#animal spirit work

[scienceandstorytelling]

Has anyone ever worked with the spirit of an animal you personally killed? I butchered a rabbit and tanned the hide, and I have no idea if any of the rabbit’s spirit is still attached to it, but if there is I wonder, does he want me to do anything for him/with his pelt? Does he just want me to leave him alone? Would he be scared if I reached out to him? Does anyone have experience with this type of situation?

[thesacredself]

A sneak peek at the affirmations for this month’s spirit animal guide reading ☺️

🍃 Earth signs:

🌊 Water signs:

💨 Air signs:

🔥 Fire signs:

I hope you guys find these useful 🥰

For journal prompts and activities, more can be found under my Patreon 💛 in the future, all posts will go directly to your inbox and you can receive them along with the reading!

[dandelionpath]

hi! if i’ve already befriended an animal spirit but i would love something to house him in. I would love an animal skin but would they already have a spirit?

Hiya! I'm going to give you a couple different answers, as I'm seeing a couple different questions here

So first for what to do about unhoused/unanchored spirits, you can either keep it that way which is totally fine tbh, or find a physical object to anchor/house the spirit in. I absolutely understand that it's easier and honestly just overall nicer to have a physical object that's tied to working with a spirit! For a handful of spirit companions in the past, I had individual necklaces for each, and for a bear spirit that I didn't have any physical part of I used a bracelet!

But onto the second answer, you can also absolutely use an animal skin or piece of animal that isn't already directly tied to that specific spirit! I find that fur pieces that aren't full pelts, heads, or tails, seem to have less of a chance of a spirit being attached to them. Same thing with bones - anything that isn't a skull seems to have less of a chance to still have the spirit attached to them.

But if you've got one of those things already, no worries! You can always check if there's a spirit still attached or "inside", so to speak. Check if the animal is home still, and if they are, then they might wish to "move on" and let go of that piece so that you'll be able to use it for another spirit! If they're still there and don't want to move on, ask if they're willing to share (it's a possibility LOL), and if not, then maybe find a different anchor/house to use.

Here's a post that I wrote three years ago (wowzas, long time ago tbh) that goes into the process of "knocking on the door" to see if anyone's home in a specific animal piece: https://dandelionpath.tumblr.com/post/188238538171/animal-spirit-work-massive-how-to

So TL;DR: Yes, you can use any object, but you can also definitely use an animal skin. The animal skin may or may not have a spirit already/still attached, but (next bit is UPG) there's more of a chance of it being empty if it isn't a skull, tail, face, full pelt.

If you've got any other questions, feel free to ask! I may not post here very often anymore, but I'm always happy to answer questions :)

[wolverinesorcery]

Hello there, I’m sorry to trouble you with this, but I have been looking for blogs on animism and animal work and came across your blog, and it’s so good! Thank you for sharing the information you have gained with us!

I’ve been a Pagan for a while now, but I’ve not delved much into animal spirit work before. So it’s come as a bit of a surprise to realise that Polar Bear has been reaching out to me. I suffer from seasonal depression, but backwards and am happiest in the colder months, and I’ve spent many years donating to causes to help them, but I sincerely believe they’re reaching out to me. And honestly, I have no clue where to start. I’ve looked up animism and animal spirit work, as well as polar bear worship, but it’s all very… apropriated? Like a a lot of closed cultures that I don’t want to offend, or take from (I live in the UK), and I was hoping maybe you or one of your lovely followers may have some advice? Or know a book or website?

Anyway, regardless of all the middle paragraph, your blog is awesome and I’m really grateful for the insights you share with us. I hope you have a great weekend 🤘🏻

It’s no trouble, don’t worry!

First of all, yay for finding out that Polar Bear has reached out to you! It’s an exciting step to know the ‘who’ 🐻‍❄️

Animism & animal spirit work is a category that has definitely been prime grounds for writers to appropriate their work from all kinds of different closed cultures. My best recommendation is ‘DIY Animism’ by Lupa Greenwolf (for UK folks it’s easiest to get it through amazon, unfortunately) – it’s a very beginner-friendly book that encompasses a lot and stays far and clear of appropriation, as well as diving into animal spirits as a general class vs animal spirits as an Archetype of the species, venerating them, connecting with them, and how to invite them into your life in a way that is comfortable for both you and the spirit. Plus, if you like journaling or writing things out to make sense of them, it has a lot of prompts to help delve into connecting with animal spirits. Her book also has a booklist! Recommendations within a recommendation. :-)

I have a few other animal spirit related books but they require a lot of discernment and outside research to suss out which parts have been appropriated and which parts haven’t. If you’re interested in those, let me know and I can grab some titles.

Some basic advice from my own personal experience is: let the animal spirit lead! Often they are quite open and vocal about how you can best connect and venerate them, and what they may in turn help you with.

Any followers that have reccomendations also - please chip in in the notes :-D

If you have any other questions please don’t hesitate to ask! I love animal spirits a lot and I’m always about to talk about them and offer advice when/where I can. I hope you too have a great weekend 🌟

[raining-tulips]

I am TELLING YOU if you have spent months, years, around the same trees, land, etc., they WILL recognize you and reach out to you or not mind if you reach out to them. You don’t need to know anything about them.

A tree in the forest behind my parents house I’ve never spoken to before reached out - I never would’ve expected it. I don’t know what kind of tree it is. But of course this tree knows me. This tree has known me since I was six.

Trust me. This land knows you. These plants know you. They want to speak with you.

[wacca005]

Fan art for "Spirited Away" 🐉

[bitchy-craft]

TAROT GAME: Spirit of the Animals: CLOSED

Hello and welcome to this post! I decided to do a new tarot game since I haven't done one in a while. I hope you all like it and enjoy!

Masterpost > Paid Readings [NEW]

Reading Contents:

An animal that correlates with your situation and message;

A word / characteristic that fits with your animal and is important to your message;

A message that gives you advice, hints, warnings, words of encouragement, or anything else your spirit team wants you to hear / know.

How to get this reading:

Follow me;

Like/reblog 3 of my posts;

Comment that you are playing under this post.

[ravenrook]

reminder that animals have their own spirits that can be venerated in their own right. I've recognized a tendency in myself and many others that if an animal is significant to us, we go looking for a deity related to that animal. this may be fruitful—I came to know Venus through the doves outside my window—but it can also just complicate things. for all that time spent wondering if this crow is a sign from a deity, you could be enjoying the company of the crow itself.

thanks and blessings to the spirit of the vulture who watches over my doorway for teaching me this lesson.

[hare-beneath-pine]

some elements of spellwork distinguishing animist or spirit-based approaches from the energetic and psychological -- a laughably basic and woefully incomplete list:

waking: most especially relevant for dried herbs or other preserved material. rouse what lies dormant with breath and touch and whisper.

speaking (or writing, etc): ask for assistance, don't demand it. give praise, throw in some epithets. make deals, discuss terms and conditions. say thank you. say what you mean.

listening: now shut up for a bit. anticipate communication. words, song snippets, images, colours, feelings, whatever. look out for a "no" and be ready to honour it--it may hit hard in the chest or the guts. we have two-way streets here.

giving: praise, prayers, food, drink, candles, incense, crafts, all the usual suspects and more... reciprocity is key, no one likes a perpetual taker. some situations call for altruism, others for hard-nosed contracts, others for a secret third thing.

feeding: giving again, but specifically to maintain or revive longer workings. remember what the dormouse said...

sourcing: the perfect is the enemy of the good, but it makes a difference. grow, make, forage (responsibly) as much as possible. listen & give when sourcing things from the earth. shop ethically, re-use, thrift.

paring down: if it seems like a lot to go through for everything you want to include in your spell, then good. depth before breadth. use fewer herbs/stones/whatever that you know well, and that really need to be there. god i hate 12-ingredient spell jar recipes with #babywitch stuck on them. yes i will probably stick #babywitch on this. sue me.

to me these follow logically from the premise that plants, stones, bones, bits & bobs have spirit, not just energy. because that implies that their power must be given, it isn't just there to be channelled (energetic model) or derived from the practitioner's mental associations (psychological model). i claim nothing of reality and little of truth, but this premise has served me well.

just in case: the writing style is a little conceit that i use in many of my personal notes, which this was originally. obviously “in my opinion/experience/practice” etc.

[broomsick]

Fun and easy habits to develop as a pagan!

Or, a few ideas of routine pagan stuff I personally engage in, or wish to start engaging in.

Opening the curtains and taking a quick moment to appreciate the daylight (or the darkness) of the outside. Draw from it the energy you will need for the day!

After waking up, saying a short prayer to a deity of your choice (you could very well change it up based on your intent, or always pray to the same if you are devoted to one in particular). A simple “Good morning. I will try to honor you today” shows that you’re thinking of them!

Taking a little time every once in a while to learn about local plants, trees or fauna! Little by little, you’ll learn to recognize them when out in nature. Nothing more rewarding!

Playing a song, or simply instrumental music that reminds you of your spirituality when doing chores, preparing for the day or the night, etc.  Useful if the day-to-day makes you feel disconnected from your spirituality! 

Every once in a while, cleansing a spiritual space by simply cleaning it out before lighting a fragant candle or incense. Always makes me feel refreshed!

Focusing on a picture of a deity/deities (or spirit/spirits, or ancestor/ancestors) of your choice in adoration. What can they teach you today? How can you honor them? If a new and inspiring idea comes to your mind, why not note it down!

Diffuse a smell (either by candle, incense, essential oil diffuser or else) while getting prepared for the day! If such a topic interests you, you could learn about how different smells affect us, and how you can use that in this specific ritual. With what intent do you wish to start your day?

If you have a book/books on mythology that pertains to your deity/deities or their related culture, why not read a few pages every once in a while, just for fun! Like the song/music I mentioned before, this an easy way to start your day thinking of your spirituality.

Looking up art: depictions of deities, or if you worship nature spirits, pictures of the animal or plant the form of which it takes.

Adopting a deity’s symbol for the day! You can do that by wearing a piece of devotional jewelry, or even drawing a rune/sigil/symbol on your skin so as to keep the deity in mind.

If you’re reading this, it means you use tumblr! Why not use such social networks to talk to other pagans who share your practices? There’s lots to learn from each other! Plus, you may make good friends this way. 

Look outside, observe the weather. What color’s the sky? How strong is the wind blowing? In what direction are the clouds being blown? Stay in tune with nature! You may even become able to tell which signs foretell which weather events! 

Make stuff you find in nature into amulets. For example, if a leaf, rock, acorn, fallen branch or else catches your attention, why not bring it home as a lucky charm? If you possess such a skill, you could even make it into jewelry!

[thesacredself]

🍃 Earth Signs: Animal Spirit Guide Reading 🍃

taurus, virgo, and capricorn (s,m,r,v). Please take what resonates ✨

Creativity is a big theme for you during August, earth signs. You may feel compelled this month to create in any way you want to- drawing, painting, writing, moulding, building, taking pictures, designing, etc. Create in whatever way you see fit; let your expression weave a story within itself. Make space- preferably daily but could be weekly- for you to create. No distractions; just you and your art. Don’t worry about what it looks like, what the finished result is, just be present with your creative impulses and let them go wild! Spiders are diligent in creating and weaving, and no matter how they do it, they create intricate designs of their own. Allow yourself to be a little messy and very expressive, feeling the joy that comes with simply being. If judgements come up, criticisms, doubts about your creative process, it could be time to question where that has come from. Be gentle with yourself and ask yourself how you can start to detach from this capitalist idea that everything you do has to be ‘perfect’ or ‘photo ready’. You’re not creating a product; you’re creating an expression of your heart and soul. Ask yourself if you’ve tapped into that energy, rather than worrying about the details. This isn’t about anyone else; this is about you. Even if it’s not perfect, your own personal expression holds a lot of beauty and power. See your beauty in all of its forms. This links into the chakra reading about turning your energy inward, nourishing yourself, and forgetting ideas of what perfection is. Creation heals our wounds and nourishes our soul. Allow it to do just that in whatever way you want to do it. Be inspired; be imaginative. Be yourself!

For journal prompts, activity suggestions, and affirmations that reflect on your animal spirit reading, please check out the link below! 💚

[lunaotic]

Escape - Lunaotic

[sodafrog13]

*announcer voice* IN COMES MYSTERY SKULLS ANIMATED WITH THE STEEL CHAIR!!

missed these guys. take some doodles + a silly hlm au that i'm not gonna do anything with <3

[cokoweee]

Oh! Here’s this too

[grimnirs-child]

cannot recommend enough just walking around your neighbourhood, noticing the plants, trees, birds, creepy-crawlies, mammals, rocks, watercourses, etc that are around you. looking them up and learning about them, how they behave, their seasonal rhythms and changes. learning about their presence in folklore and mythology and culture.

these are your neighbours. if you take a few minutes to learn about them, if you make the small effort to notice them, be mindful of them on a regular basis, honour them and respect them - this is animism. this is re-enchantment.

we all live alongside and in community with a myriad of spirits. it is truly so beautiful and life-affirming and sacred to appreciate that and the unique character of your neighbour-spirits.

[cosmic-ghost-hermit]

Heyo! All the art on these readings is drawn by me. Take what you can from the reading and leave all that does not resonate behind but always be open to new perspectives.

The archetype reading was inspired by the deck I used today. The guide book uses examples from anime to fit the descriptions of the tarot cards. I thought that was really clever so I decided to build off that idea and tell you what archetype you are most drawn to wants to tell you. In short, this is really a message from a specific cards energy. I hope this helps anyone who might be struggling!

PILE 1

Crystal: Tigers Eye

Character: Badtz-Maru

Archetype: The Empress

Astrology: Taurus ♉️, Libra ♎️, Pisces ♓️, Virgo ♍️

Dear pile 1, you are represented by the empress of this deck. The archetype you embody is someone who is luxurious, modest, kind and attentive. You care deeply for those you love and would do anything to assist them and make their life easier. You are a fantastic friend, partner and companion. You don’t necessarily have to be a woman to embody that energy. The message this part of you wants to tell you is that your kindness is being taken for granted. Your attentiveness is being discarded as if the love you gave isn’t worth anything. Your intuition is telling you to withdraw from the connection that is causing this. You maybe started this friendship or connection a while ago but you have started to notice this pattern from the other party in this relationship. They don’t return your love. They don’t say thank you when you go out of your way to be good to them. This doesn’t mean you should necessarily cut them off. Just don’t go out of your way anymore. They are undeserving if they cannot be grateful to you for all you do. I see if you did stop it would barely be noticed at first. However, the person will slowly realize how much you did to assist them. How much work you did was important and helped them get through the day easily. If they apologize and communicate they did wrong that won't necessarily be your queue to go back to scratching their back. You need to wait for them to lend their assistance to you. That will be your invitation to return to being kind. Until then use the extra time you have working on your passion projects and aiming for your dreams.

🖤✒️🔎💻🕋🛞♟️🎤🎼🎱🏴🪨🐕‍🦺🕶️🎩🐦‍⬛💣🎵🎶♣️♠️🏴‍☠️👁️‍🗨️

PILE 2

Crystal: Flower Agate

Character: Keroppi

Archetype: The Devil

Astrology: Leo ♌️, Aquarius ♒️, Capricorn ♑️, Gemini ♊️

Hey pile 2! Your archetype is the devil. Don’t worry though, for this doesn’t make you evil or bad. All this communicates to me is you are an enjoyer of the darker parts of life. You enjoy what other people usually fear. This is definitely not something horrible you should shame yourself about. I see you probably enjoy altered states of reality or perhaps you are very free with your sexual expression. I see you like the taste of control, power and vengeance. Again not a bad thing in my mind. Humans have many states of being and no part of existence is incorrect. Your message from the devil archetype is not asking you to cold turkey your behavior. However, I think it is saying balance is super important when you dabble in darkness. You might be prone to addiction to literally anything you can get dopamine from. I am an addict as well. I know how hard restraint can be. Even doing this reading is giving me cravings to be honest so I know you deal with cravings constantly. Your cards are saying it doesn’t matter if you feed the addiction. You will always be starving for more. You will always be chasing something you can never achieve. Please take care of your body before the cravings lead to worse. When I was dealing with my addiction I ended up in the hospital multiple times. It would have killed me if I hadn’t stopped. It is okay to dabble in darkness but seriously I beg you, from the bottom of my heart please moderate. Moderation is key to keeping yourself safe. If you are meant to have the darkness, it will be in your grasp. If you are in need of a break. Trust the universe when it takes it away. You are not evil for needing. I want to reiterate that because I know how it feels to need something that hurts you.

💚🦈🪀🧃🍵🪦🥗🥒🥑🌪️🫒🍸🍏🥝☘️🌱🥈⚓️🪴🎍🐍🦎🚬👒🤢

PILE 3

Crystal: Carnelian

Character: Tuxedo Sam

Archetype: Emperor

Astrology: Cancer ♋️, Aries ♈️, Sagittarius ♐️, Scorpio ♏️

Hey, pile 3! Your archetype is the emperor. You are a force to be reckoned with. A master of your craft and skilled beyond other people's wildest imaginations. You have a plan and have been putting so much energy into it. You know exactly what you want and exactly how to get it. Your cards are pretty straight forward just like you are. They are telling me that working hard is good! That your progress is fantastic and you have made it so far! However, the pace you are keeping at is almost unsustainable. You can’t juggle all of the tasks you are trying to keep under control. You cannot do it all by yourself. That isn’t logical! Humans are not solitary creatures. We need community and connection to continue on. Humans who have been left alone for too long go hecking crazy! You absolutely can handle all of it mentally. I am not saying you are incapable because you are SO CAPABLE. Rome was not built in a day. Masterpieces are not made out of minutes, they are made out of days or months or years. You are creating a masterpiece so allow yourself time to think about it. Allow yourself the space to brainstorm and be patient with your body and your creativity. Be gentle with yourself. You are only one person and the secret you are missing is that you are not alone. The silly little secret is that you don’t need to set a deadline for the greatness you are going to grow into. One of my favorite artists didn’t make it when he was 20. He grew into his greatness when he was 35. Does that make him any less of a great artist? Absolutely not!!! You are cool, awesome and wonderful! Why do you need to prove that when you already know it is true?

💙💤🌀🪬🌨️🧿💎🚿🧊🫐🌊🌧️🌬️💨🌏🦋🪼🐬🧢🫂🥶💠

-ghost 🖤🩵