Question:
Hello all you knowledgable shamanic types - hope you don't mind a terribly basic question [&:]
How do you discover which your totem animal is? Is it 'simply' [:-] through meditation and asking for guidance?
Any and all pointers received with thanks! (Feel a bit of an ignoramus really...)
Karen
[sm=nature-smiley-008.gif]
Hi Karen - so we meet again!!
I work with Native American based shamanism. In this system we have 9 shideh (lower self) animals. 8 of these are determined simply by birth date and the 9th animal (which we refer to as the centre animal because it's the animal in the centre of the wheel of 8 other animals) we meet on a drum journey to the lower world. In fact, we in this journey we meet with all the other 8 animals as well. To determine the 9th, if we meet an animal who isn't one of the set 8, then we ask it 3 times if this animal is a guide for us and only when it has replied 'yes' 3 times do we have confirmation that it really is our centre animal. So this centre animal can be any animal, and for me it is the one I have most connection with. I haven't done a lot of work with my individual animals, and the centre one is the one I align with most frequently.
I have also just done a drum journey to meet my 8 hokkshideh (higher self) animals - and none of these are pre-determined, so it's really exciting to see who turns up!!!
I am sure that there will also be ways other than doing a drum journey to meet and get confirmation that you have met an animal guide. Often people have found that their centre animal is one that they already have a strong connection with, an animal that has frequently appeared in their lives.
Hope this helps and just ask if you have any further questions!
Blessings
Nice to find you again Eagle - how did those exams go?
Thanks for your reply - the drum journeying sounds really interesting. One day when I get more time *laughs hollowly* ;) I would like to find out more ...
Out of interest what would my birth date animal be? (01/05/1962)
Aldebaran
[sm=nature-smiley-008.gif]
Hi Aldebaran
Your animal guides are: beaver, flicker (similar to woodpecker), turtle, snow goose, snake, cougar, eagle and brown bear.
Have fun getting to know them!
And the exams are next week!
Blessings
Kitti
I've found that frequently the animal/bird which you have a close connection to since childhood is the main 'power' animal/bird, and others come and go according to your needs and lessons. By close connection, I mean anything from dreams about particular animals to actual physical contact.
Moonfeather
Dear Eagle and Moonfeather -
Thank you both so much for your help and advice - this is definitely an area which is spartking my interest.
Good luck next week Kitti - one last push with the books and it will soon all be over! Make sure you post us how it went.
Karen
[sm=nature-smiley-008.gif]
Hi :)
I work a lot with my power animals and totems and follow more of the medicine path of Native American teachings. We have two power animals that walk each side of us all the time, and I bet you know which ones they are, without anyone telling you? Think about those animals that you connect with or have contact with or that are just featured in your life. These two never change and symbolise our male and female sides. The other seven correspond to the medicine wheel directions, East, South, West and North Above, Below and Within. These change and come and go as we need their help and knowledge. Many will come into our lives for a short while then teach us their lesson and then leave behind their essence.
So have a think about those animals and insects and beings that have influenced your life and see if you can work it out?
Every being has 4 lessons to offer and knowledge to share. All we have to do is to look with our eyes open :)
How do you discover which your totem animal is? Is it 'simply' [:-] through meditation and asking for guidance?
Any and all pointers received with thanks! (Feel a bit of an ignoramus really...)
Karen
[sm=nature-smiley-008.gif]
Answers:
Hi Karen - so we meet again!!
I work with Native American based shamanism. In this system we have 9 shideh (lower self) animals. 8 of these are determined simply by birth date and the 9th animal (which we refer to as the centre animal because it's the animal in the centre of the wheel of 8 other animals) we meet on a drum journey to the lower world. In fact, we in this journey we meet with all the other 8 animals as well. To determine the 9th, if we meet an animal who isn't one of the set 8, then we ask it 3 times if this animal is a guide for us and only when it has replied 'yes' 3 times do we have confirmation that it really is our centre animal. So this centre animal can be any animal, and for me it is the one I have most connection with. I haven't done a lot of work with my individual animals, and the centre one is the one I align with most frequently.
I have also just done a drum journey to meet my 8 hokkshideh (higher self) animals - and none of these are pre-determined, so it's really exciting to see who turns up!!!
I am sure that there will also be ways other than doing a drum journey to meet and get confirmation that you have met an animal guide. Often people have found that their centre animal is one that they already have a strong connection with, an animal that has frequently appeared in their lives.
Hope this helps and just ask if you have any further questions!
Blessings
Answers:
Nice to find you again Eagle - how did those exams go?
Thanks for your reply - the drum journeying sounds really interesting. One day when I get more time *laughs hollowly* ;) I would like to find out more ...
Out of interest what would my birth date animal be? (01/05/1962)
Aldebaran
[sm=nature-smiley-008.gif]
Answers:
Hi Aldebaran
Your animal guides are: beaver, flicker (similar to woodpecker), turtle, snow goose, snake, cougar, eagle and brown bear.
Have fun getting to know them!
And the exams are next week!
Blessings
Kitti
Answers:
I've found that frequently the animal/bird which you have a close connection to since childhood is the main 'power' animal/bird, and others come and go according to your needs and lessons. By close connection, I mean anything from dreams about particular animals to actual physical contact.
Moonfeather
Answers:
Dear Eagle and Moonfeather -
Thank you both so much for your help and advice - this is definitely an area which is spartking my interest.
Good luck next week Kitti - one last push with the books and it will soon all be over! Make sure you post us how it went.
Karen
[sm=nature-smiley-008.gif]
Answers:
Hi :)
I work a lot with my power animals and totems and follow more of the medicine path of Native American teachings. We have two power animals that walk each side of us all the time, and I bet you know which ones they are, without anyone telling you? Think about those animals that you connect with or have contact with or that are just featured in your life. These two never change and symbolise our male and female sides. The other seven correspond to the medicine wheel directions, East, South, West and North Above, Below and Within. These change and come and go as we need their help and knowledge. Many will come into our lives for a short while then teach us their lesson and then leave behind their essence.
So have a think about those animals and insects and beings that have influenced your life and see if you can work it out?
Every being has 4 lessons to offer and knowledge to share. All we have to do is to look with our eyes open :)
1 2