Totem animal?

[DancingWillowTree]

Hi all, I was just wondering what a totem animal is and how you find out what yours is? Thanks! -Willow!! ps. I just thought of this but do you HAVE to have a totem animal?

[FenrisComesForth]

Supposedly only native americans have totem animals, but everyone has spirit guide that are animals. simple answer, meditate.

[Lost_Demise]

^^; Anyone can have a totem animal, not just native Americans. It comes from native American beliefs though.

[FenrisComesForth]

^^; Anyone can have a totem animal, not just native Americans. It comes from native American beliefs though.

thats what that one Indian guy in my platoon told me.

[Asch]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Totem

A totem is a stipulated ancestor of a group of people, such as a family, clan, lineage, or tribe.[1]

Totems support larger groups than the individual person. In kinship and descent, if the apical ancestor of a clan is nonhuman, it is called a totem. Normally this belief is accompanied by a totemic myth.

Although the term is of Ojibwe origin in North America, totemistic beliefs are not limited to Native Americans. Similar totem-like beliefs have been historically present in societies throughout much of the world, including Africa, Asia, Australia, Eastern Europe, Western Europe, and the Arctic polar region.

In modern times, some single individuals, not otherwise involved in the practice of a tribal religion, have chosen to adopt a personal spirit animal helper, which has special meaning to them, and may refer to this as a totem. This non-traditional usage of the term is prevalent in the New Age movement, and the mythopoetic men's movement.

[DancingWillowTree]

Oh ok! Thanks everyone! But what is a spirit guide? -Willow!!

[FenrisComesForth]

It is as it sounds, a spirit that is there to guide.

[DancingWillowTree]

Oh. And how do you know what your spirit guide is? -Willow!!

[shadowx]

*who* your spirit guide is.

Spiritual communication is the answer though.

[FenrisComesForth]

If you are asking me if I have met my spirit guide, yes I have. I have also met my spirit animal.

My guide is just an ascended spirit who is there to help me. No one special, hes not elvis or jesus or thor. Just used to be like us. I have the impression he died young. there are other things I will keep to myself

[DancingWillowTree]

Oh ok i see. So your (meaning everyones) spirit guide is a human spirit? How do You (meaning FenrisComesForth) talk to him? what exactally does he do with/for you? Thanks! -Willow!!

[Lost_Demise]

I have no human spirit guide~

[Kitty]

I'm pretty sure spirit guides can come in the form of an animal
I have no experience with them myself though

[DancingWillowTree]

OH! So your saying that they can be human or animal? thanks! -Willow!!

[LMT]

Hi Dancing Willow, I just felt drawn to this. How does the monkey resonate with you?
Help me to see truth in all situations
With my spiritual eyes.
Teach me to hear Otherworld messages
With my spiritual ears.
Bring to me food for the soul from the gods
That my spiritual body may be nourished.
Dark and Light
The Monkey represents the dark side of the human psyche,
but also holds the key to right living.
See no evil, Hear no evil, Speak no evil.
The ability to see both the dark and the light may unexpectedly enrich and strengthen.
The Monkey totem is creative and imaginative.
It can lead you into a deeper study of the origins of the human species
and the examination of ancient wisdom.
Its agile mentality provides you with inspiration and insight when you most need it.