Swan
Swans have long been a symbol of grace and beauty. They seem to float elegantly through life with a love they maintain for eternity. “The Ugly Duckling” by Hans Christian Andersen tells a story where a swan egg accidentally rolled into a duck’s nest. After hatching, the swan seems awkward and ugly among his perceived siblings. He is bullied and belittled and feels like a misfit until he grows into a beautiful swan and takes his rightful place among the majestic beings. While fictitious, this story may hold true for many swans. Every swan started as an awkward duckling, trying to fit in to a place in life that is, perhaps, too small for him. This story also shows the vulnerable side of the swan. If you are a swan, you may find yourself more sensitive and emotional than others. Do not shy away from this if swan is your totem. This heightened sense makes you a natural healer and seer. You
While swans are elegant, do not make the mistake of thinking they are fragile. Swans can be territorial and fierce creatures. Swans value privacy and many prefer to be the ONLY pair of big birds in one pond. They will often take flight or put up a fight when troubled by outsiders.
POSITIVE TRAITS: As an animal of water, sky, and land, the swan represents balance. A fierce defender of her offspring and nurturing parent, the swan is also a devoted partner, a masterful worker, and health-oriented being who appears to accomplish so much with grace and elegance.
BE MINDFUL: The swan’s commanding presence may undermine her spouse or friends. It would serve the swan well to remain humble. She also needs to remember how her size can be a disadvantage leading to awkward take offs and a poor ability to maneuver in the skies. Swans cannot advance quickly through diving, flying, or running but she is always persistent. While she appears to float across the water, her legs never stop moving below the surface.
With such long necks, the swans do not need to dive like other bottom feeding birds. For this reason, sailors feel a swan is a symbol ‘against shipwreck’. Others feel the water represent consciousness, and that swan’s floating always on the surface, is an attempt to stay always at the dawn of consciousness.
HISTORICAL RELEVANCE: In many Celtic myths the swan is a shape-shifter, and also tells the story of the sun’s healing power. In Irish and Gaelic tales, the swan acts as a messenger, sharing news that the love and peace sought by many are already present within each person. These stories make swan a symbol of inner beauty and self-love.
SYMBOLIC MEANING: Bird symbolism is strong in Native American cultures and the swan totem is one of the first and most powerful in existence. Swans are considered sacred, representing Wind and the Northern direction. The swan can remind us hope and transformation.
Otter
Did you know there are few animals that actually “play” as adults? The otter has never let his childish nature and zest for life diminish. The creativity and imagination of the otter is an innate quality, a trait that cannot be learned or practiced. If your spirit animal is otter, you are lucky! Others may be caught up in thinking of the future, working for tomorrow, or waiting for a moment to let their guard down, but you are free.
The otter embraces the change to relax, learn, and play. Do not misunderstand: the otter is in no way lazy. He is goal-oriented but values balance. Sometimes the otter is cautious: he is not alarmed when problems arise because he is prepared for any danger by always being aware of small details overlooked by others. Otter goes easily with the tide as it ebbs and flows, never demanding that nature changes course. As a life-long-learner and with an action-oriented personality, the otter grows quickly into a wise totem. The otter often channels his energy into artistic endeavors. The inquisitive nature of this totem gives the otter insight into the complexities of life.
The otter totem can guide you during times where you need stability. Perhaps you have lost your grasp on reality: this is a time the otter can bring you out of a time of darkness and into the light of your life.
The otter can also help us engage with others around us: are we mindful of the needs of others? Tuning to the needs of our tribe and taking a moment to help our friends can have a lasting benefit. The friendships you make are a testament to your great love and the beauty of life, and the otter’s effort to make the world a better place can bring you a great sense of happiness and fulfillment.
POSITIVE TRAITS: Otters do not long for anything, they are completely immersed in the present moment with a deep sense of fulfillment. Otters are a symbol of joy, satisfaction, and blessings.
BE MINDFUL: The otter has a very warm heart often centered around family. A nurturer by nature, otters make very good parents. Self-sacrifice to provide for the family unit is the otter’s way, knowing that building up every member of the family will bind them together. Be careful, though, sometimes the otter may even overstep boundaries to protect his family. While Otter is family oriented, he is also independent and confident in life. He values freedom, and will find conflict with anything or anyone attempting to box him in. If you are an otter, you are wise to swim away from stress as you never let the weight of the world burden you or bring you down.
HISTORICAL RELEVANCE: The Ojibwa tribes often call upon the spirit of the otter in major times of transition: birth, death, and commitment ceremonies. The otter’s agility makes the totem a perfect energy for major transitions.
SYMBOLIC MEANING: The otter’s love of water is symbolic to healing as water purifies and cleans. Some tribes attribute the otter to symbols of honestly and loyalty. In Celtic culture, otters represent lightheartedness, love, and loyalty where they are referred to as “water dogs.”