Finding My Animal Totem

Last Updated on November 19, 2024 by Avia

A Question About Finding My Animal Totem

The following is a response I gave to a lovely woman who asked me the question: “How do I go about finding my animal totem?”

Here is her question:

“Dear Avia,  Hi. I just want to start with how much I love your site! Honestly, I love the info here. Anyway, I really just want to share with you my thoughts and I hope you can help me. I have been looking you my animal totem for about 2 years. I have tried guided meditation, maditating alone, speaking to it and everything else. Nothing.

My Native American Birth totem is the Bear and I have a little statue of it. I have dreams and I feel very connected with the god of war Ares. He speaks to me and all that. (in my dreams that is, i can’t speak to gods) From him and my dreams of him and what he has told me I learned that I have to be braver and stronger. To try and learn more and new things. I have heard that one of his sacred creatures is the dragon (serpent).

I have loved dragons (European dragons are my absolute favorite, but i love all of them) since I was a little girl.

I have no idea if the dragon is my totem, the bear or something else, but I have heard that the ”totem animal” is not like the ”birth totem animal”.

Do you know how I can finally find out my totem animal? I can’t seem to concentrate and visualize very well, that’s why I’m not good at finding my totem animal I guess…

Thank you for reading,
Maria

P.S. I’m sorry If I’ve made any spelling mistakes, its a new language for me. =)”

Avia’s Response to
“Finding My Animal Totem”

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Hello Maria,

Thanks for the kind words about the website. I’ve very glad to know it is a helpful resource to you.

It sounds like you may be putting too much pressure on yourself. Try to relax, and let Nature take Her course.

As far as animal totems go…I like to compare these connections with any kind of relationship we experience. For example, you never know when, where or how you might make a new friend. It could be at a café, a book store, or just walking around your neighborhood.

The nature of animal connections cannot be forced, or predicted.

Also, I personally have very little use for strict definitions such as “birth animal totem” or “animal totem”. I think these definitions restrict our experience. I categorize these distinctions on the website due to popular demand and the simple need for organization.

It’s been my experience that most people (self included) have one or two (maybe more) dominant animal guides that shine through for us – especially in severe times of need. But that does not mean these dominant guides are the only ones we have on our side. On the contrary, there can be many creatures that pop in and out of our lives when needed.

Throughout my life, I’ve had countless animals who come and go. The timing is always perfect for these appearances, and the lessons are always appropriate. For example, the Finch (a small, colorful songbird) has visited me on several occasions with much needed wisdom. Even so, I would not consider the Finch to be one of my primary guides.

Having said that, I would focus on that which is working for you in strong, positive ways. If Bear is strong in your psyche, then keep working with Bear. If you have an affinity with the Dragon, then by all means, keep working with that energy.

Otherwise, be open to the infinite array of creatures Mother Nature has to offer. She may send you Birds, Bugs, Badgers…whatever you may need at the time. The trick is to relax, allow, and trust.

I guess what I’m trying to encourage is less emphasis on “finding my animal totem” (or finding THE totem).

Rather, try to relax and let Nature offer guidance in whatever form She deems ideal for your well being. That takes a level of surrender, and that can be tough. Trust me, I know.

When I was younger, I was pretty good at trying to jam stuff together – just to get answers. I too asked the question “what is my animal totem?”  Eventually, I realized this is a co-operative relationship. There was no way I could coerce, throttle or hammer my totem into place. I finally understood the harder I tried, the more my animal guides just snickered at me in the background. Ha ha. The joke is on me!

Which brings me to a profound point. Our animal guides are ALWAYS present. Whether we can identify them or not – they are with us. I don’t know about you, but I found great peace and solace in that.

Maria, I don’t know if this helps, but I hope it does. Feel free to check out the links below for more information that might be helpful.

Mighty brightly,

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