Animal totems offer spiritual guidance. To best understand the lessons conveyed by animals that show up in our lives involves us learning their instinctual behaviors and natural habitats. Is the animal nocturnal? Does it live in the desert or the tropics? Is the animal solitary or live in a pack? What type of diet do they eat? Answers to these questions and similar questions will give you clues as to what message is being offered.
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. They usually appear in person, in dreams or during meditation.
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
resource Animak medicine cards another great resource is Animal Speaks by Ted Andrews awesome book
