POWER ANIMALS
FOUR MOST COMMON POWER ANIMALS IN SHAMANISM
Power animals in shamanism, also called guardian animals or totems, are entities that guide us spiritually. Whether through its substances, or from its messages or lessons, qualities such as: energy, strength, survival instinct, protection and their symbolic meanings are invoked.
( THREE THINGS THAT HAPPEN IN YOUR BRAIN WITH ENTHEOGENS )
Next, we are going to meet 4 quite common power animals in shamanic wisdom and that serve different purposes depending on the case:
COLORADO TOAD or BUFO ALVARIUS
Beneath the lumpy skin of this anuran amphibian are milky, poisonous secretions that harbor the world's most potent psychoactive substances: 5-MEO-DMT and Bufotenine.
( BUFO ALVARIUS: THE CONNECTION WITH GOD THROUGH A TOAD )
It is the Toad of Sonora Mexico, the Bufo Alvarius, which when soaked in the form of a crystallized pipe or rapé, causes torrid alterations of perception that can last from five to fifteen minutes, even hours. This substance generates ontological perspective changes followed by an abrupt return to the ordinary state of consciousness, which can be highly medicinal and therapeutic.
KAMBO FROG
It is outlined as one of the largest arboreal species in the world and its skin secretions contain bioactive peptides that have a great impact on the neurological and physiological activity of our body. It comes from the Amazon of Brazil, Peru, Colombia and Venezuela. Its form of administration is through punctures and incisions on the skin and unleashes a deep perspiration, as well as bodily reactions such as vomiting, nausea, euphoria and tachycardia. It is a power animal that transfers purity, spiritual cleansing, and spiritual regeneration, as well as healing various physical and mental illnesses.
( KAMBÓ: ANCESTRAL MEDICINE FROM THE AMAZON )
THE JAGUAR
For the Mayans and other Mesoamerican shamanic communities, the jaguar or Balam is considered an animal of sacred power and of great respect for its infinite qualities. It symbolizes power, strength, life and fertility. In fact, it is the largest cat in America. His vision is privileged, both during the day and at night, a fundamental quality of every shaman, and precisely because of his nocturnal activity, he is associated as a nocturnal traveler from the Underworld who helps to make the transition to the afterlife. For this reason, he pairs up with the shaman, his human colleague. The Jaguar is a master of shamans, and both are leaders of their community.
THE SCORPION
The symbolism of the scorpion is very strong in many shamanic communities around the world and in most of them, it is considered an omen. Its deadly and dangerous quality that hides its poison in its tail, in addition to its ability to resist the harshest conditions of life, makes it one of the most important power animals in shamanic cosmology. It symbolizes passion, dominance, defense, transformation, rebirth, and ardor.
( POWER ANIMALS: LINK WITH OUR GUARDIAN SPIRIT )