What is Animal Medicine
In the context of Animal Medicine, the word “medicine” must be redefined. Medicine in a Native American concept refers to anything that improves one’s connection to Creator/Great Spirit/The Great Mystery, and all life. This includes physical healing, mind healing and spirit healing. It also encompasses anything that increases or brings about growth in personal power, strength and understanding. It is a way of living that brings healing to Mother Earth and all life forms. Therefore, in essence, Native American medicine means a way of life – walking on Earth in perfect harmony with the Universe.
Animals’ characteristics, behaviours, patterns and even their very appearances, relay messages to us – we just need to learn the language. This is part of an ancient form of “reading the wyrd” (a term used in Celtic shamanism), the way the world worked before technology made us blind and deaf to the natural world around us. This precious information, and gifts of healing, are completely free to us.
When you call on the power or energy of a specific animal, you are asking to be drawn into complete harmony with the strength of its essence. All understanding that we gain, all wisdom that we collect through these valuable interactions with our animal brothers and sisters, is a healing process, and must be approached with both humility and intuitiveness.
Soul Lessons
Certain aspects of the lessons the animals choose to teach us are reflections of our soul lessons. These are essential truths about being human, being vulnerable, and seeking wholeness with all that is. They are a part of the pathway to power. The power lies in the wisdom and understanding of your role in the Great Mystery, and in honouring every living thing as a teacher.
“THE SILENCE OF A QUIET MIND IS THE SACRED FERTILITY OF THE RECEIVING SPIRIT”
– MEDICINE CARDS, J SAMS & D CARSON
Learning to interact with the Animal Kingdom in this way is about reactivating your instinctual intuitiveness, remembering your innate knowledge of natural truths, learning how to relate to all of the Great Mystery’s creatures, and how to observe the obvious in the silence.
NEXT WEEK:
Different Animal Totem Traditions
