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Animals

As animals and humans have had to exist together from time immemorial, it is not surprising that animals have taken such prominence in our history, our religions, and in our concept of spirituality. Animism is the belief that all things carry life energy—this includes people, animals, rocks, and plants—and that within their own spheres, each grouping can communicate with its own. “Dumb as a rock” takes on new meaning, doesn’t it? If we pay attention and try hard enough, we can communicate with plants and animals, and even work with gems and stones! The Drachenlock caves in Switzerland show altars dedicated to the bear that are 70,000 years old,4 and in the Lascaux caves in France, there are paintings 13,000 years old, and a statue of a ceremonial bear’s body can be found at Montespan. Some historians feel that findings such as these tell us that people have attuned themselves to animal energy in their religious and cultural ceremonies for thousands of years. Others, however, have a different view, especially on the issue of the bear altar found at Drachenlock. In private correspondence, dated 9 August 2002, historian Ronald Hutton states:

The consensus among experts such as Trinkhaus and Stringer is that the bear skulls and altars in the Drachenloch cave were probably rolled together by flood action rather than human beings. There is now no agreement between them as to whether the Neanderthals had any ritual or artistic life at all, and these activities are only clearly apparent from c. 35,000 years ago. By contrast, the paintings of animals at Lascaux are excellent evidence for both art and ritual.

Witches believe that because everything is made up of energy it has a life force, and that the life force of all things is interconnected. In the world’s collective tribal history we used fetishes (objects fashioned of feathers, skins, and bones) in ceremonies to honor our animal brothers and sisters, and in an effort to communicate and bridge the gap between animal and human, human and divine. It was believed that the fetish put you in sympathy with the animal energy. Sympathy, in occult terminology, means “making a connection” or “using items of like mind.” Today, many humans are too busy to pay attention to the gifts of the animals, much less communicate with them on a serious level. The Witch realizes that because we are interconnected, the survival of the planet and of the animals is directly related to our own spiritual welfare.

Native Americans studied nature and learned profound spiritual lessons from her. By studying the connected threads of a spider’s web, they understood that there is one web of life, within which everything is related. Nothing exists alone. They saw that the threads of the web are drawn out from within the spider’s very being, just as Spirit creates the natural world from within itself, and we create our own worlds within our minds.5

Our predecessors, shamans, spirit keepers, magi, priests, and priestesses studied plants and animals not only for mystical purposes but also to learn which plants were safe to eat, and which could be used as medicines. The Native American Indians followed the bear to learn which plants would cure what ailment. The bear was considered the giver of medicine. Animal movements in any area could also warn a tribe of impending danger, and today we know that mass animal movement spells trouble in the environment.

Unlike humans, animals are always in the brain-wave known as alpha, a semi-psychic state. This is why they can sense when you are unhappy, can know when you are on your way home, or even see ghosts! Humans, on the other hand, experience several levels of the mind, and we are in the alpha state only when we are meditating, relaxed, or bored. When you daydream, eat, or watch television, you are usually in the alpha state, which is why you are susceptible to commercials!

It is from our love of animals and the attunement that magickal people seek with them that brought about the Christian belief that Witches have familiars, and during the dark days of the European Inquisition6 many ridiculous stories were extracted from innocent people under torture about their animal friends. Yet in every tribal history we find groups of people gravitating to a particular animal energy, and claiming that animal as a representation of the people. Even in medieval times figures of animals were placed on shields and banners of the most royal, and four of the eight Wiccan and Druid High Holy Days (the fire festivals) are associated with the protection and raising of animals and crops. For over six thousand years, community activities and celebrations on Candlemas (February 1, lambing and calving), Beltane (May 1, leading the animals out to high pasture), Lughnasadh (August 1, agricultural harvest), and Samhain (November 1, depending on the tradition—bringing the animals in from the pasture to protected areas for the winter) involved the honor and care of animals.

Many tribes in Scotland and Ireland claimed to have been descended from the animal energies they revered.7 Tribes (and family lines later on) carried representations of the favored animal, called a totem animal. In modern Witchcraft and Druidry, animals still hold important roles in religious ceremonies and, depending upon the group, certain quarters of the magick circle may be attributed to them. In the Black Forest Clan, our overall totems are the Wolf and the Raven, yet each quarter also has a totemic animal representation, and each of our twenty-nine covens has chosen a coven totem of their own. We believe that the animal energy helps us to bridge the gap between the physical realm and the spiritual worlds. Rather than wearing a Witch’s garter,8 I wear a charm bracelet with each of the coven animals represented. When studying deities you will notice that most of them have an animal association, combining the animal energy with the spiritual energy of the divine. These animals serve as protectors as well as extend admirable traits such as courage, peace, intelligence, grace, and so on. When the deity energy is called in ritual circle, the associated animal energy is also present, even though you may not acknowledge it.

In magick, Witches may call upon the energy of a particular animal to help them in their work. We might place a statue or picture of the animal on the altar to help us focus, or we may invite our pets into ritual circle (animals love magick), or ask our personal totem animal to carry a message to the collective oversoul of a particular species. Animal energy is especially helpful in work for the environment, healing, and protection. As you can see from the following list, animals, birds, reptiles, and insects are associated with their natural life patterns and instincts. When and if you choose a totem animal for yourself, you should study that animal’s normal behavior by reading all about them and, if you can, by visiting them and spending time with them in their natural habitat. If you have a domesticated animal, it’s time to give him or her more attention and care. Now that you are magickal, animals will sense changes in you and will expect you to pay closer attention to their needs, especially if they require additional protection or medical care. Healing charms and chants aren’t just reserved for people—they work well on animals, too.

Animals and Their Associations

Aardvark: Finding hidden things

Alligator/Crocodile: Initiation; power; patience; basic earth energy; hold on to your money

Apes: Communication; group government

Armadillo: Personal protection; empathy

Badger: Courage; bold self-expression

Barracuda: Making it on your own

Bat: Initiation; intuition; revealing secrets; transition

Bear: Healing; medical diagnosis; strength

Bee: Community; clan; work; industry; organization

Blackbird: Enchantment; between-the-worlds work

Black Widow Spider: Weaving a new fate

Boar: Strength; family protection; warrior spirit; leadership

Bobcat: Solitary magick; psychic warning; secrets

Bull: Wealth; creativity; ability to expand opportunities

Butterfly: Transformation; dance; artistic endeavors

Camel: Survival during lean times

Cat: Magick; mystery; independence; psychic warning; grace

Chameleon: Changing environment; camouflage

Cheetah: Speed; flexibility

Chipmunk: Finding treasures in the earth; working for the future

Cicada: Happiness; joy

Clam: Closing ranks for protection

Cobra: Swift, decisive action

Copperhead: Aggressive healing; psychism

Cougar: Power; agility

Crab: Good luck; protection; success

Cricket: Luck; faith; intuition

Crocodile: Primal strength; creation; patience; Great Mother; balance

Daddy Longlegs Spider: Invisibility

Deer: Nature

Dog: Guidance; protection; loyalty; friendship

Dingo: Relentless pursuit of goals

Dolphin: Intelligence; psychism; community; protection

Dragonfly: Dreams; psychism; artistry

Eagle: Intelligence; courage; decision making; carrier of prayers

Earthworm: Reworking old projects; investigation

Elephant: Prosperity; power; strength

Ferret: Stealth; agility; uncovering the truth

Firefly: Hope; inspiration; beginnings; ideas; creativity

Fox: Shapeshifting; transformation; cunning; diplomacy

Frog: New beginnings; abundance; medicine; hidden beauty

Garter Snake: Activity; opportunity

Gecko: Overcoming strife

Goat: Reaching success; confidence

Goose: Protection; parenting; perseverance

Goldfish: Peace; prosperity

Guinea Pig: Group mind

Hawk: Cleansing; nobility; remembering; clarity; spirit messenger

Hippopotamus: Transformation; initiation; creative power

Horse: The Goddess; travel between the worlds; rebirth; grace

Hummingbird: Repair relationship difficulties; healing

Hyena: Family/clan life; group mind; heightened perception

Impala: Grace

Jackal: Protection from hidden dangers; guidance

Jaguar: Reclaiming power; strength; speed; ability

Kangaroo: Forward movement

Koala: Serenity; peace; removing sickness

Komodo Dragon: Long life; survival

Lady Bug: Wish fulfillment; luck; protection; prosperity

Lemur: Heralds ghosts

Leopard: Ghost buster; overcoming bad habits; destroying jealousy; intuition

Lion: Courage; strength; loyalty

Lizard: Patience; dreaming

Loon: Creative inspiration; fidelity

Lynx: Visionquesting; visionary work; cutting-edge mentality

Mole: Luck

Moth: Sending and receiving messages

Mouse: Attention to detail

Muskrat: Navigating through tricky situations

Mussels: Filtering information

Octopus: Creative center; intelligence; power

Otter: Sharing; playfulness; grace in the water; learning to swim

Owl: Wisdom; heightened perception; discernment; female magick; messages to and from the dead

Panda: Nourishment; finding the heart of a problem

Panther: Regaining one’s power; protection; finding information; Dark Mother

Pig: Abundance; fertility; intelligence

Polar Bear: Supernatural power; guides between the worlds

Praying Mantis: Finding solutions to problems; dreaming; using the higher mind

Rabbit: Balance; rebirth; intuition; messages from the Spirit world

Raccoon: Dexterity; glamouries; secrecy

Ram: Achievement; strength; success

Rat: Intelligence; socialization; success

Rattlesnake: Transformation; healing; cycle of life and death

Raven: Healing; initiation; protection; messages; wisdom; balance

Rhinoceros: Ancient wisdom

Salamander: Inspiration; help; creativity; inspiration

Scorpion: Transformation; success; cycle of life and death; protection; weather

Sea Horse: Honor; codes of conduct; creativity

Seal: Dreaming; the collective conscious; birth; imagination

Shark: Relentless ferocity; intuition

Siberian Tiger: Creativity; power; passion; unpredictable

Snake: Initiation; wisdom

Spider: Weaving strong magick; fate; spiral energy

Stag: The God; independence; purification; protection of forests

Starfish: Working toward your desires; regeneration

Stick Bug (Walkingstick): Camouflage; focus

Squirrel: Preparation; saving money; collecting

Swan: Love; beauty; healing; dreaming

Tiger: Strength; power; new adventures; family magick

Toad: Inner strength; protection

Turkey: Increase material abundance

Turtle: Faith; patience; rewards; wisdom; creation

Wolf: Family; clan; teaching; protection; intuition; strength

Wolverine: Boldness; ferocity

Zebra: Agility; finding individuality within a group

When working with animals (either spiritually or physically), magickal people follow rules of conduct—a type of etiquette. We don’t order animals to help us, we ask nicely, and then we remember to say thank you. Offerings, or gifts, to the animals are considered a normal Craft practice (and you’ll find this in Druidism and Native American spirituality as well). An offering is a physical way of saying “thank you” to our animal friends. The best kind of thank you is leaving food or milk in the wild, or helping out at a local shelter. There are rules, however, about leaving food in state parks or other nature preserves, so be sure you ask permission from those in authority first because you don’t want to upset the animal’s natural diet. Giving your own pet attention and good care can be considered an offering. By taking care of the physical animal, you are also giving assistance to the spiritual counterpart.

How Totem Animals Work
in Real Life

Most magickal people begin working with totem animals by choosing their favorite creature—one that has fascinated them for most of their lives. You will find, however, that once the animal kingdom feels the positive vibration of your interest in communication, others will step forward at different times in your life to lend you aid or to simply allow you to feel the harmony of the worlds as they work together on another plane. Your only requirement is to pay attention and honor that communication. A simple “thank you” from your lips once you have received the information will often suffice. For example, whenever I am worried about something and I am away from home, ravens and crows will show up to let me know that everything is okay. They’ve also warned me of auto accidents and other hazards on the road, repeatedly. In books about omens, this is exactly the opposite of what such a flock is supposed to mean, so be careful and don’t let old superstitions color the communication the animals may have for you. While writing the animal section for this book, a family of baby squirrels played under my feet on the back porch, reminding me that it is okay to take time away from work to watch their activities, and that taking time to enjoy the antics of animals can be a fun, meditative experience. For over a week my entire family, from fourteen to seventy-eight, spent many hours enthralled with those squirrels.

Sometimes your favorite animal is not necessarily your strongest totem animal. If this is the case, the animal energy closest to yours will show up in the oddest places. Eventually you’ll get the hint. Don’t feel bad if you tire of a particular animal and move on to something else. They won’t be offended. Just like people, each animal has its own individual energy. As your spirituality heightens, you may grow into communication with a different species— something that better matches your vibratory patterns.

Totem Animals and Meditation

One of the easiest ways to meditate on your totem animal is to watch it in real life. If you can, take a trip to the zoo, aquarium, or animal habitat, and spend time gazing at your chosen totem. Sometimes this is hard to do, especially if an adult or other family members are with you. They want to see the rest of the sights! If you can, ask them to take a break close to the animal you like best. If you’re older and allowed to visit the animals by yourself or with magickal friends, this won’t present a problem. Before you enter and upon leaving the habitat, ask that Spirit bless all the animals with health and harmony. The time spent viewing the animal will leave a lasting impression. You can use what you’ve seen at the preserve when meditating on the animal energy at home. Simply sit quietly and contemplate the animal. It’s okay to hold a conversation with the animal energy. In your mind, leave its favorite food and make sure you’ve created a happy mental place for it to roam as you finish the meditation. I’ve discovered that it isn’t the length of time you meditate on an animal but the number of times you connect that holds the key to powerful animal energy. The more you think of the animal, the stronger the connection becomes.

Animal Spell for Protection
of Your Room, House,
or School Locker

Supplies: One statue or plastic figure of your favorite animal; a small amount of protection oil or holy water; one red votive candle; a bell; your favorite incense. Remember to check your divination tool.

Instructions: Cast a magick circle and call the quarters. Carry the animal image to each of the four quarters, asking for power, protection, and blessings from that quarter. Take the image to your altar and set the statue in the center. Light the incense and swirl the smoke around the image, saying:

Smoke is the prayer of fire. I cleanse
and consecrate thee in the name of
the Lord and Lady.

Light the red votive candle, and say:

Fire is the spark of life. I invoke protection,
blessings, and power, and transfer this energy into (say the name of the animal).

Pass the candle over the statue. Sprinkle salt over the image and say: “Life is the gift of the gods.” Ring the bell three times over the statue, saying:

Sound is the voice of Spirit. I infuse this image with the blessings and protection of the Lord and Lady. May I be protected night and day.

Place the holy water or oil on the feet of the statue. Hold your hands over the statue and say nine times:

Smoke is the prayer of fire.

Fire is the spark of life.

Life is the gift of the gods.

Sound is the voice of Spirit.

After the ninth verse, solemnly say aloud exactly what the animal energy is to protect— your room, the contents of your school locker, etc., or you can be more specific, saying exactly what you want protected. Visualize the strength and power of the animal in your mind. When you are finished, say:

As I will, it shall be done.
Oil seals the spell.

Thank the collective animal energy. Close the quarters and release the circle. Place the statue pointing toward the nearest door or outside window (depending on what kind of protection you feel you need). If you must wait to place the statue (for example, if you are taking it to school to put in your locker), wrap it in black cloth for transport. When you set the image in place, repeat the words of the spell softly. Do not move the statue once you’ve chosen where it should stand. Renew every three months or sooner if there is a great deal of chaos where you have placed the statue.

other ideas for this spell: Almost all spells can be tailored to your own needs. Let’s say you don’t have a statue or plastic animal that represents your favorite protective animal energy. You can use a photograph, a picture from a magazine, a postcard or greeting card, or a drawing that you have created. If you want to carry protection with you all the time, you can use a silver or gold charm in the shape of the animal and wear it around your neck or keep it in your pocket. For years, my girls protected their school books from theft by drawing or pasting pictures of their favorite totem animals on brown paper bag covers they made themselves. Even if the books were lost or stolen, they all managed to filter back into their hands before the end of the school year.

Mythical Beasts

Mythological animals, sometimes called alchemical animals, have been used in magickal and religious settings for thousands of years. Each beastie was considered to have its own realm of expertise, and mythical animals in various cultures stood for a variety of enchantments as well as physical and psychological issues unique to that grouping of people. The sylphs, salamanders, and undines sometimes used at the quarters of a magickal circle (see part 4, Elements) are considered alchemical animals (the fourth, gnomes, relates to mythical people). Sometimes standard animals were given mythical powers, in the case of the lion, the eagle, the bull, and the serpent, and they are sometimes used at the quarters of ceremonial circles. In these instances the powers of the animals are considered much larger than life and have alchemical as well as normal associations. You will often find the alchemical animals depicted on The World card of the Tarot. If you plan to work with any fabled beast, in-depth research will be required, and meditation is also recommended. The list below represents only a small portion of mythical animals.

Centaur: Healing; shapeshifting; music; divination; teaching

Chinese Lion Dog (Fu-Dog): Guardians against evil; will drive any evil from the home

Gargoyles: Protection of house or property; psychism; removing negative people

Griffin: Protection; spiritual wisdom; enlightenment

Horned Snake: Cures illness; kundalini energy; wisdom

Phoenix: Transformation; spiritual growth

Rainbow Serpent: Magick; rain; life; procreation

Sphinx: Initiation; elemental magick; wisdom; mystery

Unicorns: Good will; fame; prosperity; success; wisdom

Winged Horse: Aids in astral travel; fame; eloquence; visiting the dead

Winged Serpent (Buto): Wisdom; protection; teaching; guide to ancient knowledge