Could I Get Any More Unique?

Okay, we all know that I'm special, and of course I'll provide (Pagan) examples.
1. I'm an Egyptian pagan. Patron deities? Aztec and Mayan.
2. Cama Zotz contacts me via The Discovery Channel and Facebook (okay, maybe that doesn't make me special, but it makes people around me special. I'm special by association).
3. My animal totems include: cats, bats, cows, coatis, jaguars and a new one.

And this new one is very much unique. I thought Lisey's giant squid totem was different. I think I win:
This, my lovelies, is a frilled shark. No, that isn't CGI or some other digital artwork. It's a real shark. This exact shark died in captivity (it was sick to begin with).

I'm either amazing or crazy, with an animal like this. I am in love with it. Seriously. It looks so amazing.

Animal Image Protection Spell

This is a spell used to protect your pets, great for all animals, but really good on housepets that go outside and think they are outdoor animals, like my silly kitty.

You will need a photograph of your pet and protection oil. A good protection oil recipe is found here at A Witch's Cauldron

1. Paint protective runes, hieroglyphs or other symbols onto the image
2. Anoint with protection oil
3. Keep the image in a discreet spot, touching up periodically with protection oil.

If you don't want to ruin the photo, you can paint the ruins IN protective oil over the photograph.

Animal Omens

I found this list in a book Lisey let me borrow called Witches All. It's a good book, really interesting. Lots of really good history in it.

This is a list of animal omens. I've never actually used animals for divination, so this list is also just for fun.

If you hear an owl hooting in the forest before midnight, it warns of trouble to come. If heard after midnight, it is a sign that death is near.

When you see a frog in early spring, creep up behind it and gently stroke its back with your finger. You will know true love before the snow flies.

And if you see a spider:
In the morning-you’ll know shame
At midday-pleasure and profit
In the afternoon-a gift it brings
In the evening-joy and mirth

Upon seeing crows, remember
One for sorrow,
Two for mirth,
Three for a wedding,
Four for a birth

Bad tidings in one quarter; an omen of disaster in another yet all witches know: black cat arrives, good fortune thrives

It is a bad omen to meet or follow a flock of sheep

A visit from a tricoloured cat will bring good luck. If you can entreat it to stay, magic paths will open before you.

Should a black dog coming to your home unbidden and take up residence with you—welcome the beast, for you can be sure good fortune will follow

Pegasus

Believe it or not, people can indeed have mythical animals as totems. In this case, Pegasus refers to any winged horse.

Inspiration
This totem will give you inspiration, quick and agile wisdom and the ability to fly over any situation.
He can be a helper with astral travel; and a protector during your travels.
Teaches humility and boundaries.
Can help change evil into good.

If you are feeling down, call upon a Pegasus, or if you attempting any sort of travel. I think that if you are attempting astral travel for the first time, you should call upon a Pegasus to help you, as it can be a very emotional and taxing time.

The Beaver

Ah, the glorious beaver: the symbol of Canada. Except, like, not really.
Anyway, the beaver animal totem is a great totem.

Dream Builder

The Beaver totem reminds us that we have to act on our dreams to make them reality. It is time for action. If this totem has entered your life, ask yourself:
Have I been neglecting my dreams?
Am I lost in my dreams and not acting upon them?

The Beaver reminds us that we have to act on our dreams to make them a reality. When it shows up, it is the time for action. Beaver can show you how to construct wonderful dreams! If you are a Beaver person, do not neglect your dental care. It is essential to those with a Beaver totem. A Beaver is also sets the example of teamwork for you to take into your work life and your family life.

Dreams are easier to build with a team helping.

If you need help with teamwork, dream building, dream interpretation, or turing dreams into reality, call on the beaver!

Animal Totems Prompt

Today’s pagan blog prompt comes to us from the LiveJournal community pagan_prompt.

Do you include animal totems in your pagan practice? If so, how?
I sometimes include animals in my pagan practise. I believe that harnessing the power of animals is one of the first things humans really learned how to do, be it through domestication or through religion. When I use the power of the animals, I tend to treat them like a deity and pray or petition to the animal spirit to grace me with whatever trait I’m after.

1. Since we are drawn to that which resonates with us, what animal, bird, or insect are you drawn to?
I’m really drawn to cats, particularly the small wild cats like ocelots and jaguarundis. Of the big cats, I really like jaguars and panthers. I’m not a big “fan” of the more well-known big cats like lions, tigers, and cheetahs.
Animals that aren’t cats that I like include coatis, which are like aardvarks.
Funny thing happened last night. It was dark and we were at Costco, it was about seven. I’m getting in the car, and out of the corner of my eye I could have sworn I saw a yellow jaguar or leopard.

2. When you go to the park, forest, or zoo what animal are you most interested in seeing?
At the zoo, I like seeing the jaguars. Our zoo in Toronto has a pair of them, a black one and a yellow one, and I swear to God, all they do is lay on their big Toltec reproduction head, sleeping. I think only once I’ve seen them awake. They are so cute!

3. What animal do you most frequently see when you're out in nature or in the city?
We have a lot of squirrels around here, so that’s mostly what I see. We have a chipmunk that lives in one of our flower beds as well, which Leiko (a purple flower fairy who has taken a liking to me) insists should become a totem for me.

4. What animals are you currently interested in learning about?
Right now I’m learning about coatis, jaguars, and ocelots for a story I’m working on.

5. Which animal do you find most frightening or intriguing?
I really am a little afraid of dogs, but I’m not really sure why. I find most insects to be frightening, so the less that I know about, the better.

6. Have you ever been bitten or attacked by an animal?
No

7. Is there a recurring animal in your dreams or do you have one you have never forgotten?
Most of my dreams don’t involve animals, but the one that did included two little black kittens.

Pictures in order
Ocelot, Coati, Jaguar, Jaguarundi

Heron/Egret

Animal totems are animals that we share characteristics with. Some call them spirit animals.
Everyone has one main totem animal, which helps throughout life, but you can always call on the spirits of animals to help you.

Some traits of the Heron or Egret totem
- Aggressive
- Self-Determination
- Self-Reliance

A Heron and Egret totem teaches balance; the ability to progress and evolve -- to walk into deeper waters without fear.

It is important for someone with a Heron and Egret totem to learn to stand on their own two feet, to become independent and self-reliant.

Heron and Egret has a strong connection to the element of Earth and you must also be aware and cultivate this connection. The Mother Earth is a source of strength
and will help you stand strong and firm

Heron medicine allows you to perform many tasks at the same time, keeping all in balance. If one way doesn't work, then another way will. Heron and Egret people seem to instinctively know this.

Heron people do not need a lot of people in their life and they are often follow non-traditional roles. They feel no need to "keep up with the Jones." They stand out in their uniqueness and know how to take advantage of things and events that most people wouldn't bother with. You know what is best for you and you should follow that path. Be aggressive when opportunities present themselves -- don't let them get away from you.

Meditation on color will provide insight to Heron and Egret people