ok i am starting this off by stating, the following information is a a compilation of info I personally have come to think of or understand when it comes to animal totems and guides... please dont critize..if there is anything u would like to add PLEASE by all means add it in the comments PLEASE!!!
The Nine Totems
Each person has nine animal essences or totems that walk through life with them, teaching and guiding them and in some cases, protecting them. These nine totems usually remain the same throughout your lifetime; however, major life alterations can cause your totems to change as your totems adapt to your new life style.
Your totems are found in 7 directions around your spirit: East, South, West, North, Above, Below and Within. The last two animals are walking beside you at all times; your Right Side (male) and your Left Side (feminine). While sometimes the living animal is around you, most often they are only the essence of the animal.
At different times in your life, you may also have Special Helpers and/or Special Protectors. These stay with you for an limited period of time, depending on the challenges that you must face.
Children also benefit greatly from having their totems around them. Placing figurines or stuffed versions of their totems in their room is very soothing for a child -- and brings the essence of their totems even closer. Their room becomes a safe haven and your child will be happy there. They grow up instinctively knowing their animal -- even if they've never heard of totems.
on a different note... in my personal day to day experiences, i am always aware of what animal crosses my path, i make it a habit to stop an dtry to pay attention to my surroundings... usually as just signs i wil see the various real animals...
i have no personal experience with discovering what more indepth ones such as jaguars, wolves, bear.. so any info any one is willing to share with me in understanding this will help me greatly!!!
something i have learned though and strongly believe... each of us take on in our personal life these values and characteristics of the animals that r part of our personal totem...
both strengths and weaknesses... as a person crosses our path they have different qualities, that lends themselves to helping u fill a need that has been brought to the surface of ur life, how we choose to react to this oppertunity is up to us and what defines ourselves then...
to start off i will say that i know of 4 definate parts of my totem...they r as follows..
LYNX
DEER
RAVEN
DRAGONFLY
i will start to slowly post info on each animal as i compile it.
again as i said b4 please help me out here and add any info u feel would help benifit and promote growth.
BLESSED BE
