Power animals form part of certain Wiccan or Witchcraft Traditions. Covens may relate to a totem animal, the shape of which is known only to group members. They are used mainly by Native Americans and Shamans..

Learn to listen to the advice of power animals, particularly if you have been neglecting your guides and inner voice. When you meditate ask for their assistance on persistent problems.

See Totem Animal Qualities for more info.

Animals should be recognised and acknowledged for their powers, their kinship and equality with the humans in our environment. You should honor animals for their energy and assistance by burning incense, and/or leaving an offering, such as a nicely bound sprig of dried herbs, a decorative candle or a gem on your altar.

Shapeshifting is achieved in two ways.

The first can be achieved on astral planes by Witches who merge with their totems & 'become' the animals, at the same time retaining their own intelligence. The second is by merging your physical form into that of an animal on the earth plane. (It is reported that some Shamans can change their physical human forms into those of animals).

During certain ritual dances, performed within some type of magick circle, humans can be possessed by the animal spirit and they may contort their bodies or move like that animal, and make sounds such as those animals might make. The human's senses may become like that of the spirit of the animal they have melded with. (See the Totem Animals Qualities for examples of this).

There are two ways to arrange to meet power animals in the astral plane. You could write & perform a ritual to call the essence of the animal whose energies you need, and that might be willing to assist you…if this method is successful, the animal will probably appear in its natural form. On the other hand you could walk through an astral forest and meet and talk with the animal, through meditation. Either way you choose to meet with your new friend and colleague, make friends and get to know them. There is much you have to learn from them, and much you can share.

Be sure and see Trading Places Exercise