RCG-I Seasonal Salon Spring Equinox 2008

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A Forgotten Animal Spirit Guide

It is said that an Animal Spirit Guide chooses us for our personal growth and in our magickal workings. Each has its own energy and will come to us in ways that are unexpected when we need the teaching it has to offer. We simply have to be open to receive by learning more about the Animal Nation on the Earth.

Psychologists believe that a vision or message from an Animal Spirit Guide speaks to the subconscious parts of our human psyche that seek healing. You do not have to be in their physical presence to benefit from the powerful lessons they have to share.

Recently, my partner Marisa & I took a short drive out to a local Sanctuary & Rescue center outside of town. This is a lot of acreage in an open space with natural grazing for Donkeys that are usually not adoptable. They are given medical evaluations, various treatments, vaccinations, de-worming, proper hoof grooming, regular feeding and allowed to live out their lives in safety.

We were both so amazed at what we saw and felt as we strolled around the Sanctuary. Donkeys wandered around the grounds either alone or in pairs.

These sweet creatures had such beautiful faces and long fur coats. If one of them got startled and bolted, the others either stood still & watched or came closer to interact with us. Some kept off in a distance and yet followed our every move. Their community was very different from what we have witnessed with other animals kept in pens.

The Donkey (aka Burro or JackAss) is not recognized by Andrews or Conway in their books on Animal Spirit Guides & Shamanism. On some federal public lands, the Donkey and other Wild Horses are protected by law. On others managed by the National Park Services, Donkeys are looked upon as feral and can be removed with lethal force.

And as you know, any natural resource or member of the Animal or Plant Nation must be viewed as having worth before any concentrated effort is taken by the government or groups of people to save them.

Domesticated over 4,500 years ago, Donkey is still the poor womon’s beast of burden in the Third World, but has lost its value in industrialized nations and is often abandoned by its owner when its service is no longer needed. It is estimated that there are 44 million Donkeys in the world today.

Donkey is not Horse. It cannot be broken and trained in the same way. Horse accepts a halter, walks on a lead and has a natural behavior based on herd dynamics. Donkey needs a different kind of gentling. Donkey has a very individuated nature that is not often understood by ranchers who want total control over their herds. Mishandling creates fear and mistrust towards humans which often results in irreversible problems and death for the animal.

As natural grazers, wild and domesticated Donkeys will eat unhealthy things in their paths and if overfed, remain overweight and will not respond to dietary restrictions.

Rain, wind and snow seep through Donkey’s coat to the skin and so it needs shelter from the elements. Horse can stand out in the cold, rain and heat without the same damage to its skin. Donkey lives decades longer than Horse and will need a longer commitment from its human owners for its care.

Rather than running as a herd, they are given to being in partnerships with other Donkeys, or a high-strung Horse, a child, or a person with disabilities. It is amazing to watch their loyalty in the pen. However loyal, they still put their own safety first and move quickly from danger.

I think it is important for us to know the four types of Animal Spirit Guides so we know how to react to them whether they come to us in dreams, visions or just simple exposure through TV or class projects.

A Life Guide is one remaining a part of you that reflects your inner spiritual self. Its powers serve as a constant reminder of your inner strength and connection with nature.

A Messenger Guide might suddenly appear and leaves once the message it delivers is understood. This message can be a warning, deals with some mundane aspect of your daily life or be a wake-up call for some important action you must make. Their powerful statement can be quite strong or like a whisper in your ear.

A Shadow Guide is one that invades you with fear when you see it or feel its presence. Its purpose is to teach lessons you have not learned from repeated mistakes you make because of negative thoughts, insecurity or anger. It will return again and again demonstrating strong feelings of fear until its message is acted upon or some change in your action is incorporated into your life. It is most powerful and will help you overcome your fears by bringing truth and often arrives during a time of testing.

A Journey Guide appears when there is a life decision to be made and can be a friendly traveling companion if the path is right, or if you have lost your way and need guidance. It remains until your current life cycle changes.

I made my own list of several qualities Donkey has that makes her a perfect candidate as a Spirit Guide: Donkey…