Thanks for forwarding this on to me Lisa. It is quite interesting that we just had this discussion the other day, and now this is posted. Certainly not a coincidence as everything has a reason. There is so much on this topic that I could share with you. Signs are very important in the metaphysical world. Those of us open to looking beyond the physical world certainly seek signs from our surroundings. Weather its God, the Great Creator, Goddesses, Allah, Buddha etc...signs are always given to the followers of such religions/walks of life. Native Americans believe and rely heavily on the signs from their brother and sister animals. They heed their warnings, relish in their praise, pay attention to the way they fly, nest, the direction that they travel. Its almost like reading tarot cards for someone to map out their life. Each animal is a totem. Sometimes the totem is part of your own totem pole. The totem pole is supposed to represent the major phases and teachings within this life for you. In essence it tells your life story. Each of us has nine totems. These are your guides throughout life. Not every animal you encounter is actually part of your life. Rather they may just pop in to remind you or tell you about something you need to pay attention to in the near future. For instance, Moose is not part of my totem. However, I had a very vivid dream with a moose in it. I looked it up to understand its medicine/teachings the next morning and in the very near future I understood why moose came to me in my dream. I haven’t dreamed of them since or before. I have never really seen one. It was something I just needed to know that day. However, eagle is one of my totems. It took me a great deal of time to understand its medicine for me in this life. Now that I do that is medicine and knowledge that cant be taken away from me. Rather, it is etched into my soul so to speak and I will carry that wisdom with me to my next life. Sometimes we have a unique kinship to certain animals that we can’t explain. If it starts when we are very young it may pose the question/thought that in the previous life that was the foundation of my totem pole/life journey, that I carried with me into this life. I believe that to be true of the butterfly in my life as it is not necessarily part of my totem pole in this life but it certainly is my primary guide. No matter what phase of life I am walking butterfly is always there and I rely heavily on their presence as they did in the old ways.
Animals are totems and medicine. They are not a cut and dry symbol for say "money". If you think about it, back when this belief system was born, money did not exist. So the modernization of this animal guide is probably not money but rather it may symbolize a gift. This may be a physical gift or a gift of the soul…a life lesson that is more valuable than any coin on this earth. If you see an animal that catches your attention or rather demands your attention, I definitely recommend that you look up its meaning. Now, looking up their meanings will mean more than just a spread sheet of 1-5 words that describes their medicine. It will require reading a chapter, or paragraphs from all different authors and draw the common denominator. I get calls all the time from my friends asking me about animal meanings. My friend Sarah was on her way to AZ for the summer, taking a break from her marriage, unsure of the journey ahead. So she saw a blue heron which is not something you see every day. She was driving cross country, unsure of her decision to leave for the summer, so I looked up the meaning for her. The meaning resulted in telling her that what she is about to do, although it is difficult ultimately it will nourish what is broken and therefore become stronger....now I could go on and on about all of this as I have already done. The study of animal signs and omens has been the focus and guide for me in metaphysics. If you have any questions I would be happy to share what I know with you. And if I don’t have the answer off hand I can help find it with you. Please do listen when the animals seek you out, and don’t take one word descriptions of their meaning as gospel. Take time to research what more than one person has to say from any religion/walk of life, compare notes and draw your conclusions.
Be Well,
Julie
P.S. Native Americans to this day (including me and my father) leave the leftover uneaten food outside for the animals as an offer of thanks for their guidance and wisdom each day.
