First of all, no matter
what you do you are not going to physically turn into an animal, so just drop
that idea right now. Shape shifting is a reality though. It is done through
visualization so that you may carry the power and abilities of an animal with
you when you need it. Drawing the courage of a lion in the face of adversity is
an example where you can draw on the power of an animal spirit in such a way. Shape
shifting is also a way of getting to know an animal better (the old walk a mile
in their shoes bit or perhaps in this case it should be paws....) Finally shape
shifting allows you to take on animal form while on shamanic journeys or while
you visit the astral plane.
To learn to shape shift you should be in a place where you can meditate, but
where there is enough room to move around. You should be dressed comfortably
(or undressed comfortably, if that is your preference) so that you may move
freely. Relax, close your eyes, call and greet the animal spirit you wish to shape
shift to. Let yourself become that animal in posture, stance, movement and
sound. How does this animal see, hear, taste, touch, smell? What is it
experiencing? Move as it would move. Become it with all the abandon of a small
child. Experience it as long as you wish. When you choose thank the animal
spirit that has helped guide you in learning its ways and then return to your
human body. Write or draw your experiences if this helps you. You can do this
with as many creatures as you wish, getting comfortable with their difference
forms and abilities, so that if you are in need of their strengths you need
only don them much as you would a mask. In fact masks have been used as a focus
to help in the mind shift used in shape changing and might be something you
would like to try. The ability to shape shift can be very useful when you are
doing shamanic journeying or astral traveling. If you come across a place where
there is no way to continue because of a huge chasm you may choose to take on
the form of a hawk or if you find a place too small to enter, become a mouse.
You should be careful not to take on any one form for too long. Changes is you
abilities will happen with time, not by keeping the abilities of a certain
animal with you at all times. Do not learn to depend on a mask to face the
world for you might become the mask. Remember your parents asking you, while
you had your face contorted into a nasty face, what would you do if your face
froze that way? Although you will have the positive aspects of the creature you
have chosen to keep on will also grow into the negative ones. It is all well
and good to want the courage of a lion, but do you want the arrogance and pride
with you at all times as well?