Working with animal guides can be a very rewarding experience; I personally have an octopus I work with, who has given me great guidance. Below is a list of different sea creatures and their symbolic representations. One thing to note is that there are two typs of guides; the first is one which may pop up to bring you temporary guidance, for which the below is really relevant. For those that you may work with long term (such as the octopus I work with), their scope on what they can advise and guide you in goes far beyond the below.
There are many different ways to work with guides; you may meditate or 'travel' to meet them and ask for guidance; you could keep representations to them on your altar or elsewhere, you could make offerings to them (I have a sigil for my octopus guide which I have drawn on a shell before and thrown into the sea as an offering, for example), or you could even donate to a charity which specialises in the conservation of your chosen guide. There is no right or wrong way as to how best honour and connect with your guide, so do whatever feels right for you.
There are many different ways to work with guides; you may meditate or 'travel' to meet them and ask for guidance; you could keep representations to them on your altar or elsewhere, you could make offerings to them (I have a sigil for my octopus guide which I have drawn on a shell before and thrown into the sea as an offering, for example), or you could even donate to a charity which specialises in the conservation of your chosen guide. There is no right or wrong way as to how best honour and connect with your guide, so do whatever feels right for you.
Angelfish: The Angelfish unsurprisingly represents a connection with the angelic realm. It is associated with our emotional state, relationships, unconditional love and unconditional acceptance, beauty, and forgiveness.
The Angelfish also represents help and assistance, awareness, our sense, psychic abilities, diversity, discernment, transformation, guardianship, and the senses.
Catfish: The Catfish shows us that we need to make the best of a situation. We need to take a look at what benefits us, and discard that which no longer serves us. Listen to what is going on around you, and can help sharpen your intuitions and feelings.
New adventures are another association of the Catfish, as is learning, prosperity, survival, compromise, adaptability, and survival.
The Catfish is also associated with clairaudience and clairsentience.
Coral: Coral represents profound change, recognising when the time is right, and releasing. It teaches us to become more in tune with our inner and outer rhythms, to trust in the universe and where the natural progression of life is taking you. It has a nurturing presence, and can teach us balance, connection, patience, and harmony. Coral can also help us create the foundations, framework, and structure needed to be able to deal with all of the above in our stride.
It also represents communal living, diversity, intervention, and support.
Crab: You may be experiencing issues when trying to achieve your personal goals. The Crab teaches us that sometimes we need to take a 'sideways' approach to things, rather than taking what seems the most straight forward path. It can represent inner reflection, and the need for a period of introspection and seclusion, a 'nomadic' approach, and the need for protection.
The Crab also represents balance, comfort, energy, freedom, mobility, movement, and the need to explore your curiosity. It symbolises transformation, regenration, success, prosperity, and status will be on the cards for you. It can also herald a rapid change, and issues revolving around trust.
Dolphin: The Dolphin represents playfulness and joy, cooperation, peace, and harmony. It teaches us to follow our intuition as opposed to over-thinking everything. It can also represent balance, inner strength, protection, and resurrection.
Eel: The Eel represents transformation, especially through the creative life force. You may need to find new ways to adapt and defend yourself.
Flounder Fish: The Flounder represents transformation, going with the flow, and also knowing when it is best to remove yourself from the spotlight and take a back seat.
The Angelfish also represents help and assistance, awareness, our sense, psychic abilities, diversity, discernment, transformation, guardianship, and the senses.
Catfish: The Catfish shows us that we need to make the best of a situation. We need to take a look at what benefits us, and discard that which no longer serves us. Listen to what is going on around you, and can help sharpen your intuitions and feelings.
New adventures are another association of the Catfish, as is learning, prosperity, survival, compromise, adaptability, and survival.
The Catfish is also associated with clairaudience and clairsentience.
Coral: Coral represents profound change, recognising when the time is right, and releasing. It teaches us to become more in tune with our inner and outer rhythms, to trust in the universe and where the natural progression of life is taking you. It has a nurturing presence, and can teach us balance, connection, patience, and harmony. Coral can also help us create the foundations, framework, and structure needed to be able to deal with all of the above in our stride.
It also represents communal living, diversity, intervention, and support.
Crab: You may be experiencing issues when trying to achieve your personal goals. The Crab teaches us that sometimes we need to take a 'sideways' approach to things, rather than taking what seems the most straight forward path. It can represent inner reflection, and the need for a period of introspection and seclusion, a 'nomadic' approach, and the need for protection.
The Crab also represents balance, comfort, energy, freedom, mobility, movement, and the need to explore your curiosity. It symbolises transformation, regenration, success, prosperity, and status will be on the cards for you. It can also herald a rapid change, and issues revolving around trust.
Dolphin: The Dolphin represents playfulness and joy, cooperation, peace, and harmony. It teaches us to follow our intuition as opposed to over-thinking everything. It can also represent balance, inner strength, protection, and resurrection.
Eel: The Eel represents transformation, especially through the creative life force. You may need to find new ways to adapt and defend yourself.
Flounder Fish: The Flounder represents transformation, going with the flow, and also knowing when it is best to remove yourself from the spotlight and take a back seat.
Jellyfish: The Jellyfish represents acceptance, faith, and our emotional state. Sometimes it is necessary to just ride the difficult emotional times out rather than try and swim against them. You need to follow your heart; the journey may not necessarily be painless, but it will lead to growth.
Lobster: The Lobster tells us that it is time to come out of our shells, and to not be afraid to show a more vulnerable side. As a lobster grows, it sheds it shell, and often lives in seclusion. As such, the Lobster teaches us independence, the value of solitude, regeneration, protection of the physical, mental, and emotional selves, and waiting until the time is right to progress.
Manatee: The Manatee is a gentle, loving, and playful presence, almost childlike. It represents taking things slow and enjoying the moment, and being open to new experiences and relationships.
Octopus: The Octopus tells us that it is necessary to 'fly under the radar' for a bit. Keep doing what you are doing, but keep it under wraps; this is not the time to make yourself centre of attention. It is best to wait until the last moment before you 'go public' with your intentions.
Sometimes the Octopus can symbolise that you are putting on an act, or being someone that you are not. Sometimes this is necessary, but make sure you keep a sense of yourself if you do need to do so. The Octopus is adaptable, flexible, and also strategic in getting what it wants, helping us unlock our potential.
The Octopus is also associated with creativity, intelligence, and knowledge. It can bring focus and the will to succeed, especially in the face of complexity. It is an ideal guide to help you overcome obstacles using intelligence, efficiency, flexibility, and quick-thinking. If needed, it can also help you evade and defend yourself against that which may be troubling you. When the Octopus appears, beware of illusions and unpredictability.
It is also associated with magick, mystery, power, movement, expansion, and diversity.
Orca: The Orca has many different associations. For starters, it is associated with emotions, balance, creativity, grace, harmony, empowerment, love, romance, personal discovery, sensitivity, community, and truth. It is also associated with many things 'mystical'; astral travel, alchemy, clairvoyance, dreams, intuition, spiritual insight, and past lives.
The Orca also represents creation, energy, family, freedom, longevity, perception, protection, strength, guidance/teaching, travel, truth, and vocal expression. As you can see, a creature with many associations!
Pike Fish: The Pike Fish represents simplicity over complexity; virtue, generosity, and divine union. It could also suggest that you are being too assertive or pushy; you cannot make someone believe something just because you do.
Piranha: The Piranha can represent how others think of you, and that perhaps they have a slightly warped perception of you. You need to look inside of yourself, work out who you are, and then be true to that person. Take time to unearth and understand your strengths and weaknesses.
The Piranha also represents group work and team work, and the power of working with others to achieve a goal. The Piranha is dedicated and adaptable, but it can also represent savagery, and the 'tearing apart' of enemies.
On a very different vein, the Piranha also represents fertility, and strength for pregnant women.
Salmon Fish: The Salmon could appear to you when you find yourself in a difficult situation. It symbolises that we need to fight for that which we value, and tells us that despite your struggles, your dreams are near. You need to make sure that your own emotions aren't acting as a barrier, but the Salmon can bring you the courage, determination, and strength you need to get through this. It is hard working, and goal orientated, can bring us insight, knowledge, and tells us to listen to our instinct and intuition.
The Salmon is also associated with our emotions, the ability to empathise, as well as the family and home.
Alternatively, the Salmon can also represent transformation, regeneration, rebirth, passion, wisdom, and can aid us in divination.
Sea Horse: The Sea Horse tells us that we need to be persistent, but flexible. It is time to stop, and make sure you have an awareness of the situation around you before you make your move. Perception and perspective is importing. It also teaches us to go with the flow; there are some things that are out of our control, and fighting them is not worth the time or energy.
The Sea Horse also represents friendliness, generosity, contentment, patience, protection, sharing, and also parenting (especially fatherhood). It is often considered a good luck charm.
Sea Turtle: The Sea Turtle, unsurprisingly, is associated with the adage 'slow and steady wins the race'. In teaches us to appreciate the moment, to pace ourselves. It is associated with endurance, our sense of hearing, speed, survival, longevity, and patience.
Lobster: The Lobster tells us that it is time to come out of our shells, and to not be afraid to show a more vulnerable side. As a lobster grows, it sheds it shell, and often lives in seclusion. As such, the Lobster teaches us independence, the value of solitude, regeneration, protection of the physical, mental, and emotional selves, and waiting until the time is right to progress.
Manatee: The Manatee is a gentle, loving, and playful presence, almost childlike. It represents taking things slow and enjoying the moment, and being open to new experiences and relationships.
Octopus: The Octopus tells us that it is necessary to 'fly under the radar' for a bit. Keep doing what you are doing, but keep it under wraps; this is not the time to make yourself centre of attention. It is best to wait until the last moment before you 'go public' with your intentions.
Sometimes the Octopus can symbolise that you are putting on an act, or being someone that you are not. Sometimes this is necessary, but make sure you keep a sense of yourself if you do need to do so. The Octopus is adaptable, flexible, and also strategic in getting what it wants, helping us unlock our potential.
The Octopus is also associated with creativity, intelligence, and knowledge. It can bring focus and the will to succeed, especially in the face of complexity. It is an ideal guide to help you overcome obstacles using intelligence, efficiency, flexibility, and quick-thinking. If needed, it can also help you evade and defend yourself against that which may be troubling you. When the Octopus appears, beware of illusions and unpredictability.
It is also associated with magick, mystery, power, movement, expansion, and diversity.
Orca: The Orca has many different associations. For starters, it is associated with emotions, balance, creativity, grace, harmony, empowerment, love, romance, personal discovery, sensitivity, community, and truth. It is also associated with many things 'mystical'; astral travel, alchemy, clairvoyance, dreams, intuition, spiritual insight, and past lives.
The Orca also represents creation, energy, family, freedom, longevity, perception, protection, strength, guidance/teaching, travel, truth, and vocal expression. As you can see, a creature with many associations!
Pike Fish: The Pike Fish represents simplicity over complexity; virtue, generosity, and divine union. It could also suggest that you are being too assertive or pushy; you cannot make someone believe something just because you do.
Piranha: The Piranha can represent how others think of you, and that perhaps they have a slightly warped perception of you. You need to look inside of yourself, work out who you are, and then be true to that person. Take time to unearth and understand your strengths and weaknesses.
The Piranha also represents group work and team work, and the power of working with others to achieve a goal. The Piranha is dedicated and adaptable, but it can also represent savagery, and the 'tearing apart' of enemies.
On a very different vein, the Piranha also represents fertility, and strength for pregnant women.
Salmon Fish: The Salmon could appear to you when you find yourself in a difficult situation. It symbolises that we need to fight for that which we value, and tells us that despite your struggles, your dreams are near. You need to make sure that your own emotions aren't acting as a barrier, but the Salmon can bring you the courage, determination, and strength you need to get through this. It is hard working, and goal orientated, can bring us insight, knowledge, and tells us to listen to our instinct and intuition.
The Salmon is also associated with our emotions, the ability to empathise, as well as the family and home.
Alternatively, the Salmon can also represent transformation, regeneration, rebirth, passion, wisdom, and can aid us in divination.
Sea Horse: The Sea Horse tells us that we need to be persistent, but flexible. It is time to stop, and make sure you have an awareness of the situation around you before you make your move. Perception and perspective is importing. It also teaches us to go with the flow; there are some things that are out of our control, and fighting them is not worth the time or energy.
The Sea Horse also represents friendliness, generosity, contentment, patience, protection, sharing, and also parenting (especially fatherhood). It is often considered a good luck charm.
Sea Turtle: The Sea Turtle, unsurprisingly, is associated with the adage 'slow and steady wins the race'. In teaches us to appreciate the moment, to pace ourselves. It is associated with endurance, our sense of hearing, speed, survival, longevity, and patience.
Seal: The Seal represents becoming more aware of our imagintion, insights, and inner voice. It tells us to listen to our thoughts and dreams, to channel that creativity and use it progress in our goals. Change can lead to success.
The Seal also represents emotion, faithfulness, good luck, love, and understanding. It is a time for intuition, intelligence, and inquisitiveness. The Seal can also represent security, protection, and prosperity.
Shark: The Shark teaches us to take action, and create opportunities for ourselves. It is a symbol of authority, a God of the sea, which represents curiosity, power, efficiency, preparedness, protection, self-defence, and a superiority. In a more negative light, it can also represent remorselessness, workaholic tendencies, and a resistance to change. It can be seen as a general warning.
The Shark is also often associated with innovation and inspiration, observation, the senses, movement, knowledge, perception and understanding, and suits those with a unique vision.
Squid: Pay attention to those around you, especially their moods. The ability to 'read' others around you, by using their body language, etc., is a very useful skill to have. The Squid uses light, colours, and their physical form to communicate, so the Squid could be a sign that you need to look beyond verbal communication to get your point across or to connect with someone.
Starfish: The Starfish reminds us that the world isn't just black and white, and there is plenty of grey inbetween; often people's actions and words will fall in this grey area.
The Starfish is a symbol of hope, luck, and strength, especially in helping those who are recovering from trauma. It can help us form deeper connections, manage our emotions, and bring empathy. If you are looking for guidance, inspiration, and insight, then look to the Starfish.
It is also associated with beauty, magick, light, the moon, perception, regeneration, and finding our path.
Stingray: The Stingray represents that the time is right and you should go for it. Plan well, practice awareness, and take sharp action as you have several possibilities present to you right now.
The Stingray also represents balance, emotions, elegance, diplomacy, grace, and listening to your inner guidance. It is a time to accept and put aside differences.
It is also associated with physical aspects of our being; cleanliness, mobility, nutrition, and persistent movement.
Tuna Fish: The Tuna Fish teaches us about adapting to, and fitting into your environment. You may be thinking over a new idea or project; remember, it may not be the most exciting, revolutionary, or flashiest or concepts, but it could still be worth pursuing.
Walrus: The Walrus represents an opportunity to uncover something hidden. You, or someone you know may be wearing a 'mask', and may not be as true to themselves as they seem. It is OK to be more of a loner and prefer your own company over the company of others, but make sure you don't hold any prejeduces against those who aren't like you - or, alternatively, you may find yourself in a situation where you are being judged for not being like others around you.
Whale: The Whale is known as a 'keeper of history', containing great wisdom. The Whale also represents communication, especially when it comes to listening to your own inner voice, and finding your own truth.
It is also associated with physical and emotional healing, emotional rebirth, a peaceful strength, and helps us see the importance of family and community.
Sea Birds:
Albatross: The Albatross is a magickal bird, and can act as a good spiritual guide, teacher, and messenger especially when it comes to path-working. It also represents the winds, weather, and the ocean probably moreso than any other creature in this list.
The Albatross is also associated with travel, independence, loyalty, courtship, and breaking through barriers and other limitations.
Cormorant: The Cormorant represents exploration and expression; not just in the physical world, but in our spiritual, mental, and emotional selves too. The Cormorant also acts as a messenger.
Heron: The Heron is one I feel close to; we have one which visits the pond up the road, and I often see it when going out for walks. The Heron represents dignity, tact, vigilance, and has a quiet determination and power behind it. It can help us with our self-esteem and teaches self-reliance, and can guide us on our life's path.
The Heron is also associated with transformation, wisdom, balance, boundaries, exploration, renewal, and the underworld.
Pelican: The Pelican tells us that we need to take it easy sometimes, and take some time out for ourselves. It can bring insight, wisdom, focus, and help us find our direction.
The Pelican is also a symbol of chairty, comraderie, friendliness, generosity, humility, teamwork, unselfishness, and self-sacrifice. It can be a nurturing presence.
Other associations of the Pelican include abundance, exercising caution, discernment, magick, nobility, reflection, responsibility, and safety.
Penguin: The Penguin teaches us that it is possible to adapt to any situation. Whilst things may seem chaotic now, you are close to a breakthrough. It teaches action, endurance, confidence, determination, purpose, and discipline. It represents our ideals, our thoughts, and mastery of that which we are working towards.
The Penguin also represents dreams, emotions, astral travel, fatherhood, grace, movement, patience, and the balance of energies (especially masculine and feminine energies).
Puffin: The Puffin is a creature of kindness, compassion, love, abundance, relationships, community, and helping others. It can help us navigate the cycles of life, especially endings and new beginnings.
Seagull: The Seagull represents taking a step back and viewing the situation from a different angle. More often than not, changing your attitude will resolve whatever issue you are facing. As such, it represents attitude, adaptability, communication, opportunity, perseverance, resourcefulness, responsibility, and stamina.
The Seagull is cunning, but fair, and can act as a messenger when we need one. Other associations of the Seagull include freedom, friendship, joy, movement, and survival.
The Seal also represents emotion, faithfulness, good luck, love, and understanding. It is a time for intuition, intelligence, and inquisitiveness. The Seal can also represent security, protection, and prosperity.
Shark: The Shark teaches us to take action, and create opportunities for ourselves. It is a symbol of authority, a God of the sea, which represents curiosity, power, efficiency, preparedness, protection, self-defence, and a superiority. In a more negative light, it can also represent remorselessness, workaholic tendencies, and a resistance to change. It can be seen as a general warning.
The Shark is also often associated with innovation and inspiration, observation, the senses, movement, knowledge, perception and understanding, and suits those with a unique vision.
Squid: Pay attention to those around you, especially their moods. The ability to 'read' others around you, by using their body language, etc., is a very useful skill to have. The Squid uses light, colours, and their physical form to communicate, so the Squid could be a sign that you need to look beyond verbal communication to get your point across or to connect with someone.
Starfish: The Starfish reminds us that the world isn't just black and white, and there is plenty of grey inbetween; often people's actions and words will fall in this grey area.
The Starfish is a symbol of hope, luck, and strength, especially in helping those who are recovering from trauma. It can help us form deeper connections, manage our emotions, and bring empathy. If you are looking for guidance, inspiration, and insight, then look to the Starfish.
It is also associated with beauty, magick, light, the moon, perception, regeneration, and finding our path.
Stingray: The Stingray represents that the time is right and you should go for it. Plan well, practice awareness, and take sharp action as you have several possibilities present to you right now.
The Stingray also represents balance, emotions, elegance, diplomacy, grace, and listening to your inner guidance. It is a time to accept and put aside differences.
It is also associated with physical aspects of our being; cleanliness, mobility, nutrition, and persistent movement.
Tuna Fish: The Tuna Fish teaches us about adapting to, and fitting into your environment. You may be thinking over a new idea or project; remember, it may not be the most exciting, revolutionary, or flashiest or concepts, but it could still be worth pursuing.
Walrus: The Walrus represents an opportunity to uncover something hidden. You, or someone you know may be wearing a 'mask', and may not be as true to themselves as they seem. It is OK to be more of a loner and prefer your own company over the company of others, but make sure you don't hold any prejeduces against those who aren't like you - or, alternatively, you may find yourself in a situation where you are being judged for not being like others around you.
Whale: The Whale is known as a 'keeper of history', containing great wisdom. The Whale also represents communication, especially when it comes to listening to your own inner voice, and finding your own truth.
It is also associated with physical and emotional healing, emotional rebirth, a peaceful strength, and helps us see the importance of family and community.
Sea Birds:
Albatross: The Albatross is a magickal bird, and can act as a good spiritual guide, teacher, and messenger especially when it comes to path-working. It also represents the winds, weather, and the ocean probably moreso than any other creature in this list.
The Albatross is also associated with travel, independence, loyalty, courtship, and breaking through barriers and other limitations.
Cormorant: The Cormorant represents exploration and expression; not just in the physical world, but in our spiritual, mental, and emotional selves too. The Cormorant also acts as a messenger.
Heron: The Heron is one I feel close to; we have one which visits the pond up the road, and I often see it when going out for walks. The Heron represents dignity, tact, vigilance, and has a quiet determination and power behind it. It can help us with our self-esteem and teaches self-reliance, and can guide us on our life's path.
The Heron is also associated with transformation, wisdom, balance, boundaries, exploration, renewal, and the underworld.
Pelican: The Pelican tells us that we need to take it easy sometimes, and take some time out for ourselves. It can bring insight, wisdom, focus, and help us find our direction.
The Pelican is also a symbol of chairty, comraderie, friendliness, generosity, humility, teamwork, unselfishness, and self-sacrifice. It can be a nurturing presence.
Other associations of the Pelican include abundance, exercising caution, discernment, magick, nobility, reflection, responsibility, and safety.
Penguin: The Penguin teaches us that it is possible to adapt to any situation. Whilst things may seem chaotic now, you are close to a breakthrough. It teaches action, endurance, confidence, determination, purpose, and discipline. It represents our ideals, our thoughts, and mastery of that which we are working towards.
The Penguin also represents dreams, emotions, astral travel, fatherhood, grace, movement, patience, and the balance of energies (especially masculine and feminine energies).
Puffin: The Puffin is a creature of kindness, compassion, love, abundance, relationships, community, and helping others. It can help us navigate the cycles of life, especially endings and new beginnings.
Seagull: The Seagull represents taking a step back and viewing the situation from a different angle. More often than not, changing your attitude will resolve whatever issue you are facing. As such, it represents attitude, adaptability, communication, opportunity, perseverance, resourcefulness, responsibility, and stamina.
The Seagull is cunning, but fair, and can act as a messenger when we need one. Other associations of the Seagull include freedom, friendship, joy, movement, and survival.
