A totem is any natural object, being, or animal to whose energy we feel closely associated with during our life. When we speak of animal totems, we refer to spirit totems in the guise of animals. The study of animal totems is essential for understanding how the spiritual realm is manifesting within your natural life. We use our animal totems and their images to learn about the spirit world and ourselves. There is archetypal power that manifests through our animal spirits. Once you learn to recognize, study and merge with your animal totem, or totems, you will be able to call forth its energy whenever needed. You will be able to connect with forces and patterns through the animal, and understand the patterns in your own life. As you begin to identify and recognize your animal totems, you will begin to understand your own life more effectively.

The first step you must take is to identify that spirit which has chosen you. Yes, chosen YOU. You do not choose your own animal totem. For if we did, human nature would lead us to choose only those animals that we perceive as exotic or mystical or glamorous. Don’t let your ego get in the way. No animal is better or worse than any other. Every animal has its own special energies and its own specific lessons to impart to you. Leave yourself open. Your greatest success will be found in the animal that comes to YOU.

To discover your animal totems, begin by examining the animals that you have been most interested in, and have appeared most frequently in your life. Ask yourself the following questions and be truthful in the answers you give yourself. Remember that ego is to be left behind. A mouse will have as much to teach as a tiger or wolf.

1. Which animal or bird has always fascinated you? We are drawn to those things that most resonate with us. If an animal fascinates you, it has something to teach you.

2. When you visit the zoo, which animal do you wish to visit the most or first? This is an especially important question to ask of a child you may be helping to find his or her animal totem.

3. What animal or animals do you see most frequently when out in nature? Have you had encounters with animals in the wild?

4. Of all the animals in the world, which are you most interested in now? You will have one or two animals, your “power” animals, which will stay with you for a lifetime. Others will become more important during those times in our lives when they have something specific to teach us about that point in our lives.

5. What animal most frightens you? What you fear is what you have to come to terms with. When you come to terms with a fear, it becomes a power. As Chief Dan George once said, “...what you do not know you will fear. What one fears one destroys.”

6. Have you ever been bitten or attacked by an animal?

7. Do you have dreams with animals in them or are there animal dreams you have never forgotten? Do you have recurring dreams that involve an animal? Children especially will often dream of their totem animal.

Answer these questions and examine the answers. You will see a pattern, an animal or animals that keeps popping up. This is most likely one of your animal totems, or at least the one that is most important to you at this point in time. Although there is usually one animal that is strongest in your life, others do play a role. You may have a totem for a day, or to help you through a particularly difficult time in your life.

Strive to develop a relationship with your totem. If you wish to communicate with them, you must show the proper respect. Learn their point of view. Study, read and learn about every aspect of the animal. Examine the behaviors of the animal and meditate on what it is you can learn from this behavior. Honor your totem to make its power effective in your life. The more you honor them, the more powerful and effective they become. Surround yourself with pictures of your animal spirit, draw pictures of them, read, learn about them, place figurines on your altar- honor that animal’s energy and spirit that it has chosen to share with you.

When we learn to speak with the animals, to listen with their ears, to see with their eyes, we experience the power and the potential of our own human lives. It is then that the animals become our friends, our companions and our teachers. Form your bond with your animal totem, and within you will awaken a greater belief in magick, dreams and possibilities.

Niamh Mahal 11/16/01