Animal Spirits: The Native American Way
Current mood: refreshed
Category: Dreams and the Supernatural
I believe that People,Plants and Animals have auras and are filled with energy and that Our spirits live on after we die, just as animals. It is comforting to know, that after our pets die, and we die, that we really DO get reunited with our pets. I do believe that whatever animal companion we had here on earth, will be our animal companion in the Spirit World. I love that you wrote about the Totems.
I have done Medicine Cards many times over the years and there are slight variations to the Totems. For instance, according to the Medicine Cards;
Eagle: Spirit
Hawk: Messenger
Elk: Stamina
Deer: Gentleness
Bear: Introspection
Snake: Transmutation
Skunk: Reputation
Otter: Woman Medicine
Butterfly: Transformation
Turtle: Mother Earth
Moose: Self Esteem
Porcupine: Innocence
Coyote: Trickster
Dog: Loyalty
Wolf: Teacher
Raven: Magic
Mountian Lion: Leadership
Lynx: Secrets
Buffalo: Prayer and Abundance
Mouse: Scrutiny
Owl: Deception
Beaver: Builder
Opossum: Diversion
Crow: Law
Fox: Camouflage
Squirrel: Gathering
Dragonfly: Illusion
Armadillo: Boundaries
Badger: Aggressiveness
Rabbit: Fear
Turkey: Give-Away
Ant: Patience
Weasel: Stealth
Grouse: Sacred-Spiral
Horse: Power
Lizard: Dreaming
Antelope: Action
Frog: Cleansing
Swan: Grace
Dolphin: Manna
Whale: Record Keeper
Bat: Rebirth
Spider: Weaving
Hummingbird: Joy

Some of these people may look at the "quality or characteristic" as negative. Reputation isn't negative, unless you make it negative. Some of these forewarn you of things to be aware of.
Some take some true introspection, others are more obvious in meaning.

The way I found out my 9 Totems (according to Medicine Cards we have 9 Totems:

1 from the East, 1 from the West, 1 from the North, 1 from the South, 1 Above, 1 Below, 1
Within, and Mother Earth(on our Left, protector of your female side and teaches you that you must learn to receive abundance as well as nurture yourself and others and teacher of relationships and mothering. Father Sky animal totem is on the Right, which protects your male side and teaches you that no matter where you turn, it will be your Father-protector within. This animal also carries your courage and warrior spirit.

The Last Time I did these I was a Young adult (not to say that I am old, yet!)

These are/were my animal totems, I feel that as we grow, we do change, and possible I have gained new totems... (Like a Wolf: Teacher Dog: Loyalty (I am a teacher, so that would make sense, and am drawn to dogs, and have dreams about German Shepard and wolves sometimes, I am also drawn to the Hawk:Messenger, because I have been a messenger for my loved ones who have passed away)

My 9 Totems:
(East) Moose: Self Esteem (sometimes, lack of it)
(South) Grouse: Sacred Spiral
(West) Antelope : Action (I don't like to wait on others, I just do it)
(North) Mouse: Scrutiny (I scrutinize and criticize things before getting into them)
(Above) Otter: Woman Medicine (healing, Reiki)
(Below) Bat: Rebirth (spiritual rebirth, I have renewed, and continue to renew my faith)
(Within): Buffalo: Prayer and Abundance
Mother Earth: Turtle
Father Sky: Lizard: Dreaming (I dream all the time, I will have revelations, and visitations)