L&S 1st Degree Training

Those wiccan and pagans that belong to covens usually have their totem animal(s) chosen either by their mentors or by themselves in a vision quest. The coven might have a totem animal too that only the members of the coven know about. However, this does not mean solitary practicioners cannot have totem animal(s). Solitaires choose their own totem animals.

Sometimes it happens that your totem animal chooses you. There are many reasons why your totem animal picks you. Maybe you need help at a given period of your life. Your totem animal shows up to lend you help, counsel, and support.

About three years ago, on a very hot summer night, I met my very first totem animal. During that summer my life was a living hell. My parents were going through rough times and on the verge of divorce. As for me, I was battling my own demons (figuratively speaking). I could not sleep well at night. Every day I was sinking more and more becoming very depressed. Yet I knew I did not want to take any medications. So I began reading a few books on yoga, and I had even watched a few videos on the topic. Finally one night I was so depressed and afraid of suffering a panic attack that I decided to try one of those simple but relaxing yoga exercises. I went to my room, closed the door behind me, laid on the floor, and started breathing in and out slowly. I had managed to relax quite a bit when suddenly I sensed there was "something" in front of me. Only three people live in my house; my parents and me. I could hear them chatting on the porch, so I knew it was not one of them. My dog was lying beside me for I could "see" him on his bed. I knew there was "something" else in the room for sure now. I kept doing the breathing exercise while trying to ignore whatever else was in front of me. Slowly it began to grow in power and took the shape of big grey wolf. It stood there looking at me for a long time. After a while it walked toward me until it was standing on top of me. It lowered its head until its cold nose touched mine. It felt like its eyes where looking into mine although mine were closed. Finally it lowered its body until it "melted" with mine. I counted from one to ten backwards and opened my eyes. To my surprised, I felt a sense of inner peace for the first time in two months since my world had begun to collapse.

Of course, I did not know anything about totem animals back then. I wrote the whole event as detailed as possible on a sheet of paper and posted the whole story in a wiccan/pagan forum the very next day. LadyHawke (her handle in ISCABBS) was one of the few people who answered my post. She told me that the Wolf spirit had visited me. Thanks to her help, I learned to communicate with my Wolf spirit. The Wolf spirit guided me through those difficult times.

Keep your eyes open for those animals that appear frequently on your path or under unusual circumstances. If you see a raven perched on a tree on your backyard every day, maybe it is more than pure coincidence.

List of Totem Animals

This is just a short list of some animals and their meanings. Keep in mind that their meanings may vary from culture to culture. So I suggest you read some books on shamanism, and animals and their myths in other cultures. Think thoroughly what you are reading. Meet the animal on the astral.

Ant - It is industrious.

Badger - Courage.

Bear - Watcher, guardian of the world, giver of great strength of body, courage and power of will.

Buffalo - Possesses great strength.

Cat - It is a good hunter and very independent.

Coyote - It is a crazy trickster bearing tidings of sacred msichief.

Crow - Justice.

Deer - Compassion

Dog - Loyalty.

Dolphin - Wise and happy, able to explore the great depths of emotions, friend to lovers of the sea.

Dragonfly - It can tell you how to break through illusions and how to gain power through dreams. It teaches higher aspirations. Imagination

Dragon - It is fiery, rich and knows the answers to many riddles.

Eagle - Rising, circling the Sun, his cry thrills the brave and panic the faint-hearted.

Fish - Graceful.

Hawk - All-seeing, soaring on the breast of the wind. Observation.

Horse - Freedom

Hummingbird - Fierce warrior, jewel of the gods, whose feathers bear love magic. Pleasure.

Lion - Emblem of royalty, symbol of the Sun. Courageous guardian protectors.

Lizard - Vision

Lynx - Keeper of secrets.

Mouse - It has an eye for details.

Owl - Wise watcher in the night, fate-seer, riddler, beloved by Athena. Silence.

Panther - A good protective animal.

Puma - Shaman's companion on journeys to the other worlds; spirit of grace and silent power.

Rabbit - Fertility

Raven - trickster, wise in oracles and omens, messenger and watcher for the gods. Mystery.

Snake - Transformation.

Spider - Fate

Stag - Lord of the forest, masculine power of regeneration, giver of bounty, beauty and mystical signs.

Swan - Guide into dreamtime.

Turtle - Shyness

Wolf - Pathfinder for the human spirit; heart of the wildness of the world. Knowledge.

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