Working With The Animal Totems

WOLF

Spirit of the Wolf: The Teacher, Pathfinder, Free Spirit, Community

LINKS:

http://www.shamanicjourney.com/wolf-power-animal-symbol-of-wildness...

http://www.poweranimalsunleashed.com/power_animal_011wolf.htm

http://www.whats-your-sign.com/totem-wolf-symbols.html

http://alltotems.com/wolf-totem-symbolism-and-meaning/

http://www.atlantisqueen.co/animal-totems/2011/4/21/animal-totems-t...
http://web.archive.org/web/20081226061748/http://wolfs_moon.tripod....
http://funkman.org/animal/mammal/canisfamily.html
http://www.animalspirits.com/index2.html

http://www.spiritanimal.info/wolf-spirit-animal/

http://www.linsdomain.com/totems/pages/wolf.htm

Go To: WOLF BIRTH TOTEM ~ February 20 - March 20

Spirit of the Red Wolf:
http://web.archive.org/web/20060512034947/http://wolfs_moon.tripod....
http://funkman.org/animal/mammal/redwolf.html

Spirit of the Artic Wolf:
http://web.archive.org/web/20100506102820/http://wolfs_moon.tripod....

Spirit of the Gray Wolf:
http://web.archive.org/web/20081226061743/http://wolfs_moon.tripod....
http://funkman.org/animal/mammal/greywolf.html

Wolf's Wisdom Includes:

* Facing the end of one's cycle with dignity and courage
* Death and rebirth
* Spirit teaching
* Guidance in dreams and meditations
* Instinct linked with intelligence
* Social and familial values
* Outwitting enemies
* Ability to pass unseen
* Steadfastness
* Skill in protection of self and family
* Taking advantage of change

Teaching / A Guide to the Sacred

Wolves have been long regarded by Native Americans as teachers or pathfinders. Wolves are fiercely loyal to their mates, and have a strong sense of family while maintaining individualism. In the stars, Wolf is represented by the Dog, Sirius, thought by many aboriginal tribes to be the home of the Ancients.

Wolves are probably the most misunderstood of wild animals. Tales of cold-bloodedness abound, in spite of their friendly, social and intelligent traits. They are truly free spirits, even though their packs are highly organized. They seem to go out of their way to avoid a fight. One is rarely necessary when a shift in posture, a growl, or a glance gets the point across quite readily.

Traditionally, someone with Wolf Medicine has a strong sense of self, and communicates well through subtle changes in voice inflection and body movements. They often find new solutions to problems while providing stability and support that one normally associates with a family structure.

Wolf's medicine includes facing the end of one's cycle with dignity and courage, death and rebirth, Spirit teaching, guidance in dreams and meditations, instinct linked with intelligence, social and family values, outwitting enemies, ability to pass unseen, steadfastness, skill in protection of self and family, taking advantage of change.

THE WOLF:

When a lone wolf is spotted in the wilderness it embodies the energy of freedom. When seen in a pack it embodies a sense of community. If wolf appears to you alone or in a pack it is asking you to acquire the same within your own life. In spite of their negative press wolves are actually friendly, social and highly intelligent.

The wolf's senses are highly developed. Their intelligence is marked with excellent hearing, sense of smell and strong feeling. They are determined as well as cunning and use these skills for the benefit of the pack. The howl of the wolf is primal and penetrating. They howl to find other pack members or to let wolves from outside of the pack know their territory boundaries. If you hear a wolf howl it might be telling you to stand your ground and defend your boundaries.

Wolf teaches you to have a balance between the needs your family has of you and the needs you have for yourself. They are totally loyal to the pack but do not give up their identity to the pack. If wolf appears in your life you are being asked to look at where you are being too dependent and where you may be too independent. In both family and community there needs to be a balance.

Wolves convey much with their bodies. If they are angry, they may stick their ears straight up and bare their teeth. A wolf who is suspicious pulls its ears back and squints. Fear is often shown by flattening the ears against the head. A wolf who wants to play dances and bows playfully. Their body language is symbolic for those with this medicine. Man also uses body language to convey messages. The study of this art can increase perception in those with this totem.

Wolves hunt in packs, relying on endurance to run down weak and older animals. They have been known to run 35 miles a day in pursuit. They are the epitome of stamina and strength. With an extremely well developed societal organization, they act together to hunt and raise their young. They do not fight unnecessarily and often go out of their way to avoid fighting. Sometimes a growl, a glance, a posture is all that is necessary to determine dominance. Wolf teaches those with this medicine to know who you are and to develop strength and confidence in what you do.

WOLF DREAMS:
http://www.dreamhawk.com/animald6.htm#wolf

Wolf people tend to revere individualism, but retain a predominant sense of family. Wolf represents all aspects of sociability, and the need for variety (in internal and external affairs) to remain healthy. Wolf is a strong symbol of loyalty and patience. Wolf medicine is deeply rooted in the importance of learning through teaching, new ideas, freedom of mind and body, and responsibility for self and others.

WOLF TOTEM:

Wolves are the epitome of stamina, known to run 35 miles a day in pursuit of prey. They are highly misunderstood animals, who have gained the reputation of being cold blooded. In reality wolves are friendly and social creatures. Aggression is something they avoid, preferring rather to growl or create a posture to show dominance.

Even though living in close knit packs provide wolves with a strong sense of family, they are still able to maintain their individuality. Wolves represent the spirit of freedom, but they realize that having individual freedom requires having responsibilities.

Because wolf is a teacher and pathfinder, he comes when we need guidance in our lives. Those who have a Wolf Totem will move on to teach others about sacredness and spirituality. Wolf can also teach how to balance the responsibility of family needs and not to lose one's personal identity.

Wolf teaches us to develop strength and confidence in our decisions. He shows we will learn to trust our insights once we learn how to value our inner voice. This wisdom keeps us from inappropriate action. If wolf appears in your life examine where you need to develop more confidence and if you need more balance between friends, family, and yourself.

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Erin on May 29, 2013 at 12:35am

Thank you! This is a big help :)

Permalink Reply by Terri Benning on May 29, 2013 at 12:46pm

You're most welcome Ravenwolf! I'm happy to hear you found some reflections of yourself in this information on the Wolf. That's what this site is for .... learning, growing, evolving and validating who we are both in "essence" and in "personality."