Once feared worldwide, the majestic wolf has made a comeback in nature, but more than that, wolves have a special spiritual bond with people that is undeniable. Are you part of a wolf pack spiritually? Then join Spiritual Blossom today to learn all about wolf spirit meaning, find out what dreams of wolves mean, and learn how to connect with your wolf spirit animal.
What’s a Wolf?
A distant relative of the coyote and the jackal, the wolf is native to North America and Eurasia. They are beasts of prey which dogs have descended from, and they live in groups or packs. They are mostly carnivorous, and they feed on large animals like deer, smaller things like birds, livestock and even garbage. In 2003 it was estimated that there were at least 300,000 wolves living in the wild worldwide. Human beings have been terrified of wolves for generations, citing wolf attacks. The truth is wolf attacks on humans have always been rare and for the most part. Actual attacks from wolves have usually been on livestock and humans have caused more harm to wolves than wolves have to humans.
To the Pawnee, the wolf was the first animal on earth. To ancient Romans, Romulus and Remus the founding members of Rome, were suckled by a she-wolf. To the Norse, their father god Odin had companion wolves, and a great wolf named Fenrir would help bring about the end of the world. Research says different things about wolves. It has shown that the first members of the dog family which the wolf belongs to first appeared 40 million years ago. It also said that modern wolves and modern dogs descended from a common ancestor about 20,000 years ago. It is believed that the ancestors of human beings have been around about 300,000 years. So, according to this, our ancestors have been around the ancestors of the wolves for a very long time.
Our relationship with them is a complicated one. We both admire them and fear them. People in Europe from centuries ago had myths about human beings turning into wolves and ravaging humanity. Then there were stories about wolves ravaging livestock and kidnapping children. When Europeans emigrated to America, they feared the North American wolf and sought to eradicate it. Many years before that the Norman kings had professional wolf hunters and William the Conqueror granted lordships to those who defended the land from wolves. King Edward the 1st decreed that total extermination in his Kingdom of all wolves should be done. In 9th century France, Charlemagne had a wolf control corps. By the late 1600s it is said that wolves were exterminated in Zurich.
In some parts of the world, however, human beings treated wolves differently. Hindus in India forbade hunting of wolves. Some North American Indian tribes would hunt wolves only when they threatened them or for food. The Cherokee believed that an unfair killing of a wolf would bring revenge upon their people by the wolf’s relatives. By 1978 the Endangered Species Act said grey wolves were endangered in the United States except for in Minnesota. Today wolves are no longer considered endangered in North America, and organized hunts of wolves are a thing of the past.
What Do Wolves Symbolize?
The spiritual meaning of wolf symbolism is best understood one topic at a time. Human beings have a long history with wolves, and there are a lot of different meanings we have attached to them. While some people fear wolves because of their power, some people respect it. They represent loyalty, intelligence, and the untamed, unbroken spirit of nature.
Untamed Nature
Masters of their environment, wolves symbolize nature itself. They move freely about in their environments with their kin and cubs, hunting at will. It doesn't seem like anything contains the wild wolf. They represent their wild environment in general, and the unpredictability of Mother Nature as a whole. One sign that values their freedom is Sagittarius and you can read about them here: Sagittarius Traits and Love Compatibility
Power
Wolves are known for their speed, agility, and physical strength to overpower prey. Wolves represent the Aztec god Huitzilopochtli, a god of the sun and war. He was the patron god of the Mexica tribe and he is the god who defended his mother from his older sister when she attacked her. He was responsible for all of the victories and defeats of these people and all of the warriors who fell in battle and the mothers who died in childbirth were believed to ascend to his heavenly realm to serve him for eternity. To read about the mighty eagle, which represents power to many people, see here: What Does Seeing an Eagle Mean Spiritually?
Loyalty
Wolves represent loyalty because of how devoted they are to their pack. Wolves are also one of the animals that mate for life, and they will seek a new mate if their partner dies before they do. Wolves love the company of other wolves, and they will put the interests of their pack before their own safety, risking their own lives if need be. If somebody says that you are as loyal as a wolf, it means that you are selfless and will put the people that you love before yourself. One side known for its loyalty is Taurus and you can read about them here: Taurus Zodiac Traits and Love Compatibility
Intelligence
How intelligent are wolves? They are probably as intelligent as humans if not more intelligent than we are. Older, more experienced wolves teach younger wolves how to hunt and survive. They have been observed by scientists as changing their hunting strategies to account for weather, the behavior of prey, or the land itself. Wolves have a superior sense of smell and it helps them to track whatever it is that they're hunting. It is believed by some people that some herding breeds of dogs got their instinct to do so from their ancient ancestor, the wolf. One angel number associated with new ways of thinking is 111 and you can read about it here: 1111 Angel Number Meaning and Symbolism
Our Fears
Some human beings have labeled wolves as evil. Because their eyes glow in the dark, and they approached silently from the shadows, people feared the wolf as the ultimate embodiment of evil and malevolence. They were heavily associated with the Christian devil during the Middle Ages, especially wolves that were dark gray or black. They represent hidden dangers, waiting attackers, and anything dangerous that could destroy us. Yet, it was human beings that nearly pushed wolves to extinction, not wolves that pushed humans almost to extinction. To read about the ultimate manifestation of fear of wolves, the mythical werewolf see here: Do Werewolves Exist?
The Meaning of Dreams About Wolves
When you dream about wolves it could mean a lot of different things. It all depends on the details of the dream as to what dreams are trying to tell you. In general, dreams about wolves can symbolize all of the things that wolves stand for. However, each individual dream will have its own meaning. Dreams about a pack of wolves means something different than what a lone wolf or wolves howling means. Lone wolves mean something different than dreams about being an alpha wolf. Red wolves and gray wolves in dreams mean something entirely different as well.
Dreams About a Lone Wolf
When you dream about a lone wolf, usually you're being called by the universe to be independent. Generally known for being packed animals, a lone wolf in nature is an animal that is separated from its pack for some reason. Usually what happens is a lone wolf will either find another pack or start a new pack. While lone wolves in nature are thought of as being solitary creatures that don't want to be around other wolves, that's not what dreams of lone wolves mean. Dreams about lone wolves call for you to break away from society’s expectations, forge your own path, and create a new way of being. One Zodiac sign that isn't afraid to be independent is Aquarius and you can read about them here: Aquarius Zodiac Traits and Love Compatibility
Dreams About a Wolf Pack
When you dream about a wolf pack, you're being told to find strength in your family, peers, or friends. Sometimes we are best on our own, but sometimes we are best and the company of others. When you dream about a wolf pack during a time that you're trying to meet some big goal, you're being told to seek out the help of others because there is strength in numbers. One Zodiac sign that loves to surround themselves by their friends is Gemini and you can read about them here: Gemini Zodiac Traits and Love Compatibility
Dreams About a Wolf Howling
Wolves howl to communicate a lot of different things. When you have a dream about a wolf howling, you are being put on notice that there are either messages coming your way that you should listen for, or you should send out a call for help. Wolves also howl to communicate victory, so if you have accomplished something you're especially proud of, dreams about wolves howling tell you to promote yourself and tell everybody about your big accomplishment. One sign that isn't shy about tooting their own horn is Virgo and you can read about them here: Virgo Traits and Love Compatibility
Dreams About Red Wolves
Red wolves symbolize strength and protection. When you dream about a red wolf standing in front of you, you're being told that your guardian spirit is protecting you from all harm. If you're going through a difficult time in life and a red wolf appears to you in a dream, you are being told that you have the strength to withstand any difficulties, so you need not fear. One sign that seems like they are not afraid of anything is Aries and you can read about them here: Aries Zodiac Traits and Love Compatibility
Dreams About Being an Alpha Wolf
The alpha wolf is responsible for the safety of the entire pack, and they therefore have the pack’s love, admiration, and respect. Bing the alpha wolf isn't easy but it's not a job that everybody can do. Somebody has to do it! When you dream about an alpha wolf you are being told that you are the alpha and you should step up and assume leadership roles. So take a deep breath and lead. Your dream tells you that this is what you were born to do. To read about being your best self see here: How to Be Your Best Self
Dreams About a Grey Wolf
Gray wolves symbolize wisdom and survival. When you dream about a gray wolf, you are being instructed to take your time and think things over patiently. Now is not the time to react on impulse or emotion, but to make wise decisions. Your decisions should be based on what will benefit you and the people who you love the most for the long term. Remember the lessons that you have learned and apply them accordingly. Another method of making wise decisions is to consult your Tarot cards and you can read our Quick Guide to Tarot meanings here: A Quick Guide to Tarot Cards and their Meanings
The Wolf Spirit Animal
Some people believe that they have a spiritual connection with a specific kind of animal, and that this animal teaches them wisdom. When the wolf is your spirit animal, it will teach you how to be strong, loyal, resilient, and how to take charge of your life. Some people work very hard to find out what their spirit animal is by doing prayers and fasting to try to get visions. Other people just seem to instinctively know which animals they share kinship with. If the wolf is your spirit animal, it might visit you while you're awake in nature, or it could visit you in dreams. To read about the spiritual meaning of love see here: What is the Spiritual Meaning of Love?
How can you find out what your spirit animal is if you don't know? Meditations in nature are the perfect way to do this. Go outside to a nature preserve, or park, or even to a zoo. When you arrive, stop, close your eyes, breathe deeply, and mentally visualize yourself as connected with all of nature. Imagine that the wind that moves through the skies forms the same life force that flows through your lungs and through the blood in your veins. Visualize the earth you are standing on as being the same home that every other creature lives on. Focus on opening your awareness fully to all of the creatures that surround you then open your eyes and walk through this place of nature and see which animals seem to communicate with you. You might receive answers the first time you do this, or you might have to do this several times. Doing this meditation often enough will open you up to communication with all the creatures of the animal kingdom and you will find out which animal is your spirit animal.
Sometimes a wolf crosses your path because you are in the right place at the right time to see the animal. Sometimes seeing a wolf is so much more spiritually significant than just that. Wolves symbolize nature, loyalty, power, intelligence, and our fears. When the wolf is your spirit animal it will bless you with its gifts, and when you dream of wolves they have special messages for you. So pay extra close attention whenever you see a wolf in your dreams or when you're awake!
Would you like to know more about the spiritual meaning of the wolf and its significance in your life? Reach out to a Spiritual Blossom psychic today to find out the spiritual significance of wolves and what they mean for you. Make sure to read all of our articles to learn about spirituality, folklore, love, and astrology.
About the Author: Lady Saoirse has studied magic and lore for most of her life but started walking her own Magical Path after being spiritually reborn in the desert. Today she is a High Priestess for The Temple of the Goddess, she is a psychic advisor and spiritual counselor, she shares her gifts as a Psychic and Content Writer for Spiritual Blossom. She has written for Mysticsense and PaganPagesOrg emag.
