The Power of Animal Medicine

So many of us have heard of spirit animals. While some may see them as a fun or mystical curiosity, these sacred guides only come to those who are truly ready to receive their medicine.

During the colder months of the year, we collectively turn inward. It’s a natural time of reflection, hibernation, and deeper listening. Because of this, it’s also an auspicious season for spirit animals to appear to those who are ready to receive their guidance. I’ve noticed their presence increasing—both in my own life and within 1:1 sessions with clients.

When a spirit animal comes to you, it is an extraordinary honor. It means you are ready to work with the medicine and wisdom of that being, and that this is the Divinely timed moment for them to step into your life.

Readiness and Respect

Many people say they’re ready to meet their spirit animal, but when we journey to meet them, no animal appears. That’s because spirit guides always know when you’re truly ready—not from an egoic place (“I just want to know who mine is”), but from a place of reverence and respect.

Sometimes, when people try to name their spirit animal, the animal withdraws or appears less often. This happens because the ego wants to own the animal through a name. But spirit animals are not possessions—they are sacred allies. The name doesn't matter it's the medicine they offer. They come to teach, to guide, and to move on once their work with you is complete.

It’s also common not to initially resonate with the animal that appears. I experienced this when Vulture came to me. I resisted at first—but after working with her for three years, I cried when she left. I’ve seen this happen with others too, when they receive the ant, slug, or another animal that seems “undesirable.” Yet those animals often carry the deepest wisdom and transformation. The animal you receive is perfect for the time of your life you are in.

The Akashic Records Perspective

From an Akashic Records perspective, Spirit Animals fall under the “Teachers” category within the realm of Ascended Masters, Teachers, and Loved Ones. However, spirit animals primarily work with us within the Astral Realm, or the 4th Dimension. Spirit animals remind us and reactivate an innate instinct within each of us that we have forgotten.

Types of Spirit Animals

In many cases, an essence of a person’s Higher Self will descend from the 7th dimension (or higher) and create an astral body in the form of an animal. This allows us, as humans, to more easily recognize and receive their presence. Through this form, your Higher Self works with you—helping you embody more of your divine essence and expand into higher states of consciousness.

Another type of spirit animal is one your soul has made a sacred contract to work with. The spiritual essence of these beings can vary greatly:

• Some are Angelic in origin—Angels appearing in animal form to guide and protect you.

• Others are Earth spirits, sent by Mother Earth herself when it is time. These often connect deeply with Shamans, Healers, and Witches. In past lives you may have learned how to work with spirit animals as one of these types of healers and you carry that gift with you in this life.

• Some spirit animals are Starseed or cosmic in nature, connected to other star systems and assisting Lightworkers who are transmuting starseed karma or developing mystical gifts in this lifetime. These tend to be your more mythical creatures.

• Others arise from the Upper world of the Astral Realm, beings who are working on their own ascension which include guiding others as part of their evolution.

• There are also shadow animals, who appear in nightmares or moments of fear. They often represent aspects of your shadow self seeking integration. You might even notice your child saying they’ve seen a “scary animal” in their room—or you may repeatedly see unsettling animals in dreams or social media feeds.

• Finally, some spirit animals are beloved ancestors or departed loved ones appearing in animal form, offering protection and helping you heal ancestral wounds.

How to Know if a Spirit Animal Is Calling You

Spirit animals reach out in subtle yet powerful ways. You may notice:

• Dreams or nightmares involving animals—especially ones that repeat or feel vivid

• Seeing the same animal repeatedly in real life, visions, or imagery (books, social media, etc)

• An animal that shows up throughout your entire life, from childhood to adulthood

• Meditative journeys or visions where an animal appears clearly and consistently

When these patterns emerge, pay attention. The repetition is no coincidence—it’s a call to connection.

The Tests of Readiness

Sometimes, in dreams or meditations, an animal may appear and stir fear or unease. That’s often a test. The animal might charge, stalk, or challenge you until you face it and look directly into its eyes. Passing this test shows that you’re ready to receive its medicine.

Other times, small or quiet animals appear—testing whether you’ll notice them or dismiss them as unimportant.

Spirit animals also tend to show up during major life transitions or challenges, signaling that a new chapter is beginning and a powerful shift in perspective is required.

Spirit Animals of the Chakras

Throughout our lives we also travel through different chakra energies. If you were to journey to the portal of each of your chakras. You would meet an animal guardian at the door of your chakra center.

For example:

• Root Chakra (Muladhara): Birth to 7 years: Focuses on survival, security, and feeling grounded. Elephant or Snake (Shadow).

• Sacral Chakra (Svadhistana): 8 to 14 years: Deals with emotions, creativity, and sexuality. Crocodile, Butterfly, or Bat (Shadow)

• Solar Plexus Chakra (Manipura): 15 to 21 years: Governs practicality, personal power, and self-worth. Ram or Lion, Raging Lion (Shadow)

• Heart Chakra (Anahata): 22 to 28 years: Centers on love, compassion, and relationships. Antelope, Wolf

• Throat Chakra (Vishuddha): 29 to 35 years: Focuses on communication and self-expression. Eagle or White Elephant with 7 trunks, Spider (Shadow)

• Third Eye Chakra (Ajna): 36 to 42 years: Relates to intuition, perception, and inner wisdom. Hawk or White Swan or Owl (Shadow)

• Crown Chakra (Sahasrara): 43 to 49 years: Connects to spirituality and a sense of self-realization. Eagle or Great Swan

*Please note that Shadow Animals are not "bad" they represent the parts we repress or ignore, or even hold our power. They are meant to be worked with to integrate and bring balance to that Chakra.

The Medicine Wheel Animals

I am listing animals for the medicine wheel based on ones that I have worked with personally when I entered the medicine wheel and based on the Lakota Indian tribes (since I have family History from this tribe) there are many interpretation of the animals of the medicine wheel base on what cultures/tribes you research. All the animals together form a scared circle of transformation of the individuals that enter into the medicine wheel.

🐍Snake — The South

Medicine: Transformation, Rebirth, Inner child, Shedding the Past. Snake teaches us to shed what no longer serves—old skins of fear, pain, and identity. Working with Snake helps you release attachments, emotional baggage, and outdated versions of yourself. Her medicine brings deep purification and renewal. When Snake appears, she invites you to surrender to change and trust the cycles of death and rebirth in your life.

🐻 / 🐆 Jaguar or Bear — The West

Medicine: Shadow Work, Power, Courage, Integrity. Jaguar and Bear both guard the West, the realm of introspection, intuition, and the shadows.

• Jaguar teaches fearlessness and the ability to walk between worlds—to see in the dark and face your inner demons without judgment. She cuts through illusion and purifies energy, helping you reclaim your personal power.

• Bear represents strength, boundaries, and introspection. She teaches the medicine of the cave—hibernation, stillness, and the power that comes from going within.

Both help you integrate your shadow and reclaim your authentic power.

🕊️ Hummingbird — The North

Medicine: Joy, Resilience, the Nectar of Life. Hummingbird carries the energy of joy, lightness, and divine endurance. Though small, she journeys thousands of miles with unwavering trust. Her medicine teaches you to follow the call of your heart, to drink deeply from life’s sweetness, and to remember that the path of the heart is the path of miracles. She reminds you that joy itself is sacred medicine.

🦅 Eagle — The East

Medicine: Vision, Spirit, Higher Perspective. Eagle represents clarity, divine connection, and expanded awareness. From high above, she sees the greater vision of your life and helps you rise beyond the limitations of the mind. Eagle medicine lifts you into the realms of spirit—where you can access your Higher Self, receive guidance, and align with your soul’s destiny.

You can be in multiple places on the medicine wheel or in one at time.

The Main Take Away:

If you are feeling a call to work with a spirit animal, working with a Shaman or healer who works with spirit animals can offer guidance. This is also about learning to be aware and present in each moment (including your dreams). In this busy world it's hard to do but it can be done. Spirit animals are sacred guides that require respect and reverence to work with and integrate their medicine.

If you are interested in working deeper with the guidance of a spirit animal that can be done in an Akashic Reading also, so please reach out to me at info@beethelightwellness.com if you feel ready.