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The Spirit Animal Within

The totem itself is a symbol that represents your animal guide.
Their meanings are as varied as the cultures that make them. We will reference these spiritual structures as we create a tower representing our hidden animal heroes that guide us through life.


Picture


totem

:  one that serves as an emblem or revered symbol 
noun to·tem \ˈtō-təm\
: something (such as an animal or plant) that is the symbol for a family, clan or tribe 



The Unsung Hero Within

Who is the little voice inside you that guides your spirit...?
: a person or thing that represents an idea. A totem is a spirit being, sacred object, or symbol that serves as an emblem of a group of people, such as a family, clan, lineage, or tribe. The totemic symbol may serve as a reminder of the kin group's ancestry or mythic past. While the term "totem" is Ojibwe in origin, belief in tutelary spirits and deities is not limited to indigenous peoples of the Americas but common to a number of cultures worldwide. Totemistic beliefs are found in regions of Africa, Arabia, Asia, Australia, Europe, and the Arctic. Contemporary neoshamanic, New Age and mythopoetic men's movements not otherwise involved in the practice of a tribal religion may appropriate and use "totem" terminology for the personal identification with a tutelary spirit or guide.
Totemism (derived from the root -oode- in the Ojibwe language, which refers to something kinship-related, c.f. odoodem, "his totem") is a religious belief that is frequently associated with animistic religions. The totem is usually an animal or other natural figure that spiritually represents a group of related people such as a clan.
The carvings may symbolize or commemorate cultural beliefs that recount familiar legends, clan lineages, or notable events.  Given the complexity and symbolic meanings of totem pole carvings, their placement and importance lies in the observer's knowledge and connection to the meanings of the figures.

Another interesting type of totem pole is the shame pole. Shame poles are carved to embarrass and ridicule someone who has done something wrong. Shame poles are taken down once the person has made amends.

Tower Power:

What is the cultural significance of the tower...?
NATIVE AMERICAN LEGENDS
Native American Totems & Their Meanings

A totem is a spirit being, sacred object, or symbol of a tribe, clan, family or individual. Native American tradition provides that each individual is connected with nine different animals that will accompany each person through life, acting as guides. Different animal guides come in and out of our lives depending on the direction that we are headed and the tasks that need to be completed along our journey.

Native beliefs further explain that a totem animal is one that is with you for life, both in the physical and spiritual world. Though people may identify with different animal guides throughout their lifetimes, it is this one totem animal that acts as the main guardian spirit.

With this one animal a connection is shared, either through interest in the animal, characteristics, dreams, or other interaction.

This Animal Guide offers power and wisdom to the individual when they "communicate” with it, conveying their respect and trust. This does not necessarily mean that you actually pet or spend time with this animal, more that you are open to learning its lessons.

For some, knowing what is their totem animal is almost an innate process. It’s as if they’ve always known, inexplicably drawn to the animal or having a special feeling for the animal’s energy. For others, they wonder how to tell what their animal totem is.

Here are some questions to ask yourself if you’re wondering what your animal totem is:

  • Have you ever felt drawn to one animal or another without being able to explain why? This could be animal, including birds and insects.

  • Does a certain kind of animal consistently appear in your life? This doesn’t necessarily have to be a physical appearance, it could be represented in other ways such as receiving card and letters with the same animal pictured over and over, unexplainable dreams of a particular animal, watching television and seeing the same animal featured time and time again, or, actually having the animal show up.

  • When you go to the zoo, a park, wildlife area, or forest, what are you most interested in seeing?

  • Are there any animals that you find to be extremely frightening or intriguing?

  • Is there a particular animal that you see frequently when you’re out in nature?

  • Have you ever been bitten or attacked by an animal?

  • Have you ever had a recurring dream about a certain animal, or a dream from childhood that you have never been able to forget?

  • Are you drawn to figurines or paintings of a specific animal

Note:  Native American totems did not include all of the animals listed below, as many of these creatures did not exist in North America; or, in some cases, not at all. However; the concept of "totems," by whatever name they were called, have been known throughout the world since the earliest days of Greek Mythology. Though the unicorn and dragon are generally accepted as centuries old mythical creatures of Europeans, pictures of these fabled animals have been found in Native American tapestries and pictographs.

http://www.legendsofamerica.com/na-totems.html

Animal Characteristics & Meaning 
 
Alligator Maternal, revenge oriented, quickness, aggression, and basic survival instincts.

Ant Group minded, determination, patient, active, and industrious

Anteater Lethargy, curiosity, nosiness.

Antelope Active, agile, jumpiness, and willing to sacrifice

Armadillo Safety oriented, grounded, and has boundaries

Badger Courage, aggressive, healer, having problems relating to others, and energy conduit

Bat Rebirth, longevity, secrecy, initiation, good listener, and long life

Bear Industrious, instinctive, healing, power, sovereignty, guardian of the world, watcher, courage, will power, 
self-preservation, introspection, and great strength.

Beaver Determined, strong-willed, builder, overseer, and protector

Bee Organized, industrial, productive, wise, community, celebration, fertility, defensiveness, obsessive nature, 
and enjoys life

Boar/Pig A very powerful totem - prosperity, spiritual strength, organized, self-reliant, fearless.

Buffalo Sacredness, life, great strength, abundance, gratitude.

Bull Insight into the past, fertility, rushing into things without proper preparation.

Butterfly Metamorphosis, transformation, balnace, grace, ability to accept change

Camel Survival, positive, accomplishments

Caribou Traveler, mobility, preference to be nomadic, adaptability to adversity

Cat Guardianship, detachment, sensuality, mystery, magic, and independence

Cheetah Swiftness, insight, focus

Cougar Leadership, loyalty, courage, taking responsibility, foresight

Cow Swift, insightful, and focused

Coyote Trickster, intelligence, stealth, wisdom and folley, guile and innocence

Cobra Swift and decisive

Crab Good luck, protection and success

Crane Solitude, justice, longevity, independent, intelligent, and vigilant

Crocodile Ensuring your emotions are displayed accurately/appropriately

Crow Justice, shape shifting, change, creativity, spiritual strength, energy, community sharing, and balance

Deer Compassion, peace, intellectual, gentle, caring, kind, subtlety, gracefulness, femininity, gentleness, 
innocence, and seller of adventure

Dog Noble, faithful, loyal, teaching, protection, and guidance

Dolphin Kind, salvation, wisdom, happiness, playfulness, prudent, capable of deep emotion, and happy.

Dove Cross-world communication, spirit messenger, peace, gentleness, love

Dragon Longevity, richness, prosperity, infinity, wisdom, power, and fiery

Dragonfly Flighty and carefree, strong imagination, higher aspirations.

DuckWater energy, helper of seers, can clearly see/deal with emotions

EagleDivine spirit, sacrifice, connection to creator, intelligence, renewal, courage, illumination of spirit, healing, creation, freedom, and risk-taker

ElephantStrength, power, affection, loyalty, royalty, and wisdom

ElkStrength and agility, pride, majestic, independence, purification, strength, and nobility

FalconNew beginnings, adventure, passionate, and leadership.

FishGraceful, slyness, open-minded, quick to change one's mind.

FlamingoHeart healing, psychic, people person, flirtatious.

FoxCunning, agility, quick-witted, diplomacy, wildness, feminine magic of camouflage, shape-shifting and invisibility

FrogWater energy, cleansing, rebirth, sensitivity, medicine, hidden beauty, peace, adaptability, poor character judgment and power.

GazelleAggressive

GiraffeCommunication, intuition, attaining the unreachable, seeing the future

GoatSurefootedness, stubbornness, independence, diligence, lack of foresight.

GooseSelf-demanding, reliable, prudent, rigid, vigilance, parenthood, and productive.

GorillaFamily-oriented, intelligence, strength, environmental protector, keeps peace through aggression.

GrasshopperGood luck, abundance, forward, progressive.

GrousePersonal power, enlightenment.

HawkMessenger, intuition, victory, healing, nobility, recollection, cleansing, visionary power, and guardianship.

Heron/EgretAggressive, self-determined, self-reliant, multi-tasking, balanced.

HippopotamusPower, creation, imagination, healing.

HorseFreedom, stamina, mobility, the land, travel, power, and freedom.

HummingbirdMessenger, timelessness, healing, and warrior.

JaguarChaos, shape-shifter, aggressiveness, power.

KangarooForward, balance, creative, stamina.

LionFamily, strength, energy, courage, guardian and protector.

LizardConservation, vision, self-protection, hidden defenses.

LlamaComforting to others, secure.

LynxKeeper of secrets, guardian, listener, and guide.

MoleSensitivity, guidance, searching.

MonkeyAbility to change the environment, health, success.

MooseHeadstrong, longevity, steadfastness, and wisdom.

MouseScrutiny, order, organizer, and an eye for details.

OctopusIntelligence, camouflage, nocturnal.

OpossumDiversion, strategist, and deceiver.

OstrichGrounded, practical.

OtterPlayful, friendly, dynamic, joy, helpfulness, and sharing

OwlDeception, clairvoyance, insight, messenger.

OxSacrifice, chastity and self-denial

PantherProtection, hidden emotions, introspection, caution, careful decisions

ParrotCommunication, beauty, guide for wisdom, mockery, thinking before speaking

PeacockImmortality, dignity, and self-confidence

PelicanResilient, unselfish, rising above.

PenguinSelf-discipline, grace, self-confidence, spiritual

PorcupineInnocence, companionship, and trust

Prairie DogSwiftness, industrious, constructive, preparedness

PumaCompanion on journeys to other worlds, grace, silent power

QuailGroup-work, team play, creator of harmony and group tolerance, protectiveness (especially toward children)

RabbitFear, timidity, nervousness, humility, rebirth,

RaccoonCuriosity and cleanliness

RamStoic, sensitive, persevering, curious, imaginative. 

RatFertility, stealth, scavenging, intelligence, enjoys luxury

RavenIntrospection, courage, self-knowledge, magic

RhinocerosWisdom, solitary, insightful, solid.

RoadrunnerMental agility, speed, opportunistic.

RoosterVanity, likes to be showered with gifts and attention, early riser, settling for nothing less than the best

SalmonProud, intense, confident, wisdom, inspiration

ScorpionTransforming, strong, inspiring, chaotic,  passionate

SeagullVersatility, loud, easy-going nature, creativity, laziness

SeahorseConfidence and grace

SealLove, longing, dilemma, active imagination, creativity

SharkHunter, survival, and adaptability

SkunkReputation, presence, and strength

SnailProtective, aware, solitary.

SnakeImpulsive, shrewdness, rebirth, transformation, initiation, and wisdom

SpiderBalance, wisdom, creativity, communication

SquirrelPlanner and gatherer

StagLord of the forest, masculine power of regeneration, signs.

SwanGrace, balance and innocence, soul, love, beauty, of the self

TigerStrength, valor, power, and energy

Toadinner strength, luck, self-examination

TurkeyGenerosity, life-giver, and sharer

TurtleNurturer, shy, and protecting

UnicornPurity, innocence, dreamer, personal power, gentle

WeaselStrength, energy, ingenuity and stealth

WhaleWisdom, provider, intelligence, and kindness.

WolfLoyalty, perseverance, success, intuition, and spirit

WoodpeckerSensitive, protective, and devotion

ZebraAgility and individuality