totems (is that spelled right?) (priests, America, myth, verse)

[smrtlauf]

Hi,

I have a question but I think I have to give you my background of this subject before I actually ask it. My background is basically this...I know nothing, or at least very little, about this topic, however I recently started working in a Native American jewelry store. I find it facinating. I have very little resources to study from though. The store is mainly consisted of Zuni and Navajo, but because we are in Minnesota we do have a small selection of Ojibwe. Ok..for my question..

In the store we sell Totem figures..I dont have a clue as to what they represent...but I have had several customers come in and say "my totem spirit is....." my question is what is a totem spirit and whats the background for them.

thanks,
smrtlauf aka Miranda

[painted wolf]

Different tribes had differnet ways of dealing with totem spirits. The basic idea is that you have one or more spirits that help and guide you through your life. They act much the same way as 'guardian angels' and as teachers and guides.
Some tribes gave you your totem uppon birth, some at a coming of age ceremony, some you saught your totem personally. Some used a combination of all of these. The sioux had a vision quest for young men during wich they saught a vision and a 'totem'.
For many tribes the totem was personal thing that you didn't share with anyone. (this is how I feel)
The actual name totem is north west coast in origen. It has sence become 'pan-indian'.

I hope this a good start... I'll post more later when I have time.

wa:do

[Feathers in Hair]

In some tribes, a totem is seen as a representation of your spirit. The 'man on the street' usually has 3-4, while those who work in other worlds (shamans, priests, etc) can have hundreds. Sometimes one finds their totem through vision work (as Painted Wolf described), in other cases your totem follows you around physically until you recognize it (for example, having dozens of ravens be around wherever you live, despite the fact that they're not common to the area). In some cases, mythical animals can even be a person's totem.

[Scott1]

** Just want to jump in and say thanks.... it's so wonderful to have such a diverse group here to answer questions. **

Love you two!

Scott

[Feathers in Hair]

Whoops, forgot to mention something! (You can't tell I love this subject, can you?) Sometimes a persons' totem is so prominent that they even reflect it in their features, the way they carry themselves, or their attitude about life. If you happen to glance at my personal page, I'm standing with a man whose totem is the bear. It's pretty hard to deny that he looks fairly bear-ish!

[painted wolf]

ok, I hate to do this feathers.. but I'm going to have to disagree on the number of totems.
Most people I know have only one. (most people I have met that have more than 2 either simply can't pick an animal or want a totem that is 'cool')
I think that you may be confusing totems and spirit guides.

Totems are deeply meaningful and stay with you through your life. Spirit guides can also be important, but they are usually around to teach specific lessons and can come and go.

I do agree about people and thier totems having things in common.

wa:do

[kreeden]

Ladies , I believe that you may be disagreeing over terms here , little else . Although I tend to agree with Painted Wolf { I think that few would have 3 or 4 ** , but aren't there also family Totems , clan Tolems and the like ? I know that they aren't quite the same thing , but just thinking that the term has many uses . And you are going to hate this part PW , but many New Agers refer to " Power Tolems ", which are what you are refering to as a Totem , I believe . They call guides totems too . Ok , that is New Age . But a friend belongs to a Bear Clan , and he calls Bear his Totem , although he has another , personal Totem also . In the Northwest , many of the " totems " you see are family Totems . Raven , Wolf , Frog and all . { not that I'm bias or anything , but I love the artwork ** .

BTW love your title PW , but I think that you lost the " l " in wolves .... ?

edited to add : Sorry , just noticed your sig ....

[kreeden]

I have a couple of questions about Totems .

Last summer I started looking for a traditional image of a cougar . { in the Northwest tradition , curced lines , red and black ** . Well , not only haven't I been able to find one , but I have not even been able to find anyone who has seen one . ??? Anyone know why ? Or has anyone ever seen any ?

Also , I have been told that insects and the like are NEVER Totems . Why ? I mean some have been quite important in First Nation stories . Spider for excample . Not only has the Weaver given us { and I mean us in a very general sense ** the Dream-catcher , but some say that she have us light , by getting the sun . { in , Raven is given that honour , but still ** . So why couldn't Spider be a Totem ?

[painted wolf]

I know someone who has Butterfly as his totem.
I guess it may be specific to a certen tribe to not have insects, but I can't say that I have heard this as an 'absolute' rule.

I'll keep an eye out for your cougar image... cant say as I've seen one myself.

wa:do