Have you discovered and met your shadow totem?

[MonSno_LeeDra]

In many of the new age notions one comes across the concept of the totem and or power animal appears. Truly nothing new as power animals and totems have been inclusive in many societies about the globe. These creatures that service to guide us and at times inspire us to new heights. Creature's that maybe anything from the smallest of field mice to the largest of land or sea creatures.

Go to nearly any site dealing with any shamanic notion and they are to be found. Heck even today found upon many sites that claim to simply be Pagan in nature or in other earth based religious / spiritual practices. Pages upon pages of animal medicine and what each is used for and how it teaches it lesson. Almost always seen in a positive light and readily comes when the person goes on a quest for their animal totem or power animal.

Yet have you met or discovered your shadow totem? Have you gone on journey to find your totem or power animal only to be faced with some dark terror that rises from the grass or steps out of the darkest forest? That creature that just inspires dreaded fear in you, even the very though of it making you shudder or give you nightmares?

Well chances are that creature that fills you with such dread is the shadow totem. A totem creature that maybe with you for a few years or until such time as you face it and overcome the lessons it has to teach you. That creature that serves to teach you the darker (perhaps even the weaker) side of yourself. Those creature's that are reflective of our deepest fears at times and hold the lesson to overcome them.

So next time you go looking for that animal that is to be your guide or totem, give pause to the creature that appears on the fringes or in the shadows it just might be your shadow totem come calling.

[MonSno_LeeDra]

For many years one of mine was snake. Of all the creature's that could have come to me or did come to me none bothered me more than snake did. Snake scared me whether I encountered it in dream time or in real time. The simple site of snake was enough to quicken the beat of my heart and make me shutter in my very steps. One of those things were you couldn't really say why just that it did.

It took a long time to realize that snake bothered me for snake always was the thing with lying skins. It changed its skin to become new and grow yet it also left behind the old skin to mark its passage. Long after it was long and gone did it continue to send shivers up the spine when found. The very image of that old skin enough to fill my mind with what if's and where was it now thoughts.

Today me and snake are on better terms and I understand it and myself better. The ability to grow into the new does not mean what one sees in one skin is always the truth or that lies lay beneath the layers. Snake is not the hidden terror or fear that lies beside the road just waiting to strike. It is not just the primordial fear that is instilled in the Christian myths of the serpent and Garden of Eden tales.

Nope snake is so much more though at times its lessons are difficult to learn, especially when snake is also a shadow totem and the manifestation of what you fear.

[NeoNomad]

I have an inkling of which animal spirit may be my own shadow totem - but it is simply a guess, or rather deductive reasoning as I have never truly journeyed in the traditional sense.

Spider may be mine... and not just because I am near phobic of even the smallest most harmless of them. I've given this much thought as I've studied spirit animal medicines and these are my conclusions:

- Spider is tied to all things artistic and creative, as they are constantly weaving and spinning their webs. I was trained a scenic designer - creating a world of illusion in the sets I designed and built for each play throughout high school and college. I had far more drive and dedication than raw talent, and in the end I got almost entirely out of any creative field and into the boring world of industry. I often feel that Spider tries to push me back into being creative - but I am resistant. I don't truly trust my artistic ability and have never done anything with my design degree that I went so far into debt and worked so hard to earn. Beyond that, I used to draw - I used to write (bad, sappy) poetry on occasion, I even used to role-play constantly using my imagination to create colorful characters and through the game create wonderous fantasy stories and situations... But not anymore. Not for a long time. It seems Spider and I are just not on good terms.

- Spider is also tied to the alphabet, letters and to writing. I have ALWAYS hated writing anything - papers, essays, or anything anyone else would read. And then again - no poetry anymore.

- Then again there is the fear. When I find one, I will literally have a staredown with it - and often feel filled with dread at the thought of needing to kill it. I'm afraid to. (Call me a big puss - I don't care.) It's crazy that a little damn spider can freeze me dead in my tracks for fifteen minutes to a half an hour while I try to get up the gumption to kill it! And I have to kill it - cause I don't want it crawling around my house after I've seen it... *shudder*

Were I to experience a shamanic journey, I would hope not to encounter Spider on a dreamplane or elsewhere in the Spiritworld. My mind's eye envisions a gigantic tarantula or black widow in her web - menacing and angry with me that I have actively turned my back on my creative side... Not a discussion I want to have on any plane of existance.

[Shanti]

Guides for me have been always changing. Some times I only have my self as a guide and other times I am led by one guide to another guide.
Heck aspects of myself have even been guides without me having the realization that is is an aspect of myself until later.
Totems, guides for me come and go and are all extremely different with some being part of myself and some from all other dimensions.

[Torey]

My shadow totem is Cockroach - without a doubt...

[_Lucid_]

just out of curiosity, what is the purpose of a shadow totem? I know that a spirit totem (power animal) is there for your guidance, but what is the shadow totems purpose? my spirit totem was a cat for the longest time, however it seems like it left, sounds like another vision quest for me...

[MonSno_LeeDra]

The thing one has to remember is that our totem / power animals serve to guide and teach us. They often appeal to our individual strengths and represent many of the things we see in ourselves on some levels. Most of thier lessons are straight up and easily understood and recognized.

The shadow totem is almost the opposite of all that. They are almost contrary in the manner they teach and show things to us. They tend to slap us with our weaknesses and fears. Yet they do so in a contrary manner, almost like the jestors of old that made fun and humilated society in the nonesense manner they did it.

One might even say they are the opposite of everything we think of the particular creature.

To some rabbit is a creature of family, strength in numbers and a fighter that is willing to fight when needed but run in others. He is a symbol of sexuality and breeding. Yet as a shadow he is symbolic of weakness and fear. He runs blindly and with no sense of direction. Flees when he should stand and stands when he should flee. Produces regardless of the lands ability to support and eats beyond his homes ability to sustain his life. Endangers his family from shere numbers.

So on one hand shows what is desired and strong on the other teaches the same lesson but in the opposites of its strengths. Granted there is more to it than just that but that gives you an idea.

[EntwinedScylla]

Spiders, hands down. Any time someone is doing malicious work (or sending bad vibes. Sadly I did make a pagan enemy who has more free time than sense) my way... I find lots of spiders.

I am not fearful of large spiders. I actually like bulky, fuzzy, robust spiders like tarantulas and jumping spiders. It's the kinds like brown recluse that freak me out. And it's a deep down, unsettling, primal fear.

I don't really have a "flight" mechanism (despite Raven, Hawk and King Cobra being my main totems.. :D)... yet spiders make me run. Run far, fast, and stay running.

People associate spider with "fate" and "artistry"... I am an artist. I don't see spider as artistic. Or, rather.. the spiders that I fear do not make webs or have pretty colors.

I have tried, time and time again, to settle the issue with sider. I even did a ritual with others where one of the other Priests invoked Grandmother Spider so that we could talk. It almost devolved into a fist-fight in the ritual area. :toofless:

[LilithMorgana]

My totem animal is the wolf. They are VERY PROTECTIVE of the pack. And I am VERY PROTECTIVE of my friends and family.

[MonSno_LeeDra]

My totem animal is the wolf. They are VERY PROTECTIVE of the pack. And I am VERY PROTECTIVE of my friends and family.

But what is your shadow animal? That plus wolf could be your shadow totem as well if you learn to see it as the contrary side of its self.

[daphnerose]

Are we going with the animals that really scare us deep down? If so it would be spiders for me also. I just totally freak out if I have a spider in the room with me. Its mainly wolf spiders, black widows...toxic spiders. I always thought it stemmed more from me watching arachnaphobia as a teen. What methods do you recommend for getting in touch with your shadow totem Monsnow? Same along the lines as your shadow self? ugh.. I'd be hard pressed to purposely meditate with spider in mind.
daphnerose

[MonSno_LeeDra]

Are we going with the animals that really scare us deep down?

A lot of times those are the ones, yet sometimes it is a facet of a given animal but not the whole medicine of the animal.

If so it would be spiders for me also.

That seem's to be a common one.

I just totally freak out if I have a spider in the room with me. Its mainly wolf spiders, black widows...toxic spiders.

A wolf spider is not really toxic though. Looks large, mean and ugly but not really toxic.

I always thought it stemmed more from me watching arachnaphobia as a teen. What methods do you recommend for getting in touch with your shadow totem Monsnow?

Usually meditation or journey. Yet I will forewarn that not only do you have to face the creature but you'll probally also have to face it initially as a contrary. So you face the fears of the creature then also face all the opposites of the creatures medicine.

Same along the lines as your shadow self? ugh..

Pretty much.

I'd be hard pressed to purposely meditate with spider in mind.
daphnerose

That's part of the shadow issue, to face though fears. But I understand what your saying.

[Brightshores]

If it has something to do with the one animal that scares the living hell out of you, for me it would have to be Wasp. I am terrified of the things, and even though I'm a fairly levelheaded, well-educated, thirtysomething, professional woman, I can't see a wasp within 15 feet of me without jumping out of my seat. It's only been the last few years I've managed to not panic and scream at the sight of them.

I have no idea what this means, as I haven't seen a lot of writings on the metaphysical meanings of wasps. I'm guessing that they're not that popular in Animal Spirituality circles, as they're not either Heroic-type animals (Wolf, Bear, etc.), pets, (Cat, Dog, Fish), or Mythologically-Scary animals (Snake, Spider, etc.) It seems most people probably just tend to squish 'em, I guess. :/

[MonSno_LeeDra]

..as I haven't seen a lot of writings on the metaphysical meanings of wasps. I'm guessing that they're not that popular in Animal Spirituality circles, as they're not either Heroic-type animals (Wolf, Bear, etc.), pets, (Cat, Dog, Fish), or Mythologically-Scary animals (Snake, Spider, etc.) It seems most people probably just tend to squish 'em, I guess. :/

WASP
The wasp is a totem of shape shifting and interdependence. Most wasp species are solitary. Unlike bees, which are hive oriented, the wasp is independent and prefers to work on his own rather than in a group. Solitary wasps have little patience and will swarm all over a task they are performing with a gusto. Wasp people are independent thinkers and have difficulty relating to authority figures. They prefer to do things in their own way. Individuals that hold solitary wasp medicine often receive recognition as the frontrunners of new trends or ideas later in life. Because wasps can be either independent or social, those with this totem often display two different yet distinct personalities, aggressive or communal. Personality shifts can create chaos for those in relationships with wasp medicine people. Just when you think you know the person, they change and become someone else.
The wasp teaches those with this medicine how to use diversity to their advantage. By observing the wasp we can learn how to shape our outer image and become more connected to our inner knowing.

[Shawn Blackwolf]

A number of years ago , I commissioned a friend / student ,
to paint my shadow shield for me...

With my shadow totems for ritual workings...

Snake , Spider , Frog , Bat , and Jackal...

Each has its power...embracing each , and integrating the
energies , granted me entry into domains I had not been
privy to previously...:thumbsup:

Shieldmaking , with your shadow totem(s)...:uhhuhuh:

[Brightshores]

WASP
The wasp is a totem of shape shifting and interdependence. Most wasp species are solitary. Unlike bees, which are hive oriented, the wasp is independent and prefers to work on his own rather than in a group. Solitary wasps have little patience and will swarm all over a task they are performing with a gusto. Wasp people are independent thinkers and have difficulty relating to authority figures. They prefer to do things in their own way. Individuals that hold solitary wasp medicine often receive recognition as the frontrunners of new trends or ideas later in life. Because wasps can be either independent or social, those with this totem often display two different yet distinct personalities, aggressive or communal. Personality shifts can create chaos for those in relationships with wasp medicine people. Just when you think you know the person, they change and become someone else.
The wasp teaches those with this medicine how to use diversity to their advantage. By observing the wasp we can learn how to shape our outer image and become more connected to our inner knowing.

Wow - thank you for the great information! :fpraise:

Interesting - and surprisingly apt. I will have to think about this long and hard....

[MonSno_LeeDra]

Sorry can't take credit for that info. I did a search for Wasp Medicine and Ted Andrews and found the info. Though I had put a link with it but must not have.

If you search your going to find a number of sites that have the same thing but it is spread out across the page on most of the ones I looked at.

[BearDancing]

the animal that I have had the longest relationship with and is without a doubt my Power Animal is the Bear..............interesting enough it is probably also my Shadow Totem
I am in the bush alot, the only animal I fear when I am in the outdoors is the Bear............it does not matter if I am hunting and have a high power rifle, it is only the Bear that fills my head and heart with fear.

[BearDancing]

if a bear is my *power animal* and also my shadow totem, is that saying that I am afraid of my own power and or qualities:uhhuhuh:to some degree

[uzul]

For many years I had a strong dislike for insects in general. Arachnids always scared the shit out of me when met in surprise encounters, but only insects had the power to really put me in a state of unease and strange disgust.
This year, during my 2nd spiritual awakening I noticed a lot of insects seeking my company. At first I was going through the usual perceptions, but especially ants and a number of airborne insects made me realise that any small lifeform, is a lifeform. And I came to treat insects with the love with which I treat every life these days. I feel no more fear, anxiety, disgust, or anything but love, kindness and compassion for these forms of life, which are so different in their physiology, yet so similar. It's nice to be like this.

I'm very new to shamanism in general but I can strongly sense that it is meant to teach me something significant, so I read a lot and explore a realm which I spent a lot of time in before, but with closed eyes. (weird story)

As for spirit guides, totems and their shadow counterparts. I'm still learning to see, to hear, to feel. My guide is with me when in need, some of its forms I can perceive by now (last 3 times it showed up as a raven), but most times I still am far too entangled in other things and thus stand alone.
All in due time, when it's right and when I am ready - as it's been, is and most likely will be.

[BearDancing]

it is nice to hear people speak of, high levels of reverance that you now have *for I am sure all life* not just little insects. When we are using our 6th sense our feelings for all of life changes. From the littlest bug to the tall trees. Thanks for sharing....I also find that the more we use our sixth sense and learn to see/feel from our heart, the higher levels of love we can concieve/and feel...........but that will be another thread:uhhuhuh:

[BearDancing]

A number of years ago , I commissioned a friend / student ,
to paint my shadow shield for me...

With my shadow totems for ritual workings...

Snake , Spider , Frog , Bat , and Jackal...

Each has its power...embracing each , and integrating the
energies , granted me entry into domains I had not been
privy to previously...:thumbsup:

Shieldmaking , with your shadow totem(s)...:uhhuhuh:

interesting shadow medicine.................

[Corvis Canis Latrans]

When I go through my mind and think about various animals and insects, I can't think of any that inspire major fear.

What makes me most uncomfortable is the notion of infection, loss of control. Pathogenic or parasitic creatures.

I'm fascinated by viruses and bacteria, and think that people tend to overreact to them in this day and age, but at the same time there are those that the thought of scares the heck out of me....rabies being the big one, but things that attack the mind, cause deterioration in general.

I wouldn't call it a phobic fear, I'm probably less fearful than most of such things, but of anything that comes to mind, those are the only things that generate real mistrust and discomfort.

I do wonder to what extent Alfred Hitchcock made birds a shadow-totem for certain people....:p