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moonvoiceWhat a totem is and isn't.
What a totem is
- the totem animal is always - in its own way - powerful. It also possesses great wisdom, and is the culmination of the trials and lessons that it and all its physical and symbolic manifestations have learnt.
- it is always in possession of the traits of its physical manifestation. Therefore direct observation and learning of the physical animal itself can help you to learn a lot about the symbolism and energy of the totem.
- Present in everyone, but not necessary to live a fulfilling existence.
- Able to present itself in varying forms (physical, spiritual, omen, etc.)
- Able to teach its spirit 'twin' (the human) how to live a more fulfilling life through the application of principles such as honour, respect of the family and community / community relationships, respecting the self and the gods.
- Able to protect and help you in the otherworlds, though it may also abandon you to teach you independence and strength. There may also be places it simply can't go. Not all animals can go to all worlds.
- Sometimes cryptic and difficult to understand.
- Possesses high 'status' in the sense that it can negotiate in the otherworlds with other animal spirits, and can share close relationships with spirit helpers and gods.
- A part of you.
- Demanding of respect, love and libation.
- Always with you, even if you can't reach it due to blockages or other reasons.
- Different from animal guides in general.
What a totem isn't
- omnipresent. The totem often isn't a 'god.' It can make mistakes. It can be a 'trickster' and deliberately try to mislead you in order to help you learn something.
- An animal guide, an 'angel.'
- An internal part of your psyche. In our practices and beliefs, the totem is not simply something we conjure in order to better understand ourselves. It exists independently of us; as do gods, spirit helpers, and other energies.
- A crutch to help you through life. You should not call on your totem for mundane matters.
- Edible. You should never eat your totem, or your familial totem. There can be exceptions for this (such as certain initiatory rituals), but otherwise to do this is often considered sacrilege.
- A scapegoat. - Exchangeable. A totem is your totem, period. If you have 'changed' your totem over life, then chances are one of those animals wasn't your totem, or neither of them are. Totems are non-refundable.
What a totem is
- the totem animal is always - in its own way - powerful. It also possesses great wisdom, and is the culmination of the trials and lessons that it and all its physical and symbolic manifestations have learnt.
- it is always in possession of the traits of its physical manifestation. Therefore direct observation and learning of the physical animal itself can help you to learn a lot about the symbolism and energy of the totem.
- Present in everyone, but not necessary to live a fulfilling existence.
- Able to present itself in varying forms (physical, spiritual, omen, etc.)
- Able to teach its spirit 'twin' (the human) how to live a more fulfilling life through the application of principles such as honour, respect of the family and community / community relationships, respecting the self and the gods.
- Able to protect and help you in the otherworlds, though it may also abandon you to teach you independence and strength. There may also be places it simply can't go. Not all animals can go to all worlds.
- Sometimes cryptic and difficult to understand.
- Possesses high 'status' in the sense that it can negotiate in the otherworlds with other animal spirits, and can share close relationships with spirit helpers and gods.
- A part of you.
- Demanding of respect, love and libation.
- Always with you, even if you can't reach it due to blockages or other reasons.
- Different from animal guides in general.
What a totem isn't
- omnipresent. The totem often isn't a 'god.' It can make mistakes. It can be a 'trickster' and deliberately try to mislead you in order to help you learn something.
- An animal guide, an 'angel.'
- An internal part of your psyche. In our practices and beliefs, the totem is not simply something we conjure in order to better understand ourselves. It exists independently of us; as do gods, spirit helpers, and other energies.
- A crutch to help you through life. You should not call on your totem for mundane matters.
- Edible. You should never eat your totem, or your familial totem. There can be exceptions for this (such as certain initiatory rituals), but otherwise to do this is often considered sacrilege.
- A scapegoat. - Exchangeable. A totem is your totem, period. If you have 'changed' your totem over life, then chances are one of those animals wasn't your totem, or neither of them are. Totems are non-refundable.
