Here's the plan: I want to do a series of Spirit Animals paintings, and for each, build a corresponding page here with information about the animal and how it functions as a Spirit Animal.
What are Spirit or Totem Animals? Primitive societies were much more tied to the earth and the cycles and rhythms of nature than we are. Animals appearing in someone's life were thought to hold significance. Some cultures believed that each person had a Totem animal - sort of a guardian angel, but also sort of a zodiac symbol in that it determined personality and other traits. Shamans also were believed to have the ability to shape-shift into various animals and gain some of their abilities.
I find that the messages are still there if you're paying attention. For example, when my son was moving out, I kept noticing a preponderance of Vultures around the house. As I looked up Vulture as a Spirit Animal, and meditated on what she was trying to tell me, I found that a kind of rebirth was in store for me. A difficult time, but a reemergence on the other side in a different form (I was painting a lot of images of metamorphosis and phoneix and other stuff at the time, too). I believe that messages and help from the Universe can come in many forms; because I have adored animals since before I could walk, this is what speaks to me. It might be quite different for you.
If you'd like me to paint your Totem Animal for you I'd love to consider it. If you have another kind of spiritual painting that you think I can execute for you, I would be happy to try. Till then, bright blessings, and may you not forget to feel the pulse of the earth under your bare feet.
What are Spirit or Totem Animals? Primitive societies were much more tied to the earth and the cycles and rhythms of nature than we are. Animals appearing in someone's life were thought to hold significance. Some cultures believed that each person had a Totem animal - sort of a guardian angel, but also sort of a zodiac symbol in that it determined personality and other traits. Shamans also were believed to have the ability to shape-shift into various animals and gain some of their abilities.
I find that the messages are still there if you're paying attention. For example, when my son was moving out, I kept noticing a preponderance of Vultures around the house. As I looked up Vulture as a Spirit Animal, and meditated on what she was trying to tell me, I found that a kind of rebirth was in store for me. A difficult time, but a reemergence on the other side in a different form (I was painting a lot of images of metamorphosis and phoneix and other stuff at the time, too). I believe that messages and help from the Universe can come in many forms; because I have adored animals since before I could walk, this is what speaks to me. It might be quite different for you.
If you'd like me to paint your Totem Animal for you I'd love to consider it. If you have another kind of spiritual painting that you think I can execute for you, I would be happy to try. Till then, bright blessings, and may you not forget to feel the pulse of the earth under your bare feet.