The Nature of Guides (Jesus, tradition, pagan, Christ, religions)

[kreeden]

I have enough happening in another thread to keep me busy for awhile . But I have often wondered about the nature of guides . Why is it that traditionly so many have been animal in nature ?

Yes , many have " human " guides . But ignoring them , why do so many have " animal " guides . Any opinions ?

[Feathers in Hair]

For me, at least, I think they take on the appearance of animals so that I can easily recognize them or their message. Because I enjoy sitting outside, too, I get reminded more often of my guides by their 'representatives' that appear. (Which isn't to suggest that the same wouldn't happen if it was in a human form, though I would be more comfortable seeing a bluebird at the feeder than, for example, Ben Kingsley.)

[1nharmony]

Originally Posted by kreeden

I have enough happening in another thread to keep me busy for awhile . But I have often wondered about the nature of guides . Why is it that traditionly so many have been animal in nature ?

Yes , many have " human " guides . But ignoring them , why do so many have " animal " guides . Any opinions ?

I am familiar with animal spirit guides, or totems, in Native Indian religion. Do other religions have animal guides? Can you give some other examples, kreeden?

[Feathers in Hair]

(Sorry for adding my 2 frubals while Kreeden is away, since the question was asked of him, but hope I can shed a little light!)

Guides in the form of animals are recognized in almost all cultures, though most often in those with shamans. Many of their attributes are the same in different lands, despite those lands not having prior contact with each other to 'agree on what the animal would represent. Some current religions that embrace guides in the form of animals include several forms of Paganism, Voudun, and Shinto.

[1nharmony]

Thank you Feathers. It makes sense that cultures world wide would develop this sort of belief. Animals don't change characteristics by living in different parts of the world although a culture may assign different meaning to them.

kreeden, I think the reason so many choose animals is based on the purpose for having guides. A spirit guide leads us in some way, usually as a teacher leads a student to knowledge and understanding. In the realm of the spirit, I think people find communicating in human terms inadequate. Somehow animals give a sense of "knowing" on a level that we lack, yet desire.

[EnhancedSpirit]

My spirit guide is the Unicorn, I used to have recurring dreams of a black unicorn. She always helped me through troubled times. She started visiting me in my dreams when I was about 6 years old. The dreams stopped when I was 18, a senior in high school, she told me that she was always with me, not just in my dreams, and she said she had taken that form because it's what brought me joy and comfort and strength. She also said that she would no longer visit me in my dreams and that I would learn to recognize her everywhere.

As she walked away into the woods, she shapeshifted into the image of Christ. It was still many years before I understood. Christ is not just about the man called Jesus. It's hard to explain, and should be it's own thread. The point is God, or the Source, whatever name you call it will manifest into whatever it takes to help you remember.

[Feathers in Hair]

Also worth noting, I think, is that guides will appear in certain forms as they relate to your spirit animal. For example, a message that would appear to someone with the spirit animal of a fox as a guide in the form of a rabbit would be a different message than a guide in the same form would appear to someone with the spirit animal of a rabbit, or another herbivore. I think that it's our knowledge of the way that creatures interact with one another that sometimes causes guides to take on such shapes.

[kreeden]

Yes , form doesn't appear to play the same role in the Spiritual realm as in our's .

I am keeping my opinions to myself this time , for a change . As I said , I have enough on my plate with the multi-being thread . But I use the term " guide " every loosely here .

This doesn't really relate to the thread , but Nicki Scully has an interesting take on the " Shamanic Journey ". Has anyone read her book " The Golden Cauldron "? { 2nd edition it is called " Power Animal Meditations " **

[Master Vigil]

It is my experience that animals are more pure and spiritually wise than humans. Why would a guide take on the energy signature of an impure and spirtually ignorant being? (not that all humans are impure and spiritually ignorant )