Animals have always been an important part of human existence. They provided us with food and were a central part of our spirituality, becoming the focus of art and ritual. Later, we domesticated some types of animals, and as they became more reliable sources of food, clothing, and other products, we began to lose our sense of their importance. Some were chosen to provide us with companionship, such as dogs, and they became our servants. Many of us are now coming to remember the old honor with which we treated these animals during our early evolution, and we express this in many ways. We become vegetarians, or we refuse to eat animal flesh unless the animals were treated humanely during their lives. Some of us own pets, which we treat with love and respect, not as slaves that exist only to obey us. We are active in preserving the Earth, the natural habitat of EVERY animal (including ourselves), and endeavor to maintain the environments that many animals require to exist. And when I use the word "animal," I don't just mean cute, fuzzy animals that anyone would want to help - I mean EVERY animal. From birds to fish to insects to worms and, yes, even spiders. Every animal exists to fill a specific ecological niche, and by interfering with their ability to do so, we in turn damage our own ecosystem. So, as you can see, respecting and honoring animals is not limited to our living rooms or our ritual space - it can include things we may already do to help preserve the Earth.

   Some of us have what are known as "totem animals." These are animals that we personally identify with, and that we can learn from by studying their natural habitats, behaviors, food sources, and social interactions. One often will have several totem animals - one or more that stay with the person throughout their life, and many more that teach us only one or two lessons and do not stay for more than a few months, or even years. "Power animals" are generally considered to be guides and/or messengers from beyond the physical realm. They may be lifelong or short-term, just as totem animals, and come to teach us specific things about ourselves, others, and the Universe we live in. Totem and power animals are not the same as familiars. A familiar is a specific, particular being, such as your cat, pet fish, or even a plant, that you connect with on a spiritual and emotional level, and which you may actually work with in magick. Familiars don't have to be animals, but they usually are, simply because we tend to relate more easily to animals than to plants. Keep in mind that simply owning an animal does not automatically make him or her your familiar! My dog, Oliver, actually becomes very uncomfortable when I work, and often tries to interrupt me. Suffice to say, although he is a friend and companion, he is not my familiar.

    For more specific information on the spiritual correspondences of specific animals, or to find your own totem and power animals, please visit the following links:

• Lady of the Earth: Animals and Shamanism

• Akasha SilverMoon Wolf's Wiccan Wonders: Totem Animals

• Shamanism: Working With Animal Spirits

• Rainbow Crystal: Power Animals: Keywords and Descriptions for Some Important Power Animals

• Sayahda: Cycle of Power: Animal Totems

For a more humorous look at totem animals: Davezilla