A brief on Native American Totems for the NAI class. |
FOR NAI CLASS Or anyone else interested A totem can be the symbol of a tribe, clan, family or individual. NAI tradition provides that each individual is connected with nine different animals that will accompany each person through life, acting as guides. Different animal guides come in and out of our lives depending on the direction that we are headed and the tasks that need to be completed along our journey. Native beliefs further explain that an animal totem is one that is with you for life, both in the physical and spiritual world. Though people may identify with different animal guides throughout their lifetimes, it is this one totem animal that acts as the main guardian spirit. With this one animal a connection is shared, either through interest in the animal, characteristics, dreams, or other interaction. For some, knowing what is their totem animal is almost an innate process. It’s as if they’ve always known, inexplicably drawn to the animal or having a special feeling for the animal’s energy. For others, they wonder how to tell what their animal totem is. Here are some questions to ask yourself if you’re wondering what your animal totem is: Have you ever felt drawn to one animal or another without being able to explain why? This could be animal, including birds and insects. Does a certain kind of animal consistently appear in your life? This doesn’t necessarily have to be a physical appearance, it could be represented in other ways such as receiving card and letters with the same animal pictured over and over, unexplainable dreams of a particular animal, watching television and seeing the same animal featured time and time again, or, actually having the animal show up. When you go to the zoo, a park, wildlife area, or forest, what are you most interested in seeing? Are there any animals that you find to be extremely frightening or intriguing? Is there a particular animal that you see frequently when you’re out in nature? Have you ever been bitten or attacked by an animal? Have you ever had a recurring dream about a certain animal, or a dream from childhood that you have never been able to forget? Are you drawn to figurines or paintings of a specific animal? The totem itself is a symbol that represents this animal. This could be any number of items - a crest, a totem pole, an emblem, a small figurine or anything else that depicts your animal. For some, knowing what is their totem animal is almost an innate process. It’s as if they’ve always known, inexplicably drawn to the animal or having a special feeling for the animal’s energy. For others, they wonder how to tell what their animal totem is. Here are some major characteristics of animals that my help you to identify with one or more. Finding your totem(s) is a personal thing and only you can do it. Eagle is my main totem, but I have called on many others throughout my life. I hope this helps. The following Animal Guide offers power and wisdom to the individual when they “communicate” with it, conveying their respect and trust. This does not necessarily mean that you actually pet or spend time with this animal, more that you are open to learning its lessons. Alligator Maternal, revenge oriented, quickness, aggression, and basic survival instincts. Ant Group minded, determination, patient, active, and industrious Anteater Lethargy, curiosity, nosiness. Antelope Active, agile, jumpiness, and willing to sacrifice Armadillo Safety oriented, grounded, and has boundaries Badger Courage, aggressive, healer, having problems relating to others, and energy conduit Bat Rebirth, longevity, secrecy, initiation, good listener, and long life Bear Industrious, instinctive, healing, power, sovereignty, guardian of the world, watcher, courage, will power, self-preservation, introspection, and great strength Beaver Determined, strong-willed, builder, overseer, and protector Bee Organized, industrial, productive, wise, community, celebration, fertility, defensiveness, obsessive nature, and enjoys life Boar/Pig A very powerful totem - prosperity, spiritual strength, organized, self-reliant, fearless. Buffalo Sacredness, life, great strength, abundance, gratitude. Bull Insight into the past, fertility, rushing into things without proper preparation. Butterfly Metamorphosis, transformation, balnace, grace, ability to accept change Camel Survival, positive, accomplishments Caribou Traveler, mobility, preference to be nomadic, adaptability to adversity Cat Guardianship, detachment, sensuality, mystery, magic, and independence Cheetah Swiftness, insight, focus Cougar Leadership, loyalty, courage, taking responsibility, foresight Cow Swift, insightful, and focused Coyote Trickster, intelligence, stealth, wisdom and folley, guile and innocence Cheetah Nourishment and mother figure Cobra Swift and decisive Coyote Stealth, mischief, rickster, intelligent, clowining around, ability to recognize mistakes. Crab Good luck, protection and success Crane Solitude, justice, longevity, independent, intelligent, and vigilant Crocodile Ensuring your emotions are displayed accurately/appropriately Crow Justice, shape shifting, change, creativity, spiritual strength, energy, community sharing, and balance Deer Compassion, peace, intellectual, gentle, caring, kind, subtlety, gracefulness, femininity, gentleness, innocence, and seller of adventure Dog Noble, faithful, loyal, teaching, protection, and guidance Dolphin Kind, salvation, wisdom, happiness, playfulness, prudent, capable of deep emotion, and happy. Dove Cross-world communication, spirit messenger, peace, gentleness, love Dragon Longevity, richness, prosperity, infinity, wisdom, power, and fiery Dragonfly Flighty and carefree, strong imagination, higher aspirations. Duck Water energy, helper of seers, can clearly see/deal with emotions Eagle Divine spirit, sacrifice, connection to creator, intelligence, renewal, courage, illumination of spirit, healing, creation, freedom, and risk-taker Elephant Strength, power, affection, loyalty, royalty, and wisdom Elk Strength and agility, pride, majestic, independence, purification, strength, and nobility Falcon New beginnings, adventure, passionate, and leadership. Fish Graceful, slyness, open-minded, quick to change one's mind. Flamingo Heart healing, psychic, people person, flirtatious. Fox Cunning, agility, quick-witted, diplomacy, wildness, feminine magic of camouflage, shapeshifting and invisibility Frog Water energy, cleansing, rebirth, sensitivity, medicine, hidden beauty, peace, adaptability, poor character judgment and power Gazelle Aggressive Giraffe Communication, intuition, attaining the unreachable, seeing the future Goat Surefootedness, stubbornness, independence, diligence, lack of foresight Goose Self-demanding, reliable, prudent, rigid, vigilance, parenthood, and productive Gorilla Family-oriented, intelligence, strength, environmental protector, keeps peace through aggression. Grasshopper Good luck, abundance, forward, progressive. Grouse Personal power, enlightenment Hawk Messenger, intuition, victory, healing, nobility, recollection, cleansing, visionary power, and guardianship. Heron/Egret Aggressive, self-determined, self-reliant, multi-tasking, balanced. Hippopotamus Power, creation, imagination, healing. Horse Freedom, stamina, mobility, the land, travel, power, and freedom Hummingbird Messenger, timelessness, healing, and warrior Jaguar Chaos, shape-shifter, aggressiveness, power Kangaroo Forward, balance, creative, stamina. Lion Family, strength, energy, courage, guardian and protector Lizard Conservation, vision, self-protection, hidden defenses. Llama Comforting to others, secure. Lynx Keeper of secrets, guardian, listener, and guide Mole Sensitivity, guidance, searching. Monkey Ability to change the environment, health, success Moose Headstrong, longevity, steadfastness, and wisdom Mouse Scrutiny, order, organizer, and an eye for details Octopus Intelligence, camouflage, nocturnal. Opossum Diversion, strategist, and deceiver Ostrich Grounded, practical Otter Playful, friendly, dynamic, joy, helpfulness, and sharing Owl Deception, clairvoyance, insight, messenger, Ox Sacrifice, chastity and self-denial Panther Protection, hidden emotions, introspection, caution, careful decisions Parrot Communication, beauty, guide for wisdom, mockery, thinking before speaking Peacock Immortality, dignity, and self-confidence Pelican Resilient, unselfish, rising above. Penguin Self-discipline, grace, self-confidence, spiritual Porcupine Innocence, companionship, and trust Prairie Dog Swiftness, industrious, constructive, preparedness Puma Companion on journeys to other worlds, grace, silent power Quail Group-work, team play, creator of harmony and group tolerance, protectiveness (especially toward children) Rabbit Fear, timidity, nervousness, humility, rebirth, Raccoon Curiosity and cleanliness Ram Stoic, sensitive, persevering, curious, imaginative. Rat Fertility, stealth, scavenging, intelligence, enjoys luxury Raven Introspection, courage, self-knowledge, magic Rhinoceros Wisdom, solitary, insightful, solid. Roadrunner Mental agility, speed, opportunistic. Rooster Vanity, likes to be showered with gifts and attention, early riser, settling for nothing less than the best Salmon Proud, intense, confident, wisdom, inspiration Scorpion Transforming, strong, inspiring, chaotic, passionate Seagull Versatility, loud, easy-going nature, creativity, laziness Seahorse Confidence and grace Seal Love, longing, dilemma, active imagination, creativity Shark Hunter, survival, and adaptability Skunk Reputation, presence, and strength Snail Protective, aware, solitary. Snake Impulsive, shrewdness, rebirth, transformation, initiation, and wisdom Spider Balance, wisdom, creativity, communication Squirrel Planner and gatherer Stag Lord of the forest, masculine power of regeneration, signs. Swan Grace, balance and innocence, soul, love, beauty, of the self Tiger Strength, valor, power, and energy Toad inner strength, luck, self-examination Turkey Generosity, life-giver, and sharer Turtle Nurturer, shy, and protecting Unicorn Purity, innocence, dreamer, personal power, gentle Weasel Strength, energy, ingenuity and stealth Whale Wisdom, provider, intelligence, and kindness. Wolf Loyalty, perseverance, success, intuition, and spirit Woodpecker Sensitive, protective, and devotion Zebra Agility and individuality |