CLAN TOTEMS

ABOUT CLAN TOTEMS

It has been a tradition amongst Native people that members of the tribe be divided into separate groups, called Clans in order that the members should be responsible for particular actions and to hone skills that were in accord with their inner nature. Some Native American Tribes used a system of only four Clans - Bear, Wolf, Badger and Cougar, whilst some others used an eight clan system, which might include the above plus Deer, Snipe, Beaver and Eagle. The Cherokee use a Seven Clan system.

Interestingly, the Navajo seemed to have a system where could have as many clans as they liked, I have counted eighty individual Navajo Clans.

For most Tribes it has been the tradition that were clans were based on a matrilineal system (traced thru the mother's line) so that if the Mother was Bear Clan, the children would be also. For times when a matrilineal line could not be found, clan seekers would be told to go on a spirit quest involving going to the mountains or to a forest, and observing everything that happened. If a member of the tribe said that he was walking though a wooded area, and suddenly he saw, in a clearing, that a deer was standing there looking at him, then he was Deer Clan.

ELEMENTAL CLAN TOTEMS ~ (from Wolf's Moon)

As with traditional exoteric astrology, where each of the twelve zodiac signs fall within a key element, each of the Birth Totems also belong to an Elemental Clan, as governed by one of the four Elemental Chiefs of Fire (Hawk), Earth (Turtle), Air (Butterfly) and Water (Frog).

FIRE:

In Earth Medicine, the Fire Chief is a powerful Force that blazes in heat and illumination. He is a Power that governs the day, inspires the hearts of Humans, and is the Source behind the life-giving rays of the Sun. His energy can either annihilate in reckless abandon and/or vengeance, or can warm a hardened heart by inspiring love and illuminating the way for one who has become lost on their Pathway.

EARTH:

This Chief is the Nurturing Force that provides sustenance and stability. She is soil that provides the nutrition all life on this planet needs in order to live . . . she is one with the Earth Mother. She is the Power that beckons us to provide security for ourselves and Others and is the Source behind the planting of life itself. This Chief can be sustaining and productive, she can also be restrictive, indomitable and unyielding.

AIR:

Earth Medicine teaches us that the Air Chief is the Force that brings to Humanity new ideas. He is the Power behind innovations and inventions and is the Source of intellectual stimulation and conveyance. He is the jovial breeze that elicits laughter, thoughts and communication, yet he is also the element that loves to argue for arguments sake and can be restless and detached.

WATER:

She is the Chief Force that teaches us the beauty and necessity of emotion and feeling, the Power of the emotional, psychic and spiritual healer that washes the soul in insight and contemplation. Water is the Source of the Soul, an effervescent wellspring that gives of herself free of thought for what will be received in return, yet she can also turn tumultuous with emotions hurtling and crashing like the ocean’s waves.

*For a full description of each CLAN TOTEM,
please click on each of the CLAN TOTEM LINKS listed below*

CLAN of the HAWK: (FIRE Chief)

Elemental Chief: FIRE

Elemental Totem: HAWK

Related BIRTH TOTEMS within Hawk Clan:

FALCON, SALMON, OWL

CLAN OF THE TURTLE ~ (EARTH Chief)

Elemental Chief: EARTH

Elemental Totem: TURTLE

Related BIRTH TOTEMS within Turtle Clan.

BEAVER, BEAR, GOOSE

CLAN OF THE BUTTERFLY ~ (AIR Chief)

Elemental Chief: AIR

Elemental Totem: BUTTERFLY

Related BIRTH TOTEMS within Butterfly Clan:

DEER, CROW, OTTER

CLAN OF THE FROG ~ (WATER Chief)

Elemental Chief: WATER

Elemental Totem: FROG

Related BIRTH TOTEMS within Frog Clan:

WOODPECKER, SNAKE, WOLF

ELEMENTAL CLAN TOTEMS COME FULL CIRCLE:

Hawk Clan is the Pathfinder that enables us to aim high and envision a world to be had. Turtle Clan Prepares the Way of the Spirit by clearing away "dead space." Butterfly Clan plants the thoughts and hopes so that Frog Clan can nourish the dreams of the mind, and bear the fruit of the Mind/Body/Personality integration.

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