Totem animal discussion

[Angaridatha]

So, how many people have attempted to find/know their totem animal? It's an interesting study, I think. I closely identify with both the panther and the phoenix, both have guided me throughout my life, and I finally accepted that I might actually have had more than one guide... lol. But my personality most closely identifies with the black panther.

Also, my name sionnach, which I was lead to more than once, is gaelic for the fox, which is an animal whose traits I aspire to. Anyone else have an inkling of their totem, or an animal that has helped them along their way? Or..would like some ideas on how to find out?

[Hazel]

I believe that I relate most closely to the horse. I did not really give it much thought till this past year, but does explain my obssession with them, partly anyway, lol. I relate with their strengths and weaknesses.

[Saiok Tarek]

That is what my totem animal looks like. Depending on my mood, or depending on the information I seek, my totem changes sizes and genders.

I remember one particular meditation in which I was trying to astral project across the country to a spot in Florida. The idea was to just go there, remember images, then come back and look them up to see if I made it.

Well, I was having trouble leaving the state, so this giant of a snake, my totem, kind of created a tunnel through the astral plane from Iowa to Florida. The imagery is really hard to describe....but it was awesome!

[FireDancer]

I've always thought that my totem was a cat...many things I have in common with cats, and I am able to communicate with my cat (Molly)

But after much meditation and reflection I've discovered my totem to be an owl or another bird of prey (perhaps a falcon). I'm pretty sure its an owl. They're wise, cunning and beautiful, silent and efficient...not that I really am any of these ...but they are qualities that I admire and hope to obtain in this lifetime. Perhaps I've possessed such qualities in a past life.

[Geisel]

As far as I can tell, mine is either a dragon, a cheetah, or a white tiger.

[kraehe]

I haven't studied it in any great depth, but in Native American Lore, they have Animal Magick. That is, when an animal makes itself obvious to you, by showing up in your life at certain times, or in dreams or symbology, you perhaps need to use their traits to help you overcome some obstacle.
I personally believe that a person can have more than one totem. People don't stay the same forever, they are constantly evolving and growing, and the totem that got you through your teenage angst may not be appropriate when you're older.
My totem was the Raven, and it was very fitting, but now I find that it speaks to me less and less. I'm more emotionally stable now, and I can't seem to relate anymore.

[Angaridatha]

Yes, in the some celtic and druidic trads they also have animal lore. I haven't studied much of native american spirituality but I think it would be fascinating.

I agree with you, that people can have more than one totem. I think that the panther guides the way that I am, it fits me. When I have massive change, the phoenix resurfaces, which represents growth, change and rebirth. It's....often appropriate in more ways than one.

Many theories suggest that we either have multiple "full time" familiars or that we have a "full time" familiar and situational familiars. Either makes some more sense to me than having just one.

[kraehe]

I've been wanting to study up more on celtic and druidic traditions, but the fact that I can't pronounce ANY of it kinda holds me back. This is reason number one why I need to find a face-to-face pagan community - to learn how to pronounce stuff! My husband was studying with the (crud, I'm gonna butcher this spelling....) Ar'n Dreacht Fain......Ah! I looked it up: Ár nDraíocht Féin - I was close! It's a druidic fellowship who seems REALLY scholarly. I haven't read anything about their animal lore, though.
I like your moo thing, by the way. Where did it come from? I've had a cow fascination lately. LOL

[the Godfather DonoVan]

[glow=red,2,300]Well I have always thought that I saw a cat out of the corner of my eye .. a small black cat .. my sister and I both have always seen one at some point .. but multiple times through out our lives we have seen this .. that might be my totem but I'm not sure I really don't know how to find out yet but I also think I might have a bird of some sort perhaps the falcon because I have such a facination of them and that I could usually pick them out in the sky and anywhere in the wild with just my periphial (spelling??) vision .. but i do want to find out how to know and what it really is[/glow]