Animal interpretations are different from group to group around the world, though there are many common traits for each animal. You may wish to use the animal meanings from your particular tradition or ethnic background, but don't have to. I prefer to use my own meaning which I get from journey and from instinct. Sometimes it may help to have a guide to the animals, so I have written down a handful of them the way that I relate to them. There are many books by many authors dealing with animal meanings - I highly recommend 'Animal Speak' by Ted Andrews and 'Animal Magick' by DJ Conway. They both have different animal meanings, and both are written very good. It is best to read books like these by as many authors as you can, and see where they are different and where they are the same. Use the one that feels right for you - or use your own if you already know the animal.

A few animals:

The Ant: The ant is the spirit of community, teamwork, and dedication. This animal could be called for situations such as work-related ideas and problem solutions, legal trouble, financial and resource guidance, and ambition work. It is also the enemy of the ego and arrogance. It can defend you against these types of energy.

The badger: the spirit of endurance and focus. Call this animal when persistence is needed, especially if a tedious task is needed to be done. The badger never gives up, and attacks all situations with an un-stoppable enthusiasm. When working long hours for extended periods of time, call the badger to help the work go more easily, and keeping your internal griping in check.

The Bull: The spirit of strength and pride. Call the bull when you have pride in an accomplishment, or when receiving an award of some sort – the bull accepts praise with grace and dignity. When physical, endurance based strength is needed, call upon the bull – if you have to carry a heavy load a long distance, or need to run, or in sports, or emergency situations. The bull tends to get angry easy though, so release this energy when you finish the task you called it for.

The beaver: The spirit of ingenuity and family. This is the spirit to call when creativity and problem solving is needed. The beaver is a master of construction, and builds everything for it's family. When having family problems, call upon the beaver if you are the major provider for the household. Also, the beaver helps with artistic creativity, such as when drawing or painting, as well as making presentations for work.

The cat (domestic): The spirit of self sufficiency and grace. The domestic cat also keeps a posture of grace and elegance, but maintains the aloof independent qualities it's known for. Capable of great love, as well as complete lack of empathy – this creative is the perfect yin-yang balance. Call the domestic cat to deal with loneliness and discomfort. Also, call the domestic cat for times when grace is needed, or attracting someone to you is desired.

The great cat: The great cat is the spirit of power, dominance, grace, and presence. The great cat family is more divided than the domestic – the tiger, lion, panther, bob-cat, cougar, etc. all have different feels to them, and different strengths and traits. For example, tigers and panthers are better for fighting and conflict, where lions are better for presence and territorial disputes. Call the lion when walking into a board room, but call the tiger when approached in a dark alley by a stranger.

The Dog: The spirit of fun and loyalty. The dog has been called man's best friend, and is also said to always stick by your side. Call the domestic dog when loyalty of faithfulness is being challenged. Also, call the dog when going out with friends to fully enjoy the time.

The elephant: The spirit of strength, family, and wisdom. The elephant is the largest, and one of the most powerful land animals on the planet. They also have one of the best (by human standards) family structures in the entire animal kingdom. Call the elephant to protect your child, or when meeting with a school. Call the elephant when you need to lift or carry something too heavy for you. The wisdom of the elephant is acute and accurate. Call this wisdom when judging.

The frog: The spirit of peace: The frog sits content in the ponds singing to it's mate. Call this spirit when you feel out of balance or hopeless – the spirit will remind you that things are not so bad, and the serenity will bring you back to balance. The spirit will also calm the urge to fight.

The gecko: The spirit of disguise and escape. The gecko is quick and difficult to pin down. Use this spirit to get away from it all, and to avoid danger. If someone in the workplace is out to get you, the gecko can help you get to safety. Also, if you want to blend into a crowd and not be noticed, call this spirit.

The hippo: The spirit of water and play. Call this spirit when dealing with water of any kind. If you are doing any spiritual work including water, call the hippo. Also, call the hippo when having mindless, joyful fun. The hippo is great when entertaining kids.

The invertebrates: The spirits of re-birth and growth. Crustaceans and invertebrates, such as the lobster, re-grow limbs if they are lost. They also molt their shells when they grow. When you reach a rite of passage, or major change, call the invertebrates to help you through it. A common example is your thirtieth or fiftieth birthday. Also, to help get over loss, call upon the crustaceans.

The Jack Rabbit: The spirit of speed and ingenuity. The jack rabbit is extremely fast and agile, able to out maneuver a predator such as a bobcat many times. It is also extremely clever, and can quickly call upon it's wit to avoid being hurt in an emergency. Call the Jack Rabbit spirits when you are facing a dangerous situation and feel as though you are trapped. This is not only in situations where a mugger is try to rob you, but in more common situations as well, such as financial entrapment, fraud victimization, love, work, and so on. The jack rabbit will help you find a way out to a point of safety and balance – especially when time is of the essence.

The Lama: The spirit of friendship and tranquility. The lama is a passive creature – the calm and laid back cousin of the temperamental camel. It has a naturally soft and warm coat, and a nice disposition – many people who own ranches keep them as pets. Call upon the lama when you are feeling tranquil and balanced, and want to enjoy the mood. Also call this spirit when you need to get into this mood, such as before a meditation.

The Moose: The spirit of power and presence. The moose is a giant land animal, standing several feet higher than the head of a typical person – their towering height and massive size makes them an ominous sight in the wild, but also an incredible image of grace and beauty. Despite their size, they tend not to be overly aggressive, though they will attack anything or anyone that they see as a potential threat. The sight of a moose in the wild is overwhelming, and awe inspiring. Call upon the moose to make a powerful entrance, and to increase your presence. Situations would be things like addressing a group, or walking into a board meeting. This spirit will also help when going into negotiations, such when buying a car or house.

The Owl: The messenger spirit, the spirit of death and change. The owl is a nocturnal hunter, a swift and usually large bird with soft feathers and a silent and smooth flight. At night in the country, you can sometimes hear the screeches of the barn owl as it calls for a mate. To look into the eyes of the owl is a mystical experience, as you can see ancient knowledge hidden deep in the black void of their dilated pupils. Many cultures regard this as the bird of death, and seeing one in a vision means that death is lingering near by for someone (it is not necessarily an omen telling you that someone WILL die, merely that the potential is near by). It is also the messenger of big changes coming near – not good or bad specifically, just different. Call the owl to learn information, when speaking to the dead, and when you are preparing to make a big change in your life.

The peacock: The spirit of lust and beauty – The most well known image of the peacock is the image of a male with his tail feathers full extended upright, displaying the intricate beauty of the feathers. The glean of the feathers on the upper portions of the bird is a unique, multi-shaded aqua/purple/green, and slightly metallic color. Call this spirit when in the pursuit of love, and when trying to attract members of the opposite sex.

The Ram: The spirit of ruggedness and stature – The ram lives in perhaps one of the roughest areas in the world, making it's home on the steep and rocky cliffs of snowy mountain peaks. It has an extremely strong constitution, along with one of the harshest survival instincts around. The ram has a society and order that is very strict, and keeping it's stature in a group requires exhausting battles. Call this spirit when your constitution is being stressed, such as right before a cold or flu. If you are trying to climb any kind of social ladder, or obtain a rank in any group, call the spirit of the ram.

The snake: There are many different types of snakes, each with very different characteristics. The general traits that they share are – the snake is the spirit of change and growth. All snakes shed their skin when they grow, leaving old problems behind to blend with the earth. They are very close to the earth, and have a very intimate connection to the ground. Call the spirit of the snake to grow and shed negative aspects of yourself. Also call the snake to get more in touch with the earth.

The trout: The spirit of wealth and abundance. This spirit is similar to the salmon, also the spirit of wealth and abundance. The trout is a food source for many creatures in the wild. Call this spirit when you need resources and when casting wealth related spells.