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Native American religions believe in animal spirit guides, which enter a person’s life at birth and stay with them until death. These guides represent the person’s characteristics and strengths, and are chosen before birth to help fulfill their task in life. The Earth and everything on it is believed to be alive, and Native Americans seek to live in harmony with it. Any living creature can be a guide, each with its own associated characteristics and powers.
Many religions throughout history have believed in the concept of a spirit guide. Shamanic religions, in particular, often believe in animal spirit guides. Native American religions are most frequently associated with the idea of animal spirit guides. According to most Native American beliefs, a spirit animal enters every human being at birth and becomes a part of who they are throughout life.
Specific Native American religions and beliefs regarding animal spirit guides may differ somewhat; however, the fundamentals are usually the same. Spirit animals can enter a person’s life at various stages to help them with a specific task; however, a spirit animal stays with each person from birth to death. This animal spirit guide represents the characteristics that the person has within him or the strengths that he has.
The Native American belief system is founded on the principle that the Earth, and everything in and on it, is alive. This includes plants, trees and water, from the smallest insect to the largest animal. Everything, therefore, has its own soul and characteristics. Native Americans respect the Earth and have traditionally sought to live in harmony with it. As a result, their lives are very intertwined with everything on Earth, including animals.
Exactly how animal spirit guides are chosen varies across tribes or religions; however, it is universally believed that they are chosen before birth to help the individual fulfill their task for this life. A person’s animal spirit guide will show itself at some point in the individual’s life, usually during adolescence, through a dream or waking vision. Many Native American tribes historically used peyote or other hallucinogens in ceremonies to help bring out their spirit guides.
In most cases, a person will embody many of the characteristics associated with their animal spirit guide. While well-known animal spirit guides such as the eagle, bear, or tiger are certainly common guides, a person can have any living creature as a guide. Every animal, or insect, has characteristics, abilities and powers commonly believed to be associated with it.
A moose, for example, symbolizes strength, agility and power, while an ant lends perseverance and self-discipline to a person. The famous eagle is a warrior in battle, but the owl brings wisdom and patience. A salmon animal spirit guide offers instinct and determination, while the notorious wolf bestows the characteristics of loyalty and stability on its human counterpart.
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