Totem Guardian Spirits, Birth Totems, Power Totems

Totem guardian spirits are known amoung the Native North Americans, espicially amoung the tribes of the American Northwest coast.These totem spirits can protect an entire tribe or clan with collective power or the individual power of the animal. The totem animal is considered sacred to the entire tribe and no one within the tribe may kill their particular totem animal.

There are also messanger totem animals that will enter the young warriors life to give direction, wisdom, warnings, or the way that a particular situation must go.

Most Native American will have more than one totem. They will have a birth totem endowed upon them in ceremony at birth and a particular power totem they will aquire as they grow in wisdom and stature. They will also honor the totem of their tribe and they will also encounter certain totems frequently that are messanger totems given to them.

CheyFire

Animal Totems as Guardian Spirits

The belief in a spiritual guardian or guide spirit actually originated in tribal cultures. The spirit, usually in an animal form, protects individuals, tribes, and clans, and it provided magical shamanic powers. The power possessed by the animal is believed to represent the collective power of the entire species or genus.

These spirits usually appear in animal form but have the ability to assume human form. Hence the concept of shapeshifting is introduced and not feared. In their animal form it is believed that the  animal can talk to humans who have listening hearts and listening souls. This entire belief is centered in the concept that man and animal were at one time related.

Beliefs concerning animal spirits vary amoung the tribes. Many believe that every male child is born with a guardian spirit in animal form to protect him into adulthood.

CheyFire

The 10 Native American Commandments

1. Treat the Earth and all that dwell thereon with respect.

2. Remain close to the Great Spirit in all that you do.

3. Show great respect for your fellow human beings and respect yourself.

4. Work together for the benefit of all Mankind.

5. Give assistance and kindness whenever needed.

6. Do what you know to be right, but be careful not to fall into self righteousness.

7. Look after the well being of both mind and body.

8. Dedicate a share of your efforts to the greater good.

9. Be truthful and honest at all times, especially be truthful and honest with yourself.

10.Take full responsibility for your actions.

CheyFire

Dog Soldiers of the Cheyenne

The Cheyenne Dog Soldiers, as they were called by the U.S. Military, were created by a prophet of the Cheyenne Indians named 'Sweet Medicine.' These ferocious warriors were the leading military elit of the Cheyenne.They maintained law and order within the Cheyenne tribes.

Each year four of the bravest Dog Men were chosen to be honored and took suicide vows promising to defend their people to their death from the enemy raids.

Four is a number that is honored and seen in the medicine wheel and in the elements and in the four directions, north-south-east-and west.

Each Dog Soldier wore a sash of tanned skin that was about 8-10 feet long. These were called dog ropes and were used whenever a battle was going badly for the Cheyenne. The chosen Dog Men would drive a red wooden stake into the ground and tie the dog rope to the stake.

The Dog Men would then stand and fight to their death for retreat was not an option for these chosen warriors. It was expected that they fight and die rather than pull up the stake and retreat and many faught to their death to protect the Cheyenne people.

CheyFire