Team Building with Totems - Workology

Team Building with Totems - Workology Team Building with Totems These basic interpretations of totems were taken from written and verbal native teachings and from the animals themselves. They include animals in the waking world and those animals who travel the dream world. Totems speak to our inner voice so we benefit when we listen to them. When animals choose to contact us directly, their energy becomes our energy, our Life Totem. Team Building with Totems Totems mean different things to different people.   In the business world, totems can be used to help teams understand what animal represents the members of each of their team members.   In teams of 4-7 each individual must select an animal from the totem list below that they feel best represents identify themselves.   Once the selections have been made, teams create a totem including each one of the animals that their team members have selected.   Teams work together to decorate the pages and speak to how their groups will use the unique qualities of each team member to their advantage. To learn more about additional team building activities, visit the blog postLeading with Team Building. Alligators Primal Energies of Birth, Motherhood, and Initiation Ant strength, endurance, efficiency, persistence, productivity, courage and community Antelope knowledgeable action, speed, rapid growth, grace Armadillo Boundaries, how to consciously define our own emotional and physical boundaries Ass donkey Wisdom and Humanity Badger aggressiveness, persistence, power of true strength Bat blood, rebirth, also navigation, teaches to see with your other perceptions rather than your eyes Bear -introspection, mystery, strength, go within ourselves to find the answers you and others seek. Often seen in the cave or origins in the Dream Life. Beaver builder, cooperation, alterations, building, shaping security, contentment, industry, balance. Beaver is one of a few life totems, once you have it it travels with you for life, often in the presence of other totems. Bee service, gathering, community Bird All birds represent pieces of the fundamental principles of unity, freedom, community and Soul flight. See individual birds. Black panther introspection, go within ourselves, hold power but yet be unseen. Blackbird understanding of the energies of Mother Nature Blue jay proper use of power Bluebird modesty, unassuming, confidence and happiness Brown bear caution, bravery, fairness, organization, curiosity and leadership Buffalo prayer, abundance, practical wisdom, healing, good fortune. Buffalo is one of a few life totems, once you have it it travels with you for life, often in the presence of other totems. Butterfly transformation. Courage to change, balance, evolution, and how to experience joy Canada goose cooperative and communal behavior, never leave the weak behind Canary power of song and voice. Heightened sensitivity Cardinal renewed vitality through recognizing our importance Caribou travel, mobility Cat wholeness, mindfulness, unity, meditation, independence, sensuality, psychic vision Catbird language and communication Cheetah helps us to keep our eyes on our goals and to find the most direct way of achieving them Chickadee cheerful expression of truth Chicken fertility and sacrifice Chimpanzee living in harmony. simple ways of life that create joy Cock sexuality, watchfulness and resurrection, optimism Cougar initiative, speed, grace, territoriality and mystery, balanced leadership, cunning and wit Cowbird parent and child relationships, resolving old issues Coyote trickster reminds us to laugh at ourselves, and enforces karmic law. What goes out, comes back. Coyote is one of a few life totems, once you have it it travels with you for life, often in the presence of other totems. Crane longevity and creation through focus, expression of feminine energies Creator. The creator dances in all animals, minerals and plants, is part of everything. Synergy Crow council, intuitive knowledge of universal sacred law, assertiveness. Crow is one of a few life totems, once you have it it travels with you for life, often in the presence of other totems. Cuckoo heralding new fate, intuitive ability Deer gentleness, sensitivity, grace, alertness, creativity and heart and spirit connection. Deer is one of a few life totems, once you have it it travels with you for life, often in the presence of other totems. Dog loyalty, courage, unconditional love Dolphin breath of life. Be in harmony with yourself, your surroundings, and others. Breathing deep Dove feminine energies of peace, maternity, prophecy and promise of future Dragon transformation, ritual, magic, related to Snake. All dragons influence subconscious protection and healing through giving vitality, especially during sickness and confronting obstacles. There are four kinds of Dragons Fire Dragon Enthusiasm and Courage; Air Dragon Inspiration, Insight; Earth Dragon Grounding Power, Self-Potential; Water Dragon Inner Depth, Compassion Dragonfly illusion, dreams. Burst self-created illusions and limitations and find answers Duck female-mothering energy, male-coping with stress, emotional comfort and protection Eagle limitless, free, fearlessness. Transcendence, clarity of vision. Free of boundaries Earthworm learn about regeneration, stamina, self-healing, transformation and earth-healing Elephant commitment, mind power, physical strength, dedication, and overcoming obstacles Elk stamina this medicine teaches us the best use of our energy, To follow through until the end Falcon accuracy, rapid progress, restraint Finch energy of variety and multiplicity, increased potentials Firefly illumination, understanding the life force, continuity, wonder, power of light and darkness Flicker rapid growth and trust, increased healing love, new sensitivity of heart Fox camouflage, stealth, observation, anticipate behavior in advance. cleverness, adaptability Frog cleanse the negative forces away and replenishe the soul with positive force. Leap happily. Frog teaches us to positive willpower generates Life force Gazelle teach us that with awareness and skill, we can be comfortable in our own vulnerability Giraffe teaches us to view our lives in a way that is both grounded and expansive Goat tenacity, diligence Goldfinch awakening to the nature spirits- fairies, elves and devas Goose call of the quest, travels to legendary places, safe return, love of home Gopher gathering, preparation for the future Gorilla a confirmation that our endeavors are solid and steady. Teaches the importance of staying grounded in all situations; and to handle our responsibilities through the use of power of leadership rather than the abuse of physical strength upon the weak Grackle overcoming excess, dealing with emotions Griffin magical lion bird guardian of sacred arcane libraries. It is said that no one can pass a Griffin if they are fearful, greedy, or have no self-confidence; they are refused entrance. It symbolizes a need to protect something powerful within by the use of fierce boundaries. A griffin is related to the Foo Dogs who guard sacred temples in eastern Asia Grizzly bear teaches stability, tenacity, healing, introspection, maturity and leadership. Represents raw self-power, both destructive and constructive, and the necessity of self-control. Grizzly is one of a few life totems, once you have it it travels with you for life, often in the presence of other totems Grouse completion, sacred spiral dance, fulfillment Hawk be observant and to pay attention to what we may overlook, Is the messenger from the Dream Life. Hedgehog self-preservation Heron aggressive self-determination, self-reliance Hippopotamus grounding ourselves so we can face and dissolve emotional issues. Horse inner power, freedom, safe movement Hummingbird tireless joy, accomplishing the impossible, beauty, agility Ibis single-mindedness and narrow-mindedness are two sides of the same coin Jackal trickster, humor, stealer of fire. Try to see humor in things. Laughter is one of the spices of life Kestrel mental speed, agility, grace, control Kingfisher new warmth, sunshine, prosperity, and love Kiwi bird earth wisdom, the ability to sniff out the truth, ability to give birth to large ideas Lion teach us to be strong and courageous even in the midst of trouble Lizard dreaming. Lizard teaches us the importance of respecting and remembering our dreams Loon. Learn about mystery, transformation, fidelity and maneuverability from loon Lynx teaches us that silence empowers concentration. subtlety, silence, secretiveness, elusiveness Magpie the proper use of intelligence, familiars, and occult knowledge Manatee serenity, gentleness, trust Martin good luck and community peace, peaceful living energies Meadowlark cheerful journey inward, discovery of intuition, innate abilities Mockingbird finding your soul purpose and recognition of your innate abilities Moose self-esteem, practical wisdom, joy of accomplishment, strength, spontaneity, unpredictability Mountain lion leadership, stand firm in our power, give direction and aid when needed Mouse scrutiny. reminds us not to overlook the obvious Nuthatch grounding of faith and higher wisdom Opossum peaceful alternatives, deception Oriole open doors to positive relationship with all members of nature realm Ostrich becoming grounded Otter woman medicine, healing, sensuality. Let loose of boundaries and limits and just let go. Owl -learn about old wisdom, mystery and vision, magic, omens, and vision in the night. Insight Parrot sunshine and color healing; teaches power of light and color Peacock resurrection and wise vision (watchfulness) Pegasus Inspirer of rising above difficulties. Teaches the importance of having quick and agile wisdom, as well as humility and boundaries Pelican renewed buoyancy and unselfishness; do not to be overcome by emotion Penguin lucid dreaming and astral projection Pheasant family fertility and sexuality Phoenix Keeper of transformation and represents the cycle of death and rebirth through fire. A phoenix reminds us to have hope in the midst of despair, and to flow with the seasons of events Pigeon return to the love and security of home; very gentle and loving energy Porcupine self-protection, memory, security, innocence, humility Quail group nourishment and protection, protectiveness, group harmony Rabbit fear. Rabbit teaches us self confidence, and confronting our fears. What we fear will persist and come to us to teach us to let it go. Predators are nearby, so do not let fear guide you into the open Raccoon teaches you how to mask, disguise and transform yourself. Put asleep the part of you that is not needed and awaken the aspect of yourself that is. Represents the magic of dexterity and disguise, strategy from afar and moving in shadows to achieve the attainment of desires. Raccoon is one of a few life totems, once you have it it travels with you for life, often in the presence of other totems Raven prophecy, clairvoyant vision, magic, mystery, exploring unknown Red hawk learn the lessons of awareness, insight, truth, adaptability, prayer and openness Road runner mental speed and agility Robin Renew by letting go of the past, do not beat your breast. Renewal of life and ones self Salamander get grounded in the present moment Salmon teaches us trust, strength, determination, willpower, loyalty and tradition. Salmon is one of a few life totems, once you have it it travels with you for life, often in the presence of other totems Sandpiper quickness, foraging, scavenging Seagull observation, swift action, opportunity, carefree attitude, versatility Seal tapping sub-conscious. The seal reminds us how to swim in our inner being for the answers Skunk self-respect, reputation, protection, secrecy. The original walk your talk. Respect Snake transmutation, rebirth, sacred spiral Snow goose learn beauty, tradition, transmitting, receiving, ceremony, and gregariousness Sparrow awakening and triumph of common nobility; shows how to survive Spider weaving, hunting, creativity, balance, interconnectedness, industry Squirrel gathering, vulnerability, elusiveness. Discarding the old, planning ahead, playfulness, trust Starling group behavior and etiquette; clear communication Stork birth and unspoken communication Sturgeon determination, teaching, leadership, knowledge, depth Swallow protection and warmth for the home and proper perspective Swan grace. Be graceful and natural and not be something which you are not Swift speed and agility in the great quest; responding to opportunity Swisher awakening to the fairy realm Thunderbird. Lessons in goodness, kindness, cleansing, healing, and humility Tiger stress and courage. Be bold in the face of danger. caution, appropriate timing, stealth Tortoise Learn from tortoise are ancient wisdom, experience, patience and endurance. Turkey setting limits, appreciation, renewal, sharing blessings and harvest Turtle The mother earth, longevity, creativeness. The turtle finds solutions by being creative. Turtle is one of a few life totems, once you have it it travels with you for life, often in the presence of other totems Unicorn Symbol of Purity and Innocence, and the ability to make dreams come true. Has the ability to restore broken spirits through gentle strength and trust Vulture purification death and rebirth new vision., resolution of problems Waxwing gentleness and courtesy Weasel stealth, seeing beneath the surface, supernatural power Whale record keeper. The whale teaches us to listen within, feel the heartbeat of the universe White Buffalo Spirituality, selflessness, generosity, hope, and ancient wisdom Woodchuck (groundhog) gathering, preparation, burrowing into the earth., power of cycle. Woodchuck is one of a few life totems, once you have it it travels with you for life, often in the presence of other totems Wolf eliminating weakness, commitment, family loyalty, teaching skill Woodpecker the power of rhythm and determination; stimulates new rhythms Wren resourcefulness and boldness Zebra power, alertness, community Photo Credit  Building.