Pets With Power

Spiritually speaking, when the topic of animals is brought up, the first thought usually goes to power, spirit, or totem animals. As a spiritual guide or companion, these can be any type of animal since no physical contact with a living creature is required. Connections with these creatures can be made through meditation, visualizations, pictures, sculptures, jewelry, or any other way you can think of. As an added bonus this means that those guides or companions can also be creatures that are either mythical or exist on other planes of existence (such as dragons, unicorns, phoenix, etc..).
 
However, there are plenty of animals that are called (or we call) to guide us, usually referred to as totem animals, that we can have physical contact with. We keep these animals as pets, companions, work animals, and sometimes familiars. When we keep animals as pets they actually perform some spiritual or energetic work for us that we may not see. They are energetically attuned to others and their surroundings in ways we may not be, allowing them to sense stagnant or unwanted energies that may be held or brought into our home and ourselves. Spending time with them or allowing them roam free within our home space can help break up these undesirable energies, allowing them to release and creating space for more positive and inviting energies to come in. Many studies have shown that owning a pet can decrease a person’s stress levels and increase physical and emotional health. The two main animals that come to mind, of course, cats and dogs.
 
Cats are a popular choice for a familiar, as they are usually known (in the spiritual community) for their ability to see and sense things humans usually cannot. Given this ability, they are often regarded as excellent spiritual protectors. In some cultures they are considered psychopomps; able to travel between the planes to guide souls or deliver messages (covered in a previous post). Studies have also shown that the frequency of a cat’s purr has healing benefits, and energy healers may consider them aura cleansers.
 
Dogs are also popular, and considered protectors, but on a more physical level. That said, I have witnessed dogs “see” things that others have not. They are, of course, considered excellent loyal companions, and can also help decrease stress levels and elevate a person’s health. Petting them, playing with them, and even talking to them can be very therapeutic. They can act like furry little emotional sponges that always seem to know when we are not well or upset. They often teach us lessons about joy, devotion, and balance.
 
Maybe you aren’t a cat or a dog person though. There are so many other creatures we can create these bonds with that probably don’t get as much credit as they should. They can perform the same energetic break up/cleansing just by being present, and also have spiritual reasons we may be more drawn to them. These include (but are not limited to):
 
Hamsters/Gerbils: As a guide they can teach about resourcefulness and cycles.
Rats: Linked to the unconscious and the shadow self.
Snakes: Always given a bad reputation, but are more accurately associated with transformation, hidden wisdom, and the primal life force.
Turtles: Teach stability and patience. As the saying goes “Slow and steady wins the race”, in this case, to wisdom.
Fish: Are linked to abundance, but, as creatures of water, which symbolically represents the emotions, they are also linked to the deep inner thoughts and emotions that area present in the quiet depths of self.
Lizards: These creatures love to bask in the sun, and therefore, are connected to solar energy. They also tech transformation and adaptation.
 
Each of these creatures can come in a multitude of varieties, each one with a more specific message, so I am speaking in generalities here, but the overall message is there. On a side note, you are not limited to physical contact with just house pets. One can create a special bond with larger animals like horses, goats, pigs, sheep, etc.. as well. You can connect with more wild energies in other ways as well, like making friends with local crows/ravens or other birds, creating bee and butterfly gardens (fairies love gardens too), or contributing to charities that support wildlife preserves or other helpful resources. It is, however, not a good idea to feed wild animals, as they may become dependent on you, or stray too close to people who would not see that as desirable (too many animals lose their lives like this).
 
There are a few reasons that animals can show up on a spiritual level in your life. Whether you choose them or they choose you, it may be as part of a soul contract. Aside from the physical health benefits, they are excellent teachers of concepts like patience, unconditional love, and presence. They can also accurately reflect or emotional state (especially dogs and cats), which is helpful in shadow work. Not to mention, as more than one school of thought teaches, the physical manifestation of ailments/dis-ease can be rooted in emotional or spiritual issues that are not dealt with. 
 
So, are you a dog or a cat person? Or perhaps you prefer some other kind of companion? Do you work with spirit, power, or totem animals that you also have as a pet? Has your pet ever alerted you to something you did not otherwise notice? Do you, like me, feel rather incomplete when you don’t have an animal companion at home? Have you ever thought of your pet as more than just a house companion? I would love to know.