Ant -  Industry, community, craftsmanship

 

Badger -  Tenacity & courage

Bat -  Intuition, illusion, rebirth, inner depth, communication, dreaming, viewing past lives.   A messenger from the Underworld or your subconscious.

A bat is a symbol of rebirth, every evening it emerges from the womb of the earth to live again in the night sky.

 Sighting a bat may mean that transformation is about to occur. At Samhain, flying bats could be the physical manifestation of the Souls of the Dead.Wear a bat charm or talisman to enhance spirit communication.

 

Bear -  Bears in general teach us to slow down and reserve our energies. Bear medicine also has to do with awakening from within. Bear teaches us that life's answers are no further than your own subconscious. There is no need to look outside of yourself when bear is nearby. Bears are also climbers and can teach us to reach new heights. Bears love honey and teach us to appreciate the sweetness life offers.

The Grizzly Bear is possibly the bear best known for its fierceness. When Grizzly stands on its back haunches its sheer presence and the shadow it casts can be quite alarming. Grizzly teaches the importance of taking a stand and commanding power. Because its large size the Grizzly as a totem represents an especially keen sense of knowing. Sacred to Odin and Artemis

 Bee -  Messages, communication, luck, sacred to Venus

Butterfly - Butterfly represents enlightenment and reincarnation.  The transformation from a caterpillar to a butterfly is nothing short of magical. The butterfly symbolizes a transformation

Deer -  The deer serves as a bridge between the wild and the tame. This is because the deer will often be seen on the edges of the wilderness it calls home. Deer will also venture into our roadways and gardens. When deer appears you may want to ask yourself if there is a wild streak in you that desires taming. Or, have you been too cautious lately and desire to take a walk on the wild side? Deers have acute senses, they are always on alert to keep themselves from harms way. Deer totem may appear when danger is lurking, it also serves as a reminder to be watchful and alert to potential harm.

Deer are family-oriented. When deer totem shows up as a buck it could be an indicator that you may have strayed from your family's teachings. It may be time to re-evaluate important family values of your youth. The fawn is representative of innocence. This totem also teaches the importance of mother and child bonding. Doe's nature is to give love and protection to her young. The fawn is a cherished member of the family. As a totem deer reminds us the responsibility of parenting. Deer totem may appear when a woman is pregnant or when a new baby arrives to help you begin establishing family traditions. The energy of deer totem is gentle and loving.
Sacred to Artemis, Aphrodite and Diana

 Dog -

Goddess-company, we trail the truth.
Understand our night cries!
We guide and protect her children.
Heed our warnings!
We sing to the Moon to show you the way
To ancient Moon magics!
We stand at the gates between the worlds.
Follow us!

 

 

Faithfulness and Protection;  the Dog is a symbol of the small becoming the great. People with this totem have great spirit and a great ability to love.  

People with a Dog totem are usually helping others or serving humanity in some way.  Dog medicine embodies the loving gentleness of best friend and the fierce energy of protector.  You will have a deep understanding and compassion of human shortcomings.

Study the quality of the breed of Dog that has entered your life:  is it a hunter, a protector, a companion, playful?
Each of these qualities will give you insight into the qualities needed for your own life.
A Dog totem is a great spirit booster.

 Dolphin - Oracles, divine messages, the breath of life, sacred to Apollo

 Dragon -  (Lizards) Wealth, raw powers of nature, the treasures of the unconscious mind.

Dragonfly - Dragonfly is symbolic of prosperity, good luck, strength, peace, harmony, purity, sub-conscious & the deeper mind.  Dragonfly is a creature of the wind and represents change. Dragonfly reminds us to "know which way the wind blows" so that we may avoid stormy weather.

The dragonfly has beautiful, jewel-like coloring. The bright colors take time to develop, reflecting the idea that with maturity our own true colors come forth. Structures in their shells scatter and refract light, making them look iridescent green and blue. This ability to reflect and refract light and color has caused it to be associated with magic and mysticism. Dragonfly's magic is the power of light and all that has ever been associated with it. In Japan, dragonflies represent new light and joy. Dragonflies remind us that we are light and can reflect the light in powerful ways if we choose to do so. Life is never quite the way it appears, but is always filled with light and color.

 Eagle - Wisdom and long life, Keen sight, Knowledge of magick and swiftness, the eagle is a strong ally when traveling into new territory.

 Eel - Adaptability, Wisdom, Inspiration and defence.

 Fish - Fertility, perseverance, providence

 Fox - Fox has the ability to blend into the scenery. You have to be quick to see the fox, and even when you do it will disappear so quickly that you'll wonder if your eyes were being tricked. Fox is a keen observer, watchful of humans and other animals nearby, while at the same time keeping hidden or camouflaged from view. Fox is very nurturing and protective of its family.

A basic lesson fox offers is to stay clear of complications, rather than getting involved in controversies, step back and observe differences from a distance. It is likely you do not need to take sides. The fox takes a neutral stand when he is not being threatened. The fox runs from trouble, preferring not to get in the mix of conflicts.

Fox can be a guide to the faerie realms because of the trickiness of a fox's appearances and disappearances. If you see a fox it may very well be an invitation to communicate with the faeries.

The sighting of a fox may mean that you need to step out of the limelight for a while.  Take your cue from fox and fade into the background for a while. Don't worry that your friends will forget you, the fox has a charming personality that is not easily forgotten.

Foxes stay close to their dens, so your intention may need to turn to the home fires. Ask yourself if you have been neglecting your home or family. Sacred to Bacchus

 Frog - Fertility, health, honesty, Sacred to Hecate.

 Hare - The Moon, fecundity, fertility, re-birth, sacred to Eostre, Aphrodite and Eros

 Hawk - Clear sightedness, teaches how to receive and interpret inner and outer signals.

Hedgehog - Focus, defence, wisdom

Heron - Of the Moon and magick, shamanic travel, secrets, the logical mind, through the heron one can find magick in nature.

 Horse - Movement, fertility, divination, sacred to Mars

Hummingbird - Messenger between the worlds.  Reminds us of the beauty and wonder of the world, brings love and joy to our spirits, a messenger of hope. The wings of a hummingbird move in the pattern of an infinity symbol bringing the message of eternity, continuity and infinity with each beat of their wings.  During a cold night, a hummingbird seems almost lifeless but comes alive with the warmth of the sun. Hummingbird is a powerful symbol of resurrection.

Lark - Cheerfulness, solar magick

Lion - Messenger, wisdom, courage, strength

 Magpie - Omens and prophecies.

 Mole - Revealing secret matters

 Moth - Moon magick, omens, transformation

 Mouse - Economy, getting around barriers, sacred to Apollo

 Nightingale - Love, lightening burdens, sacred to Adonis and Attis

 Otter - Enjoying life, recovering from a crisis, faithfulness, friendliness, and being helpful to others. The otter provides valuable assistance in the otherworlds.

 Owl - Self-truth, wisdom, vision, clairvoyance, astral projection, messages through dreams and meditation.  Because they hunt at night, they are associated with secrecy and darkness.

 Owls are one of the native American totem animals and represent clairvoyance and insight. The Great Horned Owl is often referred to as Night Eagle. The owl is at home in the night and has great awareness of all that is around it at all times. It is a predator with sharp accurate vision and is symbolic of great intuition. It is the totem of those that can see into the spirit world. It has the courage to follow its instincts. Owl's medicine includes seeing behind masks, silent and swift movement, keen sight, the messenger of secrets and omens, shape-shifting, the link between the dark, unseen world and the world of light.

 To the Celts, the Owl is sometimes believed to represent the Cailleach, who is the primordial hag representing the Crone aspect of the Goddess. The Owl of Celtic lore is almost always female. The beautiful and Otherworldly Blodeuwedd was turned into an Owl for all time as a punishment for the attempted murder of her husband. Other stories speak of the great age of the Owl or fear her as a messenger of death. The Celtic Owl can help to unmask those who would deceive you or take advantage of you.

 In Greek mythology, the Owl was a creature sacred to Athena, Goddess of the night who represented wisdom. Athena had a companion Owl on her shoulder, which revealed unseen truths to her. The Owl had the ability to light up Athena's blind side, enabling her to speak the whole truth, as opposed to only a half-truth.

 In Welsh mythology, the Owl symbolizes death and renewal, wisdom, moon magick, and initiations. Arianrhod was capable of shape-shifting into a large Owl, giving Her the ability to see into the darkness of the human subconscious and soul. Arianrhod was able to move through the night spreading Her wings of comfort and healing to give solace to those who seek Her.

 The Owl, symbol of the Goddess, represents perfect wisdom. Owls have the ability to see in the dark and fly noiselessly through the skies. They bring messages through dreams. The Owl is the bird of mystical wisdom and ancient knowledge of the powers of the Moon. With wide-open, all-seeing eyes, Owl looks upon reality without distortion and acknowledges it, yet is aware that with ancient magickal and spiritual knowledge, he or she can make changes.

 Pig - Renewal

Porcupine - Respect, defence, protection

 Raven - Ravens are sacred to the Goddess Morrigan,  they are very magickal creatures, their feathers are black as night and they are able to move between the worlds of the living and the dead.  The Raven has great knowledge, she can effect transformations and create new realities as she chooses.  Raven is a messenger.  "If Raven appears . . . you are about to experience a change in consciousness. ... “Raven is the messenger that carries all energy flows of ceremonial magic between the ceremony itself and the intended destination." Medicine Cards: The Discovery of Power Through the Ways of Animals. 

Raccoon - Curiosity, adaptability, resourcefulness

Reindeer - Journeying, strength, endurance, guidance, knowledge

Robin - Harbinger of spring, the fire element, sacred to Thor

Snake - Secret knowledge, cunning, transformation, health, sacred to Hermes and Ra

Skunk -Skunk teaches that you do not need to be strong to be powerful. Skunks are confident about their place in the world and do not shy away from anyone. Anyone with skunk as a totem will also have a self-protective demeanour. Skunks are not combative, it gives a warning before it turns its tail on you.

Skunk has a charismatic or lustful appeal due to its unmistakable scent, skunk totem can show up when sexuality is at a peak in your life, helping you to attract a compatible mate or dating opportunities.

A skunk person wants to be valued for its merits, his scent assures that he will not go unnoticed. However, the skunk person may need to learn how to attract people in positive ways rather than to repel them with "stinky" characteristics. The ability to be sociable does not come naturally for the skunk, sociability needs to be acquired. When skunk appears you may need to polish your social graces.

Some people who are attracted to the skunk as a totem are also attracted to the study or use of aromatherapy.

 Snail - Birth, luck, divination

 Spider - Fate, destiny, networks, sacred to the Fates

 Squirrel - Energy, play, prudence, balance, socializing, preparedness, resourcefulness. When a squirrel is sighted it may mean that we need to take life a little less seriously, or it may be a reminder to balance work and play.  

 Swan - Helps to interpret dream symbols, smooth transitions and spiritual evolution. 

 Turkey - Charity, self-sacrifice

 Turtle - The earth, creativity, regeneration

Weasel - The Weasel totem family includes Ermines, Minks and Ferrets.

This totem is a difficult power totem to have.  It is a rare gift and great ability.  Weasel medicine can teach you to find out secrets through the power of silent observation.

Most Weasel people are loners, graceful, solitary and silent.   They are very intelligent. People do not see their power immediately and often underestimate them.

Weasel totem will awaken your innate ability for observation. Trust your own instincts and you will avoid trouble and pursue your goals to greatest success. Use your Weasel medicine to observe what or who needs attention
and offer assistance in your quiet or discreet way.

Whale - The water element, rejuvenation, initiation

 Wolf - Loyalty, thirst for knowledge, solitary, perseverance, ruled by the Moon.

 Wren - The wren's song was used in divination, the power of strengthening and cleansing.

 

Sources:  Rowan Morgana BOS

Snake Symbolic Meaning - What's Your Sign

The White Goddess - Owls - Symbology and Mythology.