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Creature Teachers - Totem Medicine

Each of us have creature-teachers called Totems (for the many curious I see in this forum...) They can be any of a wide range of species from Four Leged, to creeping crawlers (insects), any of the Winged Ones (birds) or the Finned Ones (fish types).

There are Totems who are with us for our entire earthwalk, and those who come into our lives for a season, for a reason, whether to help us in some way or teach us a lesson in the situation they come forth for.

For those who have no idea of what any of their Totems are, a good place to start is to consider what your favorite creatures are... Do you love any of the Big Cats, and what type is your favorite? Or are there any particular types of birds that you think are just awesome? Also consider if there are (water) life that fascinate you, dolphins, whales, crabs, turtles, etc. Are you very interested in a certain type of insect like bees, flies, ants, spiders, etc.?

It should be those that you hardly have to think about when asked what's your favorite? Starting with this creature, or these creatures, you can begin to learn about their characteristics and it is likely you will find yourself connected to it based on what you may learn about them.

Some of the things that can give us more insight into our Totems are examining their life-span, gestation periods, their environment, what nourishes them (what they eat), whether they are typically predators or prey - predatory creatures have eyes in front of their faces in most cases, while prey typically have eyes on both sides of their heads.

Just to name a couple of my Totems, Black Panther (of the Jaguar type), Lynx, Cheetah, Polar Bear, Eagle, Dolphin, Coyote, Ant, Elk, Wolf, Raven, Crow, Gazelle and Falcon.

I'd be happy to share with you information about the characteristics of certain Totems if you're interested.
 

Abishai100

Member
Cycle of the Werewolf?

This is a great thread. I've been fascinated by the ornamentation of both Shintoism and Catholicism, and therefore am curious about how the human mind invokes powers of existence from the dynamics of living things (creatures).

For example, Americans love horror films, and the Friday the 13th horror film franchise presents the vignette of a psychotic zombie named Jason Voorhees who wears a hockey-mask and wields a terrifying machete but was once a simple, well-intentioned, handicapped (retarded) boy who drowned in a lake at a summer camp due to the carelessness of monitoring counsellors and was eventually resurrected as a 'mage' or 'spirit of the wilderness' seeking vengeance.

Obviously, humanity is fascinated by the spirits which 'fly' around all around us, and when I think about the creative horror-cinema dichotomy of Jason as a boy and adult, I start to become curious about possessing creatures such as wolves.

SisterCyber, what do you know about Wolf Totems, and what can you share about your views on how these totems have been mass-circulated in the arts (e.g., The Wolf of Wall Street)? I've been researching wolves and werewolf mythology in any case, so even if you have scant information, I would greatly appreciate it.

Thanks in advance,

A


jason6.jpg
 

lovesong

:D
Premium Member
Each of us have creature-teachers called Totems (for the many curious I see in this forum...) They can be any of a wide range of species from Four Leged, to creeping crawlers (insects), any of the Winged Ones (birds) or the Finned Ones (fish types).

There are Totems who are with us for our entire earthwalk, and those who come into our lives for a season, for a reason, whether to help us in some way or teach us a lesson in the situation they come forth for.

For those who have no idea of what any of their Totems are, a good place to start is to consider what your favorite creatures are... Do you love any of the Big Cats, and what type is your favorite? Or are there any particular types of birds that you think are just awesome? Also consider if there are (water) life that fascinate you, dolphins, whales, crabs, turtles, etc. Are you very interested in a certain type of insect like bees, flies, ants, spiders, etc.?

It should be those that you hardly have to think about when asked what's your favorite? Starting with this creature, or these creatures, you can begin to learn about their characteristics and it is likely you will find yourself connected to it based on what you may learn about them.

Some of the things that can give us more insight into our Totems are examining their life-span, gestation periods, their environment, what nourishes them (what they eat), whether they are typically predators or prey - predatory creatures have eyes in front of their faces in most cases, while prey typically have eyes on both sides of their heads.

Just to name a couple of my Totems, Black Panther (of the Jaguar type), Lynx, Cheetah, Polar Bear, Eagle, Dolphin, Coyote, Ant, Elk, Wolf, Raven, Crow, Gazelle and Falcon.

I'd be happy to share with you information about the characteristics of certain Totems if you're interested.
Nice to see a new post in the DIR! :D
Some of my totems are the wolf, fox, jackal, praying mantis, caterpillar, snake, and octopus.
 
For example, Americans love horror films

False. Much too general a statement. One should speak for one's self, not for others, I believe.

SisterCyber, what do you know about Wolf Totems

In a short word, Wolf can be described as "Teacher." There are different aspects of Wolf: Arctic Wolf, Gray Wolf, Red Wolf. It's impact may also depend on how Wolf appears ~ in dreams, in real life, how many, etc.

With permission from the respective authors, I am happy to share the following informatiion with you...

Cinnamon Moon (my mentor), author of A Medicine Woman Speaks:
Wolf represents teaching, intelligence, and wisdom; resourcefulness, endurance, and cunning; magic, dreams, and mystery; parenting, protection, and social interaction; as well as introspection and intuition.

Wolf demands much from himself and his students. he will insist you heed his lessons and urge you to pay attention--forcefully if necessary. he and his she-wolf are excellent parents that nurture the young and guard them well. They will defend you to the end if they have come into your life as a Totem and teach you the importance of devotion. Wolf loves to explore new possibilities and areas so it will encourage you to do the same. Their friendship is extremely loyal and they will demonstrate this again and again. Once they enter your life they are there to stay.

Wolf is a noble creature that commands respect and communicates well. he will expect you to emulate his own traits as you study his teachings. Friendly and willing to serve he expects no less from his student. Though he is a fierce fighter he will not do so unnecessarily and is often found to be the totem of spiritual warriors. Wolf has learned that posturing can often accomplish quite the bluff with enemies, an dhe will teach you how to do the same--often encouraging you to try that first. He will teach you to understand yourself and develop the confidence necessary to see you through any given situation. His intelligence will speak of your need to develop good communication skills and an ability to draw clear conclusions.

Social order and rules are important to Wolf and he will urge you to respect those of the society you live in as well. He will expect you to learn to balance personal needs with those of the community and to listen to your inner voice as a guide. His own instincts are strong and he will always signal an increase in your own ability to sense changes and danger that will require quick thinking and appropriate actions. The deep sense of family is based on love and devotion as well as faith in Spirit and Wolf will impart this through his or her teachings.

The cry of Wolf is haunting an dtheir reputation of howling at Grandmother Moon is symbolic of the ability to deeply intuit the needs of the self as well as others and to understand the primal urgings of your inner spirit. If Wolf has come to you in a dream, vision, or the wild it indicates that a new adventure or journey is about to take place or that some sort of change is about to happen. If it is a She-Wolf that comes it is probably relative to personal or family issues. The He-Wolf would indicate a more social concern when he arrives. Either way, you are being urged to seek the balance and harmony as well as the dedication necessary to see it through with the spirit of freedom and the hunt being addressed.

Wolf will touch your subconscious and haunt you at times. This creature-teacher urges your inner awareness to awaken and arise to new levels of consciousness. He or she will want you to share your wisdom with others, to sing of your knowledge and guide them to their path. You will feel Wolf as it merges with you and becomes one with your own spirit. This may require you to find an isolated place for the attunement to be achieved, but once there you will have a totem or spirit guide that is residing. Wolf will share the secrets of finding the courage necessary to face all challenges and obstacles. You will learn to know every inch of ground you have traversed so that nothing takes you by surprise. In this way intrusion or change is clear. Wolf is the pathfinder to Spirit and your own sense of adventure.
_______________________________________________________________________________________

Jamie Sams and David Carson, authors of Medicine Cards:
Teacher. Wolf is the pathfinder, the forerunner of new ideas who returns to the clan to teach and share medicine. Wolf takes one mate for life and is loyal like Dog. If you were to keep company with Wolves, you would find an enormous sense of family within the pack, as well as a strong individualistic urge. These qualities make Wolf very much like the human race. As humans, we also have an ability to be a part of society and yet still embody our individual dreams and ideas.

In the Great Star Nation, Wolf is represented by the Dog Star, Sirius, which legend tells us was the original home of our teachers in ancient times. Sirius was thought to be the home of the gods by the ancient Egyptians, and is still considered so by the Dogan tribe in Africa. It stands to reason that Native American peoples would formulate this same connection and adopt Wolf people as the clan of teachers.

The senses of Wolf are very keen, and the moon is its power ally. The moon is the symbol for psychic energy, or the unconscious that holds the secrets of knowledge and wisdom. Baying at the moon may be an indication of Wolf's desire to connect with new ideas which are just below the surface of consciousness. Wolf medicine empowers the teacher within us all to come forth and aid the children of Earth in understanding the Great Mystery and life.

If you have drawn Wolf's card, you may be able to share your personal medicine with others. Your intuitive side ay also have an answer or teaching for your personal use at this time. As you feel Wolf coming alive within you, you may wish to share your knowledge by writing or lecturing on information that will help others better understand their uniqueness or path in life. It is in the sharing of great truths that the consciousness of humanity will attain new heights. Wolf could also be telling you to seek out the lonely places that will allow you to see your teacher within. In the aloneness of a power place, devoid of other humans, you may find the true you. Look for teachings no matter where you are. Wolf would not come to you unless you requested the appearance of the tribe's greatest teacher.

Contrary: If Wolf is reversed, you are being asked to expand your limited view of the present situation. Doing this may entail a great deal of courage and a willingness to look at new ideas. It could also require that you delete some old ideas to make room for the expansiveness that always comes when you are willing to learn. The gift of wisdom comes to you when you have walked enough pathways and found enough dead ends to truly know the forest. In the discovery and rediscovery of every inch of ground comes the knowledge that nothing ever remains the same.

Contrary Wolf may also be telling you that stagnation or fear of asserting your viewpoint has bogged down the flow of change in your life. Wolf reversed is always urging you to seek the teachers and pathfinders that will show you the way to new life experiences. Remember, the teacher or pathfinder may be the small still voice within, as well as a person, a leaf, a cloud, a stone, a tree, a book, or the Great Spirit.

To live is to grow, and growing comes through accepting all life forms as your teachers. Become Wolf, and take up the sense of adventure. You may just stop howling and learn to become the moon.
________________________________________________________________________________________

(More in the next post below....)
 
Ted Andrews, author of Animal-Speak:
Keynote: guardianship, Ritual, Loyalty, and Spirit
Cycle of Power: Year Round--Full Moons--Twilight
Wolves are probably the most misunderstood of the wild mammals. Tales of terror and their coldbloodedness abound. Although many stories tell otherwise, there has never been any confirmed attack and killing of a human by a healthy wolf. In spite of the negative press, wolves are almost the exact opposite of how they are portrayed. They are friendly, social, and highly intelligent. Their sense of family is strong and loyal, and they live by carefully defined rules and rituals.

Wolves are the epitome of the wild spirit. Their positive characteristics are so numerous it is no wonder that Native Americans and others practically deified them. Many believe that the true test of America's sincerity about protecting the environment will revolve around whether or not the wolf remains protected and is allowed to be reintroduced into areas of the country where it has heretofore been eliminated. The wolf is the true spirit of the free and unspoiled wilderness.

There are several kinds of wolves in North America. The red wolf is the smallest and it may even be extinct in the wild, although there are efforts to reintroduce it. it's territory was in the southern United States. The Mexican wolf is a subspecies of the more common gray wolf. It is found in the southwest United States and Mexico. It was hunted almost to extinction, and is now part of a recovery and captive breeding plan. The Arctic wolf is probably the purest breed. Living in an isolated area around the Arctic circle has enabled its survival.

The gray or timber wolf is the most common. Only in Alaska, Canada, and the region around the Great Lakes area is it found today. It was hunted to extinction in all other areas of the country. The gray wolf is not always gray. It may be black, gray, brown, white, or various combinations.

Probably the biggest misconception of wolves is about their size. They are not nearly as large as most people imagine. Their thick fur gives them the appearance of greater size, but they are usually no taller than a good-sized German Shepherd.

Wolves are very ritualistic--in as many ways as humans. They live by carefully defined rules. There are specific territories that are sacred. Their social behavior is based upon hierarchial structure. Each has its place and function within the hierarchy. There is an "alpha" male and an "alpha" female.

Wolves do not fight unnecessarily. In fact, they will often go out of their way to avoid it. Though they are extremely strong and powerful, disagreements rarely end in serious fights. Often a glance, a posture, a growl is all that is necessary to determine dominance. They don't have to demonstrate it, but they are capable if it comes down to it. This is part of what wolf medicine teaches. The wolf teaches you to know who you are and to develop strength, confidence and surety in that so that you do not have to demonstrate and prove yourself to all.

Wolves have a complex communication system--using body language. The movement of the head, an erect tail, direct eye contact--all have great meaning. The postures are often subtle, but each wolf learns from the time they are pups how to read and respond. The facial expressions of the wolf are varied and useful in conveying the mood to the other members of the pack. It is a most important visual center of communication. It also uses its tail position to effectively communicate as well. Usually those with wolf totems are very expressive with hands, posture, face or in some other manner. If you have difficulty conveying your moods and ideas to others, meditate and study the wolf. It will teach you how to empower your verbal communications with appropriate body language.

Wolves also have a complex system of vocal communications. They howl, whimper, whine, growl, and even bark. Even the howls for which they are famous have a variety of meanings. The howls may serve as a signal to call others of the pack or to locate the other members. They may be a social expression. They are used to greet one another and to define certain territories. They even howl just for the joy of it.

Every member of the pack knows its position in relationship to everyone else within that pack. The ritualistic behaviors that establish the wolf ranks are part of its magic. Wolf packs are not entirely autocratic--under the supreme rule of the alpha member. Neither are they democratic. There are times when both occur, and it is this flexibility which adds to the success of the wolf government. Wolf can teach the lesson of proper governorship--a balance between authority and democracy. Wolf can teach you how to use ritual to establish order and harmony within your own life. Wolf helps us to understand that true freedom requires discipline.

The alpha male and female often mate for life. Breeding seasons is usually in late winter, with the female giving birth about two months later. All members of the pack show great care and affection toward the playful pups. They are extremely tolerant. If the mother or father is unavailable to care for them, then another member will adopt the young. Some wolves will even serve as babysitters. Adult wolves are friendly and amiable toward pups, and wolf medicine teaches respect and honro for family and for children.

Wolves become sexually mature at about the age of 22-24 months. For those who have a wolf come to them, look for its energies and influence in your life to take this same possible time pattern.

Wolves are, of course, predators. Their prey consists most often of th esick, the young, and the old. Deer is their most common prey animal. Wolves will not waste much time on a healthy adult moose that stands its ground. Wolves travel great distances in their hunting. They have a stamina and strength that enables them to travel far, and for extended periods. They have been clocked at 24-38 mph. Although the wolf can't maintain that speed for any great length of time, it does seem to trot indefinitely at about 5mph. In winter wolves will use frozen lakes and rivers as travel routes and can travel 15-25 kilometers in a single night.

Wolves usually consume all that they capture, gorging themselves. For those with wolf totems, this can indicate a need to make use of all that is available to you. Sometimes wolves show up as a totem to remind us not to waste, as much as to remind us to keep our spirits alive.

The wolf has an extreme intelligence. It goes out of its way to avoid trouble or danger. Some believe that wolves even use ravens as aerial spotters for possible food sources. The raven has a connection to the moose in Eskimo lore, and since moose can be a prey of wolves, raven is linked to them as well. Ravens will often follow wolves. They will fly ahead, land in a tree and wait for the wolves to pass, and then fly on again. Wolf expert David Mech reported a playful behavior relationship sometimes displayed between wolves and ravvens. Ravens should also be studied by those with wolf totems.

Wolves have extremely keen senses, particularly that of smell. It is said to be 100 times greater than that of humans. The sense of smell endows it with great discrimination, and the sense of smell has often been associated with spiritual idealism in metaphysical circles.

The wolf also has an excellent hearing sensitivity. Its hunting depends strongly upon its sense of smell and hearing. This would be a reminder tothose with this totem to listen to their own inner thoughts and words. The intuition will be strong. This idea is even further emphasized by the thick coat of fur the wolf has. Fur and hair have long been symbols of psychic abilities. The wolf has both an inner coat and an outer, giving it the ability to reflect the archetypal forces associated with psychic insight.

The wolf has a capacity for making quick and firm emotional attachments. Learning to trust your own insights and to secure your attachments accordingly is part of what wolf medicine teaches. The wolf can help you to hear the inner an dguard you from inappropriate actions. It will guard you as it teaches you--sometimes strongly, sometimes gently--but always with love. When wolf shows up, it is time to breathe new life into your life rituals. Find a new path, take a new journey, take control of your life. You are the govenor of your life. You create it and direct it. Do so with harmony and discipline, and then you will know the true spirit of freedom.
_______________________________________________________________________________________

(More in the next post below....)
 
From: wolfs_moon.tripod.com/wolftotemmain.html

Role: ~The Teacher~
Medicine: Shapeshifting

Keywords: Teacher, Individuality, Group Consciousness, Loyalty, Guardianship, Spirituality

Wolf Totem~
Within Wolf Totem, there are three sub-species to consider, they are . . . Arctic Wolf, Gray Wolf and Red Wolf and Black Wolf. Each of the three sub-species share the common role of ~Teacher~ as well as several other keywords, however, they also possess their own medicine as well, unique to each ~type~.

Teacher~
The Wolf is the Soul that leaves the comfort and familiarity of the Pack, to travel out into the world of the unknown.

In her Quest for Knowledge, she begins her journey by setting off South, and it is here that she is schooled in the classroom of trial and error as she dances her way through the flames of experience.

This is the Direction of the ~Personality Center,~ learning to trust herself and her own keen intuition which has been forged through confronting both external obstacles, and her own fears. Thus, a sense of self-reliance is cultivated as she puts to test the lessons she has learned.

Then, from deep within, comes the stirring recognition that there must be more, and she is once again off on her journey, headed this time toward the West. Here, she embarks on the Journey ~Within~ as this is the Direction of the ~Great Mystery,~ or the ~Spirit Center.~

In the West she finds that the labor of her actions have borne fruit as she strives to integrate the ~Personality Center~ with the ~Spirit Center.~ She contemplates here, in silent revery, on all that has gone before. This is the time of moonlight, and as she gazes at the image of herself in the shimmering water of her soul`s reflection, her whole being is awash in the glow of joy that comes from the recognition that life is magical and that, having absorbed her lessons, she has received a Spiritual Rebirth. She then arises from the ashes of the old, as a new and enlightened being.

Then, she turns her face toward the North and when she arrives there discovers a sense of new found courage gained through resolve and determination.

She reawakens to the physical state of her being in the process of integrating ~Physical~ with ~Personality~ and ~Spirit.~ The recognition is made that one is also a physical creature, though the Spirit is the force that sustains the physical life. It is here that a time of thanksgiving and celebration is had for all that the ~Great Spirit~ has given, and for the experiences which have gone before.

Yet the East now beckons her as she listens to the haunting cries of her Pack and turns her noble head toward Home.

When she returns to the Pack, the Knowledge gained from her journey, ignites her Being, as a lantern from within. The Pack draws near to her listening for the Wisdom she will impart, as her destiny is to share what she has learned with the rest of the Pack so that the leap across the planes can be made by All. This is the ~Path of the Teacher.~

Individual, Group Consciousness~
Wolf Totem understands that the unity of the Pack is crucial to his survival, yet the Pack likewise recognizes the vital contribution that each Wolf makes.

Wolves live in highly complex social structures called "Packs" with a dominant Male and Female pair, or the Alpha Male and Female, leading the Pack. Every other member not only has a "ranking" within the pack, from Beta through Omega, they also have a unique role. It is this very structure which may have been behind Rudyard Kipling`s eloquent quote:

"For the strength of the Pack is the Wolf,
and the strength of the Wolf is the Pack."

***The two legged with the Wolf as his/her Totem has an inner need to be of service for the "greater good." Although the individual with Wolf Totem enjoys the company of others, there exists as well, the need for time alone. This "lone wolf" time will be spent in quiet contemplation and reflection upon the experiences of life before translating these ~thoughts to form~ and rejoining the "Pack" once more*

Hope that helps!
 
Some of my totems are the wolf, fox, jackal, praying mantis, caterpillar, snake, and octopus.

Very interesting! I love Fox! I owned a Burmese Python since it was small as a worm, but subsequently gave it up to a local zoo when I began to worry about my cat.... The snake's name is Genesis, called "Genny" for short. Beautiful creature. She never bit me, but she did constrict a few times around my arm!
 

Abishai100

Member
The Forest: Declination

Wow, SisterCyber, that was very descriptive and insightful. I really liked the notes of Jamie Sams and David Carson; in particular, how the Wolf can be a teacher and a guide for being a pathfinder and how the Wolf leads you to a deeper connection with nature and a connection with the moon. It's all very interesting to me.

The reason I asked is because I'm a *big* fan of horror films and horror-comics, and I like looking at differing descriptions of wolves as either mystical lights (e.g., shamanism, Native American views, etc.) or as hunter-omens (e.g., werewolves, stalkers). There's been a storytelling resurgence in popularity in recent years (1990s onward) of fear and/or mysticism found in the naturalism of humans visiting the forest. Demons, monsters, and spectres haunting or presiding in the forest where humans are visiting has been a popular theme in recent Hollywood (USA) films (horror, supernatural, etc.), and I want to study the connection between the Wolf Totem and forest navigation (from a subconscious-analysis perspective).

Have you seen the films Wolf (Jack Nicholson) and The Wolf of Wall Street (Leo DiCaprio)?


Thanks so much for your leads!


forest2.jpg
 
I really liked the notes of Jamie Sams and David Carson; in particular, how the Wolf can be a teacher and a guide for being a pathfinder and how the Wolf leads you to a deeper connection with nature and a connection with the moon. It's all very interesting to me.

I am glad to know this resonated with you. Jamie Sams and David Carson's Medicine Cards are of my favorite sources to refer to. I also like my friend Sayhada's dynamic descriptions but her website has been down for a few years, though I still have much of her writings stored away

I like looking at differing descriptions of wolves as either mystical lights (e.g., shamanism, Native American views, etc.) or as hunter-omens (e.g., werewolves, stalkers).

Werewolf is more of a mythical creature but to look at it from a Native American perspective in it's association with horror would be to consider it in the contrary, not operating towards its higher good but in it's lowest nature or "shadow" - the dark aspects as opposed to light.

Shadow/Contrary aspects in Totems are incredible creature teachers as well, and though it may sound negative, understanding the full nature can help bring one to operate on higher vibrations.

Contrary: If Wolf is reversed, you are being asked to expand your limited view of the present situation. Doing this may entail a great deal of courage and a willingness to look at new ideas. It could also require that you delete some old ideas to make room for the expansiveness that always comes when you are willing to learn. The gift of wisdom comes to you when you have walked enough pathways and found enough dead ends to truly know the forest. In the discovery and rediscovery of every inch of ground comes the knowledge that nothing ever remains the same.

Contrary Wolf may also be telling you that stagnation or fear of asserting your viewpoint has bogged down the flow of change in your life. Wolf reversed is always urging you to seek the teachers and pathfinders that will show you the way to new life experiences. Remember, the teacher or pathfinder may be the small still voice within, as well as a person, a leaf, a cloud, a stone, a tree, a book, or the Great Spirit.

To live is to grow, and growing comes through accepting all life forms as your teachers. Become Wolf, and take up the sense of adventure. You may just stop howling and learn to become the moon.[/QUOTE]
 
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