the power of animal medicine

Written by Tamalynne Grant

7th January 2026

The Power of Animal Medicine

Since I was a little girl, I have loved animals deeply. They have always given me a sense of peace and belonging, and they continue to remind me of the beauty and quiet magic this world holds.

Throughout ancient cultures, animals played a vital role in sustaining human life, both physically and spiritually, and in many ways they still do today. However, the modern world we live in, shaped by constant consumption, pressure to perform, and fast-paced living, has drawn us away from the Earth and from the other species we share it with.

Cultures such as the Celtic, Germanic, and Nordic peoples understood that animals were essential to survival and balance. They were therefore treated with reverence and respect, not as resources, but as living beings with spirit, intelligence, and wisdom.

Animals teach us how to live with integrity, how to follow instinct, and how to remain in relationship with the Earth herself. Each animal carries its own medicine, holding both light and shadow aspects. In this way, they remind us that duality is not something to be feared, but something that must coexist in order for life to remain whole.

The Difference Between Fylgjas and Power Animals

Fylgjas

The word fylgja comes from the Old Norse verb að fylgja, meaning “to follow” or “to accompany.” Fylgjas are spirit companions who walk with us throughout our entire life. They are often connected to an individual soul and, at times, to a family line or ancestral lineage.

They may appear as animals, plants, deities, or other beings. To know one’s Fylgja is to come into deeper relationship with one’s inner potential, strengths, and hidden capacities. They do not arrive to teach a single lesson, but to accompany us through the unfolding of our life path.

Power Animals

Power animals come to us for a specific period of time, when their medicine is needed. They offer guidance, protection, and teachings relevant to a particular phase of life or inner process.

Through them, we learn how to navigate a cycle, what must be faced, and what must be honoured or integrated. Once their teachings have been received and embodied, we release them with gratitude. This reflects the cyclical nature of life itself, where nothing is meant to be held onto indefinitely, but honoured, learned from, and allowed to move on.

Conclusion

Working with animal medicine is not about collecting symbols or identities. It is about relationship. It asks us to listen and to approach the living world with humility and respect.

Whether an animal walks beside us for a lifetime as a Fylgja, or comes to us for a season as a power animal, each carries a reflection of something we are ready to remember. Their guidance is rarely loud. It is found in presence, instinct, and quiet knowing.

To walk with animal allies is to remember that we are not separate from nature, but woven into its living, breathing fabric.