Animal Spirit Messages
by Ronnee Ruselle
Messages in the form of animals can be very special and just a moment in the company of an animal can convey much more meaning than words alone can.
Visits from loved ones
Your spirit message could come from a spirit that you know such as a family member or a friend letting you know that he/she is around. It can bring great comfort. It can also be their way of passing on a message to you.
Spirit guide message
An animal spirit message from a guide can carry great meaning. Your guide will make it obvious to you that it is a guided message so if you're unsure then assume that it is not a direct communication from a guide, but that does not lessen the importance of the message.
Ideally guides will try to lead you in the right direction with as little direct communication as possible. The intention is for you to feel self-reliant because this makes you strive to solve issues through your own ideas and actions rather than relying upon someone else. This helps you to learn faster and thoroughly.
When you have one of those moments where they are sending you a message and it is in the form of an animal or includes the vision of one, your task is to ask questions on what it means. If the communication is clear enough then you will know.
The guides tell me that there was a time where messages in the form of animals would have been more common when we did not live in cities. When we lived a tribal life among nature and animals, it would have had great spiritual significance and meaning because our understanding of animals and nature around us would have been more direct. The animal would have represented something particular to each person physically, spiritually, emotionally or otherwise.
If animals have a special significance to you, it's likely that you may receive a message associated with animals as it will be easily understood and interpreted by your brain. If they have no particular significance for you, a message may come in that form to grab your attention.
Dreams
An animal appearing in a dream could be a communication from spirit, but it could also be how your brain interprets information and passes on a message to you. This is equally as important so it is a good idea to try to understand its' meaning.
Interpreting messages
When interpreting messages from animal spirit, try to take into account more than just the animal itself:
-Settings
Look at the surroundings and see what is significant. Take notice of location, colours, movements, other people or animals present. Ask what they represent and what their meaning is. Are they related to the animal or is the animal appearing separately to the setting that it is in?
-The Animal
The animal or animals represent the main character in some messages. In others they will add an element to the message.
Firstly determine whether animals are the central focus or not. Then take notice of such things as (this includes groups of animals):
The direction the animal is heading.
If it is heading towards you then this would indicate a direct interaction with you of some kind. It could be a warning or a show of love, support and affection or it could be to draw your attention to something coming towards you. In any case, it is meant to be noticed.
If it is heading directly away from you, it may wish you to follow it in your dream or vision. In this case, it would lead you to something or someone of meaning. It could also be the animals' way of telling that its' spirit is leading you in life, to look at what is in front of you (particularly if the animal is standing still) or it could indicate a need to look ahead to the future. Ask what the significance is at the time or even later and you'll get a feeling, word or a sense of knowing that will help to clarify its' meaning.
If it is headed in another direction then it could be indicating something around you that is connected to you rather than something to do with you personally. It could also be telling you to look in the direction it is headed or to consider peers or things that stand equal to you if the animal travels in a sideways direction that is clearly in line with you.
-The Behaviour of the animal
If the animal is behaving in a threatening manner, then it could be letting you know that there is a threat or unsupportive element around you. It could also be warning you to move away from a person, place or situation of danger that you are moving towards. Another possibility is that the animal may be letting you know that you are protected by whomever it represents.
Of course, if the animal is behaving in a loving, fun, social, friendly, playful or other positive way, then its' message is a positive one associated with its' feelings for you or for a positive person/situation around you.
It is important to note who the animals' behaviour is aimed at. Although the message is for you, it could be aimed at a person or situation around you.
-The appearance of the animal
The animals' appearance will add another dimension to your understanding of the message. It may be sleek, healthy, sick, dirty, messy, shiny, young, old - the list goes on. It's colour may have meaning as well. Asking what these things mean in relation to the message will give you even more information to work with.
You
-Feelings
Being aware of your own feelings will help you to understand the message too. You may find that you are faced with a fearsome creature, but you feel no fear. This could indicate that the animal represents a protective guide or spirit around you.
If, for example, you had a vision or dream of a small animal that in real life would not have bothered you and but in the vision or dream you feared it or were suspicious of it, then this could indicate that there is a small issue around you that seems harmless but is not. This is only one possibility. Asking what it means will reveal more.
-Behaviour
Your behaviour in a dream or vision will also tell you more about it. Is it suggesting that you take some action or it may be recommending inaction at a crucial moment. Perhaps you are to show kindness to someone. Perhaps you are to watch or listen for something.
Physical or Spiritual
Of course an animal message can be delivered in the form of a physical animal. I have heard many stories over the years where a bird of animal will seem to appear and convey some sense of a message or feelings. People invariable will have a feeling of exactly who the message was from and even its' meaning.
If you have such an encounter but are not sure of its source or meaning, then think about situations that are happening around you at the time it occurs. Perhaps it is a message to tell you that all will be well in a time of stress.
Perhaps it is the favourite animal of a loved one letting you know that they are saying "Hi!" Analyse your recent thoughts and actions to see if there is a connection.
If none of these things ring true for you, then keep a note of it with as much detail as possible because there may be something in the future that it is related to.
In whole or part
Animal messages are mostly symbolic. This means that they will represent something rather than literally happening. For example, if you get an image of a black panther in a meditation or a dream, it is most likely that it represents something or someone rather than telling you that you will see a black panther. Of course, you might see one, but generally speaking, such visions tend to be giving you information.
The same goes for symbols or parts of animals. If you have a guide who associates strongly with a particular animal, say a crow for example, then you may find now and then that a crow will appear to confirm something for you. It may appear to you physically by landing nearby or 'cawing' at you. You may find a feather somewhere significant or you may be led to a book, movie or image to do with one that has uncanny timing. Perhaps a song plays about an animal or the band/singer's name is to do with the animal just when you're asking for confirmation or help from your guide/loved one. These are only examples. The experiences as you may imagine are many and varied.
The above are just examples of what such things could mean to you. Each experience will mean something particular and personal to you. It depends upon your personality, experience, likes and dislikes and those of the person giving you the message what the meaning is behind each one. This is why you will be the most suited person to analyze your messages. Other people can make suggestions as to their meanings, but your gut instinct is the best gauge. You can put it together like a puzzle.
Possible Meanings:
The message may be designed to bring awareness of negative or positive traits that you share with the particular animal. For example, it may help you in difficult times to recognize that you have the determination of the salmon and therefore will get through difficult times or perhaps the presence of an otter will tell you that your playfulness is an aid to those around you.
It could be that you are being made aware of the need for certain traits. The animal that is presented to you will have these traits for example you may be shown a butterfly indicating that you need to transform yourself in some way to become a happier person.
It may be to describe the way a guide is helping you. The guide may appear to you in the form of a dog telling you that he/she is faithfully working alongside you.) I have had meditations where an animal such as a small deer entered my meditation and became a guide. I instantly understood that it entered in this form so that I was not threatened by it and knew that it was safe.
The article "Animal Spirit Interpretations" may give some help in interpreting your animal spirit experience.
These messages can bring change, information, awareness and comfort - such wonderful experiences.