BellaOnline Forums Religion and Spirituality New Age Totems And Power Animals

I think that most wild animals are the power totems..I believe that we can have domesticated animals as guides, and we can learn many things from them. For instance, my cats are independant, yet social.....gentle, yet they can be fierce when need be...They show me how to disguise myself when I do not want to be seen, in order to catch my prey, whatever that may symbolize for me at the time...

Snake is a shadow totem for me. I had to live through alot of snake medicine in my earlier years. Most I have dealt with, shed old ways and beliefs, and have since grown 'new skin', new ways, new lessons and teachings.

Janet; Ted Andrews just came out with a new book 'Nature Totems' it mainly deals with plants.

And I'm not saying that rocks, plants, colors etc are totems or guides, but perhaps more like messages or (hate the word) "coincidences". But like with numerology and chakras and the directions and the zodiac, each one has its special meaning. say your totem is a horse, a white horse would have a different meaning from a black one.
Here's another example, say one of your totems is the deer. You may want to do some investigation on hemlock as that is a primary winter cover for them, being that its branches stay low to the ground and deflect the winter winds. Just some ideas.
Lisa is also right on with saying that you should definitely check out the animals that your main power totem eats and gets eaten by. 'See alsos' are a favorite of mine as well <img src="/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

Heather, Wendy, and Lisa,

Thanks for your additional insights! Would you say, then, that there is a difference between Power Animal/Animal Totem/s and Animal Guide/s? If so, what are they?

I had a several-year stint where Blue Jay really spoke to me. I even thought it was a totem for me. But now, I'm not so sure, especially since it doesn't seem to "fit". Hmm. What's the point of a Power Animal, anyway? For growth? A physical representation of psychological makeup? Of spiritual lessons? If so, then how does that differ from Animal Guides? <img src="/images/graemlins/confused.gif" alt="" />

O grasshoppah...

I think maybe youre trying to fit things into little boxes and categories too hard.

BUT you do have very valid questions. My take on the totem v. guide bit is that a totem is something that stays with you, tho it may cease showing itself here and there it always pops up to say hello. Whereas a guide shows up for a short visit. Back in March, I had a run in with a possum. March is a bit early for those to be out up here.it told me that the person I was with at the time either wasnt being honest with me or i wasnt being honest with him. Thats based upon a bunch of little things like the fact that a possum plays dead. I digress.

As to the point of having a power animal - It will teach you how to meander your way through life. show up to remind you of your path, goals or yourself.

I find it quite the comfort when my bear shows up in dreams or in everyday life. Or a wake up call.

In order to find your primary spirit animal id pay attention to what people say about & around you. 'bear of a woman' 'stop badgering me' 'quiet as a mouse'. See what animals or totems present themselve to you in your everyday life. I personally keep a journal and write in it things Ive seen/heard. That way I have a way to look back and digest what has happened and perhaps do a little predicting.

Creator will reach you anyway he can just be open to it.

LOL!

I actually think it's authors that make up these little categories and boxes! <img src="/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" /> I was just soliciting feedback to understand better, from a writer/teacher standpoint.

For me, I take Guidance from wherever I can get it!

Good advice about paying attention to how people may describe us. *nods* I suppose messages from animals is just like any message from the Creator: pay attention, look inside, use discerment, and follow any imparted wisdom.

Many thanks, Wendy! <img src="/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

I just call them all totems. <img src="/images/graemlins/tongue.gif" alt="" />

I have a few permanent totems that have been around since childhood. I think these are what most call power animals. It's like I was born with their medecine, it's a part of me like a core personality trait or ability, and my relationship with them teaches me how to work with it and use it the best way - that's the purpose of these kind.

I find I have a lot in common with these animals, similar habits or eating patterns or food preferences, or movements maybe. Have you ever noticed how some people remind you of a certain animal because of how they move or talk or whatnot? Maybe compare this to the signs on your natal astrology chart that make up your personality traits - more a permanent part of you.

I've had others that are temporary, that just sort of come and go. These might be what some call guides, I'm not sure, but it would make sense, they're more like guides through a certain life phase. Once I've navigated the phase or have incorporated their lessons they might not stick around because their medecine is not really part of my core self. Maybe like astrology transits that come and go and bring their lessons for us to learn?

Does that help at all?

Yes, that helps a lot, mtnmermaid--and makes absolute sense. Thanks!

Btw, all, there's a new quiz up on this very topic:

Animal Totems Quiz - Test Your Knowledge!

I got an 80...I fear Im not a complete expert when it comes to questions bout kangaroos =

LOL I threw that one in to be a stinker. <img src="/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" />

I missed that one too! Dang! I could have had 100%! Ya twerp! LOL <img src="/images/graemlins/tongue.gif" alt="" />