There are several ways that witches and pagans use
to find their totem animals.
- A particular animal feels good to you.
- Your own affinity with an animal.
- Medicine cards
- Read books on Native American culture and
shamanism, and other books on animals and their symbolism in different
cultures.
- Perform your own ritual
- Dreams
- Meditative state
- Vision quest
Simple Exercises to Find Your
Totem Animal
Exercise 1
Research for the local animals in your area. Keep
in mind that power animals are not limited to mammals. They can be reptiles,
insects, birds, and fish. Make a list and study them carefully. Notice what they
eat, their behavior, and their habitat. If you want, visit them in their natural
habitat and watch them interact with the environment. Pay special attention to
the legends and sayings about them. Remember, "clever as a fox, strong as an
ox." You will find some pretty interesting things! Think of their strengths and
weaknesses. Recognize these qualities working within you. In this way you will
narrow down your choices.
Exercise 2
Take a sheet of paper and make a list of your
good qualities. Be honest here! If you want, you can also ask your friends and
family to write down all those good qualities they see in you. Sometimes we do
not see many of our own good qualities, so this might help you see how others
perceive you. Once you have a list of all your good qualities, start researching
for those animals that have those qualities that represent your higher self.
Exercise 3
Perhaps this exercise will sound silly, but I
found that it helped me more than I thought when I was looking for another totem
animal. This is a very simple exercise. All you have to do is look around your
room. Yes, you heard me right! Look around your room and notice those posters,
figurines, and maybe stuffed animals you got over your bed. Have you noticed you
have a tendency to favor certain kind of animal(s)? I know I did when I was
starting! I looked around my room and all I saw were tigers in posters,
figurines, stuffed animals, and more. Maybe you should consider it. It might be
trying to tell you something. Reflect upon these questions:
- "Why do you like that animal so much?"
- "What characteristics does that animal have that you can identify yourself
with?"
part of the information was taken from:
"Indian Power Animals and Totems" by Marguerite Elsbeth, To Ride a Silver
Broomstick and To Stir a Magick Cauldron by Silver RavenWolf
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