Animal Divination - Totems Sunday, 08 November 2009 18:46 |  Author: Administrator |   
The word totem means "related through the mother." In many cultures, even today, an animal totem is a spiritual guide that helps the whole person. For some, it is ever part of who you are; thus, an individual with a hawk as a totem may even have the appearance of a hawk, with a hook nose and penetrating eyes. With animal totems, each animal represents specific qualities and powers that are transferred to the individual with that totem or invoking that totem. There are many ways to connect with animal totems. My favourite system is the one created by Jamie Sams and David Carson, The Medicine Cards. This system uses animal cards and a layout that the seeker does only once in his or her life. According to Jamie Sams, every individual has 9 totems, 7 of which you pick with the cards. Each of the 7 represent the directions (East, South, West, North, Above, Below and Within). She explains each of these positions and then adds 2 more, one representing your masculine side and the other your feminine side. These two she suggests you determine without the cards. Another method to determine an animal totem is through drumming and journey work, alone or with a group. Animals appearing in dreams can also be a sign of a connection to that animal as a totem. Even more powerful is an animal appearing to you in waking life. This can happen in either a benign or fearful way. In my case, crow kept crossing my path over a period of 3 years. I finally realized crow to be a totem when my husband and I were fortunate to tend to a wild crow for three weeks, before releasing him back into the wild. Sometimes an animal that bites you turns out to be a totem. Once bitten, the particular power of the animal is even stronger. Many people are aware of western astrology these days. Each astrological sign has a particular creature associated with it. Other moon based astrology systems that connect birth time with animal totems are the Lakota and Celtic traditions. Astrological Correspondences Totems can be found in a variety of ways. It is important to remember that every totem has something to offer that is unique and special, and that no single individual "owns" a totem. Like any close friend or family member, a totem relationship is a relationship to honour and cherish. One of the most important things for me is never taking a totem for granted. The rest is up to the individual. Here are a few ideas to help you get started in exploring your own unique relationship with your special totems: Learn all that you can about the real and mythical animal. If possible, include the animal in your life. Dogs and cats enjoy living with people, and they can also be totems. If the animal is not one that enjoys being a pet, join environmental groups that work to protect the animal and its environment. Wear symbols of your totem through jewellery, shirts and such. Find others who love animals and share stories of your totem with them. Connect to your totem in spirit as well as life, talking to the animal as you would a cherished loved one or, if you feel comfortable, the Creator. These are just some ideas to get your mind started. You will know best how and when to connect with your totems. Since I have worked with animal totems, my life has become more magical, more rich and now feels part of an amazing web of life. I have always loved nature and animals, yet I see them now in a far deeper way. I believe that animals know how to live here on Earth in a more balanced way than humans and that they can teach us how to live in balance as well. I also believe that knowing your animal totems can help to solve many psychological and even physical problems. For instance, if a polar bear is a main totem in your life, you can be certain that you need much room to roam about in your world. You probably also prefer temperatures that are a bit cooler and need plenty of meat in your diet. When you live in harmony with your totem energy, you should experience a greater sense of well-being and inner peace. Animal totems have helped me to integrate difficult parts of myself as well as bringing out natural strengths. Most importantly, animal totems have opened up communication to all that is around me and hopefully, is helping me to see my part in the web of life that recognizes the other parts as well. Besides, working with your animal totems is enjoyable. Last Updated (Sunday, 08 November 2009 20:24) |
Totemism is said to be the oldest form of worship. Timothy Roderick defines totem as: "Personified power, usually in the form of an animal, but sometimes the form is plant or mineral."
Payment for Readings
Rates for readings at the Bodhi Tree Bookstore range from $30.00 to $70.00 (depending on time) and vary from 15 minutes to an hour in length. We normally recommend a 30 minute reading ($50.00) for most purposes. Rates for readings at the Mystic Journey Bookstore in Venice range from $35.00 to $90.00 (depending on time) and vary from 15 minutes to an hour in length. 30 minute readings are $60,00 Rates for readings by phone or at our home in Venice Beach range are $40.00 for 30 minutes or $80.00 for an hour. Readings by e-mail are a flat rate of $30.00 Payment for readings can be made in cash or check made out to Krista Schwimmer or Michael Wamback. If you wish to pay using credit card or Pay Pal, plesae click on the "Donate" button. Palmistry
Palmistry has always been a serious art in the East. In the West, during the Middle Ages, it was considered a scientific discipline, infrequently used and tolerated by the Church. With the arrival of the Gypsies in Europe in the 15th century, palmistry, one of the Gypsies' most common forms of divination, grew in popularity. Its widespread use, and the rising deception that accompanied its growth, caused palmistry to be condemned by the Church by the end of the 15th century. By the early 17th century, palmistry had fallen into disrepute as lowly occultism and had been discredited by both the Church and science. It survived as a parlor art; among its adherents was Napoleon Bonaparte, who was mightily impressed by Mlle. M. A. Le Normand, the palm and card reader of his first wife, Josephine. Beginning in the 1960's, palmistry enjoyed a revival of interest in the West, along with other forms of divination. Palmistry is closely related to astrology; the signs and aspects of the heavenly bodies are assigned locations on the hand. A palmist examines the shape and size of the hands and digits, the fleshy mounts and the lines of the palms, wrists and digits. The reading reveals the person's character, life expectancy and destiny. The left hand shows what is intended for a person at birth, and the right hand indicates how that blueprint has been altered by decisions and actions. If the subject is left-handed, the reverse applies. There are several major lines and innumerable small ones. The major ones include the line of life, the line of the heart (emotions), the line of the head (intellect), the line of Saturn (fate) and the line of health. Among the smaller lines are those of marriage, and the wristlets or bracelets, which denote happiness in life. the mount of Venus, at the base of the thumb, indicates compassion and warmth. The mount of the moon, on the outer palm, reveals psychic ability; a triangular mark there indicates the presence of natural psychic talent. Each digit is associated with a Zodiac sign: Thumb = Venus; index finger = Jupiter; middle finger = Saturn; ring finger = Sun; and small finger = Mercury. Like other forms of fortune-telling, palmistry reveals a portrait and direction at a given time. Choices made through free will may alter these, and palmists say choices will physically change the hands over time, within certain limits. Tarot
One of the most well-rounded tools for divination purposes are the Tarot cards. With the aid of this tool, an experienced reader can predict the outcome of events, examine the patterns of energies in operation at any point of a persons life and even measure the rate of events to predict the time an even will likely occur.
But just how do these marvalous cards work?
Even though there are a number of theories as to how tools which form patterns, such as Tarot or I-Ching, can be relevant to a question being asked, the truth is that nobody knows for sure. There are a couple of very good ideas to explore however.
One idea as to the working of these tools links them to the phenomenon of holographs. If you take a holographic image of an object, and then break the plate into pieces, each piece would contain a smaller but complete image identicle to the original. Similarly, the pattern that a person creates in drawing the particular Tarot cards they chose is a small representation of the greater patterns going on in the persons life or situation at the moment of their chosing. "As above, so below...."
Although there are a number of other ideas, the main point in all of them is that the tarot reading is a mirror of events in the life of the person, as well as a projection of their "tendencies" into the future, at the time the reading is performed. So does this mean that all readings will come true?
Of course not. Tarot, as with all types of readings, is dependent on the analysis of patterns that are fixed, whereas the future we are going to experience is always forming and changing. Things such as "free will" and sudden, unexpected and unpredictable elements of life can change a great many things during the time a situation is unfolding. So does this mean that doing a Tarot reading is a waste of time?
Not at all. It is important to understand the tendencies in all goals we are going to persue in life. We should know, before we invest a great deal of time, effort and resources, whether a goal is likely to be achieved, or whether we are going to play a "longshot". Knowing the odds is an important element that can be determined in a Tarot reading, which can be used as a major tool in making decisions. A skillful reader can also illustrate the strengths and weaknesses in every situation. Knowing this information, we can more productively use our energies and time to increase our chances of success in any endeavour.
Any good reading experience allows an opportunity for a person to step back from a situation for a moment, and perhaps to gain a new perspective on things. It is also a chance for meaningful synchronicity to occur, leading to a moment of clarity and revalation.
A Tarot reading can also illustrate certain "milestones" that we can use to measure whether something is conforming to the expected outcome. By creating a sense of what to expect in the short-term future and then observing events to determine if they are conforming to what was predicted, we can guage the likely success of any situation.
In the ability of the Tarot to measure time, we find an advantage with it over many other similar tools such as I-Ching. A good reader can predict an outcome of an event within a few days give or take, and sometimes within a few hours (depending on the nature of the event). Knowing whether something will happen quickly, or if it will take a long time, can be an important element in making decisions.
And finally we have one of the most beautiful aspects of the Tarot, it's ability to illustrate the mechanics of life. The Tarot forms a complete philosophical system, in which topics such as the exercise of power, human behaviour and characteristics, the relationship of man to the passage of time and life, and many other aspects of our universe are illustrated. Tarot cards are a picture book of the human experience, and can help us better understand how our lives work, allowing us to better understand our lives and find greater prosperity and happiness. The Tarot discussus man's aspirations, his hopes and his fears. It illuminates the true nature of the soul and gives a framework of knowledge that can be used to work towards a more enlightened state.
All of this exists in these 78 magical cards for those who wish to study them.
All in all, the Tarot is one of the most well-rounded of the systems of divination. It is practicle, logical and well constructed. It can speak in general terms, or deal with specific situations and advice.
If you have a specific question, or if you just want to know what to expect out of life over the next few months, then a Tarot reading can provide revealing and accurate insights. Availability for Readings
Krista and Michael perform readings at various venues in the Los Angeles area, and are also available to do readings by phone or email. If you have a very specific question, then it may be possible to get a good answer in a 15 minute reading. For most general readings which look at life overall, a 30 minute reading is suggested. Krista and Michael are also available to do readings at parties and corporate functions. Due to scheduling demands, we suggest that you book your party or special event at least a month in advance. Krista and Michael perform readings at the world famous Bodhi Tree Bookstore, 8585 Melrose Ave. in West Hollywood CA as follows: Krista : Tuesdays from Noon until 10:00 PM Michael: Mondays from Noon until 10:00 PM
Thursdays from Noon until 5:00 PM
Krista and Michael also perform readings at the Mystic Journey Bookstore, 1319 Abbott Kinney Blvd. in Venice CA as follows
Krista: Mondays from 3:00 PM until 9:00 PM
Fridays from 6:00 PM until 11:00 PM
Saturdays from 4:00 PM until 11:00 PM
Michael: Wednesdays from Noon until 5:00 PM
Saturdays from 5:00 PM until 11:00 PM
Please Note: It is possible to obtain a phone reading with Michael or Krista through the Mystic Journey by contacting them at (310) 399-7070 to arrange a time.
Please note that due to our busy schedule, we will be performing a very limited number of readings at our home in Venice Beach CA or by phone. In particular if you are seeking a phone consultation, we strongly recommend arranging it through the Mystic Journey.
You can text or contact Krista and Michael as follows:
Krista: (310) 213-5663 or Michael (310) 714-0423 (Please note that dates and times are subject to change without notice.) |
