The universe is always communicating with us, whether we are conscious of it or not. I'm sure you can remember at least an experience or two where you've received a sign (like catching 11:11). There are multiple ways to connect to the cosmic realm, whether it's through numerology, tarot, plant, or animal medicine.
My spirit animal journey began about three years ago, during the end of my yoga teacher training. I'd taken those fun online quizzes, "what is your animal totem?" but I wanted to dive deep and work with animal medicine on a vibrational level. Not really knowing where to start, I went on Youtube and found a meditation that peeked my interest.
During this guided visualization, a grizzly bear crossed my path. I was excited but a little skeptical- was this just my imagination or was bear really my spirit animal? (side note- your imagination is the gateway to your intuition). After the session, I asked the universe to confirm this.
The universe delivered. Bear kept showing up in my life in the most unexpected ways...I'd see photos of bears on social media, on license plates, gemstones, shirts, etc.
Now that I had this confirmation, what did it mean?
I was in a little shop in St. Augustine when I came across Ted Andrews' book, Animal Speak. He states that everyone has one main animal guide, and that relationships/groups of people can share an animal totem as well. Apart from our main guides, we also have other animals that come in and out of our lives to deliver messages and shed wisdom on what we are currently experiencing.
With bear being my main totem, I decided to channel him and learn all I can about his medicine.
From an elemental standpoint, bears are both a mixture of earth and fire. They are grounded creatures, as they are deeply connected to the trees and go through seasons of hibernation. Their fire emerges during spring and summer, as they are assertive and fierce when it comes to standing their ground and making their mark on the world.
These are some lessons that bear medicine has taught me over the years:
1. The importance of solitude
I have always surrounded myself with people... through work, friendships, and relationships. I can easily read and understand others, but I've never really understood who I really am. I'm a teacher and server, so I've always put others' needs before my own. These past couple years I've started to become aware of my truth, but it wasn't until quarantine that I got a firm grasp of who Kristen really is. Without the distraction from the outside world, I've been able to tap into my own frequency and discover my purpose. I am more in tune with my body, heart, creativity and intuition now more than ever. I'm able to conserve my energy which has allowed me to be productive af.
2. Hibernation is for self-reflection and creation
We are so easily influenced by our outer world that many of us are in a constant state of reaction rather than action. When was the last time you acted out of mindfulness? Meditation has been a major key throughout my journey. I usually meditate at least once, sometimes twice a day. It keeps me grounded and teaches me to sit with my shit. Going within your soul's den allows you to observe your thoughts, feel your feelings, and gain clarity on your intentions/dreams. This is where the magic lies, as your gifts are awakened during this vibration. Journaling or any type of art form are also great ways to tap into what's going on beneath the surface.
3. Stand firm in your boundaries
Setting boundaries has been a constant lesson for me this past year. I've always struggled with standing up for myself and using my voice. Allowing others to make my decisions has taken away my power and ability to decide what's right for me. This has been a mindset I've had since I was a child, as I just wanted to please everyone. This has caused me to be overly forgiving and I was easy to take advantage of. Over the past 12 months I've had to find my courage over and over again to really feel into my power and set boundaries of what I will and will not accept in my life. It was a constant test of how far I was willing to go before I'd break (I'm very happy 2019 is over lol grateful for the lessons though). Now I'm learning to only pursue what I feel called to. I'm understanding my worth through my own ebb and flow. I don't always text people back right away, I say no to fun outings if I don't energetically feel up for it, and I won't settle for anything less than I deserve. My time is precious, especially during this stage of life. Just like a mama bear protects her cubs, I protect my worth.
4. Ignite your power and taste the sweetness of life
Spring and summer are the seasons of action and assertion for the bear. Looking back over the last couple years, I start to bloom in the spring, but it's during the summer months that I really step into my confidence and transform. From graduating YTT, to teaching 8-9 fitness classes a week, to my Ayurveda graduation, to now in the beginning stages of starting my own business, summer has always been my thriving element (perhaps it's because I have a lot of fire in my chart?). I'm understanding my value and what I want to offer the world. I honor my gifts and life lessons, as they have led me here. I realize I must show up for myself everyday if I am to lead and guide others on their holistic and spiritual path. Doing the inner work is tough, but it's so fulfilling and rewarding once I step out of my comfort zone and into my truth. It makes the honey ever so sweeter :)
Since bear first dropped in my meditation three years ago, he always visits around my birthday and swings by every few months to check in on me. He'll show up in my dreams, in songs, or other random ways. Bear has guided me through some incredibly dark times, and he's been a constant support throughout my journey. My first (and right now only) tattoo is a geometric bear on the right side (the masculine) of my ribs. This is a reminder of my courage, strength, and resilience.
Some other animals that have crossed my path include hawk, bluejay, wolf, fox, butterfly, tiger, and lion. Sometimes they physically come into my life, other times they will continually show up through music, photos, posts, tattoos, clothing... even on beer cans, or randomly in conversation. They will visit in meditations or dreams. Spirit animals usually stay up to about a week to a month at a time, depending on the lesson or life experience. I need to mention that not every image of an animal is necessarily a sign, but it's when they consistently show up that I am aware of their presence.
If you are interested in working with animal medicine, I strongly advise meditating on a somewhat consistent basis. This will put you in a vibrational state of awareness and it'll be easier to connect to that realm. I also highly recommend Animal Speak by Ted Andrews. He is thorough in his teachings; he goes over rituals, chants, and provides exercises to help you connect with nature and your animal totem. His dictionary goes over the symbolism, history, seasons, and characteristics of animals, allowing you to better understand the meaning and purpose of whatever animal crosses your path. I'd also like to note that not everyone's experience will be the same, so animals might show up differently for you than for me. The universe is always surprising us, we just have to be open to the magic.
What's your spirit animal? Let me know! <3
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