Totem Animals

[Windigo]

Hello there everyone! I noticed in the new pagans section there was someone asking about totem animals so I decided to pop this up. Being Shamanic, I'm offering to help anyone hear messages from animals, help people understand dreams, or understand the meanings of animal visits. I will also do animal card readings for anyone needing a little guidence, or I can help people with thier directional animals. Hope this is of interest to some :)

Oh, and sorry if this is in the wrong section.

[CloakofStars9]

there are a couple of threads on this in critter chat, one by me :D

my totem animals are wolf, eagle and bear :)

[Windigo]

I follow the idea of directional animals.

EAST – Cat
SOUTH – Owl
WEST – Frog
NORTH – Rabbit
ABOVE – Ladybug
BELOW – Blue Jay
WITHIN – Pony
FEMALE/HEALING/LEFT – Hawk
MALE/WARRIOR/RIGHT – Eagle
AHEAD - Chipmunk
BEHIND - Bear

[phoenixblayze]

i know my first seven :)

[AuroraSilvermist]

I believe my totem animal is the hawk, although I also relate to the wolf. (Is that an odd combination? :lol:) I see hawks everywhere, and I'm usually the first or only one to see them, unless I point them out to others who may be with me. I have some ideas about what it means to have a hawk as a totem animal, but I'd like to hear yours, too. :)

[Windigo]

Hawk teaches memory, such as recalling past lives. He also assists in all sorts of illumination. Someone whos totem is Hak is always honest and truthful. Hawk will always be there to help you overcome obsticles.:)

[SnowyMoon]

I have had a rabbit and dog come to me in a dream and present themselves to me as guides; both were cream colored and white. The rabbit was VERY fat. ;). Perhaps the rabbit was acutally hare, he was so large.

I have also seen dark-brown seal in dreams as well as brown bear and black snake, but not as totems, but more as temporary guides, messengers or help at the time (I have a lot happen in my dreams almost nightly).

I have seen cat faces in meditation. I have 2 kitty fur-babies at home.

My pet dog appears in my dreams as well. In the last one, I was stuck in a school bus (who knows, as I am 30 :lol: ) and my doggie was running so fast to keep up he was hurting himself. He did not want to leave me. He was chasing me down and would die before he would let me be taken from him. *loves her doggie fur-baby.*

[mucgwyrt]

I am curious as to the meaning of mine - a white goose?
I dream of holding it like a baby when I'm afraid or worried, though he offers more protection to me than I do to it!

[Windigo]

This is not surprising, Goose's only role is to assist others through illness and distress. Don't worry, it's Goose's job to protect you, He will not need your help. :)

[SilverMaiden]

Windigo maybe you could shed some light on my dream last night. It was unusual to me because it had my dogs, panthers and a white polar bear.

This is dream last night.

For some reason I took my two dogs to place to stay. I was upset and worried about it ( I can't tell if it was permanent or for a short while like kenneling). I was right next door to the property. (It wasn't my place nor any place familar to me)

I was watching out the glass wall and they looked like they were playing. A white polar bear was playing with Kyri and then swiped hard at her front right paw and punctured it. She squealed in pain and fear. I became really mad and upset and started to cry. I screamed at the bear to "Back off! Now!"

I looked for Nanuk. He was corned by two black panthers and utterly terrified. They were in a stalking position and staring but not growling. I had never seen him so frightened. I ran back over to the man and woman who owned the place. I said, "I want my dogs back. Now. I will pay you for the day and your time but I want them back right now!" I got my dogs and woke up.

[Boogins]

Is there any particular significance to having the snowy owl as a totem animal? Two greeted me just as I crossed into Alberta when I was finally able to get home from Massachusetts.

[mothwench]

windigo, i've never been able to find out what moths are about. loads of info on wolves and ravens and bears, but never moths. any ideas?

[PeleRising]

Mine are the red tailed hawk, a lone wolf, a Mare.

I was told about the mare ( she was with a foal) by someone who journeyed for me... i found the hawk in a meditation i did... and i have always felt very close to wolves... especially ones that are alone.

You have mentioned what Hawk means but how about the others? and how does one get closer and work with their totems?

thanks... :)

[Windigo]

Hmmm... the dream question is something I don't know the answer too. Try looking up some dream interpretation books. Hope that helps. ^_^

Owl is a symbol of swiftness. Do you find you can run fast? Owl is the Native American traditional messenger of secrets and omens.Owl gives you a good sence of intuition ^_^. He also provides you with comfort in being yourself.

I know Moth well, she is my mother's totem! Moth symbolizes transformation. She will guide you to accept any changes.

The Lone Wolf is a popular totem, lol. Wolf is a master of spirit teaching. He also leads one towards steadfastness... some might call you stubborn, I imagine?

Lastly is Mare. She leads her humans to have great endurance. She also has control of the environment. You may have noticed that when you are sad or angry it is raining or when you are happy the sun is shining. This is Mare's work. Mare is always there to help you expand upon your potential abilities. She also assists in meditaion and astral travel, and she is your guide to help you overcome obsticles. You are very lucky to have Mare by your side.

The best way to grow closer to your totems is meditation.

[SilverMaiden]

Thanks. :) I'm going to borrow my friend's animal totem books. I want to research what the polar bear and panthers represent. I already know what the dogs represent.

[Windigo]

Well, I can't tell you what they mean regarding the dream, but I can tell you that on a normal, friendly basis, Polar Bear represents one who prefers to be in solitude, and adaptability to harsh situations. Ironically enough, Polar Bears are a typical shaman symbol of dreams. Typically, Panther is a symbol of feminine strength, and one who finds comfort in the night. Hope that helps you out

[PeleRising]

Thank you Windigo... :) and yes i am quite stubborn at times ;)

[Kahlan]

How do you find out what your totem animal is, is it just an animal you see all the time or what?

[Lady Jade]

I follow the idea of directional animals.

EAST – Cat
SOUTH – Owl
WEST – Frog
NORTH – Rabbit
ABOVE – Ladybug
BELOW – Blue Jay
WITHIN – Pony
FEMALE/HEALING/LEFT – Hawk
MALE/WARRIOR/RIGHT – Eagle
AHEAD - Chipmunk
BEHIND - Bear

I am indeed finding the hawk to be a guide unto me, see my recent post in arts n crafts. Interesting....mmmm.

[SilverMaiden]

Windigo, your information on the Polar Bear and what you say about the panther does help. :) Thank you!

A dog is very social and pack oriented. They are trusting and also very forgiving. Always willing to try and try again to keep peace and/or make friends. Kyri is especially so. She will continuely try to make friends with the most difficult of people and other dogs. The polar bear given your knowledge is solitare. That portion tells me that I need to deal with a conflict that is mine, close to me or will be mine or close me. Someone, be it me or a loved one is going about resolving an issue the wrong way. The result will be hurt but not a crippling hurt (the wounded paw) but severe enough to need to pay attention too.

I'll have to study the panthers a little more but it may represent the conflict of my nephew is going through with his mother and step mother. Once I figure out who Nanuk represents then I can determine who or what the panthers represent. :)

My thanks.

[AutumnSprite]

I wish I knew my totem animals.

Leslie

[Calyx]

How about a yellow butterfly, cats and raccoons? odd combo, I know, but they are very appropriate to me. :)
I'd love to hear your take on them, though.

[silverwolf]

my animal totem would be

the dolphin

and the obvious wolf
autumn i have a spell that would help you with your quest to find your
animal totem. if you would like i would share that with you


blessings

silverwolf

[mucgwyrt]

This is not surprising, Goose's only role is to assist others through illness and distress. Don't worry, it's Goose's job to protect you, He will not need your help. :)
Thankyou very much ^_^

[Boogins]

What you say about the owl definitely makes sense to me... thank you! :)

[PeleRising]

To find my totem I did a meditation... The book Animal Speak by Ted Andrews really helped me...

[Windigo]

Sorry this has taken me so long folks, trouble with the wee ol' dial-up :sick:

Anyhoo, I don't think my private message function is working, I can't seem to reply to any messages for some reason. Or at least, I never get a reply back, so I assume it's not working. So don't PM me okees?

Anyhoo, right down to business:

Kahlan asked: How do you find out what your totem animal is, is it just an animal you see all the time or what?
You can find your animals through meditation or I can do a card reading to find your derectionals if you like. It can also be any animal you feel a definite connection to.

Autumnsprite said: I wish I knew my totem animals.
See above ^_^

Calyx asked: How about a yellow butterfly, cats and raccoons?
Butterfly teaches the same as moth: transformation, a willingness to accept change. By cats I assume you mean domestic. Cat symbolizes protection. He protects you and also gives you a great desire to protect others. Cat also assists in meditation, so you might find it easier to meditate than other people. Finally is Raccoon, who teaches inginuity and curiousity. You might find yourself useful in difficult situation, and also someone who is very curious, given Raccoon is one of your guides.

Lastly, Silverwolf asked about: the dolphin and the obvious wolf
Dolphin is a symbol of change. You might find yourself wanting to change the world and accepting change easier than others. I think I mentioned wolf elsewhere in this thread already.

[Windigo]

To find my totem I did a meditation... The book Animal Speak by Ted Andrews really helped me...
Andrews is a very good author. I also recommend The Eagle's Quest by Fred Alan Wolf, How to Meditate:A Guide to Self-Discovery by Lawrence Leshan, The Medicine Way by Kenneth Meadows, The Prophet by Kahlil Gibran, Shamanism: A Beginner's Guide by Teresa Moorey, and
Walking on the Wind: Cherokee Teachings for Healing Through Harmony and Balance by Michael Tlanusta Garrett.

[Cielamara]

Windigo, could you maybe email me if your PMs aren't working? Or could I email you? Or, if you have AIM/ICQ/Yahoo!/MSN, could we talk sometime? I'm really interested in what you have to say. Plus you just seem like a cool person anyway! Do let me know.

[Immrama]

How does one go about finding ther totem animal??? Pardon my ignorance.. I am new to the exploration of these areas :) Thanks

[Windigo]

Of course you may e-mail me! You can also use my AIM or msn. E-mail is stephanie_f35@hotmail.com and that's my MSN as well. My AIM is NekoidWindigo.

Well, as I've mentioned many times already, you can find your totem animals through meditation or a card reading. Your totem might even be a certain animal that you feel connected to.

[Pesha]

Chiming in late as usual........A Kukaburra bird from Australia is my toem and my gude is my dragon HYSTYPHUS.

BB
DS.

[Windigo]

Kukaburra eh? That's one I haven't seen as a totem before, that's for sure... *runs to books*

Unfortunately I can't seem to find anything on Him. But I can tell you about Dragon. Dragon is keeper of your thoughts. With Dragon as a totem, it's likely that you can remember a lot of things better than most people. As old lore says that dragons slept in the middle of the Earth, I sense that you also feel the need to be surrounded by those you love and who love you.

[Windigo]

Oh wait, I found something on Kukaburra! He is a symbol of peace and understanding one's emotions. I take it you are a rather calm, serene person, are you?

[RedCelt]

Windigo, I hope you don't mind, I sent you an email since you're having problems with your PM's.....

RedCelt

[MerrisHawk]

Another slow poke here.

Hello Windigo (waves)!
I read the earlier post about the cat, I happen to have a smallish grey cat as a constant guide.
The other I've been told is a spider. Funny since I'm scared half to death of them from a childhood bumble with a cat-spider. Except for what I call Cat-spiders I'm afraid of the whole bunch. Dunno what the correct name for cat-spider is?????

Any info on spider?

[ambermystique]

Ahhh...if I would've known this thread was here, I'd have posted my question in here...

Windigo! Help me out please?


http://www.mysticwicks.com/showthread.php?t=47219


peace and love,
thanks so much,
amber

[Windigo]

Thanks RedCelt, I'll be responding soon! ^_^

Sometimes, MerrisHawk, our favorite animal isn't necessarily our totems, and sometimes people are rather disapointed by this. However, if you are afraid of your totem, thier magic is twice as strong once we overcome our fear of them. While I've never heard of a cat-spider, Spider is very important tp Native culture. My grandmother told me that the grandmother of all the spiders wove the fabric of the universe, and thus should be treated with great respect. Spider symbolizes wisdom and shapeshifting. So, chances are with Spider as a totem, it's likely that you might be rather nerdy. (not in a bad way, but in a smart enough to take over the world sort of way, haha)

Ambermystique, first off maybe you should have the fire department or humane society investigate your vents and such for baby kittens. Other than that, I'm wondering if maybe this is a new home for you, or if you lost a cat recently?

[MerrisHawk]

Hmmm.....wisdom eh? And Great Respect. I know you all read that, right? *fluffs up hair and smiles REALLY big*
Yeah, great respect......yeah....

And I am in the nerdy category. :hehehehe: I'd rather be comfy at home with my beadweaving or a good book than out partying. B'sides, every time I go out I end up driving.

[Athena my Goddess]

my totem animal is the cat and the falcon. My black cat is like a Muse,lol,when I need inspiration,I look at him and I know what I've to do.

[ambermystique]

Thanks RedCelt, I'll be responding soon! ^_^

Sometimes, MerrisHawk, our favorite animal isn't necessarily our totems, and sometimes people are rather disapointed by this. However, if you are afraid of your totem, thier magic is twice as strong once we overcome our fear of them. While I've never heard of a cat-spider, Spider is very important tp Native culture. My grandmother told me that the grandmother of all the spiders wove the fabric of the universe, and thus should be treated with great respect. Spider symbolizes wisdom and shapeshifting. So, chances are with Spider as a totem, it's likely that you might be rather nerdy. (not in a bad way, but in a smart enough to take over the world sort of way, haha)

Ambermystique, first off maybe you should have the fire department or humane society investigate your vents and such for baby kittens. Other than that, I'm wondering if maybe this is a new home for you, or if you lost a cat recently?
No: to losing a cat recently...or any time for that matter...
There are no cats or kittens in the vents. I've checked...we just had central air installed in the house...there aren't any cats in the vents.
This IS a new home for us...in a sense. My grandmother passed away in May. My mother bought her house, and we moved in in December of 03. My mother's family lived in this house for over 40 years though...
So what's going on??? :)
peace and love,
amber

[Windigo]

Well, maybe there was a spirit of a cat that your grandmother once had, and now that's she's gone it's lonely?

[WHITE EAGLE +++]

Windigo-

Great job fielding all these questions about spirit animals! I too work with a the Medicine Cards with the spirit animals. Medicine Cards by SAms & CArsons. I assume this is the same set you have? I first had them read for me about 10 years ago and had wanted a set of my own ever since. After a few differnt tarot decks i finally indulged my instincts and got them (as a gift in fact after some heavy hinting =]

You can see that I bounce back and forth on which deck i use to do readings, and you can find my readings at Mystic Wicks/Tarot/ Oracal of Faries. Astara Moon is our team captain and she sends us requests. I have really enjoyed it, although doing a tarot read and an animal read are so different and the same that it turns out to be my biggest struggle.

I do have my 9 spirit animals recorded, but find some to be far more active then others in my day. Mostly Hawk and Raven, and some times Elk and Eagle. I found it suprising how many people in your thread mentioned the red-tail hawk and the wolf! Interesting. I frequently see my red-tailed Hawk in my walks and meditations. I also see him as the eye of God and eye of Horus. The Raven as Odins messangers, and the Eagle symbolizing Zeus in my life as well. So in fact it has gotten interwoven with my dieties as well. Perhaps that is another aspect that the pagan community can tune into. More specifically how thier spirit totem and the common sybols and helpers of the dieties can have dual meaning..

Anxious to hear your thoughts,

WHite Eagle's Lil Cub+++

[laughing badger]

the snowy owl means to look inside it is also survival. my full name is snowwolf laughing badger and snowwolf means snow owl and snow wolf. take some time to look inside of yourself.

[Spiritcalf]

My totem is turtles. I have such a strong connection to them; I think about them all the time. During visions and meditations I talk to a tortoise.

Also when it comes to the (lol) teenage mutant ninja turtles, Donatello was/is my fav. just thought you might like to know that too. lol.

[skatha_mare]

What is you interpretation of a crow, an artic fox (particularly in the white phase), and the horse?

[Fang of Loki]

My totem animals are the Bull, Mouse, Toad, & Moose.

[Tsuchimaru]

Can ants be totem animals?

[magick186]

what does a white tiger mean? My animals have always been the tiger, horse, and wolf. What do they represent?