Welcome to Animal Totems
Introduction
This Animal Totem's web section was created in 1997 as a student guide for those seeking understanding. It was one of the very first animal totem web sites out there at the time and it was also the first to have the totems broken into the individual groups; animals, insects, land animals, reptiles and water animals. From the beginning it has always been the author's intent to share knowledge of the animals in order to become a better person in hopes to create a better world for human and animal kind. Many parts of this web section and its animals has been featured in ezines, blogs, bulletin boards, web publications, other web sites, and various classroom and e-learning curriculums.
Animal Totems
There are hidden qualities and forces of nature that we can access if we are attuned to the natural forces around us. In this section of StarStuffs.com, we can learn some of the natural language the animal kingdom is telling us.
The animals express the spirit nature of that species and exemplify qualities we can learn from. They are psychological and spiritual symbols that convey to us qualities we are needing or lacking in our daily lives. They are a mirror of us reflecting our own innate qualities to help ourselves better understand our connection to all things.
Personal power animals and the connection to animals and their wisdom are found throughout the world in many cultures. From cave paintings, ornate jewelry and carvings to countless stories and legends. Animal wisdom helps connect to our innate being. In the distant past there was no separation between man and animal. This view is reemerging as we awaken to the knowledge of the animals. We were and are inextricably linked as one. Animals, regardless of culture and location, teach us by example.
The timeless widespread view of power animals can be related to Carl Jung's concepts. He termed "archetypes" as primordial symbols of the "collective unconscious". Animal totems are simply archetypes that work with the subconscious mind, tapping into the energy that is present in all things. They are part of the collective mind as a constant truth found throughout the world.
Totem animals can be seen as channels or frequencies on a radio with many levels of understanding. Animal teachers will become noticeable when it is time. There is much to be learned if one is observant and aware of the natural surroundings. Animals speak to us in many ways; by their numbers, how they act along with the natural actions and reactions to their surroundings. The keys to understanding this language is learning about the animal and discovering those qualities you need to pay attention to. One needs to be perceptive and aware when you see animals that catch your attention and stand out above the perceived norm.
Animal Totem awareness is by no means a worship of the animals but rather using the animal totems as spiritual tools, or rather a spiritual symbiosis, along our personal path of awareness. There is honor and respect for all of nature. Man is not above nature, man is one with nature. Totems and all of nature, demonstrate a spiritual connectedness that helps guide us into self discovery.
About This Web Site
This website contains several tools to aid you on your journey.
Discovering Your Totems Types, movements, numbers and a meditation to meet an animal guide.
Four Directions Outline the meaning of the direction an animal is moving.
Sacred Feathers Discusses the type and meaning of feathers.
The comprehensive Dictionary of Animals section contains meanings of animal family; Birds, Land, Aquatic, Insects, Reptiles, Mollusks
As Chief Luther Standing Bear said, "The old Lakota was wise. He knew that man's heart away from nature becomes hard; he knew that lack of respect for growing, living things soon led to lack of respect for humans too." It is my hope that these pages will expand your awareness of the world around you so that compassion and respect for the animals will teach how to have compassion and respect for humankind.
Love and Light,
StarStuffs