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The Healing Magic and Power of ANIMAL SYMBOLISM part two
Each animal has its own behaviour patterns and characteristics that make it special. Therefore each carries with it, different attributes which we relate to our own natures. This is taken into consideration when looking for specific symbolic meaning. Yet each attribute carries with it qualities that are parallel to our own instinctive natures. Form the native perspective,
"animals" can all communicate with the human by sending an impression, which is seen in the mind (
received). And because each creature is it self an expression of the Great Spirit, it can thus communicate to the human mind messages from The Great Spirit." This is why they are seen as the great helpers of mankind.
Some of the most widely used animal "motifs" in art and
literature, as well as many other forms of communication, consist mainly the most common animals native to North America. These are the animals used by the First Nations people
symbolically in their Medicine Wheel, which is used for the
benefit of the growth and healing of an individual .Wolves, bears, deer, fox,
squirrel, frog, butterfly, turtle, buffalo, mouse, eagle, hawk are some examples. Some others that are less common are dogs, monkeys ,pigs, lions and other cats, horses and unicorns, lizards and mythical beasts,
rodents, snakes, fish and birds of many varieties. Many of these examples are more common to the
Chinese astrology .
The animal "motif" is a universal symbol because it has survived the time barriers in many ways equally well throughout the world. Different cultures have passed on through the generations a variety of legends and myths, which contain the animal
"motif". Here is a wolf poem taken from taken from a novel based on a story that takes place in ancient Ireland. Art work is rich with symbolism and dates as far back as 60,000 BC to
primitive society's cave paintings . Literature is also wild with animal symbolism. Some of our earliest recorded written communications would probably be the ancient Egyptian hieroglyphics , cave art, or even Easter Island's coded messages carved in the stone statues and their ancient
Rondo tablets. These ancient picture codes all seem to contain some kind of symbolic images of animals.
Innate within our minds it has survived and thrived right up to this modern day . It follows us , almost with a will of it's own , right into our dreams.
The animal "motif" has shown up in many different religions as well as rituals and its presence worshiped and feared .This
powerful motif has even presented itself as different spirits in animal form. Its presence has not only invaded our dreams , but
coloured our beliefs, inspired artists, and enriched their creations, represented mythological gods and spirits. Its presence has certainly added much spice by way as symbol to our many means of self expression.
Being a mysterious symbol, it has made its way into the spiritual life of many religions. Many which tell of our first days and our first contact with the
animal. The most failure story is the biblical account of "Adam and Eve". It seems our relationship with animals goes hand in hand with our relationship with God. These legends are often
referred to as the " paradisiac myths" (Elaide 60). They show how we suppressed our
instinctive natures to such extremes that we became alienated
from Him. But when we were still in Paradise according to most legends, we enjoyed many freedoms, which include a special friendship with animals, a knowledge of their language , and an easy access to heaven, followed with direct communication with God. After the "fall", among the many loses, was man's loss of his special relationship with animals, and also the loss of the direct communication with God.
It seems as if one of the roles that animal symbolism plays is in the regaining of something that was lost in the "fall". The situation might be remedied by reliving the "paradisiac past" and attaining a type of special relationship with animals, through animal symbolism. According to Elaide, "the vital experience of this
friendship with animals takes man out of the general condition of "fallen" humanity and enables him to re-enter the condition described to us by the "paradisiac myths"(66). It seems that getting in touch with our instinctive and animal natures is quite important in the religious and spiritual life. As Elaide says" it is only the mystics who obtain in part the restoration of that state: friendship with animals ascent to heaven and meeting with God"(68). Saint Francis of Assise is another example of a religious nature. It is quite common to see pictures of "holy men", with birds landing on them or surrounded by some
type of animal.
What is a Mystic ?Who is the Shaman ?
Shamanism - use of the archaic techniques of ecstasy that were developed independent of any religious
philosophy they empirically validated, experientially operable techniques that produce ecstasy. Ecstasy is the
contemplation of wholeness.
Source:
The Archaic Revival
by Terence McKenna
Here is a link to more information on shamanism
http://deoxy.org/shaover.htm#2
The shaman through animal symbolism attains a spiritual life that is richer than the average
person. To put it briefly the shaman , in some cases will initiate the sounds and
behaviour of animals and birds in order to reach the ecstasy
state. This is often refereed to as the secret language of the animals and it is used in preparation for a mystic journey into the spirit world. A meeting takes place with his animal spirit who then guides him through a vision where special knowledge is received (63). Here we see the pattern: from man ....through animal ....to God.
Other mystics? Our biblical profits seem to fit animals into their accounts here and there. There is a noticeable similarity among these mystics which most of us are familiar with . These examples are in many of our various religious accounts .The story of "Daniel and the lions" from the Bible is another example that a relationship with animals was attained and direct communication with God accomplished.
Jesus , quite often was and is symbolized as an animal .He was the lamb of God, the fish, the lion , the serpent exulted on the cross, and the unicorn. The lamb of god became the mediator between us and God. He also was deemed the sacrificial lamb. Since we showed a need to sacrifice animals or our animal nature in hopes to please God, He gave us His sacrificial lamb instead.
The presence of animal symbolism in our lives today is quite often felt on personal levels such as our dreams and fantasies. The reason is because much of its presence is subconsciously realized. Yet if we were to really open our eyes to it , we could become fully aware of the hundreds of symbols around us in animal form and be astounded at just how much there is .All the subtle uses of animal symbolism in any toy department is a growing phenomenon on display in almost any store are a multitude of stuffed toy creatures, books and toys , from cute and cuddly to grotesque and aggressive. All of us seem to be drawn to the animal "motif" , even children, and most of us have never given it any thought.. Subconsciously we respond to the symbolism, especially at Easter. Be it spiritual implications of religious origins or just subconscious reminders of our suppressed instinctual natures.
We have not succeeded in killing the animal within, so we might just as well get to know it. Jung , in his book states the importance of recognizing the symbolic animal within and coming to terms with it.
"Suppressed and wounded instincts are the dangers threatening civilized man; uninhibited drives are the dangers threatening primitive man. In both cases the "animal" is alienated from its true nature; and for both, the acceptance of the animal soul is the condition for wholeness and a fully lived life. Primitive man must tame the animal in himself and make it his helpful companion; civilized man must heal the animal in himself and make it his friend(266)."
We see it emerging because it is a part of us : a strange and quite often unknown part of us, therefore viewed as mysterious and occult. Whether we like it or not , there is a little beast in all of us.
