The word Animal is derived from the Latin Animalis which the root is "Anima" the soul or breath of life. The English word "totem" was first known and used around 1776 and originally come from the Anishinaabe word odoodeman or the Ojibwe oto•te•man, which means "consanguine kin" or a "kinship group of familial relationships". Countries such as Australia, Asia, Africa, Europe and The Americas all had forms of animal totem connections and still continue to today. Whatever terminology is used for these animal partnerships, the totem represented the connection and relationship as a symbolic expression to the clan and individuals who adapt the animal energy for spiritual guidance and insight. Regardless of culture, the variety of animal totem terminologies around the world, reflect our sacred kinship with animals which pervades linguistics.
Animals emanate the breath of our lives by showing us certain qualities and behaviors that we should 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 or sometimes called yin/yang energy or polarities. Subsequently, Carl Jung's concept of male/female in the "collective unconscious" concept is animus/anima respectively. Is it through the archetypal energy that we are able to communicate with this collective unconscious a gateway to our true selves. Animal wisdom emits these fundamental truths if we are willing to learn and understand their language. As humans we can learn and remember our connection to animals and the knowledge that inextricable links us with them. Nature is an amazing teacher that breathes new life into our spirit.
Our knowledge and connection to the animals have expanded considerably over the last few decades. Since there is widespread knowledge at our fingertips spanning the globe, personal animal associations have become broadly adapted to animals from other regions. Animal symbology has progressed beyond cultural and national boundaries to encompass a broad spectrum of animals over many continents. In this new age of knowledge, power animals are not subject to nor can they belong to one culture. Our animal kin speak to our hearts and souls from across the land to guide and instruct our personal pathway. Animal Totems should not be looked at only as symbols but rather as a way of life, as a way of being connected to The Great Mystery.
Depending on the various worldwide traditions, one may have a set number of animal totems present in one's life. Of the vast array of animal species in the world, biologists think between 2 and 50 million, our symbolic references to the animals is likewise exponential, especially in this digital age. Perhaps there is no real fixed number of animal archetypes after all. The key is not in the counting of the animal guides but more importantly learning from each over our lifetime. Depending on the spiritual tradition if you reach the limited number of animal totems within that belief, the mind may close to additional animal guides which would be an opportunity potentially lost. There are millions of opportunities to learn if we are only open.
As with any human relationship, we need to understand the language of the animal partner in order to fully understand it. Listening is approximately 85% of a conversation. In humans, when we listen, actually listen to every word and meaning the person is saying, we come to understand minute details that are important to that person. The same applies likewise within the animal kingdom. Communication and interaction strengthen and empower the union between animal worlds and ourselves.
Learning of your personal animal totem(s) will give you a greater sense of appreciation of your own connections to all life. In human relationships, it may also help to understand the significance of that person's spirit animal(s) and how it interacts with your animal totem(s). When you acknowledge the other dynamic energies that play a part of the relationship it will help you better understand the dynamics of the relationship as a whole. This understanding can enhance and create a lasting foundation in all that you do. Listening to the animals around you will teach you something about yourself.
By recognizing and acknowledging animal totems as you see them, the energy working in your life will increase. You will start to notice your personal power animal(s) everywhere you go, in books, magazines and postcards, in nature, in dreams and visions. By surrounding yourself with totem images you connect with the animal and the energy and wisdom it imparts.
Your awareness will abound. Here follows a basic guideline to finding your special animal.
Which animals have always fascinated you, especially in childhood?
Which animals have you always felt connected to?
What animals do you see frequently in the wild?
Which quality of animal best describes your personality?
Which animals do you have around you in pictures or figurines?
There appears to be a line that is shadowed a bit by the multiple definitions of Spirit Guide, Secondary Totem, General Totem, Shadow Totem, and Life Guide etc. etc. Definitions change depending on beliefs and cultures. This can be quite overwhelming for some. Please don't let definitions hinder what you think, feel and intuit about the 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. The big question seems to be - how do you know which is which and what is what? You will know by experience, trust the animal to tell you. This is part of the communication process. 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. ALL the animals, including us are connected; there are no "lines" of separation - only separation by levels of awareness.
For spiritual totems or an overall natural one, it is wise to study the habits of the animal in its surroundings, what it eats, where it sleeps, how it moves, including the gestation and life cycle, this will help you recognize what it is telling you to apply to your life.
When you come across an animal that is not normally seen around you. Take notice. If a bird is constantly vocal outside your window, listen and watch. A deer or a rabbit strays into your yard, listen and watch. After a while you will know and understand what the animals are trying to tell you. It is understood that there may be a variety of animals around you every day. However, it is the subtle awareness, the nuances, which allow you to listen what is being said.
You can also take note of dreams and visions: the same properties apply in this realm as in the dream realm. Often times a Spirit Guide will show you things and teach you in a way you can comprehend for the moment. Be aware of the animals, for there is no separation between the physical and spiritual as they are one.
Some subtleties of the animal totems that you need to be aware of are as follows.
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?
Also the number of animals is relevant to all of the above relationships. That will further guide you in understanding.
credit: Robin Baker
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