Healing Drum Retreat

Totem Spirit Guides present themselves in animal form.  They serve us as guides, protectors, often providing encouragement and inspiration.  Stories and legends of animal totem spirits goes back to the beginning of time in native history around the world.

Some are aware of their totem spirit guides.  Others find that, when they bring focus and acknowledgment of the spirit realm into their conscious life, they have somehow felt the presence of their totem.  They may have thought of a guardian angel, and indeed many totem animals are angels in the love they express and patience with our worldly ways.

Each animal brings forward a virtue that serves as a reminder to help us better understand our self and our world .  They do not solve our problems, but guide us so we can bring ourselves into balance and gain valuable experience.

Totems can be very low-key in their appearance.  They are not with you for their own glorification, but to assist you as needed, whether it is for the moment or for a lifetime.   One example of a totem animal spirit relationship is the story of a woman I met several years ago.  I had a booth at a holistic fair, and gave energy healing sessions as an introduction to spiritual awareness.  The last day of the event began quietly, so I offered a passerby a chance to have her “energy tune-up” before the crowds appeared.  “Sure”, she said, “Sounds like fun!”  We conversed a little as I combed through the auric field around her body.  I encouraged a flow of energies from the earth and the cosmos to gentle wash throughout her body, using my hands a few inches from her body as a sensory tool.  I became aware of a presence, and decided to talk about it.  “You have a dog”, I shared.  She turned and looked at me with an quirky smile.  “Yes, I do”.  This wasn’t quite right, but more perceptions came quickly.  “This animal has been with you a long time”, and her eyes lit up as she heard this acknowledgment of her spirit friend relationship.  Finally she confessed that she didn’t have any pets.  “But this animal walks with you”, I said, “and you’ve known it for a very long time”.  Her smile changed to a warm radiance, and she told me that she has never told anyone of this spirit friend.  I asked if I could give her a informational reading session, and she was delighted.  After receiving permission from the totem to speak of their relationship I proceeded to share whatever was offered, from the nudge on the knee to the messages and support offered in their relationship.   The outcome of this reading was a new recognition of spirit and the very simple but powerful message that she was not crazy, she was just aware of her spiritual communication!

Many of us have more than one animal totem, and we can turn to them to remind us of the simple concepts of living that we sometimes forget.  The hides used in drums carries forward both the totem spirit energies as well as some of the personality of the animal that walked on this planet.

During this next Healing Drum Retreat for the spring equinox, March 20-22, 2009, we will talk about animal totems, and take an walk into the spirit realm where we will focus on our spirit to spirit communication with our individual totem spirit friends.

Estee Taschereau, co-organizer of the Healing Drum Retreat offers classes and workshops in spiritual recognition and empowerment.  Private sessions are available by phone for intuitive information and reconnective healing sessions.