Totems

[potato_head]

This is mostly for my own sake as a reminder to me of what my totems are, but am making it public because I know at least Paige will be interested in them.

For reference I use a natural time/action elemental system rather than...the usual one. They fit within a larger system that Corey and I discovered and that is difficult to describe all in one go. So um, if it doesn't make sense, sorry :c

Also keep in mind that I don't use generic definitions for totems, these are how I personally relate to the animal. There are also animals that I recognize as 'related' (although not necessarily biologically).

Caribou
(all deer, moose)
"Frozen Death" totem
Element: moonlight on snow
Characteristics: steadiness, wisdom, caution (fear), fleetness of action, wholeness
Visual: soul-circle created with antlers and a moon
Notes: my primary totem.


(European) Badger
(other meles badgers, honey badger, mole)
"Forest Decay" totem
Element: darkness and loam
Characteristics: anger, strength (aggression), solidity (attachment to material objects)
Visual: den with claws

Heron
(cranes)
"Swamp Decay" totem
Element: water in twilight
Characteristics: singularity (loneliness, isolation), peace, observation, logic, change
Visual: heron with raised crest

Fox
(mongoose, pine marten/fishercat)
"Ritualized Death" totem
Element: graveyard at late twilight
Characteristics: violence, stagnation, social adroitness (manipulation), elegance (vanity), hunger (greed), cleverness, fate/inevitability
Visual: stuffed and mounted fox in firelight
Notes: my most negative totem, although of course not entirely negative