Animal Totems are powerful energies that can assist us in all areas of our lives.  I've created this page to explore the meanings behind animal totems and how to work with animal medicine.  

We each have animal totems or power animals that are unique to us.  Often these totems will take the form of a beloved pet or actual animal that finds it's way into your life.  Most times, however these animals appear to us energetically.  That is to say their presence is made known to us through tv programs, sightings of the animal, dreams, recurring conversations, visions, etc.  If one but pays attention to their world they will begin to see the animal totems that already exist in their life.  

Once we open to this type of energy and thinking we have opened ourselves to call on any animal totem at any time.  We are able to call these energies into our lives by focussing on them through prayer, ceremony or intention.  This is the very essence of animal medicine

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Bison (north American buffalo)
We were in the car driving to dinner when my partner looked at me and asked, “What is the animal for this week?”  I tried to act cool, knowing that I had nothing to offer as a response.  I stepped into that all familiar prayer of the desperate when he said, “we’re going to Buffalo Wild Wings…the buffalo would be a cool animal totem.”  I couldn’t deny it.  I had asked for an answer and one was instantly given.  It was quite evident that the buffalo represents prayers answered.  

This is in fact the truest essence of this animal’s medicine.  The Native Americans were hunter/gatherers, often suffering great losses to starvation, especially during the winter months.  They prayed to Great Mystery/ Great Spirit for relief.  They asked for abundance for the people.  It was then that the White Buffalo Calf Woman appeared to the people and bestowed upon them the blessing of prayer and manifestation.  She brought them the understanding of asking and receiving of what we desire in life.  

The Native peoples were saved as a race due in no small part to the hunting of the bison.  Great prayers were said before the taking of this animal’s life and no part of it was wasted after the fact.  The bison literally clothed, fed and housed the people.  The relationship between prayer and manifestation in the physical is the greatest understanding the bison brings to us.  Showing reverence to the spirit that resides within all things is the mark of the spiritual master.   

Bison have huge heads and humped shoulders.   These over-exaggerated features teach us the value of combining higher thinking with physical effort.  The head is the seat of thought and higher spirituality, while the shoulders represent physical action.  The unification of these to aspects creates an amazing ability to affect our physical reality.  The connotation of “as above so below” takes on a deeper, truer meaning when bison appears in your life.  By marrying our thoughts with our actions we empower ourselves to create our lives as we would have them be. 

Bison are herd animals.  This understanding of the safety in numbers and the group mentality is essential for some to understand their roles in life.  For many, the ability to simply blend in and become one of the masses is quite important.  This thought can also be taken to mean that we are all in this together and we are, in fact, our brother/sisters keeper.   

The bison is often known as a buffalo, a term that refers to African and Asian animals.  The one thing that ties all of these animals together is the fact that tribal peoples depend on them for survival and connection to their physical world.  All tribes survive on the principal that everyone has a role and that all roles are necessary.  If everyone in the tribe does his or her part the tribe will survive.  If each individual does not fulfill his or her roll the tribe is weakened.  Bison reminds us of this interdependency of all things. 

Blue Whale

Blue whales are the largest animal on the planet today and are most likely the largest animal to ever live on planet Earth.  Blue whales can reach over a hundred feet in length.   They can weigh up to 150 tons and their hearts are the size of a small car.  In fact, the blue whale is so large that it could not survive on land as it would be crushed under it’s own weight.  This reminds us how important it is to be supported by our surroundings and environment.   

The mother nurses Blue Whale babies for six months.  The milk is so rich that it allows an amazing rate of growth, ten pounds an hour or over 200 pounds in a single day.  Such rapid growth and expansion is a powerful energy that whales can bring to your endeavors.  The milk represents having everything provided that is necessary for this growth to occur in your life.  It also reminds us to take in the richness that life has to offer. 

Blue whales are mammals, which means they breathe air.  They surface every five to ten minutes to take a breath but can hold their breath for long periods of time while diving to incredible depths.  The balance between the emotional energy of water and the intellectual energy of air can help us to learn to balance our thoughts and feelings.  Whales are “voluntary” breathers.  This means that they choose when they take a breath as opposed to the automatic way that we breathe.  Being able to choose when and how to take in what you need is a remarkable talent that whale can teach us. 

The scientific name of the Blue Whale translates into “the mouse whale”.  This is obviously a humorous statement for the largest animal on the planet.  Being able to laugh at ourselves and to always maintain a sense of humor is the hallmark of this giants medicine. 

Blue whales have a huge migratory path that they follow each year.  They travel from cold feeding grounds to warmer water for reproduction, symbolizing the need to transition into the proper environment to create that which we want in our lives.  It is believed that the Blue Whale has the ability to follow the magnetic currents along the ocean floor to find its way.  For those wishing to develop their intuition whale can show you how to trust your inner guidance, especially when you aren’t able to see where your intuition is leading you in the physical world.   

The Blue Whale emanates a low grumbling call.  Their songs can be louder than a jet airplane and allows them to communicate with other whales hundreds of miles away.  Anyone working on endeavors concerning mass or long distance communication can benefit from whales abilities.  Remember though, when we empower ourselves with such a strong voice we are also taking on a huge responsibility to use that voice is a way that isn’t damaging or threatening to others.  There is great power in our words and we must remain mindful of what it is we are sending out into the world.   

Amazingly powerful, the Blue Whale is poetry in motion as it glides easily and quickly through the water.  Strength and power are nothing without grace and poise.  The Blue Whale can not only help you to gain great strength and personal power, but can also teach you how to use that power with a flowing ease.  

This enormous creature feeds on Krill.  Quite literally, the largest animal feeds on one of the smallest.  We are reminded through this that even the tiniest detail can make all the difference in our quest for personal expansion.  It also shows us that there is nothing that comes into our world, no matter how small, that doesn’t in some way affect our wellbeing.  

Butterfly
Floating softly on the breeze, butterfly brings change and transformation and the magick of color into our lives.  Ya ya, I know.  Winter is upon us and I’m talking about butterflies.  It may seem odd to many, but to me the butterfly is a perfect totem to call upon at this time of year.  Many people suffer from seasonal depression at this time of year.  The holidays are upon us…the skies are more grey and less sunny…one year ends as another begins…and let’s not forget family.  All of this can add up to a lot of emotional “stuff” to deal with.  The bright colors and seemingly carefree nature of the butterfly can help give us that little lift we need to get through this time in the joyous manner that we should.    

All butterflies start as a caterpillar, and then enter a cocoon to finally emerge as a strikingly beautiful creature ready to take flight.  This ability to transform is a powerful gift of this totem and should be used anytime you face significant change in your life.  It reminds us that all things in life move in cycles and the importance of honoring all of the identities and stages of our lives.   

When the caterpillar enters into its transformative stage it forms a cocoon around it.  By observing this we can see the need for times of rest and feeling protected and secure during major changes in life.  It also shows us the value of making changes on our own without having to make a public fanfare about it.  Some of the greatest personal changes we can have are ones we do not talk about but simply undertake on our own.

 Some butterflies migrate over huge distances.  Monarchs are most known for this.  The idea of returning “home” is essential for those with this totem and many will find that they have a safe place that they must return to from time to time to recharge themselves and prepare for the next step in life.  

 The life stages and ideas of migration both speak to the concept of timing.  Being able it recognize when it is time to move on and when it is time to act or remain at rest is essential to really achieve our greatest goals and ambitions.  Butterfly can assist us in attuning ourselves to this divine timing.

 Anyone wishing to work with color therapy or to enhance his or her own aura should call on butterfly medicine.  The diversity of colors and patterns can bring healing to any aspect of our lives.  When butterfly shows up in your life pay attention to the colors.  I strongly recommend reading up on the colors and their meanings when such a totem arrives.  

 The next time you see yourself needing to deal with change in your life take a minute and ask the butterfly to help you.  Close your eyes and think of yourself entering into your cocoon of safety and personal growth, allow yourself the grace of divine timing in your situation and then see yourself emerging in vibrant colors ready to spread your wings and let spirits gentle breeze carry you to your next expression in life.   

Coyote
As I was looking at the field across from my house I saw two animals in the distance running back and forth.  I grabbed the binoculars in time to see two coyotes playing a game of tag with each other.  They nipped and ran and were obviously having quite a bit of fun.  Then, just as I was totally caught up in the game, they disappeared into the tree line.  Just like that the game was over and they were on their way.  I found myself thinking about their carefree manner and love of the chase with each other.  They seemed to be trying to tell me something even though they were seemingly unaware of my presence in any way.   

Coyote teaches us the amazing gift of being able to laugh at ourselves.  Coyote is known as “the trickster”.  Many confuse this as being an adversarial energy but nothing could be farther from the truth.  Coyote wants only to help us find humility and humor when we would normally take ourselves far too seriously.  When coyote comes into our lives it is often during a time of great stress or troubles.  Coyote only wants to help you through such times with laughter and perspective.   

Coyotes are devoted family members.  The male and female share in the parenting duties and spend a great deal of time teaching the pups how to be the best coyote they can be.  The desire to pass along what has been learned is a strong need within many of us, and coyote can help us to step into our role as a teacher.  Coyote reminds us that the difference between knowledge and wisdom is experience.  When we share our experiences with another it not only provides them a chance to learn through us but it also allows us to gain new perspective on our own experiences.   

Coyotes often hunt in a cooperative manner, each taking a turn to run down the prey until it tires enough to be caught.  This ability to work with others and the understanding of when to “pass the torch” can help many of us to accomplish greater goals than we could working alone.  Coyote is so well versed in this that they will even work with other animals, such as the badger when hunting.  By stepping outside of their own kind they often achieve greater successes.  This shows us the value of breaking out of old ways of doing things and helps us to embrace the ways of others that come into our lives.   

A coyote will often use the same den for years.  However, they only use it as a base of operation.  They will have babies there, retreat for safety and rest or simply hide out in their den but then they always feel the pull to roam again.  Many of us can benefit from the notion of returning to our sacred space to recharge our energy and our spirit to accomplish the next task.  Coyote helps us to understand the value of our home in our lives while also teaching us that adventure and experience await us whenever we are ready to pursue them.   

Although coyotes are often rough in appearance they are the keepers of great understanding and wisdom.  The next time you find yourself taking life too seriously don’t be surprised if coyote comes loping into your world to make you step back and laugh at yourself.  

Crow
It never ceases to amaze me how Spirit manages to present me with a new animal each week to bring to you.  Yesterday I had an in person client who began her session with a story about seeing crows the entire way from her house to my office.  As she finished her story she said, “I don’t even know why I felt I needed to tell you this but I just had to”.  I just smiled, knowing that a powerful totem had flown through my client and right into my world. 

The crow is a symbol of creation and magick.  The color black is representative of the Void or womb of creation.  Anyone wanting to tap into his or her creative side can greatly benefit by working with crow medicine.  This is especially true for endeavors that bring something into being that was previously not there. 

Crows are very clean birds.  Even the young will not foul the nest.  This tidiness teaches us the value of taking care of our appearance and our home.  Our homes are reflections of our state of being internally.  If you find your home cluttered or messy it is important to look at the state of your thoughts and emotions.  They will no doubt be scattered and unorganized.  Crow can help us to put ourselves in order, which will ultimately be reflected in our physical world.   

A group of crows is called a “murder”.  Such a harsh word with such a noble creature teaches us to not get caught up in labels that others would place on us.  We are reminded that others perceptions are based on their perspective and often are not accurate assessments of ourselves.  

Crows are very intelligent and are known for their ability to size up a situation to gain the greatest benefit for themselves.  Often, crows will post a sentinel to guard against predators and dangers.  This shows us the necessity of awareness.  When we are in tune with our surroundings we are empowered to change and affect them.  Too many people go through life in a sort of foggy awareness, never really connecting with this world or other people in a deep and meaningful sense.  Crow can help us to overcome this tendency and to embrace our world and all the beauty therein.  The sentinel posted by the murder of crows will often caw so loudly when presented by danger that they warn other animals in the process.  This selfless communication is an amazing quality that crow brings to us.   

Crows are drawn to shiny objects and many of these items end up in their nests.  Everything from coins to jewelry have been known to turn up in crow’s nests.  Anyone with monetary issues or matters of physical possessions will benefit from crow’s ability to bring wealth and gain into our lives. 

The vocal ability of the crow is legendary, making it a great totem animal for those working on communication skills.  The crow has a complex set of “caws” each with a different meaning.  They can help us to find the way to communicate our thoughts effectively, as well as, helping us to understand others.  Communication is essential to any relationship and is often the aspect of life that limits most people’s experience.  

If crow shows up in your life it is a time to tap into your creative abilities and push your life into a new and exciting phase.  It is a time to express yourself in a new way and find the direction in life that leads to your success and happiness.  Call on this amazing totem’s medicine to help you on your journey.

Deer 
I had just finished a long day of readings in a town an hour from where I live and settled in for the drive home.  The drive was relaxing, something I needed after so much psychic and emotional energy.  I found myself instantly thinking about the animals.  I’m never sure which totem will present itself or how to inspire me to write about them but I knew something would click.  It always does.  I turned up the “Shamanic Dream” cd and decided to just let it come to me as it would.  I had made it all the way home and was turning off the interstate when I saw the Deer, a male and female standing along side the road just watching me drive by as if to say, “what took you so long, we’ve been waiting”.

 They turned and ran into the tree line and faded from sight.  The urge to follow them was strong.  Deer reminds us of our wild spirit.  They show us the gracefulness and harmony that can be achieved when we are in balance with nature.  For those who feel caught up in society and the urban jungle the deer can bring about a feeling of connectedness that has been lost by our detachment from the natural world.  

 The alluring quality I felt when I saw the deer speaks to one of its most important attributes, the pull toward new adventure.  Deer can help us to “let go” of what is holding us back from the next cycle and adventure in our lives.  When you find yourself becoming stagnant and needing adventure in your life call on the deer and be prepared for the thrill of the hunt to take you over.   

Deer represents an innocence and peace that many in today’s world are longing for.  Buddha is often pictured with a deer showing again the innocent quality of this totem.  If you ever have the opportunity to observe a newborn fawn the innocence of deer energy becomes very apparent.   

The coloring of the deer is quite significant as it is adapted to completely conceal the deer’s presence in the woods.  This ability to “disappear” is quite a handy trick to have at one’s disposal.  The most striking quality of a deer is its antlers.  Antlers form behind the eyes, growing as solid bone directly from the skull.  Physically they represent protection.  Metaphysically they represent spiritual antennae that help us to connect to the spiritual realms and energies.  The positioning behind the eyes would suggest development of clairvoyance and visions.  This psychic sight is an amazing gift that deer can bring into your life. 

 When we find ourselves feeling jaded or stuck in life and need to find a new direction we can call on deer to help.  We can connect with this amazing totem and it’s medicine to give us innocence and grace, vision and strength and most of all, call us to a new adventure that will lead to our happiness and success.  

Dolphin 

While the dolphin is one of the smartest animals on the planet, they are also one of the most playful.  We are all used to seeing them perform in oceanic parks and similar shows but that performance is only achieved through training that builds on the innate desire to play and have fun that exists within the dolphin already.  When this totem comes into your life it is time to expand your horizons.  Think about the expansive oceans and all of the experiences that lie therein for our friend the dolphin.  With such complex brains they are able to experience the wonder of the underwater world in a way that few other creatures can.  Water often represent emotions, so working with dolphin medicine can help you to experience and understand your emotions in a new and deeper way.   

Dolphin also teaches us to embrace the duality of our nature.  The dolphin is a master of the water and yet it breathes air.  It lives completely in one element and is dependant upon another for it’s very survival.  Dolphin’s ability to draw on such differing elements teaches us to be flexible and adaptable.  It shows us the power that comes from exploring all aspects of ourselves and bringing those differing qualities into alignment and balance.   

Dolphins are extremely social creatures and often work together in groups to achieve common goals such as hunting.  This totem can help you in projects involving others, social group interaction or any situation where a common interest is the focus.  Next time you feel awkward in a group setting call on the dolphin and don’t be surprised when you are suddenly the witty and vocal center of attention. 

Dolphins are masters of communication with a complex language of their own.  Dolphin medicine carries with it the gifts of clairaudience and clairvoyance.  Dolphins rely on a type of sonar and through this they are able to use sound waves to create mental pictures.  When dolphin comes into your life it is a time to expand your perceptions of yourself and the world around you.  Look at the world as your ocean, full of opportunity and adventure and most of all, pursue all of this with the help of others along the way and by all means, don’t forget to play a bit on your journey.  

Elephant

 I had been thinking for a while that I wanted to write an Animal Totem piece on Elephants but kept talking myself out of it because they aren't readily available to us here.  I knew that the Totems could find their way into our lives even if they weren't in a living form but had no idea how the wise Elephant would make it's presence known. 

It came in the form of one of my addictions, online shopping.  When the ten-pound box of incense arrived I started going through it like a child at Christmas.  There in the bottom of the box was a thank you note along with a complimentary incense burner.  On that burner was the stamped form of an Elephant.  I normally wouldn't have thought that much about it but the Elephant had been on my mind already and there I was holding my validation in my hand. 

Elephants are the largest land animal and should be called on whenever we have big projects we are working on.  Elephants can literally uproot trees with their awesome strength.  Such a powerful energy is helpful for clearing obstacles to our goals.  In truth, few things ever get in an Elephants way.

The most notable feature of the Elephant is the trunk.  The sense of smell is very keen in the Elephant and reminds us to be very discriminating in our choices.  The Elephant also reaches and grasps things with the trunk.  This shows us that we are capable of reaching things before thought out of our grasp but that we should be very discriminating about what we reach for and what we hold onto.  Such a magnificent nose makes the Elephant the perfect Totem for anyone working in aroma therapy.

Another striking feature of the Elephant is its tusks, a formidable weapon that juts from the mouth area.  Elephant reminds us of the power of our words.  While they can be a powerful tool for defending ourselves, they can also be a dangerous thing when not used properly. 

Elephants are extremely emotional creatures.  They show each other great affection, mourn their dead and even seek revenge when another has hurt them.  Elephant shows us that we should not run from our emotions but rather strive to understand them so that we can live our lives more fully.  Elephants also seem to have an understanding of when it is time to "move on" from a particular situation.  Through this they show us that while feeling our emotions is beneficial, so is the power to not be ruled by them. 

They have such an interconnected society and caring for one another that they will often rally around an injured herd member, helping them to keep up with everyone else.  This selflessness is something that we can all learn from. 

Beautiful symbols of wealth and royalty, Elephants are revered in many cultures.  They live in a matriarchal herd made up of cows and a patriarchal herd made up of bulls.  Typically males only join the female herd to mate.  This division honors both the males and females equally and is a reminder for us to recognize the strength and significance of both genders.

One of my favorite images of Elephants is of them bathing together in a muddy watering hole.  It's like a spa day for the giants.  They will lovingly spray each other and themselves.  They roll around and get the ultimate mudpack treatment.  They will take a break to bask in the sun or nibble on some leaves.  All in all they indulge themselves for a brief bit from the struggles of the harsh terrain of life.

Frog

Deborah arrived for the session with a gift in hand.  It was a "lucky bamboo" plant in a very unique pot.  It had frogs all around the top of it.  I started laughing as soon as I saw it because I had been considering writing an animal totem piece on frogs already due to the very high number of them that have shown up at my home.  I listened to Deborah telling me that she had bought two of the bamboo plants, one in the frog pot and one in a more plain variety.  She explained that she was suddenly led to give me the one with frogs.  This was the confirmation I had been looking for.  Frog was ready to jump onto the page.

Frogs are amphibious which connects them with both land and water.  The grounding aspect of land combined with the emotional component of water makes Frog a powerful totem to work with when dealing with strong feelings.  They can help us to remain grounded while delving deeper into our emotional selves.  They teach us that while it is important to remain grounded in life it is also advantageous to embrace our emotional identity as well. 

A frog's life begins as an egg.  They hatch as a tadpole and finally progress into the form we all know and love.  This progression helps us to understand that everything in life is temporary.  Life is a series of progressions and evolutions, each one leading us to our new form and phase of life.  For this reason, Frog is a wonderful totem to work with during times of transition and change in our lives. 

Frogs are very vocal creatures and can help us to get in touch with our own expression.  When we combine the quality of expression with the emotional component of water we begin to understand the power that comes from giving voice to our feelings and communicating from a point of emotion.  This can give greater depth to our expression and help us to understand these qualities in others. 

One of the most recognizable traits of the Frog is its ability to jump.  This energy is quite helpful for those that need to leap forward in their own lives.  It can help us to leave the space we are in and allow us to move forward without having to go through all the usual steps.  When we tap into Frog Medicine we empower ourselves to make great forward progress.  One of my favorite sayings is "if you feel froggy then jump".  This means that often we will know it is time to move on or to change our lives in some way but to do so requires action.  Frog can help us to shift from the realm of thinking to one of action. 

Frogs bring creativity and whimsy into our lives.  Think about Kermit the Frog.  Sure he is a muppet, but he is also a symbol of humor and expression.  Jim Henson surely recognized these qualities in frog when he chose to make Kermit his front man.  One of my favorite childhood memories is of Kermit the Frog sitting on a lily pad singing, "it's not easy being green".  Ok, while a Frog on a lily pad with a banjo singing about his challenges in life may seem an odd reference, you can't deny that there is a lot of creativity and expression contained in that image. 

Frogs have long been a symbol of prosperity and good fortune.  When they come hopping into your life it often heralds a time of abundance and success.  Frog is an excellent Totem to call on in times of financial or material need.  They can literally "jumpstart" your energy in the areas of business and finance. 

In some Shamanic traditions Frog is thought to control the weather.  Here again, the link between water and earth is shown.  Frog can be called on to bring the rains to nourish and cleanse all areas of our lives.  Their Medicine can empower and enrich our reality.  So, next time you see a Frog hopping along ask yourself what you are being called to jump into in your life.  Think about how you can move forward by getting in touch with your emotions and let yourself laugh, especially at your own self.  This is the greatest of all gifts that Frog gives us.

Hawk

When I began my Shamanic path the Medicine Woman who taught me named me ShadowHawk.  She told me that the hawk was the messenger of Spirit and that I was to serve that purpose for people in my life’s work.  Ever since that time I have been fascinated with hawks.   

There are many different types of hawks but the most plentiful is the red tailed hawk.  The coloring of the tail represents raw life force energy.  It is a color of passion.  This can represent sexual energy but also the joy and fulfillment that comes from following your hearts desires.   

Hawk’s keen eyesight brings with it the gift of “the sight” or psychic vision.  When hawk arrives in your life it is a time to pay attention to your intuition and the messages that Spirit is sending you.  Hawk can help you to learn to trust your inner vision and understand the messages that you are receiving.   It can often be a time of great change in one’s life when they can see the bigger picture of their life and purpose.   

Hawks mate for life and both the male and female share the responsibility of raising the young.  They are very defensive of their chicks and nest.   Hawk can help us to understand our role in relationships and can help lead us to true love and connection in our lives.  They teach us to work together with others toward common goals.

Hawks most often inhabit the same area for their entire life.  This suggests the need to find our place in the world.  The place that provides us with all that we need for our happiness and success.  It also suggests the permanence of hawk’s medicine.  When this totem appears in your life it will remain a part of you for all time.

Hawks soar gracefully, often staying airborne for hours at a time with very little effort on their part.  They seem to gently float in slow arching circles.  This effortless spiral dance shows us the essence of Spirit itself.  The planets spiral around the sun.  The seasons run in a never-ending circle.  All things repeat the spiral dance of birth, life, death and rebirth.  Hawk teaches us to flow gracefully through these cycles, letting the winds of Spirit carry us to our next experience. 

As a master of the air, hawk shows us the value of perception.  Through hawk medicine we can achieve a higher understanding of our lives and ourselves.  We can “rise above” the problems and obstacles that face us.   

Hawk is a powerful hunter with razor sharp talons and beak.  These can be powerful tools to help you accomplish your goals but we must remain cautious so that we don’t make our words too sharp and hurtful to others.  When used properly hawk medicine can help you to grab the opportunities that come into your life.