ANIMAL PEOPLE

I find that it's a lot easier to relate to people once you understand what kind of animal they are.

This may sound like pigeonholing or labelling, but really I prefer to think of it as "Archetyping." And as far as that goes, it's only a guideline. People change and deviate from their starting points over time; but if you can find one overall set of behaviours that seems to help explain that person to you, an archetype of their personality, then you're closer to understanding that person and your relationship with them.

Jamie Sams has written many books on Native American wisdom, including animal totem medicine. While her books are more spiritual in nature, the idea behind animal totemism is that the "medicine" your animal spirit provides is a pure sort of general archetypical set of wisdom associated with that animal.

This theory also comes into play when trying to understand someone else's psychological makeup.

We categorize animals by their species. Each species has perceived traits that we apply to the entire lot of them-- something we wouldn't do to humans. We're all complex and difficult. But if we can perceive parallels between a particular human being and an animal "totem"-- well, I've found that it helps sort out a whole bunch of difficulties in understanding.

I had a hard time communicating with my father-in-law or understanding his motivations until I understood that he was, basically, a Badger. A quiet digger who lives in a quiet place and basically wants to be left alone; whose anger is slow but, as he is a member of the bear family, should really not be roused. Cuz those digging claws are sharp.

It put things into perspective for me. Of course there's more to the man than these simple Badger traits, but now I had a context for understanding his other sides. I had something to go on.

My mother-in-law is always flitting about, weighs like two pounds, dresses in bright colors and can't sit still. She's a Cardinal-- a tiny red bird. She hops and flits from branch to branch, feeding her children and gathering for her nest and eats sparingly and twitters away. No, my mother-in-law is not an airhead-- but for the longest time I couldn't relax around her because she'd flit off this way and that until I wanted to shout at her to stand still. Now that I see that bright red Cardinal, though, I get the whole bird-energy and I can figure out how to empathize with it.

My own mother is a wolf. Her family is her pack. Once she gets her teeth into something she won't let go, and when she's on the hunt for something she will not be satisfied until she has run her prey to ground. She's a provider. She's single-minded in her duty to her pack. Folks who know my mother will know exactly what I mean when I say "wolf." She also has that "predator" aura around her-- some call her "intimidating" though she's only 5'4".

I inherited her wolfyness. I like to travel with a pack, but I also enjoy my den, my space. I can be territorial. I sometimes fight for dominance in a new pack surrounding. I growl and show my teeth a lot. If the pack I'm with isn't a good place for me I move on to find a new pack. Now that I have a family I am getting more in touch with my inner wolf, actually. It helps me understand myself, my relation to people around me, and my temper.

I'll interject here: Not everyone perceives animals the same way. The Native teachings might only have room for one or two archetypes per animal, but you have to decide what the animal means to you. You might not see Wolf the same way I see Wolf. Badgers to you might be vicious and foul-tempered as opposed to the more laconic example above. However you see an animal totem, that's how you see them; you can still apply this theory in your own life-- you don't have to agree with my definitions.

Since I know some of you are curious, I'll define my friends as I see them:

Mike R. is a cat. He's fastidious, tidy, likes things just so. He's a male cat, rolling around and getting into stuff and having fun-- doing the "feline short circuit" and tearing around the room, and then just as suddenly serene. The Zen of Being, as espoused by the feline. Slightly gay. Catty, even.

Tony W. is a lion. His thing is watching over his domain. In this case, his electronics and their management are his Pride. Although he can hunt for himself, he prefers his Lioness to do it. Who's had a harder day? Who will get up first to go into the kitchen? He's a contented Lion, too-- comfortable, reclined on his couch up there on Pride Rock, like any feline when they find a good patch of sun. Can actually eat an entire wildebeest.

Joel P is a bear. It's a no-brainer, we ALL know it. He even has the physical form of one. Introspective, omnivorous-- he forages for new things and generally will avoid raucous noise or disturbances-- or middle management. Will rear up and show dominance if smaller things start to piss him off. Will actually charge the fence if provoked. You'd think Don't Poke The Bear would be something people would just instinctively know. Happy to be in his cave, appreciates nature and how things work.

Mrs. M is a badger like her father. She's methodical, just-so, and gets ornery when her routine is disrupted. Has the patience of a slow-fused animal but when roused is just like a mama-member of the bear family. Her "set"-- badger tunnel-- is orderly and immaculate. Spends much of her time keeping it that way. Routine is everything; will retreat underground when too many strangers get near the "set."

If you're having trouble coping with an annoying someone, or are completely lost as to how to relate to them, try the Animal Totem method. If nothing else, it will probably give you a chuckle when that annoying boss of yours suddenly becomes a mouse to your eye.

Posted by Agent M at April 23, 2004 01:04 PM