Every living thing on this earth is a representation of a different aspect of the God consciousness. Whether it's a fish, a spider, a wolf, a snake, or even a humble patch of moss, every thing exhibits its own blend of special qualities that come directly from our Creator. So when we see a house sparrow, for example, we are seeing a physical bird, going about its daily business. But we are also seeing a representation of a greater energy, which is "house sparrow energy." That energy is greater than the bird's physical body, and it lives in this world and others.

In most shamanic traditions, there are three main worlds connected with this Earth:  there is the physical world we currently inhabit, which is sometimes called the middle world. There is also the lower world, or underworld, which is the region of our subconscious heart and mind. It is here that all of our emotional and mental patterns, conditioning, instincts, and wounds live. It is here that we work to heal those things in ourselves. The Andean shamans call this the Cave of the Heart. (It is not a region of punishment at all—there is no hell.) And finally, there is the upper world, where we transcend our physical existence and work with other spiritual beings and the God consciousness itself. It is here where the heart and mind become one. These three worlds form the tree of life, extending from below the ground through us and into the heavens. It is one great connected flow of energy, and nothing is separate.

Power animals, or animal energies, work with us on all three planes of existence. They are helpers, and when you work with them, they will lend their power to you. When you consciously take on their power, you shapeshift and become that animal's energy. The shaman uses this power and the abilities of the animal to perform healing.

Everyone has a core power animal that they are bonded with during this lifetime, but many power animals may come to you over the years, helping you with different phases of your life. It is important to acknowledge them and to accept their help when it is offered. The right animal will always come to you at the right time. But how will you know?

Animals come to you in many ways. You may see one right outside your window. It may run across your path. It may appear in your dreams. All of these are signs that they are near and ready to help you, and it is important to notice how they appeared for you. Was the animal coming directly toward you? Was it running away? Did it stand its ground and look at you? If it appeared in your dreams, what did it do? How did you react?

Animals are potent messengers in our dreams. When you dream about animals, take note of everything that the animal does, as well as your reaction to it. Are you afraid of the animal? If so, it means that you fear what the animal represents in yourself. You have that animal's qualities, and it may be time for you to use them. If you are reacting in fear, it is time to examine why you fear this in yourself. The animal may represent your personal power, psychic abilities, or other qualities that you have been reticent to express. Learn from the animal and let it show you how to heal this issue and express yourself more fully.

When an animal comes into your dream, you will likely be working with it for awhile. Also, if you see an animal repeatedly in the wild, it wants to help you, and its energy may remain with you for a time as well. In more fleeting encounters, there may be a single message that it is there to convey. It may provide a confirmation for a decision you are making. It may provide guidance. Whatever the message is, it is important that you acknowledge the animal, thank it, and meditate on its meaning to find the answer.

If you are working very closely with one or more animals, find out all you can about them. How do they live, what do they eat, how do they communicate? What is their natural cycle over the course of the year? Do they hibernate? The answers to these questions will help you to understand their energy and apply it to your own life.

For more information about power animals and their energy, I recommend the following books:

Animal-Speak: The Spiritual and Magical Powers of Creatures Great and Small
Animal-Wise: The Spirit Language and Signs of Nature
by Ted Andrews

Animal Spirit Guides: Discover Your Power Animal and the Shamanic Path
by Chris Lüttichau

Working with power animals is a very rewarding experience. They will enrich your life and help you heal. Enjoy the journey!