Shamanic traditions suggest that we are assisted throughout our lives by the essence of various animals. These are often called Spirit Guardians, Totem Animals or Power Animals. Our Finding Your Power Animal meditation will take you on a journey to discover your current Power Animal. We also have Power Animal Oracle Cards and Michael Harner's drumming CD's to create your own Shamanic Journey.

A Power Animal assists you by giving you strength, guidance and protection. A Power Animal is always friendly and helpful. Animal totem meanings help to explain the reason that this particular Power Animal has appeared in your life.

This page lists some of the more common Power Animals and their animal totem meanings. If you don't find your power animal in the list just think about the animal and what attributes it represents. These will be what it brings to you.

Bear - Hibernation is a key attribute of the bear. Having a bear as your power animal indicates the need to go within yourself - to withdraw from the world to find your answers. Your dream time is extremely important.

Buffalo - The buffalo is the most sacred animal in Native American traditions. It represents the Great Spirit manifested. Having this as your power animal indicates the importance of sharing and caring for all.

Butterfly - The butterfly represents transformation and the ability to accept change.

Cougar - This mountain lion provides the power of leadership and encourages you to take responsibility for your life.

Cow - The cow is a symbol of motherhood and hourishment. It is also a symbol of fertility.

Crocodile - The crocodile is best known for it's "crocodile tears." With this power animal you will need to address your emotional nature, making sure that you display them appropriately and accurately.

Coyote - The jackal helps you to recognize your own mistakes and to laugh at yourself.

Crow - This animal indicates the need to find balance and to stay in the present and will bring to you the ability to release past beliefs.

Deer - Gentleness is the key word here. The deer represents kindness and compassion.

Dolphin - Life breath and communication is the essence of the dolphin. The dolphin will also help you with interpreting your dreams.

Dragon - The Dragon represents prosperity. This may be of spiritual (intuition) rather than materiaal riches, because the dragon was regarded as the guaridian of treasure that lay hidden deep within the unconscious and was hard to obtain.

Eagle - The eagle is your connection with your Soul. It helps you to see beyond the mundane to your higher purpose.

Elephant- The sense of smell is very important and is a symbol for the importance of learning discernment. Also, elephants show great affection and loyalty. Those with this power animal will be given the opportunity to establish powerful family ties by caring for the young, the elderly and the sick.

Ferret - See the Weasel definition.

Fox - This animal respresents patience - the ability to wait for the right moment to act.

Frog - The frog will teach you how to jump from materialism to spirituality.

Hawk - The hawk represents the ability to see meaning in ordinary experiences and helps you to become more observant.

Horse - The horse will teach you how to communicate with other realms as well as this one. It is the message carrier.

Hummingbird - This creature represents the joy of living and brings with it the ability to see beauty in everything.

Lion - The lion represents wisdom and power. It brings to you the abilities of heart-centered leadership.

Lizard - The lizard brings into your awareness your subconscious hopes and fears so that through the light of day they can be acknowledged.

Mouse - The mouse helps you to notice the little things in life - all of those details you previously overlooked and to be ever alert to those things going on around you.

Owl - The owl represents wisdom and gives you the ability to see things that are normally hidden from view - like the motives of others so that you won't be deceived.

Raven - This is the messenger. The raven indicates that you need to make changes in the way you perceive things and gives you the ability to see what has to be changed.

Snake - This animal gives you the ability to let go of things that are worn out and no longer useful - just like the snake sheds it skin when it is no longer needed.

Spider - The spider represents creativity and the weaving of fate. Everything you do in the present will help determine your future. The past always influences the present and the future. It also teaches the need to maintain balance between the past and the future.

Squirrel - The squirrel encourages you to develop the ability to plan ahead and to anticipate your future needs, to be prepared.

Swan - The swan gives you the ability to handle change and transformation with grace and dignity.

Tiger - The tiger represents passion and sensuality. The sense of touch is heightened with the tiger as a power animal. The tiger also brings forth silent, solitary, power.

Turtle - The turtle gives groundedness. It imparts to you the ability to keep your feet on the ground and pay attention to earthly things.

Unicorn - This magical animal gives you the ability to make your dreams come true.

Weasel - This animal imparts the ability to see beneath the surface of things to what the actual intent and meaning is. The weasel also encourages you to develop your sense of inner hearing and to pay attention to your inner voice.

Whale - The whale gives you the ability to know the wisdom of the ages - from the time before time.

Wolf - The wolf represents your inner teacher. It will help you to find your life path.