Power Totems, Birth Totems, Spirit Totems ... when speaking about working with animal energies does your head start to spin in different directions as you try to work out which Totem you are working with? Then this place is for you. I am hoping to clarify the differences between different types of animal totems that people work with, are unaware are working with them, and are available to work with.
POWER ANIMAL TOTEMS
Ah yes THE famous type of animal totem. Sometimes referred to in a sentence as "My Totem" ... But WHAT is it? What does it DO? A Power Animal Totem usually comes to you by visions, dreams or quests of that type. It’s purpose when it is revealed to you is to help guide you on your path. They come to you to teach you a specific lesson. That is to say that they usually come to YOU. You don't just decide one day that you want Badger's help and so WHA LA! Badger is your Power Totem.
You can always make a request (prayer or meditation) for a Power Animal, sure ... however if you make a request I would not be too specific as the Animal you request to help you may ignore you all together or another animal you were na expecting may show up to answer your prayer. At any rate Power Animal Totems are not something you are born with, have a right to, control or pick and choose. They choose you. For a reason. Some may stay with you for life. Some may leave after you have learned what you needed from them. It is not uncommon for one to leave and a completely different one to show up.
SPIRIT TOTEM ANIMALS
These too are often refered to as just "Totem Animals" however they are NOT the same as Power Animal Totems or Spirit Animals (something we will get to in just a moment).
So what exactly IS a Spirit Totem animal? Spirit Totem Animals are the animals that are with you on your path for your whole life. They are your main teachers, guides, companions and friends. They stay with you as long as you need them (some people have been known to move on from their Spirit Animal Totem). Whatever the medicine (knowledge, wisdom, traits, power) they have to offer are yours to use (I said use not abuse). Even if you have not discovered this friend yet it is still with you and always has been. Once you do discover it (them ... some people have more than one) then you can have a much more meaningful and richer relationship with it (them).
- Is there a type of animal that you really identify with?
- Have a lot in common with?
- An animal you collect without really thinking about it ("wow you have like 50 armadillo knick knacks" -Really? I guess I just think they are cute-)?
- An animal you find yourself drawn to?
Then it may be your Spirit Totem.
SPIRIT ANIMALS
So what is the difference between a Spirit Totem Animal and a Spirit Animal? These are animal spirits that we are born with. Some Native American peoples believe that upon birth an animal spirit enters into that person. It’s duties are to keep each person strong and wise as well as to excel in matters of attributes give to that animal.
How about an example?
Ever meet a person who is graceful like a cat? Has great night sight? Can be sneakery when necessary? Isn’t it funny when this person has no connections to cat or even dislikes them? This may be a person who has Cat as a Spirit Animal. A person who would have Cat as a Spirit Totem Animal may not be so cat like physically (unless calling on the powers of said totem) and may have an actual connection to cat. This of course is just a general example.
MOON TOTEM
Moon Totems deal with your emotional medicine, which relates to your heart and family. These animals are your spiritual guides in relation to how you function emotionally and how that affects your personality. They are teachers and from them you can learn your weaknesses and how to strengthen.
BIRTH TOTEM ANIMAL
A Birth Totem is a totem animal that follows the sign of your birth. These Animals help you connect to the powers and abilities they represent. It is believed the Birth Totem follows you through life as a guardian, comforter and advisor. When you follow their guidance you may even share their qualities. Your Birth Totem works with other animal spirits to assist in your growth and well being. Think of the Birth Totem as the Native American version of the Horrorscope (and yes I am fully aware of how I spelled that).
I have found through my traipsing about the net that many Moon Totems and Birth Totems seem to be the same animal. Again though I am not going to make the claim that they are (as different tribes have different animals for the month that people were born).
SHADOW ANIMAL TOTEM
This animal is much like the Spirit Totem Animal as that it can be with you for a very long time. It is an animal that tries and tests you over and over again. It is usually one that you fear, distrust, are repulsed by etc. These animals have a lesson to teach you and will not go away until you have learned it. Their power is not to work against you or even scare you. They honestly just want to help you. There is something that they know or can teach you and they feel that if you would just give them the time of day you would REALLY benefit from what it is they have to offer. Once you embrace this animal you will learn from it and be able to work with it and thus conquer your fear.
Sometimes it is a strength you did not know you had. Sometimes it is an answer to a weakness you refuse to acknowledge. Sometimes it is a deeper insight into yourself that once explored will be most beneficial for you. The possibilities, reasons, lessons and such are really endless and depend upon the animal and the person it is interacting with. From personal experience here there is much to be learned from these animals ( and they can be insects/bugs too).
Believe it or not I used to be terrified of Spiders. Completely Arachnophobic and I was absolutely horrid to them. When I came to peace with the species I learned so much more about myself (ironically I had been using Spider Medicine most of my life!). By recognizing and accepting Spider I have been able to more clearly work with what it has to teach as well as to strengthen my own natural tendencies. Now I work to educate people about Spiders and I am an avid " catch n release v.s. skish the fugger-on-the-spot" arachnid advocate.
So if there is an animal (or insect/bug/whatever) that gives you shivers, makes you squirm, leaves you feeling uncomfortable ... instead of turning away from it, shooing it off or hoping that it will slink off into the darkness silently of its own accord, ask it, "What is it you want? What do you want of me? What is it that I am not willing to accept or risk? Why are you still here?" You will be surprised as to what they have to say if you are willing to stop long enough and listen.
MESSAGE ANIMAL TOTEMS
These are the critters that just sort of pop in on your day. Perhaps it’s a cardinal in your neighborhood and that seems odd as they are not around in your neck of the woods. Maybe a herd of bunnies crossed your driveway this morning. Did you have a memorable dream of an animal lately? Were you drawn to a cloud that was shaped like an elephant? Did you notice that octopuses just kept cropping up in one way or another (TV, news article, logo) throughout your day? These are the subtle ways that animals act as messengers for us. Sometimes it’s a heads up sort of thing.
Sometimes the message is a slap in the face. Sometimes it’s even a warning. Message Animal Totems come in and out for that day so if you notice the animal it’s usually in your best interest to take notice and find the meaning in the message. Sometimes the message may not make sense right off the bat. In my experiences they always end up relevant. Of course also in my experience if a message wants to get through then the animal will definitely make itself known one way or the other (and other and other ... see that octopus bit in this section ... based on experience
) throughout your day. It pays to listen to what they have to say.
JOURNEY ANIMAL TOTEMS
These are much like Message Animal Totems. The only difference is that the duration of occurrence is much longer. While a Message Animal Totem will flit in and out within the day, Journey Animal Totems will keep cropping up. Maybe just for a few days, weeks or even months. They have a message to give you and in that message is the medicine (knowledge, power, etc) that you are needing for the path you are walking at that time.
Well I hope this has helped you some in learning about different types of animal totems. I hope to go into some other fine details and aspects about animals and working with them in future posts.
C.S.
Re: Totem Animals Explained 
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