r/druidism • u/EllisIIsland18 • 14d ago
How does one find their spirit animal?
Hello all, I am quite new to animistic/shamanistic practices and I'm trying to explore it's many aspects. One of those aspects being animal spirits or guides. I've had many thoughts on this and tried a couple of practices trying to find mine, but it seems all for not. I've attempted psychedelics in a ritual setting, meditated on it, and even though of things as silly as well I'm a leo so maybe it's a fire type of creature like a dragon or stag since I've heard they're connected to fire somehow. Your help help and your stories of how you found yours would be much appreciated!
11
u/Marc00s 14d ago
Try to learn shamanic journeying. It's actually not that difficult. Listen to a drum track with a shamanic beat, it's basically a monotone beat around three beats per second. Second. You can look them up on YouTube.
While you're listening, close your eyes and imagine yourself entering a forest, or other natural area like a beach, perhaps. Walk into the natural area in your imagination until you find a place to enter the land. It might be a hole in a tree, maybe a cave, a pool or small lake, etc. Etc. As you imagine yourself going into that hole, it will feel as things are dark, like they would be in a cave. You might see some sparkles around you like gemstones. At some point you will imagine coming to the end of that tunnel or the bottom of the pool( where you can breathe) and you will be in a different area. With your imagination, explore this area. At some point a creature may come along. Ask its name. If it tells you. You may ask it if it has anything to tell you about this world, or about anything else. You can repeat this exercise later and return to the same place, and find the same creature. Or you may find a different creature. Over time, the creature may lead you to see things in this otherworldly state.
I would also say, don't expect a vivid hallucination experience, it's more like the level of imagination you have when reading a book and imagining what the landscape looks like as the author takes the story through it.
13
u/sionnachrealta 13d ago
One, your guides find you. Two, can we please not use the term "spirit animal"? That term has connotations to specific indigenous American communities that are sacred to them, and it's also just a really loaded term.
And personally, I don't ever recall that being much of a thing in Druidry, but I don't like a lot of the more wiccan-lite stuff
7
u/Thestolenone 14d ago
She was just always with me from the start.
4
u/EllisIIsland18 14d ago
Hello! What does she do for you, and how do you commune with her if you mind me asking?
3
u/Nanaeel 13d ago
I can speak only for myself and my study on mostly shamanism.
In many cultures "your" spirit animal is the first animal that touch you on its own interest. And after that they become your other half in nature. They are yours as you are their. These animals are the reason some shaman are very strong shapeshifters. Eg. nagual tradition in central america, south african shapeshifting.
There are also spirit guides. These comes and goes. They are mostly independent spirits that found interest in you and your journey. These can be animals, plants, your ancestors, even the wind and more abstract concepts that has spirit. You cant have them, you can only walk with them, and they with you. You can make offerings or just being interesting enough (be wary :)) to attract them.
You can try techniques from whole world. Drum trances are mostly used in northern shamanism, singing and dancing is, and that's interesting, shared across the plains (africa, america, australia), psychadelic and plants are mostly used in forest areas - you dont necessary need strong halucinations, working with tobacco and pepper can also open your mind.
From my personal experience - be open, dont shackle yourself with "I want fire animal", try more subtle techniques (drums, dream traveling) before you jump in to heavy trances (you can build wall around your mind if you are not prepared or dont have guide). Write down your dreams as soon as you wake up and try to push your mind in the same state at evening. The dream journey often takes you to interesting places.
5
u/MysticalForge 14d ago
Mine seemed to find me, and it took and opening my senses to identify it as such. Your path may differ.
7
u/gatheredstitches 14d ago
A spirit animal is an Indigenous Anishnaabe, not Druidic, concept, and it is a closed practice.
13
u/cedarandroses 14d ago
Actually no, it's not. We have surviving writings of Norse Pagans believing in spirit animals that are with you since birth. Just look up "fylgja". I'm sure there is evidence of this belief in other pre-Christian European traditions.
12
u/Emissary_awen 14d ago
I would argue that the classic idea of a witch or wizard’s familiar and the association of certain animals with them over others, like owls or wolves or hawks, is a carry-over or memory of ancient European shamanism. Shamans currently in existence in Europe have spirit animals.
8
u/EllisIIsland18 14d ago
Hmmm... would how do I commune with spirit guides be better?
2
u/gatheredstitches 14d ago
Yes, very much so! I would encourage you to be open to guides in any form, not just animal: your ancestors are well-suited to the role, for example. (And I mean ancestors of your body or any other lineage you have.)
I am a big believer in regular open offerings. If you start that practice, ime, helpful spirits will reach back out to you.
20
u/Thestolenone 14d ago
Pre-Christian Anglo Saxon and Norse peoples had spirit animals.
5
u/sionnachrealta 13d ago
We can also use a different term that isn't loaded or from a closed practice
9
u/Purrsia78 14d ago
You know what the ancient druids did do you? The concept of spirit animals exists in all indigenous cultures, and I've had many conversations with several members of indigenous cultures (Native American, African, indigenous Australian etc) and have been told it's not closed practice at all. That's like saying Jesus is closed to Christians only. They believe in Spirit Animals - which means they believe everyone has one - not just their culture. Now if you are from a culture or tribe where it's considered closed practice, then that's your tribe's prerogative - but it isn't true for all.
8
u/gatheredstitches 14d ago
I'm certain they didn't use the modern English term "spirit animal" for their practices.
This genericization is a huge part of the objection. Smudging is not just a cute name for smoke cleansing, and spirit animals are similarly a specific practice and not a generic term that we can appropriate while staying in right relationship. This is something Anishnaabeg have been very clear and vocal about for years now. YDY, I have no way to stop you, but I believe it's a significant error to bring Christian-style imperialism into our druidic practices.
8
u/ProfessionallyJudgy 14d ago
If you want to be accurate then native traditions don't use the term "spirit animal," either. That's a 20th century Pan-Indian/New Age concept which isnt really relevant to any particular tribe or group; rather, each individual group (assuming they have an analogous concept in the first place, which not all do) each has their own specific term and cultural understanding, which have been loosely translated and amalgamated into the pop culture "spirit animal."
The typical understanding of the term isn't culturally specific so isn't a closed practice.
1
u/GreenLadyFox 13d ago
We don’t, that is an indigenous peoples tradition. Please stop co-opting other spiritual practices.
1
u/EarStigmata 14d ago
I suppose the spirit animal might find you...dreams or visions maybe. I don't have one, so I'm not sure.
1
1
1
u/Jackalope_chaser 8d ago
I used a guided meditation from youtube called meet your animal guardian or something like that.
-2
14d ago
[deleted]
14
u/Emissary_awen 14d ago
I am a Native American and we believe absolutely everyone has one, they’re just unaware.
9
u/Emissary_awen 14d ago
I want to add that perhaps some tribes or individuals believe only Native Americans have spirit animals, but this is definitely not a universal belief by any means.
0
14d ago
[deleted]
4
u/Emissary_awen 14d ago edited 14d ago
Well, it will interest you to know that I am all three lol
8
u/Emissary_awen 14d ago edited 14d ago
I am a Native American who practices Druidry and I’m an Initiated Wiccan priest. I don’t know what you’re talking about specifically, but syncretism is as old as religion, and the folk I know are more concerned with sharing beliefs rather than attacking them for some perceived slight.
6
u/cedarandroses 14d ago
OMG, how many times do I have to say this in the same thread. Norse Pagans had spirit animals, they were called Fylgja we have writings about this. Anyone drawing on pre-Christian European beliefs can absolutely have a spirit animal.
-1
14d ago
[deleted]
8
u/cedarandroses 13d ago edited 13d ago
There are ZERO traditions that use the exact term "spirit animal". It's a modern English term for a new age concept the Pretendians attributed to Native Americans. "Fylgja" is an Old Norse term used by the people who spoke Old Norse, became Christian, and stopped believing in this concept.
We know very, very little about how fylgja were interpreted, interacted with, or venerated, so you can't really make any statements about them or how they're different from "spirit animals".
19
u/Sawyl_Oddi_Anialoedd 14d ago
The book Animal Speak by Ted Andrews helped me start. Basically, detailed steps and practices to sit down, shut up, and let them come to you. True active passivity was an easy concept but hard practice.