To use this rote, the mage must first find an appropriate animal and bring it into the ritual space. Many Dreamspeakers (and other animal-kin) believe that the animal should come willingly. To attract animals, many shamans use gifts of food and space, setting aside a place for the animals to come to them. Obviously, setting up this rote isn't something one does on the spur of the moment. Waiting for the animal may require several hours of silent observation.

Most versions of this rote require the mage to touch the animal's head or to gaze deeply into its eyes. Whatever the case, the mage must allow his anima, to move, then let the dreamtrance pull his consciousness into the body of the beast.

[If the animal is injured, the player must make a Willpower roll (difficulty 6) or lose a Willpower point due to the stress of controlling an injured beast. If the animal dies while possessed, the player must score two or more successes on a Willpower roll (difficulty 7), lest the shaman snap back into his own body and enter a coma. Even if he lives, the mage loses three Willpower points and suffers a level of damage. The mage can leave the body at any time, though a roll of Wits + Alertness (difficulty 7) may be necessary to escape under duress or attack.]

[Most shamans consider any animal they are possessing to be under their care, and they see allowing it to be injured as unjust and wrong. Violating the values of the shamanic animal pacts can bring consequences. A shaman who uses animals blithely with no regard for their welfare — or who manages to get many killed — is likely to draw down the wrath of animal spirits. Like Animal Riding, the version of Animal Possession that uses Correspondence 2 allows the mage to possess a well-known animal regardless of distance.]