NATIVE AMERICAN ANIMAL GUIDES & THEIR MEANINGS
(Let me begin by making clear that contrary to popular belief not all Native Americans had animal totems or spirit guides)
A totem can be the symbol of a tribe, clan, family or individual.
Native American tradition provides that each individual is connected with
nine different animals that will accompany each person through life, acting
as guides. Different animal guides come in and out of our lives depending
on the direction that we are headed and the tasks that need to be completed
along our journey.
Native beliefs further explain that a totem animal is one that is with you
for life, both in the physical and spiritual world. Though people may identify
with different animal guides throughout their lifetimes, it is this one totem
animal that acts as the main guardian spirit.
With this one animal a connection is shared, either through interest in the
animal, characteristics, dreams, or other interaction.
This Animal Guide offers power and wisdom to the individual
when they “communicate” with it, conveying their respect and trust.
This does not necessarily mean that you actually pet or spend time with this
animal, more that you are open to learning its lessons.
For some, knowing what is their totem animal is almost an innate process.
It’s as if they’ve always known, inexplicably drawn to the animal
or having a special feeling for the animal’s energy. For others, they
wonder how to tell what their animal totem is.
Here are some questions to ask yourself if you’re wondering what your
animal totem is:
Have you ever felt drawn to one animal or another without being able to explain
why? This could be any animal, including birds and insects.
Does a certain kind of animal consistently appear in your life? This doesn’t necessarily have to be a physical appearance, it could be represented in other ways such as receiving card and letters with the same animal pictured over and over, unexplainable dreams of a particular animal, watching television and seeing the same animal featured time and time again, or, actually having the animal show up.
When you go to the zoo, a park, wildlife area, or forest, what are you most interested in seeing?
Are there any animals that you find to be extremely frightening or intriguing?
Is there a particular animal that you see frequently when you’re out in nature?
Have you ever been bitten or attacked by an animal?
Have you ever had a recurring dream about a certain animal, or a dream from childhood that you have never been able to forget?
Are you drawn to figurines or paintings of a specific animal?
The totem itself is a symbol that represents this animal. This could be any
number of items - a crest, a totem pole, an emblem, a small figurine or anything
else that depicts your animal guide.
* * * *
Choosing a symbol totem animal based on Native American tradition
is actually more about being chosen. It is lessons to be learned, guidance,
spirituality and finding your path.
The idea of totem animals in the Native American tradition has been made famous
from years of less than accurate books and movies. Classically everyone is
a wolf or an eagle or some other noble beast and the idea of totem animals
seems to be fraught with superstition. However, the idea has it's own basis
in being similar to not only being provided with guides, similar in a sense
to angels, but also in being guided or taught lessons.
In addition we see similarities to astrology with it's use of animal symbolism, as well as animal symbolism woven through many religions and spiritual systems. Perhaps most shocking to the modern mind is the Jungian* idea of Archetypes, universal symbols that can to a degree be looked at in conjunction with totem animal symbolism. Totems are a part of the spiritual path but also represent far more in their value for understanding cultural heritage as well as personality types, once totem animals were agreed upon.
First and foremost some common misconceptions about totem animals should be addressed.
The idea that everyone is an eagle or a wolf or a bear, a mighty animal with the most wonderful of traits, animals that the person can choose for themselves based on their own opinions, is not part of the actual belief system. Numerous animals are considered a part of the system of totem animals and also may be dependent on the tribe or geographical area or tradition.
Animals means different things to different tribes additionally. However for the sake of explanation whether it is a bear or an otter or a dog the animal that is most appropriate is actually thought to choose the person, not the other way around. Traditionally (once again depending on tribe or tradition) the person starts to see what appear to be coincidences or signs or omens concerning what animal is their appropriate animal.
In the modern world this could be the sighting of a stag (deer) followed by reading a magazine with a striking picture of a stag, followed by seeing a billboard with a stag displayed upon it. The animal in question may have qualities the person has or needs. However once that person is convinced this is the chose animal totem, as a guide it has great power and significance. In point of fact psychologically the person would of course start to make traditional associations with that animal and might start to act in the forms attributed.
Wise as an owl or a fox might be a modern interpretation. While the bear, as bears do follow the same path over and over again, symbolizing a person with key patterns, as well as possible might and strength and more. Wolves are considered social creatures. The Raven is the wise trickster, although the Coyote also can play that role.
The idea of these symbols as all symbols and belief systems has vast importance. In Jungian psychology* the idea of archetypes was very important. Common understanding or symbols throughout humanity and part of the collective unconsciousness or memory of all human beings what key symbols such as death or birth meant. Archetypes basically means greater symbol.
Animal totems have the same relevance. Each animal has symbolic significance and is in and of itself a key to lessons that might need to be imparted by what some would call a spirit guide, as well as lessons that need to be learned. The animal totems might embody things or characteristics that the person needs.
In Jungian psychology* there is a concept of facing our shadow and integrating the things that we cannot accept about ourselves in order to come into the light. In this sense then animal totems embody not only spiritual beings, messengers and guides in a similar sense to angels, but also embody some very firm principles in facing internal psychological conflicts that can have a bearing on many aspects of life including the spiritual aspect.
Deciding how to choose your totem animal may be a matter of looking for the
right signs and interpreting them in many cases. However in the final analysis
this practice can have great therapeutic and spiritual value. It can be a
religious or spiritual epiphany, or a more practical down to earth lesson
in wisdom.
It is all about finding your true path, learning many lessons and indeed stretching yourself for personal growth. Indeed there is no one lesson to be learned and a person may go from one totem animal or symbol to another, one lesson to the next.
Life is not a destination, it is a journey and we should enjoy and experience each step.
*Carl Jung was one of the creators of modern depth psychology, which seeks to facilitate a conversation with the unconscious energies which move through each of us. He contributed many ideas which continue to inform contemporary life: complex, archetype, persona, shadow, anima and animus, personality typology, dream interpretation, individuation, and many other ideas. He had a deep appreciation of our creative life and considered spirituality a central part of the human journey. His method of interpretation of symbolic expression not only deepens our understanding of personal material, opening the psychodynamics of our personal biographies and dreams, but the deeper, collective patterns which develop within culture as well. In his memoir, Memories, Dreams, Reflections, Jung wrote that meaning comes “when people feel they are living the symbolic life, that they are actors in the divine drama. That gives the only meaning to human life; everything else is banal and you can dismiss it. A career, producing of children, are all maya (illusion) compared to that one thing, that your life is meaningful.” For more see http://www.cgjungpage.org/