"I am the Sun's son.
I sit upon a turquoise horse
At the opening of the sky"
Navajo Horse Song
Each animal has its own nature, its own traits and is a representation of a power such as strength for the lion or speed for the jaguar. By learning about animal strengths or powers, we come to understand why we are attracted to certain animals and repulsed by others. These attractions and repulsions actually become a tool that tells us what is needed or missing in our life.
Here are some examples of what the animals tell us:
There was a woman who no matter how she tried, kept missing the boat, missing out on opportunities that would have brought her the abundance and connections she needed to succeed. In hindsight, she could see every instance in which she had failed to recognize the chance to get ahead. It was very frustrating for her but she could not find a way to break out of this rut.
When asked what animal she most feared she related an experience she had as a child with a horse. She was introduced to a friend's horse that was very high-spirited and when she reached out her little hand the horse bit it causing much trauma for the child and a lot of concern for the mother. Since that time, the horse had represented fear for this woman.
Yet if we look at the power of the horse it is a prey animal. That means it is usually a source of food for some other animal. Therefore, it is keenly aware of what is going on around it at all times. One quick move, one strange sound and the horse will perk up its ears and be on the alert for what is happening, ready to run if it feels any danger. Horses also watch out for one another and if one horse senses danger the whole herd is willing to move as one, away from apparent threat.
So looking at the example of this woman we see that she is not aware of what is happening around her and she is afraid of the power represented by the horse that would be keenly aware of her situation at all times. Dealing with her fear of horses, will allow her once again to become aware of her surroundings, to prick her ears up and take full advantage of opportunities around her.
Another example:
A woman who was interested in developing her spiritual gifts stated that she was attracted to the snake. She just seemed to think about the snake more often than any other animal and it had only been this way for the past year or so. The snake represents the power of transformation. The snake can shed its skin and recreate itself within a short time. It has always been a symbol of power and has even been regarded as the mother of all life. The life energy called kundalini is described as a snake rising up the spinal column to bring enlightenment.
Therefore, for this woman the snake was showing her that, yes, it is time to begin developing her healing abilities and taking charge of her own power to help others. As she progresses, other animals will become her favorites and those too will have significance in her own life.
It is said that each of us has at least nine animal totems that walk through life with us, teaching, guiding, and in some cases, protecting us. These nine totems usually remain the same throughout our lifetime; however, major life changes can cause our totems to change as our totems adapt to our new life cycle.
Totems are found in 7 directions around our spirit: East, South, West, North, Above, Below and Within. The last two animals are walking beside us at all times; our Right Side (male) and our Left Side (feminine). While sometimes the living animal is around us, most often they are only the spirit of the animal.
At different times in our life, we may also have special helpers and special protectors. These stay with us for a limited period of time, depending on the challenges that we must face. They usually appear in person, in dreams or during meditation.
Our Life Long Animal Totem works with us throughout our entire life or until such time that we no longer need that Animal Totem. It is always there when we need it's powers. Always reminding us of our power and connectivity. We may have only one or a few Life Totems. They may become our Life Totem at any time. Totem is always there for us and generally reflects our inner spiritual nature. Many call the Life Long Animal Totem our Spirit Totem.
A Journey Animal Totem reflects a period of time. Not just a day but weeks, months, or maybe years - the time it takes us to walk the path that the Animal Totem is reminding or guiding us on. During this journey, we will find that this animal is always showing up in our life or that several Animal Totems will appear in our life all to guide us on the path. When we find one, two or three animals all of a sudden making an appearance and their nature all has the same basis then we have found the basis of our path. The difference between the Journey Animal Totem and the Message Animal Totem is a period of time. A Message Animal Totem will bring itself to us quickly and impartially where a Journey Animal Totem will slip in and out of our life over the course of a period.
A Message Animal Totem usually is bringing us a self growth, spiritual message, or a cautionary warning. It is often a wake up call. It will usually be a very unusual experience making it very powerful at that time and impartial. A Message Totem is a brief period of time, a day, a week, and occasionally as much as a couple of months but can be immediate for just a few hours. Sometimes a Message Totem is not bringing us a message but causing a delay in our life. This delay, like when we are trying to leave to go somewhere, is often in assistance for us; to be sure we are not in a place at a certain time so that we avoid an accident or can catch a phone call or meet someone we are supposed to run into.
A Shadow Animal Totem are those totems that test us. They have great power for us but will put us through tests before they will let their power work with and for us, instead of against us. A Shadow Animal Totem is one that initially we fear. The Shadow Totem often represents inner fears that we must overcome. We may have even been attracted by the animal; a very vivid test to see if we are ready to accept the power of the Animal Totem. Until we face the fears of the Shadow Animal Totem it's powers will work against us, not letting us soar high. When we overcome the fear of the Shadow Animal Totem we bring it into the Light World as a Spirit Animal Totem and they become one of our most powerful Animal Totems. Our goal with a Shadow Totem is to learn the lessons and incorporate that animal into our life. If we are scared by something repeatedly then we still have not accepted the lesson that animal has for us.
Children benefit greatly from having their totems around them. Placing figurines or stuffed versions of their totems in their room is very soothing for a child -- and brings the spirit of their totems even closer. Their room becomes a safe haven and your child will be happy there. They grow up instinctively knowing their animal -- even if they have never heard of totems.
Walk in Beauty,