The Animals

 Silently moving through fallen leaves, a shadowy figure in the deepest forests, the animals guard and guide.
Theirs is the gift of silent movement, of unity with the forces of nature, and the ability to inherently know where food, water, or danger may be found.
Some of the creatures which pass offer gifts to the area, furnishing fertility by virtue of their spreading of the seeds of trees and flowers, pollenation by the carrying of pollen on wings or feet.
Others engage in ridding the area of excess insect life, or maintaining a balance of life with their predatory natures.
An example of this is the Dodo, whose extinction was deemed sad, but of little consequence, until recently, many years later, a tree which grew only near the area where the Dodo had lived, was itself determined to be in danger of extinction.
It was determined, after researching the properties of the tree, that the digestive tract of the bird had been necessary to break down and activate the seed of the tree.
The trees grew to be several hundred years old, and were now dying, with no new saplings to replace them.
The researchers did find a way to save the tree, but the lesson we learn is this: Life truly is a circle.
That which we permit to be destroy todayed, may in fact cause our own destruction.
Each is a valued, and valuable part of life in the nemeton, and the overall circle that is life.

Totem Animals

The totem animal was taken by each individual Celt, Druid and Native American, as well as some clans which adopted them additionally.
Today, those who follow the ancient paths take for themselves a totem animal.
We are, it is said, inherently attuned to a certain species, or animal and tree, which is an inherent part of our makeup.
What animals are you drawn to?

Ancient Associations

 The animals were sacred to God and Goddess, and to men, each clan or tribe of Celts, or Native Americans taking totem animals, plants and trees, the deities too having those with which they were associated. Below are listed of some of those associations.

Aife:Swan and Crane
Arduinna: the Boar
Artio: all forest animals, particularly the Bear
Blodenwedd: The white Owl
Brigantia: the Owl
Cerridwen: Owl, Dove,
Cernunnos:Stag or bull
Damona: Cow or Cattle
Epona: the Horse
Ianuaria: Bull, Doves,
Gwalchmei: Hawks, Falcons, Eagles
Llyr: Sea mammals
Macha: Horse, Raven, Crow
Mabon: The Boar
Manannan mac Lir: Swine, magic coracle
Morrigan: Crow, Gull, Manta Rays, Whales
Nehalennia: Dogs
Nantosuelta: Sealife
Nemetona: The Ram and Owl
Nimue: Swans, Swallows
Pryderi: Boar, Swine
Pwyll: Dogs, Hounds
Rhiannon: Birds, Horses
Sadv: Doe, Fawn, most woodland animals
Silvanus: Stag, Dog
Tarvos: Bull, Cranes
Tethra: Seagulls, Albatross