ANIMAL TOTEMS In earlier days we understood that we were simply a part of the earth, only a part of nature, only

a child of Mother, only a part of Spirit. We used to know respect for Nature and killed only what we ate and used only the skins of what we killed and ate. Life was not wasted nor were those spirits disrespected but honored and thanked for providing us with life, nourishment, and comfort. Recognition was given to the power of the animal spirits by wearing skins, masks, mimicking, and singing praise. Animals show us certain qualities and behaviours that we are to emulate somewhere in our daily lives. Our kinship with them teaches many things such as patience, endurance, and the balance of our male/female aspect of ourselves. Animal wisdom emits fundamental truths if we are willing to learn and understand their language. The Natural Power of animal totems still hold the power and the knowledge we can use. Only we must remember how to be One with Nature. There is a reason that the Great Spirit has put all of us together, has given us so many healing stones, and has given us medicine, for the body and the spirit. We are all one. Using Animal Totems will allow us to see and love the earth better, to know life better, to know ourselves better, and to commune better with Mother and Spirit. We can be healthier and happier physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually in understanding and honoring our animal totems.

Animals come to us because they have a lesson we need to learn a power they are willing to share with a friend. They seek to give us a gift of understanding, universal love, energy and knowledge. They remind us that we are part of the earth; that each creature has a place; that each creature has a skill of its own; that we have instincts given to us from Mother, wisdom born to us that we must awaken. The Animal Totem that comes to you offers you power and wisdom if you will learn to communicate with it, with respect, trust, and understanding. Each animal has its own special power and message, for each animal has a powerful spirit and an inherent skill. Animal Spirits will choose you and make itself known to you. You will only need to pay attention to discover what your totems are. TYPES OF ANIMAL TOTEMS There are four types of Animal Totems. All totems are powerful but the meaning that the totem brings will vary on your action depending on what type of totem has come for you. Life Long Animal Totem Works with you throughout your life or until you no longer need that animal totem Is always there when you need its powers Reminds you of your power and connectivity May only have one or a few lift totems but the primary life totem will be our focus The messages the totem brings are hard reminders from Mother Reflects your inner spiritual nature Many call your Life Long animal totem your Spirit totem Journey Animal Totem

 Reflects a period of time (weeks, months, or years)- the time it takes you to walk the path that the Totem is guiding you on During the journey you will find the animal is always showing up in your life to guide you on your path If you find several animals all of a sudden making an appearance and their nature all has the same basis then you have found the basis of your path Will slip in and out of your life over the course of a period Looking into the cycle of the animal also can give insight to the length of the journey Message Animal Totem Usually brings you self growth, a spiritual message or a cautionary warning Often a wake up call Usually a very unusual experience making it very powerful at that time Is a brief period of time (a day or week, occasionally a month but can be immediate for a few hours) Sometimes does not bring a message but causes a delay in your life. This delay is often in assistance to be sure you are not in a place at a certain time to avoid an accident or to catch a phone call or to meet someone you are to run into The difference between the Journey Animal Totem and the Message Animal Totem is a period of time Shadow Animal Totem Are those totems that test us They have great power for us but will put us through tests before they will let their power work with and for us Shadow animal totem is one that initially you fear. Often represents inner fears that you must overcome

 You may have been attracted by the animal to see if you are ready to accept the power of the animal totem When you overcome the fear you bring it into the Light World as a Spirit animal totem and they become one of your most powerful Animal Totems Your goal is to learn the lessons and incorporate that animal into your life

DISCOVER YOU ANIMAL TOTEMS Answer these questions to help you discover the Animal Totems in your life. Remember that you may not currently have a Journey or Message totem and finding out your Life animal totem is not always easy. When answering these questions you may have more than one answer per question, just dont start listing out all animals - only the ones that are really important to you. Follow your instincts when answering. Life Long Animal Totems When you were a child, what animal did you collect or obsess over that you are still attracted to today? Of all animals if you could have any animal as a pet, what would it be? When going to the zoo, which animal are you drawn to? If you could be any animal what animal would it be? What animal is in your dreams that you have had since childhood? What animal are you afraid of that you have no idea why? Of all animals what ones are you attracted to?

 When you are out in nature, do you often seem to run into the same animal? What animal have you bumped into over and over throughout your life? What animal have you watched for hours? Does art work or jewelry with a certain animal always attract you? Your Life Long Animal Totem will be the animal that you answered at least three times out of the eleven questions. The more times the same animal is listed in your answers the more important and stronger it is in your life. Journey Animal Totems What animal have you started to see occasionally that you never saw before? What new animal are you attracted to? Are you dreaming of an animal lately? What one? Are you thinking about an animal lately? If you have a Journey Animal Totem you will have answered at least three of the questions with the same animal. Message Animal Totems What animal surprised or startled you today? What animal that you dont usually see, have you seen a couple of times today? What animal entranced you today? If you answered the same animal to two questions then this animal is your Message Totem with a very important message. Heed its word quickly for the message is for today. If you answered one question then you should still consider it. Shadow Animal Totems What animal attacks have you been in? What traumatic animal situations have you been in?

 Does seeing a certain animal bring up feelings of fear? What animal do you run from? What animals do you have reoccurring nightmares about? Does just watching TV with that animal appearing scare you? Answering two questions with the same animal means you have a Shadow Totem you must address. Remember that the Shadow Totem will continually test you, embrace the lesson and conquer your fear, accept the power of the Shadow totem and bring it into the light as your Spiritual Totem. Definitions Definitions change depending on beliefs and cultures. This can be overwhelming for some. Dont let definitions hinder what you think, feel and intuit about he animals. They are simply either Spiritually based or Physically based. Getting caught up in definitions may distract from the lessons it is trying to teach. Trust the animal to tell you. ALL the animals are there to guide, to teach lessons either through positive or negative perception filters and to show you what is happening in your worlds. There is no good or bad, only lessons to restore balance and harmony. More Awareness Tools How is the animal moving in relation to yourself? ( Right, Left, Away, Toward) How is it crossing your path: emerging, coming into or leaving your life? Notice where the animal is looking, walking, flying, heading etc. Which direction is the animal coming from or going to?

Animal Direction The four directions are examined here within the context of the animal totems Each direction has its own special characteristics and meaning When animals are seen coming from or going to a particular direction, the depth of meaning can be enhanced NORTH Lessons: Using your potential Represents: Manifestation Element: Earth Associated with the nobility of manifesting things from within Earth is symbolic of wisdom, patience, prosperity Grounding aspects of mind, body, spirit What you gain in knowledge and teachings will be used later What seemed impossible will be enlightened with a new idea and thought

 Listen to your intuitions and trust that will be transformed in accordance with you inner pathway Balance, teaching, abundance, knowledge, sacred wisdom, empathic intuition, inner treasures, thankfulness, drawing forth, gentleness, alchemy, trust EAST Lesson: Responsible Relationships Represents: Higher Vision and Prophecy Element: Air Spiritual vision opens up, creativity, inspiration, higher awareness, etc. through the use of will Air links the Earth and Heavens which allows the ability to walk between the spiritual and physical worlds using dreams and visions Be open to any revelations you have for the will give guidance It is time for spiritual renewal, sometimes easy, sometimes painful, but always welcome for growth Quests, visions, dreams, imagination, inner spiritual renewal, higher compassion, journeys, emotions, goals SOUTH Lesson: Life, death and rebirth Represents: Creation Element: Fire Opportunities to change and manifest a new thought, idea or action Fire is the element of hear, passions and love that help regenerate lives Change must be met with strength and endurance, knowing you will move through this stage and awaken new, fresh and purified

 All of life is a cycle, there are only transition periods that we must maneuver through During change, we learn, grow and expand our self awareness Trust, strength, change, playfulness, self sufficiency, awakening the inner child, overcoming obstacles, resurrection, purification, protection, faith

WEST Lesson: Adaptation Represents: Shapeshifting Element: Water Physical and behavioral adaptations to the environment in order to survive Water will always take the path of less resistance Utilizing your energy to the fullest in whatever life requires is a hallmark of true shapeshifter Being able to adapt according to need in all areas of life Requires a shifting in consciousness to flow like water over a given circumstance Animals have no qualms with changing, it does this without hesitation Healing, intuition, creativity, illumination, strength of will, communication, new learning, divination