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Post by chiawana on May 24, 2007 14:11:58 GMT -5
Here's something I've been wondering about, and would like others' input. Do you think that a person can have, say, serial totem animals? For example, when I was younger I had several odd encounters with beavers and believed them to be my totem animal. A bit later, Great Blue Herons seemed to call to me. And just last week, there were 2 hawks, screaming, circling over my back yard in downtown Boise on my birthday. Are these subsequent animals just one-time messengers? Or because I am an ever-evolving being, is my totem changing periodically to give me new insights?
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Post by Lady Anastasia on May 24, 2007 14:22:34 GMT -5
Here's something I've been wondering about, and would like others' input. Do you think that a person can have, say, serial totem animals? For example, when I was younger I had several odd encounters with beavers and believed them to be my totem animal. A bit later, Great Blue Herons seemed to call to me. And just last week, there were 2 hawks, screaming, circling over my back yard in downtown Boise on my birthday. Are these subsequent animals just one-time messengers? Or because I am an ever-evolving being, is my totem changing periodically to give me new insights? oooh... that's an excellent question... I believe that it's entirely possible to have more than one totem.. I think it depends upon what your personal beliefs are, but, I feel that I have more than one... I also have a guardian animal... I think that messengers will come and go in and out of your life, they'll come when you need them, when it's time for a change, or new insights... As I said, I have a number of totem animals.. They make their presence known when they are needed... I've come into contact with the bear, only in a dream, and it was more like a hey, I'm here type thing.. Whereas.. The Rabbit, Snake and Raven make themselves known and available to me on a regular basis.. I'm not sure if I've helped to answer your question any, but, it may be that these animals are just making themselves known to you when they feel you would be most receptive to the message that they are bringing to you... I would suggest meditation... Ask them...
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Post by tahlia on May 27, 2007 17:52:03 GMT -5
I have one life-long totem. I have others that come periodicly to show me something. Sometimes they stay for years, sometimes just a few days. I suppose it just depends on how badly I need them and how long it takes me to get the lesson. (Sometimes I'm a little hard headed and don't wanna learn my lessons)
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Post by Senbecc on May 27, 2007 18:03:16 GMT -5
I have always perceived "Totems" as a permanent part of one's existence. They draw from every aspect of our being and are fed and nourished by us as we are by them. Now what can come and go (IMHO) are spirit animals. Spirit animals or spirit guides are beings which are far more independent and teach to others as they're needed or called. I think that is the major difference in the two.
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Post by tahlia on May 27, 2007 18:15:57 GMT -5
I have always perceived "Totems" as a permanent part of one's existence. They draw from every aspect of our being and are fed and nourished by us as we are by them. Now what can come and go (IMHO) are spirit animals. Spirit animals or spirit guides are beings which are far more independent and teach to others as they're needed or called. I think that is the major difference in the two. For me personally I don't see them as being so very different. The ones that come and go can be called spirit animals if you prefer but it doesn't change their nature or how each individual will percieve them. I guess i never put much thought into making distinctions since they are personal to me and they could care less what I may call them to others. lol
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Post by Senbecc on May 27, 2007 18:33:19 GMT -5
I have always perceived "Totems" as a permanent part of one's existence. They draw from every aspect of our being and are fed and nourished by us as we are by them. Now what can come and go (IMHO) are spirit animals. Spirit animals or spirit guides are beings which are far more independent and teach to others as they're needed or called. I think that is the major difference in the two. For me personally I don't see them as being so very different. The ones that come and go can be called spirit animals if you prefer but it doesn't change their nature or how each individual will percieve them. I guess i never put much thought into making distinctions since they are personal to me and they could care less what I may call them to others. lol Well I'm not saying it really *matters* so much. I think the main purpose for drawing such a difference is about the same as drawing a difference between one's family and their friends. Family (i.e. like the bond between parent and child or vice versa) are always there. I believe totem animals are always there, with you ever watching, ever protecting, and ever providing. I guess I see Spirit animals more as friendships, and friend comes to you when you need them most, always there when you need them, but at the end of the day they go home. No, it's not going to make any difference to THEM what labels you give them, you're right about that.
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Post by tahlia on May 27, 2007 19:32:15 GMT -5
For me personally I don't see them as being so very different. The ones that come and go can be called spirit animals if you prefer but it doesn't change their nature or how each individual will percieve them. I guess i never put much thought into making distinctions since they are personal to me and they could care less what I may call them to others. lol Well I'm not saying it really *matters* so much. I think the main purpose for drawing such a difference is about the same as drawing a difference between one's family and their friends. Family (i.e. like the bond between parent and child or vice versa) are always there. I believe totem animals are always there, with you ever watching, ever protecting, and ever providing. I guess I see Spirit animals more as friendships, and friend comes to you when you need them most, always there when you need them, but at the end of the day they go home. No, it's not going to make any difference to THEM what labels you give them, you're right about that. Hmmm....maybe it's just me then. Cause I don't really make such a clear cut distinction between family and friends either. There are the people who have a piece of my heart and those that don't. But hey, I don't wanna argue over semantics.
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Post by Lady Anastasia on May 31, 2007 16:38:37 GMT -5
I'd have to say that since the thread went in this direction, I'll chime in...
To me the major difference is, a totem animal, is a part of you, it's with you always...
A Spirit Animal, or Animal Guide is something that is going to come and go, it doesn't make that animal or it's message any less important, but, when it's served it's purpose, by giving you the message that you needed to recieve.. It will eventually leave...
Totems never do... they are always there...
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Post by makatala on Jun 25, 2008 8:00:23 GMT -5
Okay then to answer the question, my animal spirit guides come and go but the totems stay rooted to the spot. ^-^
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