Animal Magic…
February 21, 2011
As I lay next to the river this morning, gazing up at the trees and thinking about today’s post, I watched a beautiful red dragonfly float gently on the wind, back and forth, lazily circling the water. I’m always drawn to dragonflies, as they are my chosen animal totem. They remind me of the magic in my destiny. They remind me to reflect. They remind me that the wind carries me forward, but that I have power in my direction.
So, I was inspired by my totem, as I often am. I started thinking about animals, animal magic or animal totems; how they affect our lives, how we come to identify them and why they are so important to so many of us.
According to the Webster-Miriam Dictionary, a totem is,
“A natural object, usually an animal, that serves as a distinctive, often venerated, emblem or symbol; usually a means of personal or spiritual identity.”
When most people think about totemism they think of Native American Indian totems, lore or symbolism. We tend to forget that animal signs, and symbolism, have been found throughout history, and culture, all over the world. Many different animals are mentioned symbolically throughout the Bible and the Koran. In ancient Egypt, cats were revered and worshipped, even being mummified along with mice to travel with their owners into the next world. In Celtic and Welsh mythology, animals were tied to fertility, luck, health and wealth. The Chinese have twelve “earthly branches” or animals which attribute to personality, and life circumstance, according to a person’s year of birth.
For many, including me, animal totems are rather significant in the aid of self discovery, balance, remembrance, self expression and awareness. Many (not me, but many) believe they can even help in sorting through our past or to get glimpses of our future.
Animals are of a wild pure consciousness. Their gentle presence in the world is a reminder to us to cherish Mother Earth and move through her with respect and gratitude. Animals remind us to access our true nature, reflecting those characteristics of which we would be wise to take heed; taming some and embracing others.
Just for fun, I thought I’d share a few more popular animal totems and some of their attributes.
Dragonfly – good fortune, magic, vision, dreams, luck, and ancient knowledge, illusion
Cricket – good luck charm, singing, Spring, fertility
Ladybug – delight, trust
Bee – divine messenger, love, service, gathering, community
Raven – magic
Eagle – courage, spirit, bravery, strength
Fish – miracles, providence, sea/water magic, good luck and prosperity, foresight, fortune; salmon, in particular, are associated with knowledge
Dolphin – manna, joy, childlike play, helpfulness, breath of life, harmony, intelligence, self connection
Lizard – dreaming, foresight, ancient secrets
Frog – healing, cleansing, messages, health, honesty, fluidity, purification
Cat – feminine energy, mystical power, used to keep the wearer safe in travel, wholeness
Dog – companionship, health, service, loyalty, protection, future prosperity
Cows – red cows are a symbol of hope, inspiring symbol for nurturing efforts
Elephant – commitment, strength, astuteness
Lions – pride, nobility, cunning, courage, just laws, fairness, the sun, images can protect sacred ground.
Monkey – benevolence, drives away evil
And with that, I’m off to float away on the wings of my red dragonfly.. till next time. Aho.
