INDIAN TOTEMS

Among traditional Native Americans and other tribal peoples, totems are the enduring animal symbols that allow these people to explore the mysteries of life and the spirit world. From the graceful Antelope to the aggressive Cougar to the wise and peaceful Turtle, each animal embodies certain strengths and attributes that the spiritual seeker can embrace and follow on the path of self-exploration. here, we attempt to offer the tools you need to tap into the power of sacred animal totems by finding our own personal symbol and experiencing its energy firsthand.

Among the Medicine teachings of the Native Americana, the totem represents the physical form of one's spirit helper, his or her guardian or guide. We can all profit from the personal empowerment that can be derived from connecting with the cultural experiences of our ancestors and becoming one with our own unique cosmic pasts and memories. This memory takes the form of our spiritual helper. It can guide usto the spirit world, and show us the living images there. We can then return to the physical world and employ these powerful images to enrich our life, our art, and our personal relationships.

 

Please visit the following page to find a listing of many totem animals, their zodiacal counterparts, and the strengths and attributes associated with each.
List of TOTEM Animals

 

 

 

SELECTING YOUR TOTEM GUIDE

However one wishes to identify and name the animal form that represents one's spiritual helper, I can promise that to do so will create a spiritual-psychological mechanism that will bring about great personal transformation and manifest an extended sphere of awareness in an ever-expanding reality construct.

Perhaps you have had a life-long attraction to one or more animals. You may have been collecting statues, paintings, or photographs of a particular creature without really having a clear mental picture of why you are so fascinated with this one special animal. Om one level of consciouness, you may have already been aware of your animal totem.

Perhaps you do not have shelves full of art representing frogs, eagles, cats, horses, or any other creature in particular. Maybe you are drawn to an astrological symbol. Maybe you have a patron saint. Maybe if you will it to be, your totem will come to you in a dream. Whatever method you use to find your totem, remember that more than one animal can guide you, and you will be at ease with the thought of your totem always within you. Also you do not choose your totem, your totem choose you. Do not accept a totem that I present you only because I say it is so, accept it because you feel comfortable with it, or else use anothe method for finding it. But find it you will, when you do not look but rather let it come to you.

Use one of the following methods for choosing your totem. While the last is the preferred, it is just as acceptable, and probably easier and quicker, to use one of the first three.

check out the TOTEM ANIMAL page to find descriptions of many possible guides

Zodiac Birth Sign

Native American Zodiac

Chinese Zodiac

Accepting the Animal Totem of your Patron Saint

Receiving your Animal Totem during a Simulated Vision Quest

you will need to relax, assume a meditative state for about 1/2 hour. Possibly soft music and candles and/or incense to complete the mood. the goal is to simulate a traditional Native American vision quest and enable yourself to receive your spirit helper, or animal totem.

assume a comfortable position, either lying or sitting, that you can maintain for 30 minutes. Take a deep breath, then relax......

 

Relaxation Process

the following is best if a friend reads it to you, elaborating, expanding, and repeating on each point, bringing you into the dream state. allow yourself to become absorbed in nothing, letting thoughts flow effortless into you and away from you

Vision Quest Exercise

once in a state of relaxation, you will see the Great Mystery communicate with you. Perform the following on your own, no friend's voice or taped voice. You are inside your inner world now, on your own

This can be perfomed when you are first looking for a guide, and then thereafter to receive visions from your guide. Or it can be performed after you already have a guide, to receive messages from him. Go to bed at night, or sit in meditation, with questions for your guide, and often he will come to you

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