Mythology, fairy tales, and legends contain many tales of humans and deities assuming the bodies of animals temporarily. Zeus, for instance, changed himself into a swan in order to seduce Leda. Merlin instructed the young King Arthur in the art of shapeshifting, teaching him to take on the forms of a badger, hawk, and bird.

Shapeshifting means changing your form into something else — an animal or another human being — for a particular purpose. Shamans often shapeshift in order to acquire the powers of an animal during a journey. Witches might choose to shapeshift in order to explore, gain knowledge, or see things from a different perspective, or for healing purposes, or to conceal their true identities.

When you shapeshift, you don't actually turn into an animal; you experience its energy as strongly as you can so you become like the animal. If you wish to practice this art, begin by meeting your power animal or totem during meditation. Ask permission to enter it briefly, to learn what it can teach you. Envision yourself entering into the animal's body and becoming one with it. Try to see the world through the animal's eyes. Feel yourself existing within its form; sense the world as the animal does. You may wish to actually move about in a manner that's characteristic of the animal. When you've learned what you sought to learn, thank the animal and return to your usual human form.

Some people like to don animal masks or costumes as part of their shapeshifting practices. Others enjoy observing animals in their wild habitat. As you watch birds and animals in nature, try to communicate with them and listen to what they “say” to you. If you keep your heart and mind open, you can learn a great deal from the animal kingdom that will help you — and them — in the practice of magick and the process of evolution.