.:|:. Dove Love’s .:. Points and Passions .:|:.

By Dove, www.TarotwithLove.com    Years ago when I discovered my Skunk totem via the Medicine cards, I remember saying upon seeing it in the spread, “Geez, that’s not very sexy.”   LOL!  Seriously, that was my exact thought.   And what an irony, because I then learned that it is indeed a very “sexy” totem :)  Of course, lol! ;)  It represents, among other things, “sexual magic.”

I think the skunk is a little cutie, but yet another irony that despite it’s small stature, it has a, um, power about it that ensures others respect it ;)  And consequently that’s a key message that the Skunk totem conveys. 

Note, sometimes our totems are with us to teach us about or strengthen in us their specific characteristics, so it doesn’t mean that we are already necessarily highly representative of them. Although often that is the case ;) lol

Here are a few interpretations I found via Google … see source links below.

Peace,
Dove

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SKUNK TOTEM

I will not tolerate abuse in any form.
I have power!
I will not let others use me.
I am a divine child!
I will sift out friends, keeping the good.
That is my responsibility!
Like the skunk, I will learn when to be disagreeable.
That is my right!

Sensuality, Respect, Self-Esteem

The skunk is a very powerful totem
with mystical and magical associations.
It teaches how to give respect,
expect respect and demand respect.
This totem helps you recognize your own qualities
and assert them.

Skunks are fearless but very peaceful.  These are two wonderful qualities which you can learn from your skunk totem.

If you have skunk medicine will find that the use of fragrances will elicit dynamic responses in the people around you. Your sexual response will be heightened and you will have a greater ability to attract people.

Individuals with a skunk totem must learn to balance the ability to draw and repel people.  Skunks remind us that there is a time to be with people and a time for solitude.

The skunk’s stripe is the outward sign of kundalini or life force. When you receive a skunk totem, your kundalini or life force activates and amplifies. You must learn to use this force effectively.

Skunks are silent animals and through their silent, they teach us not to brag –
it will push people away rather than attract.  People will notice you without any help.

When the skunk appears, opportunities will open to bring self-esteem and respect.
There will be increased sexuality: physically, psychically and spiritually.

Source:  http://www.linsdomain.com/totems/pages/skunk.htm

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SKUNK

Skunk: reputation, presence, strength

Skunk’s Message and Medicine

Reputation , Respect , Sensitivity , Confidence

The skunk is a powerful small mammal about the size of a house cat. It is easily recognized by its long black fur and double white stripes, which go from its head, to the back of its legs and bushy tail. Skunk is a peaceful warrior, fearless and friendly. It appears nonchalant as it moves slowly but deliberately towards its goal. However, do not interfere with skunk’s medicine. Skunk has a distinctive behavior trait, which sets it apart from other animals. When skunk feels threatened it will turn its back on you, raise its tail and emit a smelly , irritating, chemical spray , which numbs the senses and stings the eyes. You will never forget an encounter with skunk. Skunk’s message teaches you how to get respect without being overly aggressive or domineering. Skunk encourages you to raise a ” stink” if you are threatened, or being pushed around by a bully. Do not be afraid to speak up in order to defend your space. If you are involved in domestic violence you need to inform the proper authorities. Don’t worry about causing a ” Big Stink” when you expose these tyrants. Respect yourself and others will respect you. Be aware of your reputation. What is your self-image and how do people respond to you ? If you ” smell” something bad, make sure that it is not you, dumping negativity on others , or being dumped on. Take a class in aromatherapy.

Your sense of smell is a great gift from the Creator. Honor and be thankful for all of your senses.

Source:  http://www.angelfire.com/weird/LT/totems/totemmain.html

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Dove:  I found this great, but very lengthy article on the Skunk totem, so I’ll just post a few excerpts here…

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SKUNK TOTEM

“‘I am ze locksmith of love, no?’ Pepe Le Pew”

“An individual skunk can claim a territory of about 30-40 acres. Skunks are a favorite food of Great Horned Owls, so Owls are the balancing totem for Skunks and should also be examined by Skunk people. To find any totem’s balancing energy, look at what they eat or who eats them!”

“‘They cannot take away our self-respect if we do not give it to them.’ ~Mahatma Gandhi”

“‘If I despised myself, it would be no compensation if everyone saluted me, and if I respect myself, it does not trouble me if others hold me lightly.’ ~Max Nordau”

“Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness that frightens us most. We ask ourselves, “Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, and famous?”

“Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small does not serve the world. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that people won’t feel insecure around you. We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us.”

…

“The wisdom of Owl makes an excellent balancing energy for the bold Skunk. It is important that Skunks understand how to develop a good reputation without being ruled by having a reputation. In other words, don’t become so enamored of yourself simply because others find you such good company.”

“The simplest way to cultivate this is just by being true to one’s self, doing what you know is right in any given situation irregardless of what others think… in essence, living a good life.”

…

“Balanced or not, Skunk people will not tolerate abuse of any sort and will take action if their warnings to desist do not meet with the desired results, often with a dramatic result. When a Skunk puts someone in his or her place, everyone remembers it! Powerful yet peaceful, Skunk is, nonetheless, not someone you want on your bad side.”

…

“One of my favorite cartoon characters ever has to be the breezy and romantic Pepe Le Pew. He never hurried, never doubted himself, was multi-talented, optimistic, and was even content with himself when he failed in his objective! It is their basic self-confidence that makes Skunk people so sexy to others, not necessarily for their looks.”

“Skunk people make enthusiastic, energetic and inventive lovers, having an innate understanding of all things “sexy”. All the better for Skunk people then if they can develop a solid and balanced relationship with someone who understands their need to be solitary on occasion, their independence and flamboyant nature; someone who truly revels in them simply being themselves, warts and all. If your going to leave bite marks on someone, it ought to be someone you love. ~wink~”

“‘Being a sex symbol has to do with an attitude, not looks. Most men think it’s looks, most women know otherwise.’ ~Kathleen Turner”

“‘You know, it is possible to be too attractive.’ Pepe Le Pew”

…

“Consider the phrase, “I smell a skunk” which is commonly used to mean, “my intuition is telling me something is wrong with this person or situation.” Listen to these intuitions! Skunk people need to develop a trust in their instincts, as they will have a strong intuitive sense that will allow them to “smell” trouble.”

“Skunk can help anyone learn to recognize, accept and properly react to warnings of all sorts. Like most of us, the challenge here is for Skunk people to learn to trust their instincts without their mind’s many logical arguments getting in the way. Skunk will often appear to deliver a warning, and one should proceed with caution whenever she appears.”

…

“Black is the color of wisdom, the void, mystery, death, sorrow, extremes, everything and nothing in balance, power, strength, earth, sexuality, and is considered both grounding and calming in color therapy. White can also represent death, but it more commonly represents purity, innocence, femininity, peace, harmony, security, blessings, hope, virginity, and surrender.”

“In color therapy, White is commonly used to provide energy, achieve balance, stimulate the production of serotonin, to cleanse, and refresh. Skunk’s black and white self is a visual reminder of both his strength and the need to find and maintain a balance in life.”

“Think of the typically black and white image of YinYang energy and imagine it swirling into Skunk’s vibrant form. If you need help in communicating, self-esteem, confidence, developing a good reputation, charisma, developing your sensuality or finding balance, Skunk is an excellent Teacher to ask for help.”

“Just remember to approach him with respect and you should get along just fine. Powerful, protective, a living example of extremes in balance…”

“How does Skunk appear in your life?”

“‘It is better to rise from life as from a banquet - neither thirsty nor drunken.’ ~Aristotle”

“‘Enough is as good as a feast.’ ~English Proverb”

“‘Even nectar is poison if taken to excess.’ ~Hindu Proverb”

Source:  http://www.witchvox.com/va/dt_va.html?a=uspa&c=words&id=11818

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It intrigues me that the Great Horned Owl balances the Skunk, because the Owl is one of my main totems, and I’ve always suspected, among the various types of owls, that mine was of the Great Horned variety :)

Ha, I used to love to watch Pepe LePew as a kid :)   …”ze locksmith of love.”  lol

Oh, I also was just remembering how when I was much younger, and not-near-so mellow as now ;) I would sharply say that if I had to choose between love and respect, I would take respect in a heartbeat — because there is no real love without respect.

Peace,
Dove

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