:ghost_cat: Weekly Witchy CHALLENGE - Spirit Animals

Merry meet!

Thank you once again to all those who joined in for last week’s Weekly Witchy Challenge - Casting with Candles :black_spell_candle:

October’s arrival brings a season of spirits, when the veil is thin and many find it easier to connect with other beings and other planes.

The theme for this week’s challenge is inspired by the spirits of the season and is…

Spirit Animals Witch Challenge

:ghost: :paw_prints: Spirit Animals :raven: :candle:

Animal guides, otherworldly messengers, symbolic entities, and more-
What animals are important in your practice?

The topic of “spirit animals” comes up often in witchy spaces - you may have heard the term in a forum discussion, mentioned in a magickal book, or perhaps noted in a spiritual course. The more you see it mentioned, the more you’ll likely see how it can be used in different ways - what defines a “spirit animal” can differ from one witch and one practice to another, and that’s okay!

In this challenge, we’ll explore some common examples of spirit animals: such as otherworldly guides, spirit messengers, power animals, totem animals, etc. For the sake of this challenge, a spirit animal can be any non-human entity that assists with, guides, or inspires a spiritual practice :compass:

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This week’s challenge is all about spirit animals - how you choose to take on this theme is up to you.

So are you ready? Because it’s…

CHALLENGE TIME!

:bell:

Tiger Power Animal
Picture from Spells8: Familiar Spirits and Power Animals



STEP 1 : Our Animal Guides :raven:

This challenge is all about spirit animals - but as always, feel free to explore the theme in a way that aligns with you and your unique practice.

Still not sure where to begin? To help you get started, here are a few ways in which a witch might approach this challenge.

Please make sure you are logged into your Spells8 Account so you can view all of the resources shared!

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Personal Guides & Spirit Helpers

From deities to guardian angels, there are many entities a witch can work with in their practices. Spirit animals (sometimes called totem animals or power animals) are one such presence. These are usually one or more specific, non-human beings that have their own name, identity, and/or representative purpose.

Do you work with a spirit animal in your practice? If so, feel free to share about it! If not but it aligns with your practice, consider reaching out to connect with and meet a spirit animal guide this week.

Spirit-Guide-Signs-360x240
How to Find and Meet Your Spirit Guide

Related discussions and resources:

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Inspirational & Soul Animals

While a spirit animal may be one distinct creature who guides you, a spirit animal can also be a universal energy - the inherent nature of a type of animal. The energy of this animal may inspire, guide, or simply call to you in a deep way.

Is there a type of animal you encounter over and over? Perhaps you have a type of animal that resonates strongly with you? Feel free to explore it this week!

Owl-Omens-Are-Owls-Good-Luck2-360x240
Owl: Symbolism and Meaning

Pigeon-Symbolism-360x240
Pigeon: Divine Messenger Birds

Hope-Insect-Praying-Mantis-Symbolism-360x240
Hope Insect: The Meaning of the Praying Mantis

Blue-Dragonfly-Symbolism-Header-1-360x240
Dragonfly Spiritual Meaning

Find Your Spirit Animal
What is Your Spirit Animal? Take the Quiz!

Related discussions and resources:

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Deity Animals :sun:

Some deities take the form of an animal or display animalistic traits. Other deities send animals as Their spiritual messengers, or to represent Them in the physical world.

Do you work with a deity associated with animals? Is one of your favorite animals associated with a deity or powerful spirit? Feel free to do some research or spellwork and share it as your challenge entry this week.

Goddess-Bast-Symbols-Art-360x240
Bast: The Cat Goddess of Egypt

Famous-Forest-Goddesses-360x240
Goddesses of Wild Animals and Nature

Horus-Egyptian-God-Art-360x240
Horus: Egyptian God of the Sky

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Wolf Goddesses

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… And More! :raised_hands:

The suggestions above are just a few ideas to help kickstart your creativity- if you feel called to explore spirit animals in another way, you are welcome to do so!

As always, all witches are encouraged to embrace their own unique practice with how they explore the challenge theme :star2:

Symbol-of-the-deer
Diana’s Deer Symbol from Diana: Goddess of the Hunt



STEP 2 : Share Your Experience :writing_hand:

Click here for a note about challenge inclusivity

Everyone is welcome to join the challenge by practicing magick in line with the current theme. For lurkers and those who don’t feel comfortable sharing, it is absolutely okay to follow along with the challenge but keep your entry personal. Feel free to join in spirit and do what feels most comfortable for you! :blush:

That being said, please know that if you would like to receive a prize and a public shout-out, it is required that you share your experience.

Getting Your Credit :white_check_mark:

In order for your entry to be counted, all you have to do is write/share about your experience and label it as your challenge entry. There is a lot of chatting here (which is awesome- chatting and discussion are very welcome!) so please clearly write that it is your entry so I know to count it! :pray:

Where Should I Share My Entry? :thinking:

Click here to learn where to share your challenge entry

You are welcome to post it right here- just click “reply” :repeat: to this post and write your experience in the text box that pops up!

Alternatively, you could create a new post in the forum (this is good for when you have a lot to share and/or would like to discuss aspects of your entry not related to the current theme)

Note : If you do choose to create a new thread, please add the “challenge-entry” tag and/or add a hyperlink back to this post so that it can be easily found- thank you! :bowing_woman:


Deadline :spiral_calendar:

:exclamation: This challenge will close in 6 DAYS :exclamation:

To join in, please share your experience by:

Tuesday, October 8 at 7:00 AM EDT (Eastern US Time)
2024-10-08T11:00:00Z

(Note that the time zone is ET- if you don’t see your time displayed above, you can use this time zone calculator to check for your time zone!)


Prizes :gift:

For their efforts, all participants will receive a special shout-out and a small prize! :gift:

Acknowledgments will be given in a Props and Presents Post that will appear in the forums on Tuesday.

After the challenge closes, you are still very welcome to post but please be aware that no additional prizes will be given. This discussion will remain open for about a week after the challenge finishes.

:gift_heart: :gift: :gift_heart:


Picture from Spells8: No Dinosaur Ghosts? Spirit Animal Discussion

A warm reminder that the challenges are designed to be very open- everyone is encouraged to participate in a way that honors and reflects their unique practice :open_book:

If you have any doubts about if something is acceptable to post or say, please double-check with the Forum FAQ and/or reach out to your friendly Moderator Team.

And for those new to challenges- welcome! :heart: Know that the goal of these activities is to help you further diversify and strengthen your abilities and to bring together the Spells8 forum family to inspire and support one another in creative ways :hugs:


Spirit Raven picture from Canva

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Big or small, with tails or scales
Cats and crows, or wolves and whales
However they may choose to appear
Your spirit animal will steer you clear!

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Blessed Be! :ghost_cat: :sparkles:

10 Likes

Wolf Canine Dogs
“challenge-entry”

Your Spirit Animal is a… CANINE :wolf:

Dogs are often called “man’s best friend” for their loyalty and devotion to their chosen people. Although strong on their own, both wild and domestic canines are most powerful when surrounded by their friends and family.

Like your spirit animal, you are dependable and trustworthy. You have a good heart and try to help your loved ones whenever you can. The people in your life are truly blessed to have you at their side! :dog2:

Your canine spirit animal is particularly strong when it comes to assisting with Self Care Work and Relationship Spells– call on their help to mend bonds or create strong new ones! :handshake:

8 Likes

This is my challenge entry :slight_smile:

I’ve always felt connected to great herons, although I’ve never tried to include them in spellwork. I should fix that. Thoth’s head, although an ibis, always reminded me of herons.

6 Likes

I have always been surrounded by cats. Stray cats always find me and I always bring them home. I’ve got 7 right now lol. My first experience with signs and deities was Bastet reaching out. My kids joke that I was a jaguar in a previous life because I am so cat like the cats recognize me.

7 Likes

Hmmmm I’ll have to let it brew overnight and see what comes up tomorrow after my procedure. I don’t have a spirit animal nor do I have a familiar. Well, that’s not true, I’m working on getting a plant familiar so I’ll have to see how to approach this one. :thinking:

Couldn’t stop thinking about this one and I have strong connections to two animals, I’ve got a few ideas on exploring the potential of either or both as my spirit animal(s) including meditation, tarot and bone throwing. So now that I have a plan, I’ll see what happens tomorrow after my appointment!

4 Likes

This is my entry: I work with k-9 sprits alot and my dog who did pass on works with me , one of my spirit guides is a wolf

5 Likes

Challenge entry

I don’t feel I have one spirit animal guiding me, but many. I love all animals and they in return, love and trust me.

I have a couple owls that show up every morning outside my bedroom window at the same time and hoot back and forth. I feel that to be a powerful sign that they are watching over me.

Their are coyote’s that run through our woods howling at the same time every morning and then back the other way exactly a half hour later. I feel that these are bringing me strength and courage every day.

The deer that walk through the yard every morning and evening bring me peace. They remind me of all the beauty in the world.

4 Likes

Challenge entry

In my youth, I “collected” a few rare creatures whose appearance were a message.

Hawk: danger.
Heron: patience.
Falcon: I own all I see.
Blue Jay: guidance.
Robin: hope, and a messenger.
Crow in flight: pupil of the Creator’s eye, enemy of the hawk. I’m being watched and cared for.
Sea Gull: joy.
Hummingbird: the Creator’s presence in my life.
Pigeons: safety.
Swallow: communication among friends.
Toucan: intelligence.
Crane: balance.
Dove: peace.
Cardinal: predicting rain.
Squirrel: predicting heat or cold (yet it was just that one squirrel. Maybe I shouldn’t include him here?).
Chipping Sparrow: stand your ground.
Woodpecker: confidence and emotional support.
Kingbird: enjoying the rain.
European Grackle: self expression.
Junko: friendliness.
Canadian Goose: faithfulness.
Scobie Duck: sparks of beauty in ugliness.
California Vulture: clear skies.
Beaver: peaceful industry.

Lately, I’ve been having a flock of house finches greet me from the tree outside my window each morning. At least one of them hears my quiet greeting and imitates my welcome. It seems he has been bringing more and more of his flock each morning. I will be sad when the mornings get too cold for open windows because of his friendliness.

3 Likes

challenge entry

Your Spirit Animal is an… AVIAN :eagle:

With the open skies as their domain, members of the bird family have a freedom that few other creatures can enjoy. While trained domestic birds can adapt to live peacefully alongside humans, wild birds are masters of their own destinies :feather:

Like your avian spirit animal, you crave your own freedom. You thrive when you have control of yourself and your situation. There’s a part of you that craves the open road and clear sky- you have a natural desire to learn, explore, and become a better version of yourself :parrot:

Associated primarily with the Air Element (although some birds such as the fantastical Phoenix, are associated with Fire), avians have a connection to many of the most popular deities, including Hekate, Odin, Horus, and Zeus.

You can count on your avian spirit animal to lend you their strength during spells for cutting free from negative influences, working with the Air Element, and making wishes come true.

That’s soooo weird. :upside_down_face: Me? Love birds? Never.

All jokes aside, I do become pretty elated when I see birds outside my window. Even envious. These days I’ve been more “domesticated homing pigeon” than “feral and free.”

Maybe that’s something I can meditate on. Or I can just dive into befriending the corvids who fly around my neighborhood. :face_with_hand_over_mouth:

2 Likes