One Park Street, Rochester, Vermont 05767 Earthdancer Books is an Inner Traditions imprint. Phone: +1-800-246-8648, [email protected] www.earthdancerbooks.com • www.innertraditions.com

UNCORRECTED PAGE PROOFS • Not for Resale

Animal Spirit Wisdom A Pocket Reference to 45 Power Animals PHILLIP KANSA and ELKE KIRCHNER-YOUNG A full-color pocket guide to 45 important spirit animals • Explores 45 different power animals alphabetically and shares their strengths, wisdom, special energies, and how to connect with them • Provides a meditative journey to help you discover which animal is your personal soul companion • Offers practices—such as observing your dreams, carving or drawing your animal guide, or opening the book to a random page—to intuitively find the right power animal for a given situation or for support and protection in a difficult period

Since the beginning of time, animals have played an important role in each of our lives. Early humans were almost entirely dependent on the animal kingdom for survival. Shamans both ancient and modern merged in trance with their animal allies for spiritual guidance. Native Americans learned their personal totem animal in childhood and viewed them as life-long companions. And today we can still call on our power animals for strength, serenity, inspiration, and support. In this full-color pocket guide featuring beautiful animal photos, the authors introduce 45 important spirit animals alphabetically and explore their wisdom, special energies, and how to connect with them. They provide a meditative journey to help you discover which animal is your personal soul companion and offer practices—such as observing your dreams, carving or drawing your animal guide, or opening the book to a random page—to intuitively find the right power animal for a given situation or for support and protection in a difficult period. Is your spirit animal an eagle, deer, or wolf, or will you be surprised to find connections to a hummingbird, dolphin, or fire salamander? With this reference, you can call on the healing power of the bear to strengthen your body and keep calm, the far-reaching and precise vision of the hawk to see imbalances in your life, or the intelligence of the owl to make wise decisions. This book offers an accessible starting point for your journey of discovery through the diverse kingdom of spirit animals. Phillip Kansa (1943–2018) was a trained psychologist and shaman who worked as a spiritual teacher and consultant for more than 30 years. Born in the United States, his mother was descended from the Kansa Native American tribe. He was able to speak with the ancestors and was in contact with the kingdom of light. Elke Kirchner-Young is clairvoyant and walks the path of the shaman. She channels Archangel Uriel and is in contact with light beings and power animals. She has been leading angel and shamanic seminars for more than 20 years and is the founder of soul power events to support people to find and follow their unique healing path. She lives near Hamburg, Germany.

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Earthdancer Books • ISBN 978-1-64411-115-4 • $9.99 (CAN $12.50) Paper Also available as an ebook • 112 pages, 4½ x 6½ Rights: World English • Spirituality/Animals

May 2021

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