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Owls, Hawks and Butterflies – Oh My! Here Are 8 Common Spirit Animals and Their Symbolism

Spirit animals are all around us – it’s just up to us whether or not we believe in their power, or whether we even notice them at all. When a particular animal crosses your path, it is believed that it is a sign from the universe. Animals guide us, teach us, and communicate with us if we’re open enough to listen.

Learning how to stop and become aware of each animal that crosses your path is not a hard thing to do. Have you ever noticed that there are times in your life when you keep noticing the same animal popping up again and again? Or when you see a specific, rare breed of animal?

Have you ever been walking down the sidewalk and noticed an unusual animal in your path, and thought that’s weird? At one time or another, we’ve all had a unique interaction with an animal that made us pause to wonder if there was a deeper meaning.
 
 

Animals guide us, teach us, and communicate with us if we’re open enough to listen.

 
Any time an animal crosses your path and you think “how peculiar,” it is most likely a spirit animal! Take time to consider the meaning behind this interaction – it may carry a deeper meaning that could shed light on an area of your life that you’re questioning.

Read on to learn more . . .
 

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If you are curious about common spirit animals, then you should also check out the Modern Mystic program on YA Classes. In this program, you will explore five key modalities: astrology, shadow work, crystal healing, spirit communication, and manifestation.
 
 

The Purpose + Meaning of Spirit Animals

Aside from day-to-day animals that enter our lives, there is also an entire world of a particular spirit animals that are meant to guide us. There are countless meditations and practices to help you find which spirit animal has been guiding you, and what it continues to do for you in your life today.

Here’s Your Crash Course in Spirit Animals and How to Tap Into Their Guidance

The spirit animals that are assigned to us are meant to give us strength, hope, love and comfort. There are thousands of different spirit animals, ranging from insects, reptiles, mammals and more.

The reason our world is full of spirit guides is to protect and support us on our individual paths and journeys. When we are working on our dharma (or purpose), they show up for us in full force to help carry out the purpose we were assigned to complete.

Sometimes spirit guides visit us in our dreams, either warning of a life event that may occur soon, to show us how to be more playful, or manifest our own destinies.

Whatever the reason may be, animals placed in your path are there for a reason, and it is up to you to stop and notice them – to witness what is going on around you what the universe is trying to tell you.

Curious what your spirit animal is? Take the Spirit Animal Quiz to find out!
 
 

Here are 8 Common Spirit Animals and What They Mean:

Reference the spirit animals below and pay special attention to any of the animals that you may have encountered recently. Their meanings may help determine their purpose for crossing your path . . .
 

The Butterfly

When a butterfly enters your life, it is believed to be one of the most symbolic signs pertaining to transformation and profound change. You might be moving through different life cycles, and literally changing from the inside out.

Death and rebirth are present here – perhaps something in your old self dying away so a newer version of you can present itself. Butterflies also carry the message of “being light” and floating above earthly matters.

Looking for more articles like this, check out our full library of Lifestyle articles here
 

The Spider

When you notice a lot of spiders coming up in your life or in your dreams, it is a reminder for you to create the life you want to lead. Spiders are known for creating intricate webs and patience for capturing their prey so these guides are here to tell us when to start building the life we want.

Spiders also represent the feminine, and the power behind feminine energy. If this is your guide (for now), tap into your creative side and be patient with yourself. Projects, careers, and achievements all take time, and it is the journey that is where the magic is – not the end result.

Like a spider, imagine yourself weaving a web that you want to create for yourself, and patiently wait for the fruits of your effort to become a reality.

Looking for a way to kickstart your creativity? Practice This Yoga Sequence to Boost Your Creativity
 


 
 

The Crow

The crow may not seem like an ideal spirit guide, but the crow actually brings a lot of magic and mysteries. Crows are known for their higher perspective, flexibility and mostly their “trickster” personality types. If the crow has been coming to you – whether in an awakened state or dreams – consider your connection to life and its magic.

Invite a heightened awareness into your life and try to shift your point of view to a higher perception to recognize the magic in everything that is happening to you and around you.

Because the crow is correlated to life’s magic, the crow is seen as the spirit animal of choice to those who use magic and have the power to manipulate our universe.
 

The Owl

The owl is one of the more rare spirit animals. If you happen to cross paths with an owl, it is a true sign from the universe. The owl as a spirit guide that represents wisdom, deep connection, and intuitive knowledge.

When this guide comes to you, you might be at a time in your life where you are exploring the unknown – perhaps going through a transition or about to embark on a journey.

The owl has the capacity to see beyond deceit. The owl has intuition and can see what others usually cannot see. When the spirit of this animal is present for you, you are able to see beyond the illusions created by our minds.
 

 

The Hummingbird

Hummingbirds are full of lightness, connection and speed. When hummingbirds come into your life, it is a sign of connection, playfulness and adaptability. Hummingbirds connect flowers and plants and they are capable of amazing feats despite their tiny size. They can adapt to anything, and fight while still having a playful and light spirit.

When a hummingbird is present for you, whether for your long periods of time or just for a day, try to connect with the enjoyment of life and try not to take things so seriously. They are here to remind us to be playful and that ultimately, connection is what really matters – whether it is with loved ones or a higher power.

Hummingbirds can help lift you up from negativity and show you that everything happens for a reason. Adapt to your surroundings instead of trying to control outcomes.

Looking for help letting go of negativity? Read these 5 Tools to Overcome Negativity and Take Back Your Power
 

The Hawk

The Hawk represents courage, self-awareness, truth, and perspective. Hawks are a revered spirit guide for their ability to see things from a higher perspective – to recognize the truth in any situation for what it is. The Hawk also represents intuition and inner wisdom.

When you see a Hawk, you are being shown that the time is now for you to take an inventory of where you’re at in life and what your next step is. Channel the Hawk’s keen eye to view your life from a heightened perspective, and then tap into your inner wisdom and intuition and allow these things to guide you.
 

The Grasshopper

When this little guy steps into your life, you are being asked to take a leap of faith. Grasshoppers are innovative and don’t miss opportunities to move forward in life.

Grasshoppers are considered good luck, and they are recognized as good omens. They carry messages, which is why they are constantly moving and going on. If you are running into the grasshopper, it may be a sign that you are struggling with a decision and it is time to make a choice and move forward confident that the outcome is will be okay.
 

The Eagle

Eagles are signals that is time to reconnect to your spiritual path. They are here to remind us to listen to our hearts and not rely on our minds so much. If an eagle is your personal totem animal, it means that you have lightness in you, but need to stay grounded.

Eagles represent light, spirit and healing – healing yourself so you can connect my deeply to your spiritual journey. This spirit animal carries knowledge of magic and gifts from above.
 
 

Spirit Animals in Your Life

Spirit animals are here to help guide us in our journeys. We are human and it is easy to forget that there is always a universal power that is here to protect us and guide us. Everything we experience in life is a lesson. Guides are here to remind us how to get back on track, to show us that we are loved and to remind us to play, create, nurture and connect.

As you step into your day, remain aware of your surroundings, and notice if any animals cross your path. You’ll be surprised just how synchronistic these encounters can be, and knowing what these animals symbolize can provide you meaningful insight and understanding in your life.

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What's Your Spirit Animal? Take the Quiz to Find Out!
Spirit animals represent guidance, support and strength. When we connect to our spirit animal we gain insight into various parts of ourselves and our lives.
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Jessie Wren

An Arizona native, Jesse finds peace within her yoga practice, and spreads light through her yoga teaching and writing. She loves connecting with herself and others through meditation, asana, and a healthy lifestyle. You can find Jesse traveling the world, writing about inspiration, and taste-testing every sushi restaurant ever.

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