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Which Native American Birth Totem Are You?

Astrological Zodiac Signs Made Twice as Interesting

Morgan Rose

Dec 14, 2015

Centenary College of New Jersey

5615

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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This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.

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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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Cs get degrees!

1. Me after every class

2. If you really care about your grades

3. When you get a new homework assignment

4. When people ask what you're going to do after college

5. When you see people who don't study and get good grades

6. We're all broke here

7. FREE FOOD IS FREE FOOD!

8. When it seems like everyone in class is smart - EXCEPT THE PEOPLE IN YOUR GROUP PROJECT!!

Other than knowledge and all those important things

How to take stairs.

Caffeine is your friend.

How to study.

Finding free food.

How to take a nap anywhere.

How to appreciate sleep.

How to procrastinate productively.

Surprise: This is not on the syllabus

1. As a freshman, one does get to be called “freshman” by upperclassmen when they walk to parties in a mob of people.

2. Some of the best stories happen after 2 a.m.

3. Upperclassmen live for meal swipes from freshman because they are poor and need free food.

4. People are struggling just as much as you are so you're not alone.

5. You will never take privacy or personal space for granted ever again.

6. You are not the only one who has slept on the community bathroom floor after a night out.

7. Skipping class for Netflix is a valid excuse.

8. It’s totally acceptable to bring a pot of coffee, a sleeping bag and a pillow to the library.

9. Having class with a friend is the best because you can trade off days on who goes to class.

10. When you are a senior, you take the easiest classes to boost your GPA.

11. How to pull an all-nighter.

12. How to handle drunk people.

13. The drunk you does not look out for sober you about 90 percent of the time.

14. How to deal with a hangover.

15. How to interact with people very different from you.

16. The perfect amount to procrastinate on every assignment.

17. How to pass a class without paying for the textbook that was "required."

18. How to calculate your grades to see what you need on every test in order to maintain a passing grade.

19. How to hook-up with someone without getting emotions involved (but we all know that doesn’t happen).

20. How to handle your roommate when you want to strangle them.

21. That you miss your parent’s every day.

22. How to get into a bar when you aren’t 21.

23. How to BS on assignments, out loud and on your resume.

24. That theme parties are the greatest.

25. How to find free events that have free food.

26. That when there are puppies on campus it will be the greatest day of your life.

27. Alarms are necessary and you must set like seven of them in order to wake up in time for class.

28. Greek parties are exactly how they are in movies.

29. Care packages are treated like Christmas presents.

30. The friends you meet in college will become your bridesmaids and groomsmen.

31. That printers only break when you need them the most.

32. Cereal, ramen noodles, Easy Mac and microwavable pancakes can be used for breakfast, lunch and dinner.

33. That classes before 8 a.m. should be illegal.

34. Changing your major is OK.

Don't let the thesaurus-inspired vocabularies in our résumés fool you. We're actually just big kids.

"You should know exactly what career is right for your future by the time you're 18."

"Save all your money."

"Get plenty of sleep and adjust to a regular sleep schedule."

"Make sure to eat healthy, balanced meals. Don't forget those fruits and vegetables."

"Surround yourself with good, moral people."

"Don't do anything stupid."

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