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.
