Gecko

Here it is, part 3. I’ve received emails from many people requesting animal meanings. It impresses me how many people feel attracted to specific animal. This part includes meanings for the gecko, giraffe, the frog, deer, and goose. For this article I used another source for finding deeper meanings of some of these animals. As I’ve mentioned before, Ted Andrew’s has a book called “Animal Speak”. This book has a sequel which goes deeper into the meanings of specific species. The book is called “Animal-Wise“.

Gecko

The gecko, which happens to be one of my power totems, carries many meanings. Are you too sensitive? do you need more emotional objectivity in your life? The Gecko teaches us to properly deal with opposing energies. Do you need to detach yourself from a situation, in order to resolve it? Are you too attached to things in the past, and is it affecting the present.

Giraffe

The giraffe, with its tall neck, makes it the tallest of all mammals. This height offers it the unique gift of farsightedness. If the giraffe appears to you, ask yourself, “Are you not seeing what is plainly in front of you?”. Are you afraid to see what lies ahead? Are you not letting others know what you see? Are you afraid of the future? Just as the giraffe cannot see what is ahead when they bend down to drink water, are you loosing sight of the horizon too? This is a time when the giraffe is most vulnerable. Are you being vulnerable by not looking ahead?

Frog

If the frog has appeared to you this may be a sign of new beginnings. The frog is often a symbol of fertility. Early Egyptians believed that when the frogs appeared, this meant the beginning of new things, and that energies were being awakened. Are you ignoring new opportunities in your life? Is it time to dive into new waters? Are you not transforming your ideas or emotions to their full potential? Are you living in repetition, ignoring the chance for change?

Deer

The deer has been a favorite of people’s long before we all cried while watching Bambi. Deer represent gentleness and innocence. If the deer has appeared to you, ask your self if you are being overcritical of yourself, or others. Are you not thinking of the feelings of others or yourself? Are you trying to force things, instead of using a more gentle approach. The deer also represents the gentle movement into new adventures. Are you denying yourself something new because it looks too easy?

Goose

The goose is a messenger, and is an invocation of a quest or travels to other places. We attribute fairy tales and children’s stories to “Mother Goose”. What does Mother Goose do if not take people on a journey to other places. Geese also migrate, another aspect of travel. For you, the representation of “travel” may be physical, or metaphysical. After all, we can travel to new places in our minds a lot easier than in the physical sense. Are you open to new adventures and travel? Do you have a quest you have been neglecting to start on? The quest can be as simple as looking for a new home, or finding a new job.

Remember to check out these books about animal spirits an totem by Ted Andrews

(c) National Geographic

The turkey is usually associated with silliness, and in some cases stupidity. But that could not be further from the truth. The turkey is a symbol of “shared blessings” and the harvest. The turkey is referred to as the “Earth Eagle”, and is linked to many Native American myths and legends. The turkey is very adaptable, and although once a threatened species, have regained their numbers in the wild.

If the turkey has come to you as a totem, it may be indicating a bountiful harvest. A harvest may not reflect an actual farm harvest, but it could mean something such as a harvest of wealth, or a harvest of family. Thanksgiving is the time for family togetherness, maybe the turkey is responsible for that.

This Thanksgiving, take a moment to thank the one participant that sacrificed the most for your day, the turkey. You may be surprised at the results yo may earn on a spiritual level.

I added the osprey as a personal choice since I encountered one on a bike ride this weekend, and my wife wanted me to research cat.

Mosquito

Signs of irritation, yearning to “do something”, and stagnation. Is there something in your life your “itching to do”? Is something in your life irritating, or is there something stagnant in your life… something that needs stirring up? Are you irritating someone else?… or  Do you need to “annoy” someone to get them motivated. The mosquito entering your life may indicate the need to look into these irritations. (Requested by  WilliamTell)

Monkey

Good Health, Eating habits, family protection, and using tools. Are you eating well? Too much junk, not enough natural fruits? Are you spending enough time with family, or maybe not enough? Are you using all the tools available to you in life to their fullest potential? The monkey represent an unseen need to improve your health through proper diet. Make sure you are utilizing all the tools you have at your disposal to their fullest potential. (Requested by Bloggeries)

Crab

Over protection, emotional, shyness, moving in any direction. Are you being too overprotective? or perhaps not protective enough? Do you need to come out of your shell, or maybe need to spend sometime alone. Is your live moving in the direction you feel it should? Do you need to change direction swiftly? The crab is very protective and may represent that aspect of your life. A crab can also move quickly in any direction without needing to face that direction. You may need to assess the direction your life, or recent decision is going in. (Requested by Bloggeries)

Orca (killer whale)

Awakening inner depths, personal creativity, inspiration. the power of song. If an orca appears in your life look within yourself to see if you are using your personal creativity to its full extension, or are you just building on someone elses creativity. Are you using music in your life to inspire you, or are you inspiring others with your song?  Explore the ability to inspire creativity in others, and assist them in awakening inner creativity. The orca, as a specific species, is a deception of its own. Are you scary looking but really not like the orca? (Requested by loverofjazz)

Wolf

Guardianship, loyalty, spirit, and rituals. If the wolf appears to you ask yourself if you are tied up in daily rituals, or do you need more discipline to create a daily routine for yourself. Like the alpha male and female of he wolf pack, is it our job to protect others in your family, or are you lacking in your leadership responsibilities. Examine the loyalty in your life. Are you being loyal to the right people? Are people loyal to you? Find a balance to your rituals and loyalty like the wolf, and you will find true spirit. (Requested by  DukePro25)

Osprey

Assertiveness, and hunting.  If the osprey appears to you it may be time to be more assertive, or less assertive. Are you giving it your all? Are you diving in all the way? How far will you go, and how long will you wait to achieve your goal.

Cat

Mystery, magic, and independence. Cats, like dogs have different aspects based on the breed. Cats are nighttime creatures, yet people usually want them to be “normal” by day. Cats are independent. If the cat is your totem it may be that you are not independent enough, or too independent. You may need more cuddle time in your life. Cats have excellent night vision. As your totem, the cat may be telling you there is something you need to see, that you can’t see in the normal light of the situation. It may also mean you are trying to see things that are not there. The cat is a powerful totem, and a atuned to mystery and magic.

Guinea Pig

Healing, spiritual communing, responsibility. If the guinea pig has entered your life, you may want to explore your spiritual practices. Are you being too narrow minded in your spiritual habits? You may need to open yourself up to new spiritual activities. Burrowing animals usually are a symbol of “bridging” to new possibilities. In some references, the Guinea pig is connected to gentleness, love, and the humane treatment of others. (Requested by  CrankyChick)

As with the previous article, if you have an animal you wish to learn more about, please reply in the comments section and I will do my best to research it for you.

Honoring your totem is more than just hanging a picture of it in your office or bedroom. You need to learn your animal. Research it from all aspects, including the scientific aspects, and the metaphysical. For example, the Dolphin is a symbol of breathing through your problems. But did you know that a dolphin’s rib cage compresses when it dives deep? What could this mean? Could it mean that you’ve compresses your difficulties and problems, and need to release them? Does it mean you problems are too wide spread and need to be compacted and focused on? Understanding more about your totem can open more pathways to understanding their relationship in your life.

Statues and figurines are another way of honoring your totem. You don’t need to look for expensive statuary, small inexpensive figurines will do just fine. It’s the notion of honor that matters. Art is a great way to honor your totem. Doodle little drawings of your animal. Purchase coloring books with your animal in them and color them. I know it sounds childish, but you’ll learn more about the shape and features that make up your animals.

Speaking of childish, another great source for learning about your totem is through childrens books. Yes that’s right. Childrens books often provide a great deal of information about an animals basic nature.

Mimicry can also provide a connection to your animal totem. Imitate its movements, or even its shape. If your totem is the jaguar, crouch low to the ground and learn how to pounce on your target. If your totem is a heron, spread your arms wide, and take long strides as you walk. If you want to go even further, adorn yourself with a mask of your totem while you imitate its moves. Okay, I admit, some of this may sound silly. After all, you wouldn’t want your room mate walking in on you while your dancing like a sand crane… or your spouse for that matter. But, when you’re alone… give it a try. I promise not to tell.

Although I am not a big fan of animals in captivity, visit a local zoo, or better yet, a wildlife sanctuary that houses your totem. One of my totems is the gecko. Under no circumstances would I purchase a gecko and try to keep it as a pet. I truly believe animals belong in the wild. I do, have four cats. They are all treated like family, not pets.

Learn your totem. Honor it, and in return it will honor you.

Check out Kitty’s Critters for some really interesting animal figurines.