Secrets of Shamanism

78 SECRETS OF SHAMANISM

used to draw in a power animal or guardian spirit. This exer-

cise will also familiarize you with the spirit of animals.

Relax and close your eyes. (Drumming or a drumming

tape is especially helpful here.) Imagine your cave or other

entrance to the earth. Meet your guide and begin the jour-

ney. Allow a landscape to open up before you. It can be a

forest, a meadow, a beach, or a cave. Then allow an image of

an animal to enter that landscape, or perhaps simply think

the name of an animal. Remember that the spirit of the ani-

mal may not always look like the physical form. If you get

nothing, that is fine. Try the exercise again later. By the way,

it is best to avoid animals that are overly hostile with bared

fangs. They do not represent helping spirits but rather obsta-

cles to be dealt with another time when you have assistance.

Should an animal appear, ask the animal to tell you about

its particular qualities. Listen to the answers. Shamanic suc-

cess lies in the ability to listen. Don't worry if it seems to you

that you are making up the answers. It often feels this way at

first. With practice you will be able to discern the difference.

Allow that image to fade and another to come in. Repeat

the exercise with as many different animals as you wish. The

animal that repeatedly appears to you or often acts as your

guide during a journey is the important one. Always re-

member to thank the animal for its information and commu-

nication.

Exercise #3: The Steps

1. Relax and close your eyes.


2. Begin the journey.


3. Go to a landscape.


4. Have an animal enter the landscape.


5. Ask the animal about its qualities. Listen.


6. Let the image fade and another come in.


7. Notice the animal that shows up most often.


8. Thank the animal.

Exercise #4: Honoring the Power Animals Through

Movement

Later we will explain how you can make contact with your
spirit animal through dancing. Here we will simply suggest
that you try the animal on for size, much as children do natu-
rally. For this you will need to find a private space and get
comfortable (wear loose clothes). Relax and close your eyes.