I think constructive criticism is healthy, and helps to pare away things that don’t work, and also helps us to question where we stand. I tend to put my own UPG under some scrutiny, just because often there’s nothing much to compare it to other than other experiences of my own and others.

I would be curious as to your findings; and the totemists comm would be a great place to share what you have!

My primary totem is local (though elusive), but the phenomenon of having and working with totems outside one’s geographical jurisdiction isn’t uncommon. Just the same, I do not agree with Ravenari’s comment on why people should criticize something just because it happens. I don’t believe it is always the case with everyone who makes the claim, either local or nonlocal. Criticism is necessary for exploration and growth–and may determine wether it really is happening or not.

Side-tangent: Through my travels to some of the much older, historical places in Germany, I’ve gathered quite a bit of information that has confirmed, at least to me, that primitive/pagan cultures definitely do not have the market cornered on esoteric symbolism and various forms of animal identification. It was quite enlightening, and I managed to get quite a few photos and information to share. Until my German skills get at least somewhat decent, my partner is happy to help me translate and pull up information on a particular person or region. The things we’ve dug up so far on the trip have been pretty exciting, but I won’t clog up your comments with all that now. I might post some stuff to the LJ-totemists group later though, if you’re interested.

No, I follow wallaby’s lead on that one. Sometimes an animal will tell me very specifically that it is something about their mythology that I need to know more than their behaviour, lifestyle or physiology… um, black cockatoo comes to mind there.

But unless I trip over it by accident, I have no actual interest in wallaby’s mythological background. Firstly because wallaby hasn’t indicated it’s important, but secondly because that sort of information is hard to find anyway.

“The “totems/etc. must approach you” thing seems like an attempt to prevent people from automatic assumptions like favorite animal = totem.”

*nods* It is a caution thing, I mostly believe that totems choose a person, and actually I even believe that is true of those who must be approached first. They will still eventually make a choice as to whether it’s a worthwhile relationship or not, an animal who doesn’t will simply disappear or stop interacting with someone. I’ve approached wombat many a time in journey and he just looks at me as if to say ‘and? So? I don’t care about you. Go away.’ (I have personal reasons for wanting wombat in my life, I guess he has very clear reasons as to why he doesn’t want to be there!) Heh.

BUT, I do believe wombat is a totem that likes to be approached, even by people he has chosen.

Ravenari–Have you considered just learning about Brush Wallaby’s mythology separate from your practice, just out of curiosity?

As I mentioned to Riverwolf, I think sometimes the baby gets tossed out with the bathwater, especially in the “authenticity” struggle. While I think there are well-intentioned attempts to de-fluff neo-paganism/shamanism/etc. in general, being more serious isn’t necessarily equal to being more right in an objective manner.

The “totems/etc. must approach you” thing seems like an attempt to prevent people from automatic assumptions like favorite animal = totem. However, you bring up a good point that I think I’ll toss out to the Totemists comm. on LJ–do totems always have to approach us?

This is generally what it is for me as well. That, almost, all the cultural and mythological trappings of whatever animal comes to me (though often the ones that come to me don’t have any that people know of!) fade in comparison to specific lessons which may have more to do with its behaviours or natures than its mythologies. And then over time more and more opens up. I have been working with Western Brush Wallaby for… a long time now. Years and years.

And after many years I feel I know Wallaby well, but S/he still isn’t interested in me learning about its mythology. I couldn’t tell you what the local Nyungah or Mooro people thought or think about Wallaby as a teaching spirit. And it may be 10 years again before I’m pushed in that direction.

“I’ve seen criticism in various online communities of neopagan totemism, specifically regarding the fact that many people seem to have totems whose physical children they’ve never seen.”

It’s an understandable criticism, but… it doesn’t make sense a lot of the time. Why criticise something that simply does happen? And how much more complicated must it be for people with extinct totems?

“In my experience, there are totems who are more outgoing than others, and there are some who couldn’t care less whether we work with them or not.”

*nods* I think there are even some which *must* be approached, and even worshipped, sometimes for a long time before really opening up as a totem. Completely throwing dirt in the metaphorical eye of the idea that ‘totems must always approach you’ (which is something that I mostly believe, but… well I can’t in the case of some animals which must always be approached, lol).

I’m sure some in our community “adopt” an animal totem that seems cool or ferocious or has whatever qualities they themselves value. I can’t worry about these folks or about the ones who tell the rest of us how to practice. I think it’s important only to be as authentic and honest with ourselves and the spirits we meet—wherever we meet them.