What is a Spiritual Totem & Modern Usages

The word totem is of Ojibwe origin. It derives from the word dodaem meaning “brother/sister/kin” and refers to an ancestral or tutelary spirit, usually in the form of a plant or animal, that protects a family, clan or tribe.

Everyone with the same totem is considered a family member with kinship obligations and the animal or plant archetype that the totem represents is also family with similar obligations. It is taboo to marry a person born under your totem and also taboo to kill your totem animal.

The totem is an ancestral spirit that is usually associated with a mythic family origin story. It is part of the family and acts as a teacher and guardian to all clan members.

They also act as a reminder of an individual’s past, ancestry, and ties to the community.

There are similar beliefs in other Native American cultures as well as those in Asia, Australia and Africa and evidence that they existed in pre-Christian Europe.

The word “totem” can also refer to an artistic representation of the totem spirit.

This is quite different from totem poles.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

Totems, in various cultures and traditions, are symbolic representations of animals, plants, or other natural elements that hold spiritual significance and serve as guides or protectors.

Modern witchcraft practitioners often incorporate totems into their rituals and practices as a means of connecting with the energies and wisdom of these symbolic beings.

Totem animals are believed to embody unique qualities and characteristics that can provide guidance and insight in one’s spiritual journey and daily life.

Some modern witches use meditation and visualization techniques to establish a deeper connection with their chosen totem, seeking inspiration, strength, and a deeper understanding of themselves.

Contents

Modern Usage
The deep meaning of the Totem
- The cultural meaning of a totem
How to build a totem
- How is totem used in modern times?
Conclusion
Recommended Reading
Online Resources

Modern Usage

In common vernacular, the word totem is often used to refer to any object or person that represents an idea. For example, the American Flag represents the USA and all the ideas that go along with it. The bald eagle also a totem for the United States, or the office of the US President.

In the modern Pagan community, the word totem is often used to describe an archetypal animal spirit guide that comes to a person on an astral level to help a person learn important spiritual lessons and perform magic on an astral level. This may also be referred to as a power animal or a familiar. It is not always an animal, however. A plant spirit may also serve as a totem in this way.

In some cases, a practitioner has only one spirit animal that stays with them through life, helping and guiding them. But must practitioners claim more than one.

Sometimes several spirit animals will stay with the practitioner throughout their lifetime, but often they will drift in and out, appearing during phases of life when their energy will be most helpful.

Some who have multiple totems subscribe to the belief that each rules over a certain element or realm. For example, someone may have four totems, one of each of the classical elements, each animal somehow corresponding to that element. Others may have a totem for each realm or plane of existence.

These spirits may come unbidden, or may be summoned by the practitioner, depending on the tradition. In some cases, the totem spirit is assigned to a working group, rather than an individual.

The deep meaning of the Totem

A totem is therefore a spiritual figure that connects an individual or clan to the natural world and the spirit realm, and animals are a means of generating this bond.

Totemic animals are considered spiritual guides that accompany clan members on their life journey, offering protection, wisdom, and valuable teachings.

Each animal or natural element chosen as a totem possesses unique qualities that are attributed to the group or individual with which it is associated. For example:

The bear represents physical strength and courage, but also wisdom and the capacity for introspection;
The eagle, often venerated as a sacred symbol, embodies spiritual vision, connection with the divine, and freedom;
The wolf is the symbol of loyalty, collaboration, and power.

It is believed that, through the construction and veneration of totems, Native Americans develop a deep relationship with these qualities, integrating them into their daily lives.

The cultural meaning of a totem

The totem also plays an interesting role in the social organization of Native American tribes.

Each clan, family, or community had one that, in addition to creating a sense of belonging and solidarity among those belonging to a single totem, is the protector of the community’s stories, myths, and beliefs.

The totem is therefore both the glue and the protector of the tribe that built it, and in this dual function it serves as a vehicle for passing down traditions, moral teachings, and ancestral memories during ceremonies celebrated in its honor.

Therefore, for Native Americans, the totem is not an abstract symbol but a truly concrete representation of the group’s origins and values, which influences not only their way of life but also the place indigenous communities occupy in the world.

How to build a totem

Building a totem takes an average of two months. It’s not just a craft, but an act of true devotion that celebrates the cultural and spiritual identity of the clan. The process is divided into several phases:

The right wood must be sought; red cedar is usually used, considered sacred and durable.
The next step is to fell the chosen tree and transport it to traditional workshops, where artisans and artists hold a special connection with the spirits and are the only ones who can perform the sacred act of carving wood.
The artist then begins carving the totem, a process that requires great patience and skill, as every detail, from the facial features of the animals to their expressions, is symbolically charged with meaning.
Once the sculpture is complete, the totem is painted with bright colors, using natural pigments derived from local minerals, plants and soils.
Once completed, the totem is erected by the entire community in a highly visible location, often near ceremonial gathering points, where it can be admired, venerated, and used in ceremonies.

How is totem used in modern times?

In common vernacular, the word totem is often used to refer to any object or person that represents an idea.

For example, the American Flag represents the USA and all the ideas that go along with it. The bald eagle also a totem for the United States, or the office of the US President.

This may also be referred to as a power animal or a familiar. It is not always an animal, however. A plant spirit may also serve as a totem in this way.

In some cases, a practitioner has only one spirit animal that stays with them through life, helping and guiding them. But must practitioners claim more than one.

These spirits may come unbidden, or may be summoned by the practitioner, depending on the tradition. In some cases, the totem spirit is assigned to a working group, rather than an individual.

Conclusion

Despite the passage of centuries, totem poles still retain a profound meaning for many indigenous communities. For the descendants of Native Americans, they represent a source of cultural and spiritual pride, a symbol of their identity and resilience in the face of historical hardships associated with colonialism.

However, the totem has often been misunderstood and trivialized in popular culture.

What has been reduced to a decorative object, used without understanding its original context, remains for indigenous communities a sacred symbol deserving of respect and protection.