Atlanta Vampire Alliance [AVA]

[Kiera]

Birth Totems

The Birth Totem is that Animal Spirit which is the equivalent to the Sun Sign in traditional, exoteric Astrology. Almost everyone in western culture knows what “sun sign” they were born under. In Native Wisdom, there are twelve different Creature Beings that are assigned as the Birth Totem for a period of approximately one month. Hence, our Birth Totem is based upon the day and month of our birth.

Yet, unlike the study of Sun signs in exoteric astrology, the Birth Totem is not so much representative of our ego, as it is a Teacher that we have chosen to "study under" in the current incarnation. In somewhat simpler terms, this means that the Wisdom and Medicine of our Birth Totem, brings to us the mini lessons that we have chosen and absorb this walk around the Sacred Hoop in order that our soul may evolve and progress. The more one aligns and integrates with the lessons that come to us throughout our life, the more we will tend to exhibit the Higher Vibration, characteristics and attributes of that particular Birth Totem.
The Role of the Birth Totem is assigned to a specific Animal Spirit for the birth day and month as delineated below:

Birth Totem Falcon

Birth dates: March 21 – April 19
Clan of: Hawk (Fire Chief)
Wind is: East
Directional Totem is: Eagle flying from the North-East
Conscious intent is: Leadership through example
Motive of Higher Self is: Obtain concrete Knowledge through embracing the winds of experience so that the Soul may soar ever higher.
Plant/Flower: Dandelion
Mineral: Opal

Keywords
Speed Precision Adventurous Passionate Impatient

Birth Totem Falcon individuals are those whose outer personality is full of movement as they fly through their daily existence seeking to forge the way ahead so that others may benefit from their ability to scout new territory. Yet while the Falcon soul desires to lead, if he/she has not yet explored the inner skies of their own personality and then integrated this knowledge into their approach toward their Life Path, then they will not possess the tools necessary for true leadership. True leaders are born through the flight of experience as they integrate lessons learned and experiences faced and hence, become “role models” for those who watch the evolved Falcon soul on the wing.
Only by first thoroughly exploring their own inner domain and discovering the motivations behind their often unconscious desire to lead and thirst to blaze new trails, may the Falcon individual then have the strength of wisdom necessary to carry him/her further into the uncharted territory of the future. Without coming to live peacefully in the here and now.

The Falcon individual cannot possess the balance between pioneering spirit and practical knowledge that is necessary to complete their Birth Role of Leader, for a leader that leads in haste and without sufficient forethought may unwittingly cause harm to either themselves or to those who will be drawn to follow such a dynamic soul.
When one with Birth Totem Falcon has integrated the lessons of the personality with the Life Path (Soul Lesson/Power Totem), the beauty of the falcon on the wing is a glorious scene to behold and the spirit of a true Leader emerges. Falcon will then blaze through the sky as an arrow speeding toward its target. The Falcon’s approach to his/her own lessons will be as though the lesson is the prey to be perceived, tackled and consumed so that the lesson will not need to be repeated.

In ancient times, the falcon was the hunting companion to the aristocracy. As such, these splendid creatures were treated with honor and respect for their keen eyesight, speed of flight, and precision of movement. Likewise, the individual with Falcon as their Birth Totem possesses the ability to time their movements along their Life Path with grace and awareness, resulting in a quickened integration with each Direction that is faced along the Sacred Hoop of Life. This then brings them the requisite experience to fashion the tail feathers of true Leadership, and thus satisfies the Higher Self’s motivation to lead through the vision of wisdom.


Birth Totem Beaver

Birth dates: April 20 - May 20
Clan of: Turtle (Earth Chief)
Wind is: East
Directional Totem is: Eagle
Conscious intent is: Gain A Sense of Security through physical possessions
Motive of Higher Self is: Discovering Security Within
Plant/Flower: Clover
Mineral: Jasper

Keywords
Persistent Industrious Patient Resourceful Oblivious

Birth Totem Beaver is one whose outer personality is immersed in an inner sense of insecurity as he/she enters their present incarnation. This lack of self worth may stem from an unstable early childhood environment or sense of personal loss. The Beaver will then work furiously at building a comfortable dam for himself in which he can feel truly safe and secure.
He is one who will work persistently and give his devoted attention to any task he sets his mind to until the project has been completed, allowing nothing to distract him in the process.
As he grows in maturity and yearns to move beyond the comfort and security of his need to have and to possess things of material value, Beaver looks within himself to identify the long buried fear, loss or betrayal which has haunted him all the years leading up to that point in time, and have cumulated in the massive dam of twigs, logs and branches that clutter his mental and emotional space.

The resulting fortress is ponderous indeed, and built as much to prevent others from gaining access to him, which he may equate with exposure to being “hurt” yet again, as to have the satisfaction of knowing he can depend upon himself free of connection to Others. Yet since we are all here to interact with, learn from, and love one another, this house of twigs and branches is bound to collapse in upon the Beaver at some stage along their Soul’s progression.
Yet, once the connection has been made that there is something “more” than having a roof over her head or a steady source of income to rely upon, Beaver can then apply her great sense of industry and resourcefulness toward overcoming the weights that threaten to pull her under into the murky waters of operating through unconsciousness.
Think of the Beaver as she constructs her dam, she is the reformer of the animal kingdom as she goes busily about gnawing down the wood necessary to build the dam, which will safely protect and shelter herself and her offspring.
In so doing, she not only changes the landscape or the vista of the woodlands about her, she changes the flow of water along the stream or river, creating a new energy to the balance of Nature. What is this if not Reformation, and the recognition that in order for new life to be given the chance to thrive and flourish, the old must first be cleared away?
In tackling her life from the perspective of personal growth, Beaver then moves beyond the Conscious intent to Have and Posses, to find Security Within, and thereby completes the Mission of the Higher Self.


Birth Totem Deer

Birth dates: May 21 - June 20
Clan of: Butterfly (Air Chief)
Wind is: East
Directional Totem: Eagle
Conscious intent is: Bringing Humanity Together
Motive of Higher Self is: Develop and Integrate the Mind

Plant/Flower: Mullein
Mineral: Agate

Keywords
Intelligent Skilled Communicator Knowledgeable
The Conveyor of Ideas Friend to All Restless

Birth Totem Deer is one whose outer personality is one of apparent contradictions as she is gentle in appearance, yet strong, fleet of mind, yet slow in putting her thoughts into action.
Her conscious desire is to be an integral part of the threading together of Humanity, to weave a blanket of Oneness from all races, spiritual beliefs and cultural backgrounds, and yet she may have difficulty in integrating her Mind to her Emotional Center.
So long as Deer flees from the “demons” of her own making, she will not achieve her dream of becoming a thread in the Quilt of Acceptance, for she is not accepting of her own Inner Self.
Think of Sister Deer as she moves quietly through the forest, ever alert for the subtlest of movements, the slightest of sounds that will warn her of impending danger, and yet her own flightiness often leads her straight into the sights of the Hunter.
When one who has Deer as their Birth Totem can learn to calm her restless nature, learns to quiet her frantically beating heart, she may begin the process of formulating her thoughts, untangling them from the massive ball of jangled threads into a garment of Higher Knowledge that can then be passed along to Others.
By first addressing her own acceptance of herself, then embracing and bringing together friends, associates and new acquaintances who are friends not yet known, into a common ground of shared goals, she will ultimately learn mastery over her restless mind, and thus truly begin the process of integrating her Mind with her Emotional Center.


Birth Totem Woodpecker

Birth dates: June 21 - July 21
Clan of: Frog (Water Chief)
Wind is: South
Directional Totem is: Coyote
Conscious intent is: Devotion
Motive of Higher Self is: Integration of the Emotional Self
Plant/Flower: Rose
Mineral: Rose Quartz
Keywords
Sensitive Compassionate Devoted
Intuitive Nurturing Hyper-emotional

Birth Totem Woodpecker is one who is deeply devoted to Loved Ones, be they friend, family member or lover. When operating solely from the Emotional Center, the primary focus for Woodpecker is to be utterly devoted to an Other, perhaps even at the expense of the Self.
By focusing their Love so completely “outside” of themselves, the individual with Birth Totem Woodpecker seeks to find validation in the love and acceptance of their beloved. When that love is reciprocated, then Woodpecker believes herself to be happy, yet when the love of another toward her undergoes any change, however subtle, she is once more faced with the truth from which she cannot escape . . . true happiness is a gift we can never receive from another, it is a present that we give to our Self.
It is believed that Woodpeckers thrumming drum roll against a tree, is the heartbeat of the Earth Mother. It is also said that Woodpecker calls the thunder from the sky with the same rhythmic knocking.
Mimicking his beat with drum or rattle, the Shaman induces a state wherein he/she may cross planes (dimensions) to converse with the Animal Totems, the Ancestors and to ride on the wind of Great Mystery to see what lies ahead or to tap into the powerful Medicine of the Totems.
When Woodpecker bores into a tree in search of the beetles and insects, which provide her sustenance, she uses her beak and head to drum out the holes and uncover her meal. This symbolizes the need for one with Birth Totem Woodpecker to gain emotional perspective, to learn when detachment is needed, to literally use her head instead of recklessly following her heart.
This is the process of integrating the emotional Center with that of the Mind/Physical, and a challenging task for one as sensitive and prone to bouts of overwhelming emotion as he. Yet when true discernment can be found, learning when to give freely, and learning when another is merely tapping a life-sustaining vein without returning energy, then Woodpecker may find the rhythm of his own true Heartbeat, and make the leap across planes to greet an integrated Self.


Birth Totem Salmon

Birth dates: July 22 - August 21
Clan of: Hawk (Fire Chief)
Wind is: South
Directional Totem is: Coyote
Conscious intent is: To Create
Motive of Higher Self is: Gain Insight
Plant/Flower: Raspberry
Mineral: Carnelian

Keywords
Creative Passionate Courageous Loyal Prideful

Birth Totem Salmon is an individual whose outer personality is driven by the need to Create and have dominion over his/her environment.
The desire to create is motivated by Birth Totem Salmons desire to leave a lasting impression. Depending upon what level of personality the Salmon individual is choosing to operate from, this may manifest itself as either the desire to inspire others through their own example, and thus be as a lantern in the night, or they may be operating from the desire to bring acknowledgment for the achievements they have made to assuage the feelings of self doubt which may harry them until they learn the lesson of Self acceptance.
Just as the Salmon is driven home to spawn, the individual who has Salmon as his/her Birth Totem, is most fulfilled when exploring the depths of his/her own soul (home) so that a true work of art may be given birth in the form of poetry, paintings, or the less tangible creation of ideas.

Life’s emotional currents may run deep, and at times tumultuous, yet as the Salmon will forge its way upstream against seemingly impossible odds so that they may propagate their species, Birth Totem Salmon will become truly Whole when he/she has conquered the currents that roil within their own hearts.
Only once he/she has learned that the Destination is not the End, and that life’s currents are not always an upstream battle, when the realization is made that one must delve within for the Answers they desperately seek, may they find the insight which is the Birth Right of this Totem. Then, as they swim in the deep clear waters of Awareness and Understanding, they will realize that the doorway to Home has always been Within.


Birth Totem Bear

Birth dates: August 22 - September 22
Clan of: Turtle (Earth Chief)
Wind is: South
Directional Totem is: Coyote
Conscious intent is: Discernment
Motive of Higher Self is: Soul’s Perfection
Plant/Flower: Violet
Mineral: Topaz

Keywords
Discerning Careful Practical
Precise Kind Critical

Birth Totem Black Bear is an individual whose outer personality is one of quiet observation.
As Birth Totem Black Bear moves through his/her daily life, there is a noticeable careful study of all he/she encounters and experiences. It is as though the intention is to sift and sort through all of the stimuli and input that the conscious mind encounters . . . to categorize and label each person, action and event so that a greater understanding and assimilation can occur.
In the wild, Black Bear is an omnivore, yet their diet will consist primarily of vegetarian fare and larvae or grubs. To attain the morsels of squirming grub, the Bear must forage around beneath fallen logs and stones, sifting and sorting through the forest debris in order to be rewarded with the treats they so enjoy and that will provide the sustenance that will benefit their physical well being.

Yet Birth Totem Bear will eventually realize that not everything can be understood with the physical senses alone, and the Individual Soul of another can never be neatly or completely labeled or categorized as it is dynamic and ever changing with that individual’s evolvement. Until Black Bear can come to the awareness that life is ever-changing, and that to attempt to understand the process with the physical senses alone will inevitably (and invariably) lead to frustration, he/she will be stunting their own spiritual growth.
Just as Black Bear must rely upon her/his intuition in order to prepare for the lean months of winter and to alert him/her of impending threat, so must Birth Totem Bear learn to rely a little less upon “physical evidence” and more upon his/her inner voice and feelings.
In this way, integration of Mind and Physical to that of the Emotions and Soul can take place leading to the Higher Intent of Black Bear’s incarnation . . . the Perfection of the Soul.


Birth Totem Crow

Birth dates: September 22 - October 22
Clan of: Butterfly (Air Chief)
Wind is: West
Directional Totem is: Grizzly Bear
Conscious intent is: Partnership
Motive of Higher Self is: Balance and Harmony.
Plant/Flower: Ivy
Mineral: Azurite

Keywords
Peaceful Intelligent Charming
Idealistic Romantic Tricky

Birth Totem Crow is an individual whose outer personality is driven by the Quest to bond with another.
By design, the Crow is a highly curious creature, imbued with a remarkable degree of intelligence. Despite such intelligence, this heightened curiosity will often lead Crow in the path of unforeseen danger. As he follows the glimmering call of a shiny penny, he is oblivious to the encroaching threat of an oncoming vehicle, so intent is he upon retrieving the fascinating object.
Birth Totem Crow individuals can become so focused upon the goal of attaining partnership, that other areas of their daily life may tend to be ignored, eventually leading to some crisis of faith, health or practical consideration that will realign them, at least temporarily, to the bills needing to be paid or the vehicle in need of repair.

In Nature, the Crow is part of a community of other Crows, and thus, they are very social, preferring the company of their fellow winged ones (and even the company of two-leggeds), to being alone. Like their Animal Brothers and Sisters, Birth Totem Crow will seek companionship and interactions with others almost compulsively. The underlying force that drives one who is operating from the Personality Center of this Birth Totem, is a fear of being alone and faced with their own company.
Because so much of the focus and attention for one with this Birth Totem is exerted upon relating to, and pleasing "Others," they have learned very little about themselves and thus, have not developed the relationship with the inner Self that is requisite for a Soul to fully integrate as it moves along the Sacred Hoop of Physical Life.
Once Crow individual takes the time to go Within and learn about themselves, their Role along the Red Road, and the Lessons they have chosen to come and learn, they will then discover all of the shiny and fascinating aspects of themselves that they have been blessed with. This may then take them on a Journey toward a deep and abiding relationship to the Self, consequently adding even more to their relationships with others.
Thus, the attainment of the Higher Intent for this Birth Totem may be had . . . to know true Balance and Harmony.


Birth Totem Snake

Birth dates: October 23 – November 22
Clan of: Frog (Water Chief)
Wind is: West
Directional Totem is: Bear
Conscious intent is: Physical Fulfillment
Motive of Higher Self is: Spiritual Union.
Plant/Flower: Thistle
Mineral: Amethyst

Keywords
Intense Regenerative Penetrating Passionate Scornful

Birth Totem Snake is an individual whose outer personality is driven by desires of both the physical body and the emotional heart.
In Nature, the snake is in a constant state of transformation, regeneration and renewal as he sheds his old skin, revealing a healthy, new skin to begin the next cycle of his Life.
Like their Birth Totem, individuals born under the Totem of Snake are souls compelled toward continual evolution and transformation, driven to discard the past and emerge with the new “flesh” and sight of the dawn now before them. Yet the process is often a challenging one as in order to step into the brilliant Light of Self Acknowledgment, these individuals must first face, and then release, the painful moments of their past.
Many such lessons for Birth Totem Snake will come in the guise of physical desires, as they are very sensual individuals that consciously seek to bond with another on a physical level.

These strong urges can be nearly overwhelming at times and may often lead one who has not integrated the Physical Self to the Spiritual, Mental and Emotional, into painful situations in which they may either unintentionally hurt another, or become hurt themselves.
The reason for this often is because there is a deeper calling that arises from the Soul of Birth Snake, the call to Spiritual Union with another. Yet this call, when one is operating from Personality, is heard as a call to join only in physical union. Those times when the Snake individual joins with another in an act of physical passion, yet the spiritual union is not achieved, is ultimately left with a sense of dissatisfaction. Whether verbally expressed to their partner or not, this dissatisfaction may ultimately lead to one or both partners becoming disillusioned and wanting “more” from the relationship.
When Birth Totem Snake individual can understand the motives of the Higher Self and can attain true integration between the Physical, Emotional, Spiritual and Mental Self, then the Motive of the Higher Self for Spiritual Union will ultimately be attained, both in terms of Union with the Self, and the Union with an Other.


Birth Totem Owl

Birth dates: November 23 - December 21
Clan of: Hawk (Fire Chief)
Wind is: West
Directional Totem is: Grizzly Bear
Conscious intent is: Understanding
Motive of Higher Self is: Harnessing of Concentration
Plant/Flower: Mistletoe
Mineral: Obsidian

Keywords
Optimistic Far-Seeing Insightful Direct Self-Indulgent

Birth Totem Owl is an individual whose outer personality is focused upon Understanding all of Life’s myriad mysteries.
In Nature, the Owl is known for her ability to quietly observe her prey as she sits perched atop a nearby tree limb, waiting for the opportune moment in which to strike. When the moment comes, Owl will fly silently, taking the intended prey by complete surprise.
Like their Birth Totem, individuals born under Owl will fly into new situations and encounters with their eyes wide open and their ears attuned to the slight nuances and mannerisms that will reveal much to them about their new environment or companions. This knowledge may be utilized to gain better understanding and appreciation for others, or (if the Owl person is operating from contrary Personality), the information obtained may be used to strike down those who they may perceive as a threat.
Perhaps the greatest natural ability of Birth Totem Owl individual is his/her ability to see the good in nearly any situation they encounter.
One who is operating from a well integrated Owl center, may inspire Others to rise above their own indifference and succumb to the contagious enthusiasm of the Owl, thereby participating in a group effort to effect positive change in the world around them.
One of the greatest challenges to this particular Birth Totem is that these individuals have a difficult time in settling their own restless inclinations to be forever on the move, if not literally, then metaphorically speaking. So intent are they upon seeing all they can see, and experiencing everything that can possibly be squeezed into one lifetime, that they often miss the deeper sense of satisfaction that can come with setting up nest and nurturing a deeper understanding of a few select topics, rather than skimming the surface of many varied subjects and hence, gleaning little useful knowledge.
When Birth Totem Owl individual can come to the Ultimate understanding of their own restless nature and quell the impulse to fly in fear of what they may find within themselves, then the Higher Self may be met and embraced through their newfound skill of focused concentration.


Birth Totem Goose

Birth dates: December 22 - January 19
Clan of: Turtle (Earth Chief)
Wind is: North
Directional Totem is: Buffalo
Conscious intent is: Conserve Resources
Motive of Higher Self is: Integrity through Proper Action
Plant/Flower: Bramble
Mineral: Peridot

Keywords
Determination Perseverance Ambitious
Resourceful Level Headed Self Involved

Birth Totem Goose is an individual whose outer personality is one of quiet determination and resourcefulness.
As one who is born under the Birth Totem of Goose goes about his/her daily life, they are conscious of the need to preserve all resources, both their own internal energies, and the resources of Nature.
Does this suggest that these individuals are lazy? Hardly, what it does suggest is that they know how to make the most out of their energy, plotting and planning their moves and steps along the Red Road of Physical Life so that they can produce the most effective results. Less conservation minded individuals would lay collapsed along the wayside, while Goose is still plodding resolutely forward, eyes firmly focused on the goal ahead.
Goose souls may become so single-minded in their drive to provide a safe nest for their mate and offspring that the relationship to these loved ones may suffer as a result.
It is not from lack of love or caring that interpersonal relationships suffer; it is rather from their tendency to block out all but the singular goal lest they become distracted and waver from attaining their objective. This is the greatest stumbling block for Goose as he/she may ultimately attain their beautifully feathered and sturdy nest, only to turn around when it has ultimately been achieved to find there is no mate there with which to share in the accomplishment.
Because they can become so driven and focused, these Birth Totem Goose may lose sight of those aspects that make life truly enjoyable, the connection to other souls along the Journey of Life. And while their own personal integrity in how they approach and operate in life is almost always above reproach due to their high standards of honesty, the ultimate lesson for these souls to learn from Goose is the need to balance material and physical aims with spiritual and emotional connections.
Once Goose recognizes that they need also preserve their relationships to others, then the unfolding of the Souls Higher Intent of Integrity through Proper Action can be achieved and the result is a beautifully woven, warm and full nest.


Birth Totem Otter

Birth dates: January 20 - February 18
Clan of: Butterfly (Air Chief)
Wind is: North
Directional Totem is: Buffalo
Conscious intent is: Swim in the Fountain of Knowledge
Motive of Higher Self is: Wisdom through understanding
Plant/Flower: Fern
Mineral: Turquoise

Keywords
Inventive Friendly Curious Independent Tactless

Birth Totem Otter is an individual who has incarnated into this particular lifetime to immerse him/herself in the Fountain of Knowledge.
As such, these souls will be in continual search of information, ideas and concepts that will provide a refreshing fountain from whence he/she will thirstily drink. However, as the fountain of knowledge is an eternal and never ending Source, in their enthusiasm to glean as much knowledge as quickly as possible, there may exist a tendency within these individuals to skim the surface, rather than explore the deeper waters that would result in truer Understanding.
By looking at the general inquisitiveness of the playful Sea Otter, we witness a creature that is capable of delving deep into the ocean’s waters to retrieve oysters encapsulated in shells. The Otter will then rise to the surface of the water, float on his/her back and crack open the shell to retrieve the tasty morsel that awaits inside.
Much like their Birth Totem, Otter individuals have a deep-seated curiosity that leaves them hungry for all of the "oysters" of information that exist in a Universal Sea of knowledge.
Yet the challenge for them is to not become so weighted down by the variety that is available to them that they are constantly picking up, and then dropping each idea in favor for a new and more tantalizing one.
Once Birth Totem Otter individual can learn that true Knowledge comes from applying experience to ideas, and then he/she will then crack the shell of understanding to delight in the Wisdom found within, thus fulfilling the Soul’s Higher Purpose.


Birth Totem Wolf


Birth dates: February 19 - March 20
Clan of: Frog (Water Chief)
Wind is: North
Directional Totem is: Buffalo
Conscious Intent is: Compassion
Motive of Higher Self is: Illumination
Plant/Flower: Plantain
Mineral: Jade

Keywords
Psychic Compassionate Spiritual
Illuminating Mystical Vague

Birth Totem Wolf individuals arrive on this plane of existence to learn the gift of the Seer. As such, these souls are highly intuitive, with an ability to attain great spiritual heights as they seek Union with the Ancestors that walk the Blue Road of Spirit.
Consequently, there is a part of the Birth Wolf soul that will seem to be somewhere far away, existing in another state of consciousness and not completely in touch with their physical surroundings or reality, as most would perceive reality to be. This is because some aspect of Birth Totem Wolf is operating at a slightly different wavelength, with one ear tuned and listening for the Voice of the Great Mystery.
Herein lies both the greatest blessing and the greatest challenge of this particular Birth Totem.

While taking up the Robe of Physical Life, it is necessary to be in the physical world, to face in Truth those things which may be uncomfortable, painful or "ugly" as it is a part of the educational process of the soul that walks in flesh. This is where the challenge comes for the Birth Totem Wolf individual, as these are sensitive, compassionate and tender beings that abhor the thought of Others existing in pain or suffering.
This is not to say that we need also to be of the Physical World. In other words, while it is important for the growth of the soul to encounter, acknowledge and transmute the Shadow, it is neither necessary nor beneficial to participate in those thoughts and actions that may bring pain or suffering to Self or Others.
Equally, wolf as he/she walks beside the two-legged (in any Role of Totem, e.g. Birth, Power, etc.) is a Teacher Soul, and therefore it is part of the Life Lesson of these individuals to Teach Others the gift of Compassion. Yet part of the higher vibration of Compassion, is the knowledge of when to stand back and allow an Other to walk their own Path in Truth, just as the mother wolf in the wild will teach her cubs requisite survival skills so that they may then either become a contributing member of the Pack, or so that they might forge off on their own to establish a new pack.
In facing One’s own Shadow Self with Conscious Awareness, eliminating and integrating those behaviors that inflict pain or delay the progress of the Soul, Birth Totem Wolf then operates from a clearer octave of Compassion, and ultimately fulfills the Soul’s Higher Intent of Spiritual Illumination.