A frequently asked question is...“What is the difference between a Spirit Animal and a Totem Animal?" While in common practice the terms are used interchangeably there is a difference.
A "Spirit Animal" is the one who will present life's lessons. The Spirit Animal is the one who comes to you in order to show you, through its own unique nature and skills, how to deal with the manifestations of your Spiritual Journey. Spirit Animals do not necessarily guide you, but they come to teach you that which you need to learn, in order to know how meet the challenges of your Spirit Walk.
Each Spirit Animal has certain powers and skills to teach and certain knowledge to share, for each Spirit Animal has its own methods of overcoming the many challenges it must meet in order to survive.
The Spirit Animal's appearance signals a time to connect with your true Self and your life's purpose. Pay attention to the repeated appearance of this animal and of repeated patterns or themes. Awakening to the recognition of these seemingly synchronistic occurrences teaches you to be aware of the hidden messages in everyday experiences.
There are different ways to find and to recognize your Spirit Animal, but do not let your image of the animal prompt you to choose one. You do not choose your Spirit Animal, it chooses you..
A "Totem Animal" is an animal spirit that you call upon or invoke, as an individual or a tribe, for its special powers and survival skills, to serve as a guardian or protector when facing adversity. Again, never let your perceived image of an animal effect how you see its ability to serve as a "Totem". Though it may seem incongruous to invoke a rabbit as a totem for battle, remember the wisdom shown by “Bre’r Rabbit” in defeating an enemy.
Animal Totems
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Animal Wisdom ~ Animal Totem Meanings
Alligator
Survival instinct, Stealth to move unseen, Mothering instinct protection of ones young
Ant
Industrious. Self sacrifice. Knowing their place. Working for the good of the community
Antelope
To move with speed and grace. Awareness of ones surroundings. The ability to advance quickly
Badger
Tidiness and Organization. Bravery when cornered. Badger is a digger so is able to communicate with the Underworld
Beaver
Expert builders. Can rebuild shaky foundations. Water elementals they work with the subconscious and therefore are good at finding hidden answers and forgotten dreams.
Bear
Protective mother. Hidden strength. Inward looking. To know ones self
Bird
To unite with others. but retain ones individualism. Freedom in flight
Blackbirds
Mysticism. Hypnotic hold over others. Can move between the seen and unseen worlds with clarity
(Druid legends say that the three birds of Rhiannon are blackbirds and their song can put the listener into a trance state which enables them to travel to the otherworld )
Butterfly
Changling. Able to transform. Balanced in all things. Grace and beauty
Camel
Ability to see, hear, and smell with clarity.
Can awaken clairvoyance and clairaudient abilities in others. Can stay centred in any situation.
Cattle
Abundance in number. Able to heal self and others
Chicken
Inquisitive. Observant. Reflective, Knowledgeable. Independent. Able to feel the vibrations of mother earth.
Cougar
Self assurance. Ability to lead. Move unseen. Balance
Coyote
Humour in all things. Deceiver (without malice). Trickster
Crane
Indicator of good fortune. Connections to our primal origin. Emotional stability. Spiritual awakening. Able to restore faith in our self and spirit.
Crow
Crows are symbols of creation and spiritual strength. They remind us to look for opportunites to create and manifest the magic of life. They are messengers calling to us about the creation and magic that is alive within our world everyday and available to us! Council with wisdom, Resourceful.
Dingo
Duality. Sees life as a game and invites others to play. Can detect subtle energy changes
Dolphin
Joy and happiness. Harmonious with ones self and surroundings. Connection to ones self
Dog
Holds the key to unconditional love. Serve selflessly. Able to forgive freely. Teacher.
Donkey
Perseverance. Servitude. Strong dedication to spirit. Able to get out of dangerous situations.
Dove
Security and maternal instinctiveness. Sensitive to emotions. Can assist in releasing trauma stored in our cellular memory.
Dragonfly
Skilful in avoidance. Refinement. Tenacious, Relentless.
Eagle
Sacred messenger. Master / Mistress of patience. Bringer of visions from spirit. Ability to hear spiritually. Potential
Ability to heal. Lightness. Able to see beyond the horizon
Elephant
Teacher of compassion. Loyalty. Strength. Intelligence. Discernment. Can aid in soul evolution.
Ferret
Elusiveness. Opportunistic. Extremely focused. Holds the power of observation. Intuitive. Sensitive. Can see and know hidden meanings
Flamingo
Power of illusion. Shapeshifting. Work with group consciousness. Clear sighted
Fox
Cleverness. To change with subtleness . Discretion in all things
Frog
Cleaner (spiritual cleansing). Peace loving. Emotional healing
Goat
Surefooted, Can link to past lives. Teaches us how to create strong foundations. Aids in the letting go of insecuritie. Independent
Gorilla
Excellent recall. Observant. Loyalty to family / group. Clairaudient, Close links to nature spirits. Compassionate. Insightful. Healer
Goose
To bring back safely, Protector of the home
Grizzly Bear
Spirit keeper of the West.(the place of maturity and good harvests., Linked to solar energies and lunar energies
Strength, Power, Introspective and Knowledgeable
Hawk /
Falcon
Awareness. Teller of truths. To see beyond the masks. Messenger. Able to move between the seen and unseen world. Prophetic Insight. Clear Vision. Unified with the Great Spirit. The messenger, it awakens our vision and inspires us to a creative life purpose.
Heron
Able to maintain balance. Has a secure inner foundation but not fixed. Clarity of understanding.
Hippo
Intuitive knowing. Practicallity and stability. Able to see beneath the surface.
Horse
Freedom of movement. Safe movement (sure of foot). Ability to overcome adversity
Creative. Intuitive. Agile. Patience.
Kingfisher
Able to express oneself. Able to go into the unknown without fear. Connected to past lives. Powerful teacher.
Ladybird
Strong family ties. Can use energies of renewal. Spiritual idealist. Keen instincts
Leopard
Power of invisibility. Clarity of observation. Intuitive. Avoid objects in the dark.
Lion
Fearlessness. Balanced leadership. Gentle and patience.
Lizard
Ability to let go Elusiveness/able to avoid ones enemies
Jaguar
Skill in languages. Can teach steadfastness and flexibility. Able to guide others in the underworld. Able to awaken inner sight.
Magpie
Intelligence. Adaptability. Resourcefulness. Able to live in the light and the dark.
Monkey
Observational clarity. Ability to see that which is hidden. Unpredictable. Power and grace.
Moth
Strong healing abilities. Ability to percieve with clarity. Ability to guide from the dark to the light.
Mouse
The ability to charm. Able to create illusions
Otter
Bringer of joy and laughter. Lightness of touch. Woman medicine
Owl
Wisdom. Ability to see in to shadows. Insight (for self and others). A solo worker but able to assist others when required
Panda
Willpower. Able to connect the seen and unseen. Willingness to learn. Maybe inclined to a delicate stomach. Inner sight. Clarity of Vision.
Panther
Shape shifting. Invisibility. Power of silence. Linked to lunar energies.
Rat
Adaptability. Self assurance. Sensitive to the environment.
Raven
Destroyer / Rebuild, Explorer of the unknown, Mysterious
Rhino
Solitude. Able to use discrimination. Spiritual idealism. Clairaudient. Guardian of ancient wisdom.
Robin
Giver of love and joy
Salamander
Keeper of dreams. Sensitive to low frequencies. Knowledge of inner child. Can teach subtlety.
Salmon
Able to overcome obstacles. Determination. Focused energy. Perseverance.
Scorpion
The Scorpion is a master of self defense and is a symbol of 'always prepared' Scopion teaches about constant vigilance and how to deal with intensity, whether it be environmental, physical, or spiritual. By being a small creature, is teaches concealing the readiness through its ability to 'slip through the cracks' By its zodiac connection it is connected to late fall and autumn as well.
Seal
Agility. Intuition. Kinship with inner voice. Clairaudient.
Snake
Associated with rebirth. Able to see the true person. Invisibility. Guardian of sacred places.
Keeper of hidden knowledge. Power, Life force, Able to use earth energies
Spider
Weaver of the web of life. Able to interconnect. Busy
Tiger
Focus. Patience. Inner sight. Clairvoyance. Healer(tiger's orange gold colouring symbolizes vitality and regeneration). Courage. Power / Energy. Strength and will-power. Tactics.
Tortoise
Self reliant. Self determination. Focus. Inner wisdom.
Turtle
Can awaken the senses on both the physical and spiritual level. Clairaudient. Inner knowledge.
Vulture
Adaptability. Sacred trust. Resourceful. Innovative.
White Tiger
In Chinese mythology the white tiger is the symbol of the west, autumn, and all metals. The tiger is a night hunter and most with this totem work best at night, too. Also it is an adept swimmer, so peeps with this are spiritually connected with devotion and passion, and a great sense of adventure, as is the tiger's nature. If tiger is in your life, you approach things slowly and silently with devotion and strength. Tigers also have a strong connection to full and new moons as well.
Wolf
The Wolf is the Teacher it will guard you as it teaches you, sometimes strongly sometimes gently, but always with love. Wolf can teach you how to use ritual to establish order and harmony within your own life. Wolf helps us to understand how discipline within a group can create true freedom, find new paths, and take new journeys. Able to maintain balance. Ability to teach advise others, is loyal, Is independent, is a solo worker but is able to join others as the needs arise
Wolverine
Cunning(can be a trickster). Inner vision. Able to see and face challenges with clarity. Invisibility. Able to shape shift realities.
Woodpecker
Is connected to Native American drumming, they also dig into trees to find bugs and grubs to eat which denote digging into something, the art of discrimination and increased analysis. it also has a peculiar way of flying with a rhythm and manner
Zebra
Protector. Enjoyment of challenges. Can use energy of light and dark to shift realities.