Animal Totems in Dreams (Mammals)

Many of us dream of animal totems, (mammals that is) more frequently than birds, insects, or reptiles probably because we relate to them on a more intimate level.

Cats, dogs and farm animals show up in dreams all the time and that makes perfect sense since these are the animals that we care for in our daily lives.

However, wild animal totems such as lions, tigers and bears also show up in dreams quite a bit because they portray such powerful aspects that you can't help but pay attention and wonder about it - am I right?

So, when you do get a wild animal in your dream...take the time to explore the meaning, or even go back into the dream to get more information from these animals.

Animal Totems from A to Z

ANTELOPE

Represents decisive and knowledgeable action
A message of higher purpose
Adaptive ability

ARMADILLO

Represents personal protection against outside influences
Defining personal boundaries for empathic people

BADGER

A warning against apathy
A need for aggressive action
Self expression and reliance

BAT

Letting go of old habits
Preparing for a rebirth of some part of yourself

BEAR

Power of intuition and introspection
Alternative pathways to goals

BEAVER

Associated with the actual building of dreams and desires
Time to take action on a project
Possibly something in your home that needs repairs


ANTELOPE Decisive Action - Higher Purposes	BEAR Intuition and Introspection	CAT Cleverness and Unpredictability

BUFFALO

Allow events to take their natural course
Look for opportunities of abundance and increase
Be grateful for what you have now

BOBCAT

Learning to be alone without being lonely
Expect something new to learn
Ability to see through the secrets of others

BULL/COW

Symbolizes fertility and nourishment
Can indicate stubbornness or rigidness
A possible need to increase personal productivity

CAT (common dream animal totems)

Associated with independence, cleverness and unpredictability
Look for magical and mysterious happenings in your life

COUGAR (See MOUNTAIN LION) COYOTE

Represents a witty prankster
Reminder to be playful and not take life too seriously
Balance of wisdom and folly

DEER

Represents the power of gentleness
Unconditional love
Ability to hear what is 'not' being said

DOGS (common dream animal totems)

Loyalty and deep compassion for yourself and others
A need for protection

DOLPHIN

Associated with the breath of life and sound
A need for fresh air and recreation


DOG Loyalty and Compassion	ELEPHANT Inner Strength and Social Awareness	HORSE New Directions and Assertiveness

ELEPHANT (common dream animal totems)

Associated with royalty and fertility
Great inner strength and social awareness
Ability to 'smell' out a situation accurately

FOX

Powers of silent observation and camouflage
Advanced ability for discernment

GIRAFFE

Farsightedness, intuition
Ability to see what's ahead and to progress

GOAT(MOUNTAIN)

Associated with stability and surefootedness
A time for new endeavors
Ability for focus and perspective

GROUNDHOG

Altered states of consciousness - trance, meditation, dreaming
Lessons about death and dying

HORSE

Represents travel and freedom
New directions and discoveries
Assertiveness

LEOPARD (See PANTHER) LION

Associated with the energies of the sun
Examine your usefulness in a group or community
The use of creativity, intuition and imagination

MOOSE

Maneuverability and negotiation skills
Explore new depths of awareness and sensitivity within yourself


MOOSE Negotiation, Awareness and Sensitivity	PANTHER Fearless, Capable and Self Disciplined	RABBIT Planning and Shrewdness

MOUNTAIN LION

Learn about using and asserting your own power
Be decisive, take charge of your life

MOUSE (common dream animal totems)

Ability to scrutinize, paying attention to detail
Something may need immediate attention
Beware of scattering energies, or over-focusing

OPOSSUM

Master of strategy in getting over barriers
Could be a need to divert attention away from yourself
Use appearances if needed for your greater benefit

OTTER

Awaken the inner child, be playful
Sharing the bounty of life with others
Beware of worrying too much

PANTHER

Let your fears go and trust in the future
A promise that something greater and more beneficial replaces something that is lost
Extremely capable and self disciplined

PORCUPINE