When I was in college, I took a course on the local Native culture and language and I remember one day the topic of the spirit animal practice of the teacher’s tribe came up and he said something about how when he sees people he just knows what animal they are. It was obvious to me you weren’t supposed to ask. Like, it was sacred knowledge and being told what your animal was was important and ceremonial - a deep cultural thing that informed how they viewed themselves and others, not a casual bit of trivia - and he was just sharing that as another point about his tribes culture. The class full of white girls all brightened and got SUPER excited, demanding to know what animal they were and “you can’t just say that and not tell me which animal I am ha ha” like he was an answer generator of a random quizilla online and he ended the class not much longer after that without really answering any questions.
The discomfort and instant regret on his face has stuck with me since.
I’d respected the “don’t use Spirit Animal” advice prior to that because it made sense (don’t appropriate another culture), but more than anything before or since, that cemented my determination not to use anything “Spirit Animal” in any way. It’s talked around on the faceless, voiceless internet, but I think a lot of people see it as just the Native American version of Aesop’s fable with a hogwart’s house twist, so the message doesn’t quite sink is as it should. It isn’t a casual practice, it’s important.
Animals having some kind of special property, spirituality, soul, or connection to a person is a very general human belief. It appears naturally in literally every culture in every corner of the world. The concept is very intuitive. You see an octopus scurrying across the ocean floor and feel a distinct kinship to it, you vibe with the energy it’s putting out and feel it represents YOU in a way words can’t really express. You find a gif of an octopus scrunching it’s limbs into little curliques as it decides if the gloved hand coming toward it is acceptable and reblog it. Your post just says “it me”, and everyone gets it. Sometimes the concept is super casual like an octopus gif or common folklore (black cats/dogs are bad luck), other times it’s a very solemn religious-type belief.
The specific (solemn) incarnation of this in Native American culture has been unfortunately lifted up as the typical version of this and is sadly what most people seeking information out (casually) will find first. You’ll find lists of what Native peoples define the spiritual energy/voice/essence of that animal is and quizzes and decks themed off them made by people who’ve probably never spoken to a person from that culture. Even though the people in those cultures have said you can’t do that.
There are so many other cultures that would be fine with it, though. You can use the concept of animals having a spirit/essence/energy to connect with and call on without utilizing and cherry picking the ceremony and culture of Native Americans.
“Spirit Animal” is an unfortunately general-sounding term, but you can skip over websites, books and decks that use “Spirit Animal” and look for the ones that use other terms.
Animal Spirit, Animal Kin, Animal Guide, Spirit Guide, Spirit of the Animals, Animal Guardian, Animal Protector, Power Animal, Familiar, daemon etc. All work fine to describe the concept you’re looking for.
Or, yes, fursona works too.
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