The term spirit guide, also known as a helping spirit or guardian spirit, is a term for any spiritual beings that help us in a life-positive way. We can call on them for guidance, protection, healing, encouragement, and inspiration. We may see them, hear them, feel them, or just know they’re with us, and we can have any number of spirit guides throughout our life whether we’re aware of them or not.

Those spirits that are in animal form that teach us, guide us, empower us, and help us heal are called animal spirit guides or spirit animals. In shamanic and indigenous cultures, they may be called totem animals or power animals. Often these terms are used interchangeably, although there are subtle differences in meaning.

When an animal or symbol of that animal shows up to you in an unusual way or repeatedly (at least three times in a short period of time), it’s most definitely trying to convey a message from the spirit world to you.

There are four major ways in which you can get messages from the spirit world: visual, auditory, kinesthetic, and cognitive. As your receptivity to the spiritual dimension opens and develops, you’ll discover that one of these pathways is the strongest and feels the most natural, with a secondary one that works fairly well. The more you practice and the more you attune to the spiritual dimension, you’ll find that you can receive input through the other channels as well. What’s required is that you hold a clear intention to receive these messages and simply remain receptive, and they will come to you, often in unexpected and surprising ways.

Here’s an introduction to two of the familiar animal spirits that you might encounter: raven and wolf.

If RAVEN shows up, it means:

Magic is in the air, and something special is about to happen. Pay attention to dreams and visions, especially colorful and powerful ones, as these are indicative of prophecy.

In any undertaking or in any relationship, be very clear as to what your intentions are because whatever they are, that’s what will manifest.

You’re gradually shape-shifting to a more confident, powerful, and spiritually based you that will continue to emerge the more you let go of your old self.

You’ll observe an increasing number of synchronistic events over the next few days, so just notice these, appreciate them, and don’t try to figure them out.

Call on RAVEN when:

You need to clarify your intention about a task, a relationship, or your spiritual path so that you can manifest that intention in third-dimension reality.

You had an especially painful childhood and want to reclaim the lost innocence and joy.

You’ve lost touch with the magic of life and want to recapture that sense of awe and wonder, as well as manifest your desires.

You’re in need of physical and/or emotional healing and want to augment whatever other treatment modalities you’re using.

You have an ailing loved one who is some distance away, or there are others at some distance who are suffering and you want to send strong prayers and healing energy.

If WOLF shows up, it means:

Characteristics and behaviors that no longer serve your spiritual purpose are being culled from your consciousness.

Make cooperation a priority over competition.

Valuable insights, ideas, and new teachings are coming your way, so pay close attention.

It’s important to maintain your self-esteem and integrity and deeply trust in your inner knowing, even when you feel misunderstood or misaligned.

You’re being spiritually and psychically protected at all times.

Call on WOLF when:

You feel lost with regard to a relationship, project, or your career, or else you’re confused about your life path and purpose.

You feel at one extreme or the other with your social ties, either feeling isolated and alone or overly enmeshed with family and friends.

You’ve been feeling a little too civilized lately and want to tap in to the wild and instinctual.

You’re having trouble discerning the sincerity and truth of what someone is communicating to you.

You want to be more expressive in your communication, particularly by adding more body language and vocal inflection.