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 wolf 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.
I have since had many dreams about Wolves and Dogs. And before I ever knew of my strong connection with the Canis Lupus species, I co-founded and named this website lonerwolf: a creature that to me embodies the spiritual journey.
Have you ever experienced any strange synchronicities to do with animals?
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Do you keep running into the same animal over and over again? Perhaps you’ve had repetitive dreams or have undergone a shocking, rare, or weird situation with an animal you never expected to see.
If you’re confused, need clarity, or validation, keep reading.
(By the way, if you’re interested in getting more help connecting with your Spirit Animal, see my highly-rated Spirit Animal Reading offering!)
Table of contents
- What is a Spirit Animal? (Definition)
- Ancient Origins ( Totemism & Animism )
- Spirit Animals & the Spiritual Awakening Journey
- Spirit Animal, Power Animal, Totem Animal – What’s the Difference?
- 7 Ways to Discover Your Spirit Animal
- 21 Common Spirit Animals
- 5 Ways to Discover Your Spirit Animal’s Lessons (Medicine)
- Spirit Animal Quiz
What is a Spirit Animal? (Definition)
A Spirit Animal is a teacher, messenger, omen, or guide who is there to help you in some area of your life. In shamanic cultures, spirit animals are thought to be the literal spirits of animals that we either inherit, are born with, or adopt during life. However, in various schools of psychology, Spirit Animals are thought to be the archetypal or symbolic manifestations of the primal psyche. Regardless of what philosophy you subscribe to, Spirit Animals are powerful allies that connect us with our Souls and Higher Purpose.
Ancient Origins (Totemism & Animism)
Animals share with us the privilege of having a soul.
– Pythagoras
The notion of having a Spirit Animal draws its origins from ancient Animistic and Totemistic beliefs about the world and our connection to it.
Totemism is a system of belief practiced by groups such as the Native American or Australian Aboriginal peoples who carry the philosophy 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.
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Animism, on the other hand, is a world view held by many Buddhist, Shinto, Pagan, and Neopagan groups of people, that all plants, animals, and objects have spirits. To the Animists, we are part of nature, rather than being superior to nature, or separate from nature. As such, it’s common to see the inclusion of Spirit Animals within this worldview.
Spirit Animals & the Spiritual Awakening Journey
Spirit Animals are powerful allies on our spiritual awakening journeys as they help us to reconnect with our Souls. As the essence of an animal is raw, pure, and untainted by the issues that human beings undergo, they can help us tune into our authentic, untamed nature.
Spirit Animals embody their Souls (their unique expression of the Divine) completely and utterly. They’re not burdened with an ego that feels small, separate, and defensive against Life. As such, our Spirit Animal can teach us lessons surrounding courage, empowerment, interconnectedness, letting go, learning to love fully, and finding freedom.
It’s common for those beginning this journey of Soul Embodiment to experience synchronicities, spiritual signs, and omens connected with their Spirit Animal.
Spirit Animal, Power Animal, Totem Animal – What’s the Difference?
These terms are often used interchangeably, but there’s a difference. Put simply:
- A Spirit Animal refers to an ally who helps teach/guide you.
- A Power Animal refers to a creature that empowers you.
- A Totem Animal refers to a creature that is inherited (ancestrally or as part of a tribe/clan).
While a Power animal can be invoked or called upon, it’s often thought that a Spirit Animal chooses you (and the same applies to the Totem Animal).
7 Ways to Discover Your Spirit Animal
At this point, you may be wondering, “okay, so how do I discover my spirit animal?” Here are some powerful approaches:
1. Spend more time outdoors
This helps you to forge a greater connection to nature which you’ll need to identify your Spirit Animal.
2. Pay attention to the animals appearing in your life
Do any particular animals keep emerging? It’s said that if a particular animal continuously appears in your daily life, this is an indication that your Spirit Animal is trying to contact you. For instance, a certain animal could repeatedly show up on your daily walks, in the books you read, TV shows you watch, or pictures you glimpse.
3. Pay attention to the animals appearing in your dream life
Spirit Animals are also said to contact us in our dreams. Look out for animals that seem to persistently appear while you sleep – this could be a sign that your Spirit Animal is trying to manifest itself to you.
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4. Be aware of the unusual behavior of animals around you
Does a particular animal run up to you, make strange noises around you, or otherwise display strange behavior patterns in your presence? This could be a strong indication of your Spirit Animal trying to contact or form a connection with you.
5. Think about what animals you have always been attracted to
Are you drawn to any particular animal, either out of fear or adoration? This could reveal an unconscious connection to your Spirit Animal.
6. Try meditation
Our Spirit Animals often reveal themselves during practices such as meditation because the mind because still. If you don’t often meditate, or if you would like assistance, there are many free meditation videos on YouTube.
7. Keep a journal
Record what animals you encounter in your meditations, dreams, and waking life. Look for patterns or recurrences of a specific animal or animals. Learn more about how to journal.
(Bonus) 8. Get a Spirit Animal Reading
There are many intuitive souls out there who are able to help you connect with your spirit animal. I am honored to offer this service myself, and I have done so for many years now. You can get your own Spirit Animal Reading here!
21 Common Spirit Animals
While ther’s nearly an endless array of Spirit Animal guides out there, there are some that tend to continually emerge. I’ll list them below:
- Bear (strength, confidence)
- Butterfly (personal transformation)
- Cat (independence, curiosity)
- Coyote (playfulness, adaptability)
- Crow (vision, intelligence)
- Deer (innocence, gentleness)
- Dog (loyalty, love)
- Dragonfly (transformation, adaptability)
- Fox (agility, awareness)
- Frog (rebirth, renewal)
- Hawk (focus, leadership)
- Horse (freedom, passion)
- Hummingbird (positivity, playfulness)
- Lion (strength, courage)
- Owl (wisdom, intuition)
- Rabbit (abundance, vulnerability)
- Sheep (vulnerability, innocence)
- Snake (healing, transformation)
- Spider (creativity, receptivity)
- Tiger (willpower, aggression)
- Turtle (determination, persistence)
- Wolf (intelligence, freedom)
5 Ways to Discover Your Spirit Animal’s Lessons (Medicine)
Once you have discovered what your Spirit Animal/s is, a common question to ask is “what’s next?” How can you harness the new knowledge of your Animal Teacher to benefit your life? Here are a variety of ways to learn from your Spirit Animal:
1. Discover its symbolic wisdom (or ‘medicine’)
Each Spirit Animal has strengths and weaknesses which are important for you to learn about, as they directly apply to your life. The better you understand the symbolic meaning of your Animal Teacher, the better you will come to understand yourself and what you need to improve or change in your life.
2. Apply your newfound wisdom
Learning about your Spirit Animal will help you to learn more about yourself, and will consequently help you to make important decisions, deal with difficult situations and people, and reach your personal goals and aspirations. Reflect on the three main ways you can apply what you’ve learned to your life (short-term, medium-term, and long-term).
3. Don’t humanize your Spirit Animal
Anthropomorphizing (aka. humanizing) your guide will do nothing but silence their unique way of expressing themselves. To be open and receptive to your Spirit Animal’s message, you’ll need to embrace their exclusive language and form of self-expression first. To be receptive to your Spirit Animal and embrace their authentic being, take some time to observe them. Either observe them in nature (if they live in your vicinity) or watch them online. Take notes if needed.
4. Pay attention to when your Spirit Animal appears in your life
Be aware of dreams, or real-life occurrences in which your Spirit Animal manifests itself. Also, remember that your Spirit Animal can choose to manifest itself in a very subtle way; for instance, in poems, a song, or even a picture in a book or poster in the street. Our Animal Teachers are thought to serve as both omens, as well as messengers and guides. So consider the following question in your daily life:
- What feelings do you experience when your Spirit Animal appears in your life? For example, do foreboding or comforting feelings arise within you?
- What message does your Spirit Animal appear to be communicating to you?
- Is your Spirit Animal trying to lead you in a certain direction?
5. Honor your Spirit Animal
Shamans believe that by honoring and venerating your Spirit Animal, you grow and gain a deeper connection to them. Many people like showing respect to their Animal Teachers by placing objects of the same species around their houses (like feathers, skulls, statues). Others like wearing symbols of their Spirit Animals on their bodies (amulets, pendants, etc.). Simply saying “thank you” and being grateful is sufficient.
Spirit Animal Quiz
If you’d like more guidance and support in connecting with your spirit animal, you might like to take our free spirit animal quiz. This test can help you connect with either your temporary animal ally (who is helping you in this specific period of life) or even your long-term animal ally (who has accompanied you since birth). As always, take it with a grain of salt and have fun!
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Since the dawn of time, Spirit Animals have been summoned to help us learn vital lessons, make important decisions, and grow significantly at a Soulful level. From the Native Americans and their totem animals to the animistic beliefs of indigenous Africans, Indians, Asians, and South Americans, animals have been revered for hundreds of thousands of years.
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All of us have at least one spiritual connection to another physical being such as a particular animal or plant species.
I hope this article has illuminated and inspired you.
If you have any comments, experiences, or opinions that you would like to add, please feel free to share them below.
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I didn’t realize until I read your article that my animal is the dragonfly. The reason I believe this is that for the past 2 0r 3 years when I go outside to do anything, I’ll see one or two flitting around and the longer I’m out the more come to see me. I feel as if they are welcoming me into their tribe and are letting me know this. Once I acknowledge them, I feel peace. I’ve never felt threatened or that they carry bad tidings. It has always been a reminder I think, that we are all here for a reason.
I dream about bees all the time and they always seem to be around me wherever I go
Turtle, Owl, Tiger and Orangutan are totems for me.
There is a book called “Animal Speak” by Ted Andrews that is a wonderful resource and speaks of the spiritual and magical powers of animals and talks about more than 100 animals, birds, insects and reptiles. It is a great read for the experienced and uninitiated alike.
I’m not sure what my spirit guide is but these are some things that fascinates me or I’m naturally drawn to it or appeared in my life often.
1. Oceans. Gloomy days, sunless day with dark clouds. Whenever I’m by the beach side, observing the oceans, listening to the waves has a calming, energizing effect on me. Same during gloomy days. At the same time I’m afraid of actually swimming into seas.
2. Wales. Particularly Blue Whales. While I have not personally seen one. But I remembered when I first saw its images / videos about it, I thought it was very beautiful, tho it was not,if you compare it to like orcas. I also feel calm looking at it. I have also always wished to one day go on a whale watching trips.
3. Snails. It’s slow moving motion has a lot of similarity in how I go about my life. I like it slow n steady, ya know like remember to smell the roses while you are on the go. I have a particular interest in it so much so I nicknamed myself snailgirl, I even at 1 point in my life sign of my drawings with a snail sign!
4. Dogs. I grew up with dogs around my house. Whenever I visit clients/friends house with dogs, they always are very friendly with me, even those fierce with strangers warmed up to me instantly. I remember 1 time went to my hubby’s relative’s house first time. They had this huge Rottweiler call Tiger. Even their sons r afraid of it. But when I first saw Tiger, all I saw was a gentle, cute soul in a large fierce body waiting to be pet n played with. What surprises me was, while I was sitting inside the hall, near the glass door, Tiger was right outside chilling. Suddenly, he just threw me his favorite chewing bones, as tho indicating he wants to play with me! So I threw it back to him playfully, he was so happy. As we r leaving, I went to say goodbye to Tiger, pet him a bit n he just gave me his huge heavy paw asking for more! I’m glad I met Tiger and interacted with him coz not long after he was put to sleep due to old age :'(
5. Cats. I never have good,impression bout cats until I met my first cat. She was rescued by my bro in law after it got hit n left on road side. I took charge to care for it and eventually became my pet till today because they were clueless about pets. What special is, I felt we bonded immediately. She was lost twice n I found her just by her voice. Cats all sounded pretty similar, but somehow during that 2 instances, I instinctively recognized that it was her call for me. I also have some interesting encounter with stray cats. 1 time while dining out on a roadside stall (I’m from Malaysia), suddenly a stray cat around the area just decided to jump up to my chair and snuggled comfortably on the tiny space behind me. I just let it be n continued my meal. Another time, as I was walking up my apartment, the neighborhood cat suddenly came I front of me rolled on the floor n showed me its belly! How cute! Another 2 times was a kitten just sprint out of nowhere towards me wanting to play! 1 of it a black kitten with 1 of its eye still closed followed me into the lift n wanted to go into my house too! Too bad I can’t take in extra cats… But I find it peculiar…
6. Spiders. I’m afraid of it because I’m scared it jumps onto me n bite me etc. Otherwise, whenever I saw it, I just keep telling them to go away n leave me alone if they do not want to be squashed lol.. I have lots N lots of long leg spiders in my bathroom now. No matter how I vaccum the place clean, they just keeps coming back!! Don’t know what to do with them..
As cat represent independent and curiosity, it resonates a lot with me as I could travel alone anywhere n be fine n I’m curious in a lot if things tho I might not openly show it. Spider represent creativity and receptiveness. As I’m a makeup artist, sometime I feels that I have yet to reach my full potential creative wise. So not sure if these spiders has any indications to it?
I have not seen much of these animal/insect in my dream other than my late dog n current cat. In both dreams where they appear, it was about them getting killed. I was so sad in the dream n literally cried n wet my pillows!
How/what do you think they r trying to show me, Luna, Sol? Hope you guys can do some online counselling/guidance service so that i could get some answers from you guys :)
Love ur post I can relate as I stated in a previous comment my “family symbol” is the butterfly which relates but my true spirit animal is the wolf I have a deep connection to my dog Sadie but to dogs in general I think animals r attracted to empath personality types and make them feel at ease and I’m sure (not speaking for everyone of course) but since we are on this website we r spiritual and I have to assume a lot of us (like myself) have some degree of “witch essence” to us which makes these bonds with animals stronger and makes the spirit guide attraction even stronger with these animals they can sense that in us and know we are unique and different from “run of the mill every day average” people it’s kind of amazing it’s like we are on a plain a little bit different than others which leads to the magnetism with animals and nature which can only help us in our journey and enlightenment and makes for wonderful bonding relationships with these little furry souls it’s amazing and at least for me, brings comfort that we are a part of a much bigger picture but in our own way are still making a positive and living impact in an often cold and cruel world even if it’s just bringing little slices of happiness here and there to animals and people in need of a deeper other worldly connection that is very rare especially in the hustle and bustle of modern times where everything is “loud” and fast paced we can sometimes be the eye of the storm and that’s priceless idk if anyone will get the reference but I often look to Misty Day (AHS) as what I aspire to be like
I have always been drawn to wolves and have always felt, I guess a kindredness to them. I find them to be majestic. K9s have always loved me and I them. They seem to listen to me, and follow me. As I stated in the comment box up top of this page. I did your meditation and as I sat in this forest type setting a really big wolf came to me and allowed me to pet him. I actually caught chills as he stared back into my eyes, but not fear chills. I honestly can’t explain it. When I mentally asked him my question, he licked my face. Is there any insight you can share with me on this?
According to this article, the spider is my spirit animal. I am deathly scared of spiders though. They make me feel faint when I see them. I often have dreams that involve spiders. I also have problems sharing my creativity with others and being receptive. I crave artistic expression and to be a “receiver” but it scares me.
I have had reaccuring dreams of snakes in a pit since I was a child. I also am deathly afraid!
I have recently felt a want for the wolf to bond with me. I fell drawn to it. I want the ‘Wolf Spirit’ to guide me. I feel like i’m a lone self fighting the odds. I feel like i need to break free from the ideologies of society.
Around where I live there are some wolves. But, frequently there have been this one particular wolf that I have encountered atleast once a day last 2 weeks. We keep our distance but, I feel strongly that the wolf and me have grown more attached to each other. It’s a large grey male wolf. He hasn’t shown any sign of aggression or fear, but more like friendly and courious. It may sound strange but, I feel like it’s me in wolf skin. I am often outdoors and I see alot of wolves, but this one is special. Sorry for some rusty english. And I am a frim believer in animal spirits.
I feel connected with the wolf, but I’m not over protective of my family or friends, only wen there’s a problem and me needing to protect the enemy and my friends. I usually feel guilty not helping people that need help and people tell me to not to look at them but I feel even guiltier even more. I’m not territorial I usually hide the true me from my friends,but wen I’m alone I feel free and do dare devil stunts and I am smart but not that much. I also get along better with boys than with girls but I’m a girl. And I am a little violent. I usually don’t like quiet,but in the night I love how its so quiet.
I am not sure what my spirit animal is so can you give me some recommendations of animals?
Thank you!
I’ve always been drawn to horses, foxes, and wolves. It’s like something within them pulls me to them. I’ve always been really good with horses, almost like we share a common wavelength or something. I’m just now exploring the realm of spirit animal guides and energies and it makes so much more sense. Thanks for this lovely post.
**Sorry about the image attached I thought it was for a profile picture… Whoops.