ANIMAL MEANINGS
Animal Messages
NATIVE AMERICANS: believe that nature - weather, animals, plants, moon phases, plants, etc. - is in constant communication with human beings (and other members of the natural world.) Some claim that animals deliver omens of good and bad fortune - and others say that everything here on Earth is a learning experience and most of us humans fail to listen.. to pay attention.
ANIMALS
Animals are one of the most important elements of such an education. They act as teachers.. as guides. They speak volumes with their chatter and presence. You, as students of the world, must first acknowledge the animals value, and then listen for the messages they are delivering.
The message is there. You need only pay close attention to what is being 'said.'
THE MESSAGE
It is a common belief that wild animals will only appear to you when they (the animal) deems it to be necessary. You will never have a chance enounter with an animal - so they say - rather all visits have an intended meaning.
What are they trying to tell you? Well.. it's very much like dream interpretations. The message can appear to be literal - or figurative.
In order to decipher the meaning you must first understand what the animal represents. For example, the any is orderly and disciplined. If an ant constantly shows up in your home, in your dreams, or even as little signs here and there (perhaps in books, on T-shirts, etc.) and you seem to be bombarded with ants - perhaps nature is trying to tell you that you are undisciplined and in need of order. If the messages comes to you frequently, then you should pay attention to the meaning and evaluate your life asking "Where do I need order?" And then apply that to your life.
Here are some other animal meanings:
Bats - You are in the dark about something
Bears - You need to be more gentle.
Bees - You need to finish building something.
Butterflies - Change is coming
Cardinals - You need to have some fun.
Chickens - Go for something you've been putting off!
Cranes - Be creative.
Crows - Use your head!
Deer - Keep your innocence. Go with grace.
Doves - You will find peace
Ducks - Be more protective
Eagles- Be aware of what is going on around you
Finch - New experiences are coming
Fox - You need to listen - to be the student
Frogs - Listen to others
Goose - Share your life stories
Grasshoppers - Take a leap forward
Groundhogs - Pay attention to your dreams
Hawk - Pay attention. A message is coming.
Horses - Free yourself
Lizards - Use your sixth sense
Moles - Renew yourself
Mice - Be humble.
Oppossum - Get healthy
Owl - Your need healed
Pigeon - You home needs secured
Raccoon - Keep someone's secrets
Rats - You will only succeed once you get more ambition
Robins - Learn something new
Skunks - Use your sensuality
Snakes - You can only be healed through wisdom and change.
Spiders - You must weave your own goals
Squirrels - Be prepared.
Swans - You may be too emotional right now
Turkey - You need a more spiritual connection to the Earth
Turtle - Open your mind to new possibilities
Vultures - You need to cleanse yourself inside and out.
Whales - Develop your own rituals
Woodpeckers - You do not have a strong foundation.
FINDING YOUR ANIMAL TOTEM
Many aboriginals are very attuned to nature; to animals. They often have TOTEMS - a natural animal, object or being that brings your strength, wisdom and guidance - and with this totem you can pull positive energy from when needed.
Your animal totem may have already appeared and connected with you - or you may need help to open yourself up to the possibilities of what your totem actually represents.
You may question the value, or the importance, of animals - but as many Natives already know, animals/totems are powerful messengers and guides that affect your every day living. Animals are connected to the spirit world. They are far more inuitive than humans - at least - more than most humans. They can see and sense what we do not and can not see. Each animal, especially those in the wild, have a unique and powerful spirit. Each animal represents certain talents and features, strengths and abilities, that we can learn from and use within our own lives.
Remember: the animal chooses the person - not the other way around. Most likely, your totem has already chosen. You're probably already attracted to a particular critter and havent yet realized that it's now a vital part of your life and probably has been for quite a while.
There are ways for you to determine your personal animal totem. Answer the following questions:
1.Which animal(s) fascinates you most?
2. When you go outside - preferably in the woods or to an animal exhibit - what animal(s) do you hope to see? What animal(s) do you spend the most time observing?
3. What animals do you see the most?
4. Do you collect any animals (stuffed, posters, figures, etc)?
5. When you were a child, what animal(s) did you do book reports on?
6. What animal(s) do you dream of most?
7. Have you ever pretended to be an animal? If so, which one?
8. Do you have an animal nickname?
9. What baby animals do you adore most?
10. What animal frightens you most?
Now look at your responses and see if there's a pattern. Is there are particular animal that's repeated over and over? If so, that's probably your totem.
This is the animal that is most connected to you. It may be a buffalo, a butterfly, or even a raven. It may not even be an animal you particularly like - but nonetheless - the animal is attracted to you and therefore needs to be honored and respected.
Honor and respect is key to developling a relationship with your totem.
Now, you need to learn to read the messages from your totem. Animal messages are only effective if you allow them to be. Believe in the power of nature and you will be rewarded.
Here are several ways for you to find your totem
1. Research the animal. Learn everything you can about the totem. Where does it live? What are its habits? How does it communicate? Where is it on the foodchain? How does it fend off predators. What does it eat? How does it reproduce and parent? What special abilities does it posses?
2. Go to the animal, if possible. Are they in the wild or at the zoo? If you can get close and personal with your critter - even if there's a cage between you - then do so. The more you study your totem, the better. And seeing them in person is best.
3. Photograph your totem. Place the photo in a spot where you can draw from its energy each and every day - such as at a prayer spot.
4. Your prayer spot could be the top of a dresser or a shelf on the wall. There should be the items you need for meditation and prayer - candles, incense, animal totem representatives, feathers, etc. - and this is your daily station to enhance your spirituality and to connect to the essence of who you really are.
5. Keep a totem representative on you at all times. Tattoos, pictures in your wallet, a necklace or a pin are perfect examples.
6. Start a totem collection. Figurines, dolls, stuffed animals, posters, etc.
Your personal totem is energy. It is life. It is an exploration of the person who lurks inside of your soul. Once you learn what that animal is - you can draw on its energy when needed. It is a powerful emotional and mental tool. Learn to use it wisely and you will benefit from the rewards for years to come.
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