(Aletheia Luna) It was bizarre and unexplainable: I kept having recurring dreams for about a month, where I would walk into an eerie, foreboding forest at night with a leopard peering at me through the shrubs. Its stare seemed kind, almost motherly, but very intense … somehow I knew that it was trying to tell me something about the depths of the forest ahead.
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by Aletheia Luna, January 30th, 2019
It was only recently that I discovered the existence of Spirit Animals, and that mine was the Leopard. It is said that we, as human beings, possess at least one Spirit Animal, or totem, in our lifetimes that serve as our personal protectors, guides, helpers and companions. But usually, it is common for us to have many Spirit Animal helpers throughout different periods of our lives.
In this article, I will explore the mysterious origins of the Spirit Animal.
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Primitive Origins
The concept of ‘Spirit Animals’ draws its origins from ancient Animistic and Totemistic beliefs about the world and our connection to it.
Totemism, a system of belief practised by the Native American Indian people, and the Australian Aboriginal people for example, incorporates the notion that each human being has a spiritual connection to another physical being (e.g. a plant or animal).
The Kpelle people of Liberia for instance, possess animal, plant and natural phenomena (wind, rain etc.) totems that are thought to guide and protect their people. Their totems are also thought to be a form of alter ego, or second self.
Animism, on the other hand, is more in line with the world view held by many Buddhist, Shinto, Pagan and Neopagan groups of people, that all plants, animals and objects have spirits.
However, not everyone is convinced of the validity of Animism. 19th century anthropologist Sir Edward Tylor for instance, was not only one of the greatest skeptics of Animism, but was also responsible for forming the currently accepted definition of ‘Animism’. Tylor believed that Animistic beliefs were characteristic of “primitive” and “childish” peoples, who typically possess “cognitive underdevelopment”, thus discrediting the whole Animistic world view in one fell swoop.
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However, it’s not necessarily intelligent to subscribe to Tylor’s opinion. When we look at Animistic belief, we see that it treats all humans, animals and plants as being equal and interdependent of each other. In other words: to the Animist it is morally imperative to treat all forms of life with respect. Not only that, but to the Animist we we are part of nature, rather than being superior to nature, or separate from nature.
This belief is on the opposite end of the spectrum of the modern day “refined”and “cognitively developed” man who believes that he is the master of the world, and everything is subject to his rule. No wonder the earth’s forests, streams, oceans, park-lands and wildlife are polluted, pillaged and dying every day. “Mature” developed man has such a sickly and unintelligent mindset towards nature that he creates nothing but destruction and death wherever he treads.
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So, who truly has the primitive mindset here?
Those who believe in the presence of Spirit Animals not only respect the flora and fauna of the earth as equals, but they often perceive the world around them as consisting of one and the same universal energy. This is similar to pantheistic thought which believes that man, nature and animalkind are all the manifestations of God.
Not all new age kooks vouch for the validity of Spirit Animals either. Philosopher Baruch Spinoza concluded similar thoughts about the world:
The mind of God is all the mentality that is scattered over space and time, the diffused consciousness that animates the world.
Even famous physicist Albert Einstein was considered to be a pantheist after writing one letter to a friend in 1954:
We followers of Spinoza see our God in the wonderful order and lawfulness of all that exists in its soul as it reveals itself in man and animal.
So, does this further add to the validity of Spirit Animals existing in our lives? In the end, it’s up to you to decide whether Spirit Animals are merely primitive social constructs, or whether their long history throughout many peoples and cultures points to a higher, deeper truth.
Read our article on Spirit Animals.
Note: The phrase “Power Animal” refers to the shamanic idea that certain animals (or tutelary spirits) can physically and psychologically empower us. The Power Animal, just like the Spirit Animal, is thought to lend its wisdom, attributes, and instincts to us in times of need.
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About the Author
is an influential spiritual writer whose work has changed the lives of thousands of people worldwide. After escaping the religious sect she was raised in, Luna experienced a profound existential crisis that led to her spiritual awakening. As a psychospiritual counselor, tarot reader, and professional writer, Luna’s mission is to help others become conscious of their entrapment and find joy, empowerment, and liberation in any circumstance. See more of her work at lonerwolf.com.
Stillness in the Storm Editor: Why did we post this?
The preceding article introduces one to the concept of spirit guides and offers some general suggestions as to how one can foster a connection. For ages of time, mystics and prophets have suggested that a host of invisible beings orbits each individual, offering assistance from the other side of the veil. Even today, in a world increasingly swinging toward nihilistic materialism, the notion of spirit guides still holds sway. Even the staunchest of anti-spiritualists still act as if the universe is fundamentally conscious when they cite “bad luck” as the cause of their woes, or the inverse, good luck for success. From a pragmatic perspective, the belief that one can make contact with spirit guides, and receive wisdom from the universe appears to improve well being. Thus, whether you believe in them or not doesn’t deter from the value the idea of them imparts to the practitioner. This information is on the fringe of what we can confirm empirically, making it an excellent topic to expand one’s thinking. Additionally, if such guides do indeed exist, and they are tasked with mentoring a person in their spiritual mission, it behooves us to learn how to communicate with these unseen forces. Lastly, the fact that experience itself guides the individual through direct contact with the truth highlights arguably one of the grandest and most incontrovertible of spirit guides, the Creator of the universe itself, within which we move, breathe, and have our being.
– Justin
Not sure how to make sense of this? Want to learn how to discern like a pro? Read this essential guide to discernment, analysis of claims, and understanding the truth in a world of deception: 4 Key Steps of Discernment – Advanced Truth-Seeking Tools.
Stillness in the Storm Editor’s note: Did you find a spelling error or grammar mistake? Send an email to [email protected], with the error and suggested correction, along with the headline and url. Do you think this article needs an update? Or do you just have some feedback? Send us an email at [email protected]. Thank you for reading.
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https://wakeup-world.com/2019/01/30/the-origins-of-the-spirit-animal-totem-and-power-animal/
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