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Personal Totems Mankind alone amongst the beasts demonstrably examines and actively seeks to understand and quantify his existence. Until he examines the physical, spiritual and mental as an integrated whole, the Question will not be answered. Until viewed wholistically, any answers can make no sense because the Questions themselves are not understood. -- Craig Berry |
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Psi Field *
Preface *
Jealousy & possessiveness Shamanism Light Work Shadow Work Dark Work |
A Totem is very different from a power animal. An individual’s totem is essentially a permanent association between that person and their totem. When a child is born, their morphic-psychic-energetic (etc.) being generally resonates most strongly with a particular living (animal) spirit (being the unified spirit of that type of animal) which recognises an affinity with that person; think of kindred spirits here. Although theoretically possible, I have not met or heard of anyone with a plant or non-physical entity as their totem. A person’s totem is often typified in their behaviour / demeanour and vice versa. One who’s totem is feline will exhibit feline actions, movements and traits as well as that indefinable 'something' that reminds observers of a feline (dancers often have feline or at least movement oriented totems). Under stress, a person will often run true to type with their totem’s individual characteristics. In example, think of the natures of a solitary tiger and a gregarious lioness when placed in a similar situation of testing, social pressure within a crowd. If this is too great a leap, think of a lion versus a gazelle. Presented with danger or challenge, a gazelle does an all too familiar flight from danger where a lion will typically meet a challenge head on, often with much noise and gusto. Discovery & Consideration of Totems Discovery and revelation of a person’s totem is a sacred and highly important function of a community’s shaman. Whilst a couple seriously considering courting would take into account many factors, their combined totems are of major significance. If a couple’s totems were wolf and fox, this would be considered a poor combination; both are hunting canids BUT one is a dedicated pack animal with a strong sense of status and pack, the other is a relatively solitary hunter. The wolf is cooperative and the fox is not. Without going on with the example, the reader should see where this is going. This is the sort of thing that would manifest as contrary ideals, goals and ambitions as well as methods in going about things. A couple might have a wolf and a caribou as their combined totems. Whilst this might seem at first glance to be a poor match of predator and prey, it is actually a very favourable match. The caribou are kept strong by the wolf who takes the weak and sick, and the wolf is sustained by the caribou, often guarding it against other predators. Two grazing animals who share similar pastures but do not live in direct competition are compatible, but two who compete for the same resource are typically less so. In determining the compatibility of totems, especially of herbivores, simply look to the animals themselves. If they coexist in harmony in the same territory, they are compatible. Similarly, you can look to the habits of carnivores and omnivores to see compatibilities. Totems are generally asexual, but [very] occasionally a gender may also be specified. It is generally unheard of for a person to have two totems or to change totems. The only situation I know of where this occurs is if the individual undergoes a profound, personality altering experience (i.e. being struck by lightening). In these cases, the person’s new morphic/psychic field is less appealing to their original totem whilst more attractive to another resulting in a shift of affinities. In very rare cases (I've only heard third hand accounts), a person may, after an alteration to their being, share two totem animals with each animal resonating to the pre and post change aspects of the person. Like power animals, a totem may be any living thing but is typically vertebrate in nature. One person I have met was revealed by his shaman to have an earthworm as a totem - interestingly he was very preoccupied with caving, lived in a semi-subterranean home and worked with land-care/perma-culture! I have heard [at third hand] of a person who had a flea as their totem (the only insect I've heard of) but hold this in some scepticism. I’ve not heard of any person having a non-animal totem like a plant, but it is conceivably possible. For an individual to understand themselves, a shaman will suggest acquiring a deep understanding of their totemic animal and use that understanding as a mirror to see into themselves and their innate natures. It is rare for an individual to discover their own totem and typically, responsibility for revelation falls to their shaman, with much meditating and journeying applied to make sure that the totem is correctly identified for each person. What does discovery of a totem mean? Like astrology, a totem is not an excuse for a behaviour. Some will tell of being a drunk because they're a Pisces or of their lazy behaviour because a sloth might be their totem. This is weak deflection and self-deception at its worst! Understanding the innate nature of a thing allows a thinking human to observe those traits within themselves and dedicate their learning and will-power to curbing those impulses and behaviours that do not benefit their community.
Next - Soul Retrievals |
About Craig:
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