In Brief

• The Facts:

  We are all connected, including the members of the animal kingdom. If we pay attention to these spirits, they may be able to provide us with insight and guidance to assist us on our path.

• Reflect On:

  By simply observing the nature of any particular animal that comes into your awareness, you can learn something from its pure presence. What qualities does this animal have and what can they teach you?

All of the beings on this planet are connected in some way or another. The trees provide us with the oxygen we need to breathe. The fruit that is given to nourish and heal our bodies, the rain and sun to hydrate and feed our forests and of course our little animal friends that keep the entire ecosystem functioning.

Throughout history, many cultures have regarded animals as messengers from the Universe, from which we can gain insight and guidance from a particular animal at a particular time. If you’ve been seeing a certain animal cross your path frequently, pay attention, it might have a message for you.

Animal Totems

Webster’s Dictionary defines a totem as: “A natural object, usually an animal that serves as a distinctive, often venerated emblem or symbol. A means of personal or spiritual identity.“

By simply observing the characteristics of the animal that is entering your life, you may be able to intuitively feel the message this animal is trying to show you. You may be thinking well, yeah, I see animals all the time — of course, but sometimes a specific animal comes into our reality continuously, especially if it has a message for us. I was recently seeing robins, everywhere I went, they were literally flying back across the street and back again as I was walking, I looked up the Robin Animal Totem, and was pleasantly surprised to see that the message of the robin was exactly in alignment with something I needed to hear.

Everything is energy — vibration, and nothing happens by chance, it’s no surprise that you might attract in the animal that is most serving to you at a specific time. Or perhaps, the animals can sense the vibration of others and instinctively know where to go.

Perhaps we are so drawn to animals in the first place because they represent the total and complete present, they just are. They are content with just being, they aren’t thinking about tomorrow or 10 years ago, they exist, right here right now. We can learn a lot from this alone, by observing the animals in our lives, but each animal does have unique qualities and gifts to offer us if we choose to pay attention. The following is a list of the top 5 animal totems that you might be seeing frequently and what they could represent in your life. The information below comes from spiritanimal.info

Butterfly

Magical Butterfly

The butterfly is one of the most emblematic totem animals symbolizing personal transformation. If you see the butterfly as your totem or spirit animal, pay attention to the areas in your life or personality that are in need of profound change or transformation. Perhaps, this animal totem guides you to be sensitive to your personal cycles of expansion and growth, as well as the beauty of life’s continuous unfolding. An important message carried by the spirit of the butterfly is about the ability to go through important changes with grace and lightness.

What is the meaning of the butterfly? This animal totem is primarily associated with the symbolism of change and transformation.

• Powerful transformation, metamorphosis in your life, personality
• Moving through different life cycles
• Renewal, rebirth
• The lightness of being, playfulness
• Elevation from earthly matters, tuning into emotional or spiritual
• The world of the soul, the psyche

A secondary meaning of the butterfly is about finding joy in life and lightness of being.

Raven

Badass Raven

When a Raven totem has flown into your life, it signifies that magic is at play. Raven ignites the energies of magic allowing it to become one with our intentions and will. Great changes can be achieved at this time and dreams can become a reality. The Raven will show you how to walk into the dark corners of your inner conflicts buried deep within, opening the doors to the deepest power of healing to be within our grasp.

The Raven is a member of the same family as the Crow and the Magpie, known as the Corvids family. While they are considered different species, the only real difference is that the Raven is considerably larger than the Crow. Since the Raven and the Crow are so similar, it is encouraged to also read The Crow Spirit Animal. Although they are quite similar, there are meanings that are unique to the Raven.

The raven animal totem is sometimes called the “Keeper of Secrets” and like all birds is a messenger between the heavens and the Earth. The raven encourages us to dive deeper and to look within to seek the answers to put in motion the much-needed change. Often times these messages may be difficult, but soaring over hurdles and obstacles is how we grow most. Here are a few common meanings for this power animal.

• Introspection
• courage
• self-knowledge
• magic
• healing
• creation
• rebirth and renewal
• rebirth without fear
• being able to tear down and rebuild
• master magician
• shapeshifter
• mysticism
• transformation of difficulties into blessings
• being able to find light within the darkness
• Courage for self-reflection
• Being comfortable with yourself
• Connecting with the crone
• Omens
• Playful aspects
• Stir life without fear
• Sexuality
• Honoring ancestors
• Divination
• Change in consciousness
• New occurrences
• Eloquence
• Power of thought

Frog

Chill frog

The frog as spirit animal or totem reminds us of the transient nature of our lives. As a symbol of transition and transformation, this spirit animal supports us in times of change. Strongly associated with the water element, it connects us with the world of emotions and feminine energies, as well as the process of cleansing, whether it’s physical, emotional, or more spiritual or energetic.

The symbolism of the frog appears in many traditions around the globe. This animal is generally associated with the water element and its cleansing attributes. The frog is symbolic of:

• Cleansing
• Renewal, rebirth
• Fertility, abundance
• Transformation, metamorphosis
• Life mysteries and ancient wisdom

Deer

Good Deer

When you have the deer as spirit animal, you are highly sensitive and have a strong intuition. By affinity with this animal, you have the power to deal with challenges with grace. You master the art of being both determined and gentle in your approach. The deer totem wisdom imparts those with a special connection with this animal with the ability to be vigilant, move quickly, and trust their instincts to get out the trickiest situations.

What is the meaning of the deer totem?

The meanings associated with the deer combine both soft, gentle qualities with strength and determination:

• Gentleness
• Ability to move through life and obstacles with grace
• Being in touch with the inner child, innocence
• Being sensitive and intuitive
• Vigilance, ability to change directions quickly
• Magical ability to regenerate, being in touch with life’s mysteries

Rabbit

Nice bunny.

The rabbit spirit animal carries many complex meanings. It is associated with fear because of the rabbit’s timid nature, but also with fertility and creativity. The rabbit totem is a symbol of luck in many cultures and is also a symbol of abundance. People who feel connected to the rabbit spirit animal are clever and creative, but maybe working to overcome fear and anxiety.

The rabbit has a diverse nature and can symbolize many things, including:

• Fear, shyness, and anxiety
• Fertility
• Abundance and wealth
• Cleverness and creativity
• Spontaneity

As you can see, each animal represents a different set of traits and qualities that can guide us on our journey if we choose to pay attention. And these were only 5 out of a vast number. If you are repeatedly seeing the same animal come into your awareness, pay attention, chances are that animal has a message for you.