Most of us accept we have Spirit Guides and the existence of Angels but perhaps do not know about animal totems. We have Animal guides too.  I am aware that I have several.  Some may stay with me for the duration of my life and others may come and go as I need them. When I am reading clairvoyantly I can see people's totem animals and often mention them.  Those people who have horses will not necessarily have anything to do with horses on the earth, but horse totems tell me a lot about the character of the person they are with.  There is a very good book written by Ted Andrews called Animal Speak and it defines the characteristics and meanings of your totems.

So how then are you going to find out what totem you have with you???

You could begin by thinking about the animals you are most drawn to. Not necessarily domestic, but those you have always been fascinated with. Each of these animals will have a message or meaning for us.  For example If you always see dolphins they are a message to enjoy life and to lighten up your mood.  Dolphins mean laughter and happiness, fun and adventure.

Think also what animals present themselves most to you in nature.  Whatever the animal, it's habit, mood or action will be significant and we may learn something.

I was at a Spiritual Church doing a reading for a lady when I could see a squirrel darting all over the place.  The squirrel was her totem and I knew that she had a very similar personality and I don't mean small and fluffy.  I told her about the animal and she frowned at me at first.  Then I spoke about her personality.  She was busy all the time, with much to do and sometimes too much.  She was domestic and nurturing but constantly darting about with things to accomplish and her mind had been on more than one thing.  She smiled at me an said "How do you know that, I've been all over the place today trying to find something for my daughter and it's been so hectic" 

The squirrel told me!!!!

Look at the personalities of these animals and there is the message.

These totem animals may present themselves in Meditation or dreams or on your daily travels.  I have Crows and Magpies and I carefully watch to see what they are doing because that is my message.  Whilst meditation one day, I felt an Owl fly towards me from behind and land on my shoulder.  I knew that this meant I would, unexpectedly, receive the knowledge I needed to accomplish the task.

I also have a grey wolf and at night a pack of wolves surround the house.  These are protection and family and the warding in the Astral realms I have called for. I was at a Spiritual Group and one of the budding Mediums told me she could see my wolf beside me. 

There is an exercise you can do to call an animal for protection.  Follow your normal procedures for relaxation, breath watching, posture etc.  Then imagine you are in a wooded clearing sat on a tree stump.  Look all around you and explore what you can see in nature; birds, trees, insects.  The colours of the natural world around you. As you relax into the scene, ask divinity to present you with an animal for protection.  Wait and watch, when the animal comes in, ask why this animal has come and what is it's task.  Ask the animal to alert you to anything that is not good for you.  Over the next 24hours allow the animal give you feelings of unease, around situations and people, as a sign of direction.  Give the animal the power of discernment.  Come out of the meditation and monitor how you have felt over the time span.  Take special note of any feelings you experience and see what your totem has identified. Keep a log.

So I am not going to list every totem but I am going to list a few common ones and you can have fun looking at what your totem tells us about you!!!!!

I love bats and my house is full of them.  They come here to have their young and my husband once counted 100 flying out of our roof. Bats are a very spiritual creature, a sign of transition, mystery and power. In some cultures they have an association with dragons because of the structure of their wings.  Fabulous wings!! They are a sign of death and re-birth, new beginnings. If a bat shows up in your aura it's time to let go of old habits and brace yourself for change. If you see a bat be prepared for changes because they are a sign that something has to die, it cannot continue the way it was.  So in some sense of the word you will experience a loss, but from it there will be a more positive outcome, a form or being reborn into a new life.

Before I dedicated to the Craft I saw a bat land on a five pointed star it was a sign of things to come.......

the bear is a creature of Power.  A bear has strength, survival instincts, will eat almost anything.  Takes time out to rest, has a big temper if prodded, but can be playful and cute.  Actually, the bear is swift in it's movement, some reaching speeds of 35 mph but for short distances only. The bear tells you to awaken to your own potential and to get out in nature, be strong and fearless you are protected. To taste the sweet things in life and life is honey.

The beautiful butterfly, a symbol of spirituality, spirit visitation, spirit presence.  Transformation, shape shifting, and a symbol of change I believe they are connected to faerie and elementials.  Sometimes they show up and land unexpectedly, they are a source of wonder and delight, colour and dance.  How incredible is nature to give such astonishing wonders which lift our spirits every time we witness their presence.  With butterflies in the aura you are watched by loved ones on the other side. blessed by spirit presence and guarded by angels. So when you feel flat and serious look for the butterfly and it will remind you to live your life joyfully.

Another Witches' totem.  The cat spells independence, resourcefulness, Regal, beauty, aloof, relaxed but alert.  Agile and clever.  Unpredictable and uniqueness in every one. Luck, magick and mystery.  Insightful, perceptive, predator.  The cat has no need of any mortal, it will stay if it chooses and some cats can have a few homes, being fed in each, without attachment.  If a cat will grace you with it's presence remember, it does so because it wants to.  If you have a cat in your aura it will show you the qualities you possess or should aim for.

Crows are such smart creatures, just about the smartest.  They symbolise Magick, understanding, Secret knowledge. They make a lot of noise. If they are your totem, you speak a lot!! they are related to the raven and both strikingly black.  They have presence and Power.  All seeing, watchful, warning others when hunters or danger is around.  The Crow is adaptable, will eat anything and has the ability to communicate and work as part of a team with other crows.  They indicate past lives. Crows are very lucky and even the sighting of a dead one means luck.  They are symbols of Spiritual Strength, opportunity and magical manifestations in life.

Crow's are mine!!!!

I recently picked up a Crow at the roadside, he had been hit by a car. I nursed him but the shock and injury were to great and he passed.  He is called Merlin and now can fly as high as he wants, but chooses to stay with me.

Deer are a sign of divinity. A sighting of a deer is being watched over by the Great Spirit.  Gentleness and beauty, regal, status, private. Each has it's own special qualities and is unique. Religion and spirituality. Antlers are an indication of awareness and protection.  Expanded consciousness.  A sign of sensitive's and those with heightened perception. Acute senses, clarity, listening and hearing. A deer showing up indicates Spiritual guidance and destiny.

Doves are a sign of Peace, softness and beauty.  In Pagan beliefs they are a sign of Love, feminine, fertility and sexuality.  The dove is associated with the Goddess and divinity.  It is a sign of prophecy.  It can signify release from the current existence into freedom.  Doves in meditation or dreams are a divine omen. If a person has one with them, they are pure of heart.  The eternal peacemaker, the mediator in situations. (or should act as peacemaker)  If it comes as a message then it will be a positive answer to the problem or situation.

The Great Spirit.  Touching Divinity, Guidance, destiny, enlightenment, creation, healing, Spirituality.  The Greatest bird of prey!!!  If you have the Eagle with you then you are watched over.  They are graceful, beautiful, powerful, perceptive.  A born hunter.  In the Christian Faith the eagle is a sign of the resurrection.  Eagle signifies the ability to soar to great heights.  Sacred knowledge. Creation, purification.  Those with Eagles will have vision an expanded consciousness, power and may be swift to act.  The negative aspect is they overpower others and may seize or snatch opportunity from under your very nose. The more positive traits are Opportunities, action, Power and creative forces.

Frogs are the witches totem, they are magical!!!  I always tell my daughter she may have to kiss a few frogs before she finds a prince!! Actually, Frogs are beautiful, transformation, sound, magick and the moon.  If a frog hops into your aura you are in for changes, your life enhanced.  They are linked with water elements and therefore, emotions, love, happiness, cleansing, healing, abundance, and movement.  They remind us to adapt and alter, to experience all realities and explore. They warn us not to stagnate, to change our circumstances and move when necessary.

I have mentioned horses in the introduction, you might like to read that.  Horses are herd animals, usually gentle but when backed into a corner will kick and bite.  They prefer to escape confrontation and will be alerted to danger and bolt. They are free in spirit, kind unless afraid.  Wild by nature.  They indicate travel, speed and freedom.  Horses have a sixth sense and are clairvoyantly linked.  If a horse is in your aura are you free??  It is time to travel and experience freedom and your own Power.

Monkey totems indicate mischief and humour.  I had a little boy visit the house who had a small monkey on his shoulder.  He was a real 'It' kid.  Street wise, quick witted, smart, very quick sense of humour and found other peoples actions and gestures very funny.  Imitating and Mickey taking.  Making other's laugh and fooling around generally.  No sense of danger, life is a laugh! even when it's not.  Cute even when naughty.  Resourceful, playful, fit. When there is a monkey around prepare for laughter overload, but if you are a serious person the message would be to lighten up and have fun. To monkey around.

Mouse totems may indicate personality or messages.  Are you rushing around, More haste less speed!!!  Mice scurry, usually when they can't be seen and although busy are not clean and orderly in everything.  Mice indicate some secrecy and private action, lack of attention to important matters, busy but not far sighted.  A lack of focus, wasting or scattered attention.  If a mouse is in the aura it is an indication of a timid personality, someone who may prefer to do things behind the scenes. A person who likes invisibility, sometimes nervous or anxious behaviour.  The positive aspects are the Mouse can show you to pay attention to detail and focus on where your energy is spent. To look at the bigger picture.

I just love snakes. You either love or you hate 'em!  I wear quite a lot of snake jewellery, It's an Egyptian thing!!! The snake teaches us to get rid of the things we have outgrown.  Just as the snake sheds it's skin and is re-born anew, those that have snakes will have the ability to shift and change, to adapt.  Their path will not be straight. The snake is a symbol of transformation, sexuality,  The Kundalini or serpent of fire which lies in the base of the spine.  A symbol of death and rebirth. Snake people may be sharp with their words, one of their negative traits is what they say may be venomous or hit the spot.  Their positive aspects are sensitivity, creativity, transition, changes in direction, reinventing themselves, their lives and never leaving any unfinished business.  Total, absolute, without hesitation and final. Perhaps in some instances too quick to strike!!!!! Or too quick with their words.

The Weaver of Fate.  This totem is all about the web we weave in life.  Every action has a reaction.  Think about the web, fine and beautiful and totally effective. For those of you who have the spider with you it will be about destiny and fate. Everything you do will have an impact on the web!!! Spider people are sensitive, defensive, home loving and the kings of their own castle.  They always need be mindful of their own actions less they impact on the web. Spider females have a predatory power and need to control or dominate their space.  Some spiders eat their mate after Sex!!!  Some spider women are beautiful, lethal but not quite carnival!!!  So watch out.

Another of my totems, I just love the wolf.  The most beautiful and alarmingly perceptive eye's you have ever seen.  They can just look right into your soul.  There is immense power with their gaze as if you could be mesmerised, hypnotic. Wolves are Family, highly intelligent, loyal, a pack animal. They have rules and rituals but are wild and free spirited.  There are structures within the pack and each knows their place.  Alpha Male and Alpha Female and they are totally respected.  Other pack members would not try to pick a fight or challenge, but would rather avoid confrontation. Just a look or growl would be enough to reassert authority. Wolves are excellent communicators.  Their howls are messages to other pack members. Each pack member knows their status.  In Ted Andrews book he states "The Wolf helps you to understand true freedom requires discipline"  If you have a wolf totem you are blessed with intuition and perception, learn to trust your thoughts.  Use your Power!!

Your power animals change as you do.  Keep a log of the different animal and situations they might help with, in your life.

There is an exercise to identify animals which repel and attract, which is more than insightful. 

List when you might see them i.e. dreams, imaginary, reality.

How you feel about them.  Why and what their meaning or message is.

This can identify, people and characteristics that you like and dislike.  It also is a pathway to the inner self.  As witches we look at our shadow personalities and work on them in order to make healing changes that enable us to become whole.  These exercises establish ones idiosyncrasies and allow erasure of negative behaviour and programming; facilitating soul growth.

There are many more and I shall be adding to this page regularly.

©2006 Brilliant Bliss