Let’s Look At Today’s Totem, The Dog

For the Celtic people, the dog, horse, and bull were considered the three most important domestic animals with a sacred significance. Throughout most of northern Europe, the dog was associated with various mother goddesses. It was commonplace to bury a great leader with his pack of dogs, and for the Irish, both the wolf and the hunting dog were used as symbols of accomplished young warriors.

A warrior society of the Cheyenne called themselves the Dog Soldiers, of Crazy Dogs, and vowed never to retreat in battle, regardless of the fierceness of the fray or how badly they might be outnumbered.

Artemis/Diana, the classical mythol

ogical figure of the Goddess of the Hunt, manifested for the evening’s pursuit of game surrounded by her pack of dogs. The powerful goddess figure of the huntress is replicated in Sarama, the Vedic mother of the Dogs of Yama, and the Hounds of Annwn, the Celtic goddess.

The Scandinavians portrayed the dog as guardian of the underworld; thus, it was customary to bury a dog wit hteh deceased as a guide to the afterlife. In their cosmology, it will be the hound of Garm that will set in motion the events leading to Ragnarok, earth’s fiery end, and it will the the wolf Fenrir that will break loose at the time of destruction.

A number of the eastern Native American tribes also believe that a dog was stationed to guard the Way of the Departed Spirits.

The ancient Egyptian’s Anubis, the dog-headed god, is also a canine gatekeeper of the Other World, responsible for admitting souls to paradise. Hecate, the Goddess of Death, is portrayed always attended by dogs, her animal totems. Her most fierce, Cerberus, the three headed hound, is set to guard the gates to her underworld kingdom.

An old Semitic tradition states that the Angel of Death can only be seen by dogs, which is why, the old tales say, dogs howl at the moon to announce death.

English folklore has the ominous legend of the Black Dog, a beast whose appearance presages doom, death, or at best, despair. There is also a legend of a benevolent Black Dog, who appears to guide travelers to a safe haven.

If you were born during the Year of the Dog, the Chinese zodiac describes you as a generous, loyal, honest person who works well with people.

The Inuits have a legend of the Dog People-not to be confused with the Cheyenne Dog Soldiers-the offspring of a great red dog and an Inuit woman. This beast marriage produced five ugly monsters and five dogs, and the disgusted mother set them all adrift on rafts. The five dogs reached the shores of Europe and begat among them the white people. The monsters evolved into horrible, blood-thirsty cannibals who still haunt the northern icelands.

No less that five Christian saints have the dog as their animal symbol. Of course there is St. Bernard, but there is also St. Dominic, St. Roch, St. Eustace, and St. Hubert.

According to Grandmother Twylah, the traditional Seneca see the dog as representing fidelity and devotion, the symbol of a friend who is always available whenever he or she is truly needed.

If you have discovered the dog to be your totem animal, it is quite likely that you prize dependability, loyality, and faithfulness as primary virtues in your selection of friends. You will certainly be able to expect such strong allegiance from your dog totem. Whenever this spirit helper is near, you will feel strong emanations of love surrounding you.

With the dog as your totem animal, you will also experience a strong sense of being protected and watched over, night and day.

This spirit helper will be a dependable guide in your explorations of higher consciousness, and you may rely on it always to warn you of any impending threat from Dark Side entities. You are certain to feel its comfortable vibration near you as you enter the Silence to gain deeper wisdom teachings.

Dreams

You may rely upon your friend to support you

in a coming crisis.

Totems

The Transformative Power Of Your Personal Animal Totem

Brad Steiger

ISBN 0-06-251425-3

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The Dog

Throughout history dogs have been known as protectors and guardians. Their acute hearing and keen sight forewarned their masters of impending danger. Dogs are known as mans best friend. They serve selflessly never asking for their service to be prasied. They hold the energies of unconditional love and teach us its true meaning.

The domesticated dog is a faithful companion to humans and has a strong willingness to serve. Their sense of spirit and the ability to love even when abused is incredible. The dog teaches those with this totem how to give and receive love unconditionally. It also carries the energy of forgiveness. People with dog medicine would do well in service oriented jobs.

Dogs are intelligent and sensitive. They are able to sniff out dangerous situations accurately and guide us into safety. Psychic gifts have long been are associated with the dog because of their ability to detect subtle energy frequencies often unknown to mankind. If dog suddenly appears in your life pay attention to your immediate surroundings and let the dog guide your footsteps.

Certain breeds of dog were designed for specific functions. The study of the breed and its purpose can help you define the energy associated with it. Since wolves and coyotes are its descendants these should be studied as well.

The behavior of a dog often reflects the personality of its owner. Through its observation and constant interaction with you it anticipates your next move, and serves as a mirror image of who you truly are. The dog is a great teacher for those who are willing to be loyal students. The choice is yours.

Author Unknown