Creativity: An 8-Part
Series
By Kristy McCaffrey
Don't miss:
Part I ~ Imagination
Part II ~ Domestication vs. Wildness
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| Copyright 2014 Kristy McCaffrey |
While shape-shifting is often associated with evil and
deception, it can be thought of most easily as a way to incorporate the
qualities and sensory perceptions of a particular animal. Shape-shifting allows
the navigation through different levels of consciousness, both awake and
dreaming, and along the astral plane.
In the iconic King Arthur story "The Sword in the
Stone" by T. H. White, the wizard Merlin transforms young Arthur into many
different animals to aid the boy in learning how to be king. When Arthur
finally pulls the sword from the stone, the animal kingdom relays many mystical
messages, giving him strength and courage to grow into the man he needs to be.
In shamanic realms, one must master energy to become a
shape-shifter, and thereby learn to shift situations.
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| Photo courtesy of Shutterstock |
Shape-shifting goes hand-in-hand with totem animals. In many
cultures, association with an animal is a means of navigating the world—Coyote
energy is mischievous, Raven energy is cunning and otherworldly, Rabbit energy
is quick and alert. If one has an affinity for a certain creature, why not
imagine what it would be like to be
that animal? What might this teach you?
Wilderness is not a
luxury, but a necessity of the human spirit. ~ Author Edward Abbey
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| Photo courtesy of Shutterstock |
Each animal has its own gifts, which are accessible to us.
Bear teaches us to set clear boundaries and balance activities with periods of
rest. Butterfly embodies transformation from one state to the next. Whale calls
to deep creativity and the ability to sing
your intention into the landscape.
Shifting focus has long been an avenue to unlock creativity.
While running along the terrain as a bobcat, what wondrous things will you see?
Lots of people talk to
animals. Not very many listen, though. That's the problem. ~ Benjamin Hoff
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| Photo courtesy of Shutterstock |
Works Cited
Billington, Penny. The
Path of Druidry: Walking the Ancient Green Way. Llwellyn Publications,
2011.
Carson, David. Find
Your Spirit Animals. Watkins Publishing, 2011.
Farmer Ph.D, Steven D. Animal
Spirit Guides. Hay House, Inc., 2006.
Myss, Carolyn. Sacred
Contracts: Awakening Your Divine Potential. Harmony Books, 2001.
Don’t miss Part IV in the Creativity series: Forbearance
Until next time…
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