Diane offered an excellent workshop, sensitively explained, involving definitions, myths and knowledge of ‘Signs, Symbols and Animal Totems.’ A complex topic for which space here only allows a brief insight. Diane explained she would offer glimpses into the subject’s power and importance from the ‘tip of the tip of the capstone of a pyramid’. We were relaxed and ready to enjoy time with the items she brought for sharing and educating. One of our delegates had their guide dog with them, who was a superb barometer of the day, and being completely chilled was happily offering silent applause to Diane for her talk.
Diane said we may experience a ‘range of emotions, as working with Signs, Symbols and Animal Totems may trigger unexpected memories or feelings. We just need to pause and take a breather if needed.’ The day offered interesting elements and teachings including looking at the work of others; testing our knowledge of the subject and perhaps creating our own; to understand working with signs and symbols; to discover our animal totem and how to work therapeutically with them and our animal guides.
The learning wasunderpinned by that of others, such as, Diane’s connection, Justine: ‘Exploring Signs, Synchronicities and the Angelic Realm as a means to Accessing Self-Transcendence in Therapeutic Practice’ . Carl Jung introduced synchronicity as a concept within psychology – ‘the occurrence of meaningful coincidences that seem to have no cause – Acausal.’ Ernst Lazlo’s work around Chaos Theory mentions synchronicity as being ‘within the apparent randomness of chaotic complex systems, there are underlying patterns and interconnections.’ However, it is David Bohm’s work on the holographic cosmos which is most consonant with the concept of synchronicity.’
The power of Angel sequencing, repeating numbers i.e.: 000 0000 was explored. Zeros often represent new beginnings, fresh starts or the offer of a blank canvas.
The four types of animals were explored which are: 1) Those of the physical world living within their own habitats; 2) Our own inner animals – symbols of our deepest drives;
3) Power animals – spirit animals of the ‘Otherworld’ bring healing, energy and inspiration 4) Totem animals with whom we have strong affinity, guide us. Our imagined animal totems were often ones unknowingly chosen later from Diane’s cards.
Diane brought the most amazing cards and ‘tools’ for us to choose from in our search for our personal signs, symbols and animal totems. Animal Totems include: a Life Totem (of which we can choose more than one) it is an intuitive connection – one who stays with us for life: a Primary Life Totem represents current key areas for focused attention and brings reminders from the Universe about our purpose and spiritual nature in this life: a Journey Totem is with us for a specific period of time and stays with us until we complete a particular life lesson or journey. Some journey animals may appear in our lives more than others or two or more may appear at the same time to help us on our chosen pathway; a Message Totem may arrive suddenly with a clear message of self-growth. a Shadow Totem is sent to test us. They are animals we initially fear and include weaknesses needed to be overcome, and a Spirit Totem which was a Shadow Totem, now transformed by overcoming our fear. It is a very powerful Animal Totem. Once our fears are overcome it means we have learned the lesson desired.
When we finally made choices in the cards and symbols and it was amazing to see how often each of us actually, unknowingly chose the ones which had meant so much to us. It was a ‘spiritual’ and learning process and all present were grateful to Diane for her expert knowledge and guidance which she had shared so openly.
Thank you, Diane for your heart-lifting talk, the booklet and animal totem cards – they were all much appreciated.
Reviewed by Jacqueline Holloway.
Suggested further reading:
Carr – Gomm & Worthington: ‘Druid Animal Oracle’
Eco, Umberto (1976) ‘A Theory of Semiotics’
Morris, Charles W. ‘Foundations of the theory of signs. International encyclopedia of unified science, Vol 1, no. 2.
The University of Chicago Press. Chicago 1938, vii + 59pp
Piirto, J. in Encyclopedia of Creativity (Second Edition), 2011
Talbot M (1996) The Holographic Universe. London: Harper Collins
https://www.bridgewater.newcastle.sch.uk/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/Signs-and-Symbols.pdf
https://www.today.com/life/astrology/what-are-angel-numbers-rcna32058
https://www.legendsofamerica.com/na.totems/
https://psychiclibrary.com/beyondBooks/animal-spirit-guides/
https://thedruidgarden.com/2023/05/01/exploring-the-sacred-animals-of-the-quarters-in-the-druid-tradition/
Jacqueline Holloway