Animal Guides, Beings of Wisdom

We have a few different types of guides that walk the path of life with us. Spirit guides, angels and animal guides to name a few. Some people resonate more with animal guides and their specific way of helping us in our lives. If you feel a strong draw to a certain animal, chances are you are connected more than you may know.

In my work as an intuitive reader, I come across a lot of guides. One of my favorite guides to connect with are animal guides. All guides are loving, devoted, and ever present to help us. Animal guides just work in a different way.

What is an animal guide?

Called spirit animals, power animals, totems, or familiars. Animal guides are often connected with earth religions. This is because animals are well attuned to nature, but more than this, they connect us to nature. If we tune into an animal guide, we also tune into nature. As such, we bring balance into our heart and mind. Already, the animal guide is teaching us to listen, be still, be aware.

Animal guides teach us through their wisdom, sometimes called medicine. They all carry unique wisdom teachings that we can integrate with over time when working with the animal guide. This helps us to learn lessons, heal, make important shifts in perception. We grow as a result of our connection with all guides, animal guides, in particular, help us to be in harmony with ourselves and the collective.

How they communicate

Animal guides communicate differently than other guides. They don't use a lot of words, usually opting for images, feelings, or signs. Imagine you are sitting in front of a wolf, she isn't going to start talking to you in words, although you may hear a single word or two in your mind. Typically, they will send an image to you, that you can see in your mind's eye, or to make it even simpler a sign.

Signs can consist of

A feather on the ground

Seeing your animal guide in a picture or real life

Having an animal guide cross your path, such as when a crow flies in front of you. 

Having a dream of an animal guide

Hearing someone speak of the animal guide,

Seeing them in a movie or tv. 

Signs are not limited to sightings of your animal guide, they may send a word, or an image, a name as a sign as well.

How to know who your guides are

Here are five examples of animal guides, if one or two stand out they may just be your animal guide (s). In general any animal that you feel a connection with, is possibly your guide. Some stay with us for life, or even lifetimes, while others might be around to help us with a certain lesson we are learning. Trust how you feel about the connection, and learn more about the wisdom teachings of any animal you feel drawn to.

Frog- The wisdom teachings of frog are, healing, peace, love, adaptability, friendship, community, cooperation and development. Frog medicine is about being adaptable and working with what is in front of you. It is about helping others, reaching out to them but also finding balance in all things. Expression of love or any type of true expression is important as well.

Wolf- The wisdom teachings of wolf are family, insight, intelligence, freedom, peace, quiet, solitude, protection. Wolf medicine is about being able to stay calm, in a state of peace so that you may learn what there is to know about any given situation or person.

Owl- The wisdom teachings of owl are freedom, protection, omen, news, wisdom, caution, communication, and observation. Owl medicine is about a sense of purpose mingled with an air of caution. Owls can often communicate news of some sort; they are keen observers.

Dolphin- The wisdom teachings of dolphin are freedom, playfulness, wisdom, truth, family/ community, communication, adventure, joy, and healing. Dolphin medicine is about being a free spirit but also having connections to family and/or community. The wisdom of dolphin is to keep things light and fun while also seeing the deeper meaning in all things.

Hawk- The wisdom teachings of hawk are sight, strength, protection, close examination, battle, trust, gain, and solidarity. Hawks are aggressive when needed, strong and capable, they are protectors and skilled hunters. They know how to get what they need and they are smart about how they get it.

Spending time in nature will help you to connect with all of your guides, especially animal guides. You will develop a sense of connection to what is beyond this world, the unseen. Meditation, exploration, and time spent reflecting will help you connect with your animal guides as well. Make it a point to try to connect, in any way that seems right for you. The wisdom teachings they offer may seem subtle at first but give it time and you will notice their guidance is present in your life.