Animal Totems

What the Animals Tell Us

"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 a Shaman comes to understand why people are attracted to certain favorite animals and repulsed by others. These attractions and repulsions actually become a tool that tells the Shaman what is needed or missing in a person's life.

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 consternation for the mother. But 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. So 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 examining this woman from a Shamanic perspective we see that she is not aware of what is around her and she is afraid of the power represented by the horse that would be keenly aware of her situation at all times. By dealing with her fear of horses we can allow her once again to become aware of her surroundings, to prick her ears up and take full advantage of opportunities around her.

In the same regard we can use those animals we are most attracted to for observations about powers we have or would like to have. Recently a student became interested in developing her spiritual gifts and stated that she was attracted to the snake. Certainly it is an unusual animal to attract the favor of a woman! 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.

When we look at the snake we see it 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 often described as a snake rising up the spinal column to bring enlightenment.

So 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 we carry 12 totem animals in our lives. Usually there are four animals that stay with us constantly and they represent the powers that are inherent in our Spirit before, now and after, eternally. The other eight totems represent life changing events or growth cycles as we move along this path of life learning and practicing what we have learned. If you pay attention to the animals you most like or don't like you can learn many things about your true desires and how to attain them.

Shaman Elder Maggie Wahls is one of America's best loved authorities on Shamanism and has been practicing Shaman for over 50 years. She teaches an online, ongoing course on Shamanism at http://www.shamanelder.com. She is a published author and invites everyone to learn about their own inherent skills to heal and be healed. She also offers Free Consultations to anyone who writes her at shaman@shamanelder.com

---

Dear Lord

As I sit here and ponder my existence my heart... Read More

Bone Box of the Rich and Famous

The contrast between the two men could not have been... Read More

Spiritual Surrender: Let Nature Be Your Teacher

Although spring is just around the corner, there have been... Read More

Are You Being In Service? Divine Source

Greetings Divine Ones, I am going to ask you a... Read More

You Are a Person of Abundance

Heaven is a place of abundance and earth is a... Read More

Universal Law Primer

Universal Law is an invisible influence in every individual's life,... Read More

Do Feng Shui Remedies Really Work?

THE PREMISEFeng Shui is an ancient Chinese art that has... Read More

The Problem with Anger

As Christians, we know we need God in every aspect... Read More

Time for Healing

We have to go through some unfortunate experiences sometimes in... Read More

Soul Provider

I had the intention of writing about Soul Mates but... Read More

Unforgiving Servant - Why Would You Hurt Yourself Like This?

Everybody knows that if you stick your hand in a... Read More

Spiritual Prosperity

You will become as great as your dominant aspiration...If you... Read More

Do You Really Want to Know the Truth?

Back in 1992, Jack Nicholson and Tom Cruise co-starred in... Read More

The Importance and Necessity of Special Revelation - Part Two

Part Two ContinuedIn addition to numerous philosophical problems relating to... Read More

Christening and Baptism Favor Ideas

Baptism and christening ceremonies are an important event that signifies... Read More

Why Worry

The possibility of almost 400 Old Testament prophesies coming to... Read More

Angel to Angel

Years ago, my minister spoke to us about how you... Read More

Trust Jesus (and Stress and Fear will Disappear)

Everything was going wrong.The weight of the world had decided... Read More

Will the World Really End on December 12, 2012?

I was recently asked how I interpreted the Mayan and... Read More

Wisdom Quotes Point - Arguments Just Explain

"What does it profit a man to have gained the... Read More

The Two Most Important Commandments - Love

Love is mentioned well over 350 times in the Bible.... Read More

You Are Not Your Stuff

We humans are a funny, funny breed. We spend our... Read More

The Hand of God

There I was living in a tiny bedroom in my... Read More

Accept Life On Its Own Terms

Those living on the highest levels of life have learned... Read More

The Healing Power Of Forgiveness

Forgiveness breaks all bounds of repression and depression. It liberates... Read More

Reflections On Eckhart Tolles Concept Of The Pain-Body

First, there is the field of complete consciousness.This then expresses... Read More

Catch A New Lover With DIY Magic!

One night, whilst watching TV, I understood a very useful... Read More

The CAB Approach to Spiritual Growth

I have been thinking a lot about the spiritual growth... Read More

Chronic Illness: The Enemy Within

There once was a man who wanted to teach himself... Read More

Why Sit Here Until I Die?

The bible tells a story about four men who sat... Read More

Are you Bringing Light or Discord?

We are living in highly challenged times. Our mass consciousness... Read More

No Star-Studded Career

What is success? It probably means different things to different... Read More

Expect the Best and Get It

The famous prayer of Jabez, where Jabez prayed for prosperity,... Read More