I am sure this is a question that many have asked at one time or another. A totem animal is one that you "feel" drawn to, or have very simular qualities of. Everyone has heard the term "sly as a snake" or "bullheaded". Well these are animal qualities that we associate with ourselves day in and day out. Not everyone will have the same totems and one can have many totem animals.
Totem animals come to us in many forms. Ever been to the park or to a zoo and come face to face with say a lion or bear? Did you feel a pull to look deep into that animals eyes? Did you "see" yourself in those eyes? Have you ever had a dream in which an animal "spoke" to you? Have you noticed this animal seems to be around you alot? If you answered yes to any of these questions, then chances are you have met your totem animal.
A familiar is an animal that "lends" its own energies to your magickal workings, kinda like a right hand or helper. Not all familiars are cats. (boy that myth is a hard one to live down) My own familiar is a dog. A wolf-hybrid to be exact. She is always by my side during ritual and yes, she even speaks to me. I have a witchy friend that has a bird as a familiar and if you could ever see that one..you'd know that bird is magickal.
Each animal has different qualities that make them special to us. Everyone of us as "two-leggers" should look to those animals which we feel kindredness with and try to see what qualities it is that that animal is trying to show us. There are alot of ways to do this , one of which is to meditate on the animal or animals that you feel drawn to. Get a book or piece of paper, a pen and write down those qualities that come to you. Study them and see how they pertain to you.
NOTE: It is wtih great sadness that I must say as of November 30, 2001, We lost our wonderful friend Nanook. She is gone but not forgotten.
Embrace Your Shadows
For They Are Your Own.
"Nyx"
is copyrighted
Jessica Galbreth, artist
www.enchanted-art.com
