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Native American Birth Totem

Published on March 10, 2013 by Casey

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11/6/2014 Native American Birth Totem | Native American Encyclopedia

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Native American Birth Totem

Native American Birth Totem

According to Native American tradition, everything in life is a circle. They saw that the Sun moves in a circle, from morning to night and then back

again to another morning. They saw that, from the waxing and waning of the Moon from full moon to dark moon and back, the Moon too moves in acircle. And through observing the changing of the seasons, they knew that the Earth moves in a circle as well. Native Americans created the MedicineWheel as an expression of all of these life circles. In fact, everything they experienced in life, every object, every thought, every aspect of being, had its

place on the Medicine Wheel. The Wheel showed that everything in life was interconnected and joined together to form one complete whole. And so,the Medicine Wheel itself represented the whole of Creation.

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The Twelve Moons

The Native people saw that it took twelve moons (i.e. moon cycles or months) to go through a complete cycle of the seasons (or a complete turn of

the Wheel). And so the twelve moons, along with the four seasons, found their places on the Wheel.

They believed that each of these moons had its own set of animal, mineral, and plant totems (as well as others), and that each of these totems

possessed certain qualities that could be passed onto people depending upon the moon under which they were born.

Additionally, they believed that, not only could one possess the traits and qualities of their own birth totems, but that one could also explore and

experience the traits of any and all of the totems at various times in her or his life. As one walked one’s way around the Wheel (i.e. went through life),

s/he would experience many lessons and encounter many challenges, and the totems along the way would be there to guide them and to help themgrow during these experiences.

It should be noted that the characteristics listed for each birth totem are not necessarily the traits that everyone born under that totem possesses. Everyperson is unique, and each has her or his own unique personality. Each person moves along the Wheel in their own way and at their own speed.

Personalities are fluid, and over time they change and evolve. But those born under the same moon tend to share certain broad characteristics.

Therefore, the qualities mentioned here are of a general nature, and describe traits that one may possess for a long or short period in their lives, or traitsthat one may lack and needs to develop at some point during their lifetime.

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11/6/2014 Native American Birth Totem | Native American Encyclopedia

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Use your birthday to find your birth moon, then click on it to learn more…

Dec 22 – Jan 19: Earth Renewal Moon

Jan 20 – Feb 18: Rest & Cleansing Moon

Feb 19 – Mar 20: Big Winds Moon

Mar 21 – Apr 19: Budding Trees Moon

Apr 20 – May 20: Frogs Return Moon

May 21 – Jun 20: Corn Planting Moon

Jun 21 – Jul 21: Strong Sun Moon

Jul 22 – Aug 21: Ripe Berries Moon

Aug 22 – Sep 21: Harvest Moon

Sep 22 – Oct 22: Ducks Fly Moon

Oct 23 – Nov 22: Freeze Up Moon

Nov 23 – Dec 21: Long Snows Moon

You can also use your birthday to find your animal totem:

Dec 22 – Jan 19: Snow Goose

Jan 20 – Feb 18: Otter

Feb 19 – Mar 20: Wolf

Mar 21 – Apr 19: Falcon

Apr 20 – May 20: Beaver

May 21 – Jun 20: Deer

Jun 21 – Jul 21: Woodpecker

Jul 22 – Aug 21: Sturgeon

Aug 22 – Sep 21: Bear

Sep 22 – Oct 22: Raven

Oct 23 – Nov 22: Snake

Nov 23 – Dec 21: Owl

And the same applies to your mineral totem:

Dec 22 – Jan 19: Clear Quartz

Jan 20 – Feb 18: Turquoise

Feb 19 – Mar 20: Silver

Mar 21 – Apr 19: Fire Opal

Apr 20 – May 20: Chrysocolla

May 21 – Jun 20: Moss Agate

Jun 21 – Jul 21: Rose Quartz

Jul 22 – Aug 21: Garnet & Iron

Aug 22 – Sep 21: Amethyst

Sep 22 – Oct 22: Jasper

Oct 23 – Nov 22: Copper & Malachite

Nov 23 – Dec 21: Obsidian

Source: crystal-cure

NativeAmericanEncyclopedia.com Unabridged

Based on the collective work of NativeAmericanEncyclopedia.com, © 2014 Native American Encyclopedia.

Cite This Source | Link To Native American Birth Totem

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Cara Mumford · Writer/Director/Producer at Cara Mumford Films

True Medicine Wheels are different for different nations. This Medicine Wheel implies that allNative traditions are the same, which is far from true. If this is an accurate representation of aspecific Medicine Wheel, then the nation it comes from should be mentioned in the article.

Reply · Like · · March 11, 2013 at 12:08pm26

Warren Wilkinson · Victoria High School

very interesting thanks!

Reply · Like · · March 11, 2013 at 1:32pm1

Rachel Brian

that is nice to see that the traditions are being pass on.

Reply · Like · · March 11, 2013 at 6:07pm5

Debra Rincon · Top Commenter · Clackamas Community College

US HERE In OREGON Have many Different CULTURAL BELIEFS than other TRIBES &NATIONS in the USA & the WORLd. From Debra Rincon Lopez from Klamath & BLACKFEETTRIBES.

Reply · Like · · March 11, 2013 at 8:59pm4

Tonya Oaks

different but in all , the same ~

Reply · Like · June 17, 2013 at 3:58pm

Ted Atatise

11/6/2014 Native American Birth Totem | Native American Encyclopedia

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There are actually 13 moons with 28 day cycles...The moons became confused ormisrepresented as Aboriginals tried to fit them in with The Cesaerean Calender which havevarying days 28,29,30 and 31 days for different months.My Elders tell me there are 13 moons.

Reply · Like · · March 12, 2013 at 9:24am14

Scott LePage · Top Commenter

My friend, there is no such thing as The Cesaerean Calender. It (if I assume youare referring to the western common calendar in use) is called the Gregoriancalendar. Your point is well taken, though. Before the Gregorian was the Julian,which lasted until 525 A.D.

Reply · Like · · March 20, 2013 at 3:54pm3

Rod Dudley · Top Commenter · Works at Author - Selfhelp

Scott LePage The Julian is also often referred to as the Cesarean - correctly or not- Julius Cesar

Reply · Like · October 5, 2013 at 11:37pm

Tommy Bailey · Ricks College

Ted is absolutely correct. Once again, the conquering peoples wanted things their way. Thisis really the true basis for the term "Indn time".

Reply · Like · March 17, 2013 at 6:23am

Dave F Ryan

Time of old has faded into history and with the passing years moving in yet a bigger circle ofnot yet, completion. The teachings of old were for those who lived in that frame of motion. Wenow of this time are in an expanding motion of Universe's growth. Past knowledge has fed uswith the knowing of tool of then, and now we of this time, need to see where we fit in to theexpanding cycle about us.

Reply · Like · · March 17, 2013 at 10:41am1

Lisa Mserenity · TMCC Community College

rest/cleansing moon, otter, and turquoise...

Reply · Like · March 20, 2013 at 3:17pm

Joel Bernier · Equestrian Marshall Instructor @2nd Life Stables inc at Self-Employed

so much to learn in the past America, deep roots, was great living.

Reply · Like · March 20, 2013 at 4:34pm

Lynn Adamo

Guess I now know why the otter's always been my favorite creature... it's my totem! :) Thankyou for this information.

Reply · Like · March 21, 2013 at 5:36am

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