The Magic of Nature, Familiars and Shapeshifting

As Pagans we connect to the flora and fauna of the land. We draw energy from it all and in turn, give it back in our magical workings.

Here in the Northern Hemisphere in March, we experience the turning of the season from the harsh lacking of life in the Winter to the budding, blooming birth of the Spring.

Everywhere new life is bursting forth from the cold of the ground or the warmth of the womb.  Sunshine pierces through the clouds, touching our cheeks and sparkling on the wet land, inspiring growth and change. The Great Lady walks the land and all celebrate her steps.

Frogs and other everyday delights

It stirs in our hearts and moves us to think of happy, light days instead of long, dark nights.  If you know where to look, (and we Pagans are excellent at that), you can find many tiny things that will bring a smile to your face and a lift to your heart.  These things are usually simple and un-extraordinary yet, because of that, are the most noticeable and meaningful.

It’s amazing how the sight of a tiny frog hopping across the path in front of you can transform and enhance your day, making it so much better than it was before.

Familiars

Familiars are one of the best companions and enhancers for our magic.  They are that special pet that circles your altar, tosses your tarot cards off the table, stares intently at the incense burning, or just knows when you are feeling depleted and comes over to lick your hand or lay on your lap. 

I have always been very fortunate to have a familiar in my life for the past 45+ years.  Grey or black cats, a Jack Russel or Pitt bull, even a white Arabian horse, have all come forward to be my friends and familiars.   They would help me ground, center and then focus my magic to accomplish my intent. If I was willing to listen, they would teach me things about myself and the world around me that tend to pass by the average 9-5 human. One of them even helped get my incense burning when I couldn’t light the match right. (but that’s a different story, lol) The wonderful thing about familiars is that they come in all forms.  I have even known plants to be able to connect with their stewards to enhance a magical spell or vision.  

All they ask for in return is love and protection. The same or equal to the unconditional kind that they give us when they make the vow to guard, guide and go along with us wherever we journey.

Connecting to nature

If you study the flora and fauna around you carefully, you can empathize with them.  You can feel them like you feel yourself. If you hold this empathic connection with an animal long enough, it will become easy to assume its energy and then you can shapeshift yourself into an altered state of consciousness that will think, move and be like that creature, yet be you at the same time.  My Arabian and I could do that often.  Riding bareback, I felt his body underneath mine.  Watching ahead, I began to think about how tall I was, how long my four legs were and how much weight was on each hoof as I walked on the forest floor.  I made choices of direction based on where on the land it was safe for me to place my hooves or weave through closely growing trees. It was as if I had become a centaur with the form of man and horse moving and thinking as one.

Most of the time, when I work or play with my animals, I find that I cannot speak human language for a few minutes afterwards.  It’s like I am so entrenched in their behavior, I have forgotten what I was beforehand.

When I underwent my gender transition, I felt far more in touch with my dogs than myself.  Often, I was aware of only basic needs; safety, hunger, sleep, and bodily comfort, in that order.  

We humans can forget what is really important in this world.  We can be easily distracted by the concepts of money, time, and societal expectations.  None of these things are as important as the smell of a safe haven, the satisfaction of fresh food, and the comfort of a soft place to rest.

Connecting deeply with Nature and Her children can restore us to a state of existence in which we are more aware of our true needs and desires.

Shifting ourselves into something else allows us to discover what is within us but hidden.  We cannot be anything that we are not, but there are many things we are that we think we cannot be. 

Shifting yourself requires the ability to yield to the truth of another form, not what you want to believe is true. In doing so, you find the real truths inside yourself that you have not seen before.

How to shapeshift

What is the magical way to shapeshift?  Here is what works for me.

Study the creature you wish to shift into.  Learn everything you can about it. If it is an actual animal, get as close to it physically as you can. If it is an imaginary creature, then research its origins, folk tales, and drawings. Read, watch and if possible, touch it until you can know it for all its existence in your mind.

Once you feel comfortable with your chosen subject, find a quiet, safe place, and sit or lie down. Close your eyes.

Feel your body. What parts of you are like this creature? Use your inner eye to change those parts into something closer to your desired form. Breathe in the image and manifest the change as you exhale.

I was told by a professional illustrator that all mammals have the same number of bones in their bodies.  It is the proportions that are different. Change the proportions and you change the animal. 

Keep breathing the changes until you feel that your form is complete.

Now move. Slowly. Gently. Roll over. Drop to all fours or curl your tail around you.  Keep breathing to hold the changes in your mind.

Open your eyes.  How do you see the world around you? Can you see without identifying as a human would? What does the chair look like now that you are a dog or cat? 

Try taking a step.  Do not lose your focus.  Keep breathing in your new form. 

With each breath you are projecting your consciousness into your new body.  Your chosen image will tell you how to think, move, and possibly even communicate.  Do not force your mind. Let your magical awareness stay open to suggestions as they whisper to you. 

We are all one.  This knowledge has always been in you. You only need to allow it to come forth.

Remember that on this magical, amazing planet we are Animals All the Same.

For more information about Alexander James Adams, including his collected articles here on Pagan Song, his bio, and links to Alec’s sites on the web, check out Alexander James Adams’ page on Pagan Song.

More animal magic articles can be found in the Pagan Song online Book of Shadows.

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