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According to Native American Tradition, each person is connected with nine animals that accompany them on their journey through life and nurture their talents and abilities. Each animal teaches wisdom of the seven directions: North, East, South, West, Above, Below and Inner. Additionally there are two escorts animals on the right and left that visit them in their dreams.
The power of the moose lies in self-respect. Its pride and strength
are extremely impressive. The moose teaches that one should visibly
express joy over a successful achievement, just like the moose bellowing
loudly during the rutting season. The aim is not to ask for recognition,
but to give expression to happiness. Others will be swept along with
such an enjoyment of success.
Elders often possess the power of the moose. They can encourage
and instruct the younger people to use courage wisely and achieve
success. They know when it is best to be friendly and when one should
voice one's anger. The moose shows how important it is to give yourself
a pat on the back and respect what you have achieved. Likewise, you
should give praise and encouragement to everybody else involved,
because it is important for everybody to receive encouragement.
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The buffalo stands for affluence. If a white buffalo, the holiest of
animals, appears, it is a sign that prayers have been heard and that
a period of wealth is about to begin.
In legends, it was the "White Buffalo Calf Woman" who brought
the people the holy medicine pipe. Its tobacco united all forces of
nature and its smoke rose as a visible prayer. The particles suspended
in the smoke made it possible for the spiritual beings to grant wishes.
The buffalo teaches that everything exists in abundance if it is
respected and accepted with gratitude. It is important to praise all
gifts that are received and also to pray for the devine wealth being
granted to others. The buffalo also points out that goals can only
be reached with the power of the Great Spirit.
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The ant is tenacious, strong, aggressive, generous, and very meticulous.
Its most pronounced characteristic, however, is patience. An ant can
wait patiently for hours, hidden in the sand, for its prey, or it can
transport larger items over long distances without giving up. Ants
typically live in groups, and everything is done for the ant colony
and the good of the community.
The ant teaches that you will have everything you need and will
receive it when you need it most. It is the symbol of basic trust. It
knows that it will ultimately be rewarded for all its efforts. If your
activities are for the common good, then you will receive back any
energy that you have expended. It may be, however, that you will have
to put greater effort into the realization of your dreams and use your
creativity.
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The shape of the spider and the number of its legs both show the
number "eight," which represents infinity. The spider embodies the
unlimited number of possibilities within creation. Doubling the number
"four" indicates both the four winds and the four cardinal points.
The spider instructs us to accept responsibility for anything that
happens in our lives. We weave the web of our destiny. The victims who
become caught in the web have not yet understood this lesson and have
become entangled in a reality that appears to be unchangeable.
The spider teaches that each being is responsible for its own plan
of life. It is important not to lose oneself in deceptions of the senses,
and it is helpful to write down one's progress to remember how
certain strategies have led to success. The spider also stands for the
development of writing.
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The horse shows both earthly strength and unearthly powers. It is
regarded highly throughout the world and connected with the magical
powers of shamans. With the help of the horse's speed, a person can
cover long distances in a relatively short period of time. The horse
has also made transportation of goods a lot easier. It is, therefore,
the first and foremost totem animal of civilization. The power of
an engine to this day is measured in horsepower.
Riding a horse conveys a sense of freedom. It teaches that power
cannot be attained by force, but rather that it is given to him who
is willing to accept responsibility in a respectful manner. Just as
the horse carries its rider on its back, the rider carries responsibility
for everything around him. The power of the horse is the wisdom to
remember all the steps in one's life and learn from them. This includes
experiences from a previous life. Real power is strength used with wisdom.
This requires love, compassion, and the willingness to share one's
achievements and insights with others. It is important not to let
our ego deny us access to this power.
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The antelope's message is to act sensibly. It knows about the circles of
life and the mysteries of life and death. This is why it can act fearlessly
and realistically. Medicine men strive for the power of the antelope.
The antelope always pursues a higher objective with its actions
that will benefit the community. If you happen to be entangled in a
difficult situation, call to the power of the antelope, pay attention to
the message you receive, and then act. The antelope will advise you
to trust in your intuition and own strength. Whenever you feel the
need to take a leap forward, pluck up your courage and do it.
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The badger teaches how to deal with power creatively and successfully.
Most animals avoid contact with the badger, for despite its small
stature, the badger makes a dangerous adversary. Its aggressiveness
and wildness make it unpopular with others. The badger is the totem
animal of powerful healers and medicine women. People who possess
the power of the badger can use its tenacity very effectively to heal.
They will never give up until they ultimately defeat the disease.
The badger teaches us to use one's anger in order to change
unacceptable circumstances in life. Shrug off your lethargy and take
action! Use the energy of the attack to propel yourself forward,
but do not run everybody into the ground in the process. Always pay
attention to your inner balance.
Badger-people are often the boss who is feared by many, but who
keeps everything going in the end. If he is in a bad mood, he can be
cold and mean. His strength lies in showing his feelings without worrying
about the reaction of others. There is no place for panic for a
badger-person; he always keeps a cool head even in difficult situations.
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The hare represents fear. Its constant terror of being killed and
devoured by a larger animal means that it attracts these animals almost
magically, and that what it fears most will certainly come to pass.
What you expect usually happens in this world, and the hare,
therefore, teaches that what you fear the most will most likely happen.
Try not worry that you might be struck by illness or some other
misfortune, because otherwise you will just attract such events.
This is proof of the universal law that you are always the cause of
what happens to you.
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The frog is linked to the element of water and the cleansing powers
of rain. It is associated with all rites of initiation connected with
water. Just as a human being learns about the element of water first
in the mother's womb, the frog spends its early life in the water as a
tadpole. It has the power to summon rain by singing a certain song.
People who possess the power of the frog are often good mediums
or healers. This power enables them to cleanse their environment
from any negative influences, and it is used to rid haunted places
of ghosts or cure the sick from their illnesses. The frog is always the
messenger announcing the start of new life.
If the frog leaps into your dreams, it may be time for you to take a
break, pay more attention to yourself, and cleanse yourself. This
includes freeing yourself from circumstances in your life that are
unpleasant and a burden. It is important to create a space for a new life.
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The lizard symbolizes the dream world beyond time and space. It
dreams of the future. The lizard teaches how to use dreams to create a
future reality. Since it can see into the furture, it always knows in
advance what will happen. This includes self-fulfilling prophecies. One
dreams of a situation, and then it is up to the dreamer to decide whether
to continue fueling this situation and, thus, make it real or not.
The lizard incourages you to look more closely at your dreams
and your shadow in detail. Have you seen your future, your hopes,
or your fears? The teaching holds that you are responsible for every
single event in your life, consciously or not, because everything that
happens springs from your wishes and fears.
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The bear embodies self-observation, because every winter, it retires
to a cave to reflect on the events of the past year. It enters into the
great silence, the big empty, to find the answers to all questions.
Many people also choose the path of silence and solitude to find
themselves. This is an opportunity to obtain answers, since all
answers can be found within ourselves. Self-observation is necessary
to recognize one's wishes. The power of the bear embraces this
receiving, female energy. The bear withdraws into a dream world every
winter on the search for answers and is reborn every spring.
The bear teaches how important it is to recognize the right time
to take a step back from the noisy world around us and from our
thoughts. For it is in silence that we can hear the voice of the higher
self that knows the answers to all questions and holds the solution
to all problems. Use the power of the bear to realize your goals.
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The wolf is associated with the star Sirius in the constellation Canis
Major, from which, according to ancient legends, the teachers of old
originated. Hence, the wolf is a teacher that returns to its pack after
extensive forage to tell everyone about new observations and experiences.
It lives in a close-knit family circle without sacrificing its independence.
It chooses a partner to whom it is faitful throughout its life. When the
wolf howls at the Moon, it identifies with its power, its spiritual energy,
and the unconcious through which all knowledge can be accessed.
The wolf can give you the power to become a teacher for others to
understand life better and find their own path. The wolf energy will
also enable you to establish a connection with your own inner leader.
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The hummingbird loves life and happiness. It enjoys the beauty of
the flowers and the harmony of nature. It is sensitive to disharmonious
vibrations, which may cause it to take flight. Its medicine is to
spread love and happiness among the flowers, animals, and people. Many
plants live and flower for the hummingbird, because it is responsible
for their propagation by collecting their nectar.
The magic of the hummingbird lies in being able to open hearts.
Its feathers are, therefore, often used in love spells. Its flight technique
is unique among birds, as it can fly forwards, backwards, and hover in
one spot. According to old Mayan teachings, it already belongs to the
next cultural era, the fifth world. This tiny, fragile bird does not
understand worldly concerns; its life is one big journey of happiness.
People who have the energy of the hummingbird display similar
characteristics. They are constantly searching for balance and joy,
helping others to enjoy life, and bringing forth the best from everybody.
Like the hummingbird, they despise ugliness and discord and will always
find places where beauty resides.
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The power of the swan lies in accepting the gift of change. As the
swan submits to the higher plan of the Great Spirit, it evolves from
the "ugly duckling" in its youth to a graceful adult swan. Since it is
willing to accept this gift, it is allowed to see into dreams.
People with its power can see into the future, because they are willing
to let the plan of divine power materialize. The swan teaches to bring
conciousness into balance with all levels of being and develop ones
intuition. It is important to admit to the ability of knowing about the future.
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The weasel looks behind the scenes and recognizes all
the little details that lead to a great event. For this
reason, it was very common for kings in the past to wear
garments made of ermine or weasel fur. People who possess
the powers of the weasel are often underestimated, since
their sense of discretion does not allow them to reveal
their insights. In the business world, they are usually
without match, since their acute powers of observation
always render their competitors' intentions transparent.
Nevertheless, the weasel is a difficult power totem.
Often, those who have the powers of the weasel feel a
degree of responsibility for what they notice about
others. Many just want to be left in peace, and some
even want to lead the life of a hermit because, in the
end, knowing too much can make a person lonely and
become a real burden.
You can invoke the powers of the weasel to discover
the background to a problem.
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In the medicine wheel, the porcupine takes the place of
an innocent child. Its disposition is friendly and loving;
it is never the instigator of trouble. If it happens to be
attacked by another animal, which rarely occurs, its spines
will protect it.
The teaching of the porcupine embraces faith and trust.
Since faith is said to move mountains, this is a very
significant power to have. This animal teaches us to be open,
to discover new miracles every day, and to free ourselves
from the serious routine world of adults. The porcupine has
held on to a child-like sense of wonder and its trust in the
devine plan where everything will turn out all right. Its
friendliness can openness unlock the hearts of others in
order to share love and joy.
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The eagle personifies the divine power. It can rise high in the sky,
higher than any other living being, and, thus, comes close to the
Great Spirit. Rising to such heights, it can observe life in its
entirety.
The eagle teaches the importance of recognizing the whole pattern
of life with its bright and dark sides. This means we should regard
both positive and negative events as experiences that can serve a
higher purpose and help to develop the self. The power of the eagle,
therefore, requires trust in divine leadership and only by examining
his strength of soul can a person aquire the power of the eagle.
Eagles' feathers have been used by shamas since ancient times
to heal the aura of the sick. The message of the eagle is: Defeat
your fears and see beyond your horizon, become one with the element
of air and fly!
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The falcon is the messenger among the animals; it is roughly comparable
to the divine messenger in Greek mythology. The cry of the falcon
always announces a special event, which may be associated with joy
as well as danger. It is important to observe the present situation
closely and, if necessary, take the initiative and act courageously.
The message of the falcon also says to reach out and accept the
gifts of the Great Spirit, which are there but may not yet have been
noticed. People who have the power of the falcon are keen observers,
who do not miss the smallest detail nor lose sight of the whole. They
recognize the signs and receive advice from the other worlds.
Whenever you hear the piercing cry of the falcon, take note! Aim
for a better perspective to be able to interpret the message from
the falcon.
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The otter stands for the female energy. Its elements, water and Earth,
are also those of woman. Its balancing power enables the otter to
play and have fun with its offspring all day. The otter would never
start a fight, because it does not know aggression and imbalance.
Therefore, it approaches everybody with curiosity and friendliness.
It will only defend itself if attacked first.
Its physical shape also corresponds to the Native American image of
femininity. It is slender and full of gracefull coquetry. It teaches
that being a woman is not equivalent with jealousy or envy, but means
spreading joy and openness. It is the power of sharing kindness.
People with the energy of the otter practice free love without control
and power games. They float with the stream of life without tying
themselves to material goods. This is the powerful, receiving-energy
of women.
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The opossum is the digression expert in the animal kingdom. If all
of its strategies fail, it pretends to play dead. Most of the time,
the confused hunter will turn away, thinking the hunt is over. Even
though the opossum could use its claws and teeth to defend itself,
it rarely does so. In addition to the visible masquerade, it can
produce a slightly sweet scent of death, which further confuses its
adversaries.
The opossum teaches to use one's intellect and intuition to find
the way out of tricky situations. An attacker will lose interest if
the vitim pretends to be dead by freigning indifference and not even
showing if it is injured. The warrior can also utilize the power of
the opossum when he faces a seemingly superior opponent by making
sure to surprise and confuse him. Victory ultimately depends on the
right strategy.
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The butterfly symbolizes transformation into something higher. It
teaches us to make concious changes to our lives, create new conditions,
and make dreams come true.
Every new idea and every step toward self-fullfillment reflect the
developement of the butterfly. The egg of a butterfly signals the
birth of a new idea. The larvae stage stands for the time when one
should deicide whether or not to put this new idea into practice. The
cocoon represents an inward journey to establish a connection between
the idea and oneself. Finally, the hatching of the butterfly symbolizes
the begining of a new reality. The joy of the new creation may now
be shared with others.
These four steps of transformation are continuously taking place
in our lives and are necessary for our development.
The attributes of the butterfly help to arrange one's thoughts and
to consciously take the next step.
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The dragonfly, creature of the winds, represents the tricking of the
senses and change. Its iridescent wings are reminiscent of magical
times and, thus, let us realize that there is only seeming reality
in this world.
The dragonfly teaches that nothing is quite the way it seems, and
that is therefore necessary not to allow our senses to be tricked.
Furthermore, the dragonfly conveys messages from elementary beings
and plant spirits.
If you wish to make changes, call to the energy of the dragonfly.
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The Moose
The Buffalo
The Ant
The Spider
The Horse
The Antelope
The Badger
The Hare
The Frog
The Lizard
The Bear
The Wolf
The Hummingbird
The Swan
The Weasel
The Porcupine
The Eagle
The Falcon
The Otter
The Opossum
The Butterfly
The Dragonfly