Discover your Animal Totem
What is Your Spirit Animal? A Guide to Discovering Your Animal Totem
Being able to recognize and accept the guidance of animal guides can deepen your experience of life as well as increase your sense of feeling supported along each part of your journey.
It’s not widely known where the term “spirit animal” originated, but the concept of animals as life guides has been particularly integral in many indigenous and ancient cultures throughout time.
What is an animal totem?
In Native American tradition, the common terms you may hear around the spirit animal are “guides,” “animal totem” and “power animal.” Spirit animal, though not a term directly derived from Native American cultures, refers to the animals who may appear to you as guides along your journey.
While some use all of these terms interchangeably, in some traditions, an animal totem (or power animal) is thought to be distinct. The totem is considered to be a spirit of one of the main clan ancestors in animal form. In some cultures, it is believed that your animal totem will walk with you for life–and along the way, you will encounter other spirit animal guides who provide guidance with varying life lessons.
Your guides might appear frequently over a span of time. These guides may appear to you in their 3D representational form, in images, objects, through words, or even art. Totems have also been considered to be the one or two stand out animal(s) who repeatedly come to you throughout your life or whom you feel particularly connected with.
You may already know who your animal totem is, but if not keep reading. There’s many ways you can attune to your guides, recognize and connect with them for support on a regular basis.
How to find your animal totem
Here are a few ideas on how to identify what animal could be your main totem:
1) Think back to past connections with animals: Perhaps there was a consistent animal in your life growing up that you felt deeply connected with; perhaps there was a certain animal or two that you’ve always felt drawn to; reflect on where you’ve seen these animals or maybe have been presented with them again and again. Think about their possible significance to you.
2) Ask your totem to show themselves to you in your dreams: Each night as you are heading into sleep, set the intention to meet your totem. See what animals appear to you over time. It could also help to record dreams with animals and how you interacted with them to start to spot certain themes.
3) Find your spirit animal in meditation: At the beginning of a meditation, you can set the intention to meet your animal. Sometimes it can also be helpful to work with a meditation practitioner who is experienced with the journey. This specific meditation utilizes visualization and sound to carry you deeper into your subconscious and sometimes past experiences.
4) Start paying more attention to the animal sightings around you: In nature, in any art media you consume (e.g. paintings, shows, photos, sculptures), is there one animal who you feel drawn to, who repeatedly appears, or that has some kind of connection to your past?
5) Research your own lineage: What animals are strong symbols in your heritage or even in your family? You might discover a special connection with one of these animals–or perhaps understand why you already feel deeply connected to a certain animal.
Connecting with your animal totem
Once you’ve identified your animal totem, there are many ways you can connect with them in your daily life.
One way to see them consistently is to collect small objects or images, even stuffed animals or statues; keep these with you at an altar, on your keychain, throughout your home, in your car, at your bedside. You will feel the presence of your animal with you throughout the day.
You can also connect with your animal by channeling their energy or unique qualities such as wisdom, patience, perseverance, playfulness, or strength. As you start your day or even move throughout your day, set the intention to connect with their energy, to live from it as you move throughout the day.
Keep going back to them, speak to them, ask for guidance and watch for the support they provide. They can be especially helpful during challenging or unexpected situations.
Ultimately, connecting with your guide is all about trusting your intuitive knowing. Trust what you believe your guide is appearing to tell you. Trust what you are seeing. Trust what feels most true for you.
What’s most important as you begin to connect with your spirit guides and totems is connecting with the feeling that you have as you encounter these animals, practicing openness to what their message could be for you.
Already have an idea of who your animal totem is? Share yours below.
Parashakti is a shamanic healer, founder of the Dance of Liberation® movement modality, and curator of The Winged Ones sacred jewelry line.
Her work is born from more than two decades of experience facilitating workshops, trainings, and retreats around the world.
