1. Spirit Animals
Althoughinthisdayand age we are oftenisolatedfromthe natural world,stayinginourhousesand
automobiles,andoftenlimitingourcontactwiththe outdoorstovacationsand weekends;itis
importantto rememberwe are animalssharingthe same lifeenergywithall livingcreatures. Since the
dawnof humanhistory,Shamansof all cultureshave shownthe importance of spiritanimals. Often
comingto us as guides,or,astotems,representingthe animal formof oursouls,all earth’screatures
frommammal to insectcan have significance toourspiritual growthanddevelopmentif we pay
attention.
The most commonway to findaspiritguide issimplytogo outside andexperience nature. Forthose of
us inthe country we can encounteravarietyof creaturesthat speakto usfrom deer,tobears,birdsand
splendidinsects. Those of uslivinginthe city,however,mayfeel thereare noanimalsthatcan leador
teachus. Oddlysome of the mostreviled citydwellingcreatures:rats,pigeons,cockroachesdonothave
such badreputationsasspiritguidesandtotems. Ratsrepresenttenacityandcleverness,cockroaches
the abilitytosurvive underanycircumstances,pigeonsthe value of home andcommunity. Whenyou
thinkof the qualitiesneededbyahumancitydweller,thesecreaturesdoseemtoexemplifywhatis
necessarytoconquerthe urban jungle.Sopayattentiontoyouroutdoorsurroundingswhereveryouare
and youmay be buoyedbya sense of animal power.
Findingyouranimal totem,however,isabitof a differentprocessthansimplyrecognizingaspiritguide.
The disclosure of a totemisintuitive andpersonal. Yourownanimal spiritmaynotreveal itself right
away;it manycases ita processinvolvingdreamsandmeditation. Still,tohelpyouonyourwayand to
give youan ideaof the varietyof animalsthatcan speaktoyour soul,to follow isashortquiz. It may
not reveal yourexactspiritanimal,butcanpointyouin a directionof a genusandspeciescompatible
withyourenergy.
Quiz
Do youprefer….?
A) To spenda significantportionof time byyourself
B) To seekoutthe company of others
If your answeris (A),continue withthe followingtwoquestionsandcheckthe answerkeybelow.
Do you….?
A) Decide ona goal andthenstealthily seekitacting at justthe right time
B) Aggressivelyattacknumerousopportunitiesastheypresentthemselves
C) Stay behindthe scenesquietlyobtainingwhatyouneed fromvarioussources

2. Where do youfeel mostcomfortable?
A) In a cozy room
B) In a swimmingpool
C) On a golf course
If your answeris(B) continue withthe followingtwoquestionsandcheckoutthe answerkeybelow.
Do youprefer…?
A) Competitive team sports
B) Justrelaxingandhangingoutwithfriends
C) A little of both
Whichof the three isyour favorite element?
A) Earth
B) Water
C) Air
AnswerKey:
AAA
Black Panther. These mystical creaturesrepresentspiritualintuitionandindependence,andpeace with
a solitaryexistence. If youare a womanand a pantherisyour totem, youare likelytobe astrong single
mother.
AAB
Octopus. These creaturesrepresentwisdom of the ages. If anOctopus isyourtotemyou may lean
towardacademicprofessions,orhave acontinuedlove of learning. Youmayalsobe calleduponto
advise yourfriends.
AAC
Cheetah. Those withCheetahtotemstendtobe goodfirstresponderswhocanhandle emergenciesand
are quickon theirfeet,butitisalsoextremelyimportanttheytake the time torestandrecoverafter
exertion. Cheetahpeople are veryflexible andcanhandle manydifferenttypesof situationswithout
gettingflustered.
ABA
Black Bear. Black bearsare bothsolitaryandplayful. Theirabilitytoclimbtreesletsthemobserve
manyperspectives.If the blackbearisyour totemanimal youmayroam quite happilyalone as an

3. observer,choosingtoengage infunonlywhenyouwanttoand not outof sense of missingouton
something.Blackbearsare alsotenaciousproviders.
ABB
Great White Shark. Those witha shark totemare drivenindividualsconstantlymoving forward. They
love challengingthemselvesandare extraordinarilyambitiousandquite successful. Sharkpeopleare
oftencharismaticwithachaotic energythatisexhilaratingtobe around.
ABC
Rhinoceros. Those witha Rhinototemstrive toknow themselvescompletely. Theyare generallyquiet,
and comfortable intheirownskins. Theygobeyond external appearancestofindtruth. The Rhinoceros
isalso creditedwithbeingable todiscernpastlives.
ACA
Panda. Panda’srepresentgentle strength. Theyare strongyetflexible. Theytendtobe unassuming
and notseekersof the centerof attention. Those withthe Pandatotemare veryfocusedandpreferto
take on one task at a time and accomplishitwell,before movingontothe nextone. Theydo not like a
lotof actionaroundthem.
ACB
Sea Turtle. Seaturtlesare survivalists able tohandle trickysituations. Theyalsohave atendencyto
travel to far places. Seaturtlesare alsohave a sixthsense andat timesthe abilitytoforetell the future.
Thisgiftmust be exercisedinquiet:meditationnearwaterwill heightenclairvoyance.
ACC
FieldMouse. Those witha fieldmouse totempayattentiontodetail andexaminecloselyall scenarios.
Theymake good researchscientists,CPAsanddetectives. Theytendtobe naturallygoodwithmoney.
Althoughshy,mouse people are goodatadaptingto differentsurroundings.
BAA
Lion. Lionsrepresentpersonal strengthandcourage. Many Lionpeople are leadersandhighachievers.
However,suchpeople alsohave atendencyto angerandaggression. A Lionpersonmustlearnto
temperhighachievementwithpatience andtolerance forotherslesshighonthe foodchain.
BAB
Seal. Those witha seal totemcan be highlysensual andintuitive. Sealsspendtime bothabove and
belowwatersotheyare comfortable withboththe innerandouterworld. Theyalsotendto go with
the flowandnot get flusteredintense situation.Sealpeople alsohave atalentforluciddreamingwhich
theycan workto develop.

4. BAC
Arctic Tern. Ternsare hardysurvivorsandscavengers. Theypersevere throughobstaclesandwelcome
change and newideas. Theylike totease othersandcan be a bit mischievous attimes. Ternpeople
enjoycollecting,andcanoftenbe foundat fleamarketsorantique stores.
BBA
Antelope. Those withanAntelope totemtendtobe quickwittedandcurious. Antelope’salsosignify
ambitionandintense expenditure of energytoachievegoals. Antelopepeople are oftengreatathletes,
and are drawnto all sports.Theyare alsogoodat understandingpotential dangersandknow howto
avoidtrouble.
BBB
Humpback Whale. Whalesrepresentdeepcreativity,poeticandmusical. Those withaWhale totem
may excel alsoatdrawingoutcreativityinothers. Whale people alsotendtobe sensitiveandemotional
and have strongpaternal instincts. Theycare aboutfamilyandnurture those aroundthem.
BBC
Sea Otters. Those withan Ottertotemhave not forgottenthe joyinplay. Theyare hardworkingbut
take time out to enjoythemselves. Otterpeople tendtobe verysocial,enjoyingpartiesanddancingin
particular. Theyare alsoextremelyfamilyoriented.
BCA
Wolf. Wolf’sare loyal,intelligentandcommunityoriented. Those withthe Wolf totemtendtobe
excellentcommunicatorsthroughbothvoice andtouch. Wolf people are greatfriendswhowillstandby
those close tothemin timesof difficulty. They are alsooftenhighlyeducated.
BCB
Dolphin. Those witha Dolphintotemknow how tokeepharmonyandbalance intheirlives. Theybring
joyto work andtranscendence tothe mundane. Theyenjoybuildingcommunityaroundthemandcan
be generouswithout beingdrivenbyadesire toplease. Theycanalsobe protective withoutriskingany
dangerto themselves.
BCC
Mountain Goat. MountainGoats are persistent,preciseandambitious. Theyare often atthe headof
theirfieldof endeavorandcan be natural leaders. Loftyspiritual goalsare alsocharacteristicof
mountaingoatpeople,whoare alwaysseekingtogaina largerperspective andunderstandingof the
worldaroundthem.