What’s Your Totem Animal?
Whether you’re an animal lover or not, most of us will have an affinity with a certain animal. You might be a dog person because of their adoring loyalty. You could be a cat lover, soothed by their energy or you may agree with the Ancient Egyptians, who believed that cats are connected to the Gods.
Maybe you like tigers because you get lost in their hypnotic green eyes or simply because you love the classic Survivor song, “Eye of the Tiger’. Perhaps your favourite animal is the monkey for their cheekiness and human-like quality, reminding us to have more fun.
Although I love many animals, it wasn’t a surprise when I learnt that my totem animal was the horse. I’ve always been drawn to the noble beauty of horses. Whether riding or watching, they exude an energy of wild freedom, which is captivating. As a traveller who loves flying, it’s predictible that my favourite mythical creature would be Pegasus, the winged horse of Greek Mythology.
In a spiritual course delving into animal symbolism, I discovered that the horse was my totem animal. With a huge imagination, I usually find guided meditations easy to create a scene and delve beyond to discover and uncover. On this occasion, I was supposed to see every animal in my minds eye. However, I kept seeing only horses. After trying to shift this image to see more animals, I relaxed and accepted the image before me. “Don’t fight it. Another animal will emerge, if it’s meant to,” my instincts told me. Among a team of Bay coloured equine beauties galloping through the lush green forest in which I was meditating, one white horse broke away to discover me. He playfully nudged me as I sat upon the forest floor.
Horses are symbols of freedom. Horse people are wild spirits that cannot be broken. If drawn to horses, you might feel a power in your spirit that can be difficult to control at times. With a gypsy soul, you love to travel. Your free spirit may be caught in daydreams such as the sun in a chariot pulled across the sky by the stallions of Apollo. This totem brings a passion for new journeys, both physical and internal. The horse teaches you to ride in new directions and discover your own freedom and power.
There is a Native American (Huron) Proverb; “Listen to the voice of nature, for it holds treasures for you.” Chief Dan George of the Tsleil-Waututh Nation said, “If you talk to the animals, they will talk to you and you will know each other. If you do not talk to them, you will not know them and what you do not know, you will fear. What one fears, one destroys.” Although I instantly think of Native Americans, when thinking of animal wisdom, I am reminded that animal signs are found throughout most cultures across Mother Earth.
Connecting with your animal totem aids self-discovery and awareness, enhances self-expression and personal freedom. But wait, there’s more … the world is full of animals, reptiles and insects … and yes, they all have symbolic meanings. Although one animal may be your totem, if you are open minded and aware, you may notice other animals that show up in your life often and at symbolic times. I can’t resist researching the spiritual meaning behind animals that continually cross my path or at times which are significant. Every time, my discovery reinforces my belief in animal power and how their energy is indeed connected to our own.
Do you know what your totem animal is? What is your favourite animal and why? Is there an animal that captivates you? Please share your animal magic with us.
Other great animal quotes include:
“Any glimpse into the life of an animal quickens our own and makes it so much the larger and better in every way.” John Muir, Scottish- American Naturalist (1838-1914)
“The greatness of a nation and it’s moral progress can be judged by the way its animals are treated.” Gandhi (1869-1948).
“In order to keep a true perspective of one’s importance, everyone should have a dog that will worship him and a cat that will ignore him.” Dereke Bruce
