Is there a difference between Power Animal, Totem Animal, Animal Ally and Familiar or are they one in the same?
A Power Animal, Totem Animal or Animal Ally are one in the same. They are animals that we tend to have an attraction to or who are called to us by an emotional need within us and appear to us in dreams, meditations, visions and mundane life. They reflect our inner spiritual nature and allow us to understand our past while revealing our future spiritual goals with visions of how our life could be if we lived with honest thoughts and emotions. As we focus on the attributes of our totems we internalize their traits and begin externalizing their character. It is possible to have several totem animals around us at various times in our lives or alternating totem animals due to the growth we do as we travel our individual spiritual path.
They are channeled energy frequencies that we tap into and work with to
strengthen and empower our own inner self. By doing this we empower and strengthen the union between our sacred selves and Mother Earth as well as our relationships with each other. As we understand our own Animal Ally we can see how it interacts with others. This insight will enable us to appreciate the dynamics of our relationships and aid us in nurturing a lasting foundation on which other relationships can be built.
A Familiar is different from the above-mentioned animals. A Familiar is a single specific animal that resides here on this physical plane. The spirit of the ally can exist in the familiar animal’s body or in a blended consciousness when the familiar is not working on the spiritual plane. For example, a cat spirit ally “lives” in my cat, Alchemy when not shamanically working with me on another plane. This is Alchemy’s animal soul. I happen to believe that the soul that dwells in Alchemy is actually the spirit of my previous cat, Bandit. This means that my familiar is Alchemy and not every cat I see.
Originally I believed that all three labels: Power Animals, Totem Animals and Familiars were interchangeable however, I come to understand the difference especially after working with these particular magickal animals in my practice. For me, I have worked and am currently working with a number of Animal Allies some of which I will share with you here:
The Cricket
The cricket is associated with the lunar energies of intuition and sensitivity. Logic is balanced with intuition when this energy is fully developed; underdeveloped the individual becomes a victim of circumstance and emotional discord. Crickets teach us how to be resourceful and leap over difficult situations effortlessly landing in a pleasing environment. The cricket’s warning chirp of coming storms can be symbolic of emotional, mental or physical challenges approaching. The cricket is a powerful ally that embodies faith and trust.
The Cat
The cat is associated with myth and lore, magic and mystery. They are curious, independent clever, unpredictable and healing. Since the cat is at home in the dark, which is associated with fears, they are valuable allies in the world of the supernatural as guardians and protectors against negative energies. The energy field of a cat rotates in a counterclockwise direction, which is the opposite of a human energy field. Because of this, cats have the ability to absorb and neutralize energy that affects humans in a negative way.
The Ladybug
The ladybug is associated with the energies of renewal and regeneration. They teach us how to release our worry to the universe and enjoy our life to the fullest. Those with this totem are usually family oriented with strong morals and social values. Ladybugs have keen instincts and feel vibrations though their legs enabling them to sense the energy of whatever they touch. Since the name ladybug originated in the middle ages with “the beetle of our lady”, they are associated with religion or the church. It is common for those with this energy to have some form of daily meditation or prayer. They teach us to restore our faith and trust in The Divine. Ladybugs are considered good omens, a messenger of promise.
A Familiar is different from the above-mentioned animals. A Familiar is a single specific animal that resides here on this physical plane. The spirit of the ally can exist in the familiar animal’s body or in a blended consciousness when the familiar is not working on the spiritual plane. For example, a cat spirit ally “lives” in my cat, Alchemy when not shamanically working with me on another plane. This is Alchemy’s animal soul. I happen to believe that the soul that dwells in Alchemy is actually the spirit of my previous cat, Bandit. This means that my familiar is Alchemy and not every cat I see.
Originally I believed that all three labels: Power Animals, Totem Animals and Familiars were interchangeable however, I come to understand the difference especially after working with these particular magickal animals in my practice. For me, I have worked and am currently working with a number of Animal Allies some of which I will share with you here:
The Cricket
The cricket is associated with the lunar energies of intuition and sensitivity. Logic is balanced with intuition when this energy is fully developed; underdeveloped the individual becomes a victim of circumstance and emotional discord. Crickets teach us how to be resourceful and leap over difficult situations effortlessly landing in a pleasing environment. The cricket’s warning chirp of coming storms can be symbolic of emotional, mental or physical challenges approaching. The cricket is a powerful ally that embodies faith and trust.
The Cat
The cat is associated with myth and lore, magic and mystery. They are curious, independent clever, unpredictable and healing. Since the cat is at home in the dark, which is associated with fears, they are valuable allies in the world of the supernatural as guardians and protectors against negative energies. The energy field of a cat rotates in a counterclockwise direction, which is the opposite of a human energy field. Because of this, cats have the ability to absorb and neutralize energy that affects humans in a negative way.
The Ladybug
The ladybug is associated with the energies of renewal and regeneration. They teach us how to release our worry to the universe and enjoy our life to the fullest. Those with this totem are usually family oriented with strong morals and social values. Ladybugs have keen instincts and feel vibrations though their legs enabling them to sense the energy of whatever they touch. Since the name ladybug originated in the middle ages with “the beetle of our lady”, they are associated with religion or the church. It is common for those with this energy to have some form of daily meditation or prayer. They teach us to restore our faith and trust in The Divine. Ladybugs are considered good omens, a messenger of promise.
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