animal spirit – The Cauldron Goddess

We are Nature: Animistic Practices for Self-Healing

As someone who’s spent the majority of her adult life on a healing path, I’ve found my most powerful restoration of energy and alignment through remembering that I am nature. Not just being in nature, as a visitor, but remembering my soul and body are also manifestations of the beauty and wisdom of land, sea and sky, and all creatures within the web of life.

As I walk through the transition of perimenopause, a challenging, sacred initiation process of body, mind and soul, I find solace coming back to remembering this truth.

Having a female body in this world is a tough thing, so often I practice seeing myself as Goddess manifest, as a sacred expression of the Earth- I think of all the beautiful ancient carvings and clay female figures that have survived thousands of years and remember in my soul when female bodies and earth were revered as sacred life-giving manifestations of the Divine. Our bodies are not static products for consumption or objectification but a wild living being that ebbs and flows, ages and changes through seasons, like the trees, flowers, soil and rock. They are resilient, they tell stories of our history and lineage, they are adaptable, miraculous and vibrant.

On a spiritual level, I feel we are made of light, aka energy- and this is what connects us to everything. On a physical level, we are also flesh and blood. Bridging these worlds is something I’ve been learning on my spiritual path and I find peace in the awareness of how energy flows through the land and its beings, just like through our bodies, and we’re part of this earth family because of this.

Nature Offers Us Belonging:

When we ‘spend time in nature’, why do we feel such peace and belonging?

Nature heals us because dis-ease, stress, and many other forms of suffering are due to feeling separate or disconnected from the energetic web of life. Nature reminds us that we belong and are part of everything, and we matter. We are here in a form that is matter, therefore, we matter. The word ‘matter’ is derived from ‘mother’, reinforcing the ancient belief and understanding that we are nature and the Earth is our Mother.

Having lived most of my life in a large city, I understand the feeling of separateness. The ways of industry, capitalism, patriarchy, and big tech are loud and dominant in this environment. As a sensitive soul, intuitive and empath, my forays into large parks, Lake Ontario and rural environments have made living here bearable.

As culture increasingly tries to pull us towards screens and dissociation from our true belonging, we run the risk of damaging our physical, mental and emotional health.

Amidst all the noise, pollution and chaos, I look for peace in the Earth Mother and find her again and again. In the city we can appreciate it all much more. Each sighting of wildlife, each tree in the park, all sacred beings reminding us who we really are and that we belong to the earth, no matter what nonsense culture is trying to feed us. And ultimately, the millions of humans we share this city with are also nature, as we are too.

I often come back to my favorite poem, Wild Geese as a reminder of our belonging to nature as kin:

What is Animism?

Animism is the ancient belief of all of our ancestors globally that we are nature and it is us. That the land, animals, elements and rocks are all living beings and we are all kin. It is a belief system and lifestyle that acknowledges this kin relationship by interacting with the natural world as a living being worthy of respect, connection, relationship and love.

Shamanism is a form of animism, and many pagans, druids and witches are animistic, though not all. Animistic practices include talking to herbs, plants, animals and giving offerings, or shapeshifting into different animals or plant beings, spending time deeply getting to know a plant and its medicine, such as on a plant medicine dieta, or simply spending lots of time in nature and interacting with it in various ways such as through gardening or farming or animal care, with the understanding that we are all connected.

Simple Animistic Practices to Bring into your Life:

Begin a relationship with a plant being, tree, or animal spirit:

If you feel particularly drawn to a plant, tree or animal, get to know them. They may have a healing energy for you that you need to connect with.

If you’re not sure where to start, you can do one of my guided meditation journeys- A Grounding Tree Meditation or Connect with an Animal Ally.

If you wish to connect with a plant being in person, go to a nearby park, garden, or anywhere you feel called to connect with a plant, tree or even a body of water. You can bring an offering and ask if they’d like to connect with you. When you feel a ‘yes’ from the being, just be with them and receive their energy. Open your heart to them. Ask them to show you (this may be through sensing, an image, words, or impression) who they are. You can ask them about concerns you have, and ask for advice. You can show them gratitude with a hug, loving words, a poem or song, a creation, a crystal, an offering of herbs, water, or animal-safe food. It’s all about just being in relationship with another living being- something we all can do naturally!

Visit with them as regularly as you can and build a relationship that becomes more real and deep and meaningful with time. Trust the process. It may feel awkward at first, but the more you do it, the more natural it feels. Eventually, or perhaps immediately, you may feel how this being is a part of you, and as you access this poart of yourself, you feel better, stronger, and happier. For instance, a body of water may help you feel more connected to your emotions, help you cleanse the past, or help you ‘go with the flow’ more in your life.

A strong old oak tree might help you feel more connected to your inner backbone, ancient wisdom, or help you strengthen your boundaries. Each ally will have it’s own medicine and personality to share with you, and will teach you so much about yourself!

If you are connecting with an animal ally, it may not be accessible to spend time with them in person, however, you can learn about them and their habits through research, visit them in meditation, have representations of them in your home, on your altar or on your person, like jewelry. Just like with a tree or plant ally, the more you connect with them and their energy, the deeper and more meaningful your connection becomes. You begin to remember the part of yourself the animal energy holds. You remember your fierceness, resilience, grace, freedom, strength, wisdom, and your kinship with all things.

Merging & Moving with an Ally:

Merging is like shapeshifting. It’s where we merge our energy with the ally and become them for a time. It’s a lot like we do as kids when we play pretend. Kids aren’t attached to a rigid identity, because they are closer to their whole nature as spiritual beings and can easily become a princess, a cat, a witch, a dragon, a tree or a warrior just using their imagination. Adults can too!

This isn’t to say merging is something ‘pretend’, or silly- it is a powerful tool for healing. Imagination and play are underestimated in their depth and ability to restore wellness. And that spark of playfulness can help clear a lot of mental/emotional heaviness or stagnation.

When we merge with a plant, tree, element or animal energy, we awaken that energy within ourselves and by doing so bring embodied healing, balance and wholeness. It’s also lots of fun!

How to Merge:

To merge with an ally, it is recommended you have already begun a relationship. (see step above!). However, it is not always necessary. We may find it quite natural to step into the skin of another being that resonates with us. For example, whenever I dance or move, I feel a natural affinity with the water element and water beings are particularly easy for me to tap into. You may find something similar.

But when you are merging with the intent for healing, it is good to have done some introductions and felt a good connection as a foundation- just like if you were to date someone you’d ideally want to spend time with them to know if it’s a good fit before ‘merging’ your energy with them!

When you’ve connected with a being you’d like to embody and merge with, simply take a few deep breaths to relax, ground and come into the present moment. Then call upon the energy of your ally- for example a hawk- and ask if they can come and merge with you. See them in your mind’s eye, feel them in your heart center, soften your sense of ‘self’ and invite them to come and merge with you. Let their energy come into your whole body. Feel what it’s like to be them. Know you can stop at any time and decide how much feels right for you.

Breathe in their essence and let it fill you up. Then let their energy take over and notice how it feels in your body.

How do you feel called to change position or move as this ally? What feels different from your usual energy? Where does your attention go as this ally? Does this being make a sound? If yes, how does it feel to make it? If not, what kind of sound would they make?

Dancing Your Ally:

Dancing is a natural outgrowth of the merging practice. You can put on some music that matches the energy/rhythm of your ally. Merge with their energy, as above and let the music and ally move your body more. This gives more opportunity for the ally to reach areas of your body you may not normally breath them into to. You may express more dimension of the ally’s energy this way too, and discover more about them. You can incorporate sound, costuming, makeup, instruments, any other additions of reverence and expression of this ally’s energy. They love it when we bring them to life through our bodies! It’s a true reflection of our kinship and oneness.

Coming back to self after connection:

It’s important to come back to your own energy after merging, dancing or any type of shapeshifting for healthy boundaries. Your energy will be different than before merging, as the healing energy stays with us, expanding us into more of ourselves. But we don’t want to stay merged completely.

So, begin to come back by thanking your ally for their energy and medicine. Then ask that you come back to your ‘self’ energy now, and slowly imagine them coming out and away from you as a separate being again. Feel the separation of energy bodies. Yet, there remains a memory of their energy within yours. As you separate, imagine your own energy field extending out and your ally just outside of it. You can ask them if they wish to stay nearby, or tell them what distance you feel you need to keep for now. Thank them again and say whatever form of ‘see you later’ you wish!

Maintaining a Relationship:

The most challenging thing in an animistic relationship, like in our human relationships, can be maintaining it. We get busy, we forget!

Often animals and plants will call us to get our attention in dreams, symbols we see, a snippet of a conversation, or song we hear, or by showing up literally, in our environment. It can be helpful to keep images or representations of your ally around the house as a reminder that they are there for you, and waiting for you to call them!

If you are feeling down, or anxious, or unwell, ask them for help. Take a few moments to reconnect, merge, or pray. They will answer.

Nourish Your Spirit 1 on 1 Program:

If you wish to explore animistic practices and connect with your healing allies, I invite you to check out my one-on-one 6 session program: Nourish Your Spirit. In this program I help you connect to 5 different allies- a plant, animal, crystal, element and tree. You gain a ‘healing team’ of support for your journey- whether you are going through a transitional time, or feel the need for healing support. We also discuss energetic cleansing, grounding, and protection practices, and it also includes a Tarot Reading! Sessions can be online or in-person.

If this interests you, please contact me for a free 20 min consult to see if it’s a good fit for you!

Learn more about the nourish Your spirit program

Contact me

May you be blessed with the healing of our kin of land, sea and sky,

Serena

What is an Animal Ally? Relating to Our Animal Kin…

I remember being a little girl, at my grandparents’ trailer home in rural Manitoba, obsessed with the deer head mounted on the wall. I would stare at it, look into its eyes, and swear it was alive, that it still held a spirit of some kind.

I would ask to be lifted up so I could pet the deer. I could feel its power, grace and nobility. Admiring this amazing creature, I wondered how or why it had to be killed. I felt that maybe it was watching over me.

Years later, when my grandparents moved into a house, I remember they had a large tapestry of deer in the snow in the basement where I would sleep. It brought me so much peace and comfort, to stare at the tapestry, watching the deer, imagining I was with them in the snow. It helped me fall asleep, as I would lay on a mattress right across from the tapestry.

I don’t know if these memories were the beginnings of my long-time connection with Deer as an animal ally, but I think they stick with me for a reason.

The Circle of Life

My grandparents on their farm in Manitoba in the 1940s & 1950s. Upper left photo is of my grandma hand-feeding a deer.

My grandpa was a hunter, butcher and farmer, yet he loved animals more than anyone I knew. He would always take the time to teach me about the animals around us, getting me to slow down and take the time to really observe the behaviour of a bird or squirrel, in a way I never did on my own.

My grandparents relied on the land to survive, and in rural Manitoba that isn’t an easy feat. Their relationship with nature was much more intimate than mine. They understood the cycles of life and death. They simultaneously loved and adored animals, while having no qualms about taking their lives if needed.

This is an ability I was spared from learning in my life, having grown up in the city of Winnipeg, I never relied on hunting or farming to survive. I had the privilege to eat according to my ideals and sentiments, choosing to be a vegetarian and vegan for over 14 years. Now, I’m a flexitarian, as my chronic health issues have shown me that my body requires me to eat a certain amount of meat. I do so in humility and gratitude.

I think about my grandparents and my mother growing up on the farm and I feel lucky to have been given the chance to live a different life. But I also feel maybe I missed out on some important wisdom their lifestyle carried. I am not sure how I would handle a lifestyle of raising and killing animals so we and others could eat. I am so grateful for those who do this so I can survive and be healthy.

I don’t judge anyone for their dietary choices or lifestyle, as I feel there’s no room for that in this world of inequities, diverse religious and cultural traditions and health complexities. I’ve done all the diets, for all the reasons. I’ve been in a lot of different shoes. I see all the sides.

I do, however, feel there is much to learn from our animal kin. Cultivating a relationship with them is something special and sacred and reminds us that we too are part of the same family.

When we are strongly drawn to an animal, or if one keeps showing up in our lives, it can be worth getting curious about them. Research their eating habits, survival instincts, how they approach relating and family, and see if they perhaps carry qualities we need to cultivate within ourselves or learn to access or express in our lives. Getting to know them can help us get to know ourselves better. They can help us embody our animal self and deepen our connection to the natural world.

Deer in my Life

Deer are very common here in Canada, especially white-tailed deer. Yet, despite how common they are, it always feels like such a blessing to actually see one.

As the quiet, gentle spirits of the forest, seeing a deer always brings me a sense of humility and honour. I feel one of deer’s messages to me is to embrace my sensitivity. Deer are always keenly aware- able to sense even the slightest movement or faintest smell of predators.

I also feel the symbolism of the antlers reaching up and out are like antennae to the spirit world, giving deer a special attunement to frequencies that we are not aware of in our usual daily consciousness. When deer shows up, I take it as a reminder to attune to the subtle realms more consciously. Take the time to be silent, still and listen. Pay attention to my surroundings.

Pretty much every time we venture up north to camp or stay at a cottage, we see deer. Often, we see 3 at a time, which makes sense as my husband and daughter and I all feel a special connection to them and travel together. We have often felt an intuitive sense of where and when they are nearby, and then they show up!

I remember a beautiful workshop where my daughter and I made our own deerskin drums. Myself and a few others were struggling to cut the hide. My daughter was a natural, however. The teacher mentioned that cutting the hide required a special gentleness and attunement to the deer spirit in order for it to be cut properly. I was gripping too tight, applying too much force, so it wouldn’t cut. One of deer’s messages to me is always to be gentle, lighten up. I eventually got it.

My daughter cutting the deer hide with ease.

The drum making process overall was a good experience in aligning with deer energy. Now every time I drum, I honor the deer spirit. I see her in pretty much all of my journeys, songs and meditations, guiding me between the worlds.

Deer Goddess- Elen of the Ways

One aspect of deer that I’ve experienced in my journeys is myself as a woman with deer antlers, like some sort of deer priestess or deer lady of the woods, spending time with a herd of deer. I also often see a female deer with antlers showing me where to go.

At first I thought, how can a female deer have antlers? I later found out that female elk/reindeer have antlers. But it felt like something more than elk. It felt like it was something bigger. This curiosity led me to discovering an ancient European/British antlered goddess named in modern times as Elen of the Ways.

My Deer/Elen of the Ways altar. Statue by Philippa Bowers.

Apparently countless women have seen this female antlered deer/ female deer goddess show up in their meditations and journeys too. Elen is still quite enigmatic, her history found in bits and pieces here and there. However despite the lack of strong documented history, she remains in the consciousness of many. She is often seen as representing the Earth Mother and is a guide of pathways and ley lines. I have been slowly connecting more to her and understanding her role in my life.

Often seen as ‘fairy cattle’ in Scottish mythology, deer are often considered a connection to the Otherworld. The Celtic Lord of the Wild Hunt, Cernunnos is often depicted as a man with antlers, surrounded by animals. He is the spirit of the forest, of fertility and the wilderness, a guide between worlds.

Deer in many ways are a bridge for me. They are a connection to my family here and their history on these lands, as I mentioned in the beginning with my grandparents. They are also connected to the traditions of my British and Celtic ancestors across the ocean. They also bridge this world and the spirit world.

Deer, being a traveling animal, helps me to feel comfortable traveling– in spirit as well as in life to create these bridges in my spiritual practice, mind and body. Sometimes they are simply a reminder to get out and walk more often.

Deer is a long time friend who I feel is an ally- a spirit that helps me align with my soul’s growth, healing and renewal, who helps me to navigate life’s challenges.

‘Spirit Animals’, ‘Totems’ & Cultural Appropriation

From The Gentle Tarot- by Indigenous artist Mariza Ryce Aparicio-Trovar

I feel it is important to recognize that animistic practices and animal reverence exists globally, yet beliefs vary from culture to culture and tradition to tradition.

Due to colonization on Turtle Island, Indigenous beliefs and practices were illegal until 1978 in the US and until 1951 in Canada, and therefore out of reach for many Indigenous folks. Many are only just beginning to reclaim these ways, which is necessary for healing.

Sacred practices regarding animal medicine and family clan traditions managed to survive and still exist today in Indigenous communities. Unfortunately however, mainstream colonial culture has appropriated and distorted some of these traditions.

The word ‘totem’ is an anglicised word for ‘doodem’ in Annishinaabemowin, which speaks to the family clans symbolised by an animal and holding deep meaning and tradition. The term ‘spirit animal’ is often associated with Indigenous culture, however seems to have emerged as a modern term stemming from 1990’s Wicca and pagan circles.

Quizzes, memes and t-shirts in mainstream culture using the words ‘spirit animal’ and ‘totem’ are often fluffy and disrespectful- saying ‘Justin Bieber is my spirit animal’ or ‘pizza is my spirit animal’ which makes light of a sacred tradition that many find offensive.

The use of the word ‘totem’ in pop culture can mean anything from an animal persona (I have heard of the term ‘fursona’ or even ‘Patronus’ as a replacement), to an animal you happen to really like or resonate with- but none of these are the same as a doodem.

You can learn more about this here and here.

I use the term ‘animal ally’ which isn’t tied to a distinct tradition, and it refers to a spirit guide that shows up in animal form for us in both spirit and in the flesh.

It is important to be aware of your own relationship with animals- your own beliefs and personal experience, the cultural context, and not co-opt or make light of Indigenous sacred traditions.

It is also important that as we connect to these animals in our environment, that we are aware of the laws and customs where we reside. Carrying an eagle feather- and even keeping found feathers of many common bird species is actually illegal in the US and Canada if you are not Indigenous. Using feathers in ways that mimic Indigenous customs you know nothing about or have no connection to (like headdresses, prayer fans, dreamcatchers, etc) is disrespectful.

As part of the natural world, we must recognize our place in the ecosystem, and be aware of our privilege, power and relation to other people and greater-than- human beings. We must approach each other and our animal kin with reverence and respect.

What animals hold spiritual significance for you in your life?

What traditions or beliefs do you have regarding animal allies or messengers?

How do you honor animals in your practice?

Thank-you for reading,

Serena

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