Wiccans do recognize the religious concept of an animal, plant, or object having a spiritual significance. Some might even develop relationships with one or more animal or plant spirits.
Nevertheless, whether a Wiccan has anything like that in her personal practice, s/he probably does not call that spirit her/his "totem."
Aside from that, I don't think the date of one's birth automatically ties one to a particular "spirit," "plant," "animal," or "totem."
In October 2011, something wandered around the social networks called the "Totem Pixie Plot Zodiac Chart" which had birth dates for the Northern Hemisphere which determined an individual's "totem."
March 21 - April 19: FalconIt is clear from the list that these animals are not "totems," they are intended to replace the Greek zodiac signs. Thus, if you are born between March 21 - April 19, you are a "Falcon," rather than an "Aries."
April 20 - May 20: Beaver
May 21 - June 20: Deer
June 21 - July 21: Woodpecker
July 22 - Aug 21: Salmon
Aug 22 - Sep 21: Brown Bear
Sep 22 - Oct 22: Raven
Oct 23 - Nov 22: Serpent
Nov 23 - Dec 21: Owl
Dec 22 - Jan 19: Goose
Jan 20 - Feb 18: Otter
Feb 19 - March 20: Wolf
The term "totem" is of Ojibwa/Chippewa origin; however, this list is NOT part of traditional Ojibwa/Chippewa teachings about "totems."
Apparently, this list is derived from Sun Bear's "Medicine Wheel Astrology." Sun Bear, a.k.a. Vincent La Duke or Gheezis Mokwa (1929-1992), was a Native American who taught to non-Native Americans. Sun Bear was an Ojibwa/Chippewa Medicine Man,* as well as an author, teacher, and actor who is probably best remembered as the founder and Medicine Chief of the Bear Tribe Medicine Society in the 1970's.
I have little information about Sun Bear's teachings. Thus, I suggest you check his book: Sun Bear, The Medicine Wheel: Earth Astrology 1992. ISBN: 0671764209
Incidentally, these are the dates and "totems" which were listed by Blue Wolf Reiki in October 2011 for the Southern Hemisphere, which also wandered around the social networks with the "Totem Pixie Plot Zodiac Chart":
Sept 22 - Oct 22: FalconApparently, Blue Wolf Reiki simply flipped the system and dates to fit the seasons on the Southern Hemisphere.
Oct 23 - Nov22: Beaver
Nov 23 - Dec 21: Deer
Dec 22 - Jan 19: Woodpecker
Jan 20 - Feb 18: Salmon
Feb 19 - March 20: Brown Bear
March 21 - April 19: Raven
April 20 - May 20: Serpent
May 21 - June 20: Owl
June 21 - July 21: Goose
July 22 - Aug 21: Otter
Aug 22 - Sept 21: Wolf
I will restate that neither of these charts are actually part of any genuine Native American Indian tribal lore about Native American Indian "totems."
According to MAIC:
Regardless of the proliferation of hundreds web sites and books that associate "birth totems" or some other weird concoction such as "animal spirit cards" or "medicine cards" with American Indian belief systems, there is none and never has been any such association. Purveyors of so-called birth totems combine our belief in animal spirits with astrology and assign various animal spirit guides to a particular birth date of the individual. Animal spirit cards also assign an animal spirit to the individual by the chance shuffle of the cards. Both of these practices have no basis in American Indian religious beliefs.I will add that these two "birth totem" charts are not part of mainstream Wicca.Manataka American Indian Council (MAIC), POB 476, Hot Springs Reservation, AR 71902, 501-627-0555
copyright 2012 Myth Woodling
*"To end any confusion, the Ojibwe and Chippewa are not only the same tribe, but the same word pronounced a little
differently due to accent. If an "O" is placed in front of Chippewa (O'chippewa), the relationship becomes apparent.
Ojibwe is used in Canada, although Ojibwe west of Lake Winnipeg are sometimes referred to as the Saulteaux. In United
States, Chippewa was used in all treaties and is the official name. The Ojibwe call themselves Anishinabe (Anishinaubag,
Neshnabek) meaning "original men" (sometimes shortened to Shinob and used as a nickname among themselves)..."
--Lee Sultzman, Ojibwe History, June 21, 2000
I wrote the above FAQ early in 2012. It is now October 2012 and the subject of the terms, "totems" and "animal spirits," has again popped up on social networks regarding, "What does 'totem' mean? Do Wiccans, Witches, etc. --with no Native American Indian ancestry--have totems?"
Clearly, there should be more information gathered and shared. I might as well begin by discussing the different definitions of totem, totemism, and totem poles.
totem:Etimologically, the word, "totem" is an Anglicization of the Ojibwa/Chippewa word odoodem, "his kinship group," from the root -oode-. It is related to the words: dodaem "sibling", ototeman "his totem", or nintotem "mark of my family."1. totem (21st century Social Science/Anthropology/Ethnology) In some societies--especially among Native American Indians in North America--an object, usually a species of animal or plant, or natural phenomenon symbolizing a tribe, clan, family, etc--often having spiritual significance and ritual associations.
2. totem (Social Science/Anthropology & Ethnology) a carved or painted representation of such an object.
3. totemism (19th century British anthropology) many 19th century British anthropologist believed totemism--involving matrilineal descent, fetishism, and exogamy was the fundamental institution of primitive societies and the essential basis of their religion and beliefs.
4. totemism/totem (Freudian psychoanalysis theory) In the early 20th century, Sigmund Freud applied psychoanalysis to the fields of archaeology, anthropology, and the study of religion. According to Freud, totemism was the earliest form of religion and a totem was a common ancestor of a clan. This totem animal symbolized a clan's guardian spirit or helper. Yet, psychologically--according to Freud--the animal totem was a surrogate for the father. Thus, the primative religion of totemism existed to forbid incestuous desires felt by family members toward one another.
5. totem poles (Pacific Northwest of North America) large wooden poles on which figures are carved and painted by the Pacific Northwest Native American Indians. These carved poles were erected by powerful Native American leaders to represent their social status and the importance of their families and clans. Pacific Northwest totem poles display many different designs: birds, bears, frogs, whales, various supernatural beings, etc. These designs are generally considered the property of a particular clan or family group. Nevertheless, the term, "totem poles," is something of a misnomer as applied to the Pacific Northwest poles. These "totem poles" did not seem to serve quite the same purpose as "totems" among Ojibwa/Chippewa and other Native American Indians in North America. The Ojibwa/Chippewa neither made or displayed totem poles in the same fashion as the Pacific Northwest Native American Indians.
In common 20th century American speech or slang, the terms, "totem" and "animal spirit guide," were eventually used almost interchangeably, especially in fiction.
In the late 20th century, some individuals--who were not part of any Native American Indian tribe or other traditional tribal culture--adopted a "personal spirit animal helper" or "personal animal symbol" which had special meaning to them.
Some of these folks did refer to this "animal helper" or "animal symbol" as a "totem" often in the phrase, "My personal totem is ___." 1 This non-traditional usage of the term was fairly common in both the "mythopoetic men's movement" 2 and the 1980's New Age movement. 3
There is a rich diversity among Native American Indian culture and even more diversity among contemporary Native Americans in religion. Thus, some Wiccans now avoid borrowing this term "totem," because using this word implies use of Native American Indian lore--which we aren't using. Our (my husband's and mine) personal preference 4 is to use the term "animal spirit" or "animal spirit guide." We simply feel these generic terms more accurately describe what we are talking about.
One should remember that concepts involving animal and plant spirits are found in many cultures. Likewise, the idea of a "spirit guide" and/or "guardian spirit" is found in several cultures and magical systems.
End Notes
1 The term "totem" was widely used in the 1980's and did also pop up in the Neo-Pagan and Wiccan community.
During meditation, someone might have an animal manifest to her/him. For example, in the mid 1980's, I knew someone who had a stag appear to her in various meditations and pathworks. Such an animal might be an animal spirit guide.
However, some others in the 1980's would decide: "I think the ___ (often eagle/wolf/bear) is a smart, beautiful, and powerful animal, so I choose the ___ (eagle/wolf/bear) to be my personal spirit totem."
In my opinion, the animal is then a valued, and often beloved, "animal symbol," but it is not a "totem" and may not be an "animal spirit guide."
Thoron commented that people rarely say, "I think the stink bug is a beautiful and powerful insect, so I choose the stink bug to be my personal spirit totem." He felt that a stink bug may be worth considering if it shows up offering to be a spirit guide in a meditation. You have to admit, it could teach you to be persistent, determined, and able to resist predation.
2 Robert Bly, Iron John: A Book About Men, 1990.
3 Lynn V. Andrews, Medicine Woman, 1981.
4I don't wish to imply that my spouse and I are unique in this preference. I have heard sundry friends in the community voice a similar preference. That being said, I haven't actually taken a local survey on this subject. (If this subject crops up in October 2013, I may have to launch a survey.)
According to Eddy Benton-Banai (1988) the Ojibway clan system was a system of government and a division of roles and labor. William Warren, listed 21 totems (both by their Ojibway name and in English), noting that, according to oral tradition, in the beginning there were only five. Originally the totem descended through the male line and individuals were not to marry within their own clan. According to Warren, the principle totems were the "crane, catfish, bear, marten, wolf, and loon" (Warren 1885:45). Warren indicated the English name for the more extensive list of 21 totems to be as follows: Crane, Catfish, Loon, Bear, Marten, Rein, Deer, Wolf, Merman, Pike, Lynx, Eagle, Rattlesnake, Moose, Black Duck or Cormorant, Goose, Sucker, Sturgeon, White Fish, Beaver, Gull, and Hawk (Warren 1885:44-45). The Ojibway Totemic or Clan System, accessed 10/8/12.Traditionally, the Ojibway Clan System was created to provide leadership and to care for these needs. There were seven original clans and each clan was known by its animal emblem, or totem. The animal totem symbolized the strength and duties of the clan. The seven original clans were given a function to serve for their people. Ojibway Clan System, accessed 10/8/12.
totem (n.)
animal or natural object considered as the emblem of a family or clan, 1760, from Algonquian (probably Ojibwa) odoodeman "his sibling kin, his group or family," hence, "his family mark;" also attested in French c.1600 in form aoutem among the Micmacs or other Indians of Nova Scotia. Totem pole is 1808, in reference to west coast Canadian Indians.
Douglas Harper, Online Etymology Dictionary 2001-2012, accessed 10/8/12
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