I would like to take this time to speak my mind on what I would consider a very important part of a person's make-up, the spirit animal. I'm not talking about the critter you play with or summon with a spell, but the animal spirit that resides in a few individuals who care to acknowledge it.

My personal take on Spirit Animals is from a more Native stand point where the animal is a part of your own person or spirit. This in mind, I don't believe in people choosing their spirit animal but i he animal choosing them. Certain traits fall with specific animals, such as the Wolf's need to be in a group or the quirky natures found in the crow and raven. Finally pinpointing your spirit animal can be hard but once done can open up many new possibilities to explore one's self. The idea that my spirit animal has it's own personality, ideas, and goals helps me to understand how to deal with it better.

It's always fun to imagine that your spirit animal is extravagant, but more often then not when it turns out to be a common hare or crow people get disappointed and thus forget about that part of their existence. The concept that my body is home to a Jaguar Spirit is pretty sweet when you think about it in the beginning. A stocky build gives me the muscles and balance where and when I need it, the love for swimming is handy in certain situations, and the feline familiarity I gain with domesticated cats is definitely a perk. This, unfortunately, does fall hand-in-hand with plenty of down-sides too. The need to eat more meat then my stomach can handle only to nap in the sun later makes me rather sluggish (and frankly I feel fat), the aggressive behavior I get towards certain situations can cause major trouble, and even the predatory nature of the Jaguar alone often times frightens people around me. Just because an animal seems like it would be cool to have, it doesn't always mean it is one.

I've had plenty of experience dealing with the concept of spirit animals due to the path that I follow, but I still notice how difficult it is for people to find their animals within themselves. The biggest problem people face when trying to single out their animal is the inability to let go of free thought. Meditation is a hard skill to achieve and I've been training for a year now and still can only sit in a thoughtless state for a couple hours. A problem that always arises is the need to pick a cool animal and so the person automatically forms a chosen image to find and ends up frustrated because it's not the right animal. Personalities tend to stay the same and so a dove would not pick a person who is aggressive, obnoxious, or bubbly as a hyena would not pick a stoic, passive, frail female. The best way to start off is to focus on the main personality traits that make you who you are.

Once I found my spirit animal I was able to understand a lot of things I could not have really gotten on my own. I also learned how to ask for help in situations where her knowledge and skills would be better then mine. I have learned to live with the down-falls and use the advantages of the Jaguar to their fullest. I can't say that with knowledge of your spirit animal you would become the perfect witch, but I know without it you're only half a person.

I've decided that this is a good place to stay, and I suppose I'll make this little online blog my Witchy diary. I type much faster then I print and I suppose someone out there might get something out of it as well.

Today was not a very notable day in the calendars, but tonight the need to type out something on here hit me pretty hard. I try not to ignore my inklings as they can sometimes get pretty cranky if I do. I've noticed that I'm setting a pattern here where I type out a blog as my girlfriend naps on our bed. She's so serene on the bed curled up like a little kitten. I can even hear little snores that sound like purrs every so often, it's absolutely adorable. The bed is littered in stuffed animals and she is snuggling against one of our seven tiger plushes.

As far as blogging is concerned, this is it. I do plan on writing something of value tonight though. Keep an open eye out.

I'm sitting here posting up my first blog to this site which I Found on my girlfriends computer. She's sleeping right now, which is cute, but she has left me alone with the fae in our apartment. I've decided to just have a cup of tea with them since earlier they insisted on jinggling bells while my lover slept. I'm trying to keep them occupied with honey and camomille tea, and for the moment it is working. I personally love the fae and their antics, which is why I invite them into my home. I find that a happy home has not only a family, but a plethora of happy fae around the house.

I suppose that for my first blog I should at least tell anyone interested in reading about myself...

I am a huge video game addict, bookworm, and a studying science major. I love animals and plan on becoming an environmentalist/conservationist, but I also enjoy meat like any good carnivore. I identify myself with the Jaguar, the element of Earth, and the Pooka (FYI: The Pooka are kin to the faun, but half deer. They have a much more mischievous persona similar to, though not as perverse as, that of the satyr. They align with the demi-god Puck.). I am a huge believer in balance as my closest three friends align with Water (My Girlfriend), Air (Someone who got me through the roughest parts of my life), and Fire (The only friend who can party as hard as I can). I also mention the elements quite a bit and though the western ideals of 4 elements places me aligning to Earth, with my cousin as my counter-part I claim wood, as she does metal, with the eastern 5 elements. These four people are the only ones in my life right now, so rather than mention names just remember the elements they represent.

Since this is a pagan site I should probably talk a little about my choice in pathos. I put non-specific personal down because I have a very mixed belief. I follow the Wiccan calender of holidays, but I follow the guidance of the Goddesses Bast and Sekhmet with the Jaguar as my spirit guide. I love the Fae who inhabit my home and respect the power and majesty of the Kami who rule nature. I also believe that Karma turns the world, reincarnation is never ending, and that true balance requires a little evil. It's a little bit of everything, I know, but it works very well for me. Another thing, I personally think that a teacher on my path would be a waste. Everyone's path is different and I don't want to travel another's, only my own.

 I guess the reason I came to this site is because I wanted a place where I can go if I have any questions about the world around me. I generally love people, so don't be afraid to contact me.