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Native Americans believe that each animal carries its own
special energies and gifts, and that each animal has a gift to
give each of us. Do you know what animals are guiding you on
your individual journey? Are you aware of the gifts they are
offering you?
Imaginary Guides
You can think of your Animal Totems as imaginary guides on your
life journey. You might also think of them as Power Animals
because each one imparts a special energy, or power, to your
life.
By observing how each animal lived, found mates, located food
and protected itself, Native Americans were able to define the
animal's particular strengths and weaknesses. For example, bears
hibernated during the winter, so it was said that they possessed
the magic of dreams. They were also formidable foes, so Bear
Energy was also about physical power and strength.
It's fascinating to note that different cultures (not just
Native Americans) came up with similar interpretations for all
individual animals.
Spiritual Energies
Native Americans as well as other cultures used Shamans to help
them connect with the Earth around them, and with the power of
the animals. Using dreams and visions, these Shamen would
connect with the "manitou" of the animals. The manitou of an
animal is its primal spiritual energy- wolfness, deerness,
foxness...etc.
It was believed that every human being had a particular manitou
(or several) which they were especially attuned to. These were
their personal animal totems. They discovered their totems
through vision quests, although sometimes the totem made
themselves known in other ways. For example, if you were
attacked by a wild animal, it was believed that that particular
animal totem had chosen you itself.
Physical and Spiritual Qualities
Each animal that exists has several qualities, both physical and
spiritual. The qualities in your personal Animal Totems are
qualities that you might connect with, feel a deep affinity
towards, or simply need more of in your life.
Here are some brief descriptions of the qualities of a few
animals. Read carefully. One of them just might be one of
your Animal Totems.
Skunk: Self-confidence, self-esteem, self-respect,
creative energy, paying attention to intuition and inner
knowings
Alligator: Power to survive, keeper of ancient wisdom,
clairvoyance
Cat: Magic, mystery, curiosity, independence, healing,
unpredictability, inner balance, moving through fears
Frog: Seeing in all directions, physical and emotional
cleansing, metamorphosis, creative power
Shark: Peace, solitude, emotional transformation, power
of protection
Your Animal Totems instruct and protect you throughout your
life's journey. When you discover an animal that speaks strongly
to you, an animal you feel you must draw more deeply into your
life, try surrounding yourself with images of this animal. This
will let the animal know it is welcome in your space.
Finding Your Animal Totems
One way to "meet" one of your Animal Totems is to do a guided
visualization. This one is adapted from the book SOULCOLLAGE, by
Seena Frost.
Create Sacred Space by using music, a candle, incense, or a
smudge stick. Sit quietly and very slowly scan your body, paying
particular attention to each of the seven chakras. Then choose
one chakra to return to and focus your attention there. Ask the
animal who resides there to make its nature known to you. Wait.
Listen. Watch.
Remember to be patient. Don't give up. You might not "see"
anything the first time you do this. Sometimes your Animal Totem
is nearby, just out of your sight, watching you to see if you're
serious about connecting with it. Continue to do this guided
visualization until one of your animals makes itself known to
you.
During your meditation, when you do "meet" one of your Animal
Totems, look it in the eye and remember to greet it with
affection and curiosity. Ask it how it's feeling today. Ask it
its name.
Remember that this encounter is totally in your imagination;
therefore it is in your control. There is nothing to fear.
At some point, move from your body into the body of the animal.
Look at yourself from the eyes of this sacred animal and notice
what you see. After a while, return to your own body and
continue your conversation with it.
Ask your Animal Guide the following questions, so that you can
learn more about its meaning for you and its place on your
journey:
Who are you? What do you have to give me? What do you want
from me? How will I remember what you have taught me? Be
sure to give it ample time to respond, and expect to be
surprised!
You might be pleasantly or unpleasantly surprised by an animal
that makes itself known to you. Try to accept the animal who
wants to be with you rather than forcing a different one to be
there.
Trust the process- My Summer of Skunks
It is generally believed that an Animal Totem chooses you, and
not vice versa. The animals you love just might be your
totems but then again, they might not! The animals which come to
you when you are open and accepting are the ones you need to
work with. They will have the strengths and weaknesses that you
already posses, and they will have lessons for you to learn.
A few years ago, I was continually seeing skunks in our front
yard, even in broad daylight. This is highly unusual
skunk behavior, I assure you! A few times I also glimpsed a
white skunk with a black stripe!
Later, I learned that skunks are really about self-respect,
self-esteem, and inner protection through intuition. And I was
seeing them at a season of my life when I felt completely
powerless and unprotected regarding some difficult family
situations which directly affected my self-respect and
self-esteem.
Coincidence? I think not! I haven't seen them brazenly walk
across my front yard since that summer several years ago. I
believe that Skunk had a message for me that year, and I believe
that if I need him again, he will be there.
About the author:
Anne Marie Bennett is a freelance writer and self-taught artist
who has learned about animal totems through her extensive work
with SoulCollage®. She lives in Beverly with her husband Jeff
and two highly cherished (and spoiled) feline companions/animal
totems named Sasha and Scooter. You can learn more about using
SoulCollage® with your animal totems at www.kaleidosou
l.com.
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