How many times have you been walking along and found a rock, a feather,
an interesting stick, maybe an animal or bird that came to you. And for
some reason you felt that they were calling to you. This item than becomes
a "Totem". Sometimes a totem will bring messages to you in a
physical world form, and sometimes in visions or dreams. Mitakuye Oyasin
means we are all related. It means that each thing on this Earth has a
"spirit." We are all one, the two legged, four legged, crawlers,
swimmers, winged ones, standing people (trees) and the stone people.
By connecting with these spirits we can learn a lot about who we are
within Self, and how we connect with Nature and with Spirit. Totems
nourish us on a spiritual level. By filling our sense of Spirit, we
connect and tune into our ability to nurture and love ourselves, others
and Mother Earth. The more we nourish our Spirit, the more doors open so
that more guidance can be given. We learn to honor the world of Spirit for
the guidance we receive. Totems also allow us to become the inner child
again and learn to laugh and play. As we grow older we often lose our
concept of "play", and take ourselves and our lives too
seriously.
We need to be aware of our surroundings and look for the guidance. All
we need to do is take the time to tap into our inner sight. Have you ever
had a gut feeling? Well that is what this is about; trusting the instincts
that we are endowed with. We are guided every day whether we realize it or
not. So how do you find these totems? Being aware is important, always
trust your instincts. Look around, don't just wander. See the less
obvious. When you look at a tree what do you see, the tree, its leaves,
maybe a bird or a squirrel? What about a small lizard, a beetle, a
ladybug, maybe some moss or air fern? Maybe there is a praying mantis, a
bird sitting in a nest, a spider gliding through the branches or a snake
gliding along a branch. We often miss a lot of detail when we are in a
hurry. Try to take some time each day to connect with Mitakuye Oyasin.
You too can do this without spending years trying to. You do not have
to go to the mountains or wilderness. Just go to your back yard or a park.
Sit quietly and open up your heart, as well as your mind. Yes, it is that
simple. Yes, it takes a little practice. Just be open enough to allow
yourself to feel. . Try to feel a tree's spirit. Feel the tree's energy,
let it share it with you. Try another species, feel the difference. Be
aware! Look at things! Notice! Once you do this for a while you begin to
see things you have been missing. You will start to notice certain
animals, birds, plants, insects, and even stones that seem to talk with
you. Once you began to notice, you will want to know more about what their
message is.
Everything on this Earth has a vibrational energy. Each stone has its
own unique vibration as does each plant, each tree, each place, and even
each animal or person. When you learn to start to feel or sense this
energy you are opening to the intuition.
Totems come to us from all the worlds. They may be mineral (stones),
plants (medicinal and protective), animals (feathers, small
representations of them, or even messages which come to us from the animal
kingdom), and Human (ritual tools, drums, and rattles.)
The more you can relate to a certain type of object, the closer your
human/totem relationship will become. You will feel different vibrations
from all of your totems. Sometimes their vibrations will change for you,
as you start to grow and change.
Totems bring many messages to us from the natural world around us, from
our higher self, and from Spirit. The totems we find in the South reflect
our strengths, weaknesses and our connections to the vibrations of
everything around us.
Learning the messages of the totems we find in the South, help us to
understand the messages these same totems may send to us in dreams and
visions in the West, the symbols received in the ritual and ceremony of
the North, and the creativity expressed in the East.
Look around you for totems you already possess. Do you have a few
stones you have brought home from the beach and placed on a windowsill?
How about a feather you found on a trip that you brought home with you? Is
there a particular plant you feel drawn to and have growing in your home?
All of these are potential totems. Pick them up and feel their vibrations.
This is how the totem relationship begins.
If you feel that this totem is speaking to you, put it aside for later
use. Some you may feel no connection with, or you may even feel that they
belong to someone else. Choose the items that you relate to and that make
you feel something reflected from them to you about you.
Here is a great system to use to start to really examine the totem
energies of stones. It was adapted by Twylah Nitsch from the wisdom of the
Seneca's.
The Wolf Clan to which she belonged is a teaching clan. They are here
to share their wisdom and to help us all to connect to the Earth.
Seneca Stone - Wisdom
Textures of Stones:
Figures or faces - Spirit Helpers, if animals, these have the
attributes of the animal
Sparkling stone - Star rock, charisma, high ideals, charm
Smooth - Willingness to learn and share wisdom as a teacher
Rough - Inclinations to follow one’s own methods of learning and sharing
Light weight, Smooth - Gentleness
Heavy, Rough - Obstacles, but growth
Shapes of Stones:
Round - Flexibility, professional abilities
Oval - Contentment, yet seeking change
Two-sided - Strongly influenced by others
Three-sided - Pyramid shape, intuition, openness to inner wisdom
Four-sided - Nature lovers, self respect, self-discipline, friendship
Five-sided - Every aspect of creativity, honor for Nature
Six-sided - Fullness of potentials and gifts, decisiveness, trust,
sincerity
Seven-sided - Gratitude, a rare stone indicating spiritual leadership
Stone with a hole - Protection stone, reminds us of Spirit
Colors of Stones:
Brown - Earthy energy, love of Nature
Grey - Friendly
Black - Seeking Light
Red - Faith
Yellow - Love, communication
Blue - Intuitive gifts
Green - Responsibility, dependability
Pink - Creativity in work
White - Sharing with others
Violet - Gratitude, spiritual enrichment
You can make a tenderfoot pouch. This is a tiny bag which can be worn
around the neck or carried in a pocket. You can change the totems in the
bag on a daily basis if you wish. These totems can be tiny stones,
feathers, and replicas of your power animals. It should be saged or
cleansed often as should any totem that you are carrying around in it. As
we walk through the Medicine Wheel you will be guided and directed to the
proper totems for you by your own intuition and your connection to Spirit.
TENDERFOOT POUCH
(Use one totem from each world)
Find yourself a medicine bag that can hang around your neck. Place in
this bag one of each item.
Mineral World -- A stone, any kind you feel drawn
to except a crystal or gem
Animal World -- A small feather, bit of fur, claw,
whiskers, rabbit tails, wings of butterflies, snake skin.
Plant World -- Dried flowers, leaves, herbs,
interesting twigs or roots.
Human World -- Personal charms, buttons, hair,
chains, locket, tiny figures, such as miniatures from games and models.
Add a seed or a nut for growth, Add a crystal or gemstone for spirit,
Add a colored marble, bead, or ribbon for your special color.
Let no one see or touch your bag or its contents.
