Totem animal, power animal and medicine animal
Among First Nations and other indigenous peoples, there are animist and shamanic traditions which are part of their daily life, and therefore which ininfluence their way of seeing things in a spiritual and symbolic way. The totem animal, the power animal and the medicine animal are some of them.
What is animism?
L'animism (from the Latin animus, originally “spirit”, then “soul”) is the belief in a spirit, a vital force, which animates living beings, objects, but also natural elements, such as stones or the wind, as well as genies protectors.
In our Indian culture, we see that everything that exists is alive. Each existence fulfills a specific role as teacher and member of the same family. Everything on Earth, whether stone, tree, animal, cloud, sun, moon or human being, is one of our parents. […] [They] represent the sacred and living extensions of the Great Mystery which placed them here to help humanity evolve spiritually.
Jamie Sams, The 13 original mothers. The initiation path of Native American women.
This is why the living beings, whose animals, are considered their equals and allies in their daily lives, their journey on Earth. When they are present in their lives, they are there to guide and accompany them on the red path (Medicine wheel)…
For animals, there is three types of support and teaching which are provided by totem animals, power and medicine. Throughout your life, you will notice that you have had more or less encounters, connections, with certain animals. You have probably already heard people or yourself say phrases like… I have always loved dolphins or For two weeks, I haven't stopped meeting eagles !
What is the point of knowing your totem animal or your power animal?
- Discern and understand where you are and what the next step will be;
- Know each other better;
- Receive help from your allies in full awareness
- Etc.
Definitions
Totem animal
Each person has a totem animal that is theirs. assigned when she was born and who stays with her all her life. It is the totem animal that is your main guide, your guardian. This animal has the role of you guide on all levels of your life : spirit, mental, emotional, physical…
power animal
Everyone has a power animal that accompanies you for you protect in the spiritual world.
Animal medicine
The medicine animal is an animal that present in your life, during a phase, when you need to learn something in particular: its teaching, its medicine. This appearance physical or in your dreams is striking, because you have a particular interaction with this animal, which is unusual.
Here are some examples of appearances from a medicine animal:
- A ladybug lands on your cheek;
- A rabbit walks alongside you on a walk;
- A jaguar follows you in your dream;
- A crow lands in front of you and looks at you;
- An ant climbs up your leg while you are in your living room,
- Etc.
What is the teaching of the animal medicine that I met?
Learn more about my totem animal and my power animal.
Generally speaking, the characteristics of the animal in question correspond to the teaching, the spheres on which you must work and even to certain points of your personality !
I'll give you an example of a medicine animal:
Butterfly Medicine
According to Jamie Sams, the butterfly is associated with the element of air (which also teaches us something) and the art of transformation. The butterfly is always in a cycle of self-transformation:
| Steps | Meanings |
| 1. egg | You are at the beginning of something, before it becomes reality. |
| 2. from the larva | You decide to manifest an idea into the physical world. |
| 3. of the cocoon | It is the introspection of the idea. |
| 4. emergence from the chrysalis | It's about joyfully sharing your creation with others. |
By identifying where you yourself are in this cycle, you will understand what the butterfly is trying to teach you, to enlighten you on your mental journey. Overall, the butterfly can mean that you are ready for transformations.
To know the teaching of each of the animals, see the glossary that I wrote, here.
How do I find my totem animal? What is my totem animal?
You can identify your totem animal in different ways:
1. You have a strong attraction towards a particular animal since always for no explainable reason. This is surely it!
2. Through a guided meditation, you can go and meet him.
3. With your date of birth, it is possible to know what your totem animal is.
Let me know what you think and write me your questions in the comments below.
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