In many cultures, especially those that have largely preserved the remains of archaic beliefs, a special type of spirituality is practiced, associated with the establishment of close internal contact with any animal. The latter is called a totem. In principle, almost any animal can play this role. But one of them, of course, leads in almost all such cults. It is, of course, about the wolf.
Objectives of the article
A totem is also called an animal of strength - spiritual, energetic, magical. In Russia, this practice is traditionally associated with the shamans of Altai, Siberia and the Far East and has very ancient roots in these regions. Totem Wolf has its own rich history, captured in many myths and tales. But we will not delve into historical studies, but talk about how important this animal is in the proposed religious and mystical context. In other words, our task is to find out what the Wolf totem is in its essence. We will try to describe the main values ​​of his figure and function as detailed as possible.
What is a totem
First, a totem is not always meant a specific animal of flesh and blood, but rather. the archetype behind the view as a whole. That is, the Wolf totem is not any representative of the canine family, but the concept itself, so to speak, of the wolfishness, or its idea, in the Platonic language. A real beast can act as a personification of a totem, a mediator between him and a person, and also as a carrier of characteristic totem qualities. Totem Wolf, whose photo you can see below, often became an animal of power not just of individuals. Entire shamanic clans, military fraternities, clans and other groups of people of different levels of organization and association elected him as their patron. In this case, a person’s personal totem may be completely different, but, being in this kind of association, it is replenished with a collective totem.
Goal of totemism
The actual goal of this practice is study. A person is required to be so imbued with the idea of ​​an animal, in this case wolfishness, in order to be reborn from the inside and become this creature in its own way. In other words, it is necessary to develop in yourself the qualities of your beast of strength in order to feel yourself as one with it. We are not talking about a disorder when a person actually feels himself to be one or another animal by its physical nature (Mowgli syndrome). In this case, it implies close spiritual contact, as a result of which the animal’s magical power comes into contact with a human being and teaches him some specific things that are characteristic for this representative of the fauna.
Wolf Totem in connection with military associations
It is well known that in nature wolves are subject to many rituals characteristic of their species. They distinguish places in relation to their purpose, protect their territory, and a complex hierarchy reigns in their society. All these features fit perfectly into the principles of organization and discipline of various military associations. In addition, wolves are predators, the personification of strength and aggression, courage and collective power, which also correlates very strongly with concepts of military prowess and honor. The Wolf totem of ancient Slavs, Scandinavians and many other peoples had such significance.
The principles of totemism
A person who has revealed the qualities of this animal in himself should not neglect his habits. Otherwise, it will turn against him. The fact is that a totem gives a person not only strength and knowledge, but also imposes some responsibility related to limitations. In other words, the Wolf totem, the meaning of which was suddenly discovered by a certain seeker of strength, must behave in accordance with the wolf, some intuitively felt, and sometimes quite obvious, code of honor. A person, for example, should not compromise with the principles of his own and foreign territory, but he must be aware of where he is and who is the master here. Wolves live in packs, respectively, the wolf type of person should not become too self-contained, indulge selfishness or lead a closed, reclusive lifestyle. Wolves are monogamous in nature. The same attitude in matters of love and marriage is required from a person. Otherwise, acting against his newly discovered nature, a person destabilizes his condition, which can provoke various diseases, both on the psychological and physiological level. Therefore, the iron rule for those who have established a connection with their totem is to live in harmony with its nature.
Wolf howl and inner honesty
A very characteristic feature of the wolf is its howl. In this way, these animals in nature transmit information and express themselves. Totem Wolf also requires a dedicated person to have this trait, which can sometimes lead to a conflict with the requirements of local culture and the characteristics of abstinence. The point, of course, is not to spontaneously and unrestrainedly show all your feelings, including bad ones. It implies the development of internal honesty and the eradication of all hypocrisy. A wolf person must show sincerity and openness in his feelings and emotions, without any suppression or tune. At the same time, he must possess true wolf composure and intelligence in order to understand when it is enough to growl or show a grin, when to rush to the attack, when not to pay attention, and when to put the withers under the ironing hand. Shameless rudeness, predatory attitude towards people and rudeness are by no means wolf qualities. Wolves are full of inner nobility, mind and fortitude, and only in common jokes and fairy tales are they described as forest gopniks. This image has nothing to do with totemism.
Common sense and intuition
Wolves are naturally savvy. The ward teaches this ward the totem of this animal. However, it must be clarified that this is not just about common sense, but about the development of the integrity of your entire being. This process includes, for example, the development of intuition. Thus, a person instinctively learns to find ways leading to the best result, as well as read various tips in the universe. That's what the Wolf totem actually teaches - meaning, signs ... But the wolf man howls (of course, not literally) in the sense that he often and fruitfully speaks with his subconscious, inner voice, the dialogue with which he is well established.
Communication
Wild wolves in nature can join forces with other creatures. From ancient times, a close relationship of these animals with crows was noted. The latter, for example, indicate the pack where the victim is, and the wolves, in turn, share part of the prey with the informant. Similarly, among humans, the totem Wolf and Raven can interact fruitfully. But in general, it is important to understand the principle itself, according to which wolves do not neglect mutually beneficial transactions, but use all the possibilities of joint fruitful cooperation. At the same time, one should not forget about the concept of honor - wolves will not use others in their selfish interests. It is only about such cooperation, which does not imply “kidalov”. The last for a human wolf is a shameful act.
Modesty
Rigid orders reign in the pack of wolves, and all individuals of the wolf community play their roles in it, occupying one or another hierarchical position. However, the character of the wolf does not tolerate any bragging, arrogance or arrogance. They have enough inner maturity, strength and prudence to not boast of their position. A wolf type person learns the same thing from his totem. He will not trump his reasons, title, connections, or other advantages for no reason. In general, a totem gives such an energy force that in the very appearance, look, posture of a person, enormous power begins to be felt. This is reflected in the fact that he, without a single word or gesture, literally by his presence alone, is able to tame excessively zealous people.
Inner rhythm
The wolf reaches puberty, and therefore full status, by the end of the second year of life. Hence, in various traditions, the special significance of the two-year period for those who have the Wolf as their totem is postulated. It is important for a person to learn to feel this rhythm and determine the zenith point of his strength. It is also worth noting that the wolf is closely connected with the planet Mars, the duration of complete revolution around the Sun of which is approximately equal to two earth years. Thus, a person with an awakened wolf totem is energetically dependent on the Martian year. This factor must be taken into account, but its values ​​should not be exaggerated. Still, man lives on Earth, and the Martian, like, however, and the wolf, influence plays an auxiliary, and not a decisive role.