Salamander: Assistance with Transformation
The appearance of a Salamander totem heralds transformation, but offers assistance with this change from somewhere outside of ourselves, either through an unexpected person or unique resource. This assistance is temporary and will stay only as long as needed. Harmony with the environment is very important to people with a Salamander totem. It is key to a successful transformation - answers and solutions will be found in the environment around us.
Salmon: Symbol of Wisdom
The salmon's wisdom includes - value of returning home to regenerate, swimming upstream through emotional waters to gain insight, understanding divination messages, rebirth of spiritual knowledge, wisdom.
The Salmon’s aim is to overcome all obstacles that may present themselves. Its aim is to be reunited with All That Is. We are assisted by salmon in developing the necessary wisdom needed to find the meaning and purpose of our lives, and also to move steadily on our spiritual journey. In general people with this power animal are tough and can persevere when others arent able to. Often they pick a life filled with challenges knowing that within each challenge lies positive-ness and the opportunity for growth.
They also have strong spiritual desires and work tirelessly to manifest them. Studying genealogy is important.
Scarab Beetle: Resurrection
The Scarab is a symbol of the sun and an emblem of Egyptian god of the Sun and immortality. Their image was placed with the mummified remains of the dead as a source of new life in the next world. In the Middle Ages, alchemists drew the scarab in diagrams of the double spiral, which leads to the center of the universe. The Scarab brings new life and vitality. It can teach you how to pace yourself through the seasonal changes of the year. Also, gives insight into past lives and spiritual enlightenment.
Scorpion: Transformation
Scorpion promises transformation; however, it is up to you as to whether the change is calm or chaotic. Scorpion energy is the melding of life and death. Death must occur for rebirth. Any change you make must be preceded by the death of something: an idea, a way of life, or a relationship. (Remember this is not an actual death of a person.) Scorpion people are strong and have the ability to inspire. This totem is chaotic and passionate, and sexual needs are very strong in Scorpion people. They often have period of solitariness intermixed with intense and passionate relationships. People with this totem often have the ability of psychometry - the power of psychic touch.
Sea Anemone: Doorways
The Sea Anemone is the flower of the sea fairies. They live in tide pools, which are places that the water separates from the sea and are doorways to the Faerie Realm. Sea Anemone heralds the opening of new doorways, but do not rush through them -- look for hidden dangers. Approach cautiously and don't make rash assumptions. Not all is as it first appears. A person with a Sea Anemone totem can expect new and unusual relationship to come into their life -- even beings from the Faerie Realm.
Seagull: Spiritual Messengers
Seagulls are messengers from the gods, especially ancient Celtic deities. They bridge the gap between the living world and the spirit world. Opening yourself to their energy enables you to communicate with the other side. Seagull can also give you the ability to soar above your problems and see things from above. Seeing all the different viewpoints.
Sea Horse: Chivalry, Protection
People with a Sea Horse totem are the knights in shining armor. They will sacrifice their own needs to help another. The need to protect the young and those weaker than themselves is very strong in Sea Horse people. They have a gentle strength and serenity about them. They are usually polite, considerate and courteous. Their features may be unusual but attractive at the same time. If a man has a Sea Horse totem, roles are sometimes reversed, with him becoming the caretaker of the children and home. A woman with a Sea Horse totem would want her partner very involved in the caring of the children.
Snail: Protecting Emotions and Spirit
Snail is a reflection of the protective spirits that surround each of us. The appearance of a Snail totem in your life reflects the need to be more protective in your environment. Be aware of your surroundings and keep your guard up. Think about where you encountered Snail - on the way to work? Near home? Call upon your spirit protectors as you walk around the place where you encountered Snail. Snail people are often loners, not very social and often timid. Their life lesson will be to learn to trust. Learning to balance trust and protection is a difficult lesson; watch out for the appearance of Snail and back off when he appears. Snails also teach us to protect the inner child. Snail people often present a hard shell to the world when they really have a tender heart and strong feelings. Watch for Snail and learn who and when to trust.
Snake: Wisdom, Healing, Initiation
This is a powerful totem -- it is the symbol of transformation and healing. The Snake is wisdom expressed through healing. The Snake is the symbol of eternity. Your intuition will sharpen and be more accurate. Snake energy is the energy of wholeness, cosmic consciousness, and the ability to experience anything willingly and without resistance. It is the knowledge that all things are equal in creation. It also signals a transition in your life. New opportunities and/or changes. Snake is fire medicine, the medicine of transmutation. On a material level, it is vitality; on an emotional level, it is ambition and dreams; on a mental level, it is intellect and power; on a spiritual level (the highest level), it is wisdom, understanding and wholeness. Snake magic is heavy magic. Become the Magician and transmute the energy and accept the power of the fire.
Sparrow: Self-Worth
The sparrow is one of the most common birds around, yet it has flourished when other species have failed. It reflects self-worth. If a Sparrow totem has entered your life, ask yourself if you know your own self-worth. The sparrow will show you that even a common little bird can triumph. The song sparrow reflects the chakra energy awakening from the heart and throat. It reminds us to sing out our own song of dignity and self-worth.
Spider: Creativity and Weaver of Fate
A spider totem teaches you balance --between past and future, physical and spirit, male and female. She is strength and gentleness combined. She awakens creative sensibilities and reminds you that the past is always interwoven with the future. Tarantulas (and all spiders) are the keepers of the primordial alphabet and can teach you how to write creatively. Her body is shaped like the number 8 and she has 8 legs, which is symbol of infinite possibilities of creation. Her 8 legs represent the 4 winds of change and the four directions of the medicine wheel. Spider's message is that you are an infinite being who will continue to weave patterns of life and living throughout time. Do not fail to see the eternal plan of creation. Those who weave magic with the written word usually have this totem.
Squid: Intelligence and Camouflage
This sea creature is an ancient creature and has a wealth of knowledge to give their totem people. All cephalopods are experts at camouflage - keep hidden your desire until it is within your grasp. People with a Squid totem have the ability to read the moods of others. They can read body language of those around them. Squid uses light, color and form to communicate and their totem people have this ability also. Squid people usually blush easily.
Squirrel: Gathering, Activity, Preparedness
The gathering power of Squirrel is a great gift. It teaches us balance within the circle of gathering and giving out. They remind us that in our quest for our goals, it is vital to make time for play and socializing. Squirrel teaches us to conserve our energy for times of need. If your totem is Squirrel or Squirrel has recently entered your life, lighten your load of things that are unnecessary - things that you have gathered in the past and may be cluttering your life - thoughts, worries, and stresses. Squirrel is also the totem of action. Ask yourself are you too active, not active enough, afraid of enough, hung up on accumulating and collecting. Squirrel people tend to be a little erratic - trying to do many things at once. Take the time to stop and listen to your inner self - and don't forget to play!
Seal, Sea Lion: Imagination, Creativity, Dreaming
A Seal Totem can show you how to develop and focus your imagination. Seal people are highly imaginative and very creative, and they need activities that channel and direct those activities. Hearing and balance are very important for a Seal totem. Learn to listen to your inner self and balance your life to it. Tap into your Seal totem and expect your dreams to become more vivid and significant. Stay in touch with your body's natural rhythms - if you are hungry, eat; if you are tired, rest.
Starfish: Follow Your Star
Starfish people need to trust their instincts - to follow their own star. They have the ability to discern new opportunities and possibilities, and if they follow their inner voice, they will achieve their desires. Starfish also teaches to do things in your own unique way - no matter how strange it may seem to others. And if you fail in your own endeavor, take heart - everything will be regained and you will continue ahead. For the person with a Starfish totem, everything is either black or white, there are no shades of gray. Be careful not to be too quick to judge others because of this.
Shrimp, Crawfish, Lobster: Facing Fears, Moving Forward
Not your everyday totem, but this crustacean's lesson is an important one. His message is not to hide from your fears; but to face them and bravely come out of your shell. But always remember, like Shrimp and his relatives, if you do find yourself in a bad place, you can always move quickly backward. Just be sure not to stay there -- when the danger has passed, come back out of your shell and move forward once more.
Starling: Group Behavior
Starling teaches how to behave within a group setting - how to be effective and assertive without becoming a bully. Communication is important to Starling people; however, you must be careful what you say, for people may take it incorrectly or blow it out of proportion. Watch your own sensitivity to other's words. You might be reading more into it that is truly there. By learning Starling's behaviors, you can live peacefully within your community of friends and family.
Skunk: Sensuality, Respect, Self-Esteem
The skunk is a very powerful totem with mystical and magical associations. It teaches how to give respect, expect respect and demand respect. This totem helps you recognize your own qualities and assert them. Skunks are fearless but very peaceful. These are two wonderful qualities that you can learn from your skunk totem. If you have skunk medicine will find that the use of fragrances will elicit dynamic responses in the people around you. Your sexual response will be heightened and you will have a greater ability to attract people. Individuals with a skunk totem must learn to balance the ability to draw and repel people. Skunks remind us that there is a time to be with people and a time for solitude. Skunks are silent animals and through their silence, they teach us not to brag --it will push people away rather than attract. People will notice you without any help.
Sloth: Psychic Vision; Aloneness
Sloths can turn their heads almost 270 degrees giving them an uncanny ability to see all that is above, below and around them. Because of these abilities the sloth is linked to the realm of spirit and psychic visions. Those with this totem often feel out of place on the earth and have a difficult time fitting into normal society. The tendency to escape from earth reality is common for those that hold this medicine. Strong physical exercise can help bring this tendency into balance. Those with this totem are loners and do not enjoy being in crowds. If their independence is threatened they become rebellious. Relationships are challenged when personal space is taken away. Sloth medicine people usually have a low rate of metabolism and don't have the ability to ward off illness easily, therefore, the strengthening and care of the immune system can benefit the overall health.
Swallow: Objectivity and Perspective
This totem heralds the arrival of summer and brings warmth and protection to your home. It also tells you to pay close attention to conversations - are you saying more than you should? Are you listening closely to what others have to say? Swallow also brings a warning to not let small things get to you - don't let the mundane activities of life take up all you time and prevent you from moving forward. Rise above the small stuff and you will gain a better perspective on your life. The key is objectivity.
Swan: Grace, Beauty, Power of Self
The Swan is one of the most powerful and ancient of totems. As you begin to realize your own true beauty, you unfold the ability to bridge new realms and new powers. Swan can show you how to reveal the inner beauty within yourself and in others. A Swan totem heralds a time of altered states of awareness and the development of intuitive abilities. Swan people have the ability to see the future, and to accept the healing and transformation that is beginning in their lives. Accept your ability and go with the flow. Stop denying you know who is calling when the phone rings. Pay attention to your hunches and inner knowledge, and Swan medicine will work through you. The Swan's call teaches the mysteries of song and poetry, for these touch the child and the beauty within.