Spirit Animal

[puff_not_snuff]

A few colleagues of mine were discussing their spirit animals yesterday. I was unfamiliar with the concept and still am uncertain if I understand. If someone could could explain it better, that would be great, or if you have a spirit animal (bear, badger, penguin etc.) how did you choose it or do you think you were just born with it?

 

[tobefrank]

I think you just sort of choose the animal that you would like to be associated with. Maybe back in the day when people were closer to nature having a special encounter with an animal would indicate that that animal is your spirit animal.

 

[puff_not_snuff]

I think you just sort of choose the animal that you would like to be associated with. Maybe back in the day when people were closer to nature having a special encounter with an animal would indicate that that animal is your spirit animal.

Can a person also have a spirit plant?

 

[tobefrank]

Can a person also have a spirit plant?

I haven't heard of it, but I don't see why not. Maybe your spirit plant could be a radish or something...

 

[STP]

I know that red cardinals are often considered a spirit animal. My grandmother would say that angels are near when a cardinal appears. It’s a nice thought.

 

[CoffeeAndBourbon]

My spirit animal

 

[OlJawBone]

a sloth.

 

[mso489]

Raptors, and specifically hawks, are my aspirational spirit animal, but cats seem to understand me and take me as a friend. I love dogs, but they are so overtly sociable, I feel like I'm a disappointment to them, but some dogs are true saints, spirit animals indeed.

 

[briarbuck]

Velociraptor

 

[Country Bladesmith]

My spirit animal is Kevin from the office.

 

[anantaandroscoggin]

If I have such a thing, it's probably a cave bear.

 

[ksman75]

From dictionary.com...

WHAT DOES SPIRIT ANIMAL MEAN?​

In certain spiritual traditions or cultures, spirit animal refers to a spirit which helps guide or protect a person on a journey and whose characteristics that person shares or embodies. It is also metaphor, often humorous, for someone or something a person relates to or admires.

Pretty much the same definition from wikipedia...

• Power animal, a New Age, neoshamanic belief of a spirit that helps an individual
• Spirit guide, a spiritual entity that acts as a guide or protector to a human being
• Totem, in North American Indigenous cultures, a spirit or animal revered as sacred, that guides, helps, or protects individuals, lineages, and nations

Whether I've been chosen, I don't know. Given the option to choose, it would have to be anything in the Caniformia, especially dogs, bears, wolves, foxes, raccoons, and mustelids. They're all species that intrigue me in their various variations and overall cunning and survivability.

Plus, who can deny the love and companionship of a good dog?

 

[CoffeeAndBourbon]

Raptors, and specifically hawks, are my aspirational spirit animal, but cats seem to understand me and take me as a friend. I love dogs, but they are so overtly sociable, I feel like I'm a disappointment to them, but some dogs are true saints, spirit animals indeed.

They are the cats of the avian world.

 

[autumnfog]

I draw inspiration from some long gone writers.
Quite helpful in troubled times.

Not quite the definition of spirit animals, but close enough.

 

[mso489]

We had a great cat that lived to be nineteen years old, no record but fine longevity for a cat, a female shorthair tuxedo cat who'd had a litter in her youth and had great presence and mind. When she'd jump up on the bed, she sounded like a raptor landing, there was a burst of energy and you could almost hear her folding her wings. She departed life in my arms and it was like she was taking flight, a little announcement, then gone.

 

[crawdad]

Mountain Lion

 

[Latakia Dave]

Squirrel ! I've always admired them and their wily ways .

 

[Chasing Embers]

how did you choose it

I think you just sort of choose the animal that you would like to be associated with.

They find and guide you during a vision quest.

Mine

 

[anotherbob]

A few colleagues of mine were discussing their spirit animals yesterday. I was unfamiliar with the concept and still am uncertain if I understand. If someone could could explain it better, that would be great, or if you have a spirit animal (bear, badger, penguin etc.) how did you choose it or do you think you were just born with it?

Ever see someone and you're like that guy really looks and also reminds me of an otter (or any animal) then you're seeing what their spirit animal is. If that person understands what their animal is and what it's strengths and weaknesses are then it can help them navigate their own struggles and triumphs in life. That's the modern explanation. I am sure someone has given the classic explanation so I probably do not have to. One of the things is after you start spotting the more gross (as in obvious) examples it starts getting easier to pick out in most people.
Oh some people have more then one. And you want to know about me? Well I'll give you a huge hint (beyond the kind of things I say here), I very often get that mischievous glint in my eye and that cute little smile that foxes get. And yes being aware of this has made live easier and helped me navigate problems.

 

[anotherbob]

Can a person also have a spirit plant?

yes. Or geographical location. Or anything that has a spirit (so yeah pretty much anything that has a personality in the most stretched out meaning of the word personality).
Oh and you don't really choose it. Which doesn't mean it can't change. It's more a matter of recognizing it.