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Birds of prey—such as this red kite—are deeply significant as power animals and spiritual allies encountered during shamanic journeys. Harner’s approach emphasizes direct, experiential contact with non-ordinary reality, often facilitated by drumming or trance, where practitioners meet spirit helpers that frequently take animal forms. Birds of prey in this context are not just symbols, but living presences within the shamanic landscape, embodying qualities of vision, power, and transcendence.

When journeying in the shamanic state of consciousness, as described in Harner’s The Way of the Shaman, one might encounter a bird of prey as a power animal. This encounter is not merely imaginative; for the practitioner, it is a real and transformative meeting. The bird may offer guidance, protection, or healing, and its presence is often experienced as a sign of spiritual empowerment. For example, a journeyer might find themselves flying alongside a raptor, gaining a new perspective on their life or receiving insights that feel both personal and universal.

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