Animals share with us the privilege of having a soul. ~ Pythagoras
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.
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.
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 of a 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 sceptics 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.
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.
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, or find out whether the Wolf is your Spirit Animal.
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.
Thank you for the great article. I’ve known my totem animals for many years. Two of them came to
me in dreams. Don’t remember how I met the third, it’s such a part of me. At another time in my life,
lived with live turtles, land and water. One day our veterinarian called asking if we would take in another turtle! When we moved to a different climate, found excellent homes for them. Black panther
does not domesticate, so black cats live with me, have since my birth still do. Read somewhere “the cat is the only domestic animal that has not been enslaved by mankind.” Over the years, beginning before
tattooing was acceptable, I acquired very many tattoos of my favorite flora and fauna. My first tats were done at the time people who got tats were mainly sailors, etc. I would take a picture in, and one person would draw and another would do the needle work. Because I presented an artistic challenge, I was charged half the going rate! I love all my animals very much! Oh yes, I do realize that cats have a totally different energy from black panthers! I might have a wee bit of feline dna (kidding). I really
look forward to your future articles on spirit animals. I like and respect insects also, except for the disease carrying ones. Animism forever!
Plus Persepolis is the same thing but it’s a religion book not sure if you would be interested in it.
Well me I know that my two spirit animals are a wolf and a fox but they haven’t appeared in any of my dreams. What does it mean? I am so clueless.
Kitsune, how do you ‘know’ they are your spirit guides? Spirit guides generally appear in our dreams, although it is also important to remember that spirit guides aren’t always animals. They can be other life forms, for example, my current spirit guide is Pan who has helped me reveal many things hidden in my unconscious mind. I suggest doing a spirit guide meditation, or if it is legal in your country, taking some kind of psychoactive substance to open your mind to receiving the message of your spirit guide.
My totem is shumba meaning lion.i have been personally puzzled about my dreams causing me to want to belive that there is a connection between us humans and the animal spirit.i have had contless dreams of me walking in the bush riddled by lions.with my heart pounding i see a lion as i slowly walk past avoiding attention i look ahead and see three to four big lions lying in the grass.but somehow i manage to pass through without being hurt. these dreams come more or less the same all the time.i dont knw if anybody has had a similar experience.
Your unconscious mind must be trying to express something to you, Cosie. Think of the symbolism of the Lion: courage, strength, willpower, focus. These are the lessons that your Spirit Animal must be trying to express to you in one way or another.
It is very common to experience dreams of such sort. You might also have many synchronious experiences where Lions appear in your waking life as well. If this is the case, it is a sure sign that your Spirit Animal is trying to make a presence in your life. Any state of altered consciousness will help you discover the message your guide has for you.
Many thanks for reading!
-Luna
Wow, right when I was thinking I’d like to read a really interesting, well researched article, I stumble across this! I love that your spirit animal is the Owl, Luna…that i so perfect…the moon and the owl and the list goes on. I really appreciate all the interesting facts and insights into other religions as I’m always interested in seeking out wisdom from the truly mature and not those polluting, animal torturing peoples that think they own everything. When are we going to learn to just be one with it all? Anyway, I really wish I knew what my spirit animal was….I’m thinking maybe a cat. But I’ve always felt soo connected to all animals really so it’s hard to say, but anyway, thanks again, Luna! Keep up the great work!
Thank you James! It was a pleasure writing and researching this article, and it’s a topic that I’m continuing to look into and read about. In the next coming weeks there will be a couple more articles posted on this subject, so keep an eye out!
Oh….and you absolutely MUST read the American Indian saga called “She Who Remembers”. That’s the ONLY novel I’ve ever read that brought tears to my eyes. It might make you cry one or two times too. It has a happy ending; but its about the journey of being a young woman who is very different from everyone else. Her travels and struggles are the kind that many young women can relate to even in today’s world.
Now this post is absolutely LOVELY! I think my “spirit animal” might be the lizard/chameleon. I have lovely pictures of Mr. Lizard coming to visit with me; sometimes spying on what I’m doing. Also did you know that tribes like the Kikuyus had very STRICT family planning laws before europeans destroyed everything? A great book to read about forgotten world traditions is “Things Fall Apart” by Chinua Achebe. “Clan of The Cave Bear” and Jean Auel’s other books are fairly insightful about the mother-goddess days of ancient Europe too. White people did allright before bandits domesticated horses. Then things got progressively more violent.
Shawnte, I love when people recommend books! These few are definitely going on my to-read list, so thank you for taking the time to write them here! At the moment I’m very interested in reading about primitive religious and mystical practices and beliefs, and how they molded the world we’ve come to live in. I think the book ‘Things Fall Apart’ will go on my priority list. :)
Many thanks for commenting!