Navigating life in an urban environment, like Los Angeles, is not without its set of challenges. Surrounded by
millions of people, concrete, traffic, noise, pollution and
hectic daily schedules with work and family, finding time
to catch messages from the spiritual world can prove
frustrating. I work with many clients that ask for a sign,
some type of way to find that indeed they are not alone,
and that there is an unseen realm inhabited by benevolent beings, Angels and guides helping them to steer
the ship through uncharted waters. “If only I had a sign
that I was on the right path”, they say. Signs can come
to us in a myriad of forms and can intensify over time as
we acknowledge them. From license plates to numerology, to feathers and coins on our path, signs seemingly
abound everywhere. The early inhabitants of our area,
the Native American tribes, had a system for improving their connection to the Great Mystery, and to all of
life. Native American “medicine” is an all- encompassing way of life, because it involves walking on the Earth
Mother, in perfect harmony with the Universe.
According to Legends of America: Native American
totems and their meaning: “A totem is a spirit being,
sacred object, or symbol of the tribe, clan, family or individual. Native American tradition provides that each individual is connected with nine different animals that will
accompany each person through life, acting as guides.
Different animal guides come in and out of our lives, depending on the direction that we are headed, and the
tasks that need to be completed along our journey.”
Native beliefs further explain that a totem animal is one
that is with you for life, both in the physical and spiritual
world. Although people may identify with different animal guides throughout their lifetimes, it is this one totem
animal that acts as the main guardian spirit.
With this one animal, a connection is shared, either
through interest in the animal, characteristics, dreams,
or other interaction.
This Animal Guide offers power and wisdom to the individual when they “communicate” with it, conveying their
respect and trust. This does not necessarily mean that
you actually pet or spend time with this animal, more
that you are open to learning its lessons.
For some, knowing their totem animal is almost an innate process. It’s as if they’ve always known, inexplicably drawn to a particular animal, or having a special
feeling for the animal’s energy. For others, they wonder
how to discern what their animal totem is.
Here are some questions to ask yourself if you’re won-