The Temple of the Free Spirit

When I originally set out to find my power animals, I discovered two things relatively quickly:

1. Bigger does not necessarily mean better in the spirit world.
2. There are many different categories of power animals.

The following list is my attempt to lay down some kind of definition for what I have learned thus far regarding the different categories. This is by no means a definitive list.

Life-long Totems

This is an animal that has followed you for most, if not all, of all of your life. It can be as easy to find as a favorite animal but generally is a little more elusive to uncover as an adult because it is buried in our sometimes suppressed childhood mind. A lifelong totem is not necessarily big or very appealing but it can be a powerful ally and spiritual protector. It was originally drawn to you for a reason!

• The snake is my life-long totem. Ever since I can remember, I have been able to visualize them when I was scared or angry. As an adult I recognize for their calming and restorative powers.

Spirit Guides / Journey Animals

These are creatures that come to you during difficult stages in life. They can also herald significant changes coming your way. They tend to be specific individuals with names and personalities of their own, rather then species wide symbols. They speak to use mostly from the astral plane. They are teachers and can stay for a short while or years.

• Meneth was one of my first guides. He was a silver furred dragon-like creature who guided me through most of my teenage years.
• Rashala is another of my guides who tends to stay for a short time but pops up frequently. She is a prehistorically large blue dragonfly

Messenger Totems

These play a similar role to spirit guides but tend to be mostly in the physical plane and can be any individuals in that species. They do not normally have names or speak. They herald a short term event or bring small bundles of hope or warning. They tend to appear in the oddest places, such as seeing several dragonflies during the day in the middle of a city, far from a water source.

• A variety of incests are my messenger totem, each tend to mean something different. Dragonflies, praying mantises, and ladybird beetles tend to be the most common ones to show themselves to me.

Family Totem

Some families have an animal that is seen as a general protector of that specific tribe. It seems to be more commonly found in tight-knit families.

• The crow is my family totem, and is definitely a protector. Once crows bombarded my grandmother's windshield as she was driving, forcing her to pull over to the shoulder. Moments later an out of tractor trailer came over the hill she was going up, it was on the wrong side of the road. If not for the crows, she would have been killed.

Power Animals

These are similar to spirit guides but are an avatar of the spirit of a species, rather then an individual entity. These are animals that you can (astrally) invite into your circle. They lend power to your purpose and can vary from circle to circle (as different creatures have different magical/spiritual properties.)

• I have many power animals but I commonly call upon owls, snakes, dragonflies and moths.

Shadow Animal Totems

This is almost always an animal that you fear and it is also the most difficult totem to come to terms with or summon. However they are incredibly powerful because they can help you turn your fear into empowerment and overcome the most daunting of obstacles.

• The ant is my shadow totem.