With its shaggy fur and formidable strength, the bear has long been a symbol of power and wildness. It represents the untamed, primal forces of nature and the raw, unbridled energy that lies within us. But the bear also has a deeper, more spiritual meaning. A guide to your dormant emotional and intellectual resources, the bear spirit animal can be an unpredictable wild card in our life – wild in nature but wise and gentle on the inside.

So how does the bear spirit animal fit into your life, and what does it teach you about yourself? Let’s take a look at its traits and the lessons it has to offer.

Positive symbolic meanings associated with the bear include:

• Strength and Confidence
• Protective Power
• Courage
• Motherly love and care
• Healing and protection
• Affinity with solitude, introspection
• Grounding

Since the bear is often associated with shamans in many traditions, this spirit animal can symbolize healing abilities and stepping into the role of the healer. If the bear shows up in your life, it may also be time to take care of your own needs for healing, whether it’s at the physical, emotional or spiritual level.

Be sensitive to where you are at and reflect on where you would most need healing. You can call on the bear spirit guidance to direct your energy in a more conservative or focused way.

The presence of this power animal could point to the need to “regroup” and set up boundaries, so you feel comfortable in your own space. It may be a call to find time away from the crowd or busyness and favor quiet time and rest.

The bear spirit can also be a great helper to dedicate time and energy to more introspective practices, such as self-inquiry or meditation. Call on the spirit of the bear to help you find your center and ground yourself in a strong foundation that will support you in more busy and noisy times.

Author: Elena Harris

The butterfly is one of the most emblematic totem animals symbolizing personal transformation. If you see the butterfly as your totem or spirit animal, pay attention to the areas in your life or personality that are in need of profound change or transformation. Perhaps, this animal totem guides you to be sensitive to your personal cycles of expansion and growth, as well as the beauty of life’s continuous unfolding. An important message carried by the spirit of the butterfly is about the ability to go through important changes with grace and lightness.

What is the meaning of the butterfly? This animal totem is primarily associated with symbolism of change and transformation.

• Powerful transformation, metamorphosis in your life, personality
• Moving through different life cycles
• Renewal, rebirth
• Lightness of being, playfulness
• Elevation from earthly matters, tuning into emotional or spiritual
• The world of the soul, the psyche

A secondary meaning of the butterfly is about finding joy in life and lightness of being. 

The butterfly is a powerful animal to call when you need support in times of transition, whether it’s at work, in a relationship, or when you’re doing inner work. Great ally during intense periods of personal transformation, it will add ease and lightness to the process

The dolphin spirit animal represents harmony and balance. Dolphins are both highly intelligent and closely in tune with their instincts, striking a balance between the two states. Dolphins are also a symbol of protection and of resurrection. Their playful nature is a reminder that everyone needs to approach life with humor and joy. People who identify with the dolphin totem are usually peaceful and gentle, but with a deep inner strength.

The dolphin is a complex animal and has had many different meanings attached to it throughout history, including:

• Peace and harmony
• Protection
• Playfulness and joy
• Resurrection
• Inner Strength
• Cooperation

The dolphin spirit animal shows that everyone needs to play sometimes for the sheer joy of it. They remind us to take some time out of our busy lives to experience life like a child does.

People who are attracted to the dolphin spirit animal may find themselves on the cusp of a spiritual and personal rebirth, or may have undergone one recently.

The dragonfly totem carries the wisdom of transformation and adaptability in life. As spirit animal, the dragonfly is connected to the symbolism of change and light. When the dragonfly shows up in your life, it may remind you to bring a bit more lightness and joy into your life. Those who have this animal as totem may be inclined to delve deep into their emotions and shine their true colors.

The dragonfly is generally associated with the symbolic meaning of transformation. Here are common meanings for this animal totem:

• Change and transformation
• Adaptability
• Joy, lightness of being
• Symbol of the realm of emotions, invitation to dive deeper into your feeling
• Being on the lookout for illusions and deceits, whether are external or personal
• Connection with nature’s spirits, fairies realms

When this spirit animal shows up in your life, it’s an indication that it’s time for change. Just like the dragonfly changes colors as it matures, you may be called to live and experience yourself differently. Stay open to the enfoldment of your personal journey.

The Eagle spirit animal is an inspiring messenger. With the ability to soar to heights other birds merely dream of, the Eagle is a powerful animal totem that offers lessons about looking closely at the most minute of details in order to see life from a broader perspective. When this graceful hunter comes into your life, it’s time to look inward with a careful eye. Allow your heart to guide you, and opportunities you never dreamed were possible will present themselves when you least expect it. Eagles have feet with four toes. Four is a symbol for having a solid foundation and being grounded. Those who are guided by the Eagle spirit animal are grounded. Even though the Eagle can soar to great heights, they are still strongly connected to the earth. Among being grounded and connected to the earth, those guided by the Eagle are also resilient and in complete harmony with the spiritual aspects of their lives. Unafraid of the unknown, these seekers accept life’s challenges with unshakable courage, determination and confidence.

If the gorilla is your spirit animal, you are a great communicator. Gorillas communicate using sounds and gestures. They’re very attuned to group dynamics and the energy of each situation. If the gorilla is your spirit animal, you are also a brilliant communicator.

• You are gentle but have a strong personality
• Sometimes you can be shy
• You are very intelligent
• You feel most at ease in nature
• Whether writing or speaking, you communicate with clarity
• Leading comes naturally

The gorilla spirit animal is all about strength. This doesn’t just refer to physical strength but also emotional and mental strength. If the gorilla is your spirit animal, you are often the rock for others during tough times. You are reliable and always there when someone needs you. Your presence provides comfort and support. People see you as a leader because of your strength and your integrity and honor.

If you identify with these qualities, then it’s likely the gorilla is your spirit animal. Now that you know more about the gorilla spirit animal, it’s time to explore what this powerful symbol means to you.

The hummingbird spirit animal symbolizes the enjoyment of life and lightness of being. Those who have the hummingbird as a totem are invited to enjoy the sweetness of life, lift up negativity wherever it creeps in and express love more fully in their daily endeavors. This fascinating bird is capable of the most amazing feats despite its small size, such as traveling great distances or being able to fly backwards. By affinity with the hummingbird, those who have this bird as totem may be encouraged to develop their adaptability and resiliency while keeping a playful and optimistic outlook.

The hummingbird generally symbolizes joy and playfulness, as well as adaptability. Additional symbolic meanings are:

• Lightness of being, enjoyment of life
• Being more present
• Independence
• Bringing playfulness and joy in your life
• Lifting up negativity
• Swiftness, ability to respond quickly
• Resiliency, being able to travel great distances tirelessly

The call of the hummingbird totem will guide you to open up to love and lightness in your emotional life. When you see your totem, you are encouraged to open up your heart and expose yourself more to joy and love. It might be time to show how you feel to loved ones or people who are close to you.

In the realm of spirit animals, the lion wins the prize for most relentless fighter in the face of life challenges. The lion spirit animal represents courage, strength in overcoming difficulties. The presence of this power animal could also mean that something “wild” or difficult to control is happening. As such, lions symbolizes emotions that are difficult to manage, such a anger or fear.

The lion as a spirit animal or totem symbolizes:

• Strength, assertiveness, personal power
• A common meaning for the lion spirit animal is predatory feelings, such as anger, aggression directed at someone else or towards you
• Personal struggle to deal with these feelings
• Lion spirit animals warn about a threatening situation or event in your life

The lion spirit animal is generally associated with a representation of  personal strength. If the lion appears powerful to you, its presence as a spirit guide can be interpreted as a positive representation of your self-confidence or personal power. As such, lions point to qualities of strength, courage, assertiveness

When Ram comes as your Spirit Animal, it is a true force of nature. Ram is not faint of heart. He’ll come in with no question of his presence. Whatever is happening, move ahead with courage and confidence. You can take on any obstacles with the Ram’s energy beside you.Ram is a creature of vitality, fertility, fearlessness, determination, and the Sacred Masculine. As yourself, what elements of the Ram Spirit Animal most speak to your current situation. Embrace the Ram’s vibrancy for whatever task you’re undertaking. He is there to help you reach the pinnacle of excellence. Both the Sheep and Ram Spirit Animal reflect some type of new beginning for you. Change is on the horizon, so prepare. Take bold steps forward and remain steadfast. Know when best to call on your Spirit Animal for whatever trait you want to evoke.

The wolf offers some of the most striking animal meanings in the realm of spirit animals. The power of the wolf brings forth instinct, intelligence, appetite for freedom, and awareness of the importance of social connections. This animal can also symbolize fear of being threatened and lack of trust. When the wolf shows up in your life, pay attention to what your intuition is telling you.

The wolf is a powerful and inspiring spirit animal that can bring both positive and negative symbolism into our lives.

Positive symbolism of the wolf spirit animal:

• Sharp intelligence, deep connection with instincts
• Appetite for freedom
• Courage and resilience
• Wisdom
• Insight
• Inner wisdom
• Community and connection
• Leadership
• Determination
• Adaptability

Wolves are wild animals that are not easily domesticated and when they appear as spirit guides, they could be an invitation to look at what supports your authentic self and the true expression of yourself. The wolf totem is a reminder to keep your spirit alive and trust your instincts to find the way that will best suit you.