Totems and Birth Totem Animals

February 11, 2022

What are totems and what do they mean?

Totems are a representation seen through a natural sacred object that has spiritual significance. They can be a mineral, plant or animal and are used to represent a society or clan. Totems can help our spirits align with the many parts of Mother Earth as they have vast wisdom that can help us heal and maintain a healthy lifestyle. If we practice a shamanic lifestyle, we can also use their vibration to help in our daily lives.

The first part of the task is finding or aligning with a totem. The second part is to get to know their vibration, characteristics and habits. We should ask what the totem has to teach or help us with. The third part is learning how to intuitively connect with them when you need to.

How do we align with the right totem?

There are a few ways to determine what totem fits with our vibration and higher knowing or dreamer self. We can rely upon our higher knowing as it is always available to help us connect through our intuition. We can therefore presume that it will help us intuitively recognize that the totem we are attracted to will be perfect for us. This however, requires trust as doubt will creep in when the totem does not seem appealing or it is not the favorite choice. If we research what they are, where and how they live and what makes them unique, however, it can dispel some of the doubt we are feeling. Also, in gaining a better understanding of our totem and their vibration, we will begin to appreciate the healing properties and comfort they may provide. This is the “medicine” or medicinal properties we are seeking.

Another way to find our totem is through meditation. Although there are many ways to meditate, we will only be listing a few. There is a meditative journey in which the use of a drum allows us to connect with our totem in the ether or void space (also called the dream space) and the field of knowledge. Another way is a walking or dancing meditation in nature which can be done on our own or in a group. The peaceful sounds of nature allow for an immersive experience in which the right totem can be revealed. There is also dream meditation, which is accomplished while we are asleep. This type of meditation can unveil our totem to us through a message in our sleep or dream altar or ceremonial journey.

Whichever form of mediation is preferred, it is helpful to create an intent so we can work with the energy of the spirit helpers. The intent centers around what the outcome or purpose is and why we are seeking that outcome or purpose. Sometimes we are looking for something specific and permanent, like our power animal. Other times, we are looking for our totem with a definite purpose and shorter time frame.

What is our birth totem and how do we find it?

Our birth totem is determined by our birthday. It is provided to us through the teachings of Sun Bear and his Earth Astrological Reference Chart, which is found in his book A Sun Bear Book, Dancing With The Wheel, The Medicine Wheel Workbook. The date system is very close to Western Astrology, so it is easy to navigate with our birth date information. Here is a quick reference to get started and learn more about birth totems.

Budding Trees Moon: Mar 21 - Apr 19

Frogs Return Moon: Apr 20 - May 20

Cornplanting Moon: May 21 - June 20

Strong Sun Moon: June 21 - July 22

Ripe Berries Moon: July 23 - Aug.22

Harvest Moon: Aug.23 - Sept.22

Ducks Fly Moon: Sept.23 - Oct.23

Freeze Up Moon: Oct.24 - Nov.21

Long Snows Moon: Nov.22 - Dec.21

Earth Renewal Moon: Dec 22 - Jan 19

Rest & Cleansing Moon: Jan 20 - Feb 18

Big Winds Moon: Feb. 19 - Mar. 20

Anyone wishing for more information regarding their birth totems can access the links below and start researching this very special way to connect to the natural medicine from the earth. We are currently in the Rest and Cleansing Moon January 20 to February 18, which is the Humanitarian. The animal totem is the Otter.

Coming Up

The Earth Medicine Workshops that are coming up soon will provide an opportunity to learn more about Medicine Wheels and how to travel them. These Workshops will also provide an introduction to journeying, ceremonies, rituals, shamanism, totems, the influence of moon cycles and much more. The workshops are designed to have some in person experience so we may practice the amazing ways we can learn, heal and grow.

A Sun Bear Book: Dancing With The Wheel, The Medicine Wheel Workbook, Sun Bear Wabun Wind, and Crysalis Mulligan, 1991, pgs 4-5.

< Older Post

Newer Post >

Mail

Reiki and "The Veil"

By Carell Mehl • September 30, 2025

The ‘Veil' - the dividing line between the divine, and this physical construct of earth. So many of us still don’t see the magic that can be witnessed between here and there. Often, you will hear that the veil is thinner than it has been at other times of the year, or during a spiritual retreat or ceremony. We are the creators of our existence. We have the power to make this happen, whether we are attuned and initiated into Reiki, or not. The difference between having Reiki as a lifestyle, as opposed to not having it, was revealed to me over the past couple of years. I see how quickly people are learning what took me 10 to 15 years to accomplish. Good news for those who waited, and also for those who started three decades ago. The time construct is an illusion. Time doesn’t exist, so really, we are all precisely where we need to be. Comparison using a timeline, really, is a process of our perceptions and what we align with in the moment. For example, I am currently in a new meditation practice, and a new experience has arisen. In this experience, a whole new reality unfolds, presenting a new opportunity to gain a deeper understanding of myself, and create more extraordinary experiences. Reiki will bring us all to this place eventually, guided and protected so our childlike wonder can develop and take us beyond the veil. Can we achieve this without Reiki? Absolutely, but as a person who is sensitive to energy, I find this modality has given me the love and grace to explore with childlike wonder. I still get to listen to, and follow my higher knowing, and it insists that I do so, but I get to move along at the pace of growth that serves me best (even if my ego thinks differently). Not all of it has been easy, but as parents allow their child to learn to walk and become more human, so does God, Spirit and the creator, allow us to develop in whatever way is intended for each of us. This reflection has both positive and negative aspects, from which we can learn. Soon, the child knows not to touch the hot flame or burning wood. Beyond the veil is where we can heal ourselves physically, emotionally, mentally, and spiritually. This is where the supernatural kicks in. As this human experience unfolds, we get to observe, watch and learn. Become the watcher, become the magician, and orchestrate the reality your eyes desire to see. There is no prescribed timing, or amount of required waiting. We only need to allow flow, let go, and enjoy the experience. This is only possible when we are the closest to the veil, or when there is the thinning of the veil, as the veil itself on this side of the human experience creates the illusion. Reality awaits beyond the veil—the experience where we heal, grow, and evolve into our life purpose, the place of our universal connection to our creator self, and where we recognize who our guides, teachers, and higher self are, as well as the reality we desire to be in. When invoking the Cho-ku-Rei symbol, take your time, do it with intention and focus. Pause and wait to feel the energy. Really, DO NOT RUSH. Feel it, know it, and understand it. Even if we are seasoned masters, and have been doing it for a long time, this is all the more reason to do this step with intentional clarity and smoothness. As the veils are so very, very thin, you may be surprised by the magic, and how reality can change into beauty so quickly. If we spend too much time in a single state when we're out in the world, we can get stuck. If we no longer like this experience, we sometimes forget that we have the power and tools to change it. Reiki keeps us tuned and connected to creating our desired reality. Tips for aligning with the “Veil”: Invoke Reiki. Use the Cho-ku-Rei and Sei-hei-ki symbols and ground them into the Earth. Be slow and precise, and pause for at least 40 to 90 seconds after you invoke the emblem. Energy flow. Breathe and move the energy down to the one-point (Tan Tien). Open-heart connection. Simply touch the centre of your chest with your thumbs, keeping them in a prayer mudra position. Surrender. Open up to receive with childlike wonder. Calm the mind. Hear your breath or a continuous noise - no thought. Meditation. Starting with a simple OM Meditation is excellent, 10 to 15 minutes, allow yourself to feel. Breathing. Circle your breath - up from the bottom of the left foot and up the body over the crown, and then exhale down the right side. Consult your inner knowing. See if your inner knowing relays any messages, images, or body sensations. Pay attention . An image is worth a thousand words. Journal. Write, dream and create what those meanings are for you. Take action. Move and do one thing that brings reality closer to you. If you need help facilitating any steps, or still feel stuck, reach out. A little guidance will take you far. Alternatively, try a Tarot/Oracle Reading from Ki Lifestyle and a Shamanic Akashic Record reading. Shamanic and Reiki sessions are also available for assemblage shifting or other issues. These tools help gain insight, identify what keeps you stuck, and create strategies to achieve your goals. ~ Namaste & Many Blessings!