The Celts had an affinity for nature and the spiritual realm. They worshiped the sacredness of Nature, and believed everything contained a spirit. Each creature they came in contact with was treated with great respect and wonder. Animals were believed to possess knowledge that no human could ever imagine and these creatures held the ability to out do man in any endeavor. Being part of the natural life cycle, they were seen to provide vitality and fertility. When the ancient people of the highlands adopted pastoral practices, cattle became immensely important to them. Two of the Celts most important festivals, Beltaine and Samhain focused on the migration of cattle from the grazing lands and back to the community. The Cow became a symbol of abundance of the earth, nourishment and the motherhood of the Goddess. The tribes were dependent on their animals for survival, every ounce was used: meat for nourishment, hide for shelter and clothing, and bones for weapons. However, because animals contained spirits, tribes had to ask permission from the Gods before an animal would be killed for either food or ritual. There was a strong belief in the passage of souls, and that one could become reincarnated in an animal form. Those who adopted animal familiars or totems were forbidden to kill or consume their animal relatives. Celtic heroes depended on the aid of their animal counterparts in their battles with enemies. The assertiveness, challenge and courage of the Boar were greatly sought after, since to kill one took great skill and courage. Just like the Boar, a warrior had to be clever and brave and use the power of this wild animal to triumph. Some would learn the language of creatures such as birds, and thus were warned of approaching dangers. The appearance of birds especially ravens and crows were interrupted as foretelling the coming of battle and bloodshed. Ancient Celts strongly believed in the connection between animals and deities. This connection was often expressed by the deity being represented with its animal familiar. The sacred Goddess Brigit of the Celtic highlands was represented by the cock, boar, ewe and snake. By virtue of their special abilities, animals had access to the realms of gods and often served as their messengers. Animals were also believed to take the forms of other objects and even humans. Known as shape changers, these creatures generally adopted a shape voluntarily in order to guard a sacred space or to gain advantage in combat.

Spirits and supernatural beings have also been known to take the form of an animal. According to Celtic myths, a spirit in the form of an animal generally guarded holy places. One such animal was the great hound who guarded the door between the realms. In Celtic lore, the hound was named Dormath, who would collect and guide the souls of the dead to the Otherworld. In this other realm, human souls and animal souls dwelt together with the gods. At times the veil between the realms would thin, especially between the time of one year and the next, known as the eve of Samhain. At this time, souls would walk freely among the worlds. Out worldly creatures would be known to roam between the realms, and only that one with great magical skill could guide these strange animals. These sorcerers or as they are called today Shamans, deliberately sought the powers derived from animals for magical practices. In Celtic tales, a character called the Wild Herdsman appeared as the Lord of Animals, a huge man clad in black with only one foot, and one eye in the center of his forehead and carrying an iron club. When employing inner-sight to look into the other realms, this one eyed, one footed pose was a classical stance for Shamans. There are many tales of men and women retreating to the woods and becoming wild, to live like beasts. Usually they withdrew from the world around them and would experience madness. By communing with the spirits and animal guides of nature, they gained experience and returned to the world with advanced knowledge and power of magic. Dreams were of great importance to the ancient tribes, and visions of animals in the dream realm were thought to be prophetic. Druids formalized the experience of prophetic dreaming, utilizing animal powers in a variety of rituals. Since the bull was believed to be associated with divination and prophecy, it’s hide was used in a particular rite, were a Druid would lay down to sleep on the skin, and await whatever dreams could appear.

During the 1800’s, after many families found themselves homeless after the Highland clearances, a massive emigration began to North America. When they arrived they experienced blistering summers, freezing winters and dark thick forests full of strange creatures. The Celts were still extremely spiritual despite their long and often horrible migration to this alien landscape, and conjured up all kinds of tales about the new creatures they encountered. In the new land, they soon came in contact with the native inhabitants, who also held a close connection with nature, the spiritual realm and animal familiars. However, Native American power animals were treated with much more awe and respect than the animal allies of the Europeans.

Native Beliefs:

Like the Celts, Native Americans believed in magical energy, which they call “Medicine”. This M edicine referred to the connection between the self and The Great Mystery. The Great Mystery was often known as the spiritual realm, the Heart of Heaven, the Lord of the Everywhere, or by some similar name pointing to an infinite, eternal, indescribable source or womb of all manifested things. Native Americans could accomplish the healing of the mind, body, and spirit through the connection with the Great Spirit. Medicine also granted personal power, strength and understanding. It provided perfect harmony with the universe and by following life’s path that it brought healing to the Earth Mother and all her fellow creatures. Animals were believed to bring to man a great knowledge and could impart it to anyone astute enough to observe the lessons, which they gave. Gaining wisdom from our close kin in the animal kingdom provides a healing process that must be approached with humility and intuitiveness. The lessons taught by these brothers and sisters have been chosen to guide the student down their respected path, the Good Red Road. The term, “the Good Red Road” is used by many different tribal communities to represent one who is walking the road of balance, is living right and follows the rules of the Creator. By following this road, man learns the lessons of being human, of being vulnerable, and strives to find wholeness with the Great Spirit. Tremendous power lies within the knowledge and understanding of the role one has in life. In order to reach this high level, honor must be shown to every living thing with whom we share their wisdom. It was believed that learning only ends when the life ends.

However, there are modern misconceptions about the relationship between a person and his totem animal. It was commonly believed that one might choose his power animal based on their own opinions, usually an animal associated with great strength, but actually, this is not part of the belief system. There are numerous animals considered part of the system of totem animals, but this differs with the tribe, geographical position and tradition. Different animals had different meanings to certain tribes, but it was commonly believed that the animal chose its pupil, not the other way around. Traditionally, tribe members may have experienced visions or omens of a particular animal concerning what animal is their appropriate familiar. This animal became the teacher of the person it has chosen; the two become inter connected, growing and learning as one.

When we compare the animal familiars of these two cultures, one in Europe and one in North America, we find that they hold different meanings and symbolisms. Four common animals that we can consider are the eagle, the wolf, the raven and the horse. As mentioned before, the presence of birds in Celtic lore usually signified an omen, for they were the messengers of the gods. Ravens were commonly seen on the battlefield picking at the flesh of fallen warriors, thus they were associated with the coming of death. This bird was thought to be the most prophetic of the bird species, having knowledge of both public and private events. In contrast, to the Native Americans, Raven symbolized creation, illumination and magic. The appearance of a Raven brought with it great magic and the message that one may only fear it’s presence if they dabbled with the dark side of sorcery. The raven brought with it the knowledge of the Void, that darkness was not always what it seemed, and that what lay inside the Void was the inner wisdom of the Great Mystery. They carried the light of healing medicine and were present in every healing circle, creating a state of wellness.

There are very few surviving myths about the Eagle, but from what can be gathered from the names given to this majestic bird, it can be concluded that is was regarded with great respect. It was believed that the eagle was immortal, soaring to the realm of the Sun, bursting into flame, falling to the sea to be reborn again. Eagles were also held in high regard by the Natives, they were associated with the Great Spirit, soaring high above the clouds, the messenger of Father Sky. Their feathers were considered to be the most sacred of tools used for healing, and the eagle’s strength gave the will to triumph and rise above the ordinary. In many cultures there is a common misconception associated with Wolf. They are often represented as savage, bloodthirsty animals. Just like Raven, the wolf was often seen on the battlefield in search of carrion and was the familiar of the Celtic Goddess of war Morrigan. But this is far from the truth; wolves are generally kind and loyal creatures, often caring for their weakest members. In Native spirituality, the wolf was the pathfinder, the teacher who brought back Medicine to the pack. Family was of great importance to the wolf; each member had a job to fulfill to insure the survival of the clan, teaching the next generation the secrets of the Great Mystery. When the Natives heard the wolf baying at the moon, to them it represented a direct connection to psychic energy. By being connected with the Great Mystery, the wolf held an affinity for learning about the unknown, the hidden secrets that lay underneath the surface. By learning to connect with the Great Spirit, natives used the teachings of the wolf to understand the importance of life. The horse was regarded as a kind, intelligent beast; both swift and free. Horses were symbols of status to the early Celts and were never used as beasts of burden. Like Cow, the horse was also a symbol of fertility of the land and the energy of the sun. Horse also was associated with many deities, such as Epona, the guide and protector of the dead. To the Shamans of native tribes, Horse was seen as an unearthly creature, having the ability to fly through the air and reach heaven. Before Horse was introduced, humans were tied and heavily burdened. However, through man’s close connection with this breathtaking beast, humans changed their concept of what was attainable and what was out of reach. By understanding the power of Horse, they could achieve balance in Medicine. Power lies in remembering the wisdom found in your total journey. Wisdom was not easily given, but was awarded to those who like Horse learned to carry the burden in a balanced manner and with respect for the pathways of the elders. These native cultures bestowed a great amount of respect for the new medicine that Horse carried with it.

In summation, it can be said that in spite of evolving many thousands of miles apart the Celtic and North American natives had a special connection to nature and a closeness for their animal counterparts. Each animal had it’s own symbolic significance in each of these traditions and of itself a key to lessons that might need to be imparted by what some would call a spirit guide, as well as lessons that need to be learned. The animal totems or familiars might embody things or characteristics that the person needed. Even though they may have each endowed them with different powers, they all revered the magic found in nature.