Sweetie Pie Otter Totem
November 21, 2007
By Dove, www.TarotwithLove.com The otter is such a little sweetheart. She’s one of my totems, of course, lol ;) And her energy is one of my favorite things about me — the otter, she loves to play :) I think I’m a puzzle to people at times, for one, because of this strong energy in me. That is, I can be very child-like playful in one moment, but very sage-like or serious in the next moment.
My “life path” number is 11 (calculated from my birthday), which reduces to the 2. The 2 represents the High Priestess in the Tarot, and I align with the characteristics of that archetype. But in calculating my birthday another way, the total is 20 (which also reduces to the 2) and the 20 in the Tarot is the Judgment card. And since my birthday brings about that number, this archetype is also “mirroring” me. In the Thoth Tarot deck, this card shows images of both a child and a sage :)
I like being the child more, lol ;) And in looking at this image it seems to be saying that the sage is coming through the child without the child even being aware of her sage-ness, heh I can relate to that. Often I re-read stuff that I share on here, and I learn much from it too :) To me, that’s an indication that it’s coming “through” me, not from me. The child’s image, on this Thoth Judgment card, is very large. He has a finger on his mouth in a seeming moment of wonderment or curiosity. It shows the sage image within him. Ah, and maybe this image is also telling us how potent our moments of child-like playfulness are, that we are ripe for harvesting wisdom in these light and playful (peaceful) moments :)
Anyway, as mentioned in other posts, you can see the overlapping… Back to the Otter totem :) I love her, she very much helps me along the rocky roads and clearly helps me balance my more “serious” totems, like the crow and the owl.
Via Google, I scavenged a few interpretations of that sweet otter baby … see source links below.
Peace,
Dove
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Otter Totem
There are two kinds of Otter, the river and sea. Delightful creatures to watch in the wild otters have a strong curiosity exploring every nook and cranny they can find just to see what’s there. Their curiosity reminds us that everything is interesting if looked at from different angles. They know how to float on the currents of life enjoying the beauty that it holds. Their relaxed attitude reminds us to laugh with life and not take things to seriously. They offer us the gift of laughter, trust and playfulness.
Otters are agile and fast in the water. They are often seen floating on their backs with their paws extended out of the water, sliding on their bellies playfully, or performing acrobatic maneuvers. Water has long been associated with the emotional energies in man. Otters glide through the emotional ups and downs of life with ease and can teach us how to do the same. They represent the creative, nurturing energies that live within us and show us how to honor them.
Otters are excellent parents and care for their young longer than most other marine mammals. They enjoy the company of other otters and are rarely seen alone. Those with this medicine benefit by living on or close to the water and find comfort in group interactions.
The otter is very talkative. When frightened their calls take on an erie piercing sound similar to a baby screaming. They have few natural enemies and are not afraid of humans. During the Exxon Valdez oil spill in Alaska, otters were one of the few creatures that would allow humans to hold them without putting up a fight. As the oil was wiped from their bodies the otter would lie very still in the arms of the one caring for it, unafraid and trusting.
When otter appears in your life it is asking you to let go of worry and pain, lighten up and enjoy what life has to offer. Trust your inner knowing , develop trust for others and embrace the world with excitement and enthusiasm. Life is what we make it. The otter shows us how to create a joyful future. All we need to do is follow its lead.
Source: http://www.sayahda.com/cyc3.html
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Otter:
This animal symbol represents female energy, and her elements: water and earth. The Otter also symbolizes healthy play, balance and “go with the flow” attitude. Those with an Otter as an animal totem attract love, harmony and grace into their lives.
Otter Animal Totems Facilitates:
- Understanding deeper subconscious messages or interpret dreams more clearly
- The ability to hone in on psychic or spiritual messages
- Encouragement to bring play to our every-day lives
- Living life openly and joyfully, setting aside jealousy, envy or mind-games.Source: http://www.whats-your-sign.com/water-animal-totems.html
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Otter is woman medicine, and teaches us the beauty of our female energies. It is Otter that brings forth our ability to allow others into our lives without doubt, jealousy, or fear.
Source: http://www.tarotstar.net/totem_animals.htm
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November 23, 2007 at 8:26 am
Oooh, I love otters, too. You are right they are real sweeties! I didn’t know they were such good parents and so trusting. I used to love to watch them when I lived in California. They seemed really joyful and loved to play. This was a nice, lovely post to read, thank you.
November 23, 2007 at 2:45 pm
I had read that first interpretation for the Otter totem before, and then reading it again in posting it here…I simply cannot read the part about the oil spill and how they were so trusting in letting humans help them without crying — it just wipes me out. I mean, gawd, that is so precious. I feel such love for them when I read that part, and what I learn from that…is how that “trusting” thing stokes the heart to love. I’ve had experiences with total strangers looking at me with such vulnerable and trusting eyes — and I’ve felt overwhelming love for them in those moments. No wonder it’s so difficult for most of us to find real love, we’re so frightened of being “vulnerable,” and yet that’s what makes us so loveable.