Animals and Familiars
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Power animals are & are not a part of the Wiccan or Witchcraft Traditions. They are used by Native Americans, Shamans & other tribal organizations & traditions. Covens usually have a totem animal that is only known to those within the group.
In the Astral, you can merge with your totem & become the animal with your own intelligence intact. This is called Shapeshifting.
There are two ways you can meet your power animal in the astral plane & discover which animal medicine is right for you. First, you could write & perform a ritual to call the essence of the animal that would suit you best & assist you in your present magickal workings. If you are not comfortable with the ritual format you can go into the familiar meditative state, walk through the astral forest & meet the animal.
When the first technique is used, that of the ritual, you will most likely see the animal in its natural form. There may be a synchronistic conversation where the topic is of the animal, or you find a book about the animal, etc. When you catch that first glimpse of that particular medicine, you will know it in your heart.
If you meet the animal in the meditative state, converse with it. Anything is possible in the astral, right? So ask questions & get to know your new partner.
If you have seen the animal after a ritual, plan sometime to go into the meditative state to cement your relationship & get to know the animal & the essence it represents.
Now that you've got the animal, what do you do with it? Power animals are great advice givers, often representing our higher selves that we haven't been paying attention to lately. In a meditative state you can ask for their assistance on problems that have been nagging at you. At times, two power animals can work in conjunction with each other, as long as they want to. Silver has had some truly interesting & fruitful conversations with hers.
Power animals can assist you in the waking state as well. Perhaps you are trying to teach someone a particular theme & they are having difficulty understanding. Ask wolf for assistance; she is the great teacher.
Remember the old adages: clever as a fox, strong as an ox, etc.? Perhaps you need camouflage - then ask Brother Fox for assistance. If you seek wisdom, ask the Eagle. the Lynx knows the art of keeping secrets & the Swan guides one into dreamtime. The Panther is a good protective animal, though she does have a sarcastic, laid back nature.
Power animals are not limited to mammals. The reptilian & insect kingdoms can be just as helpful. Children can also be taught to work with animals & have a great ideal of success with them.
Dragonfly tells us how to break through illusions & how to gain power through our dreams & goals. She teaches higher aspiration.
The act of honoring an animal is not an act of worship, but is the acknowledgment of their power & their being as brothers & sisters of the entire universe. The energy of the animals, birds & other creatures that assist us should be honored. For too long, we have subjugated these creatures who are our equals in the system of the Universe. The Native Americans leave tobacco as a gift, scattered on the ground. You could also burn incense in honor of the animal. When honoring - leave a gift of some sort. A crystal or gem on your altar is also a lovely gift.
An Animal Totem is an important symbolic object used by a person to get in touch with specific qualities found within an animal which the person needs, connects with, or feels a deep affinity toward. One can have several animal guides through out life. Sometimes an animal guide will come into one’s life for a short period of time, and then be replaced by another depending on the journey or direction one is headed toward. Our guide will instruct and protect us as we learn how to navigate through our spiritual and mundane life. When one finds an animal which speaks strongly to
them or feel they must draw more deeply into their lives, they fill their environment with images of the animal to let the animal know they are welcome in the person’s space. Animal guides can help us get back to our Earthly roots, and reconnect with nature by reminding us we are all interconnected. To first do this we need to know what our Animal Totem is.
Although bears are thought to be ferocious carnivores, they are actually quite playful and eat less meat than some smaller animals -- supplementing their diets with plants and fruit. Bears are astonishingly swift for their size, running 35-40 mph in short distances.
The most common bear is the black bear. This name can be misleading since some black bears are various shades of brown. The Grizzly is most famous for its ferocious strength but is not aggressive by nature. The largest bear is the Alaskan Brown
Bear who is a relatively solitary animal. The "cute" Polar Bear is the most aggressive of all bears -- the best hunter and the most dangerous.
Bear teaches us to respect our natural hibernation cycles. Just as Bear rests during winter and reawakens during spring, we need spaces of rest and rejuvenation. Bear calls us to awaken the potential within ourselves and the power of our unconscious mind. Bear reminds us there is a time for playfulness and a time to be assertive.
The most familiar bee is the bumblebee which has a large hairy body, and a long reddish hairy tongue to soak up nectar. On their hind legs, pollen sticks to the combs and brushes located on their body which is then stored in a pollen basket otherwise known as a honeystomach. To fill this sack a bee must suck nectar from 60 flowers.
The males are known as drones and play no part in the organization of the colony. It is the queen and workers (their daughters) which create the complex social structures they live in.
These bees may have highly specialized functions such as defense, food collection, food storage, or reproduction.
Bee shows us we can accomplish what seems impossible by having dedication and working hard. It asks us to pursue our dreams with incredible focus and fertilize our aspirations. Bee teaches us to cooperate with others who have similar goals so we can learn how to help each other.
Buffalo's humped shoulders and horns indicate stored-up power. When threatened, buffalo create a defensive circle in which cows encircle the calves, and bulls encircle the cows. When provoked, buffalo can be unpredictably dangerous.
The Plains Indians hold the buffalo sacred. Tribes would offer prayers of gratitude both before a hunt and after a buffalo was killed to honor the spirit of the animal that provided them meat, shelter, and clothing.
Buffalo reminds us to give thanks for what we have, and pay
tribute to the sacrifice of life that allows us to survive. It comes to teach us to reconnect with the Earth, respect all life, and honor our own divine essence.
Butterfly spends the first part of its life crawling the earth, before metamorphosis leads it to spin a home for stasis (known as a cocoon). After transforming, Butterfly is reborn as various beautiful colored winged creatures of the air.
This insect is extremely sensitive to the Harmony of Earth, and is the first creature to leave a damaged ecology. Butterfly's graceful dancing-like appearance on flowers reminds us to find the joy in nature and make it a part of our life.
Butterfly enters our life as a messenger for change. If it comes to us hurt or ill, Butterfly asks us to stop keeping our joy at bay. It may take some time being alone with ourselves to listen to Butterfly’s gentle requests that we allow the natural transformation of things in our lives.
This cat goes by several names including Mountain Lion, Panther, and Puma. They are solitary cats who, unlike other cat species, are active during the day. They are also the most widely distributed cats in the Americas. These elusive hunters will pounce on their prey with a strong short burst of energy after studying its movements, never hesitating, showing none of its movement is wasted.
Cougar spirit will teach us to assert ourselves, and take control of our life so we can become leaders. Cougar’s graceful
swiftness shows us how to understand the natural flow of our environment and move into a position of leadership.
Coyotes, also known as the Desert Wolf, are recognizable by their thick bushy tail, pointy nose, and ears. In the winter their coat grows thick to protect them from the harsh weather. They can run up to 30 mph, and their call will be heard up to 3 miles. Coyotes can live in urban areas as long as food and shelter is available. They form loose family groups which form for short periods of time then break apart, depending on the food supply. This large group formation will work together to catch deer. Normally coyotes hunt alone or in pairs. In this situation, one may
intentionally chase small prey into the jaws of another coyote so they both can share a meal. A good way to tell a coyote apart from a wolf is its tail, which they carry low while the others carry their tails high.
Coyote teaches us to laugh at our mistakes so we won’t get mired in the pain of life’s lessons. Coyote comes into our lives when we need to understand the balance of wisdom and foolishness.
Deer is a keen observer, enabled to see well in low lighting and its sensitive hearing allows it to perceive a twig snap in the distance. For the first few days of life a fawn hardly moves, hidden by the color of its coat from predators. Once it can stand, it follows its mother around to learn how to survive. The graceful movement and gentle nature of these creatures show us the innocence of nature. Deer is a messenger of serenity, can see between shadows and hear what isn’t being said. Deer teaches us to maintain our innocence and gentleness so we can share our
open heartedness with others.
Dolphin is a beautiful, playful animal who’s freedom wanders. It lives in water but is actually a mammal that needs to breath air. It breathes air through a single nostril also known as a blowhole located on top of its head. Dolphin emerges from the water with a short explosive exhalation. Normally it reaches the surface every two minutes for air, but is capable of holding its breath for several minutes when making rapid deep dives. Dolphin is dependent on two totally different worlds.
Dolphin comes when we need to break emotional barriers and communicate truth. Dolphin will then guide us to find harmony by moving forward with our life.
If you want to make a deeper connection with your Animal Totem, fill your environment with images of the animal to let the animal know it is welcome in your space.
Dragonfly eggs are laid within their territory near the water. Once hatched, these nymphs will live nearly two years on the bottom of streams and ponds. As they reach adulthood an amazing thing occurs, they transform into dragonflies and ascend to the air. In the air, they travel with wings that sparkle with spectacular colors by reflecting and refracting light and other colors. No insect or bird can maneuver as well as a dragonfly. Flying up to 30 mph, they will twist, turn, move up and down, fly backwards, even change directions instantaneously and still will
spot movement 40 feet away.
The power of Dragonfly lies in its ability to see around things by looking from different angles. Using its ability to transform colors and lights by reflecting and refracting them, Dragonfly shows us that life, like light, can bend, shift, and adapt in various ways, making life’s appearance never be what it appears to be. Dragonfly’s magic shows us to see through life’s illusions and find our true vision. It calls us to transform within our lives and reminds us to feel deeply so we will have the compassion necessary to help ourselves and others.
If you want to make a deeper connection with your Animal Totem, fill your environment with images of the animal to let the animal know it is welcome in your space.
Ducks are the largest and most diverse group of waterfowl. Frequently males and females are colored differently, the males have brighter plumes, and have different vocal sounds. They prefer being in places where they are comfortable and will return to those places. They have a strong sense of community and are social.
Duck will remind us we sometimes need to return to the parts of ourselves that need to feel safe and comfortable. It also teaches us to be graceful when handling our emotions. Duck teaches us to drink sustenance from the waters of life.
If you want to make a deeper connection with your Animal Totem, fill your environment with images of the animal to let the animal know it is welcome in your space.
Eagles hunt with sight and sound, seeing eight times greater than humans because their eyes are closer to the front of their head. Their incredible sight and hearing makes them good at feeding themselves from the land while flying at great heights. They use their feathers as little winglets to reduce turbulence which increases lift. Eagles use there back talons to kill small prey while using their front three to grasp the prey securely. Their sharp beaks cut and tear while using their strong jaw muscles to crush their prey. Both males and females incubate the eggs. If humans
encroach on Eagles’ nests or touch them the Eagle will likely abandon it.
Native Americans send their prayers to Eagle, so as he rises above the chaos to meet the Creator and return, he will return with a vision for the people. Hence their feathers are considered great aids making spiritual contact in prayer with Eagle. Eagle shows us that people with high ideals need to be able to spread their wings so they can reach for the stars. As long as one follows their intuition they will be heading in the right direction. Eagle brings the gift of clarity of vision through you for you and for others. If you want to make a deeper connection with your Animal Totem, fill your environment with images of the animal to let the animal know it is welcome in your space.
Elk are seldom seen alone, preferring to live in large herds. This does not mean they don’t need some personal space. If they are cornered they will make full use of there magnificent antlers. They are known to fight aggressively with other elk for mating rights, and it is not uncommon for them to draw blood (or worst) over this matter. Nevertheless, they can be unpredictably passive one moment and aggressive the next. Their incredible stamina enables them to run for long periods of time, while their strong reflexes allow them quick response to anything in their path. They
never graze at night, and if the herd is attacked they will bolt in every direction to confuse the predator.
Elk’s regal demeanor reminds us if we are confident, we can claim our Empowerment. It teaches us to maintain and protect our selves by taking time out. Elk realizes it is important to remain closely connected with community, and being observant of subtle energies.
If you want to make a deeper connection with your Animal Totem, fill your environment with images of the animal to let the animal know it is welcome in your space.
Foxes are highly adaptable creatures who will move into urban surroundings when, their habitat is encroached on by humans. They maintain a territory, but it greatly decreases when they live in urban areas as opposed to hill country. Each territory is kept by one family group, which consists of a dog fox, vixen, and their cubs. If there is a good food supply than the family group can expand to include a few other adults. Nevertheless, only one vixen will produce cubs in the group. A vixen usually has four to five cubs at once who are born deaf and blind. The parents dig a den into the
Earth where the cubs stay until they are four weeks old. By then they are strong enough to go hunting with their mother. As for food, foxes are not too picky eating anything from earthworms, crabs, and fruit to small mammals. When foxes kill all the hens in a roost it's not because they go into a “blood lust”. They bury the excess prey to eat when the food supply is short.
Fox's cleaver nature makes it a master of camouflage. When hunted by hounds, Fox will psyche them out by doubling back on its own trail, and run around in circles to break the scent. It has the amazing ability to meld into the background, allowing it to quietly observe the situation around them. Foxes then find out how to outwit its predator or prey by moving in and out of predicament-causing confusion or creating order.
Fox comes to us when we need to slip out of a situation so we can be silent witness to what is really taking place behind the scenes. We need to use our cleverness to our advantage, but we must remember to be discreet. Fox asks us to carefully look at where we are coming from, so we can remember to approach things with a clear conscious.
If you want to make a deeper connection with your Animal Totem, fill your environment with images of the animal to let the animal know it is welcome in your space.
Frogs can jump 20 times their body size in one leap. As adults they breathe from their lungs and absorb oxygen through their moist skins. They use their tongues, which are covered in a sticky mucus, to catch prey. If they eat something poisonous they regurgitate their entire stomach. Tadpoles can live out of water as long as they remain moist. They will eat their own tails and it is absorbed as it grows into a frog. Frogs can be hypnotized by shining a light it both of their eyes or being placed on their back and having their stomach gently stroked.
Frog understands how stress can create a whirlwind of negative energies, and reminds us to refresh ourselves so we won’t get burnt out. It brings cleansing power through tears of sorrow or joy. Frog knows the importance of releasing our pains with a shower of cleansing water so we can transform into who we are meant to be.
If you want to make a deeper connection with your Animal Totem, fill your environment with images of the animal to let the animal know it is welcome in your space.
Hawks are predatory birds with remarkably sharp claws (talons) who’s size greatly varies within the 250 species. Female hawks are usually larger than the males. These raptors hunt during the day employing the use of their fierce talons to tear apart their prey. Most hawks live in prairies, marshlands, forests, or open savannas. In these habitats they use their acute vision to hunt their food and raise their offspring. Hawks are fearless birds who will face off with poisonous snakes if necessary.
Hawks piercing shriek tears through the air. In its shrill cry lies
an important message which represents illumination. Hawk teaches us to scope out the situation and focus on our talents, trying to draw them out for our use. Hawk learns to see the big picture to understand the past, present, and future. Hawk asks us to be observant of surroundings so we won’t get distracted from our path by others. It also reminds us not to get caught up in minor annoyances in order to maintain our inner balance.
If you want to make a deeper connection with your Animal Totem, fill your environment with images of the animal to let the animal know it is welcome in your space.
Herons stand silently in shallow water patiently studying fish, frogs, and crayfish movements. In one quick movement herons plunge their heads into the water and catch their prey. These birds will resolutely defend their feeding territories from other herons. Great Blue herons are the largest of the species in North America standing nearly 4 ft tall, and will live for as long as 23 years. These birds are opportunist eaters who’ll eat practically anything small enough to swallow. When nesting, herons create crude nests in trees out of sticks. If the nest doesn’t collapse in winter, they’ll
reuse the same nest only making necessary repairs.
In the past herons were killed for their feathers which were used to adorn people’s wardrobe and as cooking utensils. In 1900 the federal government passed the Lacey Act prohibiting the interstate and foreign commercial trade of feathers. By 1918 The Migratory Bird Treaty Act passed, enabling the federal government to set season and bag limits on hunting of waterfowl. Due to these two laws, the nearly extinct heron has returned in respectable numbers.
Heron's slow, deliberate manner produces a ceremonial aura, and displays the harmonious natural flow of being ourselves. Heron teaches us how to become comfortable in uncertain situations where we need to watch for an opportunity to arise and quickly grasp it. It calls us to take courage and follow our true path which will be discovered through exploring our inner selves, and finding what draws us to action.
If you want to make a deeper connection with your Animal Totem, fill your environment with images of the animal to let the animal know it is welcome in your space.
The horse was introduced to this continent by the Spanish, transforming this continent by providing its inhabitants with a freedom of movement and travel no other animal could provide. They pulled wagons and provided a speedy form of travel for the Natives. Because of the horse these people were now able to travel great distances along with their belongings.
Pegasus, Centaur and Unicorn are forms horses have taken throughout mythology. These magical creatures can see the essence of a man’s soul. Once wild horses where in the millions,
currently there are only a few hundred herds left. They were pushed off the land by humans and hunted for domestication. Despite domestication, their strong love of freedom has kept their spirit alive.
Horse represents freedom and power. Horse people are wild spirits that cannot be broken. If Horse comes to you, look for safe passage into the new. We must synchronize our motives with that of others so we can quickly and steadily reach our goals.
If you want to make a deeper connection with your Animal Totem, fill your environment with images of the animal to let the animal know it is welcome in your space.
Unlike other birds who gain flight power from the down-stroke, hummingbirds find much power in the upstroke as well. This allows them to flap their wings 50 times a second making it a blur. This is helpful since their feet can only be used for perching. Because their breathing, heart rate, and body temperature are so high, they must feed every 10 minutes, consuming 2/3 their body weight daily.
Hummingbird’s feathers are prized in many traditions, for their magical qualities. Hummingbird comes when we need to spend
time soaking in the love of nature so we can learn how to integrate joy into our lives.
If you want to make a deeper connection with your Animal Totem, fill your environment with images of the animal to let the animal know it is welcome in your space.
Lizards keen sense of vibrations from the ground, excellent hearing and sharp eyesight enables them to detect the slightest movement. One fascinating ability lizards have, is being able to break off their tails to escape predators. As their tail is writhing it distracts the predator so the lizard can make its escape. Unfortunately, a lizard can only do this once because the tail grows back cartilage instead of vertebrae.
In myths and lore, Lizard is associated with dreaming. Dreams awaken our unconscious mind and make us aware of issues
we haven't been ready to face in our conscious lives. Lizard appears when we need to analyze our present reality, and brings the message for immediate change in some area or areas of our life. This change can represent letting go of old ideas, or negative behaviors which endanger our growth.
If you want to make a deeper connection with your Animal Totem, fill your environment with images of the animal to let the animal know it is welcome in your space.
Though these animals appear awkward, they possess a gracefulness with which they move easily through deep snow and unstable terrain. Their excellent depth perception, and sense of hearing enable them to know when to camouflage themselves. This is an incredible feat since the adult male can stand 7 feet tall and weigh 1,200 pounds. These animals can be unpredictable by running away when it sees you, ignoring you, or mauling you.
Moose calves are born with their eyes open, and those with this totem are usually born with their inner eyes open. Moose uncovers
the depth of who you are and aligns you with your inherent wisdom. Moose teaches us to value ourselves and reward ourselves for a job well done. There is no reason to be egocentric when one knows their own value.
If you want to make a deeper connection with your Animal Totem, fill your environment with images of the animal to let the animal know it is welcome in your space.
The otters white whiskers have gained them the nickname of "Old Men of the Sea". As the smallest of all mammals, male otters grow to just over 4 feet long, including their tail. Sea otter babies are almost the same size as their mothers. Otters have huge appetites and will normally eat 5,000 pounds of food a year. Though they’ll eat any type of marine animal, they prefer the slower moving prey.
Otter brings understanding of our childlike self and asks us to rediscover our playful side. In its wisdom it advises us to
nurture our talents and make good use of them.
If you want to make a deeper connection with your Animal Totem, fill your environment with images of the animal to let the animal know it is welcome in your space.
Owls, which have been called cats with wings, are the silent hunters of the night. Their downy feathers and the front edge of their wings have a fringe which silences their flight. The wings are substantially bigger than their actual body making their slow smooth flight all the easier. These birds also have a third eyelid which moves from side to side to clean their vision. An owl’s eyes are fixed in the socket. To see in various areas, their incredibly flexible necks can rotate 270 degrees in any direction. Owl’s vision and hearing work harmoniously enabling them to eat their
body weight on a daily basis.
Owls know when to move silently and when to be still, which makes them the keepers of secrets. These solitary birds don’t feel the need to proclaim their presence to anyone until the timing is right. Owl comes to us when we need to open our eyes, and study the situation at hand. If we watch and listen with our inner selves we can figure out what is happening behind the scenes, and confront those who are trying to deceive us at the appropriate time.
If you want to make a deeper connection with your Animal Totem, fill your environment with images of the animal to let the animal know it is welcome in your space.
Rabbits normally live alone in the wild making there homes by burrowing underground. Rabbits are curious animals who like to explore their surroundings. They live on a few acres of land, and become familiar with ever square inch. They are territorial creatures who will fight over their piece of land. Their eyes can see in every direction, so they will watch a bird in the air while watching a predator on the ground. When aroused, their ears stand up. All these characteristics combined with their willingness to run away, are what rabbits use to defend themselves against
predators.
Rabbit is often connected with fear because they are timid and constantly on guard. Rabbit wants us to learn how to face our fear and know when to defend our space or walk away. It shows us that defending ourselves doesn’t always involve fighting back. Rabbit teaches us to listen carefully to what is going on in our environment so we can accurately use our intuition when in danger.
If you want to make a deeper connection with your Animal Totem, fill your environment with images of the animal to let the animal know it is welcome in your space.
Ravens are the largest songbirds in North America. Their bodies are covered in rich black plumage, which shines with an iridescent bluish color. Though often mistaken with crows, ravens are much larger and their croak is more raucous. Ravens are intelligent masters of mimicking the calls of other animals, and have also been known to mimic some human words. They are good at finding food and communicating with other ravens where food is located. It is their natural talent of recycling, which has gained these birds a bad rap. They do a good job cleaning up nature
by eating dead animals. Ravens further recycle by using the same nests year after year, and bringing in new materials for repairs if necessary. These birds build their nest in large trees or the sides of cliffs where they usually lay 4-5 eggs. They don’t wander far from where they were raised and will only get a new mate if one of the pair dies.
Ravens are known as the “keeper of secrets” in several native tribes, and are the teachers of mysticism. They have been wrapped in a wealth of myth and lore throughout many cultures and ages. Their black color and diet of dead associates them with the vast void of darkness, which is representative of the unconscious.
Raven flies to us with heightened awareness and greater understanding of our consciousness. It is with this new perception that we begin seeing into the hearts of others and experience their feelings. Raven asks us to experience the transformation it brings within our multidimensional self, and be reunited with the mysteries of the universe so we can expel our inner demons.
If you want to make a deeper connection with your Animal Totem, fill your environment with images of the animal to let the animal know it is welcome in your space.
Sheep are the most widely distributed domestic animal in the world. They were originally domesticated in Iraq, approximately 11,000 years ago. There are currently over 800 breeds of domestic sheep of which half of them are bread for their pelts and wool, to make clothing and carpets. These nimble climbers have four compartment stomachs, and can live up to 20 years.
Sheep has been the symbol of purity and innocence for many centuries. Sheep is a spiritual helper who shows us that working in groups can enable us to find solutions to our problems, which opens
us up to peace entering our lives.
If you want to make a deeper connection with your Animal Totem, fill your environment with images of the animal to let the animal know it is welcome in your space.
Snakes smell with their tongues, and that’s why it flickers out of their mouth so much. An amazing aspect of snakes is their ability to shed their skin and create a new layer. Before they shed their skin, their eyes cloud over giving them a trance like appearance. Once they have fully shed their old skin, their eyes clear up and they leave the place, never looking back.
Snake comes when we are moving toward change, and need to let go of a part of our old self. Snake awakens our spiritual intuition allowing us to explore the mysterious depths of our mind
and soul. Its unblinking stare looks into our souls, and teaches us how to birth untapped power and creative wisdom.
If you want to make a deeper connection with your Animal Totem, fill your environment with images of the animal to let the animal know it is welcome in your space.
Spiders are very delicate creatures that play an important role in the myths and lore of many peoples as the teacher of balance between the past and future, the physical and spiritual. To the Native Americans, Spider is Grandmother, the link to the past and future. In India, its associated with Maya, the weaver of illusions.
With its gentle strength, Spider spins together the threads of life with intricate webs. Spider knows the past affects the future and vise versa. It calls us to make use of our creativity and weave
our dreams into our destiny.
If you want to make a deeper connection with your Animal Totem, fill your environment with images of the animal to let the animal know it is welcome in your space.
Turtles love the water, in fact they spend a lot of time in the water, and go ashore to lay and bury their eggs. There are some 250 types of turtles found in the world and only 48 of them live in the United States. Turtle survival is highly based on their body structure. They use the shell (which is actually their backbone and ribs) on their backs as their home and can retreat into it when they sense danger. Another way turtles survive is by sensing vibrations in the water through their skin and shell. If a turtle is flipped over when hiding in its shell, it will use its strong neck to flip itself back
over. Turtles have slow metabolisms which enable to live a long time.
Turtle teaches us to be careful in new situations and to be patient in reaching our goals. Turtle also teaches us to take things slow, for it gives us time to figure out if we need to protect our self or forge ahead. Turtle shows up in our lives when we need to go into shell and wait until our thoughts and ideas are ready to be expressed. He also teaches us to be adaptable to our environment so we can find the harmony within it.
If you want to make a deeper connection with your Animal Totem, fill your environment with images of the animal to let the animal know it is welcome in your space.
Whales are the world's largest mammals, and the Blue Whale is the largest creature on Earth! These warm-blooded creatures have blubber to insulate and store food they need. The two main groups of whales are baleen (toothless) and toothed whales. Baleen whales (Gray, Right, and Rorquals whales) have two blowholes as opposed to toothed whales (Killer “Ocra”, Pilot, and Sperm whales) who only have one. Whale bones are soft and porous enabling them to store food in the form of oil, unlike land mammals whose bones are hard. The softness of their bones
enables them to grow to an enormous size and still float in the water. Underwater, whales don’t have good eye sight, but they have excellent hearing and use a technique called "echo location" to communicate with other whales. By using their powerful tail flukes to steer and propel them, they are able to utilize their fins to twist and turn about in the water.
Having been born with a protective coat of blubber, whales know how important insulation can be. They understand the sacred power of water and realize the importance of taking time out to breathe. Their sensitivity to sound and movement connects them to the core energy of primal life. Whale reintroduces us to our creative and intuitive energies to show us a talent we’ve forgotten about or haven’t been aware existed. People with this totem are able to understand the ancient language of “energy vibrations”, and are able to distinguish where others are truly coming from. Whale asks us to recall our past and listen to its stories so we can creatively heal old wounds.
If you want to make a deeper connection with your Animal Totem, fill your environment with images of the animal to let the animal know it is welcome in your space.
Wolves are able to maintain their individuality despite their close knit packs. Living in packs provide them with a strong sense of family. Wolves are the epitome of stamina, known to run 35 miles a day in pursuit of prey. They are higly misunderstood animals, who have gained the reputation of being cold blooded. In reality wolves are friendly and social creatures.Aggression is something they avoid, preferring rather to growl or create a posture to show dominance.
Wolves represent the spirit of freedom, but they realize that
having individual freedom requires having responsibilities. Because wolf is a teacher and pathfinder, he comes when we need guidance in our lives. Those who have a Wolf Totem will move on to teach ofhters about sacredness and spirituality. Wolf can also teach how to balance the responsibility of family needs and not to lose one's personal identity.
Wolf teaches us to develope strength and confidence in our decisions. He shows we will learn to trust our insights once we learn how to value our inner voice. This wisdom keeps us from inappropriate action. If wolf appears in your life examine where you need to develop more confidence and if you need more balance between friends, family, and yourself.
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