Totems and Native Americans

In Native American mythology a 'totem' animal is an animal that watches over the tribe. There can be several of these animals thus you get a totem pole. To look at me I don't look anything like a Native American. Naturally blond hair (though it's died dark brown/black) and fair skin (though not super pale like gothic looking or anything) with blue eyes. However trace my family line back and you'll find that my ancestors were Native Americans. Hopi tribe I believe. Totems do not have to be fierce ferocioius creatures.

If I had to choose a few animals to be my totems they'd probably be...the butterfly, the river otter, black bear, and raccoon. Those may not be the typical totems you would think of on a totem pole since tyically there's an eagle at the top but those are animals that I've always liked and been drawn to. (This list is not including any mythological animals/creatures that I have fascination with like dragons or mermaids).

The otter is playful, the butterfly starts as one thing and transforms into something else (we all go through transformations), and I'm not real sure why I've always been drawn to the black bear and the raccoon. The bear probably because I'm generally a very protective person myself...it doesn't sit well with me when someone hurts somebody I love and I will retaliate on their behalf if I need to. The raccoon is...well...the masked bandit. He's sociable and very curious. I may be a bit of a loner at times but I do enjoy some human interactian and no word describes me more than 'curious' does. I love to read and learn anything and everything I can.

Totems are not to be confused with spirit guides which according to wikipedia:

According to theosophical doctrine, spirit guides are persons who have lived many former lifetimes, paid their karmic debts, and advanced beyond a need to reincarnate. Each is assigned to watch over an incarnate person, not only on this Earth, but on many other planets throughout the universe. Many psychics believe that spirit guides are chosen on "the other side" by us and God(s) before we incarnate and that they guide us to follow our life's plan because we want them to.

This is copy and pasted directly from wikipedia. Although I will note that in Christian theology there is a spirit guide: The Holy Spirit.

I personally have always found just about any aspect of Native American life interesting. I loved studying them back in school, trying to memorize the different tribes and where they were located. Course back then the Hopi was not a tribe we learned about. The main ones were Delaware and (of course) Cherokee.