Very interesting thread, it's fascinating to read how many people experience animal guides! Personally, I started opening myself up to my own animal guides when I began meditating on a regular basis, back in 2012 (now saying that I realize that although I meditate for a short period daily, I'm due for some quality and proper meditation soon). By connecting with my spirituality, I not only connected with my animal guides, but I also realized some of them had appeared in my life before I was even aware of them on a conscious level. Since I live in the city, it is hard to catch a glimpse of wild animals, however they did appear in an unexpected manner; in my art and creative inspiration! I was left with a sense of awe when I connected the dots and when they came to me in several lucid dreams and night dreams.
My main guide is the golden eagle, strong and free, but there is also the elk which is very present and carries the essence of compassion, gratitude, nature as well as an open heart. I've also met several others: the fox, the humming bird, the tiger (that one was a surprise for me!), the bear and the orca. In life as in dreams, I also have a certain reverence for crows which sometimes show up as clever messengers, and travellers to the shadow world. In self-healing, I interact with butterflies, pouring out of a wound or dark spot; they represent for me transformed energy, and they fly back to the original light source.
I find animals to be a very beautiful and efficient form for spirit to take, as I feel it is intimately connected to mother earth. It feels grounding.
My main guide is the golden eagle, strong and free, but there is also the elk which is very present and carries the essence of compassion, gratitude, nature as well as an open heart. I've also met several others: the fox, the humming bird, the tiger (that one was a surprise for me!), the bear and the orca. In life as in dreams, I also have a certain reverence for crows which sometimes show up as clever messengers, and travellers to the shadow world. In self-healing, I interact with butterflies, pouring out of a wound or dark spot; they represent for me transformed energy, and they fly back to the original light source.
I find animals to be a very beautiful and efficient form for spirit to take, as I feel it is intimately connected to mother earth. It feels grounding.