What is a Totem Animal?
In essence, animal totems are symbolic objects that are generally used to get in touch with certain qualities that you may already possess, but are hidden. These qualities are found within the particular totem animal, and often, you will feel a specific affinity for the animal totem, but this is not always the case.
It is possible to have several animal totems at different points in your life, as there are several types of totems. Totem animals will come into your life when you need them, and then be replaced when their assistance is no longer required. The direction your life takes will determine which totem animals you attract. These ‘animal guides’ will instruct and protect you, and will guide you back to your natural state of being. That is, they will help you to find the person you were meant to be. However, before they can do this, you must know who your totem animal is.
How Can I Discover My Animal Guide?
Some people know instinctively which animal is their totem without any guidance. Most people do not. If you fall into the latter category, there are several questions you can ask yourself to determine which animal might be your guide at this moment. Remember that your animal guide can change, so revisit these questions whenever you feel the need to.
- Which animal do you feel most resonates with you? In other words, which animal are you most drawn to?
- When you go to your local zoo, which animal do you always insist on seeing?
- Is there an animal that you frequently see in your life with no logical reason? For example, do you see a squirrel every time you turn around?
- If you could only research a single animal, which animal would you choose to research?
- Is there any animal that you find particularly frightening or intriguing?
- When you dream, does the same animal seem to present itself?
Search Yourself For Clues to Your Animal Totem
The answers to these questions may not yield any particular results. For some people, the answers will lead them to believe that they have several totem animals. For example, it is possible that you feel attracted to cats, want to see the monkeys at the zoo, see many squirrels around your house, love to research bears, and are terrified of spiders. Maybe you are also intrigued by horses, and see tigers in your dreams.
It is unlikely that all of these will be your totems all at the same time (though it is possible that they will all eventually have their parts to play). In this case, you’ll want to do some additional searching to find your totem animal. There are some exercises you can do to help you discover your animal guide, but you must never try to force an animal guide to come. They will sense this and avoid you.
This exercise takes patience, but it does eventually work for most people. Start by considering your answers to the pervious questions. Make a list of the animals on that list, and add any animal that has played a significant role in your life at any point. Look around your personal space and see if you have pictures or carvings of specific animals around you.
Start an animal journal. In this journal, record any animal that shows up in your life more than once. Your pet cat doesn’t count, because the cat will obviously be in your life. See if a stray cat sits outside your door frequently. Perhaps ravens gather outside your window. Maybe that hawk just will not get out of your dreams. Add these animals to your list.
Sit quietly and meditate upon your list. Ask that your true totem animal be revealed to you. If you feel the need, use incense, candles, or any other tools you feel comfortable with. Take your time and commit yourself to finding your totem animal.
Be patient when attempting to connect to your animal guide. There are many different types of totems out there, so it may take a while for your own totem to make itself known. Repeat your meditation over and over again until you are successful.
When you do eventually find your animal totem, make sure you honor the animal in question. Fill your space with pictures, paintings, of sculptures of your animal. Perhaps wear a pendant representing your totem. You might even want to have the animal itself in your home, assuming that your totem isn’t something exotic. Your animal totem should be respected as a friend, teacher, and guide.
The answers to these questions may not yield any particular results. For some people, the answers will lead them to believe that they have several totem animals. For example, it is possible that you feel attracted to cats, want to see the monkeys at the zoo, see many squirrels around your house, love to research bears, and are terrified of spiders. Maybe you are also intrigued by horses, and see tigers in your dreams.
It is unlikely that all of these will be your totems all at the same time (though it is possible that they will all eventually have their parts to play). In this case, you’ll want to do some additional searching to find your totem animal. There are some exercises you can do to help you discover your animal guide, but you must never try to force an animal guide to come. They will sense this and avoid you.
This exercise takes patience, but it does eventually work for most people. Start by considering your answers to the pervious questions. Make a list of the animals on that list, and add any animal that has played a significant role in your life at any point. Look around your personal space and see if you have pictures or carvings of specific animals around you.
Start an animal journal. In this journal, record any animal that shows up in your life more than once. Your pet cat doesn’t count, because the cat will obviously be in your life. See if a stray cat sits outside your door frequently. Perhaps ravens gather outside your window. Maybe that hawk just will not get out of your dreams. Add these animals to your list.
Sit quietly and meditate upon your list. Ask that your true totem animal be revealed to you. If you feel the need, use incense, candles, or any other tools you feel comfortable with. Take your time and commit yourself to finding your totem animal.
Be patient when attempting to connect to your animal guide. There are many different types of totems out there, so it may take a while for your own totem to make itself known. Repeat your meditation over and over again until you are successful.
When you do eventually find your animal totem, make sure you honor the animal in question. Fill your space with pictures, paintings, of sculptures of your animal. Perhaps wear a pendant representing your totem. You might even want to have the animal itself in your home, assuming that your totem isn’t something exotic. Your animal totem should be respected as a friend, teacher, and guide.
Exceptional post but I was wanting to know if you could write a litte more
ReplyDeleteon this subject? I'd be very thankful if you could elaborate a little bit further.
Bless you!