Spiritual Animal Helpers and Totems

Animals can convey messages of day to day life, or be used as powerful devises for personal development throughout a lifetime. The world of symbols we use in order to talk to ourselves is vast. I encourage you to look at as many resources as possible when seeking a meaning of an animal. The best resource of all though is you. Find the aspects of an animal that feel right and true to you personally. Ask yourself questions about why a particular animal captured your attentions. It could have a message to deliver about a current situation, or it could be a life long totem animal; only you can know.
A totem animal shares its strengths and weaknesses with its human partner. However, many agree that a totem is a creature whose energy has been, or will be, a long term effect upon a person. Your favorite animal from childhood is often lingering with you still as a life totem. The creepy crawler from repetitive nightmares or unfounded fears may also be a life totem, for all creatures have the balance of dark and light within. Your life totem can reveal how you got to the place you're in now and where you're likely to go in the future. What aspects or habits do you always seem to have with you in life? Behind that answer lives your totem. What are the things you want to develop and achieve? What qualities do you admire and wish to see in your self? How do you want to grow as a person overall? A life totem is a partner and spirit guide through the journey.

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Image shown, "Eagle Woman", original art copyright Tree Pruitt

*What's A Totem?
With the growing popularity of Neo-paganism and Neo-Native American spirituality, the phrase of "totem animal" has become a somewhat generic term that actually encompasses meaningful spiritual relationships with animals in a variety of forms. There are historical Native American cultural differences and origins for the uses of words such as, "totem", "medicine" and "fetish", and those uses are traditional in differing tribes. Performing a search of those terms can expose more detailed information about how indigenous Americans use those terms. Our purpose of explanation here is only to point out how the words are commonly used in the more broad arena of modern, New-Age, understandings. Below are the different terms for the ways animals are referred to in the modern spiritualist movement.

* Animal Spirit Guide
An animal spirit guide may or may not be a pet or animal you once knew that has died. It is the actual essence of a particular animal communicating from the place of the dead, The Sprit World, or perhaps another dimension; reaching from the Akashic realm. Spirit guides tend to stay in contact with a chosen person for quite some time. They generally are present to help guide the person through a portion of growth, a layer on the Spiral of Life. They're influence may seem to come and go at times, and the visits may continue for years or only months. Eventually though, once the needed goal, or layer of the Spiral, is reached, the animals influence, is no longer needed. The person, if true growth has indeed happened, will know when this time has come, understanding that animal's particular energy is no longer required there is little sense of loss or remorse.

*Ghosts
Animal ghosts, (also sometimes referred to as a spirit animal) can pass messages to us through human helpers, such as pet psychics, or may even directly effect a location, such as in a haunting. An animal ghost was once a living creature that you somehow encountered in life, but has since passed away. It too is the actual essence of a particular animal communicating from the place of the dead, The Sprit World, or perhaps another dimension.

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(image shown, "Bear Fetish", drawing pattern copyright Tree Pruitt)

*Animal Fetish
An animal fetish is also sometimes today called a totem. A fetish is an artistic representation of an animal, with spiritual design. It stands as a dwelling for the general aspects and energies of a particular creature, (similar to a Hindu deity statue). It is an example of Native American society using a form of sympathetic magic, where the form of the animal itself is thought to attract the gifts that animal has to offer. Akin to a prayer, the fetish offers a hope for the person, or makes a declaration he/she will act in a different way. A fetish is a three dimensional shape of an animal that the person who carries or wears hopes will pass on some of the good quality traits; power. A fetish can be used as 'totem medicine' when the fetish does indeed represent your totem, and is worn or carried in a medicine bag. It is not an actual totem, but only a representation of the totem animal; a spiritual keepsake to remind you of your path.

*Medicine Totem
A medicine totem is like a charm, or a sacred trinket. It can be a reminder of a sacred or special event in life; keeping that spirit with the holder. Material of construction doesn't matter because every thing holds energy. However, animal medicine needs to involve an animal in some way. A symbolic representation of the chosen animal can be made or obtained, (see "fetish" above). Some may also choose to have a physical connection to a particular species. In such cases, medicine takes the form of a claw, tooth, feather, or tuft of fur. This raises moral and ecological issues, and such use is a personal choice, tempered by legality. Read below about ANIMAL PARTS. A medicine totem of any kind can also be a form of treatment for ailment. Any time a person has a way of being to overcome, be it too much of this or too little of that, the person is in a state of dis-ease. Medicine is required to help in the healing of the diseased state of being. It is an expression of sympathetic magic, where the form of the animal itself is thought to attract the gifts that animal has to offer. In the movie, "Crocodile Dundee", the main character wears a necklace made of the tooth of a croc of which he'd shared a memorable encounter, as both a keepsake and protection amulet.

Temporary Totems; everyday messengers as omens and signs

Totem animals aren't always life long partners. Any animal can temporarily take on the role of a message delivery service from Spirit. How does one recognize when an animal is trying to deliver a message? If a creature suddenly begins to catch your attention -- shows itself in your yard, catches your eye often on television programs, in books, manifests in your thoughts, dreams or doodles -- then it probably has something to tell you. Messages are delivered to you on a daily basis from the world around; any creature can be trying to communicate to you at any given moment. Has a common housefly ever seemed to look right at you? Maybe it was! Let's say a bird you've never noticed before lands outside your window right at the moment you decide to look outside. Is that just a coincidence or were you put in the right place at the right time for a reason? It depends on how you feel about it inside. Did seeing the bird make you think of anything in particular? If there's a little nagging sense in the top of your tummy afterwards, you might want to do a little research about that bird. You are very likely to discover something useful for your immediate future from that rare visitor of the example.

Power Animals

A power animal can teach you about yourself right now in this space of your life. It holds a greater depth of meaning than a messenger passing by to do a job. What are the things you'll need to get through the next step of the journey of your life? Gain confidence in your current knowledge and abilities by recognizing the positive qualities of a creature that has come to you. Discover what aspects of your life and self may need improvement by learning the more negative qualities associated with a power animal -- it lends its power to you!

A raven came to me this morning,

for what I could not say.

His dark eyes looked upon me,

inviting me to play.

He did not tease me or take care that I, a simple human,

could not take flight and join him in his dance up in the air.

His magic and his mystery

to me he tries to give.

I listen closely and I learn

of the world in which we live.

To travel in the darkness,

and bring back a speck of light,

is what the raven's telling me;

It's mans eternal plight.

A raven came to me this morning;

for what, I think I know.

Listen closely to the raven ....

for his magick he will show!

(copyright T. Pruitt)

Amelia Kinkade, Speaking With Animals

If you want to really communicate with animals know that the stuff Amelia Kinkade has to share works! I'd not heard of her until recently, but my husband and myself have been using similar methods with our own animal pals for well over a decade with incredible results. Her methods will also help you listen to the world around you, allowing a better understanding of what messages totem animals may be trying to deliver. I should say here that I'm not an affiliate, I won't get paid, and we haven't even exchanged links -- I'm writing this section because I truly feel it is needed information.

I heard Ms.Kinkade speak on the radio recently. She has a very firm grasp of how the world works, especially along with the other worlds. It is my feeling that anyone who would like to work with animals as guides throughout daily life must have a similar understanding as Amelia Kinkade. In addition to her book, she offers other services to help you learn and understand. You CAN do it too!
Here's a clip from Amelia's website home page. Visit her site at the link below.

"The magic you experience with Amelia can't be denied. I've seen her at work and the effects have transformed my belief systems. Amelia can revolutionize your thinking and ability to communicate with the other living beings around you."
-Dr. Bernie Siegel, best-selling author of Love, Medicine & Miracles and Prescriptions for Living

" Amelia Kinkade's rapport with animals of all species is quite amazing and consistent. Her talent and effort is helping to overturn centuries of false beliefs about the feelings, understanding and mind states of our animal friends."
-Captain Edgar Mitchell, Sc.D, Apollo 14 astronaut, founder: Institute of Noetic Sciences, author of The Way of the Explorer

In June of 2001, Crown Books published Miss Kinkade's first book, Straight From the Horse's Mouth: How to Talk to Animals and Get Answers... find more at Amelia Kinkade http://www.ameliakinkade.com/

POWERPAWS
Diane Samsel at powerpaws.com recently did some amazing work for a couple I know who lost a beloved pet. I was personally involved in this case, and so can confirm Diane's ability to communicate with animals, both living and non-living. I'll share this amazing story of the hand of a true pet psychic at work soon. For now, I invite you to visit Powerpaws at the link above to learn more about Diane Samsel.

An Invocation of the Directions Through Animal Totems

Wolf of the North, teacher of wisdom -- lend me your energy.

Hawk of the East, teacher of perception and intuition -- lend me your focus and spirit.

Porcupine of the South, teacher of growth -- lend me knowledge of heart.

Great Bear of the West, teacher of discipline and philosophy -- lend me your compassion.

Sacred Animals of the Ancient Winds, attend to my rite.

Bless me with Your Powers!

(James Pruitt ©)

A small amount of energy always remains within natural hide, bone, antler, feathers and the like; everything indeed has spiritual energy. When we wear or make ceremonial, or medicine, items using the parts of animals who have died, we honor their energy. By putting it to good use and acknowledging the sacrifice or offering we honor the gifts of Spirit. The energy of the animal isn't always the personal energy of a specific creature, per say, but rather is an archetypal force. For example, one would not always have a claw with energy from "George" the wolf, but would hold the energy pattern of the attributes of all wolves in general. The medicine energy offered is similar to that those who work with stones may feel and use for healing. Animal based products should be used as a lovingly added resource, not just decoration, and such items may never even be seen if placed in a medicine bag, so there should be little ego or vanity involved; when we covet pelts and portions of an animal, then our relationship with nature enters a state of dis-ease. With such an imbalance comes the mountains of wasted bodies, such as created by the buffalo massacres at the turn of the 1900's in the American West when buffalo hide was especially prized for coats. We should utilize the resource with honor, love, and respect in balance.

Some animal products may not be legal to own. USA Federal laws restrict the use of any part of an animal on the Endangered and Threatened Species Act list, and rightly so. Also, keeping the feathers of any wild bird from the backyard, or the local park, must be avoided; no matter how pretty feathers gifted to you by a cardinal might be on a dream catcher, it's still against the law to use them in crafts. State laws vary in regards to non-listed animals, (and International restrictions may also apply), so if in doubt check it out in your local area. For example, in one state out West it may be illegal to own a black bear skull for decoration or personal use, but in another state all the way back East owning a skull may be just fine. It can be difficult to be sure, so use good judgement, and your state may have an Internet site with a list. Most laws are set in place to deter poaching, maintain public health, and protect beloved resources, so they should be respected.

The animal based products I use are obtained from a variety of methods. Many resources come from reclaimed vintage clothing. Some animals may have passed from natural causes, such as age or predation, allowing us or someone else to collect and prepare the remains for use. I also order some items from programs where much of the profit benefits overall wildlife health in the animals natural habitat. I do not harm animals, or trees for that matter, in order to create any object I offer.