Ancient people worshiped the forces of nature and perceived them as higher deities. The inhabitants of the American continent were no exception. The Indians worshiped totems - their first ancestors in the form of an animal. Each tribe had its own wild patron. But beyond that, there were personal totems. The Indians of North America calculated them by the date of birth of a person. Thus, the horoscope was created on the continent, which is largely correlated with the famous signs of the zodiac.
What is a totem?
The Indians watched the movement of stars and planets. They noticed that the Sun arrives in one constellation for about a month, and affects people born in this period. So there was a totem horoscope, or Native American zodiac signs. There are 12 of them, like the Europeans. Each period is associated with the characteristics of a particular animal - a personal totem. Moreover, all 12 characters are divided into 4 groups according to clans. The latter are also associated with animals and are endowed with appropriate characteristics.
For the Indians, animals and birds were not just neighbors, but a manifestation of some magical power. Therefore, one should be kind to his totem. It was believed that by studying the qualities of a sacred animal, a person begins to understand his inner potential, strengths and weaknesses. Watching the totem survive in the wild, you can find a way out of a difficult situation. Seeing the manifestation of the animal within himself, a person connects to his energy and can draw additional strength, receive help and tips.
Turtle clan
We turn to a detailed description of totems according to the Indian horoscope. As already mentioned, they are distributed among four clans. They can be correlated with the elements of the traditional zodiac sign. Clans are believed to play a more important role than a personal totem.
The turtle clan is the first to be allocated. It can be attributed to the earthly elements. The hard shell of the animal symbolizes hardness, stamina and invincibility. The main needs of the turtle are strength, wealth and safety. People belonging to this clan are practical, calm, methodical and are not inclined to squander their strength for nothing. They are slow, slow, but stubbornly moving toward their goal, and, as a rule, achieve it. Their characteristic feature is high performance.
Personal totems
The following animals belong to the turtle clan: beaver (date of birth 20.04 - 20.05), brown bear (date of birth 22.08 - 09.09) and white goose (date of birth 22.12 - 01.19). Now a brief look at Native American totems and their meaning:
- Beaver. People born under this sign are hardworking and patient. They move forward slowly, but steadily, laying a solid foundation for the construction of something new. Representatives of the sign appreciate comfort and material wealth. They need to always be in balance. As beavers stop water, so a person must learn to deal with negativity.
- Brown bear. Under this sign, brave leaders are often born. They stand firmly on their feet and do not need the support of other people. Representatives of the totem are very practical, they are interested in the internal structure of things, they settle things well, but they hardly accept changes in life.
- White goose. This totem, on the contrary, is always ready to explore the unknown. Representatives of the sign are beautiful, prudent, striving for perfection and get along well with other people, like geese in a pack. They are always on the move, gladly take on new things, but do not always finish what they started. The goal of the sign: to learn how to bring the matter to the end and become more independent, so as not to depend so much on others.
Frog clan
This totem of the North American Indians is associated with the water element. The frog is malleable, like a liquid, and easily adapts to the environment. Representatives of the clan do not like sharp corners, try to be flexible. They can find a common language with the people of all other clans, unite them due to their sensitivity and variability. They are characterized by deep emotions, which can sometimes lead to a sharp change in mood.
Many people belonging to the clan have the gift of healing. After all, water is a therapeutic substance that can refresh and rejuvenate the body. Moreover, some frogs can treat not only the body, but also the soul of another person. If you enter this clan, then try to visit the water more often. She will give you peace of mind.
Totems
The frog clan includes: woodpecker (date of birth 21.06 - 21.07), snake (23.10 - 21.11) and wolf (19.02 - 20.03). We learn these Native American totems better.
- Woodpecker. This totem is characterized by caring and responsiveness to relatives, as well as the desire to protect them. Sometimes it turns into unnecessary self-sacrifice. Woodpecker is a tenacious bird. People of this sign are difficult to part with everything "their", hold on to habits and old attachments. Inability to appreciate the present moment leads to constant anxiety and stress.
- Snake. This totem, on the contrary, can easily throw back the old skin and make decisive changes. The struggle raises such people to new heights. They are very strong, recover quickly, but at the same time they are characterized by a sharp change of mood.
- Wolf. This sign is characterized by sensitivity and well-developed intuition. Its representatives "feel" people, they love creative enterprises, they hate the requirements imposed by society and strive for free expression. They need to become more practical and listen to their minds to cope with emotional instability and break free from restrictions.
Butterfly clan
This totem of the North American Indians can be correlated with the air element. Before becoming a butterfly, the insect undergoes a series of metamorphoses. So the representatives of the clan are capable of transformation. Among them are many innovators and sorcerers. These people are spontaneous, always in motion, love everything new and hate "forced touchdowns".
Butterflies need freedom, communication. They are very energetic, lively and illuminate with their beauty all around. To restore strength, they are recommended to walk outdoors more often.
Personal Butterfly Totems
The clan of butterflies includes: deer (date of birth 21.05 - 20.06), raven (22.09-22.10) and otter (20.01 - 18.02). Let's move on to the description of these Native American totems:
- Deer. People born under this sign are graceful and sensitive. They are also fast and restless. Having fired up with the idea, the deer is able to show enviable zeal and ingenuity. At the same time, the totem lacks focus. He easily switches to a new occupation, cooled to the old.
- Raven. This is a mysterious animal, which can affect external circumstances by internal force. Representatives of the totem are in no hurry to reveal all the secrets. They are characterized by inconsistency. On the one hand, the totem endows them with the ability to work in a team, promote other people's ideas, see the “right” people, organize the process. On the other hand, crows are used to being leaders and try to maintain their independence even among like-minded people.
- Otter. Representatives of the totem are neat and businesslike. They have the courage and are ready to defend their ideas through the struggle. The latter, by the way, are distinguished by their originality. Among the otters are many inventors. However, their discoveries are often impractical, and the commitments made are too large.
Hawk clan
We continue to get acquainted with Native American totems. The energy of fire is symbolized by a swift hawk. The people of this clan are energetic and easy to climb. They quickly “catch fire” with new ideas, tend to act impulsively. At the same time, intuition is well developed in the hawk man.
Usually they are very passionate, active people in love with life. It is natural for them to experience outbursts of inspiration, work with passion, get involved in business. Courageous character, perseverance, self-confidence allows them to succeed.
Hawk Totems
The hawk clan includes: falcon (date of birth 21.03 - 19.04), salmon (date of birth 22.07 - 21.08) and owl (date of birth 23.11 - 21.12). Let's dwell on each of the totems:
- Falcon. People born under this sign are energetic, love new experiences and do not tolerate routine. They easily accept life's challenges, are enthusiastic, but do not differ in perseverance. Because of this, the case rushes halfway. Other negative features of the totem are impulsiveness and a tendency to "soar in the clouds."
- Salmon. People of this sign are playful, energetic and generous. They need to be in demand, to be in bright relationships. Salmon man is confident and responsible. However, he often does not take into account the opinions of other people and tries to dictate his conditions to them, which leads to problems. Faced with difficulties, representatives of the totem quickly lose their inherent optimism and are plunged into hopeless gloom.
- Owl. A person born at this time is perspicacious and knows exactly what he wants to achieve in life. He knows how to see hidden opportunities, is resourceful and ready to go on an adventure. But the tedious pursuits of the owls are avoided, preferring to think alone. They are independent, they love freedom, but at the same time, representatives of the totem need the support of like-minded people and loved ones. Strong relationships are very valuable and cannot be neglected.
Amulets and charms
To make the connection with the totem animal stronger, the Indians wore special items reminiscent of him. Such amulets were created manually by shamans or priests of the tribe. The process was accompanied by rituals during which spirits were called. In the manufacture of amulets, it was impossible to use the remains of a dead animal. Simple Indians wore finished products on clothes, braided in braids. Warriors decorated them with their weapons.
In many tribes, a tattoo was applied to the human body . Native American totems in this case were painted with bright colors. Often they were given an awesome appearance in order to frighten the enemy. Through the talisman, it is easier to make contact with the animal, to gain access to its power. This was also facilitated by ritual dances, during which the movements of the beast and its habits were imitated.
Native American totems are part of the mythological picture of the world of ancient people. For them, nature was vibrant and powerful. Man and his totem animal were considered to be connected by inextricable threads. A personal patron could appear in a stressful situation and save a person from trouble by giving him his cunning, speed, vigilance or strength. Today we are far from nature. But maybe we still have something to learn from her?