What Is a Totem?
A totem is a spiritual emblem that represents personal or collective identity, serving as a bridge between the physical and spiritual worlds. Across cultures, totems have been used to embody the energies of animals, ancestors, deities, and natural forces. They offer guidance, protection, and insight, forming a sacred connection to the unseen.
In many traditions, totems can be symbolic, appearing in dreams, meditation, or ritual work, while others may take physical form through carved poles, paintings, or talismans. Totems help individuals align with their spiritual purpose, providing lessons and affirmations in their personal journey.
My Personal Totem: A Reflection of Transformation and Magic
As the current keeper of Grandma’s Grimoire, my totem is a reflection of my spiritual journey, shaped by my deep connections to transformation, ancestral work, nature, and esoteric wisdom. Each animal within my totem carries an aspect of my personal magic, guiding me through my craft and spiritual path.
The Eight Symbols of My Totem
1. The Serpent (Wisdom, Healing, Cycles) 🐍
At the base is the serpent, a symbol of deep wisdom, transformation, and the cycles of life. It represents my connection to the Tree of Life, Qabalah, and my interest in esoteric knowledge, as well as my work in shadow exploration and renewal. The serpent is the bridge between the seen and unseen, a guardian of sacred mysteries.
2. The Deer (Nature, Guidance, Gentle Strength) 🦌
The deer, especially the stag, represents my connection to Cernunnos and the wild spirit of the land. This reminds me to move with grace through life’s challenges while standing firm in my power. Deer have appeared to me as omens and messengers, guiding me deeper into my practice of ancestral veneration and nature-based spirituality.
3. The Bee (Sacred Work, Creation, Community) 🐝
Bees symbolize diligence, sacred labor, and the interconnectedness of all things. My experience with the bee that inspired my painting, “Lady,” revealed the power of small moments and their transformative energy. My artwork often leans into surrealism, blending symbolism with dreamlike elements, and this teaches me to stay devoted to my craft, tending to my spiritual work with care and intention.
4. The Heron (Patience, Liminality, Balance) 🦢
I have encountered great blue herons near the Schuylkill River, always feeling their presence as an omen of patience and divine timing. The heron walks between worlds, embodying balance and the ability to navigate liminal spaces—a skill I embrace in my magical practice and connection with the unseen.
5. The Raven (Magic, Messages, Ancestral Wisdom) 🖤
The raven, tied to Hekate and the mysteries of the underworld, represents my work with ancestral veneration, shadow work, and magic. Ravens are known to be messengers, appearing at moments of deep spiritual transformation. This reminds me to trust my intuition and listen to the whispers of the spirits guiding me.
6. The Spider (Weaving, Creativity, Mystery) 🕷️
The spider, a symbol of Hekate, represents creativity, fate, and the weaving of life’s intricate patterns. I have always been fascinated by spiders and their webs, which embody both connection and mystery. While I prefer larger spiders remain outdoors (a lesson marked by the scar on my eyebrow from a bite), I welcome the small jumping spiders that often reside on my windowsills. Their presence reminds me to embrace life’s delicate interconnections and trust the patterns being woven in my spiritual practice.
7. The Dragon (Guardianship, Mysticism, Elemental Power) 🐉
The dragon is an integral part of my personal mythology, present in my tattoos, visions, and magical practice. This totem embodies fire and water, destruction and rebirth, mystery and power. It is both a guide and a protector, fueling my esoteric studies, manifestation work, and personal evolution.
8. The Phoenix (Rebirth, Alchemy, Personal Transformation) 🔥
At the top is the phoenix, the ultimate symbol of transformation and rebirth. This sacred firebird represents my journey through shadow work, self-discovery, and spiritual evolution. Like the phoenix, I rise again and again, embodying the alchemy of art, magic, and healing.
The Role of Totems in Spiritual Practice
Building a personal totem is a powerful exercise in self-reflection, intention, and magic. It can serve as reminders of the forces guiding us, helping to shape our spiritual identity. Here’s how you can incorporate totems into your practice:
- Meditate on your spiritual allies: Pay attention to recurring symbols in dreams, visions, or synchronicities. These may be your totemic guides.
- Create physical representations: Carvings, paintings, or altar statues can solidify your connection with your totems.
- Honor their wisdom: Work with their energies in spells, rituals, or daily practices. Each totem has a lesson to teach.
- Use them for guidance: In times of uncertainty, turn to your totems as spiritual mentors, reminding you of your strengths and purpose.
The Ever-Evolving Totem
Totems are not static—they grow, shift, and evolve as we do. Mine is a living representation of my magic, and as my journey continues, new symbols may emerge, while others deepen in meaning. Through Grandma’s Grimoire, I channel the wisdom of my totems, weaving their lessons into my craft and sharing them with others.
Whether you build your own totem through meditation, dreamwork, or artistic expression, know that it is an extension of your spirit—a sacred mirror of your soul’s journey. What symbols call to you? What guides are waiting to reveal themselves?
For as long as I can remember, I always wanted to be a Grandma. I was fortunate to have two wonderful grandmothers while I was growing up and I have many happy memories of each of them. Today, I live in a “Grandmother’s House” where my husband and I enjoy lots of time with our family. In addition to my role as Grandma to nine grandchildren, I am a daughter, a wife, a mother of three grown children, a sister, an aunt, a friend, a writer, an artist … and a witch.
✨Grandma’s Grimoire✨ is a collection of family wisdom interwoven with a touch of magick. Our goal is to create a living and lasting legacy that we hope will inspire our future generations as well as anyone who is drawn to it.