FOUR FOR FRIDAY 50: SPIRITUALITY
“The wound is the place where the Light enters you.”
- Rumi
Exploring Your Inner Compass: Spiritual Routines, Symbolic Guides, and Self-Reflection
Discover how daily spiritual practices, connections to deities or inspiring figures, engagement with symbolic animals, and reflective journaling can deepen self-awareness, illuminate strengths and shadows, and help you live more aligned with your values and highest virtues.
1. Spiritual Routines
When I think about spirituality, it can sometimes feel dense or even overwhelming. A question that’s come to me lately is this: what does a spiritual routine look like for me?
For me, a spiritual routine is simply a rhythm that helps me connect—to myself, my inner voice, my heart, my inner throne (or whatever word you like). Lately, mine has looked something like: waking up with meditation, moving my body with a workout, getting into some cold water or stretching in warmth, doing a quick midday check-in (sometimes through a Google Doc I keep open or the Day One journal app), spending time outside walking or in nature, lighting a candle at night, going to church, writing/blogging etc...
These are the practices that ground me. But what I’m most curious about is you.
What does your spiritual routine look like? Maybe it’s prayer, music, or something as simple as making tea with intention in the morning. I’m not asking with judgment—only curiosity. My hope is that reflecting on this might help you learn something about yourself too.
2. Deities
Another piece of spirituality I’ve been sitting with is the idea of deities—or higher beings that people admire and look to for guidance. The word deity itself comes from the Latin deus, meaning “god,” which traces back to an ancient root dyeu- meaning “to shine” or “sky, heaven.” Across cultures, humans have long looked upward—toward the sky, the sun, the stars—as a way of naming something greater than themselves.
From the very beginning, deities often represented the forces of nature people depended on but couldn’t control—sun, storms, rivers, fertility. Over time, those same deities came to embody higher virtues or cosmic principles like justice, wisdom, compassion, and love. In many traditions, a deity isn’t seen as the final destination, but more like a finger pointing to the moon—something that helps direct our attention to the truths and values we’re reaching for.
But deities don’t have to only be mythological figures. Sometimes, they can be real people who lived (or live) in ways that inspire us. Think of Gandhi and his dedication to nonviolence, Martin Luther King Jr. and his courage for justice, or Sadhguru and his teachings on inner well-being. For some, it might even be a grandparent, a mentor, or a writer whose words carry deep wisdom.
The beauty is that connecting with these figures—whether divine, historical, or personal—can remind us of the qualities we want to cultivate in ourselves. They serve as mirrors, showing us the courage, compassion, patience, or wisdom we’re capable of embodying.
3. Spirit Animals & Personality Traits
Following my stay at a retreat this past weekend—sleeping in a tipi on Indigenous lands, with a raven flying around, buffalo painted on the tents, and a bear roaming the site—I’ve been thinking more about animal symbolism and its meaning across history. This sparked the idea of the spirit animal: an animal whose traits mirror parts of ourselves, both light and shadow. Across cultures, animals have long served as guides, teachers, and mirrors.
In Irish mythology, for example, the raven is often associated with prophecy and insight, while the salmon represents wisdom and knowledge. Norse mythology frequently uses animals as symbolic companions or omens, such as Odin’s wolves, Geri and Freki, representing loyalty and ferocity, or his ravens, Huginn and Muninn, embodying thought and memory. In Indigenous American traditions, the buffalo symbolizes abundance and generosity, the bear represents strength and introspection, and the eagle stands for vision and courage. Ancient Egyptian mythology features animals like the cat, representing protection and grace, and the scarab beetle, symbolizing transformation and renewal.
From a psychological lens, Jungian theory views animals as archetypes—universal images emerging from the collective unconscious that reflect instincts, hidden fears, or deep wisdom. Freud, meanwhile, interpreted symbols in dreams (including animals) as expressions of inner drives or repressed material. Either way, animals as symbols can teach us about who we are and where we’re headed.
But instead of relying solely on imagination or pop quizzes, we can also explore this scientifically. The Big Five model of personality (Openness, Conscientiousness, Extraversion, Agreeableness, Neuroticism) is a well-researched framework. Taking a reliable assessment, like the Truity Big Five Personality Test, helps clarify your tendencies. Animal symbols can then serve as mirrors: someone high in Openness might resonate with a fox or dolphin, reflecting curiosity and adaptability, while someone high in Conscientiousness might connect with the eagle or ant, representing focus, persistence, and structure.
The power of spirit animals lies in blending symbolism and psychology. Symbolism provides intuitive imagery—an inner guide, a mirror, a reminder—while science gives grounded insight into traits and tendencies. Together, they illuminate strengths, shadow sides, and paths for growth. It’s less about whether the wolf, owl, or buffalo is your “true” spirit animal, and more about what the symbol awakens in you—and how it can help you live more fully aligned with your highest self.
4. Journaling for Self-Connection
One of the simplest and most powerful ways to connect with yourself is through journaling. Research in psychology shows that writing about your thoughts and feelings can improve self-awareness, emotional regulation, and even resilience. When combined with spiritual reflection, journaling can help you explore your values, your inner guidance, and the qualities you aspire to embody. Here are three prompts you can try:
Reflect on Your Strengths and Shadows
Question: Which personal qualities or traits am I proud of, and which parts of myself do I not show as often? Why? How might I even begin taking a step towards integrating this into my personality in a way that feels healthy? (Tip: something that can be extremely helpful is looking at yourself in 3rd person. If you were to see someone acting this way objectively that you cared about deeply, what tip might you give them?)
Why: This helps identify both your conscious strengths and hidden “shadow” aspects, a concept rooted in Jungian psychology. Shadow work supports growth and self-compassion.
Connect to Your Guides and Inspirations
Question: Which people, animals, or symbolic figures inspire me, and what qualities do I admire in them?
Why: Reflecting on guides—whether spiritual, mythological, or real-life—can help clarify the virtues you want to cultivate, echoing the idea of deities, spirit animals, or archetypes as “fingers pointing to the moon.”
Explore Your Values in Action
Question: In the past week, where did I feel most aligned with my values, and where did I feel out of alignment?
Why: Journaling about alignment between actions and values strengthens mindfulness and intentional living, improving decision-making and emotional well-being.
Conclusion: Integrating Spiritual Practice, Symbolism, and Self-Discovery
Spiritual growth doesn’t have to be abstract or overwhelming—it can be woven into your daily life through simple routines, symbolic exploration, and intentional reflection. From establishing a spiritual routine that grounds you, to connecting with deities or inspiring figures who embody virtues you admire, to exploring spirit animals and symbolic archetypes that reveal your strengths and shadows, each practice offers a pathway to deeper self-awareness. Journaling, as a reflective tool, allows you to integrate these experiences by examining your qualities, your inspirations, and how your values show up in daily life.
Ultimately, these practices are all about curiosity—curiosity about yourself, your inner world, and the ways the universe or collective wisdom mirrors back to you. Whether it’s through meditation, symbolic animals, revered guides, or reflective writing, the goal isn’t to reach a final destination. It’s to build a richer understanding of who you are, what you value, and how you want to live.
By engaging with these tools, you can illuminate both your light and your shadows, strengthen your connection to your highest virtues, and cultivate a life that feels more aligned, intentional, and meaningful.
Disclaimer: These tools are simply options, and what works for one person may not work for everyone. I neither encourage nor discourage their use. Ultimately, the decision of how to use this information rests with you. The information provided regarding the use of supplements is for educational purposes only and should not be construed as medical advice. It is crucial to consult with a qualified healthcare professional before starting any new supplement regimen, particularly if you have pre-existing medical conditions, are pregnant or nursing, or are taking medications. Supplements have the potential to interact with medications or cause adverse effects in certain individuals. Furthermore, the efficacy and safety of supplements can vary based on factors such as dosage, formulation, and individual response. Supplements should be approached with caution and should not be viewed as a substitute for proper medical diagnosis, treatment, or management of health conditions. Statements regarding specific supplements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration and are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Always adhere to the instructions provided by the manufacturer and consult a healthcare professional if you have any questions or concerns.
