A little help

[eumelia.livejournal.com]

I have very little experience with animal spirits, totems and Shamanism in general, but over the past few months of meditating, I have been surrounded my three specific animals and I was hoping if anyone could help me understand what they're supposed to show me and/or teach me.

During my meditative journey I'm most often accompanied (and yeah, I know it's cliched) by a black Panther, and draped over my shoulders is a large green Boa Snake and in my hair sits a very small Marmoset.

Is there a significance to all three being together and the fact that they're all tropical animals?
I'm sorry if these questions seem trivial, but I'm really confused, because these animals have been with me for the past few months and I really don't know what I'm supposed to learn from them.

Thank you very much!

x posted to totem_animals and shamans_circle

Comments

[rivenscythe.livejournal.com]

This may sound possibly like an insipid question, but have you approached the energies in your meditative journies and asked each what lessons they bring with them?

[eumelia.livejournal.com]

*nods vigorously* I have, but it seems like there's a block in the communication, I'm trying to understand what it is I'm actually seeing, asking them directly has done me little help.
*sigh*

[moonvoice.livejournal.com]

It may not be a block in the communication, it may simply be that you're not ready to know, or that what you're learning has absolutely *nothing* to do with 'what' they mean, as opposed to the support they lend you.

animal messengers

[dragonfly-totem.livejournal.com]

I am familiar with Ted Andrews and Animal Speak. I am also studying mythology--with the the mythic symbol of the serpent, and its ability to shed its skin of interest to me. Could you say more, though, about "support they lend you" vs. message that animals/animal totems may bring?

Re: animal messengers

[moonvoice.livejournal.com]

I believe that animal energy is around us all the time, 'helping us', or guiding us on our path even if we're not aware of it. Like all invisible energy, its influence can be either subtle or great, but even if we have no idea that it's there, it doesn't mean that it can't work around us, or through us and aid us on our journey.

Therefore, not understanding the message of an animal sometimes isn't going to be a 'big deal', because the presence of an animal alone suggests that there is energy there, helping us on its journey. I do not think of animal power or energy as being passive unless for some reason that is part of its lesson, therefore while our seeking to understand the message might help our progress, our ignorance won't necessarily hinder how they support us in the invisible worlds.

Hope that makes some sense.

Re: animal messengers

[dragonfly-totem.livejournal.com]

Yes--thank you for explaining. I feel very drawn to particular animals, and sometimes sense a connection that goes a little beyond. Am also aware when animals show up in my everyday world--parks, garden... It is a good thing to think about animal energy being around us all the time--hadn't thought about that.

[moonvoice.livejournal.com]

If they've been with you for such a long time, then I suggest that they actually have the answers you're looking for - and while we might be able to give you external confirmation, we can't give you the answers that they probably have and may have been trying to tell you for the months you have been meditating?

It doesn't seem trivial, but I do recommend you ask them. And if they don't give you the answers, I would hazard a suggestion that maybe you should trust that it's enough (for now) that they're there with you, even if you don't understand why. :)

[eumelia.livejournal.com]

I suppose I'm having trouble in what they're telling or trying to tell me. I'm very insecure about the whole situation, because I'm not certain what it is I'm supposed to understand.

[moonvoice.livejournal.com]

I tend to find - personally - that if there's a real problem with what I'm understanding, I can follow two avenues:

1. I can keep on pushing and doubting and pushing and doubting and questioning and not leave the situation alone. (This leaves you with a whole lot of answers from everyone else, and usually very few answers from the spirit or spirit guides...who probably have good reasons for not actually telling you everything you want to know! Some secrets take years to uncover).

2. I can maybe try and accept that perhaps what I'm learning might have something to do with uncertainty, doubt, and learning what it is to have faith even when you don't know what a certain symbol or animal means.

Overcoming insecurity here may be more important than actually learning what the animals mean. Learning to trust yourself - or to trust that you will learn the answers eventually and that there's no pressure to learn them immediately, might also be more important than getting the answers right now.

While meditating for months might seem like 'patience', it's not up to us to determine how much patience we need to understand a mystery. :)

[hakuzo.livejournal.com]

They may just be making themselves known to you. Is this your first encounter with totem spirits? The message may be "We are here, you are at a threshold. We are inviting you to seek us out and learn more."

[starlightwind.livejournal.com]

Someone once suggested to me that I change the questions if I'm not getting an answer I readily understand. I think my question was "what should I be concerned about" regarding a situation, and she suggested I try "what can I do to prepare for the situation, what tools will help me in this" etc. I never really thought to change the angle of the questions, so that was a good idea. Might help :)

[valkyriur.livejournal.com]

They may be with you for a long time before you understand what they are supposed to teach you. They may only be there for a short time before you understand what they teach you. Or they may be with you for a long time.

I would suggest seeing if each of them would be willing to go one at a time for a few meditative journeys, so you can hear each of them by themselves more clearly. Even then it might not be so clear, but you might get a better idea.