What is your totem?
 

A few weeks ago we had a friend over for dinner and after a few drinks, she allowed, in a bragging, yet sub rosa kind of way, that her "totem animal" was the Eagle. She then proceeded to sound for us her eagle call.

Oh, it was chilling.

Actually, it was not the least bit chilling. SWMBO and I exchanged that special kind of glance and nodded politely.

Later, after our guest left I asked SWMBO why everyone who has a totem animal always chooses eagles, or bears, or some other heroic, or cuddly, or industrious animal. Now I say chooses, because that is really what is going on, despite all the weekend journeying workshops,or three day vision quests where you pretend that your totem presents itself to you.

Why does no one have the sewer rat as a totem? Or the siphillis spirochete? Or the sea cucumber? Or for fuck's sake the lawn grub?

It's the same as past lives. No one ever wants to own up to the fact that in a past life they were probably a wife beater or child molester. No, No, they were queens or kings or even specific queens. I've personally met no less than three women who told me that they were reincarnations of Cleopatra. Why don't these people swap genders? Why were they always some lofty, spiritual, noble person who, now in this life, is down on their luck, riding the subway with commoners?

You don't ever hear people say "Whew, boy I am glad I'm not a sex slave any more. It sure is great to be free and white and living in the U.S.A. and having a college education to boot. You'll never hear me piss and moan AGAIN."

Color me skeptical, however I want a totem animal. Not squirell nutkin either. I want a totem with some teeth,
MY TOTEM IS THE EBOLA ZAIRE VIRUS.

I'm proud of it. My totem will kick your totem's ass.

What's your totem, shrimp?

The Water Bear. The water bear dines on a delicious treat of barbequed ebola virus on a stick.

Along time ago I had a dream I was running in a forest on all fours. I don't think I was a runnaway dog :P I know that is weird but it was an awesomley cool dream all the same.


but don't think me too serious.


A couple of years ago I had a dream of war. People came and were taking people out of their houses. I could choose one thing to take. I chose my toothbrush.


so @ footfoot ....people have really told you that? I don't know if I believe in regressions either.


IF I were to guess I was some stuck up person who beat her maids. Now I am stuck in a place of servatude OR just too damn lazy and didn't want to leave heaven at all.

Beestie, Damn! the waterbear. I forgot all about the waterbear...

skysidhe: maidbeater, I bet you knocked a couple up as well, and then threw them out in the street.

Why would I do that? Who would run my bath? Massage my feet ect..ect.


oh, and you know what? My feet are SO ticklish I can't even stand it.Oh it's all making sense now. :)

Several researchers of reincarnation have pointed out that the great majority of people who claim past lives choose illustrious persons rather than the dregs of the earth which certainly outnumbered them during all times in history. It rather makes the whole thing sound ridiculous when you read how many people, including Shirley McLaine, say they were Mary Magdalen in a previous life.

But as for totums, you do not pick them. They choose you. To do anything else would be like the Shore Patrol guy who accompanies Jame Caan in Cinderella Liberty, babbling about how - being a Scorpio - all kinds of impressive traits can be attributed to him while the audience laughs at the boring reality. Deciding that your totum is the majestic national bird when you are more Mr. Peepers than Chuck Norris does not exactly increase your status. If you really have a totum, people will tell YOU what it is, not the other way around. Too many people have been reading comic books or seeing movies based on them, and they think a totum is some supernatural spirit that comes to your aid, filled with impressive special effects. Nothing could be farther from the truth ;)

watch out prey

http://www.scuda.com/Gallery/3Toed_Sloth.jpg

I enjoyed being a sex slave.

My totem is the bunny. It's not very scary or heroic. It hops, though.

Does anyone have a house tomte?

http://static.flickr.com/6/75595812_9b8a90d4f0_d.jpg

My totem is a pink and yellow mechanical dragon/dinosaur thingy (sort of t-rex shape). I dreamed that some years ago... :)

My totem must be the hyena, because I always find myself amused at completely inappropriate/inopportune times.

Totems aren't about wanting -- it is very possible to have a totem and not desire it.

You took the rant out of my mouth. Of the billions of lives lived, they were mostly lived in fear and starvation. Many people have a gross misunderstanding of the crossover between their perceptions and their expectations, and when you throw a mish-mash of spiritual principles gleaned from bumper stickers at head shops, what you end up with is a useless distraction. Don't get me started.

I must not be 'cool' then, because no totem ever chose me. I do love animals and have had lots of pets though :) .

If you were reincarnated and in your past life you were Jack the Ripper, would you admit it?

Stormie

I so totally would.