During my metaphysical studies, I took a class on Animal Totems. I have always known that the animal that I have the most connection to is a coyote. So, it was no surprise, when following the meditation and directions to discover my animal totem, that a coyote appeared. Even my deck of Animal Medicine cards showed Coyote at the top animal for me. I have used Reiki in several ways to connect with Coyote. Whatever your spirit animal may be, I hope you can use these ideas as a way to strengthen your connection, too.
Even though Coyote is my spirit animal, I do what I can to understand and support coyotes that are here now. I read books on coyote behavior and life cycles. I support organizations that educate the public about coyotes. I donate to wildlife rehabilitation centers that rescue and release coyotes. I follow different places that post to social media about coyotes in their local area.
Whenever a coyote that is injured is shown online, I spend time sending it distant Reiki healing. If there is a post about an injured coyote then it usually has a photo, documents the injuries and illness and, possibly its location. I volunteer to give distant Reiki healing to animals in need. Whenever I receive a request, it contains the same information, so I use the same process for the domestic pets in need, as I do, for coyotes. If you are a level 2 Reiki practitioner then it’s a pretty straightforward distant healing session. I meditate for a few moments, state the intention of sending Reiki for the animal’s highest good. Then, I make the symbols, three times, for Hon Sha Ze Sho Nen and Cho Ku Rei. If I do have a photo, then I use that as a way to focus the Reiki. If not, then I use the information about location and injury as part of the intention and focus the Reiki energy.
I have tried, many times, to spot a coyote and have never succeeded. I have gone out hiking in the early hours of dawn in areas where coyotes live. I’ve learned to identify their tracks and scat. On vacation, I look for their leftover feasts of fish that have washed ashore, then follow their tracks as far as I can. I have talked to naturalists and biologists and learned how to hear their calls. However, I don’t think I am destined to ever see one.
Image by 1820796
One time, my husband and I were out for the day at a local park. He wanted to go for a hike, but it was a hot summer day and I said that I would prefer to sit in the shade. Two hours later, my husband came back and said that it had been the most amazing hike, ever. A coyote came out of the woods and escorted my husband for about a mile. The coyote kept looking back at my husband to make sure he was still following him and led him to an exit for the trail.
Another time, my husband left to go grocery shopping at five in the morning. He came back home and told me about a coyote that had walked past the car; while the car was stopped at a red light. I went out every morning that week and never saw the coyote.
At a state park, a ranger told us that we were sure to spot coyotes if we went to a specific spot. Nope. I turned around to look at something in the distance and it was then that a coyote peeked out and looked at my husband.
During our one vacation, after countless attempts of seeing a real coyote, I decided that my best bet was going to be a plush coyote toy. I stood in the store, using Reiki to pick out the perfect coyote (to be clear, this is a stuffed plush toy and is not made from any part of a real animal). I took the stuffed coyote back to our cottage and decided to use it as a symbol of coyotes. That first night, while on vacation, I went out to the isle to talk to a naturalist. We went to an area and sat quietly and for the first time, I heard the song of the coyotes.
Have you ever used the method of a stuffed teddy bear as a tool to send distant Reiki to a person? I was taught the teddy bear method by my Reiki Master/Teacher. If you aren’t familiar with this method, the bear represents the person that you are sending Reiki to; and you focus the healing on the teddy bear, which acts as a vessel for you to use your hand positions and intuition to see where the energy is needed. For my spirit animal, in lieu of having a specific distant healing session, I use the plush animal as a way to send a general healing to all coyotes. The intention is for their safety, health, and highest good.
Every day, I send Reiki to all coyotes everywhere, using my stand in coyote. Reiki has helped me make a connection to both my spirit animal and to real ones. I may never see a coyote in real life, but I can feel their magic and presence. It’s important to me, to honor both the spirit and the real animal. Reiki has been an essential part of this relationship.
Article by Carrie Anderson
Free eBook download: We’ve created an eBook with our best articles on this topic, and offer it for free to all our newsletter subscribers.
Carrie earned her Ph.D in Metaphysics and Energy Healing through World Metaphysical Institutes. She is a Reiki Master Teacher, Animal Reiki Master Teacher and holds degrees in several types of Reiki. Her focus is on Distance Reiki. Carrie is a Master Level Psychic Intuitive and gives daily readings. She combines Reiki and Divination to create unique readings. She is accredited through World Metaphysical Association and Council of Holistic Healers. She also has certifcations in Teen Guided Meditation,. Additionally, she is a Professional Yoga Facilitator with a focus on Gentle Yoga, Restorative Yoga, and Yoga Nidra. Carrie is a co-author with Mellisa Dormoy for the book, “Easy Mindfulness for Today’s Teens”. She is an active member of the Natural Healer Society and may be reached at www.caresreiki.com
What a beautiful tribute to your animal totem. Mine is the brown bear. I too, have not seen one up close though I grew up near an area where they roamed freely. Others would report seeing them often and I never did. But I dream about them and I recently discovered my tribe is associated with the brown bear. Of course!
Thank you for your lovely comment!