Yoga for Witches by Sarah Robinson

Author:Sarah Robinson [Robinson, Sarah]
Language: eng
Format: epub, azw3, mobi
Tags: intuition, witchcraft, womancraft, Women, Women's Health, yoga
Publisher: Womancraft Publishing
Published: 2020-03-12T18:30:00+00:00

Power Animals

In some traditions of modern paganism and witchcraft, animal symbolism and parts of animals, such as feathers are incorporated into magical belief and practice. You may connect to the idea of having a familiar or channelling animal energy. Or you may wish to work with spirit, totem or power animals.

Shamans around the world believe that all beings, particularly animals, have a spirit or soul, and seek to relate to this spirit. Their ceremonies may involve dressing in animal furs, feathers, horns while performing dances and imitating the animal to attract parts of an animal’s spirit and powers by mimicry.

Many cultures have a version of the power animal, spirit animal and spirit guide, though they are often associated with Native American cultures. The origin of the animal-inspired yoga poses are native to Asia. You will see animal correspondence associated with deities, often that share an element of their archetype. Such as the hound with huntress Diana and the wise owl with Minerva, goddess of wisdom. As you may imagine, the animals were most likely those native to the culture of the deity.

If you take time to learn about the symbolism of animals in different cultures, you may end up learning something new about yourself and your path. As always when exploring the cultures of others use humility and respect. This is not an invitation to appropriate (although I think it’s misappropriation that is more the issue), but rather to appreciate and enjoy learning about the wildlife of other cultures too.

When reflecting on your power animals, I strongly recommend looking first to those native to your own cultural heritage, by engaging with your local natural wildlife and landscape. With this in mind, the animals I have outlined here are mainly European.

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