Wow… this is a deep subject indeed. That’s a good thing.  In this post, we’ll talk all about animal totems. Want to download printable meanings of 8 of these well-known animal totems? I have just that! Ready? Click here!
So without any further ado, I’m going to start with a quote that I absolutely love by Chief Dan George:
“If you talk to animals they will talk with you and you will know each other. If you do not talk to them, you will not know them, and what you do not know you will fear. What one fears one destroys.”
Let’s explore what a totem is. A totem is a natural object, an animal, a being whose energetic vibration resonates deeply with ours. As a result we feel particularly close to this totem throughout our life. Â I should probably mention there are a variety of names for animal totems. For example, they can be called spirit animals, helpers, power animals and many others. And while these names vary, there are some beliefs that are common.
Ready for a quick rundown? Good. Every animal is a powerful spirit. Each has their own talents, in other words every animal has their own speciality. If a spirit animal is your lifelong totem, it’s usually wild and not a domesticated animal. This is not to say there aren’t any exceptions. Always remember the animal chooses the person, it is not the other way around. Many believe that it is possible to simply choose an animal and start referring to it as ‘my totem’.  This is not how it works. In such cases, it is the individual’s ego choosing a powerful animal that seems glamorous and ‘sexy’. For you see, this might not be the best animal for you. As a result, communication might be very frustrating. [bctt tweet=”You can work with any animal spirit if they allow you to; that connection will be strongest.”]
For example, one of my favorite animals is the Lion. I always wanted to work with it, however communication wasn’t as easy as I hoped. Sure, I could work with it, but the Lion hadn’t chosen me. Once I stopped trying to connect to something that is not me, my spirit animal decided to reintroduce itself to me. My lifelong totem and partner in crime is a…well, what do you think? My totem and I – we work together so well! In fact, we are such a match that we’re lucky we don’t set a remote fire.  I have always loved them.  I had books, pictures, jewelry of my totem my whole life. I still laugh at myself about how dense I was.  I mean, c’mon.  If it’s related to my totem in any shape or form, and you can name it, I probably had it.  I still do of course 🙂
You must develop a relationship with your totem.  Respect is of the utmost importance here. Working on a relationship with your totem animal takes time; they won’t just open up to you immediately. You both must learn to trust each other, and be aware  of both your strengths and limitations. This will not happen overnight, but it will happen. Just as mutual respect is a crucial element in this relationship, mutual honor is also essential. The more you honor each other the more powerful and effective your connection becomes. By honoring them, you are bringing them into your lives. Feel free to buy books about them, hang pictures of them, little figurines are great as well. Also know that you’re not limited to just one totem animal. You may have one overall spirit animal, but at the same time others are also present to help you. You may have a totem for one day or a particular hardship. On the flipside, more than one person can have the same totem. Each relationship is completely unique.
Animal Totems
Reminder: If you feel like downloading a printable pdf of these, I’ve got you covered.
Badger: The badger is the biggest in the weasel family (hint… google weasels as well). This animal is active both day and night, it’s carnivorous and is actually quite unsociable. It is a powerful digger that knows the earth and all things that lie beneath it very well. Sometimes the badger can be overly aggressive however his technique does work. The badger is bold and ferocious; the word ‘surrender’ is not in his vocabulary. Meaning: reliance and keeper of stories. Look for all of these in your life. It might be time to tell a new story?
Bear: This is a powerful symbol in legends. People have been turned into bears, Ursa Major – the Great Bear is a constellation in the sky (some stars form the Big Dipper), and astrologically links to seven great rays of light of the divine. The bear also relates with lunar symbology and as such it gives ties to subconscious and unconscious mind. While the bear is a large carnivore, it’ll much eat almost anything. It is omnivorous, and it’s taste for meat is not as great as that of the Fox. Meaning: Awakens the power within and the unconscious.
Chameleon: This guy actually has a third eye!  This eye sees very differently, it is not capable of seeing like the other two-it distinguishes between light and dark. A chameleon does not actually blend into its surroundings, it has always been the natural color of its normal habitat. It  changes colors according to temperature, humidity and emotions.  Meaning: Clairvoyance as well as auric sensitivity.
Eagle: This beautiful bird is one of the most well known and admired birds of prey. In flight, they appear to fly effortlessly. They are so efficient in hunting on the land that they actually spend very little time hunting from the sky. They are pure balance, they are of the earth but they are not the earth. Meaning: spiritual power, creation, leadership and healing.
Fox: Various species of Fox can be found in most parts of the world. Their climate  preference varies and they are extremely adaptable. Look into Fox behaviors and characteristics because it will reveal how the role and its energy relates to one’s situation in particular. Meaning: Resourcefulness, Shapeshifting, cunning,  invisibility and camouflage.
Horse: The symbolism of the horse is rather complex. The horse can represent travel, divination, freedom (usually unrestrained) adventure, emotions, and desires. Meaning: Travel, freedom and power.
Lynx: This animal has quite the reputation. It is believed to have a sort of supernatural eyesight. There are no secrets he cannot see (but is great at keeping them), and everything is an open book. This animal is extremely clairvoyant and relies heavily on its instincts. Meaning: knowing of the unseen and  secrets (seeing and keeping).
Wolf: This is the wild spirit. The quintessential untamed wilderness. They have so many positive characteristics and yet, are so unjustly misunderstood. They are not the animal found in tales of horror and childhood stories. These animals are protective, they are friendly, extremely intelligent, and strong. in their pack there is a sense of loyalty and they live by a defined set of rules. Meaning: Loyalty, spirits, guardianship and rules.
Have you been drawn to specific animal since childhood? Maybe you frequently dream of a specific animal, or when you’re out in nature, do you often come face-to-face with a specific animal? Â Animal totems are all around us-we just have to open our eyes actually notice. Â The blog post I’ve written now is extremely brief and interpretations can vary. There are many more ways you can learn about the animals. Â A little research goes a long way and is a good place to start. Â Also, if you feel drawn to a particular animal I encourage you to meditate upon them. If you happen to come across any animals, I highly encourage you to say hi!
Good luck!
xx,
~Caren
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