1. Native American Animal Spirits
Finding Your Inner Animal…
Native American Animal Spirits

2. Animal Spirits What other animal symbols can you think of?
In the Native American tradition, man communicated with the Creator through interaction with nature.
Many chose or were given symbolic "power animals" whose strength or character reflected the human character traits of the individuals claiming the "power" of that specific animal.
Think of animal symbols in society today…tigers with gas tanks (speed and power) bald eagle (power from a lofty position)
What other animal symbols can you think of?

3. Buffalo : Abundance
The buffalo or bison is considered by many tribes to be a symbol of abundance for it was the meat of the buffalo that fed the people, the hides that provided clothing and shelter, the bones and sinew provided tools of survival.
"Buffalo Medicine" means to bring a special honor, reverence or appreciation for all of the things that the Earth provides for her children

4. Bear : Gentle Strength and Dreaming
The brown bear have great strength their gentleness makes the bear's behavior almost "human like". They are relatively good natured, but don't make them mad.
Bears hibernate in the winter, which may explain their association with "dreaming the Great Spirit"
People with "Brown Bear Medicine" are considered by many as self sufficient, and would rather stand on their own 2 feet than rely on others. They are often considered "dreamers". Many have developed the skill of visualizing new things, but as a result can get caught up in the "dreaming" making little progress in "waking" reality.

5. Cougar: Power, Swiftness and Balance
The cougar never wastes anything, but the grace of this hunter provides the young with nourishment and security. Cougars mark their home range, which differs from a true territory because the home ranges often overlap. The juveniles may establish a home range of from six to ten miles away. Within that area, the cat maintains a small resting range for its exclusive use while sharing the remaining hunting area with its neighbor.
Someone with "Mountain lion or Cougar Medicine" is likely to be very sure of his or her goals or purpose. They often prefer solitude, and have little regret in taking the easiest prey.

6. Deer : Graceful gentleness, and Sensitivity
Although there are many types of deer, they all have on thing in common - gracefulness. Deer blend very well with their environment but are very sensitive to every sound or movement. Often twins, even triplets, are born in the spring. Does and bucks live in separate groups until mating season. The white-tailed deer are moderately gregarious, and family members forage food together along with other family groups, giving the appearance of a large herd.
People with "Deer Medicine" are often described as being swift and alert. They are intuitive, often appearing to have well developed, even extra sensory perceptions. Some times their thoughts seem to race ahead, and they appear not to be listening.

7. Eagle: Courage, Spirit, and Bravery
Eagles have long been associated with the highest pursuits
From the time that the Persians and Romans carried eagles into battle, these majestic birds have symbolized courage, strength and bravery. As aerial hunters, eagles are the undisputed masters of the skies. Many tribes have identified the eagle as the one closest to the Creator.
Eagle feathers, revered by Native American Healers as having powerful medicine, are regulated by a "feather bank", insuring that eagles are not killed for their powerful medicine. Eagle Medicine is the power of the Great Spirit. It is the spirit of tenacity. People with Eagle Medicine often have "high ideals", and need space to spread their wings. It is no accident that men in many tribes adorned themselves with eagle feathers given for acts of courage and bravery, and that a healer gingerly wraps his eagle feather in his medicine bundle after a ceremony.

8. Dog: Loyalty and Protection
Man's best friend... One of the tribal stories said that when the Spirits got ready to leave the Earth, they drew a line in the dirt. On one side was man and on the other the spirits from the Upper Worlds. Just then a great fissure was created by the line, and man was no longer able to cross over to the spirit realm. As they stood there, the fissure grew and widened, and at the very last minute "dog" jumped across to stand with man.
All of the Southwest tribes had dogs. It has been reported that all breeds of dogs are descendants of the wolf, but even though the early dogs were considered part "wild", they were fiercely loyal to their owners. Historically, dogs have been portrayed as the guardians of ancient secrets,
hidden treasures, and infants.
Volumes have been written about the dog, but
someone touched by the healing energies of loyalty
can tell you of the "power" of Dog Medicine.

9. Horse: Power
The horse has been pictured as an animal with supernatural power in many cultures. In the Native American tradition, Shamans fly other realms on mythical horses. Before horses were introduced by the Spanish, the life of the plains tribes was much more earth bound, having to carry all of their belongings from place to place. With the arrival of the horse, they were free to move and travel great distances with these beasts of burden.
People with Horse Medicine often carry the burdens of other people. They are strong and able to "bare up" under the strain of difficult circumstances.

10. Wolf: Teaching, A Guide to the Sacred
Wolves have been long regarded by Native Americans as teachers or pathfinders. Wolves are fiercely loyal to their mates, and have a strong sense of family while maintaining individualism. In the stars, Wolf is represented by the Dog, Sirius, thought by many aboriginal tribes to be the home of the "Ancients." It seems to be through this connection that Wolf has come to be associated with ancient teachings.
Traditionally, someone with Wolf Medicine has a strong sense of self, and communicates well through subtle changes in voice inflection and body movements. They often find new solutions to problems while providing
stability and support that one normally
associates with a family structure.

11. Other Animals… Hummingbird, Love and Joy Robin, Singing Your Own Song
Rabbit, Fear
Coyote, Trickster
Spider, Weaving
Lizard, Dreaming and Remembering
Snake, Transformation and New Beginnings
Ant, Patience and Hard Work
Dolphin, Unseen Communication
Armadillo, Boundaries
Turtle, Protection
Badger, Aggressiveness
Butterfly, Constant Change and Metamorphosis