The totem animal: to discover yourself and be closer to nature

Very present in Native American culture, the totem animal is considered a protective being who will guide a person or a group of people who identify with its personality traits. This is a sacred tradition of ancient North American Indian civilizations. It accompanies you and guides you through the different stages of your life and can even evolve according to your character traits and your objectives. Here's everything you need to know about your totem animal.

What is an animal totem and how can it influence your life?

The totem animal is a kind of spiritual guide that helps you better understand the different events that occur in your life. This is actually the animal most likely to represent your personality. Each animal has great symbolic value which can have many meanings. It brings a kind of wisdom that helps guide you in each of your decisions.

The totem animal can also be a symbol of belonging to a group of people who share the same ideologies and the same ambitions as you. It may be linked to your family or have a strong symbolic significance within your community.

Each person can have a total of 7 totem animals. These allow you to work on different aspects of life and are held around you. So, they can be:

• The one who guides you in your life mission (ahead);
• The one who is your protector (behind);
• The one who brings you energy (left);
• The one who inspires your work (right);
• The one who leads your spirituality (above);
• The one from whom you draw your strength (below);
• The one that represents your clan (center).

How do you know what your totem animal is?

There are different ways to find your totem animal. Among them, you can try meditation and self-introspection. You can also undertake a shamanic journey through which the shaman accompanies you and explains how to find your guide animal. It uses the sound of drums to immerse you in a state of daydreaming and maximum relaxation. You can also trust your intuition and let yourself be guided by the nature around you.

You can also consult the Native American horoscope which is based on the shamanic wheel. Just like astrological signs, this horoscope assigns you a sign which may be your spirit animal. Totem animals are divided into 4 families:

• To the east are the cougar or wolf, the beaver and the sour hawk, guided by the Wabun spirit.
• To the south are the golden colapte or the green woodpecker, the deer, the sturgeon or the salmon, guided by the Shawnodese spirit.
• To the West are the serpent, the crow and the brown bear guided by the spirit Mudjekeewis.
• To the north are the otter, the owl or elk and the snow goose, guided by the Waboose spirit.

Your totem animal may not be linked to your Native American sign. For some people, their spiritual guide may have always been present in their life. Whether in dreams or in real life, an animal can surface and attract you without there being a logical explanation.

This can for example be:

• Birds like: the eagle, the hummingbird, the owl…
• Insects like ants, dragonflies, spiders, butterflies…
• Mammals like the coyote, the fox, the panda, the bison, the elephant, the sheep, the panther, the tiger…
• Marine animals like frogs, dolphins, turtles…

In other words, your guide can be your favorite animal, just as he can be a wild animal or a domestic animal.

What is the meaning of your totem animal?

From Native American legend, the totem animal can have several meanings in a person's life. But above all, it is a protective spirit. It also has healing power, especially for internal and psychological wounds. It helps you develop your qualities and the positive traits of your personality. It also accompanies you to go through the different trials that you must face and the mysteries of life, whether in a positive or negative way. Beyond all its missions, the totem animal allows you to reconnect with the wild world by allowing you to flourish through the personalities of your spirit guide.

The meaning of the symbol conveyed by your totem animal allows you to know yourself better. You can have for example:

• The lion, a powerful animal that represents strength and is also the symbol of courage. It helps you overcome life's difficulties.
• The bear which is a symbol of family, trust and which marks a need to take a step back.
• The wolf which is the symbol of freedom and intelligence.
• The deer or doe which represents sensitivity and a need to reconnect with childhood.
• The cat which is the symbol of independence and patience.
• The elephant which represents success, strength and power, as well as memory, honor and dignity.
• The panda which is a sign of wisdom and peace. He embodies quiet strength, luck and determination.
• The tiger which is a sign of confidence, power, intuition and courage.
• The dolphin which is a sign of joy, peace, harmony and inner strength.

In the majority of cases, the symbolism conveyed depends on the character of the totem animal that corresponds to you.

Why know your totem animal?

Currently, the totem animal is more associated with a personal development tool that allows you to have a better understanding of yourself. It encourages a return to wild life (like MEEKO !) while adapting to the context of the current environment. Thanks to self-introspection and work on the unconscious, the presence of this animal guide is beneficial in order to allow you to achieve your objectives in the best possible way.

Indeed, the totem animal allows you to know yourself better. Analyzing the character traits that identify you with your power animal allows you to better understand your strengths and weaknesses. You will then be more comfortable in your quest for an answer if you are faced with a crucial choice for your future.