Sample article from the November STAR BEACON

Power animals help us cope with life's challenges

THE SHAMAN'S PATH

by Irina H. Corten, Ph.D.

POWER ANIMALS -- PART I

A power animal is the spirit of a wild animal species who comes from non-ordinary reality to give us teaching, guidance and protection. Power in this context refers not to large size or physical strength but to the knowledge and wisdom of the universe that the spirit animal represents. There is no hierarchy among these animals. Shamanically, a butterfly is just as powerful as an eagle, only their specific functions are different. Domesticated animals, because of their dependence on humans and remoteness from nature, are not represented in the power animal kingdom as a rule, although there are some exceptions, notably the horse.

It is believed that having a power animal is essential for our physical, emotional and spiritual well-being. How many of them we have and what species depends on individual needs. For some people one animal is sufficient, while others are surrounded by a veritable zoo. The more conscious we are of these animals, the better they are able to serve us, so it is important to honor them and cultivate a relationship with them. There are many creative and enjoyable ways of doing that, such as drawing the animal's picture, dedicating a poem or a song to it, impersonating it in a dance, or giving it a physical workout. I, for example, like to invite my spirit menagerie to accompany me whenever I go for a walk in nature.

How does one acquire a power animal? People often say to me: "I've always felt particularly attracted to such and such a species. Is this my power animal?" The answer is possibly, but not necessarily. To meet our spirit animal, we must either have a shamanic practitioner journey to non-ordinary reality to retrieve it for us, or we must undertake a retrieval ritual of our own. There are several ways to go about it. In traditional shamanic cultures, a vision quest entailing a vigil in the wilderness is commonly practiced. Another method is rattling, drumming and dancing for a power animal. It also is possible to ask your power animal to reveal itself to you in a dream. The method most frequently taught to students of "core shamanism" (shamanic practice based on elements common across culture) is that of finding the animal through a visionary journey.

I have several wonderful power animals who made themselves known to me in different ways. One of them appeared in a journey during a shamanic workshop. I would like to share this journey with you, dear readers, for it follows the classic method of going to the Lower World (spirit realm beneath the earth) with the intent of meeting and communicating with a spirit animal. Our workshop instructor, Sandra Ingerman* explained the initial procedure. We were to visualize an opening in the earth through which to enter the Lower World. Once we passed through the tunnel and reached our destination, we were to ask the universe to send us the appropriate animal. After that we were to "go with the flow."

We lay down on our mats in a darkened room, covered our eyes, and Sandra began to beat her drum. I chose to go into an underground spring in a forest glade. Floating rapidly down a watery tunnel, I emerged on the shore of a lake. Telepathically I projected my intent, and almost immediately saw a large, gray wolf running toward me. I greeted him and asked if he would be willing to teach me some wisdom. "Okay, woman," he said rather gruffly, "climb on my back." I happily complied, and he carried me swiftly through a dark forest. At the end of it I saw a chain of hills illumined by a bright full moon, and a pack of wolves sitting on the slopes. My Wolf introduced me to the members of his pack and told me how important it was for them to stick together and rely on each other for survival. We all arranged ourselves in a circle and started howling at the moon.

The mountain air was cold, and when the wolves howled, mist from their breath rose upwards in columns. I felt my soul trying to rise up along these columsn toward the sky in an attempt to escape from the burdens of life on our troubled planet. But each time this happened, some force would pull me right back to my place on the ground amidst the wolf pack. At one point my Wolf became so annoyed at me for these escapades that he bared his teeth at me in a most ferocious manner. In this I saw a clear teaching: Do not evade your involvements and responsibilities on earth, however difficult they might be.

Then the whole scene shifted to a frozen wilderness, possibly some place in Alaska or Siberia. The wolves -- my brothers and sisters -- huddled together around a dying bonfire in bitter cold. The poor animals were starving to death, and I offered my body to them as nourishment. They dismembered and ate it. My essential self remained intact, and I felt happy committing this act of unconditional love and merging with the Whole.

In the final scene of this journey the wolves and I sat in a semi-circle at the foot of a high mountain. Above the peak there loomed a huge, fiery opening that seemed to lead to some celestial cavern or inner sanctum. We sat there warming ourselves and worshipping the divine spirit emanating from this source. My membership in their extended family and the resulting sense of togetherness and mutual support was very gratifying. Symbolically it represented the importance of being a caring and committed member of the human community.

In summary, working with power animals is one of the most rewarding aspects of my shamanic practice. I love receiving their advice and answers to important questions and sometimes just frolicking and having fun with them in shamanic journeys. I also value their assistance in retrieving power animals for clients. Their strength, energy and wisdom are truly remarkable, and after two years in their company I cannot imagine living without them.

*Sandra Ingerman is the author of one of the best books on contemporary shamanism, titled "Soul Retrieval: Mending the Fragmented Self" (1991).

Irina Corten is a college professor of Russian living in Minnesota. She offers shamanic counseling to all those who seek it. Direct questions for her to The Star Beacon, PO Box 117, Paonia, CO 81428; e-mail: starbeacon@galaxycorp.com