TOTEMSTOTEMS
Long before humanity
learned to harness the forces of nature through hydroelectric dams, solar power and
electricity our ancestors knew the power nature held. They discovered through observing
and imitating nature and her creations, they could accomplish all manner of things for the
good of their people. It was the simple wisdom of nature that they drew upon and learned
from, something that has been passed on generation to generation and is practiced even
today.
Nature is like an encompassing theater that continually renews itself through the cycle of
life, death and rebirth. Each creature, like actors in a play, have their place and each
contibutes to the whole. In this remarkable undertaking, all things are provided for and
balance is maintained within the ecosystem.
Take for example the wolves. Being that they are carniverous, they feed mostly upon hooved
mammals. In lean times they hunt smaller prey such as rabbits. In doing this they keep the
deer from becoming over-populated and by hunting the weak they keep the herds healthy. Like the wolves, all
animals play a critical part in maintaining the ecosystem and if one is removed it destroys the delicate balance between predator and prey, which is an important
part of keeping that balance.
When the government removed the wolves from Yellowstone park they were doing so at the
behest of the local ranchers and in answer to peoples universal fear of the creatures.
After the wolves were gone the park became overburdened by the needs of the deer. When one species consumes all available food sources, other species which are sustained by the same food source inevitably suffer.
The coyotes are scavengers and so depend on the wolves to supplement their diets with fresh meat because
they cannot take down a deer on their own so they suffered as well. This in turn
allowed the rodent population to overrun the park since there were few healthy coyotes to
hunt them. The defoliation of the grasses also affected those creatures that depend on them
as a major food source.
You can see how nature has created her own system to ensure the
continuation of the species and one action from humans can disrupt that balance. This is
what our ancestors knew all along, they used that wisdom to create abundance, maintain
healthy relations with each other and the world around them and provide for future
generations.
Totems are simply the spirits of animals our ancestors called upon for advice and wisdom.
By observing each animal, they could discover not only how each animal survived, how it
related to it's environment and it's own kind but also how it coexisted with all other
creatures. Our ancestors learned that each animal had it's own unique way of life and that
that way fit into all others within the ecosystem like a giant puzzle. Each animal also
had different strengths that enabled them to survive and weaknesses that enabled predators to hunt them for food.
Through living in harmony with their surroundings our ancestors were able to call upon
the totem spirits for different needs. Whether they needed grace to accept their problems,
strength in battle or simply the wisdom to lead their people with courage and compassion,
they found the animals to be perfect role-models.
This is what animal medicine is all about. Improving one's connection with life, healing
the mind, body and spirit and learning to live in harmony with all living things. This
medicine is free for the taking, it is Gaia's gift to her children and if you approach
these lessons with humility and openess, you will not only understand the universe but you
will gain insight about your place in it. We all need to call upon the essence of each
animal and in the silence of our inner selves listen to what they teach us.
Each person has several totems that are their personal teachers. Generally this is
determined by whatever lessons that person needs to currently learn, by a particular
strength that is needed at that time in their lives or simply by whichever animals they
feel a certain bond with. Everyone in fact has several totems that travel with them
through life. Most come when a bit of wisdom needs to be imparted and then leave when that
person has learned everything they can, some stay with you all your life providing comfort
and friendship and some briefly appear to impart a message. Simply put totems are
teachers, friends, family, counselors and guides. They help you gain insight into yourself
and those around you, they provide strength during times of struggle, comfort during times
of sorrow and are there to share all your joys and accomplishments.
Discovering which totems are in your life isn't all that hard. Pay attention to your
dreams, totems frequently appear in them for several consecutive nights. You may have to
wrestle with what they may have been trying to tell you since dreams are vague and use a
lot of metaphors. When you go outside pay attention to the wildlife around you, sometimes
totems will appear to you in their native habitats. That's usually their way of showing
themselves other then dreams. Buy a deck of medicine cards and do your own reading, that
can help give you a place to start. Like with tarot cards your subconscious
knows what's ahead, so too does your subconscious know which totems have made themselves
present. If you have an attachment to a certain animal then chances are it's one of your
personal totems. Read up on whatever animal it is and the others you have had contact with
and you will be surprised at how much they have in common with your personality and your
situation. I suggest above all to pick up some books about totems and a deck of medicine
cards, they will explain the animals and their relations with you.