When I started reading your post,the last thing I would have thought you would name,as an animal you fear,was a skunk.I was thinking snakes,bears,cougars,stuff like that.(and no,I'm not laughing).It's just that,I'm the exact polar opposite-I love skunks,even to the point of thinking they don't smell so bad.(Now,you CAN laugh at me for that,everyone does)
Skunk is one of my power animals.He represents independance.Skunks lead solitary lives,and must develop the instinct to know when to use thier power to get themselves out of a jam,as well as when NOT to use it.Skunk will teach you how to stand up for yourself,no matter how big ,or intimidating, the problem facing you,is.They are fairly shy, by nature, trying to avoid trouble,rather than going out looking for it.Yet when they feel cornered,they will not back down,yet they have no need to fight.They instead have developed a defense mechanism that allows them to do what they need to do,then walk away.
I hope this helps to explain some of what skunk can teach,and how,even though he may at first seem to be a strange idea of a power animal,he has much power to bestow upon anyone lucky enough to be chosen to recieve his lessons.