Podcast
November: Updating your Inner Animal
As we settle into November, the days grow shorter, the air feels crisper, and sweater weather officially arrives. Nature is slowing down, and it feels like we, too, have this ancient pull to turn inward. It’s not just about the pumpkin spice lattes and cozy evenings. There’s something deeper happening—a shift in the natural world that invites us to pause, reflect, and hibernate a little.
This month, it feels like the perfect time to talk about our inner animal self—that instinctual, raw part of us that often gets drowned out in the busyness of life. While bears and other creatures prepare for their long winter rest, what is our inner animal doing?
What is the Animal Self?
There’s this beautiful concept in a deck I love called Selves in a Box by Jay Tamar Stone. One card, in particular, is resonating with me this season: the Animal Self card. It represents that primal, instinctual side of us—the part that feels, reacts, and connects with the world in a deeply physical way. In our daily lives, we often silence this part of ourselves, overwhelmed by thinking, planning, and analyzing. But as the season encourages us to slow down, now is the time to listen to that inner animal.
The deck suggests that our animal self might take different forms depending on what we need in the moment. It could be a creature of the sea, a land animal, or something that soars through the sky. This concept reminds me of the idea of animal medicine, where different animals are believed to carry specific energies that can guide us through various challenges in life.
The Wisdom of Animal Medicine
In many spiritual traditions, animals are seen as having unique qualities that we can call on for support or guidance. For example:
- The Hawk: Known for its sharp vision and ability to see the bigger picture. If you need clarity or a new perspective, the hawk’s energy might be what you seek.
- The Dolphin: Fluid and adaptable, dolphins move gracefully with the ocean’s currents. If you’re dealing with change or uncertainty, their medicine can help you flow with life’s transitions.
- The Bear: Grounded and strong, bears remind us to root ourselves, especially when life feels scattered. If you’re feeling overwhelmed, calling on the bear’s energy can help you find your center.
These are just a few examples, but the key is to recognize which animal’s energy resonates with you at this moment. It’s a practice of tuning into what you need and honoring it.
Primary and Disowned Selves
This brings me to an important concept—how society often teaches us to neglect this instinctual part of ourselves. In the Selves in a Box deck, there’s a distinction between primary selves and disowned selves.
- Primary selves are the traits we lead with, the parts of us that feel most comfortable and natural.
- Disowned selves are the aspects we’ve pushed away or ignored—often because society tells us they’re not useful or appropriate.
For many of us, the animal self falls into that disowned category. We’re told to overthink, overanalyze, and suppress our instincts in favor of logic. But what if we’ve been missing out on a powerful part of ourselves in the process?
How the Animal Self Shows Up in Life
If you have a strong connection with your animal self, you might be someone who trusts your gut, makes decisions quickly, and feels physically present in the world. On the flip side, someone with a disowned animal self might feel disconnected from their body, constantly second-guess their instincts, and stay stuck in their head.
Interestingly, the traits we admire or dislike in others can often reflect parts of ourselves we’ve disowned. For instance, if someone who’s impulsive or wild pushes your buttons, it could be because they’re embodying a part of yourself that you’ve rejected. It’s a powerful mirror, showing us what we might be avoiding within.
Reconnecting with Your Animal Self
As we dive deeper into November, this is the perfect time to reconnect with your animal self. It’s not about letting your instincts rule you, but about integrating them in a balanced way—acknowledging their wisdom and using them to navigate life.
So here’s a little homework for you:
Reflect on the animal that feels most connected to your instinctual nature right now. Is it a primary part of you, or is it something you’ve been neglecting? Take some time to journal on this and see what insights come up.
As nature turns inward, maybe it’s time for us to do the same. Happy November, and may you reconnect with the powerful energy of your inner animal self.