Wolf Spirit Totem The Teacher and Animal Spirit Guides

Role: ~The Teacher~

Medicine: Shapeshifting

Scientific name: Canis Lupus

Much maligned throughout history, the wolf is a shy creature which would prefer to have little to do with humans. Certainly it is not the vicious marauder of fables and foke lore. Perhaps people fear the Wolf because of the way he calls to them. His howl in the night raises the hackles of our souls and calls us awake and wondering. Perhaps what we fear is not the wolf, but the wildness in ourselves.

Like humans, wolves live in a communal structure. The pack has a strict hierarchy, with the alpha male and female leading the pack. The beta wolves do not breed, but instead care for the pups of the alpha male and female. At the bottom of the hierarchy is the Omega wolf, the scapegoat, who is bullied, and who often goes without when food is scarce.

Wolves hunt in a cooperative technique that served as a model for many "primitive" tribes who watched them. Pack members take turns chasing the prey, in a "tag team" manner so that they can exhaust their prey long before themselves.

As with most animals who live in social groups, wolves have evolved a variety of ways to communicate. The communicate through an evocative mix of body postures, facial expression and tail stances as well as through vocal means -- yelps, whines, growls. And they howl. And incredible hair-raising, spirit wakening sound. The howl is used to help locate members, establish territorial boundaries, strengthen group unity, and dare I suggest -- worship the Moon.

With the exception of Alaska and Canada, where wolves are abundant, and Montana, where wolves are only considered "threatened", wolves are an endangered species throughout North America.

In Native American traditions, Wolf is said to be "teacher" medicine. Humans have followed Wolf for millennia, studying Wolf's ways of the hunt, learning from their social structure. Wolf is allied with Sirus, the Dog Star, and it is said in many cultures, that our ancestors and teachers came from there. This is agreed upon by Australian Aborigines, and the Dogon tribe of Africa, as well as certain Native American tribes. Wolf has much to teach us, if only we will listen.

Wolf is allied to the moon and lunar energies, teaching us to respect our emotions and unconscious urges. Respect for the wildness of our animal natures, and willingness to face the dark within ourselves is an imperative for Wolf people. Trust in the unspoiled nature of your Child/Wolf self.

Because the Moon rules psychic perception, Wolf people should work on learning to trust their intuition and psychic urges, to listen for the still small voice within.

The communal nature of Wolf's culture and hunting helps us to learn to cooperate to achieve a goal. Wolf people make good "team players" and are fiercely loyal to those they consider part of their pack. They often have strong leadership qualities, however they must often learn to balance their tendency for "social dominancing." As a predator, Wolf culls the sick and weak of the herd. Wolves are often quick to scent when a situation is "sick," and will work to change it. It is important that they learn to lead the situation gently, and without tearing others apart, or the pack may turn on them.

Wolf's capacity for communication suggests that Wolf people should learn to utilize the strength of their voice and to be aware of their body language. When dealing with Wolf people, listening for the nuances of vocal tone and watching their motions will help in gaining an understanding of them. Wolves often make excellent bards and storytellers.

Ritual is very important to Wolf. Both the little rituals of day-to-day conduct, and the bigger rituals of lunar howling. Whatever their spiritual beliefs, Wolf people will feel more in tune when they honor and re-link (the actual meaning of the word "religion") with the life force.

Other animal totems include:

Ant - prosperity, earth power, unity

Antelope - grace, swiftness, nibleness

Badger - strength, protection

Bat - adaptability, longevity, guidance, transition

Bear - healing, divinity, invulnerability

Beaver - stability, resourcefulness, practicality, steadfastness

Bee - selflessness, self-sufficiency, organization

Birds (in general) - soul, divinity, liberation, creativity, rebirth

Boar - chivalry, strength, fearlessness, confidence

Bull - maculine energy, renewal, fertility, growth

Butterfly - transformation, joy, lightness, rebirth

Caribou - cycle of life, rebirth, abundance

Cat - independence, magick, abundance

Condor - awareness, development, guidance, control, wisdom

Cougar - exploration, balance

Cow - fertility, purity, divinity

Coyote - transformation, creation, cunning, good fortune

Crab - endurance, protection, decisiveness

Crocodile _ opporturnity, risk, fertility, life

Crow - renewal, transformation, magick, abundance

Deer - instinctual energy, independence, regeneration

Dog - devotion, protection

Dolphin - life feminine energy, sexuality

Donkey - practicality, conscience, sensibility

Dove - sexuality, peace, divine inspiration

Dragon - wisdom, patience, protection, immortality

Duck - emotional stability, balance, humor

Eagle - power, creation, illumination, exploration

Elephant - strength, prosperity, fertility, wisdom

Falcon - independence, solitude, higher awareness

Fish - feminine energy, fertility, abundance

Fox - cunning, sexuality, creativity

Frog - feminine energy, creation, fecundity

Gargoyle - patience, observance, cycle of life wisdom

Gazelle - persistence, communal strength

Giraffe - friendship, easy-going nature

Goat - caprice, mischief, sexuality, fertility

Goose - heritage, inspiration, guidance, stability

Gorilla - control, discipline, confidence, kindness

Grasshopper - happiness, good fortune, longevity

Gryphon - wisdom, agility, flexibility, persistence

Hawk - healing, vision, rebirth, spirituality

Heron - life, feminine energy, renewal

Horse - friendship, wisdom, strength

Insect (any) - power, spirituality, renewal

Jaguar - wholeness, divinity, rebirth

Kingfisher - peace, abundance, love

Leopard - stealth, strength, purity

Lion - courage, strength, healing, protection, life energy

Lizard - regeneration, enriched dreamlife, balance, partnership

Lynx - patience, cunning, intuition

Monkey - agility, courage, spirit

Mouse - trust, self-examination, persistence, devotion

Owl - sexual energy, darkness, liberation

Panther - magick, darkness, death

Parrot - love, prophesy, verbosity, meditation

Peacock - vision, wisdom, beauty, guardianship

Phoenix - rebirth, strength, protection, vitality

Polar Bear - power, wisdom, peace

Puman - power, desire, healing

Rabbit - power, abundance, heroism, seasons, cycle of life, fertility

Ram - sacrifice, growth, devine life

Rat - courage, mystery, cunning, frivolity and fun

Raven - creation, magick, illumination

Rooster - enthusiasm, prophecy, masculine power

Scarab - regeneration

Sea Horse - strength, guidance, transformation, feminine energy

Sheep - elegance, creativity, strength

Spider - protection, aid, wisdom

Snake - transformation, healing, sexuality, rebirth

Swan - transformation, loss of innocence, beauty

Tiger - primal power, creation, perception

Turtle - wisdom, protection, longevity, stability

Unicorn - innocence, beauty, grace, trust

Whale - balance, spiritual development, responsibiltiy

Wolf - creation, healing, purification

Zebra - wisdom, strength, blending, individuality