Animal totems offer spiritual guidance. To best understand the lessons conveyed by animals that show up in our lives involves us learning their instinctual behaviors and natural habitats. Is the animal nocturnal? Does it live in the desert or the tropics? Is the animal solitary or live in a pack? What type of diet do they eat? Answers to these questions and similar questions will give you clues as to what message is being offered.
1. Cats as Totems
A cat's nature is to prowl after dark. Cats have keen eyesight and are also very instinctual. They are curious and make good detectives. People with cat medicine tend to walk on the dark side and delve into mysterious depths.
2. Bird Medicine
Birds in general are survivalists. They will first choose flight over fight. They instinctively know that fighting is a dangerous endeavor. Whereas flight is avoiding trouble: possible injury or death. Birds have superb reflexes. They teach us awareness and adaptability. Birds represent the air element and are also teachers of proper breathing.
3. Arctic Totems
Arctic totems are superb survivalists. Living in a cold climate and harsh environment demands stamina and determination to survive. Arctic totems teach the ability to thrive under the direst of circumstances.
4. Barnyard Totems
The dogs and cats who live with us and also domesticated animals from the farm (cows, pig, horses, etc.) have spiritual lessons to teach us. Domesticated animal totems have been fondly portrayed in many children stories like Mother Goose tales, Old MacDonald, and Charlotte's Web.
5. Bears as Totems
Bears in general teach us to slow down and reserve our energies. Bear medicine also has to do with awakening from within. Bear teaches us that life's answers are no further than your own subconscious. There is no need to look outside of yourself when bear is nearby. Bears are also climbers and can teach us to reach new heights. Bears love honey and teach us to appreciate the sweetness life offers.
6. Insects as Totems
General message for anyone with an insect totem is that the individual is not as important as the collective. Insects are survivalists and adapt to change very well and can assist you during transitional periods. Although insects are small in size they can assume the role of "pest" or "getting under you skin." Insects are not to be swatted away thoughtlessly. When they annoy you they are trying to get your attention.
7. Forest Totems
Animals that live in the forest or woodland regions represent freedom and innocence. Woodland totems are strongly connected to the energies of green plants and trees.
8. Reptiles as Totems
Reptiles as totems in general are wise teachers. Their bodies are covered with scales, offering a lesson in the importance of shielding from outside influences. When they shed their skins they are teaching us to let go or discard the past and evolve through birthing new ideas. Reptiles abandon their young very early demanding their offspring to develop self-reliance. When a reptile totem is present it can signify it is important to cut the apron strings.
9. Amphibians as Totems
Amphibians (toads, frogs, salamanders, and newts) begin their life journey from a lake, pond, or muddy puddle. Anyone with an amphibian as a totem has access to ancient truths. They have the ability to breathe underwater and must be near a water source to survive and procreate. Change or metamorphosis is taking place or soon to take place with an amphibian totem shows up.
10. Ocean Totems
Ocean Totems share two characteristics: water element and salt. Water energies invoke flow and emotion. Natural sea salt is used to bring out flavors in the foods we eat and can also be used as a healing agent in mouth gargles and saline washes.
