Animal Totem

For those you of you who aren’t familiar with the First nations in Canada. In the Canadian provinces of Nova Scotia, Newfoundland and Labrador October is celebrated as Mi’kmaq (pronounced Míkmaw or Míkmaq (Mic Mac)) History Month and the entire Nation celebrates Treaty Day annually on October 1st.

In my family there consists both Mi’kmaq mostly Métis (if you’re not familiar with the name Métis it is that being of both Aboriginal and French decent) and Stickboy’s (on his Dad’s side) are Métis. My father-in-law briefly explained what our totem animals are. Here are a list of the different Totem Animals, see which one you.

I’m a Bear, what about How about you?
Totems Animals

The Otter: January 20 to February 18 (Aquarius)

Otter Totem:
The otter’s white whiskers have gained them the nickname of "Old Men of the Sea." As the smallest of all mammals, male otters grow to just over 4 feet long, including their tail.

Otters have huge appetites and will normally eat 5,000 pounds of food a year. Though they’ll eat any type of marine animal, they prefer the slower moving prey.

Sea otter babies are almost the same size as their mothers.

Otter brings understanding of our childlike self and asks us to rediscover our playful side. In its wisdom it advises us to nurture our talents and make good use of them.

The Cougar: February 19 to March 20 (Pisces)

Cougar Totem:
This cat goes by several names including Mountain Lion, Panther, and Puma. They are solitary cats who, unlike other cat species, are active during the day. They are also the most widely distributed cats in the Americas. These elusive hunters will pounce on their prey with a strong short burst of energy after studying its movements, never hesitating; showing none of its movement is wasted.

Cougar spirit will teach us to assert ourselves, and take control of our life so we can become leaders. Cougar’s graceful swiftness shows us how to understand the natural flow of our environment and move into a position of leadership.

The Red-Tailed Hawk: March 19 to April 19 (Aries)

Hawk Totems:
Hawks are predatory birds with remarkably sharp claws (talons) and whose size greatly varies within the 250 species. Female hawks are usually larger than the males. These raptors hunt during the day employing the use of their fierce talons to tear apart their prey.

Most hawks live in prairies, marshlands, forests, or open savannas. In these habitats they use their acute vision to hunt their food and raise their offspring. Hawks are fearless birds who will even face off with poisonous snakes if necessary.

Hawks piercing shriek tears through the air. In its shrill cry lies an important message which represents illumination. Hawk teaches us to scope out the situation and focus on our talents, trying to draw them out. Hawk learns to see the big picture in order to understand the past, present, and future. Hawk asks us to be observant of surroundings so we won’t get distracted from our path by others. It also reminds us not to get caught up in minor annoyances so we can maintain our inner balance.

The Beaver: April 20 to May 20 (Taurus)

Beaver Totems:
the Beaver (in Ojibwa it is called Anikk) and you belong to the Tortoise Clan. Beaver belongs to the Tortoise clan. The Tortoise clan and element earth make sense for this sensitive animal because it wears a slick protective fur. Protection and security are very important for members of the Tortoise clan. These people need a solid foundation in order to be active and to be able to grow. They want to build and preserve.

The Deer: May 21 to June 21 (Gemini)

Deer Totems:
Deer is a keen observer, enabled to see well in low lighting and its sensitive hearing allows it to perceive a twig snap in the distance. For the first few days of life a fawn hardly moves, hidden by the colour of its coat from predators. Once it can stand, it follows its mother around to learn how to survive. The graceful movement and gentle nature of these creatures show us the innocence of nature.

Deer is a messenger of serenity, can see between shadows and hear what isn’t being said.

Deer teaches us to maintain our innocence and gentleness so we can share our open-heartedness with others.

The Brown Flicker: June 22 to July 21 (Cancer)

Flicker totem:
If you are born in this time period, you were born in the Strong Sun Moon, and your animal totem is Flicker. He teaches us protection, courage, joy, rhythm, harmony, loving and nurturing.

The Sturgeon: July 22 to August 21 (Leo)

Sturgeon Totem:
This is the time of the Ripe Berries Moon, and the animal totem is Sturgeon. We learn these from Sturgeon: determination, teaching, leadership, knowledge, depth.

The Bear: August 22 to September 22 (Virgo)

Bear Totem:
Although bears are thought to be ferocious carnivores, they are actually quite playful and eat less meat than some smaller animals — supplementing their diets with plants and fruit. Bears are astonishingly swift for their size, running 35-40 mph in short distances.

The most common bear is the black bear. This name can be misleading since some black bears are various shades of brown. The Grizzly is most famous for its ferocious strength but is not aggressive by nature. The largest bear is the Alaskan Brown Bear who is a relatively solitary animal. The "cute" Polar Bear is the most aggressive of all bears — the best hunter and the most dangerous.

Bear teaches us to respect our natural hibernation cycles. Just as Bear rests during winter and reawakens during spring, we need spaces of rest and rejuvenation. Bear calls us to awaken the potential within ourselves and the power of our unconscious mind. Bear reminds us there is a time for playfulness and a time to be assertive.

The Raven: September 23 to October 22 (Libra)

Raven Totem:
Ravens are the largest songbirds in North America. Their bodies are covered in rich black plumage, which shines with an iridescent bluish colour. Though often mistaken with crows, ravens are much larger and their croak is more raucous. Ravens are intelligent masters of mimicking the calls of other animals and have also been known to mimic some human words. They are good at finding food and communicating with other ravens where food is located.

It is their natural talent of recycling, which has gained these birds a bad rap. They do a good job cleaning up nature by eating dead animals. Ravens further recycle by using the same nests year after year, and bringing in new materials for repairs if necessary. These birds build their nest in large trees or the sides of cliffs where they usually lay 4-5 eggs. They don’t wander far from where they were raised and will only get a new mate if one of the pair dies.

Ravens are known as the "keeper of secrets" in several native tribes, and are the teachers of mysticism. They have been wrapped in a wealth of myth and lore throughout many cultures and ages. Their black colour and diet ofdead animals associates them with the vast void of darkness, which is representative of the unconscious.

Raven flies to us with heightened awareness and greater understanding of our consciousness. It is with this new perception that we begin seeing into the hearts of others and experience their feelings. Raven asks us to experience the transformation it brings within our multidimensional self, and be reunited with the mysteries of the universe so we can expel our inner demons.

The Snake: October 23 to November 21 (Scorpio)

Snake totem:
Snakes smell with their tongues, and that’s why it flickers out of their mouth so much. An amazing aspect of snakes is their ability to shed their skin and create a new layer. Before they shed their skin, their eyes cloud over giving them a trance like appearance. Once they have fully shed their old skin, their eyes clear up and they leave the place, never looking back.

Snake comes when we are moving toward change and need to let go of a part of our old self. Snake awakens our spiritual intuition allowing us to explore the mysterious depths of our mind and soul. Its unblinking stare looks into our souls and teaches us how to birth untapped power and creative wisdom.

The Elk: November 22 to December 21 (Sagittarius)

Elk Totem:
Elk are seldom seen alone, preferring to live in large herds. This does not mean they don’t need some personal space. If they are cornered they will make full use of there magnificent antlers. They are known to fight aggressively with other elk for mating rights, and it is not uncommon for them to draw blood over this matter. Nevertheless, they can be unpredictably passive one moment and aggressive the next.

An elk’s incredible stamina enables them to run for long periods of time, while their strong reflexes allow them quick response to anything in their path. They never graze at night, and if the herd is attacked they will bolt in every direction to confuse the predator.

Elk’s regal demeanour reminds us that if we are confident, we can claim our Empowerment. It teaches us to maintain and protect ourselves by taking time out. Elk realizes it is important to remain closely connected with community, and be observant of subtle energies.

The Snow Goose: December 22 to January 20 (Capricorn)

Goose Totem:
The Goose belongs to the Turtle Clan. Goose is a member of the earthbound Turtle clan. Members of this clan have a particular need for secure and stable surroundings. They usually know exactly what they want and what they have to do to reach the goals they set for themselves. They are reliable and have an ambition, perseverance, and steadfastness that are admirable. But concentrating so hard on a task often diminishes their flexibility