We are all given a birth totem animal:

We are all given a birth totem animal. These stay with us until adult age, but some tribes say they are with you all your life. These are the signs you were born under.You may take other totems as you go in age, you can have more then one. But you will know your strongest and the one you see the most. Always sit quietly in nature, you will feel you spirit guide or your totem animal. You will learn from them, and what you see in them, is usually what you are like.

The Red Hawk
March 21 - April 19
Moon: Budding Trees Moon
Season: The Awakening Time
Wind: East Winds
Direction: North-East
Element: Fire
Elemental Clan: Hawk Clan
Plant: Dandelion
Mineral: Opal
Polarity With: Falcon
Color: Yellow/Green
Musical Vibration: C Sharp
Personality: Active.
Spiritual Energy: Feminine energies
Emotions: Quickly aroused
Positive Traits: Pioneering spirit
Negative Traits: Impatient, selfish and often times egotistical.
Compatibilities: Salmon and Owls
Conscious Desire: To lead, manage head the adventure.
Subconscious Desire: Learning through experience.
Spiritual Path: Expanding the individual through discernment
Strengths: Persistence and patience with others
Weakness: Conceit and intolerance.

Beaver
April 20 - May 20
Moon: Frogs Return Moon
Season: The Growing Time
Wind: East Winds
Direction: East
Element: Earth with Fire
Elemental Clan: Turtle Clan
Plant: Wild clover
Mineral: Bloodstone
Polarity With: Snake
Color: Yellow
Musical Vibration: D Sharp
Personality: Resourceful and methodical
Spiritual Energy: Masculine energies
Emotions: High strung
Positive Traits: Persistent and often strong-willed.
Negative Traits: Inflexible, possessive and often times self involved
Compatibilities: Woodpeckers, Brown Bears and Geese
Conscious Desire: Security through abundance
Subconscious Desire: Freedom from attachments
Spiritual Path: To discover that which has lasting value
Strengths: Accepting change, compassion, inner security and confidence
Weakness: Possessiveness and inflexibility

Deer
May 21 - June 20
Moon: Corn Planting Moon
Season: The Flowering Time
Wind: East Winds
Direction: South-east
Element: Air with fire
Elemental Clan: Butterfly Clan
Plant: Lily of the Valley
Mineral: Agate
Polarity With: Owl
Color: Green
Musical Vibration: E natural
Personality: Talkative, congenial, moody.
Spiritual Energy: Feminine energies
Emotions: Sensitive
Positive Traits: Friendly, intellectual and quick witted
Negative Traits: Restless, yet insecure
Compatibilities: Crows and otters
Conscious Desire: Bridging gaps
Subconscious Desire: Mastery of the mind
Spiritual Path: Sharing what one has learned or experienced for growth
Strengths: Persistence and concentration
Weakness: Moodiness, "day dreaming"

Woodpecker (Flicker)
June 21 - July 21
Moon: Strong Sun Moon
Season: Long Days Time
Wind: South winds
Direction: South-south-east
Element: Water
Elemental Clan: Frog Clan
Plant: Wild rose
Mineral: Rose quartz
Polarity With: Goose
Color: Rose
Musical Vibration: F natural
Personality: Emotional, vulnerable but protective
Spiritual Energy: Masculine energy
Emotions: Protective, wanting to protect
Positive Traits: Tender and sympathetic.
Negative Traits: Moody, often unforgiving
Compatibilities: Snakes, Wolves, Beavers
Conscious Desire: Emotional stability
Subconscious Desire: Accomplishment
Spiritual Path: Fitting in with the greater good
Strengths: Resourcefulness, self acceptance and forgiveness.
Weakness: Self-pity, Envy and relying to heavily on others.

Salmon
July 22 - August 21
Moon: Ripe Berries Moon
Season: The Ripening Time
Wind: South winds
Direction: South
Element: Water
Elemental Clan: Fish Clan
Plant: Raspberry
Mineral: Carnelian
Polarity With: Otter
Color: Blue
Musical Vibration: F sharp
Personality: Confident and energetic
Spiritual Energy: Feminine energies
Emotions: Passionate & intense
Positive Traits: Generous and Creativ
Negative Traits: Controlling, often arrogant and intolerant
Compatibilities: Owl and Falcon
Conscious Desire: To rule
Subconscious Desire: Emotional balance
Spiritual Path: To find the underlying purpose of life
Strengths: Tolerance, humbleness and letting go
Weakness: Egotistical behavior and Controlling nature

Brown Bear
August 22 - September 21
Moon: Harvest Moon
Season: Harvesting Time
Wind: South winds
Direction: South-south-west
Element: Earth
Elemental Clan: Turtle Clan
Plant: Violets
Mineral: Topaz
Polarity With: Wolf
Color: Brown
Musical Vibration: G natural
Personality: Practical and industrious
Spiritual Energy: Masculine energies
Emotions: Warm and thought out
Positive Traits: Detailed, humble, trustworthy
Negative Traits: Finicky, judgmental and often times hypocritical
Compatibilities: Geese and Beavers
Conscious Desire: Reaching forth, aiming high
Subconscious Desire: Attaining pure wisdom and truth
Spiritual Path: Understanding it all
Strengths: Optimism, tolerance and self acceptance
Weakness: Fault finding, pessimism and putting things off

Raven/Crow
September 22 - October 22
Moon: Ducks Flying Moon
Season: Falling Leaves Time
Wind: West winds
Direction: South-west
Element: Air
Elemental Clan: Butterfly Clan
Plant: Ivy
Mineral: Azurite
Polarity With: Falcon
Color: Blue
Musical Vibration: A natural
Personality: Tolerant and friendly
Spiritual Energy: Feminine energies
Emotions: Sensitive
Positive Traits: Diplomatic, often romantic and overly optimistic
Negative Traits: Gullible, indecisive and often holds a grudge
Compatibilities: Otter and Deer
Conscious Desire: Partnership
Subconscious Desire: Balance and harmony
Spiritual Path: Peace and balance
Strengths: Caution, making decisions and letting go
Weakness: Taking sides, indecision and trusting to much

Snake
October 23 - November 21
Moon: Cold Winds Moon
Season: The Frosting Time
Wind: West Winds
Direction: West
Element: Water
Elemental Clan: Frog Clan
Plant: Mums
Mineral: Amethyst
Polarity With: Beaver
Color: Lavender
Musical Vibration: B natural
Personality: Impulsive, ambitious
Spiritual Energy: Masculine energy
Emotions: Hidden, keeping things inside
Positive Traits: Discerning and imaginative
Negative Traits: Stubborn, mistrustful, often stubborn
Compatibilities: Woodpeckers and wolves
Conscious Desire: Acceptance
Subconscious Desire: Spiritual balance
Spiritual Path: Expressing inner intuition
Strengths: Creativity, ability to change and sensitive to others
Weakness: Egotistical, often aloof and distant

Elk
November 22 - December 21
Moon: Snowy Moon
Season: Starry Night Moon
Wind: West winds
Direction: North-west
Element: Fire
Elemental Clan: Hawk Clan
Plant: Poinsettia
Mineral: Obsidian
Polarity With: Deer
Color: Gold
Musical Vibration: C sharp
Personality: Laugh-hearty, loving and independent
Spiritual Energy: Feminine energy
Emotions: Caring
Positive Traits: Adaptable, trustworthy
Negative Traits: Restless and loud
Compatibilities: Falcons and Salmon
Conscious Desire: To understand the spirit and the human nature
Subconscious Desire: Applying the spiritual to the physical to bring about healing
Spiritual Path: Spiritual evolution
Strengths: Optimistic, happy and focused
Weakness: Often exaggerates, and is concerned with "status"

Snow Goose
December 22 - January 19
Moon: New Moon
Season: The Renewal Time
Wind: North wind
Direction: North-north-west
Element: Earth
Elemental Clan: Turtle Clan
Plant: Bramble
Mineral: Peridot
Polarity With: Woodpecker
Color: White
Musical Vibration: D sharp
Personality: Reliable, high standards of self
Spiritual Energy: Masculine energy
Emotions: Self concerned
Positive Traits: Ambitious, never gives up
Negative Traits: Rigid, driven, often too focused on succeeding
Compatibilities: Beavers, Bears and Crows
Conscious Desire: To succeed
Subconscious Desire: To rest and rejuvenate
Spiritual Path: To learn patience and the flow of life
Strengths: Sociable, well spoken
Weakness: Self-doubt, can't see the forest for the trees.

Otter
January 20 - February 18
Moon: Cleansing Moon
Season: The Cleansing Time
Wind: North Winds
Direction: North
Element: Air
Elemental Clan: Butterfly clan
Plant: Fern
Mineral: Turquoise
Polarity With: Salmon
Color: Silver
Musical Vibration: E natural
Personality: Sociable, talkative and independent
Spiritual Energy: Masculine energy
Emotions: Creative, unconventional
Positive Traits: Inventive, soothing and very perceptive
Negative Traits: Nosy, unpredictable, often times too blunt
Compatibilities: Crows, Falcons and Deer
Conscious Desire: To gain knowledge
Subconscious Desire: To attain wisdom
Spiritual Path: Applying spiritual knowledge to daily life
Strengths: Tolerance, courage, is often an original thinker
Weakness: Considered to be rebellious, and often times eccentric.

Wolf
February 19 - March 20
Earth Influence: The Blustery Winds of Time
Wind: The North Winds
Direction: North-north-east
Elements: Water with Air
Elemental Clan: Frog (Water) clan.
Plant: Plantain
Mineral: Jade
Polarity: Brown Bear
Color: Blue/Green
Musical Vibration: F sharp
Personality: Compassionate, Benevolent, Generous, Artistic and Gentle.
Spiritual Alchemy: Yin predominates.
Starting Totems: Wolf, Buffalo, Frog, Plantain, Jade and Brown Bear.
Feelings: Deep
Intention: Understanding
Nature: Trusting
Positive Traits: Sympathetic, Adaptable, Impressionable and Sensitive.
Negative Traits: Impractical, vague, timid, indecisive.
Sex-drive: Tender
Compatibilities: Woodpeckers, Brown Bears and snakes.
Conscious Aim: Freedom
Subconscious Desire: Identity
Life-Path: Love
Must Cultivate: Intuition, Creativity and Understanding.
Must Avoid: Timidity, Indolence and Impracticality.

Tags: animal:, birth, totem

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Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Star-Dust on February 7, 2009 at 11:04am: l am a bear and oddly,l am also from the turtle clan, with the bear and the wolf also being in the same tribe.And then these aninal are what the Indians named the stars they see in the sky at that time of year. When one are born under these star signs, this is how the animal spirit is given to us. We are able to have more then one totem, and/or angel spirit or guide.But the birth totem usually remain with us as well. We have many zodiac readings from different believers of star signs.Strange enough, the celtic zodiac is not much different then this one here for myself by the Indian star signs.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by bﯕڽćңẹẳאָڽ on March 7, 2009 at 11:18pm: Totems are any animal, bird, insect or aquatic life that offer themselves in service to assist not only humans but all forms of life. These spirit guides may be acquired throughout life, especially in response to a great need for guidance or support.

A long time ago, humans were created to be caretakers of the garden - Mother Earth. They held all things of creation sacred. The people respected Nature and understood they were only a small part of the whole circle of life. Humans knew each part of creation played a significant role in the contentment and survival of the other. They accepted the divine idea that all things were equal and no animal, including man, held dominion over other parts of creation.

Totems are symbols that work with the subconscoius mind, tapping into the energy that is present in all things. They demonstrate a spiritual connectedness that helps guide us on our own path of self discovery. Totemistic beliefs are not limited to Native American Indians. Similar beliefs have been historically found throughout much of the world, including Central and South America, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, Africa, Asia, Australia, and the Arctic polar region.

Your totems may come from any part of the world although it is more common for a person to be most strongly connected with those native to their country of birth. It is also quite possible that a person may have one or two totems from one part of the world, several more from another.

Many times a person will feel drawn to one animal or another without being able to explain why, they just like the Animal's energy. This could indicate a possible totem connection. Another clue is to watch and see which animals consistently appear in a person's life. Dreams will often feature a person's Totem when the person is ready, as well as bringing in new totems.

The study of animals and their energies as nature totems, or spirit guides, is very helpful to us as humans to understand how the spiritual is manifesting in our lives. Their energies help us to learn more about ourselves, as they have archetypal powers that reside, and help to oversee all manifestations in nature. An animal that we feel closely to is one we resonate with in the energies they provide for us at the time they cross our paths, with messages for us. When we allow the animals to know that we mean good, they will always be good to us, and are there to help us along our journeys.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by tushka27 on March 9, 2009 at 11:40pm: Different tribes have different ideas, which is always a great thing. My ancestors taught that everyone is born with a spirit guide, you can call them a totem if you like. When a child is born, a holy man or woman looks into the netherworld and identifies the guardian of the newborn. Most of the time the guardians resemble animals, but can also be deceased relatives or have a unique appearance. As children grow, their guardians grow with them and often change appearance to something more suitable. Often their personal name is related to their spirit guardian, not the first animal the parents see as the child is born (well, maybe in movies). Animals typically represent specific characteristics like intelligence, bravery, family oriented, artistic or very special gifts like healing or great leadership. However, there are no formal rules, so a person's characteristics are not determined by the guardian spirit but by their own personalities. You could be a great leader or a very successful farmer but your guardian could appear to be an opposum or a flock of birds. Every animal, plant, or element is important to Native American cultures, so no one is offended when their guardian spirit is a mouse rather than the stereotypical 2 headed blazing eagle of doom or angry lightning big buffalo.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Star-Dust on March 10, 2009 at 4:52pm: Learning from the animals also teach us about survival in the wild if we had too. Some study all animals and learn their ways. Your people had to learn to survive, l wonder if in the past, your tribe has forgotten their ancestors and the link to any clans. Some tribes had this done and later they did some background and found they did have a clan of many within their own tribe.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Xoc on March 10, 2009 at 9:52pm: I heard *real* totem beliefs don't resemble this.

that being said there is a similar Aztec belief. Everyone has a nahualli, a twin animal soul, at birth. You can gain others but they will not sure your soul like your birth one. A sorcerer will be able to transform into their nahualli through dreaming. A skilled sorcerer may be able to steal someone's nahualli. To protect yourself from magical harm you are advised not to tell people what animal your nahualli is.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Star-Dust on March 11, 2009 at 4:24pm: l only know what the American Indian believes in. But l think this may be possible to steal them,l am not too sure, there are dances and chants to keep your totem safe also. As far as what the Indian believe in that your totem is protecting you as you are keeping it safe from harm.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Xoc on March 11, 2009 at 5:05pm: well what i am saying is i heard that totem beliefs by Native Americans do not resemble this list at all. And that there are multiple tribes with differing beliefs.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Star-Dust on March 11, 2009 at 5:13pm: Yes, you are right, there are many that have different ones. l think that is interesting also. l like reading about the different beliefs.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Star-Dust on April 18, 2009 at 10:35am: Some times a totem animal is just for people to learn things from the animals, we all can learn from animals and we will someday may need their skills to survive.And all tribes are different as you say.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by brethil birch on May 25, 2009 at 5:22am: My birth totem is a goose and that I beleive for I am very drawn to them.
I also have A frog,wolf, dragon and butterfly as totem.
I believe you can have more then one totem.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Dora Gonzalez on November 13, 2009 at 3:49pm: there are many peoples and many beliefs just as there is many different foods to eat from...some food is not touched by others as some food is heartily eaten by the rest, so my friend, there is no one way, there is all ways.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Emeraldeyes on March 12, 2009 at 6:43pm: This zodiac of sorts depends on what nation you belong to or book you read. I have a similar book but the totems are different as well as the stones, minerals etc. There are other ways of finding your totems. You will KNOW. I have several. My strongest are the red tailed hawk and cougar.; ▶ Reply to This