Find Your Animal Spirit Guides
Many people enjoy looking into the symbology of animals, but few are aware of the origins, scope and depth of the benefits in which animal guides are capable of supporting you. Many ancient civilizations believed that humans did not stand superior to nature’s inhabitants but revered each as brothers and sisters, coexisting for each other’s benefit. Each member of Mother Earth had something valuable to contribute to the collective knowledge and ancient civilizations were well aware of this.
What is Animism?
Animism is said to be the seed of most spiritual and religious thought: animism is the concept that everything in nature has consciousness and spirit (soul) which survives after its hosts’ destruction, prevalent in ancient times. In the Chinese ancient art of Feng Shui the three principles of Chi holds that everything is alive, connected and ever-changing.
Native Americans traditionally honored everything of Earth and Sky: through observations, they gained intimate knowledge of the world they lived in.
Recent interest in Animal Spirits, Spirit Guides and Animal “Totems” is bringing about the resurgence of the deeper study into the guidance of animals and the knowledge that they hold for us. These familiar titles are often used indiscriminately and interchangeably, causing confusion as to which animal guide helps when and for how long in our lives. How are all these animal energies fitting into our lives to guide us? Are there different categories of animal guidance and when and where do they help us?
Misconceptions: Animal Guides Versus Totem Poles
Totem Animals should not be confused with totem poles. Totem poles were important to the Native American tribes of southeastern Alaska and the Pacific Northwest. Cedar was usually the tree of choice. Most totem poles either represented 1) the status or lineage of a family, clan or tribe; or 2) a recorded history or a tribal legend that was previously handed down orally which conveyed a life lesson, similar to ancient myths. Some totem poles were said to be made as commemorative works of art for major achievements or celebrations.
A totem pole did not represent a person’s Personal Animal Guides. As a rule, an individual’s Animal Guides were not presented in such a public display as a totem pole. However, Personal Animal Guides could be displayed on one’s own personal medicine shield. Medicine shields should not be confused with war shields or medicine circles/wheels.
A war shield was a tool used for protection during confrontations with enemies to deflect airborne objects and could have contained some portrayal of strong and ferocious animals. Medicine circles are used by medicine men/women as a spiritual tool of healing for a person, clan or tribe. Depending on the circumstances, medicine circles may contain drawings or parts of animals used for the purpose of healing. After healing ceremonies were completed, all traces of the circle were erased.
The vision boards of today can be considered a modern day, watered-down version of the Personal Medicine Shields of the Native American. Both contain symbolic objects and images which reflects one personal vision of what is needed or desired to be achieved. A vision board can include elements of the spiritual whereas a medicine shield, rooted in societies where all living is spiritual in nature, is considered one’s own spiritual path. A medicine shield contains drawn symbols and most likely will be adorned with herbs, plants, parts of animals (teeth, feathers, etc.) or any other reflection of the natural world around the owner. Every piece of one’s own personal shield conveys messages and reminders obtained through spirit guides and/or visions to the owner of the best person that he can be and what may need to be worked on.
In the vernacular of animal guidance speak, Totem refers to an animal spirit guide which has a prominent position in an individual’s personal growth pathway.
A great many of Native American tribes believed there to be nine animal spirit guides holding prominent positions within the individual’s personal makeup. This can be similarly thought of in the same way in which an archetype is thought to hold a position in one’s personality.
Discover Your Animal Spirit Guides
The first four Personal Spirit Animal Guides position themselves in the four directions: East, South, West and North. You can now more clearly understand the greater similarity to a personal medicine shield than to a totem pole. Each direction holds entrance into your personal growth and understanding of your being and the world around you.
East
As the sun illuminates the day rising in the East, the East Spirit Guide illuminates your personal path. A traveling animal companion helps you see your spiritual challenges more clearly, leading you to spiritual awakening.
South
Your South Spirit Animal holds the place for emotional wisdom and protectd the delicate inner child within. They help you claim who you really are amidst the ever shifting emotional waters of living life. This spirit teaches you the benefits of whom to trust, when and in what situations. Another function of this Animal Guide is to teach the qualities of humility.
West
The Spirit Guide in the West direction helps you to dig deeper to find your personal truths, locate your inner answers, listen to your intuition and clarify your goals. This is sometimes the one guiding you through a midlife crisis.
North
The life lesson of when to speak and when to listen, a quality of true wisdom, finds its place in the north direction. The North Animal Spirit Guide pushes you to express yourself and at times can stand in your way, making you stop and listen to others. They also teach the important quality of gratefulness, which can take you a long way on your path.
The next three positions can be compared to Father Sky, Mother Earth and the True Self:
Above
In our modern world, it may be harder to trust that there is a Great Universal Spirit or Source; Native Americans referred to it as Father Sky or The Great Spirit. The Animal Spirit Guide holding the above position can help you believe in Great Universal Spirit, as well as to believe the messages you are receiving to help you along your path or to help others. This animal teaches you to honor Father Sky and protects your subconscious mind that is in receipt of important messages.
Below
This Animal Spirit Guide leads you to Mother Earth and teaches you the importance of staying grounded while you are living your life. When you are not grounded it’s hard to stay firmly walking your true path. Trying to keep you from becoming confused and unfocused at times in your day-to-day life can be a difficult job for this animal guide.
Inside
Having a central position in the picture of your personal medicine shield, the Animal Guide located here is assigned to protect your most inner being. Your true self, someone who is infrequently shared with anyone else, you need this guide to protect your innermost doorway. Only you know the real you, deep down inside, and the work that you still must do to grow. At times this is a heavy weight to carry but this Animal Guide also teaches you the benefits of finding joy wherever you walk to lighten your load.
The last two positions can be compared to your male/female sides of self. These Animal Spirit Guides usually present themselves very early in life and most likely are lifelong companions.
Right Side
Being the male side, this Spirit Animal Guide is most likely the first to show up in your life. Your all-encompassing protector with courageous spirit, he teaches you how to summon the courage inside yourself to face your inner fears and assaults from the outer world.
Left Side
Arriving not long after your right side animal guide, your left side is your female side. This Spirit Animal is nurturing and teaches the nurturing aspects of your life. A true bearer of a constant mother’s love, she teaches you adaptability to life situations and its relationships.
How Do You Find Your Spirit Animals?
As just mentioned, the right and left side Spirit Animal Guides show up early in your lifetime. Think back early in your life: did you have recurring dreams or nightmares as a child which contained a certain animal? Maybe you had an almost obsessive attachment to a certain animal. While on a visit to the zoo (and successive visits) did you spend the longest time watching a particular animal, practically having to be dragged away? Did you collect books about that animal? Or were you fascinated by nature shows or movies which contained a certain animal? Did you have a certain animal showing up frequently in real life for which you had a deep fondness? The first animal appearing to you in this way is your right side. The second animal appearing to you in this manner is your left side.
As you become older you may discover an Animal Spirit showing up as you are working in the areas described in the other seven directions. It may show up in dreams or in meditation where you ask for help in a particular situation. There may be a particular live animal consistently showing up in your life. Or you can use divination tools to reveal the Animal Spirit Guide when you ask for help which reflects a particular direction.
These guides find you: you don’t get to choose your spirit animal guides.
How to Communicate with Your Animal Guides
When you start communicating with spirit animals, try not to approach it with a human point of view. Learn about the animal and its qualities and behaviors. Start thinking like the animal: Become familiar with how they move through their environment, what sounds they make, how they use their senses and what skills they use. What about this animal can protect, guide and/or teach? Once you become closely familiar with the animals you will be increasingly receptive to their telepathic messages. Use your inherent intuitive gifts, as animals do. Remember, as human beings, we are also spirit animals and have the capacity for the same power and gifts.
As you seriously work with Animal Guides to develop life balance and growth along your personal path, these guides see that you are serious about your personal growth. This also increases communication in content and quality. The most common forms of communication with Animal Spirit Guides are through your intuitive gifts, meditation periods, dreams and telepathy. Occasionally a ‘heads up’ shout out is given through an appearance of an actual animal.
This in-depth work also makes you more aware of Animal Messengers that show up to add a certain piece of needed information of any kind. They can show up in real life, briefly in a dream or during a meditation.
When you are at a situation or crossroads in life that may take months or even longer to move through or understand, an Animal Guide may stay with you until this is resolved. A Journey Animal is your companion and guide during a major life change or challenge.
When you repeatedly fall in a pattern of mistakes and negative behaviors, due to holding onto negative qualities, a Shadow Animal Guide may show up in your life. They usually arrive with a “scared straight” approach and blindingly show you the truth of regarding your situation. They challenge you to go deep to find the necessary and often major lifestyle changes required to reorient yourself on a productive growth path. Refusing to change the present lifestyle and ignoring a Shadow Animal’s guidance may lead to severe negative influences showing up in your life.
Show Gratitude to Your Animal Guides
Always remember to thank and honor all Spirit Animals that bring you messages. They are your protectors, teachers and guides. You may additionally show your gratitude for your Personal Spirit Animal Guides through the use of pictures or small statues as a focus point during meditation (or on an altar) or create your own Personal Medicine Shield. Expressing your thanks is always appreciated.
About the Author
What Numerology Is and What It Can Reveal About You
Numerology is a discipline that interprets the meaning of the numbers associated with your birth date and your full name. To do this, it converts letters into numerical values and performs calculations that make it possible to identify key numbers. From these, it is possible to analyze specific aspects of your life, such as your personality, your tendencies, and the stages that repeat over time.
In this article, we explore what numerology is, how it works, and why it is used as a tool for self-knowledge.
Table of Contents
- What Is Numerology and What Is It Used For?
- What You Can Discover Through Numerology
- What Does a Numerology Reading Consist Of?
- Basic Principles of Numerology
- History and Evolution of Numerology
- Numerology as a Tool for Self-Knowledge
What Is Numerology and What Is It Used For?
Numerology is a system that translates your birth date and your full name into numbers with specific meanings. To do this, it assigns a numerical value to each letter and then reduces the figures until reaching simpler numbers, which are the ones that are interpreted.
Based on these results, a reading is constructed that allows you to understand how you think, what motivates you, what your strengths are, and which challenges tend to repeat throughout your life. This information offers a clear framework for observing your experiences and understanding certain personal patterns from another perspective.
In this sense, numerology is used as a tool for self-knowledge. It does not seek to predict the future or provide definitive answers, but rather to help you observe your life more clearly, recognize patterns, and make decisions more consciously.
What You Can Discover Through Numerology
A numerology reading helps you understand your life from a broader and more organized perspective. Instead of seeing your experiences as isolated events, it allows you to identify connections between your way of thinking, your decisions, and the situations that repeat over time. This helps you understand why you react in certain ways and which dynamics influence your daily life.
As you go deeper into this interpretation, you begin to recognize patterns that may previously have gone unnoticed. Numerology organizes that information and presents it clearly, allowing you to make sense of different moments in your life and better understand the processes you are going through.
- Personality and character traits: It allows you to recognize which characteristics define the way you act and respond in different situations. It also helps identify patterns that repeat in your everyday behavior.
- Life purpose and personal path: It points to the general direction of your development and the lessons that appear over time. It functions as a guide to understanding where you naturally tend to move forward.
- Relationships and compatibility: It analyzes the way you connect with other people and which dynamics tend to repeat in your relationships. This brings clarity to both personal and professional connections.
- Life cycles and key moments: It allows you to identify stages in which certain themes become more important. This helps you understand changes, decisions, and processes from a broader perspective.
- Personal challenges and lessons: It identifies difficulties that appear repeatedly and that are part of your process. Understanding them makes it easier to face them with greater clarity.
What Does a Numerology Reading Consist Of?
A numerology reading is based on the creation of a numerology chart, which is a report in which all the numbers obtained from your full name and your birth date are organized. This chart does not analyze the numbers separately, but instead integrates them to show how they relate to one another.
By observing the chart as a whole, it is possible to identify which aspects have the greatest influence on your life, how they relate to each other, and which dynamics are most active in your current moment. This makes it possible to obtain a more structured view of your personality, your motivations, and your processes.
Within this chart, there are certain numbers that function as the main axes of interpretation:
- Life number: It represents the general direction of your journey and the main lessons that appear over time. It allows you to understand the type of path you are following.
- Soul number: It is related to your inner motivations and to what gives meaning to your life on a personal level. It reflects a more intimate part of yourself that is not always visible to others.
- Personality number: It shows the image you project and how you are usually perceived in different environments. It influences the way you relate to other people.
- Destiny or expression number: It indicates your abilities, talents, and possibilities for growth. It points to the ways in which you can move forward and make the most of your resources.
- Personal year: It describes the predominant energy of the current period. It helps explain why certain themes or experiences have a stronger presence at this moment.
Basic Principles of Numerology
Numerology is based on the idea that numbers can be used as a language to interpret reality. Beyond their practical use, each number represents a specific quality that helps describe tendencies, behaviors, and ways of experiencing different situations. From this perspective, numbers become a useful tool for organizing and making sense of what happens in personal life.
This system is based on the notion that there is an order that structures both the universe and the human experience. Numerology takes this principle and applies it to the individual, using the numbers that arise from your personal data to identify patterns that are not always obvious at first glance, but that influence how certain processes unfold.
From there, numbers are interpreted within a symbolic framework that gives them meaning. Each one is associated with specific characteristics that, when analyzed together, make it possible to build a clearer understanding of different aspects of life. This approach does not seek to simplify experience, but rather to offer a structure that helps make sense of it with greater coherence and depth.
In the Numerology episode of the series The Other Side, available on Gaia, it is explored how numbers and their patterns have been used in different traditions to interpret reality and understand the human experience. Far from being presented as a form of fortune-telling, numerology is introduced as a tool for self-knowledge that allows people to identify personal tendencies, recognize patterns, and understand how certain dynamics influence the way each person lives and relates to the world.
History and Evolution of Numerology
Numerology has very ancient roots and has evolved over time through different cultural traditions. Although today it is presented as a tool for self-knowledge, its origins are linked to philosophical, spiritual, and mathematical systems that sought to explain the order of the world through numbers.
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Numerology in Ancient Civilizations
The earliest forms of numerology can be traced back to civilizations such as the Egyptian, Babylonian, and Chinese cultures, where numbers were already considered more than simple counting tools. In these contexts, they were given symbolic meaning and used to interpret natural phenomena, important decisions, and aspects of everyday life.
In many of these cultures, numbers were linked to religious and cosmological beliefs. They were thought to reflect fundamental principles of the universe and to provide access to deeper knowledge about reality and humanity’s place within it.
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Pythagoras and Modern Numerology
One of the most influential figures in the development of numerology was Pythagoras, a Greek philosopher and mathematician from the 6th century BC. His approach went beyond traditional mathematics: he considered numbers to be the foundation of all reality and believed that everything could be explained through numerical relationships.
Based on his teachings, a system was developed that connects numbers with letters and makes it possible to analyze personal aspects through a person’s name and birth date. This approach is the foundation of much of modern numerology and remains one of the most widely used methods today.
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How the Different Types of Numerology Emerged
Over time, numerology adapted to different cultural and spiritual traditions, giving rise to different systems of interpretation. Each of them developed its own rules, calculation methods, and ways of understanding the meaning of numbers according to the context in which they emerged.
Although they all share a common foundation, these systems may differ in the way they assign values to letters, interpret numbers, or apply their principles to personal analysis. This explains why there are different branches within numerology, each with its own approach.
- Kabbalistic numerology: It is based on the tradition of the Kabbalah and the interpretation of sacred texts. It uses the name as the central element for analyzing identity and life purpose.
- Chaldean numerology: It originated in ancient Babylon and focuses on the vibration of numbers more than on their mathematical value. It is considered one of the oldest and most precise forms of numerology.
- Tantric numerology: It comes from spiritual traditions of India and is related to the development of consciousness. It integrates numbers as a way of understanding the balance between body, mind, and energy.
Numerology as a Tool for Self-Knowledge
Numerology is not intended to reveal your future, but rather to help you better understand what you are already experiencing. Its value does not lie in predicting anything, but in offering you a framework from which to better interpret what you think, feel, and decide at different moments in your life.
When you analyze your numbers, you do not obtain fixed answers, but rather a clearer way of reading your own experience. You begin to recognize which dynamics repeat themselves, which aspects have the greatest influence on your decisions, and why certain stages feel like turning points. That understanding changes the way you relate to what happens to you.
This approach does not seek to simplify life or reduce it to a formula, but rather to organize the information that is already present. In doing so, it allows you to take a step back, see patterns more clearly, and avoid automatic interpretations that often generate confusion or unnecessary noise.
In this way, numerology functions as a tool for self-knowledge applicable to everyday life. It does not seek to tell you what to do or define a single path, but it does offer a structure that allows you to better understand yourself and move through your own processes with greater clarity.
