Insects

Ant

Coloring: Brown, Black, and Red.
Deity Association: Ceres, Demeter, and Wang-ta Hsien.
Element: Earth
Origins: Global
Planet: Earth
Sabbat: Lammas
Season: Summer and Autumn.
Symbolize: Community Oriented, Completion, Forethought, Industrious, Orderliness, Patience, Planning, Self-Sacrifice, Single Mindedness, Stamina, Storing Energy, Thrift, Trust in the Future, Virtue, and Work.

Ants live in nearly every corner of the earth. In many regions, they represent willpower, diligence, patience, tenacity, endurance, fidelity, cooperation, truthfulness, and power. Ants in nature have amazing strength considering their ridiculously small size. In fact, they can carry over 20 times their own weight. That means a 200-pound person with an Ant’s strength could lift a ton! Ants hear by having sensitivity to vibrations. They teach us to keep our instincts keen. They also leave an aromatic trail wherever they go, which helps them find their way home. In this, Ant Spirit is a trailblazer and guide. In the Philippines, Ants coming into the house bring prosperity with their arrival. The Bible depicts Ant as a harmonious creature who works collectively with others. Islamic traditions say the Ant taught Solomon the ways of wisdom, and in India, treating an Ant with kindness ensures prosperity. Leaving a bit of sugar near an Ant hill is an act of charity that attracts luck.

When Ant Spirit marches into your life, It brings a message of patience. Whatever is going on right now, you cannot be so impetuous. By pacing yourself, the end result will be far more rewarding. Slow down, don’t rush, work carefully. Ant Spirit also encourages self-confidence. There are special moments when you need to wrap your strength around your waist and simply trust. Work with other people who share your focus and goals. Know your skills and apply them within that group harmoniously. Teamwork matters. Encountering Ant Spirit may mean you really must focus on teamwork to achieve something. Be it co-workers, peers, or family, moving as one mind is the key here. Each person in this unit is an integral part of the puzzle you are trying to complete. In some instances, the Ant Spirit Animal speaks of a life-changing opportunity. At first, it may seem overwhelming, but it will bring you good fortune in the end. Generally, this opening has something to do with community efforts. Keep this chance in smart balance with your home life and watch what wonders come. When Ant Spirit bites you, it represents a call to action. Your family, tribe or community needs your help. Pay attention.

Those born with an Ant Totem are the ultimate planners. No matter how chaotic a situation seems they somehow manage to stay controlled and focused. When you walk with Ant Spirit, social opportunities become especially important. You need friends and congenial groups to be truly healthy and happy. Community building is in your blood, as is a good deal of wisdom and kindness. It is not surprising people often seek out those with an Ant Totem for guidance. The Ant Totem also has a fighting Spirit. You are not one to stand on the sidelines of life. Nonetheless, you do not just jump into a confrontation without solid information. Ant people always weigh both sides of any situation before trying to fix it. And fix it they will – never giving up is one of Ant’s great qualities. Ant Spirit is a planner. This Totem knows how to prepare for the future one step at a time. You feel no need to rush. Building dreams takes time and persistence. Ant shares attributes of other Animal Totems too.

Bee

Coloring: Black and Yellow.
Deity Association: Aphrodite, Artemis, Brigit, Cybele, Demeter, Diana, Dionysus, Indra, Krishna, Pan, Priapus, Ra, Rhea, Vishnu, Venus, and Zeus.
Element: Fire
Origins: Global.
Planet: Venus
Sabbat: Ostara and Lammas.
Season: Spring and Mid-Summer.
Symbolize: Achieving The So-called Impossible, Birth, Community, Concentration, Death, Industry, Luck, Misfortune, Otherworld Wisdom, Planning and Saving, Prosperity, Purity, Resurrection, and Working with the Spirits of the Deceased.

When Bee appears in your life the most common message it carries has to do with your levels of productivity. Sometimes we are doing too much, and in others not enough. Bee spirit has a strong work ethic, but it also knows the importance of stopping and smelling the flowers. There is a time to enjoy life’s nectar and a time to grab after the proverbial brass ring with vehemence. Bee helps with both, and in finding the delicate balance between the two. Technically speaking Bee should not be able to fly – it’s designed all wrong aerodynamically. From a spiritual perspective, this speaks of our limitations and how to move past them successfully. It’s doubtful that Bee knows it shouldn’t fly – it simply DOES, and so can you. Bee fits an extremely specific role in nature pollinating other plants; this is necessary to the on-going life cycle of many crops. It also delivers humans with wax and honey, giving Bee the additional symbolic value of providence. Einstein believed so deeply in the importance of Bees to the ecosystem that he predicted if Bees disappeared humans would not survive more than four years afterward. The pollination process also symbolizes our social nature. Bees live and work as a community. As they go from flower to flower, that progression enriches the world. Bee people very often become motivational speakers, teachers, healers and light-workers for the greater global village. Their language of love is mindful service.

When Bee comes to you as a Spirit Animal Guide it’s time to take inventory regarding your responsibilities. Are you over-extended or have you perhaps become languid and apathetic? Bee won’t tolerate either extreme. Though Bees can carry 300 times their weight and never shirk their duty to community contributions, they also “stop and smell the roses” every day. All your hard work means nothing if you don’t get to enjoy the rewards. Likewise, when life stagnates so does your spirit. Another message from Bee Spirit has to do with working in groups, networking, and community. Bee is not a loner and calls to all of us to get off life’s benches and jump into the “tribe” with true abandon! If you feel that you’re facing impossible odds, you could not have a better Spirit Animal wing its way into your life. Bee is the master of miracles. No matter what you face, Bee will help you find that elusive solution.

Those born with a Bee Totem have a real sense for managing personal energy. Your totem gives you clarity about your path in life. Work is not a problem for you; nor is play. The Bee’s soul-song mirrors Ecclesiastics 3: “To everything there is a season and a time to every purpose under Heaven.” Those with Bee totems Tend toward autonomy when it comes to personal needs but are very socially focused otherwise. When they see a need there is no question of helping, particularly if it brings joy and promotes love. Bees are amazing builders – from their hives to their intricate honeycombs. If you have chosen Bee as your Totem Animal always remember you can call on Bee Medicine when you need help with the architecture of your life and career.

Butterfly

Coloring: All the Colors
Deity Association: Horae and Zochiquetzal.
Element: Air
Origins: Global
Planet: Moon and Uranus.
Sabbat: Ostara
Season: Spring
Symbolize: Beauty in Old Age, The Birth/Death/Rebirth Circle, Falseness, Freedom, Happiness, Immortality, Inspiration, Joy, Leisure, Living in the Moment, Longevity, Love, Magic, Mental Powers, Reincarnation, The Soul, Transformation, Understanding where you are in the Cycle of Your Life, and Vanity.

When Butterfly spirit begins visiting your life, something new and wonderful is about to unfold! It’s time for personal growth and greater awareness of your mental, physical, and spiritual rhythms. Change can sometimes be challenging and daunting because it moves us out of our comfort zone. You cannot embrace a “new you” until you release the old. With Butterfly medicine you’ll find that you can fly gracefully above the barriers that would otherwise hold you back. Butterfly as a teacher puts great emphasis on movement: Be it blossom-to-blossom, home-to-home, or one state in our spiritual exploration to another. Butterfly often turns our thoughts inward to review elements of our character, morals, and habits that weigh us down, keeping us stuck in a mire of negative energy. The goal of your winged ally is restoring lightness in your being so you can dance life’s dance with unbridled joy! In looking at the Butterfly spirit in history, this Animal Guide has many faces and attributes: Christians saw it as representing the soul and its journey. Native American tribes respect Butterfly as the messenger of transformation, happiness, and the glorious colors of nature, and in China newlyweds were often given gifts bearing two Butterfly images to insure their marital happiness and harmony. Butterfly medicine is one of simplification. Go back to the little things. Send them like flowers in the field. Open your senses to the nectar and aroma of living in the moment. Do what you can now, but remember quality learning rarely happens quickly. Slow, mindful changes are the ones that last a lifetime, laying the foundations for enlightenment and self-actualization. Eventually your inner Butterfly will emerge from its work when the time is perfect, with fresh ideas and inventiveness to guide your next spiritual stages.

As a Spirit Animal Guide, Butterfly whispers of your hidden potentials. There’s an old saying that there is nothing in a caterpillar that knows it’s going to be a Butterfly. Nonetheless, the transformation from caterpillar to winged wonder happens, quite naturally. Are you still the caterpillar? Then feed your soul until it’s full and ready for integrating new truths. Butterfly also speaks of happiness and vision. If you’ve been feeling blue, Butterfly as a Spirit Animal is here to help. If you’re working on divinatory arts, Butterfly gives you greater clarity. In nature, this insect’s eyes are very keen, including being able to see ultraviolet light. Don’t be surprised if you start catching Fairies and Angels out of the corner of your eyes. Fact: when the Butterfly loses an antenna, it cannot fly properly. Being a Spirit Messenger means that Butterfly wants you to keep your spiritual antenna honed and tuned to the Divine and Higher Self, so you don’t lose your way.

People born with a Butterfly as their Totem Animal have a natural lightness of spirit! They love the beauty of nature and are guided by the greatest good when it comes to maintaining balance with the environment. As you work with your Butterfly Totem Animal, you’ll find that you’re better equipped to look at difficult situations from another angle. As you fly on Her wings your perspective becomes more global and hopeful. Butterfly people are naturally social, colorful, and vibrant. They endeavor to live each moment to the fullest. Dance like a Butterfly on the winds and celebrate your journey!

Dragonfly

Coloring: Black, Blue, Green, and White.
Deity Association: Agni
Element: Air and Water
Origins: Global
Planet:
Sabbat: Litha
Season: Summer
Symbolize: Change, Creativity, Dreams, Enlightenment, Illusion, Irresponsibility, Instability, Refinement, Relentlessness, Seeing the Truth, Skill, Swiftness, Unreliability, and Weakness.

The Dragonfly has been captivating mankind for as long as they’ve been darting and dancing around the world! Known to be curious and social around humans, these small creatures have inspired big love from the art, storytelling, and spiritual communities. Dragonflies are thought to be messengers from the elemental world filled with Devas and spirits. The lore is that human eyes might otherwise miss this magical world were not for this the magnificent displays of color and breathtaking aerobatics of this spiritual mentor. When Dragonfly enters your life begin releasing yourself from unproductive illusions that hold your soul’s progression back. The Dragonfly spirit challenges old habits and concepts that box you in. Transformation is dawning on the horizon. In nature, Dragonfly is an amazingly powerful and graceful navigator, flying up to 45 miles per hour. It can change direction and even fly backward. This gives Dragonfly the symbolic value of a spiritual guide particularly through tricky winds. When you’re in the middle of a storm, let Dragonfly show you the way out with confidence. Because Dragonflies gravitate to ponds and puddles, they are creatures of both air and water. This means that Dragonfly symbolism and meaning is deeply tied to our emotions and our mind. As we grow with Dragonfly spirit, we’ll find a maturity and balance between these two for greater clarity both in thought and spirit. Dragonfly medicine is most powerful in the summer. This is the time when their wings shine with iridescent colors that shift and sparkle in the warm daylight. Work with Dragonfly energy during the day when practicing color magic for your aura, when meditating for self-awareness and when working with the Elementals. Finally, Dragonfly has a short life span. As such this animal spirit guide teaches you to live each moment to the fullest. Be aware of all the gifts and lessons you encounter daily, and offer a thankful heart to your Dragonfly guide.

As a Spirit Animal, Dragonfly moves into our life often when we are taking things too seriously and losing our joy. This teacher restores lightness to our spiritual wings and mental processes. This animal spirit guide’s reminder is simple: find the positive no matter how dark it seems. Dragonfly is tied intimately to your emotional state. It asks: what feelings are you having that you’re hiding? What feelings are self-created illusions? What feelings do you need to explore more deeply. Give yourself to the Dragonfly’s transformative power and sense of peace.

People with a Dragonfly Totem have the amazing ability to change their path in mid-air. They can adapt to almost any person or situation at will and in an instant. Throughout their life, Dragonfly people will experience metamorphosis in a wide variety of situations. These many changes are part of their soul’s journey – their Sacred Contract. Humans can be very resistant to change. For those with a Dragonfly Totem to succeed in life, they must embrace change in all its forms. Remember, Dragonflies’ colors change in the light. This is much like our soul’s journey. Let the light in and watch all the brilliant colors of your spirit soar to new spiritual vibrations! Bear in mind that while Dragonfly represents illusion, this Totem Animal does not encourage deception or trickery. You must be true to yourself and “walk your talk.” Dance with the light like a Dragonfly on wing and celebrate that powerful path toward on-going transformation!

Scorpion

Coloring: Black, Brown, and White.
Deity Association: Dadophori, Ishtar, Isis, Nanna, Sabazius, Selket, Set, and Siduri Sabitu.
Element: Fire and Water.
Origins: Global
Planet: Sun
Sabbat: Litha and Lammas.
Season: Summer
Symbolize: Dark Magic, Revenge, and Returning Negativity to those who send it. They are often thought of as a sign of evil.

If you’re seeking the spiritual meaning of Scorpion, it’s a sign your soul is ready to tango! The ancient Egyptians revered the Scorpion Spirit as a potent guardian for souls moving from one world to the next. It was a sacred creature to Selket, the goddess who heals stings and bites. It was not uncommon for the Priests to use images of Scorpions on ritual mummification tools to safeguard the precious transforming spirit within. That endows Scorpion with the power of change, particularly in terms of our soul’s growth through various incarnations. African stories likewise tie the Scorpion to death and life. Some people believed that a Scorpion sting had the power to heal and they honored the Scorpion accordingly. From a shamanic vantage point, Scorpion as a spirit guide created a change in consciousness, the sting acting like a psychedelic mind altering drug that takes the shaman to the dream time or other spirit realms. With this in mind if Scorpion keeps appearing in your life you may find your awareness changing and dreams becoming very vivid, even prophetic. In many settings, Scorpion has come to represent unexpected death. In approaching a victim, Scorpions dance nearly playfully. It does not attack with any type of malice, but simply remains true to its nature.

Spirit Animals come into our lives for specific reasons. Scorpion’s spiritual meaning is all about ridding yourself of proverbial poison – those negative things that hold you back, keep you down and create psychic clutter. Those in unhealthy relationships will find the scorpion spirit immensely helpful for making a clean break and giving birth to a whole new vision. There is no question that in terms of a spiritual awakening Scorpion brings you the message of transformation. It may not be a fun message, but often times in nature something must die for something else to live. This death can be figurative (such as starting a completely new career path or quitting smoking as part of a healthier lifestyle). People with Scorpion energy in their lives are deeply passionate but also have a real need for alone time. In order to experience spiritual growth, let Scorpion guide you toward balance between your lusts and solitude. Scorpions do not go on the attack unprovoked. When this animal spirit guide presents in your life, be sure to give all potential adversaries a wide berth, only stepping into the fight ring when absolutely necessary.

Scorpion totems symbolize the ability to patiently wait before striking. This insect has strong intuitive senses that strengthen your awareness so that anything hidden becomes clear before you act. In terms of spiritual gifts, it offers you the lesson of defense when necessary. As a Totem Animal Scorpion means change in the forms of death and rebirth. Being drawn to the Scorpion indicates there are lessons in your past lives that can help you. Scorpion totems are good for healers and light-workers so that they can transmute the toxins in people’s Auras more effectively. In less woo-woo terms, those born under or who choose a Scorpion Totem tend to be wonderfully comfortable with matters of life and death. Scorpions are incredibly adaptable creatures who can thrive in the harshest of conditions. In this, folks with Scorpion as a Totem Animal tend to make excellent medical professionals – especially those who work in emergency rooms or with the terminally ill. These beautiful souls just always seem to know how to help people and animals transition to the other side with grace, peace, and dignity.

Spider

Coloring: Multi-Colored
Deity Association: Atargatis, Athene, The Fates, Holda, Inktomi, Ishtar, Kokyangwuti, Neith, The Norns, Sussistanako, and Tsitsicnako.
Element: Air
Origins: Global
Planet: Mercury
Sabbat: Imbolc, Ostara, Mabon, and Samhain.
Season: Spring and Autumn.
Symbolize: Becoming Pregnant, Being Industrious, Caution, Creative Energy, Creativity, Destiny, Divine Inspiration, Entanglement, Fate, Female Energy, Illusions, New Life, Starting a Project, Warning Signals, and Wisdom.

Because you’re here seeking the wisdom of Spider energy, magic, and medicine, it’s a sign your higher self is guiding you toward a deep understanding of your place and purpose in this life. Spiders are among the most patient and long suffering of all animal spirit guides. They carefully weave a web then wait for their prey to come to them. Each strand of Spider’s web connects to another, creating a whole, safe space in which you can feed your spirit. Spider knows, however, that anything worth doing is worth doing correctly. You cannot rush enlightenment. Reawakening your soul’s knowledge of the Great Mysteries can truly become a life-time’s pilgrimage. Spider bears a message about light, darkness, and the delicate balance between the two. We as humans sometimes forget there is a special beauty and power to the shadow self. By understanding that side of our being we come to embrace the light all the more fervently. No one is perfect. Spider lets you examine your imperfections from a different perspective – one focused on creating transformation from within. Among ancient Egyptians Spider was sacred to Goddess, Neith – a mother figure. Similarly, Native Americans see Spider as a creator and a symbol of the divine Feminine aspect. This creative energy is central to Spider’s lessons. Planning and taking your time with a heartfelt project is the key to success. Spider says, “Haste makes waste. Go slow and wait for the right time.” As you do, you’ll achieve greater understanding of all your aptitudes and traits and pull them together as a cohesive whole.

Spider as a Spirit Animal comes into our lives to kick start our creativity. If you’ve stalled out, now is the time to breathe life into your ideas and dreams! It’s time to begin weaving a strong, well-considered web and overcoming challenges. Spider as a Spirit Animal may also appear as a messenger from the Goddess calling on you to reconnect with sacred feminine energy, not only in the Universe but also within yourself. Remember, to a Spider, its web is its ‘world’. When Spider appears to you, maybe the time has come for you to see yourself as the center of your own world. Like Spiders, we create our own world. We are the makers of our own destiny. Once we understand ourselves, we can truly begin manifesting our own reality. Most webs are round-ish spirals which unite at a central point. In this, Spider webs are mandalas that you can use to meditate on the core themes and situations of your life. As the center of your own world, are you focused on what you genuinely want or are you spending time concentrating on negative energy? Ask your Spider Spirit Animal Guide to help you design and create the very world you want!

People born with a Spider totem have very symmetrical souls. You understand and maintain the delicate balance between the physical realm and spirit, between the old and new, between yin and yang. Spider people have a keen understanding of the medicine wheel and all its workings. You have a knack for unraveling even the most difficult of patterns and re-working it into something useful and positive. Finally, Spider is a communicator – writers very often have a Spider totem.