Power Animals and Totems

Cultural Totems

Some totems are actually cultural, meaning they affect or represent an entire culture. Power animals, or totems, have appeared throughout many religions, faiths and cultures. Some tribal cultures even identify their entire tribe based off of one animal. Even some families have individual totems. Sometimes local organizations, clubs and cultures will adopt a totem. This is best evidenced in the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, to which I am a member, and the Loyal Order of Moose, and the Lions Club. Some sports teams have totems, like the Colts, Broncos, Falcons and more. Even some cities, countries and states have a "state animal" that is often a totemic animal for that given location. Some religions honor totems or creatures as well, such as Christianity which recognizes the fish and the lamb.

Astrological Totems

As some totems affect cultures, some affect entire masses of people. One of the simpler ways of organizing this is to look at an entire astrological sign. Astrological signs have their own totems listed below (some are abstract symbols rather than "animals" or "creatures"):

Aries: Lamb/Ram

Taurus: Bull

Gemini: Twins

Cancer: Crab

Leo: Lion

Virgo: Virgin, Angel, Sphinx

Libra: Scales

Scorpio: Scorpion, Snake/(grey) Lizard/Dragon, Eagle, Phoenix

Sagittarius: Centaur, Horse, Deer

Capricorn: Capricorn (goat fish), Goat, Fish, unicorn, mountain goat

Aquarius: Water Bearer

Pisces: Fish, Dolphin, Shark

Individual Totems

Beyond the larger group totems, there are also individual totems. Your power animal may come to you in the form of dreams, visions or meditations. Sometimes if it is a real animal it will appear to you in real life. People often have more than one totem. Sometimes they change depending on the status of your life. They are often protectors, sometimes physical guards and sometimes as emotional guardians. Sometimes your totem may seem to have no powers, such as a mouse. That is, until you study the mouse's uncanny power of adaption. Additionally, the totem can grow to the strength it is needed to. So.beware of GIANT mice! Even they can be scary.