Buddhist Catholic Contemplative Evangelical General Christian Hindu Jewish Latter-day Saint Muslim New Visions Progressive Christian

Beliefs

Topics

Columnists

Resource Library

Research Tools

Video

Podcasts

Thought Readers

Faith In Media Tracker

Newsletters

Ad-Free & Subscriber Log-In Subscription Support

Follow Patheos

The Fairy Tale Witch

Home
Pagan
Finding Your Animal Totem

Finding Your Animal Totem

Last updated on: July 8, 2018 at 1:51 pm by Alura Rose

Finding Your Animal Totem 2018-07-08T13:51:45+00:00 Alura Rose

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

What is an Animal Totem?

Animal Totem’s have been mentioned in history, books and the craft for a very long time but what is an animal totem and how can it aid you? The word totem means “kinship group.” It comes from the Algonquian word adoodem.

Native Americans would sometimes mark their village with Totem Poles. These were logs carved with each animal or being on top of one another. Today, statuary is found in many homes representing one’s totem. Some spiritual groups even tattoo it upon their body.

The dictionary describes a totem to be:

“a natural object or animal believed by a particular society to have spiritual significance and adopted by it as an emblem.”

Animal Totems in Witchcraft

Like other spirit guides and guardians, animal totems can help us along our spiritual path, keep us out of trouble or even teach us valuable lessons. I have seen them in my meditations, viewed them as a message when they cross my path and even honored them upon my altar.

One of the lessons in Christopher Penczak’s book “The Temple of Shamanic Witchcraft” is to find your animal totem. When I did this exercise I was, at first, a little disappointed to have a wolf show up. I felt like a wolf was common. That it wasn’t unique. I also was surprised that a crow or raven did not show up as I have had a strong connection to the Morrigan.

When I researched it further, I found that there is a tie between Raven and Wolves. It seems that they play a game of hide and seek. A raven will fly ahead and land upon a tree branch. It will call until the wolf catches up and finds them. Then they will repeat this game.

Ravens will also fly ahead and circle a potential prey. Wolves run to the sight and kill the prey. After they enjoy their meal, they will leave some for the Ravens that helped them.

How to find your animal totem

Pay attention. Your animal totem is probably trying to get your attention or at the very least giving you signs. Do you see an animal every where you go? Are you drawn to certain paintings, photos, statuary and realize that the same animal can be found in the piece? Have you always been drawn to the same animal but cannot figure out why?
Meditate. Go into meditation with the intention that you are going to meet your animal totem. When you do make sure you listen to them. They may want to take you somewhere to show you something. Pay attention to this and as many details as you can.
Visit a farm, go out in nature. Sometimes a totem animal will walk right up to or come very close.
Be patient.

Be open to messages that animals send you every day

When you see an animal that you do not usually see, research what it means magickally. Here is a list of books that can help. You should add at least one of these to your witch’s libary.

Animal Speak by Ted Andrews

Animal Magick: The Art of Recognizing and Working with Familiars by D. J. Conway

Totems: The Transformative Power of your Personal Animal Totems by Brad Steiger

There are even apps for your phone and online sights. Be weary of most of these. Cross-reference to make sure the information is coming from a reputable source.

Previous Post

June 25, 2018

The Beginning Witch: Links to get you started

Next Post

July 16, 2018 Words from a Witch - Magickal Poetry

Browse Our Archives

Select a Category Fairy Tale Magick Interview pagan Review Tarot Uncategorized witchcraft

Select a Month May 2021 April 2021 March 2021 February 2021 January 2021 December 2020 October 2020 August 2020 July 2020 June 2020 May 2020 April 2020 March 2020 February 2020 December 2019 September 2019 August 2019 July 2019 June 2019 January 2019 December 2018 November 2018 October 2018 September 2018 August 2018 July 2018 June 2018 May 2018 April 2018 March 2018 February 2018

TAKE THE

Religious Wisdom Quiz

Which book of the Bible is known as the 'Gospel of Joy'?

Select your answer to see how you score.

Ephesians Philippians Colossians Romans