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In the Otherkin thread I made the following post:
In contrast, I have known people who work with animal spirits, and have found them to often be enhanced by their work. The animal spirits seem to enrich them and actually extend their capacities. Some of these persons have even become physically like their totems in an almost uncanny way. What I see going on with the dragons seems to be a very different phenomenon. It's almost as if their alter image is their own worst enemy, obessively drawing their attention from their own lives.
Hi, guys.I've been lurking in this thread for a while, keeping to myself since I don't have any real contributions to make. However, that paragraph made me curious,as a layman in the subject, about one thing: are there (or could there be) a Dragon animal spirit, or is every animal spirit connected to a "real" species of animal? Additionaly, does it have to be an animal species that exist in the present, or can it be from a long extinct animal species? (because I do remember Carlos Castañeda mentioning a sabertooth animal guide in one of his books, but I understand he's not considered the most reliable of sources)
to which TTS responded as follows:
This is would be better in the Stupid Q's thread, wouldn't it. Lots of people will have lots of different answers depending on how their particular trad handles the concepts involved. First define "spirit." Then demonstrate that "spirits" exist.
Then define the difference between real and imaginary as it relates to the work at hand.
So, I'd do my best to define such terms. Keep in mind I'm not a magician in any way, just someone who's curious about the subject,so all my knowledge is purely theoretical, and my understanding of the realities of magick practice is fairly limited
As "spirit" I mean a disembodied entity that exists on its own and, has its own personality and will,and that communicates with living/flesh beings for whatever reasons. The definition found on Wikipedia for Spirit Guide and/or Totem seem to cover fairly well the meaning I'm trying to convey.
As I said, I cannot demonstrate from my own experience that spirts exist, however I do believe they exist, mostly from third-party accounts. In that point I have to trust other people.
As, as for "real" animal species, I meant animal species that exist, or have existed, in the material world, that eat, grow, reproduce, and die, and may even leave behind a fossil record, i.e., an animal species as science would define it (in that logic, a sabertooth would be "real", and a dragon, "imaginary". If dragons do or did exist, and science has only not find hard proof of it, than they would be considered "real", as well, and the first part of my question would be rendered moot, unless it is changed to "can a spiritual animal guide/spirit/totem come in the shape of an animal that does not, nor ever did, exist in the material world?)
I hope this is precise enough to prompt an objective answer. If it's not, I can't really elaborate any further and again my question will be meaningless, in which case I apologise for taking all of you time needlessly.
In time, I did do some research on dragon guides/spirits/totems on the internet, and was able to find a few sites on the subject, but they don't seem trustworthy, namely:
Dragon Totem
Animal Totem: Dragon
Any insights will be appreciated. Statements of absence of possible insights on such subject, if that's the case, will be equally appreciated.
One last detail: in the case of "real" animals, the animal spirit in question may have been an animal of that specied in one of its past incarnations, or simply present itself in that shape with the qualities commonly associated to that animal species. Both would be included in what I'm referring to as "animal guide/spirit/totem"
Thanks for the help, or simply for having the patience to read this post this far. |
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