How To Meet Your Spirit Animal

Once when I was taking a mediumship development class, the teacher gave me a long, penetrating look. That’s always a bit weird. Spinach in my teeth? Someone doing “bunny ears” behind my head? WHAT?

She took a deep breath, pointed at me and said, “You must always bring an animal through from the Other Side for whomever you’re linking to….”

I’m down with that. As a passionate animal lover, I love the energy they bring to our lives. Animals have their own wisdom and connection to the worlds. Even after they cross, they continue to impact our life. I wrote about this here.

There’s a stepped-up version of this, too: your Spirit Animal (sometimes called “Power Animal”).

I’ve discussed how each of us has several Spirit Guides at our disposal. These are entities who were once human and are available to help us navigate the ups and downs of life. Their 10,000 foot view of the Earth experience gives them a unique understanding of what we go through, and thus, some pretty kick-ass help.

A Spirit Animal guides us by way of their nature-based qualities and characteristics. Learning to tap into their presence will provide some surprising insights into our problems.

Like human Spirit Guides, you may have several Spirit Animals who come through during your time here. It all depends on what you need. Right now, I’m feeling the power of Bear: a creature who is confident, grounded and whose tall, fearless stance denotes leadership.

Not quite THIS bear…

A friend of mine is seeing Hummingbirds everywhere, both in pictures and in real life. Clearly, she is being told to stay light right now – to trust that there is more going on, just like the rapid beating of the wings you can’t see.

If you’d like to meet your own Spirit Critter, here’s a great meditation.

Start by taking several deep breaths, relaxing more and more with each one. Envision a pillar of white light coming down from the Universe and filling your spine with its healing, protective power. Ask for the protection of any entity of your choice: Jesus, St. Francis, the Great Spirit – whatever feels right.

Now, imagine yourself walking through a beautiful forest. Really see the trees and greenery, hear the birds. Stay relaxed and don’t force this.

You hear the sound of a stream in the distance. Walk towards it. When you arrive, look around to see a gorgeous clearing all around you. The stream runs through it, the ground is comfortable. Take a seat and just relax.

Now, invite your Spirit Animal to join you in this sacred space.

This is a warm, protected place that only you and your Spirit Animal may inhabit; nothing can hurt either of you here. Listen and observe as your animal draws near. What do you hear, smell, see, experience? What animal is entering the clearing? Keep in mind, it might be a bird or an insect, like a butterfly. It doesn’t have to have fur, fins or claws.

After a few moments, ask your Spirit Animal a question(s). Go with what you get: a feeling, a word or phrase. Do you feel different in any way? This is the energy passing from them to you.

Once he/she has answered your question, feel free to spend some time bonding or playing with your Spirit Animal. There’s no rush, because you may return to this glade at any time in the future.

When you feel ready, thank your animal for coming forward. Now, retrace your steps back through the glade. Take more deep breaths, feeling yourself gradually returning to the “here and now.” Open your eyes.

 

After you’ve met your Spirit Animal, you may want to keep a reminder of them nearby. A photo or statue is a great way to keep their influence nearby, and allow their energy to infuse your daily life.

 

PS – And just because this STILL makes me laugh, here’s a revisit of the Ultimate Power Animal: Honey Badger!

Become More Psychic: Clairsentience

Intuition is a completely natural thing– like fingerprints, curly hair or the lack of a singing voice (oh wait, that’s me).  It’s simply hardwired into humans.

We all experience random psychic flashes (gut feelings, first impressions, etc.)  But you can develop your own psychic ability to the point where you can consciously work with it.  Trust me on this one — YOU are psychic.  For real.

Anyway, there are a number of ways in which psychic info comes in from the ether: you may be stronger in one versus the others, or you may have a mashup of all of them.  Let’s explore these channels one at a time.

First up: CLAIRSENTIENCE

“Clairsentience” literally means, “clear feeling.” The feelings can come as physical sensations or emotions.

Often when I’m working, I’ll feel stuff in my body to identify health issues: like a bad stomach or tension in my shoulders (fortunately, the manifestations pass). Or I may feel strong emotions as a way to ID what someone’s going through under their cool, calm surface. I may want to laugh, cry or yell – and yet, I know it’s not “me.”

Clairsentience comes in a lot if you’re tuning in to animals. That’s the most direct way they can reach us. The other day I did an Animal Communication session for a kitty who was off his food. I felt that the food had gone “bad” and had a bacteria or fungus in it that was causing the problem. I could “feel” the ickiness in kitty’s stomach and recommended nothing more than chicken broth, water and new food.

He got better. And thankfully, I didn’t hock up a hairball.

Here’s a way to test your own clairsentience.   Grab a piece of paper and a pen. Now relax, take some breaths and look at this picture of my cute cat. Just settle in and gently gaze at it….

 

 

As you look at the picture, do you feel anything? Physical, emotional?   Even if it doesn’t make sense, but falls into the category of physical or emotional feelings, make a note of it. [FUN BONUS: If you’d like to test your responses, leave me a comment and I’ll tell you if your info matches up .]

One of the main things about psychic work is getting out of your own way, not trying to figure out the info. [NOTE: if by chance you either “hear” things in your mind’s ear or “see” things in your mind’s eye, jot that down as well. Those are two more channels we’ll be exploring.]

Stay lightly engaged during this process – don’t push it.   The point is to figure out what “percentage” of your intuition comes in via this channel.    No channel is “better” than any other, so if you’re not getting anything, relax.

You might want to try this experiment with other images; again, don’t push. Just play with this sense channel. We’ll be discussing more in the next weeks. Have fun!

 

Pets In Spirit: How They Stick Around

In my free time, I volunteer with an animal rescue group. The other day, I adopted out one of our older cats to a woman who had recently lost her beloved Charlie. She was eager to give another senior cat a loving home – always a wonderful situation.

Anyway, when I called to follow up, she mentioned that the new kitty, Molly, was staring at the places where Charlie once hung out, as if she could see him. She, too, swore that she’d seen Charlie out of the corner of her eye several times since his passing. But of course, that was impossible. Right?

Wrong.

Animal energy is very “sticky.” It attaches to the people and places the critter loved.  So its no surprise that an animal who loved their human will want to keep an eye on them, even when they’re out of their physical body. [I wrote more about pet loss  here and here.]

Living animals pick up on spirit animals very easily. They communicate back and forth, with the spirit version often giving the physical animal an assist in the home: “The lady will give you people food if you look at her like this….” “Watch out for that small kid – he pulls tails….” “The man is sad….he needs extra hand licks.” [These are actual messages I’ve gotten during some of my Animal Communication sessions.]

As for thinking you’ve seen your pet after they’ve gone, you have. One client wrote to me that he’d seen his dog going around the corner of the living room. Another saw her cat laying in the sun like she used to – just for a second. You may also see “sparkles” out of the corner of your eye just after thinking of them. You think you hear or smell them, feel them laying next to you on the bed or sitting in the car like they used to. Don’t dismiss these moments. They are gifts from your fur baby on the Other Side.

How Animals Think

One of the things I love most about doing animal communication is how clear they are when they “speak.”  They get right to the point and say what they mean in very few words. I mean, VERY few.

A woman called me to help with her cat. The animal had run off and refused to be trapped or enticed back into the house. I got that she was old and sick, and wanted to be left alone to die on her own terms.

The owner begged and pleaded – literally – for kitty to return home.

“Tell her, if she comes home, I’ll give her the stinky treats she likes.”

[CAT] “No.”

[OWNER] “And I promise she can have that spot on the couch that she’s not allowed on.

[CAT] “No.”

[OWNER] “Tell her that-“

[CAT] “Nuh-uh.”

It went on and on like this for a good while, the cat being very clear about her intentions. The owner, naturally, was turning herself inside out with promises, pleas, explanations and the kitchen sink, but kitty wasn’t having it.

There was no need for her to share her reasoning, no long explanations to patch up the owner’s feelings. She simply said what was what.

For her part, the owner was taking on a lot of emotional weight, worried that kitty would think she hadn’t tried hard enough to get her back. I got very clearly that that never even crossed the cat’s mind.

Animals don’t get into the complicated emotional riffs that we humans do: “If I don’t do this, then so and so will think this and then I’ll have to do the other thing, yadda yadda yadda.” You know how it is: we’re playing perpetual chess games in our head with the people and circumstances in our life. It’s a way for us to avoid conflicts (or in some bitchy cases, CAUSE conflicts. Hello, Real Housewives).

But this perpetual emotional jujitsu is exhausting.

Animals don’t bother with it. Their inner lives are clear and simple. I don’t mean this to sound like they’re stupid, because they are most definitely not. I actually see this as indicative of their superiority – they’re not tying themselves in knots over every little thing. They don’t complicate the situation or attach judgements or look for hidden meanings in another’s words.  They don’t blame or hold grudges.  They are a walking Zen moment with stinky breath.

I mean, how else can a dog continue to eagerly greet their owner even when said owner is a straight-up jerk?

At any rate, animals are spiritual teachers in fur/finned clothing. Try thinking like your cat or dog for a moment and see life simply in the here and now.  Get straight to your point without a lot of additional words or conditions.  Spit it out, already.  It’s a refreshing break from the overthinking we habitually do.

Just remember not to lick yourself in public.

 

Deer, Deer: Symbolism of the Deer

I love deer.  My neighbors may complain that they eat everything in the yard, but I don’t care.  No matter how often I see them nibbling in the dusk light, I hold my breath with wonder.   The other night, I was blessed to have them respond to my invitation to eat the corn I placed gently on the ground.  It was magical.

I’m not alone in my love of deer: every culture has its tradition related to this   beautiful animal.  In China, deer are associated with abundance.  The Celts believed that fairies trailed behind them, as they cut a path through the forest.  Native Americans prayed to deer to ensure a good hunt.

Animals cross our path for a reason.  When you see a deer (even in a picture), it’s a reminder to tune into your gentler side.  Nudge rather than push.  It also encourages you to step away from the noise and busyness of civilization, and  go deeper into the “forest” of your own intuition.  Expand your awareness of what’s going on around you.  Do more listening than talking, and you’ll find a new path through whatever blocks you.

Honor your deer sighting with a solemn nod in their direction, and a “thank you.”  And maybe some corn!

Got questions about your own critters?  Reach out to me for an Animal Communication session.

Do Pets Reincarnate?

‘My dog, I swear, he’s almost human.”  When he can bring in the garbage cans or do my taxes, get back to me.  But in the meantime, I’ve had several clients ask if their pet will ever reincarnate as a person.

My answer would be, Why would he want to?  When you can have someone attend to your every need and never have to make a decision about what to wear in the morning?

There are many thoughts on the subject of reincarnation and whether we “cross pollinate” into other species.  One religion, Jainism, won’t even step on an ant for fear a formerly human soul is living in that tiny body.  I guess we’ll find out for ourselves one day.  In which case, I’m getting rid of the ant traps right now.  But in the meantime, here’s how I see reincarnation with our critters.

Anyone who’s owned a pet knows how special animals are.  I feel they’re far more spiritually advanced than we are:  consider any dog who’s been neglected or abused, and how they still give their crapwad owner a tail wag (yeah, I can’t watch those ASPCA TV commercials either).

Animals have a near-endless supply of understanding and forgiveness.   They view the world simply.  All they ask for is a warm place to sleep, a steady supply of treats and kibble and someone to love.  And for that reason, they are a furry example of  how to live gracefully.  No surprise that science shows that pets help our health, or how the sight of a puppy coming to visit makes a cancer patient smile.

The four-legged/winged/scaled creatures in our world are reminders to chill out, appreciate nature, be kind and happy.  So, no, I don’t think our animals are going to opt for demotion to a human state. They have plenty of important work to do.  In between belly rubs, that is.

(And their work doesn’t stop once they’ve crossed over.  I wrote about that here.)

And just a note on pets reincarnating as another pet:  it MAY happen, but its unfair to put that burden on either the new pet or the spirit of the deceased one.  Treasure them as individuals and allow them to work their magic on your life.  Remember, I’m always here to help you connect with a pet, living or dead.  Read about my Animal Communication services here.

Animals On the Other Side

Losing a pet is one of the worst — the WORST — things ever.  I’ve had clients cry more over a lost animal friend than the loss of a parent.  There’s something about our critters that touches us on a very deep level, and I totally get the emotions.  So a big box of Kleenex gets set out along with my crystals as I prepare for the reading. And when I do connect with the spirit of a beloved animal, it is a profound experience.  Over the years, this is what I’ve learned about their life on the Other Side.

First off, animals don’t fear death like we do.  They understand that its just a transition to another state of being; they get the cycle of nature. It’s no biggie.  They may not want to “leave” us, but there’s not so much drama around it.  Because they know that they’ll still be around.

I’ve connected with many pets who admit they hung around longer than they wanted to, in order to give their owners time to wrap their brains around the idea of letting them go.  They put up with pain or discomfort for the express purpose of buying time for their human. Now that’s love.

Once they cross, they feel wonderful, eager to play and interact with loved ones who’ve also passed.  I often see them with a parent, grandparent or child who’s passed, even if they didn’t know that person here on earth. If they’re connected to you, that’s good enough for the critter.

And since animals still care about their people here, they come around us. The pet door between Heaven and Earth swings pretty easily, so they go back and forth. A lot. Our spirit pets patrol the home and the yard, making sure we’re protected.   They will jump up on the bed like they used to, or curl up in their favorite corner.  So if you think you hear/feel/see them, don’t check your meds: you ARE encountering them again.

Many clients wonder if their lost pet will be upset if they bring a new animal in to the house.  I can pretty much tell you “no.”  Most animals I connect with want their people to help give another fur-baby a good life, like they did for them.  And here’s the thing: their spirit will be there to help the new pet adjust, like warning them about that screaming toddler who used to pull their tail.

Another question I get is, will their animal come back in the form of another pet?  Sometimes yes — but like with any grieving process, you need to let them go and not hang on the hope of having them in your life again.  Like any human who’s crossed over, your pet has a new life on the other side of the veil.  You must give them the freedom to grow in their spiritual evolution.  And not for nothing, it’s unfair to a new pet to expect them to behave like the deceased one.  Not to mention, weird. Respect the individuality of the animal soul.

One of the most beautiful things I’ve learned is that our pets are all waiting for us to cross over.  They knock over our human family members, in their rush to greet us.  I cannot wait to be covered in fur and slobbery kisses.  I wonder if my dog, Pasha, whom I lost when I went to college, still has the same breath that could melt paint?  I’ll report back.

But in the meantime, treasure the magic your pet(s) has brought to your life, know that they still love you and come around, and wait for that wonderful day when you’re all on the same side of the Rainbow Bridge.

BTW, if you have any questions about my pet communication process, hit the website.

Talk to Your Pet: Some How-To’s

I’m big on combos:  Peanut butter and jelly. Solids and stripes. Jagger and Richards. So it wasn’t a huge leap to combine my psychic ability with my love for critters and become an Animal Communicator.

“More cowbell!”

Learning to tweak the radar to interact with animals has been a profound experience.  Besides the unconditional love and humor they share, I’ve been struck by the untamed spirit that each animal brings to a session. Even the most docile housecat is still linked to the wild essence of the Earth. These encounters remind me of the powerful connection between all forms of life.

One of the most important lessons Animal Communication has taught me is to respect their unique place in the universe. We assume that, as humans, we’re superior to those lower down the food chain.  Just ‘cause your dog rolls around in goose poop at the park or your cat chases shadows on the wall, do not take this as a sign that they don’t know what’s really going on.  Animals demonstrate unconditional love, endless forgiveness, a massive capacity for joy and plenty of loyalty. How many people do you know like that?  Didn’t think so.

Still more spiritual than you…..

Respect for an animal is key to communicating with them.

I can’t just start demanding they talk to me. Instead, I need to relax, quiet my ego and wait until they feel comfortable. I mean, imagine if a total stranger came barging into your living room and started trying to get you to reveal details about a personal issue?  Oh yeah, that’s Dr. Phil.  But if it happened, you’d probably want to run and hide, just like a shy kittycat.
 So I give the critters some space.  And some r-e-s-p-e-c-t.

Respect — it’s not just for Miss ‘retha anymore…

And when they talk?  Their conversations are refreshingly simple, direct,  and without all the hoo-ha we humans wrap ourselves in.

My cat Pyewacket frequently tells me to “lighten up” during the day – then does something silly to make me laugh. A horse calmly told me to assure her nervous owner that she fully intended to win a race she was entered in – despite never having won before — then went on to do it (sorry, I won’t be holding court at the OTB anytime soon). A dog who had passed on when her owner was suddenly called into work told me she purposely wanted it that way, because she knew that, if “Mom” had stayed with her, she would have had a much harder time leaving. Letting her owner know that alleviated a huge burden of guilt.

If you’re an animal lover, you’ve most likely had a conversation or two already.  You just didn’t consider it as such.  Like I said, animals talk very simply and directly.  There’s no need for them to really “think it over” –they say what they feel.  And the act of receiving intuitive impressions is actually pretty simple – if you’ve ever had a hunch or gut feeling, you’ve experienced it.  We just make it more complicated than it really is.

Kitty says “Be zen.”

Here are some simple steps to talking to your animal friend(s):

1) Quiet your mind. If you don’t already meditate, learn to do so. You need a “clear palate” to receive any intuitive information. Focus on just breathing, letting random thoughts simply pass by. The goal is to not have a completely blank mind (physically impossible), just one that’s not preoccupied with car pools, grocery lists and work stuff.

2) Approach your animal when they’re relaxed. Sit with them quietly, focusing on your breathing and imagining your energies drawing closer together. Even if they’re not physically close by (like a wild bird or a feral cat), imagine your energies meeting.

3) When you feel relaxed and ready, ask your animal a simple question. The answer may come quickly, as an image, a feeling or a single word. Trust what you get – doubting yourself is the quickest way to shut down the link.

I find that my first impressions are usually the most accurate, and I’ve proven this by logging my “critter conversations” and checking back later.

 So learn to trust what you’re receiving.

If you find yourself getting frustrated, settle down and breathe again. Learning to trust your instincts takes time and patience, but it’s a skill that will serve you well, not just with animals, but in everyday life.

And when you’re done talking with your furry companion, remember to say “thank you.”  Good manners aren’t just for the two-legged types.

Barking Back At Your Pet

So I just finished doing an Animal Communication session (I love these…and apparently, so do my cats, because they gather round my feet while I’m working).  Anyway, I got lots and lots of stuff from my subject, Cody, a super-cute doggie — about his favorite toy, the bird that shares his home, the two cats he doesn’t care for.  But the thing I MOST got was that he wanted to be heard (one reason he barked.  All. The.Time).

Realizes this gets on your last nerve. Does not care.

The pet parents treated him like a baby.  Lots of squee baby talk.  Dressing him up in hats. You get the idea — and you’ve probably done it to your fur critter.  Well, they generally don’t mind it, but one thing they would like us Two-Leggeds to know is….respect them.  Respect their own intelligence and their place in our world.  Giving them treats and kisses is great, but if you don’t actively pay attention or listen to what they’re trying to tell you, well….be careful not to step in their next “message.”

Cody’s mom said,”He seems so smart….its like he knows what I’m saying.”  Newsflash:  he does.

Googling “how to kill owner in his sleep….”

People who come to me for a reading seem all impressed at what I do — but I emphasize that, as an animal lover, they’re communicating with them all the time, too.  They just don’t give their pet credit for being able to “talk” back– mainly, because they communicate in a different way than we do.  If you take a little time to just sit and try to tune in to what they’re saying or feeling, you’ll be surprised at what you actually hear/feel/sense.  Again, it’s respecting that they have their own language and being courteous enough to listen.  If a visitor from Kuala Lumpur needed help, you’d try to understand them; it’s just  the polite thing to do. Same goes for your ferret.

“I could take this off….but I don’t have thumbs. Bastards.”

The other thing about pets  is to do what you say you’re going to do. They totally understand what we’re saying.  So if you tell them that you’ll play with them after dinner, you’d better do it.  If you promise to walk them more often, get out the leash or risk the stinkeye.  Animals want the same kind of respect you’d give a human.

Animals are extremely spiritual creatures, with an endless supply of unconditional love for us (and the ability to wear a doll dress and not lose their dignity).

For the love of god….

So honor them. Let them know they’re being heard — actually tell them you want to better understand them.  Tell them what you expect of them, and what your end of the deal will be. It’s one pet-training trick you don’t hear much about, but it works.  Woof.

“My kitty sees dead people!”

I work as a psychic/medium – but don’t limit myself to two-legged clients.  I’m frequently asked to talk to pets, including those who’ve passed over.  And their take on that experience is pretty interesting.

Not quite the Spirit Pet I'm talking about....

Animals understand – on a very fundamental level — that death is merely a change from one form of energy to another.  I believe its because they’re closer to nature; they recognize the rhythms of life, and don’t attach so much baggage to them.

They also know that, while death may keep them from playing fetch, it doesn’t really separate them from their human friends. They still pop in to curl up on their favorite spot on the sofa, or patrol the house, making sure everyone is safe and sound.

"3 a.m. and all is well...."

A spirit pet will often help a living animal adjust to a new home.  In my volunteer rescue work, we placed a cat with a family who had just lost their sweet Pearl a few months before.  I strongly sensed  — and so did the new kitty – Pearl’s spirit.  But I also got that she was helping him figure out his new surroundings  and settle in.

Animal spirits frequently  “direct” their owners to their next pet. They know best what that person needs, so they’ll arrange for a certain stray to cross their path….or to spot an ad for a dog in need of a new home.  Its kind of like being a four-legged matchmaker!

"Hmmm....a Boxer mix dating a Yorkie? Not gonna work..."

Intellectually, most of us understand that we’ll be reunited with our furry loved ones at some point, but it’s a tougher sell to our hearts.  Right before you go to sleep, ask your spirit pet to make its presence known.  You may dream of them, or think you feel them jumping on the bed, or brushing up against you (they are).   Keep your radar up and you’ll start to sense them more often – because that powerful bond between us never dies.