Animal Totems
from "Animal Speak"
by Ted Andrews
DO YOU KNOW YOUR ANIMAL TOTEMS?
Begin the process of discovering your animal totems by
examining the animals you have been most interested in & the times
of your life that interest was piqued. Use the following questions to help
determine which animals are probably totems to you in your life.
1. Which animal or bird has always fascinated you? (We are drawn to
that which most resonates with us. Those animals which fascinate us have
something to teach us.)
2. When you visit the zoo, which animal do you wish to visit the most
or first? (esp. children)
3. What animal(s) do you see most frequently when you are out in nature?
Have you had encounters with animals in the wild? (The animals we encounter,
in their city environments or in the wild, havesignificance for us. We
can learn from them, even if only about survival within that environment.)
4. Of all the animals in the world, which are you most interested in
now? (Our interests in animals change. Yes, we usually have one or two
that are lifetime, power animals, but others become prominent when there
is something importance or specific to teach us.)
5.What animal most frightens you? (That which we fear the most is often
something we must learn to come to terms with. When we do that, it then
becomes a power. Some shamans believe that fears will take the shape of
animals, and only when we confront them without fear do their powers/medicine
work for us instead of against us. Such an animal become a shadow totem.)
6. Have you ever been bitten or attacked by an animal? (Historically,
if a shaman survived an attack, it was believed that the animal was the
shaman's spirit totem and the attack was
the totem's way oftesting the shaman's ability to handle the power.)
7. Do you have dreams with animals in them or are there animal dreams
you have never forgotten? (This is especially important if the dreams are
recurring or if at least the animal image in the dream is a recurring one.
Children often dream of animals, & attention should be given to these
animals. They will often reflect specific spirit totems of the child.)
TOTEM ANIMAL QUALITIES
WOLF - Earth wisdom, protection
BEAR - Healing, Inner knowing
FOX - Elusiveness, ogility, cleverness
HAWK - Perception, Focus, protection
MOUSE - Innocence, faith, trust
EAGLE - High ideals, spiritual philosophy
HORSE - Stability, courage
RABBIT - faith, nurturance
JAGUAR - shamanic wisdom, focused power
DEER - physical pacing, body awareness
RAVEN - Inner journeys, dreams
OWL - symbolic wisdom, shadow work
MOUNTAIN LION - Strength, elusiveness
ZODIACAL
TOTEM LISTING
Among traditional Native Americans and other tribal
peoples, totems are the enduring animal symbols that allow these
people to explore the mysteries of life and the spirit world. From the
graceful Antelope to the aggressive Cougar to the wise and peaceful Turtle,
each animal embodies certain strengths and attributes that the spiritual
seeker can embrace and follow on the path of self-exploration.
Here, we attempt to offer the tools you need to tap into the power
of sacred animal
totems by finding our own personal symbol and experiencing its
energy firsthand.
Among the Medicine teachings of the Native Americana, the totem
represents the physical form of
one's spirit helper, his or her guardian or guide. We can all profit
from the personal empowerment
that can be derived from connecting with the cultural experiences
of our ancestors and becoming one
with our own unique cosmic pasts and memories. This memory takes
the form of our spiritual helper.
It can guide usto the spirit world, and show us the living images
there. We can then return to the
physical world and employ these powerful images to enrich our life,
our art, and our personal
relationships.
HAWK
Keynote: Visionary Power and Guardianship
Cycle of Power: Spring and Fall
Equinoxes -
New Moon
Hawks are one of the most intriguing and mystical of the birds
of prey. They are the
messengers, the protectors, and the visionaries of the air. Hawks
and owls have the
keenest eyes of all the raptors.
Hawks vary in size, appearance, and environments. There are so
many different species
that it is sometimes difficult to tell them apart. There are marsh
hawks, forest hawks, sea
hawks and prairie hawks. The environment in which your hawk is
found will tell you much
about how its energies are likely to manifest within your life.
Even when people cannot tell one hawk from another, they can recognize
it is a member of
the hawk family. All hawks are impressive and stir the imagination.
Their hunting ability,
their eyesight, and their powerful flights and other behaviors
are dynamic symbols.
In most raptors, the colors of the male and female of the same
species are very similar. It is
almost always the female who is larger though. This has much to
do with the fact that the
mother guards the nest. Many hawks mate for life, the re-tailed
hawk being one example.
The length of time that mated birds stay together is often determined
by the number of
seasons they spend raising the young.
An examination of the specific species of hawk and its behaviors
will reveal much. For
example, an osprey is sometimes referred to as a "fish hawk", based
upon its primary diet.
This magnificent bird is often mistaken for an eagle because of
its nearly all white head, but
it is the only large hawk that is clear white underneath. It is
most numerous in coastal
regions, as if its white breast reflects the white foam of the
waters in which it hunts. Other
examples are the Cooper's hawk, the goshawk and the sharp-shinned
hawk who feed
frequently on other birds. Although they eat rodents and such,
most of their food is
feathered. This reflects the old idea that what you eat, you become.
We do not have the space to explore all the characteristics of
every hawk, but we will
examine one species more closely. That species is the most numerous
member of the hawk,
the red-tailed. It is named for the distinctive coloring on its
tail feathers. Only the mature
red-tails have this coloring. The immature also have lighter colored
eyes, distinguishing
them from their more mature relatives.
The red tail is very symbolic. It has ties to the kundalini, the
seat of the primal life force. In
the human body it is associated with the base chakra, located in
the base of the spine, the
coccyx or tail-bone. Those who have a red-tailed hawk as a totem
will be working with the
kundalini. It can also reflect that this bird becomes a totem in
your life only after the
kundalini has been activated. It can also reflect that the childhood
visions are becoming
empowered and fulfilled. It may pop up as a totem at that point
in your life where you begin
to move toward your soul purpose more dynamically.
The red-tailed hawk is a member of the buteo family of the soaring
hawks. The ability to
soar and glide upon the currents is part of what hawk can teach.
Although it is a part of this
species, it is most often seen perched on treetops and utility
posts, using its phenomenal
eyesight to locate prey. It teaches how to fly to great heights
while still keeping your feet
on the ground.
Hawks are occasionally harassed and attacked by smaller birds.
This is very significant for
those of you who have a hawk as a totem. It indicates that there
are likely to be attacks by
people who won't understand you or the varied and different uses
of your creative energy.
They may attack your ability to soar.
The red-tailed hawk is usually a permanent resident in an area,
although occasionally it
may migrate. This permanency reflects that as a totem, this hawk
will be with you
permanently once it shows up.
Although incorrectly called a "chicken hawk", the red-tailed feeds
mostly on rabbits,
rodents, and snakes. It has an adaptable diet which has helped
it to survive. The red-tailed
was often accused of and shot for killing chickens when in reality
it was one of the bird
hawks, such as a cooper's hawk.
It is generally accepted that red-tails mate for life. Both the
male and female help care for
the young. Two to three eggs are laid in the spring. They vigorously
defend their nests
against any intruders. They cling to their home territories for
years. And they can live up to
14 years in the wild.
This "14" is significant. The 14th card in the tarot deck is the
card for Temperance. This is
the card that represents the teaching of higher expressions of
psychism and vision. It can
be used in the development of astral projection - new flights out
of the body. It has ties to
the activation of your vital energies (kundalini), and the bold
expression of it. It is tied to
the archetypal forces that teach beauty and harmony in moderation.
It holds the keys to
higher levels of consciousness.
Rising to a higher level can bring a rapid development of the psychic
energies. The
red-tailed hawk helps us in balancing and using those senses appropriately.
It teaches the
balance necessary to discover our true purpose in life. If you
have a red-tailed hawk as a
totem, meditation on the 14th tarot card will help you to see how
this hawk will lead you to
use your creative energy in manifesting your soul purpose.
The red of the red-tail reflects a greater intensity of energy
at play within your life. It
reflects an intensity of physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual
forces. This bird is the
catalyst, stimulating hope and new ideas. It reflects a need to
be open to the new or shows
you ways that you may help teach others to be open to the new.
To the Pueblo, the red-tailed hawk was known as red eagle. Its
feathers and energies were
used in healing ceremonies and for bringing the rains and waters
necessary for life. To the
Ojibwa, the red-tailed hawk represented leadership, deliberation
and foresight. "Hawk is
akin to Mercury, the messenger of the gods. Hawk medicine teaches
you to be observant...
Life is sending you signals". The red-tail can spread its wings
to a great width, and it can
teach you to use your creative energies in the same way. It can
extend the vision of your
life.
The beak and the talons are always commented upon by observers.
They are the most
striking features of any hawk, especially the red-tail. It is a
fearless bird. It will even take
on poisonous snakes. It has scaled legs to help protect it against
poisonous bites, and
immediately upon grasping its snake prey, it tears off the head.
Because of the strong energy (the intensified life-force) activated
by this totem, an
individual with it must be careful in how they express themselves.
There will unfold within
you the ability to tear off the heads of any snakes in your life,
or anyone or anything seen
as an enemy. Your comments and actions will be like the hawk's
beak and talons - strong
and powerful, but with a capability to tear and/or kill.
The feathering of the red-tail actually has two phases. Both of
these are significant to
anyone with this totem. Its feathering is a little lighter during
the summer and darker during
the winter. The lighter is often symbolic of more joyful and sociable
kinds of energies. The
darker phases can reflect a time to be alone or to withdraw a little.
The red-tail and its color
phases also help us to guard against blazing so brightly and intensely
that we get burnt out.
The sky is the realm of the hawk. Through its flight it communicates
with humans and with
the great creator spirit. It awakens our vision and inspires us
to a creative life purpose.
CHANT
Soaring, gliding, wind current riding,
Hawk of wisdom, creativity,
Seeking, hover, bright Sun-lover,
Bring inspiration now to me.
Bear
INTROSPECTION
The strength of Bear medicine is the power of introspection. It
lies in the
West on the great medicine wheel of life. Bear seeks honey, or
the
sweetness
of truth, within the hollow of an old tree. In the winter, when
the Ice
Queen reigns and the face of death is upon the Earth, Bear enters
the
womb-cave to hibernate, to digest the year's experience. It is
said that
our
goals reside in the West also. To accomplish the goals and dreams
that we
carry; the art of introspection is necessary.
To become like Bear and enter the safety of the womb-cave, we must
attune
ourselves to the energies of the Eternal Mother, and receive nourishment
from the placenta of the Great Void. The Great Void is the place
where all
solutions and answers live in harmony with the questions that fill
our
realities. If we choose to believe that there are many questions
to life,
we
must also believe that the answers to these questions reside within
us.
Each
and every being has the capacity to quiet the mind, enter the silence,
and
know.
Many tribes have called this space of inner-knowing the Dream Lodge,
where
the death of the illusion of physical reality overlays the expansiveness
of
eternity. It is in the Dream Lodge that our ancestors sit in Council
and
advise us regarding alter-native pathways that lead to our goals.
This is
the power of Bear. The female receptive energy that for centuries
has
allowed visionaries, mystics, and shamans to prophesy is contained
in this
very special Bear energy. In India, the cave symbolizes the cave
of Brahma.
Snake
TRANSMUTATION
Snake medicine people are very rare. Their initiation involves
experiencing
and living through multiple snake bites, which allows them to transmute
all
poisons, be they mental, physical, spiritual, or emotional. The
power of
snake medicine is the power of creation, for it embodies sexuality,
psychic
energy~ alchemy, reproduction, and ascension (or immortality).
The transmutation of the life death-rebirth cycle is exemplified
by the
shedding of Snake's skin. It is the energy of wholeness, cosmic
consciousness, and the ability to experience anything willingly
and without
resistance. It is the knowledge that all things are equal in creation,
and
that those things which might be experienced as poison can be eaten,
ingested, integrated, and transmuted if one has the proper state
of mind.
Thoth, the Atlantian who later returned as Hermes and was the father
of
alchemy, used the symbology of two snakes intertwining around a
sword to
represent healing. Complete understanding and acceptance of the
male and
female within each organism creates a melding of the two into one1
thereby
producing divine energy.
This medicine teaches you on a personal level that you are a universal
being. Through accepting all aspects of your life, you can bring
about the
transmutation of the fire medicine. This fire energy, when functioning
on
the material plane, creates passion, desire, procreation, and physical
vitality. On the emotional plane, it becomes ambition, creation,
resolution,
and dreams. On the mental plane it becomes intellect, power, charisma,
and
leadership. when this Snake energy reaches the spiritual plane,
It becomes
wisdom, understanding, wholeness, and connection to the Great Spirit.
Wolf
Canis Lupus
Much maligned throughout history, the wolf is a shy creature which would
prefer to have little to do with humans. Certainly it is not the vicious
marauder of faery tales and fables. Perhaps people fear the Wolf because
of the way he calls to them. His howl in the night raises the hackles of
our
souls and calls us awake and wondering. Perhaps what we fear is not the
wolf, but the wildness in ourselves.
Like humans, wolves live in a communal structure. The pack has a strict
heirarchy, with the alpha male and female leading the pack. The beta
wolves do not breed, but instead care for the pups of the alpha male and
female. At the bottom of the heirarchy is the Omega wolf, the scapegoat,
who is bullied, and who often goes without when food is scarce.
Wolves hunt in a cooperative technique that served as a model for many
"primitive" tribes who watched them. Pack members take turns chasing
the prey, in a "tag team" manner so that they can exhaust their prey long
before themselves.
As with most animals who live in social groups, wolves have evolved a
variety of ways to communicate. The communicate through an evocative
mix of body postures, facial expression and tail stances as well as through
vocal means -- yelps, whines, growls. And they howl. And incredible
hair-raising, spirit wakening sound. The howl is used to help locate
members, establish territorial boundaries, strenghten group unity, and
dare I suggest -- worship the Moon.
With the exception of Alaska and Canada, where wolves are abundant,
and Montana, where wolves are only considered "threatened", wolves are
an endangered species throughout North America.
Wolf Energy
In Native American traditions, Wolf is said to be "teacher" medicine.
Humans have followed Wolf for millenia, studying Wolf's ways of the hunt,
learning from their social structure. Wolf is alied with Sirus, the Dog
Star,
and it is said in many cultures, that our ancestors and teachers came from
there. This is agreed upon by Austrailian Aboriginees, and the Dogon tribe
of Africa, as well as certain Native American tribes. Wolf has much to
teach us, if only we will listen.
Wolf is allied to the moon and lunar energies, teaching us to respect our
emotions and unconscious urges. Respect for the wildness of our animal
natures, and willingness to face the dark within ourselves is an imperative
for Wolf people. Trust in the unspoiled nature of your Child/Wolf self.
Because the Moon rules psychic perception, Wolf people should work on
learning to trust their intuition and psychic urges, to listen for the
still
small voice within.
The communal nature of Wolf's culture and hunting helps us to learn to
cooperate to acheive a goal. Wolf people make good "team players" and
are fiercely loyal to those they consider part of their pack. They often
have strong leadership qualities, however they must often learn to balance
their tendency for "social dominancing." As a predator, Wolf culls the
sick
and weak of the herd. Wolves are often quick to scent when a situation
is
"sick," and will work to change it. It is important that they learn to
lead
the situation gently, and without tearing others apart, or the pack may
turn
on them.
Wolf's capacity for communication suggests that Wolf people should learn
to utilize the strength of their voice and to be aware of their body
language. When dealing with Wolf people, listening for the nuances of
vocal tone and watching their motions will help in gaining an understanding
of them. Wolves often make excellent bards and storytellers.
Ritual is very important to Wolf. Both the little rituals of day-to-day
conduct, and the bigger rituals of lunar howling. Whatever their spiritual
beliefs, Wolf people will feel more in tune when they honor and re-link
(the
actual meaning of the word "religion") with the life force.
Connecting with Wolf
To bring Wolf energy into your life, try some of these exercises:
Water (Emotional):
Write poetry or draw pictures of wolves
Hang pictures of wolves around your house or work area.
Wear wolf jewelry. See our Wolf Rings
Go for walks in the woods. Lift your head and howl at the Moon. (Note:
If
you live in a wolf-populated area, howling should be done rarely, as by
listening to humans howl, wolves learn to sound like humans, and forget
the correct wolf-way to do it.)
Air (Mental):
Read books about wolves. (see our Bookstore)
Utilize your voice. Work at mellowing your vocal tone, and take note of
the way that your tones affect the way people hear you. You may even
want to take vocal lessons.
Tell stories
Fire (Dynamic):
Teach someone something you have learned.
Learn something from someone.
Play tag. Sniff out a situation you don't like, and DO something about
it.
Participate and cooperate with others.
Earth (Physical):
Eat venison, one of Wolf's favorite foods.
Wear moonstone, and other lunar stones. (For more info on Moonstone,
see our page on the Magickal Properties of Gemstones).
Let your hair grow.
Spirit
Make up a simple daily (or nightly) ritual that makes you feel closer to
your spiritual self. Use any motions, noises, words and props that you
feel
comfortable with.
Join in group ritual with others. This can be as simple as a sing-along,
or
as complex as high church rite or magickal ritual. Go with whatever feels
right for you.
Eagle
Family Accipitridae
Throughout history and and across many cultures, Eagle has been seen as
a symbol of strength, feocity, vision and endurance. Mythology abounds
with tales of Eagle, from the Native American's Thunderbird to Eagle
which tore at the liver of Greek Prometheus, to Llew Law Gyfes, who
transformed into an Eagle to escape his enemies. This great bird has also
come to be the symbol of several nations, such as the Double-Headed
Eagle of Poland and the American Eagle. (Over the objections of Ben
Franklin, who supported the Turkey as the national bird.)
Eagles are renowned for their superior vision. The wedge tailed eagle can
see twice as well as a human. The rods and cones of their eyes are
concentrated in the top portion of their eyes, so that their best vision
is
from above, looking down. They must actually turn thier heads upside
down to view the sky above. As with other raptors, a protective shelf
above their eyes helps to shadow their vision from the sun.
Attacking in a swift dive, which can reach speeds of up to 100 m.p.h.,
eagles grasp their prey in long talons. Bald eagles subsist mainly on fish
and waterfowl, while the golden eagle's diet tends toward rabbits and other
rodents. Generally their prey is smaller than they, however a South
American harpy eagle was seen carrying a 13 lb sloth, and a bald eagle
was once recorded as carrying a mule 15 lb mule deer fawn. Bald eagles
will also steal food from ospreys and other birds.
Eagles are not social animals, and the main family group is generally the
breeding pair. They build nests high in trees or on the edges of cliffs.
Bald
eagles return to the same nest every year, adding sticks each time. The
largest recorded nest was 9.5 ft wide, 20 ft deep and weighed over 2.9
tons. Although eagles usually lay a clutch of 2 or 3 eggs, often only one
is
raised. Hatching over a couple days time, the smaller, younger chicks
often starve, or are killed by their larger nest mates. Because of this,
eagle poplulations are slow to grow, and slow to bounce back from
ecological threats.
Many species of eagles are presently considered threatened or
endangered. The bald eagle popluation was nearly whiped out (down to
700 known breeding pairs in 1974 in the contiguous 48 states). Since the
ban of various pesticides including DDT, and severe laws concerning
poaching and nest disturbance, they have climbed to a present number of
4,500 breeding pairs. Presently the Harpy Eagle of South America and the
Philippines eagle are considered extremely endangered as well.
Eagle Energy
Because of his high flight, Eagle has been seen as a symbol of divinity
among many cultures. To the Greeks he symbolized Zeus, father of wind
and lightning; while the Native Americans see him as connection to Great
Spirit. Eagle teaches us that we have the ability to soar to great heights
if
only we will find the courage to do so. Once we dare to reach, we find
that
the upcurrents and thermals of the Universe will support us. Through
Eagle we learn that the joy and freedom we gain through reaching for the
Sun is worth the fear of singed feathers.
From his great height, Eagle's view of what is possible becomes broader,
his horizons more limitless. Eagle people are may often seem apart from
the crowd, where thier perspective can give them a better view of the big
picture. Their broader perception gives them an inherent understanding
of
what must be done, and that in nature, the greatest mercy is often a swift
kill.
However, Eagle's beak is swift and tearing, and Eagle people should
remember that others view of the situation may be limited and to temper
their words so that they do not cut others apart. It is important to learn
that there is a time for force and a time for gentleness. There may also
be
a need to work at releasing past and repressed angers, so that the heart
is
lighter and can soar to greater heights.
Eagle's talons are strong and fierce. Those with Eagle medicine should
be
willing to grasp opportunity as it comes. To dive towards what they deem
necessary or helpful.
The feathers of the Eagle are said to hold great cleansing and healing
power. Legend also tells that the Eagle would undergo a Phoenix-like
rejuvenation by flying close to the Sun and burning away its feathers,
then
bathing in clear water and be reborn. Eagle medicine teaches us to work
towards releasing past hurts by embracing our inner core self -- the Sun
at
our heart, and by being willing to accept our emotions and heal. For those
working Eagle there is a need for purification; willingness to embrace
the
creative Child Self at our core; and courage to let the processes of growth
move through our lives.
Eagle thrives best in an environment of quiet isolation. Eagle people
should be certain to make space in their lives for alone-time.
Though a creature of the air, Eagle has strong associations in all
elemental realms. He soars toward the sun (Fire) and yet purifies in a
lake, according to legend (Water) -- also, the Bald Eagle lives near water
& dines on fish -- and eats of the creatures of Earth. The strength
of his
legs, far stronger than most birds, also speak of a need for grounding
and
Earth association. Through this, we understand that the journey to our
Higher Self is an alchemical process wherein the greatest growth will
occur when there is balance in all dimensions.
Connecting with Eagle
To bring Eagle energy into your life, try some of these
exercises:
Water (Emotional):
Write poetry or draw pictures of eagles
Hang pictures of eagles around your house or work area.
Wear eagle jewelry. See our Eagle Rings
Go flying, especially in a small plane, or hangglider -- or go skydiving.
Wear, or decorate your favorite items with "eagle" feathers -- turkey
feathers that have been dyed brown at the tips. Spread your arms out and
run and dance and spiral, pretending to be a bird. If you're worried about
acting silly, keep going till it feels fun! (Preferably do this out of
doors,
where you won't bump into furniture.)
Air (Mental):
Read books about eagles. (see our Bookstore)
Meditate, opening yourself to your higher wisdom.
Spend a day being conscious of your words before you speak.
Practice stepping back from a situation and trying to see the greater
picture.
Fire (Dynamic):
Practice courage -- do something your're afraid to do.
Grasp an opportunity that comes your way.
Preen your feathers a bit -- take note of where you have been courageous
and be willing to praise yourself.
Earth (Physical):
Eat fish or rabbit, Eagle's favorite foods.
Wear blue and indigo colored stones (sky) for communication (such as
sapphire) or golden stones (fire) like topaz and citrine, for courage and
strength of will. (For more info on stone lore, see our page on the Magickal
Properties of Gemstones).
Have your eyesight checked to make sure your physical vision is up to
par.
Reduce pesticide use which can cause harm to Eagles and other birds. See
below for a link on pesticides.
Receiving
your Animal Totem during a Simulated Vision Quest
For an incredibly thorough, sizeable, and well written list of Totems,
click on the two wolves.
