What is an animal totem?

[spirituallygiving]

Hi everyone,

What is an animal totem? Is it an animal you continually come across, like or admire?

[Peace]

could be any of those or all of those. totems bring strengths and power to you. each one can be noticed in different ways. they have different ways of showing themselves and it's not always easy to notice it. sometimes they show themselves often and others may be very subtle or illusive. here's a site that i've had for a while on them. it may help explain more.

www.sayahda.com/cyc2.html hope this helps a little. i have a couple more if ya want em. ~hugs~

[Sloan]

nice site Aura. Thanks.
For me - I've always loved wild cats, especially the cheetah and when I did shamanic journey it was confirmed that the cheetah was my animal totem and when it was done my tattoo started to tingle too so it all made sense..at least to me! lol

[Peace]

so how many of yours do you know, so far? i know of 5. supposedly there are a certain number that everyone has, at some point. mine are still showing new, so i'm still learning. lol. i have butterfly, hummingbird, bear, owl and snake(shadow). i'm always trying to pay attention though. some come in and then leave and others stay through your whole life. very interesting thing, they are.

[Anamere]

Yeah Aura Girl! It's said we have one main totem - a life totem. We may also connect with a power animal. In some traditions it is believed there are family totems, birth totems and others that come into our life with us as guides. I too have heard the number is usually 5.

We may have an animal that comes into our life to share "medicine" with us. Or have something to teach us for that time... later to leave and possible not show up again.

I've had alot of spiders come into my life lately in weird and unusual ways. Usually I feel spider teaches us to weave our creative web or focus on creativity. Funny that when I will find spider with an usually creative web in my life I'm in a slump creatively. So... this is just an example of how spider has medicine for me but it isn't a Totem.

[katnips]

Would your totem be like a zodiac sign, the animal representing your birth time? I know we have many animals guides, and yes some come and go, and there are those that are always with us..I usually give info on 5 animals when reading someone, but most I know have a zoo with them..lol
Would family totem be like clan?
Ah, the spider, teach to weave a web, quantum possibilities, weave our reality as grandmother says..
I am new to this forum, and what I have read so far I find interesting..
blessings,
Kathy

[Anamere]

katnips said:

Would your totem be like a zodiac sign, the animal representing your birth time? I know we have many animals guides, and yes some come and go, and there are those that are always with us..I usually give info on 5 animals when reading someone, but most I know have a zoo with them..lol
Would family totem be like clan?
Ah, the spider, teach to weave a web, quantum possibilities, weave our reality as grandmother says..
I am new to this forum, and what I have read so far I find interesting..
blessings,
Kathy

Hi Kathy! I'm Elaine, glad you like our bunch. We can be pretty silly 'round here LOL but we also have alot of interesting stuff to share. Star's done a amazing job of bringing some pretty cool people together withs lot's of great thoughts, idea's and knowledge to share and I'm glad you're here to add to that.

I thought I'd share a couple of my own thoughts with ya in response to your post.

A totem usually isn't your typical Zodiac animal or an animal from Chinese Zodiac but it does represent a time fram of birth... if that is what you meant.

There are some sites that will let you know your Birth Totem time frame is from a Native American and Irish Clan perspective. I've found the totem seems to vary from site to site and tradition to tradition though.

The family totem information I've found has been from varying tribal peoples both Native American and Irish Clans. I wasn't sure which you meant but have found information on either or both.

So in short, Yes, I think LOL... I hope this is helpful as an answer.

Finding your Animal Totem can be done through meditation or Shamanic Journey. As soon as I get myself together I'll try and post something. Star maybe have something at the other board and I'll try and get my butt in gear and get some of that stuff over here and share it. There's alot of cool stuff that you'll see added in the weeks to come. Since we just moved we've been busy trying to get it all here.

Oh and for the record... I tend to ramble sorry LOL!

[Anamere]

Yup... I was right. Star had something! Here is a birth totem site:



angelbreath.homestead.com/files/vwat06.htm

[Peace]

oh man, i can't believe i forgot to add the family totem: hawk. there's been a family of hawks living behind our house for over 30 years and shows to us regularly. DUH! k, THAT's all i know. lol.

[katnips]

Hi Elaine & all
Yes, was refering to the time frame or time of birth..as native american or celtic tradition ....interesting about the hawk, my clan is turtle, have had turtles for a long time, have one now in tank, my grandfather had a turtle in his garden named 'Walter'..lol...my oldest son has one! I realized a few years ago I could see animal spirits with people. I think this could be of help along with reiki in one healing self,understanding of self ,just a thought
I'm excited about learning ..I am usui reiki teacher , awaiting a fifth and sixth attunement... this site was given to me by the reiki master who will be attuning me..I am very happy to be here
Kathy

[Anamere]

Well we're happy you're here too Kathy!

You feel like you'll have a lot to bring to share.