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Politics and Activism

Which Native American Birth Totem Are You?

Astrological Zodiac Signs Made Twice as Interesting

Morgan Rose

Dec 14, 2015

Centenary College of New Jersey

5555

Which Native American Birth Totem Are You?

Native Americans have always carried within their culture a beautiful oneness with the world around them, a serenity with nature that has been lost to many of us. A few weeks back, several of my classmates presented a powerpoint to our Ancient Civilizations lecture that touched on the importance of animals and their spirits within Native American culture. I particularly found interesting the tidbit mentioned on the use of jewelry as totems.

Necklaces carved in the shape of the animal of one's choosing-- be it a cat, an owl, or a hawk-- would serve to impart both wisdom and skill onto the wearer, as well as protect them. Intrigued, I've done a little research and discovered something called a "solar" totem (sort of like a Native American zodiac). It is believed that certain Native American cultures posited that upon birth, one was assigned an animal specific to the astrological phase they were born beneath. These are not to be confused with the animals chosen by Native Americans throughout life or crafted into jewelry-- they are something separate. While I can in no way validate the entire accuracy of this supposition, I found it fascinating nonetheless. It was fun to speculate, if I possessed Native American linage, what "solar" animal I would have received. Take a look below to see each solar animal and the days they represent.

The Goose

December 22 - January 19

Postive Traits: Ambitious, Driven, Indomitable

Compatibility: Bears, Beavers, Crows

Negative Traits: Selfish, Despondent, Demanding

The Otter

January 20 - February 18th

Postive Traits: Innovative, Insightful, Rehabilitating

Compatibility: Deer, Crows, Hawks

Negative Traits: Tactless, Unconventional, Fickle, Unruly

The Wolf

February 19 - March 20

Postive Traits: Compassionate, Perceptive, Resilient

Compatibility: Snakes, Bears, Woodpeckers

Negative Traits: Timid, Illogical, Vague, Indecisive

The Hawk

March 21 - April 19

Positive Traits: Ambitious, Pioneering, Adventurous, Amiable

Compatibility: Salmon, Owl

Negative Traits: Narcissistic, Selfish, Impatient

The Beaver

April 20 - May 20

Postive Traits: Headstrong, Determined, Professional

Compatibility: Bears, Geese, Woodpeckers

Negative Traits: Greedy, Selfish

The Deer

May 21 - June 20

Postive Traits: Intellectual, Amiable, Witty

Compatibility: Crows, Otters

Negative Traits: Restless, Inconsistent, Lethargic, Forlorn

The Woodpecker

June 21 - July 21

Postive Traits: Imaginative, Thrifty, Delicate, Compassionate

Compatibility: Snakes, Wolves, Beavers

Negative Traits: Remorseless, Possessive, Temperamental

The Salmon

July 22 - August 21

Postive Traits: Benevolent, Charitable, Creative

Compatibility: Hawks, Owls

Negative Traits: Arrogant, Prejudiced, Tyrannical, Dogmatic

The Bear

August 22 - September 22

Postive Traits: Astute, Modest, Meticulous

Compatibility: Beavers, Geese

Negative Traits: Berating, Hypocritical, Fussy

The Crow

September 22 - October 22

Postive Traits: Visionary, Romantic, Diplomatic

Compatibility: Otters, Deer

Negative Traits: Frivolous, Indecisive, Hostile, Naive

The Snake

October 23 - November 22

Postive Traits: Imaginative, Insightful, Calculated

Compatibility: Wolves, Woodpeckers

Negative Traits: Covert, Apprehensive, Belligerent, Stubborn

The Owl

November 23 - December 21

Postive Traits: Versatile, Scrupulous

Compatibility: Salmon, Hawks

Negative Traits: Anxious, Strident, Tactless

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Which Native American Birth Totem Are You?

Astrological Zodiac Signs Made Twice as Interesting

The Goose

The Otter

The Wolf

The Hawk

The Beaver

The Deer

The Woodpecker

The Salmon

The Bear

The Crow

The Snake

The Owl

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The Best Lines from the Fab Four

And in the end, the love you take is equal to the love you make

The sun is up, the sky is blue, it's beautiful and so are you

Love is old, love is new, love is all, love is you

There's nowhere you can be that isn't where you're meant to be

Life is very short, and there's no time for fussing and fighting, my friend

He say, "I know you, you know me", One thing I can tell you is you got to be free

Oh please, say to me, You'll let me be your man. And please say to me, You'll let me hold your hand

It was twenty years ago today, Sgt. Pepper taught the band to play. They've been going in and out of style, but they're guaranteed to raise a smile

Living is easy with eyes closed, misunderstanding all you see

Can you hear me? When it rains and shine, it's just a state of mind

Little darling, it's been long cold lonely winter. Little darling, it feels like years since it' s been here. Here comes the sun, Here comes the sun, and I say it's alright

We danced through the night and we held each other tight, and before too long I fell in love with her. Now, I'll never dance with another when I saw her standing there

I love you, I love you, I love you, that's all I want to say

You say you want a revolution. Well you know, we all want to change the world

All the lonely people, where do they all come from. All the lonely people, where do they all belong

Oh, I get by with a little help from my friends

Hey Jude, don't make it bad. Take a sad song and make it better

Yesterday, all my troubles seemed so far away. Now it looks as though they're here to stay. Oh, I believe in yesterday

And when the brokenhearted people, living in the world agree, there will be an answer, let it be.

And anytime you feel the pain, Hey Jude, refrain. Don't carry the world upon your shoulders

I'll give you all I got to give if you say you'll love me too. I may not have a lot to give but what I got I'll give to you. I don't care too much for money. Money can't buy me love

All you need is love, love is all you need

Whisper words of wisdom, let it be

Blackbird singing in the dead of night, Take these broken wings and learn to fly. All your life, You were only waiting for this moment to arise

Though I know I'll never lose affection, for people and things that went before. I know I'll often stop and think about them. In my life, I love you more

Obviously the best superpower.

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10. How to work for what I want.

11. How to be great at giving directions.

12. How to be humble.

13. To be well-rounded.

14. How to be great at conflict resolution.

15. The beauty of getting outside and exploring.

16. To be prepared for anything.

17. That you don't always have to do it alone.

18. How to be creative.

19. To brush off gossip.

I have never been so thankful to know you.

Dealing with the inevitable realities of college life.

Don't freak out

Email the professor

Attend the first class

Keep attending class

Have a backup plan

Remember that everything works out at the end

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