Understanding Totems

For centuries, people have believed in the power of totems and their ability to guide individuals on their journey. A totem is an object or symbol that has personal significance to an individual, typically representing a spiritual belief or connection to a person’s culture, tradition or karmic patterns. Though they may take different forms and have varied interpretation depending on cultural and religious beliefs, most totems are seen as having mystical properties and providing protection while connecting the individual with their inner self.

At times, recognizing and understanding our own totem can be a difficult journey. We often don’t realize we have totems until certain events bring them into sharper focus — such as a dream, conversation with a friend or family member, or a serendipitous moment when our eyes open to the reality of what it means for us personally. Totems are often given by nature itself — which means that by its very nature it will be unique to each individual — from animal shapes in trees to rocks on the ground that seem strikingly familiar. In recognizing our own totems, we can give ourselves permission to tap into our spiritual side and allow ourselves the opportunity to connect with our intuition more deeply. Our connection with this spiritual power allows us not only insight but also protection from negative energy. It serves as reminder of who we are at our core — helping us stay connected with ourselves even when life gets complicated and chaotic. By connecting with our totem during meditation can help reveal new pathways in life, comforting us even during difficult times. Ultimately, every individual has their own mystical totem which acts as both protector and guide on their path through life; by uncovering what these symbols mean for each of us individually we are able to gain greater insight into who we truly are and embrace the ancient practice of connecting to larger cosmic forces all around us.

For me, the world of totems arrived through my sacred story in the form of my mystical familiar, North, who came to me using a moon invocation to draw a sacred familiar (embodied totem) into my life.