Animal Totems

This is what I had found
http://www.sayahda.com/cycle.htm
The Cat
According to author Ted Andrews of Animal Speaks, cats wild or domestic have certain qualities in common. They are associated with myth and lore, magic and mystery. Nine lives, curiosity, independence, cleverness, unpredictability and healing. Those with this medicine should also study its color, size and breed for a deeper understanding.
Cats have more rods in the retinas of their eyes which enable them to see effectively in the dark. The dark is often associated with mankind's fears. Since the car is at home in the dark, it serves as a valuable ally into the world of the supernatural and the unknown and can help those with this totem move through their fears efficiently.
The energy field of a cat rotates is a counterclockwise direction, the opposite of a human energy field. Because of this, cats have the ability to absorb and neutralize energy that affects humans in a negative way. This is part of the healing medicine that the cat holds.
If something affects you in a negative way place a cat on your lap or find a cat to pet. Your energy field will immediately realign itself and inner balance will be restored.
Because of their x-ray vision, acute hearing and high intelligence they were used throughout history as guardians and protectors. In ancient Egypt cats guarded the temple gates and were used to ward off evil.
If cat appears in your life the blending of magic and mystery is at hand. A trustworthy teacher, the cat will guide you into the world of self discovery and transformation

http://www.linsdomain.com/totems.htm


Littlest lion, panther in miniature,
Help me in a my magical endeavors,
Teach me to see my path through dark places,
Help me to sift the necessary from the unnecessary
And to relax and enjoy life.
Strengthened my magic and carry it to its destination.

Mystery, Magic and Independence
A cat totem encourages agility in both body and mind.
You will be challenged with new ideas and places.
The cat gives you clearer perception.
This spirit helper is resourceful, strong and fearless.
It will give you courage and confidence.
Examine the colors, character and behaviors of your Cat.
Everything about it will reflect in your own life.
When a Cat becomes predominant in your life,
magic and mystery come alive.
Associated with the Norse Goddess of Fertility Freyja
and the Hindu Goddess of Childbirth, Shasthi
and of course, the Egyptian Goddess Basket who takes the form of a cat

I found some more of the websites I had saved if you care to read

http://www.spiritofangels.com/poweranimals.html

http://wolfs_moon.tripod.com/totemspage.html

Then I goggled in Animal Totems and this is a new site I had found,
http://www.starstuffs.com/animal_totems/

http://www.starstuffs.com/animal_totems/dictionary_of_animals.htm

The Cat
Magic, independence, clever, unpredictable, balance of energies and actions in life, mysteries will unfold in life if a cat has come around. Cat shows how to clarify perceptions which allows new ideas to manifest, encourages mental and emotional agility, aids in being resourceful and stealthy tactics, teaches courage and confidence. Do you need to be more independent? Are you using your resources the best of your ability? Is it time to start a new project? Cat will show how to continue the process of opening your intuition for soul growth.

Then I went on to read more to this website, I am going to copy and paste some of the relevant pages with the link pertaining to the website so you too can see what animal totem you are.
Please be aware of the following information in reference to the information enclosed

Information contained herein, all pages within "Animal Totems" may be copied, distributed, displayed as long as: StarStuffs is cited as the author and web address is referenced
© 2006 StarStuffs http://www.starstuffs.com/animal_totems/

You may not download, hotlink, bandwidth steal, or modify images and not use this for commercial purposes, and you may not alter, transform or build upon this work. For any reuse or distribution, you must make clear to others the license terms of this work. Any other purpose of use must be granted permission by author. WebSite copies on cd since 1997.

http://www.starstuffs.com/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, 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.

Carl Jung termed "archetypes" as primordial symbols of the "collective unconscious". Animal totems are archetypes that work with the subconscious mind, tapping into the energy that is present in all things. Totems can be seen as channels or frequencies on a radio depending on the need of the individual. Our electromagnetic energy field taps into that frequency. However, the key to understanding this language is being perceptive and aware of our surroundings.

This 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. Honor and respect for all of nature was and is recognized. Man is not above nature, man is one with nature.
Totems and all of nature, demonstrate a spiritual connectedness that helps guide us on our own path of self discovery.

Then I selected this link
http://www.starstuffs.com/animal_totems/finding.htm

"Anima"(Latin) means Soul or Breath of Life



Animal totems are animals we tend to have an attraction to, either by a
calling toward the animal or the animal appears to us to teach some quality of
itself. They emanate the breath of our lives by showing us certain qualities
and behaviors that we should emulate somewhere in our livelihood.
We each come into this world accompanied by an animal spirit - a significant
indicator of our personal power - that walks with us on our soul journey
through space and time. These Spirit Guides are very personal totems since
they strongly reflect our inner spiritual nature. One could have several of
these totems since they guide us along our path and give us courage and
strength in our journey. They may appear at separate times throughout your
life or perhaps alternating in appearances, all to teach us lessons we need to
learn. This could be viewed as a hierarchy of animal totems: from everyday
spirit helpers/reminders to "mother-father" type figures in the spirit realm
who guide, watch over and train us throughout our lives.


As with any human relationship, we need to understand the language of the
animal partner in order to fully understand it. Listening is approximately 85%
of a conversation. In humans, when we listen, actually listen to every word
and meaning the person is saying, we come to understand minute details that
are important to that person. The same applies likewise within the animal
kingdom. Communication and interaction strengthen and empower the union
between animal worlds and ourselves.
These Spirit Guides have chosen you and will appear when you are ready to
understand. They are also usually wild in nature (not domesticated). The
animal spirits may reveal themselves in visions and/or dreams with an
unmistakable familiar knowing associated with it. Honor, respect and
attentiveness must be given because you are now ready for a new segment in
your journey. Over time trust is built and we eventually take on those imbued
characteristics and merge with the animal spirits, becoming one with the
energy.

Learning of your personal animal totem(s) will give you a greater sense of
appreciation of your own connections to all life. In human relationships, it
may also help to understand the significance of that person's spirit animal(s)
and how it interacts with your animal totem(s). When you acknowledge the other
dynamic energies that play a part of the relationship it will help you better
understand the dynamics of the relationship as a whole. This understanding can
enhance and create a lasting foundation in all that you do. Perhaps listening
to relationship totems could teach you something about yourself as well?

By recognizing and acknowledging animal totems as you see them, the energy
working in your life will increase. You will start to notice your personal
power animal(s) everywhere you go, in books, magazines and postcards, in
nature, in dreams and visions. By surrounding yourself with images you connect
with the animal and the energy and wisdom it imparts. Your awareness will
abound. Here follows a basic guideline to finding your special animal.
Which animals have always fascinated you, especially in childhood?
Which animals have you always felt connected to?
What animals do you see frequently in the wild?
Which quality of animal best describes your personality?
Which animals do you have around you in pictures or figurines?

The other type of animal totem is more of a general, all-encompassing one,
that we need to be open and be aware of in everyday life. These nature totems
also bring spiritual messages by appearing to us in seemingly odd ways. The
more we are in tune with our surroundings, the easier it is to receive such
messages. The better our inner awareness, the easier it is for this form of
communication to take place. The subtleties, nuances and actions of these
animals will tell you a lot. Some of these animals may repeat their appearance
many times in your life as a 'secondary journey totem'. These animals may not
be the Spirit Guide(s) as mentioned above, however, they are there to help you
as a specifically chosen property for your current path for that particular
moment. Here the line is shadowed a bit by the definitions of Spirit Guide,
Secondary Totem, General Totem. Please don't let definitions hinder what you
think, feel and intuit about the animals. ALL the animals are there to guide,
to teach and to show you what is happening in your world. ALL the animals,
including us are connected, there are no "lines" of separation - only
separation by levels of awareness.
For a personal power totem or an overall nature one, it is wise to study the
habits of the animal in its surroundings, what it eats, where it sleeps, how
it moves, including the gestation and life cycle, this will help you recognize
what it is telling you to apply to your life.

The above criteria is what I follow when I am asked what certain animals mean
in a person's life. For the most part, requests for animal meanings can take
up to 2 written pages and usually gives an accurate description of what is
going in their lives. I study the surroundings and behaviors and then apply
and transpose the animal energies into human terms. Sometimes complex in
nature, sometimes relatively easy- as with our spiritual paths. It all depends
on the depth of the inquiry. I'd like to note here, you may notice the
Dictionaries of Animals I have compiled are short-handed explanations of some
core energies of the animal's characteristics vs an extensive write-up. It's
important to do your own inquiry into your spirit animals. This page and site
gives you the necessary tools to start along that path of disovery. No one can
give you the *meaning* of the answers you need.

Now that you have some tools to discover your personal totem animal we shall
then look at how we are joined to the rest of the animal kingdom through the
common animal totems. All animals are linked by the Great Spirit, including
humans. Nature has a way of communicating if we only listen as they are
representatives of our unconscious minds. Through the appearance of animals in
the everyday environment we can then determine what the underlying situation
is in our lives. For instance, the direction we should take in dilemmas, what
the best course of action is, and how we should behave in given circumstances.
The Great Spirit has linked us all together in order to learn and grow in our
own Spirit. He has given us the chance to learn or perhaps relearn the
language of the animals.
When you come across an animal that is not normally seen around you. Take
notice. If a bird is constantly vocal outside your window, listen and watch. A
deer or a rabbit strays into your yard, listen and watch. After a while you
will know and understand what the animals are trying to tell you. It is
understood that there may be a variety of animals around you everyday.
However, it is the subtle awareness, the nuances, which allow you to listen
what is being said.
Also, take note of dreams and visions: the same properties apply in this realm
as in the dream realm. Often times a Spirit Guide will show you things and
teach you in a way you can comprehend for the moment. Be aware of the animals,
for there is no separation between the physical and spiritual are one.

Some subtleties of the general animal totems that you need to be aware of are
as follows.
How is the animal moving in relation to yourself?
(Right, Left, Away, Toward)
How is it crossing your path: emerging, coming into or leaving your life?
Notice where the animal is looking, walking, flying, heading etc.
Which direction is the animal coming from or going to?
(see Animal Directions)
Also the number of animals is relevant to the direction.

Number of Animals
Significance and Meaning of the Number
1 Originality, initiating action, pioneering, leading, new beginnings,
attaining.
2 Cooperation, adaptability, partnering, mediating, consideration of
others
3 Birth, expression, socialization, joy of living, mystical, creativity,
verbalization
4 Patience, order, service, steady growth, foundation, struggle against
limits
5 Activities, change, visionary, adventure, constructive use of freedom,
versatile.
6 Responsibility, service to home and family, nurturing, balance,
sympathy
7 Wisdom, truths, understanding, knowledge, awareness, mediating,
studious
8 Money, status oriented, power seeking, practical endeavors, high
material goals
9 Humanitarian, giving, healing, understanding, selflessness, obligations


Note: Double digits add up to be a single number.

Information contained herein may be copied, distributed, and displayed as long as:
StarStuffs is cited as the author and web address is referenced
© 2006 StarStuffs http://www.starstuffs.com/animal_totems/

You may not download, hotlink, bandwidth steal, or modify images and not use this for commercial purposes, and you may not alter or transform this work.

For any reuse or distribution, you must make clear to others the license terms of this work. Any other purpose of use must be granted permission by author.
This page and animal totems was written in 1997 and website copies are on cd since 1997 and made regularly. A plagiarizer has borrowed my material - the Web Archive predates the showing plagiarizer's date (but does not include the '97 info when first introduced to the public.)
Please view Contact Page and Copyright regarding writings, articles and web site content

http://www.animaltotem.com/find-your-totem.html


How To Find Your Animal Totem
An Animal Totem is an important symbolic object used by a person to get in touch with specific qualities found within an animal which the person needs, connects with, or feels a deep affinity toward.

You can have several animal guides through out your life. Sometimes an animal guide will come into your life for a short period of time, and then be replaced by another depending on the journey or direction you are headed toward. Your guide will instruct and protect you as you learn how to navigate through your spiritual and physical life. When you find an animal that speaks strongly to you or feel you must draw more deeply into your life, you might fill your environment with images of the animal to let the animal know its welcome in your space. Animal guides can help you get back to your Earthly roots, and reconnect with nature by reminding you that we are all interconnected. To first do this you need to know what your Animal Totem is.

If You Don't Know
If you don't know what your Animal Totem is there are several questions you can ask yourself. All of the questions below are designed to get you thinking about a prominent animal in your life.
There are no right or wrong answers.
Only you can truly know which Animal Totem(s) are right for your journey.
Since we are drawn to that which resonates with us, what animal, bird, or insect are you drawn to?
When you go to the park, forest, or zoo what animal are you most interested in seeing?
What animal do you most frequently see when you're out in nature or in the city?
What animals are you currently interested in learning about?
Which animal do you find most frightening or intriguing?
Have you ever been bitten or attacked by an animal?
Is there a recurring animal in your dreams or do you have one you have never forgotten?
Still Uncertain?
If you are still uncertain which animal is your totem, here a few exercises you can do to come closer to the answer. You must not try to force the animal to come, it can pick up on that energy and be put off. Being patient and doing the following exercises will draw your animal totem to you.
Ask yourself what animal has played a meaningful part in your world? If you're unsure, make a list of animals that have drawn your interest or have left a deep impression on you from paintings, photographs, stories, movies, carvings, etc.
Which animal shows up in your life most frequently? Keep a journal of the animals present in your dreams or that you encounter through the day for the next month. How did the animal behave? Did you interact with the animal?
Find a place where you can be alone to meditate. Sit quietly and ask your animal to make it's nature known to you. Feel free to use tools such as incense, smudge, and candles to help you.
Don't give up, sometimes your animal totem is nearby watching to see if you're serious about connecting with it. Keep doing the above exercises until your animal totem makes itself known to you.