Bi-Weekly Tarot Reading:  10-19-14 through 11-1-14

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Blog #28:  The Detrimental Effects of Clutter

 

LEGACY OF THE DIVINE TAROT

  

 

ACE OF COINS: This bi-weekly is a good time to take advantage of opportunities that will provide a new start in the physical world. This includes anything related to finances, job/career, home, health, or sense of stability and security. New beginnings are on the way, so keep your eyes open to all possibilities and then act to bring something new into your life.

8 OF SWORDS: You may go through periods of indecision, to the point of feeling paralyzed. You can get out of this mindset by "taking the bull by the horns" and getting a grip on what your options are. Once you approach the situation with a logical approach, you will be able to see the pros and cons, and then make a decision that is in your best interest.

5 OF COINS: If you encounter a time when you need help from others, do not be shy about asking. We all go through periods where we cannot do everything by ourselves, and asking for help balances out the energy. When we continually give without receiving, we deplete ourselves; when we ask for help, we nourish ourselves.

BI-WEEKLY THEME: New beginnings are coming, so be on the lookout for opportunities that can propel you forward. Then take actions to bring into your life more prosperity and abundance.  If faced with uncertainty about what decision to make, take a rational approach by considering all aspects of the situation and then decide what is in your best interest. Ask for help if you need it, remembering that balancing our energy is important and will keep us on an even keel.

Blog #28:  The Detrimental Effects of Clutter

Retrieved from www.mobilehomeliving.org

For many of us, physical clutter makes us uncomfortable for a variety of reasons. But it is not just because it is aesthetically displeasing; it actually affects our brains.

Researchers at Yale have shown that when we give up something that we are attached to, the anterior cingulate cortex of the brain lights up. This is the same part of the brain that responds when we feel pain from something as simple as a paper cut on our finger or drinking scalding coffee.  The more we are emotionally attached to the item or the higher the financial investment, the more the effect.

Another interesting fact that has emerged from the research is that we can become more emotionally attached to an item simply by touching it.  In one study, participants who held coffee mugs the longest were willing to pay 60% more for the mugs than were participants who held the mugs for a shorter time.

One of the main findings about clutter is that it causes us to lose focus and reduces our ability to process information.  A Princeton University study “showed that physical clutter in your surroundings competes for your attention, resulting in decreased (task) performance and increased stress.”  And a team of  UCLA researchers concluded that what clutter does to the brain is similar to what multitasking does—“overloads your senses, making you feel stressed, and impairs your ability to think creatively.” (http://lifehacker.com/how-clutter-affects-your-brain-and-what-you-can-do-abo-662647035

So, when we have too much clutter around, it hinders our ability to filter and process information, to go quickly from one task to another, and to easily remember things.

However, we all have a different tolerance for clutter. So what bothers you may not negatively affect someone else.  In fact, some people claim that they feel inspired when they have a cluttered desk. It is all about perception.

In one study, functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) was used to show the brain’s responses to organized and disorganized stimuli. When subjects were performing a task, these were the conclusions:

“If you want to focus to the best of your ability and process information as effectively as possible, you need to clear the clutter from your home and work environment. . . You will be less irritable, more productive, distracted less often, and able to process information better with an uncluttered and organized home and office.” (http://unclutterer.com/2011/03/29/scientists-find-physical-clutter-negatively-affects-your-ability-to-focus-process-information/

Getting rid of clothes that are no longer worn is another area that is especially difficult for some. Three questions to ask yourself that may help you let go of them are: (1) Does it fit? (2) Have you worn it in the last 12 months? (3) Is there some sentimental value that is strong enough for you to keep it? (http://www.webmd.com/balance/features/clear-clutter-out-your-life)

Some additional questions you can ask that may help you decide whether to throw something away are: (1) What is the worst possible thing that could happen if I threw this away and realized I needed at a later time? (2) Could I replace it? (3) Would it be obsolete or out-of-date by the time I might need it? (http://lifetimeprosperity.com/SimplicityArticle.html)

Another important point is that clutter does not have to be just the physical clutter of papers, items, or other things that get stacked up and not put away. It can also relate to anything that does not nurture us.  This means that it can include not just the "busyness" we get involved in that may not always be in our best interest, but also the people around us who are not supportive.

A cluttered home can also cause distress.  Some negative effects may be a tired feeling, a sense of hopelessness, or a feeling of being out of control. 
(http://redlotusletter.com/clutters-effects-on-your-life-how-clutter-affects-you-and-what-to-do-about-it/)

Joyce Marter, a licensed clinical professional counselor, describes the effect of clutter on our mental state:  “Our environment is a direct reflection of our internal mental health and vice versa.  So, if our home is disorganized, our minds may feel scattered as well. . .Organization promotes serenity and wellness in your life.”
(http://bebrainfit.com/lifestyle/stress/unexpected-ways-clutter-messes-up-your-brain/) She also  mentions that the Chinese system of feng shui helps with the smooth flow of energy in a building, which enhances positive feelings for the inhabitants.

Tackling clutter even one little bit at a time will help eliminate a feeling of being overwhelmed, so by just setting aside a small amount of time each day to put things away and clean out clutter may do wonders for your mental and physical health.

Sources

http://lifehacker.com/how-clutter-affects-your-brain-and-what-you-can-do-abo-662647035

http://unclutterer.com/2011/03/29/scientists-find-physical-clutter-negatively-affects-your-ability-to-focus-process-information/

http://www.webmd.com/balance/features/clear-clutter-out-your-life

http://bebrainfit.com/lifestyle/stress/unexpected-ways-clutter-messes-up-your-brain/

http://redlotusletter.com/clutters-effects-on-your-life-how-clutter-affects-you-and-what-to-do-about-it/

 

Bi-Weekly Tarot Reading:  9-21-14 through 10-4-14

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Blog #26:  Why Whales Are Special

  

LEGACY OF THE DIVINE TAROT

 

 

3 OF COINS:  Find something you enjoy doing and put all of your effort into it. This will bring a sense of peace and satisfaction, because you will be immersed in an activity that makes you feel as if time has stood still. When we do something that is fulfilling, it is a sign that we have found a part of our divine purpose.

 

THE CHARIOT: You will be moving forward, traveling at a pace that allows you to just relax and go with the flow. If there are competing forces that require more effort, realize that you are on your path and this is part of the learning process.

 

THE STAR: The next two weeks will be a time of hope and inspiration. You will be infused with a sense of purpose, and this will bring optimism and joy. Trust your intuition during this time, and follow what your inner compass is telling you.

 

BI-WEEKLY THEME:  During the upcoming weeks it will be helpful if you can find something--a hobby, a fun activity, or just being outdoors--that will bring you a sense of fulfillment and contentment. Being in this frame of mind will help you move forward and get things accomplished. You will be traveling, whether figuratively or actually. This is also a time of inspiration, so take to heart whatever ideas or innovative thoughts come to you. Allow your intuition to move you in the right direction, and you will feel a sense of contentment.

 

Blog #26—Why Whales Are Special

Retrieved from: vhm-alex.deviantart.com

Physical Aspects

Whales are the largest mammals on earth and some of the most intelligent.  They are part of the cetacean species, which includes dolphins and porpoises.  New insights into whale intelligence have allowed us to understand some amazing and important facts about these special marine beings:

Ø  Whales have a complex and advanced social structure.  Some are known to spend the majority of their lives together in the same pod.  They hunt together and protect one another from harm.

Ø  They display a high level of intelligence.  For example, “The detection of spindle cells found in several species of whale. . .indicate the possibility of high intelligence.  Previously these cells were only found in humans, elephants and apes which are all considered highly intelligent animals.” (http://www.whalefacts.org/are-whales-intelligent/)  They also show a self-recognition, a characteristic found only in a few animal species.

Ø  Whales have an advanced communication system.  Whales communicate with one another either through echolocation (sounds that are reflected from and echoed back from objects) or through production of a series of sounds called songs. (http://www.environment.gov.au/marine/marine-species/cetaceans/whale-dolphins-sound).  So their sounds play a crucial role in hunting and navigating. They can also connect and coordinate their actions with other whales over thousands of miles of ocean.

Ø  Whales help maintain balance in the ecosystem by ensuring that other species (such as krill) do not overpopulate and destroy the delicate equilibrium.

Ø  Whale excrement even helps maintain a cleaner and healthier atmosphere because it contains a nutrient that helps stimulate the growth of phytoplankton (organisms that remove carbon from the air).

Ø  Whale watching has become more popular as people realize a special connection with whales, fueling a desire to see them in their natural habitats. This has had a positive economic effect for some countries.

Spiritual Aspects

Whales are special also because they seem to have a spiritual quality for many people.  One author who was able to get a close-up underwater view of a humpback mother and her baby said,  “It was almost impossible to describe the pure, raw joy, the other-worldliness of being eye to eye with a 50-foot mother whale and her baby in their water home.  The trust and love emanating from them was palpable.” (https://www.animalsinourhearts.com/whales/swim-with-whales/emotional-spiritual-aspects.html)

As a spirit animal or totem, the whale teaches us about paying attention to our inner voice, understanding the impact emotions play in our lives, and following our own truth.

Other meanings associated with whales are:

Ø  Physical and emotional healing and rebirth

Ø  Importance of family and community

Ø  Communication—effectively expressing emotional experiences

Ø  Importance of balance

Ø  Deeper awareness

Ø  Creative imagination

Sources

http://www.whalefacts.org/are-whales-intelligent/

http://www.environment.gov.au/marine/marine-species/cetaceans/whale-dolphins-sound

https://www.animalsinourhearts.com/whales/swim-with-whales/emotional-spiritual-aspects.html)

http://www.whalefacts.org/why-are-whales-important/

http://whalingecosystems.weebly.com/ecosystem.html

http://spirit-animals.com/whale/

http://www.spiritanimal.info/whale-spirit-animal/

 

 

Bi-Weekly Tarot Reading:  9-7-14 through 9-20-14

 

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Blog #25:  Do Affirmations Work?

  

LEGACY OF THE DIVINE TAROT

 

6 OF WANDS: You will see success in the next two weeks for goals or projects that you have been working on. It is important to keep moving forward--don't rest on your laurels because you need to keep the momentum going. Congratulate yourself for how far you have come.

9 OF COINS: You are feeling satisfied and in control.  Your self-confidence will allow you to continue accomplishing what you set out to do. Your sense of self-discipline will be admired by others, and you are setting a good example for them. Enjoy this time of well-being.

6 OF SWORDS: If you have been wondering about making a change or doing something different, now is the time to move ahead and move on. Change is difficult, but once we are honest with ourselves we know that it is better to just go with the flow rather than resisting it. There are indeed better times ahead, so go into the future with hope and confidence.

BI-WEEKLY THEME: A time of achievement and accomplishment is headed your way, so take time to enjoy the results of your hard work. You have a lot to be proud of, so continue your journey, knowing that you are on the right track.  You are in a beautiful space where you are feeling at home in your own skin and own environment. Allow yourself to revel in the sensations of joy and satisfaction. Be ready to make changes even though they may be difficult, knowing that there are smoother waters ahead. You are self-confident and in control.

 

Blog #25--Do Affirmations Work?

Retrieved from www.fesflowers.com

We have been told many times and have read that positive affirmations are great for changing things for the better in our lives.  We just need to repeat the affirmation to ourselves several times a day, perhaps post sticky notes all around to remind us to think these positive thoughts.

Affirmations are good, because they help us get out of negative thought patterns and reprogram our thinking in a positive direction.

But some people wonder if affirmations really work. Perhaps you have tried many yourself.  For example, if you are trying to lose weight, you have heard that repeating “I have a healthy body at the ideal weight for me” will help you get rid of those extra pounds.  In addition, perhaps you have changed  your eating habits somewhat and even started exercising.  But for some reason you have not lost any weight. So what is going on here?

Some authors have explained what the problem is with just saying affirmations and waiting for results. Sophie Henshaw states:

“The reason positive affirmations don’t work is that they target the conscious level of your mind, but not the unconscious.  If what you are trying to affirm is incongruent with a deeply held negative belief, then all that results is an inner struggle.” (http://psychcentral.com/blog/archives/2014/03/20/why-positive-affirmations-dont-work/

So, if you say to yourself the above  affirmation about losing weight, but nothing happens, it is possible that deep inside you think “This will never work. I have always been heavy.”  You don’t say this consciously, but that is your inner belief that is sabotaging your efforts to get slimmer.

According to Henshaw, one way around this is to put your affirmations into questions rather than statements. Questions are powerful because they look for answers.  This technique works because you are acknowledging the negative thoughts, which reduces the need to fight them.

So, instead of saying “I am at my ideal weight” you can change it to “Am I at my ideal weight? At one point in my life I felt better physically. What if I were to act as if from this day forward I will take one step to get to my ideal weight, such as reducing the amount of sugar I eat? What if I look at all labels and choose foods that have less sugar?”

By taking this approach, you are opening up possibilities for you to explore rather than simply making one declarative statement.

If you don’t want to do the above, another method you can use is to start really believing that affirmations work.  This is easier said than done, so another author gives a quick way to help with this:

1. Remove the negative affirmation from your vocabulary.
2. Replace with nothing at first. Get used to saying nothing at all.
3. Replace with the opposite, the positive affirmation.
4. Repeat the process. Once or twice is not enough.

He goes on to say:

“Here’s the thing. If you go into affirmations “expecting” them to work, if you are there to “see proof” first before you believe, you will not only be disappointed, you will be sick of hearing your voice repeating what will sound like nonsense to your brain. But if you believe first without proof, which is another way of saying if you have faith, complete faith in the power of positive affirmations and in the magic of believing first what you want to manifest, you will surpass your own highest expectations of yourself. That’s the shift.” ( http://www.prolificliving.com/do-positive-affirmations-work/)

Another author states that a benefit of repeating a positive affirmation is that we start noticing ways to achieve our goals.  With our weight loss example, you may come across ideas that you think will work for you, or a friend suggests that you try out her gym because there is a special deal going on.  Whatever it is, you become open to seeing possible ways to achieve your goal that perhaps you didn’t notice before.

This same author says that if we feel an incongruence between our positive affirmation and what we see as the truth, we need to get rid of this tension by either not saying the affirmation anymore, or by making the affirmation and reality match. Three suggestions given for doing this are:

1.  Ask yourself what is your goal or intention? Or what quality, attitude, value, or characteristic do you want to develop in yourself?

2.  Add an emotion word to your statement, if it fits. For example, “I am joyfully at my ideal weight of ___.”

3.  Use only positive words in your affirmation: Say “I am healthy and fit” rather than “I am no longer overweight.” (http://spiritualityhealth.com/blog/eve-hogan/affirmations-why-they-work-how-use-them)

It is important to attach an action to the affirmation, so ask yourself what can you do to achieve your ideal weight? What would it feel like and be like when you are at your ideal weight?  These questions help shift the mind’s attention away from possible blocks and focus on what you can actively do to meet your goal.

And finally, it is important to not let your mind or “inner critic” sabotage the process.  Positive affirmations alone do not result in change when our mind labels them as lies. To get around this, write and state your affirmations with total honesty.  Here are some examples:

“I am frustrated by my eating habits, but I am learning how to treat myself with the respect I deserve. I am learning to do better.”  Or “I am sad about the fact that I’m still single, but I am learning how to relate with men in a more open, brave, and vulnerable way.  I am learning to do better.” (http://tinybuddha.com/blog/why-positive-affirmations-dont-always-work-and-what-does/)

Summary

To make affirmations work for you, try one or more of the following:

Ø  Change an “I am_____” affirmation into a question: “Am I_______?” and then answer the question by drawing on experiences where you were even a little bit successful.

Ø  Or turn “I am at my ideal weight” into questions such as “Why is it important that I be at my ideal weight?” or “What do I need to do to reach my ideal weight?” or “What would it feel like if I were at my ideal weight?”

Ø  Truly, totally believe that you have the power to make the affirmation true, even before you have proof. Remove a negative affirmation, replace with nothing first, and then state a positive affirmation.

Ø  Set a goal or intention that is specific, then combine the affirmation with actions—even small ones—that will get you on your way.  Adding an emotion or feeling to the intention makes it even more powerful.

Ø  Make your affirmations truths that are honest assessments about where you are now, what you are learning, and what you can become.

Sources

http://psychcentral.com/blog/archives/2014/03/20/why-positive-affirmations-dont-work/

http://www.prolificliving.com/do-positive-affirmations-work/

http://spiritualityhealth.com/blog/eve-hogan/affirmations-why-they-work-how-use-them

http://www.selfgrowth.com/articles/Latiff1.html

http://tinybuddha.com/blog/why-positive-affirmations-dont-always-work-and-what-does/

 

Bi-Weekly Tarot Reading:  8-24-14 through 9-6-14

 

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Blog #24:  How to Raise the Energy Level of Your Home

  

LEGACY OF THE DIVINE TAROT

 

THE MOON: The next two weeks will have periods of uncertainty or lack clarity. Just go with the flow, knowing that when the time is right you will realize the path to take or the decision to make. It will be a good time to trust your intuition, so use your sense of inner knowing to best advantage. seeing this time as an opportunity to practice using your intuition.  We are not expected to know all the answers immediately, so be patient as you wait for clarity.

5 OF COINS: When rough times come up, be sure to ask for the help of friends or family. We all need assistance at some point, so seek the advice or support of others when you feel it is necessary. At the same time, be grateful for all that is good in your life.  You can come up with at least one thing each day to be thankful for, and this will help you through any challenges.

7 OF CUPS: There may be several choices ahead of you, and you may be feeling overwhelmed and unsure about what to do.  This is a time for you to look carefully at all of your options, considering them logically and analytically.  Narrow down the possibilities to two, identify the pros and cons of each, use your rational mind to think through them, rely on what your intuition is telling you, and then go for it. Believe in your heart that you are making the right choice for you at this time.

BI-WEEKLY THEME: Things may not be as clear-cut and definite as you would like them to be. It is a chance for you to believe in yourself and your intuition, and to practice patience. Ask for help if you need to, all the while staying in a state of gratitude for the things that are going well in your life. Focus on this rather than the negative. When faced with many choices, use both your logical left brain and your intuitive right brain. See this situation as a chance to integrate both.  The next two weeks are a time of growth and development.

Blog #24:  How to Raise the Energy Level of Your Home

Retrieved from: www.completehome.com.au

How do you feel in your own home? Is it peaceful, calm, serene?  Is it a place you look forward to coming home to? Do you get a sense of well-being every time you walk through the door?  Is it your high energy refuge that helps you feel revitalized yet restful at the same time?  If so, chances are you are doing a wonderful job of keeping the energy level or vibrational level up, and this is what you are feeling.

Have you ever wondered how you are doing that? Or wondered why is it that you don’t get this feeling in the homes of friends, relatives, or acquaintances?  Much has to do with the vibrational level of the people living in the home and the people who visit there.

So what does that mean, and how do you change the energy level of your  home to a higher level if you feel that it could be even higher?

Some answers to this are found in the following, which gives a number of different ways to increase the energy level of your surroundings. It is not limited to your home; these principles apply to your office or work space too.

Remember, everything is energy, and in order to keep our own personal energy level up, we need to be surrounded by positive vibrations as much as possible.  One way to do this is to increase the energy of your own home to the highest level possible.

Here are some ways you can do this:

Ø  Set an intention that your home (or office) is filled with love and attracts loving people.  You can do this every morning. It takes little time, and if at the office, no one will even know you are doing it.

Ø  Clear clutter.  This is the #1 way to bring more energy into your home and will immediately make you feel good.  Clutter is stagnation, and slow-moving energy is dense.  Simply remove anything that you do not want, use, or love anymore. It is as simple as that.  Even if you start with just a few items each day, you will be amazed at the changes you will begin feeling in your home’s energy level.

Ø  Look at furniture placement.  If the location of tables, chairs, etc. blocks or impedes the flow of energy, you should consider moving the furniture around so there is a clear space for the energy to move through.  This will help avoid stagnation.

Ø  Use an essential oils diffuser.  Natural scents are better than artificial ones that have chemicals sprayed out of a can. Select your favorite essential oils and let a diffuser circulate the lovely fragrance throughout your home. Or if you are in an office, having fresh flowers on your desk will do, or even putting a few drops of oil on a cotton ball that’s in or on your desk.

Ø  Add or remove art on the walls.  Look at all the pictures you have hanging on your walls. If they make you feel good, they are generating positive energy for you. If they don’t, then it is time to replace them with something that does make you feel good.

Ø  Look at the colors in your home.  Colors have a frequency all their own, so make sure that the colors of your walls and pictures are ones that resonate with you, and that fit the room in which they are located. For example, you may want a blue for a bedroom wall rather than a vibrant red.

Ø  Remove as much plastic as possible.  Replace artificial flowers with real ones or with real potted plants. Use natural fiber, wicker, wood, metal, and glass as much as possible.  Have only thriving, healthy, green plants around; get rid of dead ones.

Ø  Keep negative people out.  As harsh as this may sound, it is important that you don’t let angry, negative, critical, complaining people come through your door. They bring their energy with them, and it may be awhile before you can get harmony and positive energy back into your home once they have left.

Ø  Place small stone or crystal pyramids at high places in your home. Pyramids have an amazing cleansing power.  For example, in several rooms you can have amethyst, marble, quartz, or turquoise pyramids placed on top of a lamp, curtain rod holder, or window sill. (See http://www.pyramid-cafe.in/Power.html for more information on this interesting method.)

Ø  Burn sage or natural incense (sandalwood, amber, frankincense).  Sage clears unwanted energies and allows a higher energy to replace them. If sage is too strong for you, there are sage sprays that can have the same effect.

Ø  Light a pink or orange Himalayan salt lamp.  The color (orange or pink) leads to feelings of safety and security. Plus, these lamps emit negative ion particles, which cling to positive particles (which we don’t want).  They weigh down the positive ones and bring them to the ground, so they don’t float through the air and cause imbalance.

Ø  Open windows periodically to allow fresh air to circulate. It’s like bringing a bit of outdoors and Mother Nature into your home to refresh and revitalize it!

This list does not include everything that you can do to raise the energy level of your home, but it is a good start.

Sources

http://dailyalchemy.com/3-ways-raise-the-vibration-home-anywhere-hang/

http://www.tishamorris.com/blog/raising-your-personal-vibration-through-your-home/

http://www.thespiritualeclectic.com/2010/01/02/raising-the-vibration-of-your-home/

http://galacticconnection.com/14-ways-raise-vibration-home/

Bi-Weekly Tarot Reading:  8-10-14 through 8-23-14

 

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Blog #23:  What Is Your Spirit Animal?

 

 

LEGACY OF THE DIVINE TAROT

STRENGTH:  During this bi-weekly you are feeling strong and self-confident. You are trusting your intuition more, which allows you to take risks and to feel comfortable with the outcome. Your inner strength is prominent as you look for the truth, trust your inner guidance, and give moral support to those around you.

4 OF COINS: It is time to be frugal with your finances and other material belongings. Do not buy unnecessary things that will only result in clutter, and pay attention to what you are spending and for what. Just being aware of your financial situation will go a long way towards helping you feel more secure and stable.

THE SUN: This period will be blessed with periods of joy, happiness, success, and abundance.  Be grateful for all the good that you encounter and the rewards you receive so that the energy you send outward will come back to you multiplied.

BI-WEEKLY THEME: A time to rely on yourself and your inner knowing, which will boost your self-confidence.  Feeling more sure of yourself will allow you to take risks you ordinarily would shun, so take a chance and grow. The unknown may be scary, but the results could be extraordinary. Watch your finances, and spend only for true necessities. Delay buying luxuries or things you can do without for the moment.  As you enjoy a period of success and happiness, remember that gratitude goes a long way towards keeping the blessings flowing.

Blog #23:  What Is Your Spirit Animal?

Have you ever heard of a spirit animal or animal totem? This concept has been around for a long time; the totem idea was prominent in the cultures of Native Americans and other indigenous peoples throughout the world.

According to Steven Farmer, who has written extensively on this topic, there is only a slight difference between a spirit animal or animal totem:

“Those spirits that are in animal form that teach us, guide us, empower us, and help us heal are call animal spirit guides or spirit animals.  In shamanic and indigenous cultures, they’re usually called totem animals or power animals. Often these terms are used interchangeably, although there are subtle differences in meaning.” (Farmer, 2013)

Another author says that 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.” (http://www.whats-your-sign.com/animal-totems.html)

By noticing the animals and insects that are around us or those we see pictured in various ways, we can get profound insights into what they may be trying to tell us about our lives.

For example, animals can:

Ø  Represent aspects of ourselves that needs to be more developed or explored.

Ø  Symbolize a situation or emotions that have recently surfaced.

Ø  Provide guidance and intuitive insights.

Ø  Help us see a life direction we might want to pursue.

When thinking of and trying to identify our spirit animals, it is important to rely on our imagination and intuition more than on our left-brain logical, rational mind. (http://www.whats-your-sign.com/animal-totems.html)

There is a lot we can learn from observing and learning about animals.  They trust that they will find proper sustenance, they live simply and naturally, and have no egos like we do.  That is one reason why they can help us learn about our own spiritual side.

It is possible that animal guides may come and go during our lives, depending on our life journey and the lessons we need to learn along the way.

How do I find out what my spirit animal is?

Here is an excellent list of questions to ask yourself if you want to identify what your animal guide or totem is: (courtesy of http://www.legendsofamerica.com/na-totems.html):

• “Have you ever felt drawn to one animal or another without being able to explain why? This could be animal, including birds and insects.
• Does a certain kind of animal consistently appear in your life? This doesn’t necessarily have to be a physical appearance, it could be represented in other ways such as receiving card and letters with the same animal pictured over and over, unexplainable dreams of a particular animal, watching television and seeing the same animal featured time and time again, or, actually having the animal show up.
• When you go to the zoo, a park, wildlife area, or forest, what are you most interested in seeing?
• Are there any animals that you find to be extremely frightening or intriguing?
• Is there a particular animal that you see frequently when you’re out in nature?
• Have you ever been bitten or attacked by an animal?
• Have you ever had a recurring dream about a certain animal, or a dream from childhood that you have never been able to forget?
• Are you drawn to figurines or paintings of a specific animal?”

There are many books and articles about what is the meaning or symbolism for a variety of animals. An easy-to-read reference book is Steven Farmer’s book, as given in the source list below.  As you will see, the symbols are mostly related to specific characteristics that the animals have.  For example:

Ø  A dove could represent love or spiritual renewal

Ø  An eagle’s message could be that it is time to get a broader perspective and vision related to your life

Ø  A raccoon could be saying that you have all the resources you need despite your doubts

Ø  Even the little ant reminds us that it is time to be industrious and complete that project that we started.

So if you are wondering what your spirit or totem animal is, start today to keep your eyes open and begin noticing the animals and insects around you.  You may be delightfully surprised at the messages you start receiving!

Sources

Farmer, Dr. Steven (2013). Pocket Guide to Spirit Animals:  Understanding Messages from Your Animal Spirit Guides. New York, NY: Hay House, Inc.

http://www.spiritanimal.info/animal-meanings/

http://www.whats-your-sign.com/animal-totems.html

http://www.legendsofamerica.com/na-totems.html

http://www.animal-symbols.com