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(#1) CHILDREN’S SPIRITUALITY AND SPIRIT ANIMALS
By Dr. Steven Farmer
Author of Children’s Spirit Animal Cards (with Jesseca Camacho), Animal Spirit Guides, and Earth Magic
With the publication of the Children’s Spirit Animal Cards, many children and adults are finding them to be a refreshingly original way in which to introduce children to a more earth-based spirituality. In addition to other types of spirit guides, those in the form of animals are often the easiest ones for children to relate to—as well as for many adults.
The cards themselves are oracles in the form of the 24 spirit animals represented. The younger child will at first relate more specifically to the physical animal. As the child matures and evolves in consciousness they will begin to grasp the subtext, which is that the spirit or essence of the animal portrayed in the card is giving them a specific message relevant to where they are in their lives when they draw the card.
The exceptional drawings (by Pamela Anzalotti) on each card are ones that a child of any age can appreciate and relate to. For 
instance, the Swan card depicts a very peaceful image of a swan gliding across a lake. The statement from the spirit of Swan conveyed through the card resonates with the individual’s subconscious and brings it into conscious awareness. In this instance Swan’s message is, “You are beautiful just as you are.”
The more mature child can venture to the guidebook for a more extensive message, while the parent can refer to their part in the guidebook in order to help their child understand and interpret the message to make it personally relevant. Parents, grandparents, and guardians are given suggestions for activities based on the message from the spirit animal of the chose card.
The intention is to assist children to see how Spirit expresses itself in all forms, including animals. What’s also implied is that all beings in the natural world can communicate with us as we learn to pay attention and listen to what they have to say. Within this approach to spirituality certain values that are universally acceptable are encouraged, such as contributing to the family and community in some way, Loving yourself, standing up for yourself, and respecting others.
It’s a whole new world that’s slowly emerging, and the children will be leading the way. Over the next several weeks in this column I’ll be offering the meaning of the different spirit animals found in the Children’s Spirit Animal Cards, starting with SWAN.
