by J. Langland
Manifestations of Totem:
Totems manifest themselves in many ways. Totems are a reflection of who the person is and are at the same time a separate individual. Totems most often manifest themselves to the shaman as spirit-like beings in their visions and dreams, or as omens in the physical world.
Usually there is a specific spirit manifestation of the totem that the individual comes to associate with the totem. The level, nature, and frequency of the communication with this spirit manifestation is dependent on the nature of the totem and the skill level the shaman has in recognizing and understanding when the totem is trying to communicate.
Such manifestations are generally at the discretion of the totem. Naturally, the individual can seek out the totem's advice and the totem may or may not choose to give it, dependent on the nature of the totem, the skill level of the individual, and the need of the individual.
The totem may choose to manifest in dreams, hallucinations, or in the physical form of an animal of the totem's type, or simply in urges or compulsions as appropriate.
As examples, Bear is generally very blunt, direct, and to the point, but not overly explicit, generally being terse and without much patience. Rat tends to be secretive in giving information and may choose riddles or things of a similar nature. Owl, on the other hand, may get pedagogical to levels of detail undesired.
As the individual gains knowledge of his or her totem, he or she may even be able to assume attributes and the very form of the totem at will.
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