Do you suppose animals have totems as well?

[aluokaloo]

I pondered this for quite a while, could animals have protector/message etc. totems justb as we do? Could an african elephant have a protector human totem that comes to warn them of poachers at the watering hole? What about the tale of the Lion and the Mouse, where the mouse begs the lion to not it eat, and then later frees the lion from the net? What do you guys think.

[skilly-nilly]

I pondered this for quite a while, could animals have protector/message etc. totems justb as we do?

What an interesting idea and worth thinking about.

As an Animist, I would think so--everything has Spirit.
As a biologist, I would think so--we're animals and we have totems, why not other animals as well?

It's a nice, connecting thought.

[aluokaloo]

to answe my own question, I believe that other animals do have totems of all types. Maybe that is the reason that some aninmals work together so well in the physical plane, like ravens and wolves. Or giraffes and zebras.

[aluokaloo]

I also believe that humans are animals, and perhaps that maybe human's higher selves also go to help animals, and vice versa. Perhaps animals even have plant totems, which could be why some animals feed on specific plants, to me the possibilites are endless.

[DandelionDame]

What an intriguing thought - I have never thought of that! And very logical, too. Huh - I'll be pondering this one. Thanks for posting this!

[childofbast]

Like others - I've never thought of this but it's a really interesting idea. I mean, who really can tell. I'd like to think so, though. I always get really mad when people tell me that animals don't have souls. I totally believe they do, having known so many. So, yeah, I would think they could have totems too.

I sometimes wonder about animals and religion. I wonder if they have their own Gods and Goddesses.

[Sabriel MoonStar]

I've never thought about that one. Yet another thing to ponder on my nature walks. I'll post when I've thought on it some more. Just wanted to say what a revolutionary thought!

I believe that animals have their own Gods. Why would we be the only ones with Gods we can physically relate to? When I pass by an animal that has passed on I pray for it's little soul and hope it has found it's way to it's corner of the Summerland with it's own Deities. But that's just my UPG. Nothing whatsoever to back it up. :P

[aluokaloo]

as for do animals have Gods/Goddesses. Of course they do! Look how many animals are sacred to specific deities worldwide even in countries that had no connection or knowledge of one another for centuries. the cat is sacred to Bast, and Freya. And as far as I know, (correct me if I'm wrong please) way way back in the day, where our Gods ran amok, I don't Think that Egypt and Iceland had idea who each other were for a long time.

[Shanti]

Animal behavior sciences can explain a lot. Like different species working together is often a simple mutual need for survival. A critters sends out warning calls for a particular predator so if another species has the same concern, they may live closely with the critter that gives they warning. Not spirit anything there, just the need for survival.

But just because there is no physical basis to believe an animal has a spirit guide of some kind, doesn't meant they don't. I would imagine some do and some don't just like people, and for all different reasons or for no reason at all...just because. :)

So I personally dont need to ponder anything as anything is possible. :)

[Darbla]

Well, then my parrot has Mike Tyson as a totem. He's grouchy and bites (both of them).

Darbla

[childofbast]

I've never thought about that one. Yet another thing to ponder on my nature walks. I'll post when I've thought on it some more. Just wanted to say what a revolutionary thought!

I believe that animals have their own Gods. Why would we be the only ones with Gods we can physically relate to? When I pass by an animal that has passed on I pray for it's little soul and hope it has found it's way to it's corner of the Summerland with it's own Deities. But that's just my UPG. Nothing whatsoever to back it up. :P


I do the same thing!

[DandelionDame]

I do the same thing!
Me too! This makes me happy to know there are others doing this as well!

[Sabriel MoonStar]

The nature walks, or the little prayers? Or both? I'm confused. >.<

[aluokaloo]

Well, then my parrot has Mike Tyson as a totem. He's grouchy and bites (both of them).

Darbla

*shakes fist threateningly* "damn you mike tyson!

[Autumn-Forest]

Wow this is really interesting.

I do think they have totems, also I think plants do as well.
It is really interesting to think about and I think all living things must have a totem.

be well,
Autumn

[DandelionDame]

The nature walks, or the little prayers? Or both? I'm confused. >.<

Oh, sorry - I meant the little prayer for the creature's spirit to go on to where it needs to be and be free from pain.

[Sabriel MoonStar]

It's OK. It's one of the little hiccups of the written word. :)

I've always been unsettled by all the poor little creatures I find who have passed on by the side of the road. The prayers are as much for my own comfort as they are for theirs.

[Crystal_Raye]

What an interesting idea and worth thinking about.

As an Animist, I would think so--everything has Spirit.
As a biologist, I would think so--we're animals and we have totems, why not other animals as well?

It's a nice, connecting thought.

Good points to make.

[aluokaloo]

I usually make a little prayer for animals that I see dead on the road, I saw the prettiest little black and white cat yesterday, and I felt really bad for it.

[Sequoia]

Animals ARE totems.

Sure they have their own spirits, but uhh... I kind of see that as the same way we humans have spirits.

Totems are there to guide us, to help us learn and to give us companionship through certain periods in life. I'm not sure that an animal, being a spiritual creature connected to the Earth, really has the same sort of need.