Animals and their Powers in Fantasy

Today is the first day of the A to Z Challenge lasting all through April. Bloggers who are participating post a new letter each day except Sundays. To go to the main webpage for the challenge click HERE. This is a blog hop and there are over a thousand participants. I know, because I'm number 1390! What a great way to meet new friends.



I chose Fantasy as my theme for the challenge. For the letter A I chose Animals and their Powers in Fantasy.

Very early on, mankind recognized the powers of the animals that shared the earth, and the ability to "talk to the animals" became a basic skill of shamans and magicians worldwide. Many tribes, peoples and societies trace their origins to a totem animal, often associated with a god, and hold that animal sacred. Animal powers are invoked through dances imitating their movements and musical intruments imitating their cries.
Acquiring an animal guide of familiar is important in many kinds of magic and spiritualism. The Native American sought his animal guide during a vision quest while alone in the wilderness, or on a spiritual journey assisted by hallucinogenic drugs, such as peyote. Western magicians gained the aid of a familiar through meditation and invocation, wearing masks and practicing shape-shifting.

Examples:

Bear: power, adaptability, knowledge of the healing power of herbs, brings balance and harmony on the astral plane.

Cat: a strong protector, seer of spirits, independent and self-assured, seeking for hidden information, shape-shifter, sacred to Egyptian goddesses Bast and Pasht.

Eagle: connection to the Creator, divine spirit, wisdom, swiftness, keen sight.

Hummingbird: messenger, able to stop time, happiness, love.

Owl: wisdom, truth, patience, keen sight, guide to the underworld, clairvoyance.