Animal Totems as Guardian Spirits

The belief in a spiritual guardian or guide spirit actually originated in tribal cultures. The spirit, usually in an animal form, protects individuals, tribes, and clans, and it provided magical shamanic powers. The power possessed by the animal is believed to represent the collective power of the entire species or genus.

These spirits usually appear in animal form but have the ability to assume human form. Hence the concept of shapeshifting is introduced and not feared. In their animal form it is believed that the  animal can talk to humans who have listening hearts and listening souls. This entire belief is centered in the concept that man and animal were at one time related.

Beliefs concerning animal spirits vary amoung the tribes. Many believe that every male child is born with a guardian spirit in animal form to protect him into adulthood.

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