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Spirit Animal: Fox Totem
The fox was calling to me and I was compelled to create this piece. The braided fur was something new I tried out and I’m happy with the outcome. It became quite mind boggling after a while, however, I got through it and the artwork turned out so much better than I had hoped. I love it when that happens! I wanted the image to extol the strength and beauty of fox. The green jewel is a representation of the third eye to really bring the magic to the piece. So what magic does fox have for us?
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Fox is a versatile and powerful totem. There are many cultures all around the world that feel the power of fox. In fact, foxes can be found all over the world, living in every kind of habitat. From the forest to the fields; from the desert to the arctic. Fox can survive in any environment. This is a great skill to have. Being able to adapt in any situation helps to ensure your own survival.
To achieve this, you must first learn fox’s greatest lesson of camouflage. This is a time to be invisible and watch from a distance. Blend into the background. Observe and be unseen. Fox is sneaky. She can swiftly get by without anyone noticing. This is a great way to avoid unwanted attention right now. Also, learn what you need to from the situation before you pounce into action. Remaining in the background gives you the opportunity to scope everything out in order to choose the best course of action.
Sometimes fox is associated with deception. Someone may be trying to trick you. Right now, it is important to focus on people’s actions rather than their words. This is another situation where silent observation can give you an advantage. Pay attention to what people are doing around you. Don’t get caught off guard by someone’s ill intent.
Fox is known for being commonly found in the “in between”. She often travels on the edge of her habitat between meeting biomes. She is also nocturnal and travels between dusk and dawn. At dusk and dawn is when the veil is thinned between this realm and the magical world. All of this suggest that the fox can travel between realms. When you see fox in this instance perhaps the doors have been opened for you to travel to another realm. You can also call upon fox as a guide when you want to cross the veil.
Fox is a shapeshifter. Many cultures share stories of fox changing into a human. Fox is feminine energy. Some stories are of fox transforming into a beautiful maiden whom men would fall in love with. The men who were tempted must be able to see and respect the power of the ancient feminine (within themselves or another) and transform or otherwise face certain doom. Destructive men will often lead themselves to their own destruction.
Fox is also earth energy. They live in dens within the earth and blend with nature to become one with it. Putting the feminine and earth energy together creates a powerful protector. Fox is a great protector of family. Call on fox when you need assistance protecting the ones closest to you.
On the contrary, fox could be telling you that you are spending too much time hiding. Are you feeling excluded, unappreciated or pushed aside? You have been sitting quietly in the back for too long. It is time to pounce! You have learned the ins and outs of what lies before you and it is time to strike with haste and precision and tackle your target!
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There is so much to learn from this beautiful creature. Has the fox been calling to you? What message does it hold? Share your story in the comments below! Thanks for reading!
Stay magical, free spirits!
If fox is your spirit animal, check out my latest piece in the shop! “Fox Totem” is available for prints as well as tees and home decor!
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Sloth Totem Drawing
I am very happy with how my “Sloth Totem” turned out! I stayed completely care-free the entire time I worked on this piece. I didn’t know how it would turn out in the end but I didn’t worry about it. I just let it happen and it happened well! I have shared this on social media and so far it is getting a lot of positive feedback.
I’m not entirely sure why people love sloths though! To be honest, I think they are a little creepy in real life. I can totally get on board with the calm and chill lifestyle though!
I will cover the symbolism of sloth after Inktober is completed. I shared a FSM Update to explain everything that is coming up in the next month! Make sure you give it a glance to see what’s in store!
Speaking of store, if you would like your own print of “Sloth Totem” it is available in my shop here.
You can also find home decor, apparel, accessories and more with my “Sloth Totem” piece. Click here.
Thanks for stopping by! Leave a comment below and let me know what you think about sloths. Cute or creepy?
Stay chill, free spirits!
“The main thing is to relax and let your talents do the work.” -Charles Barkley
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Totem Animal: Horse
I am happy with how his piece turned out. The mane was a lot of fun to draw. It resembles fire which is funny because I have always struggled with drawing fire, yet this came easily for me. Now that I have this concept in mind, I will have to experiment with fire again. I had to change my perspective a little to figure it out.
Like the orca, I did not add any tangles to this totem. I don’t know why. I easily could have but I just wanted to play around with the fading colors and the shape of the mane. I wanted the mane to be the focus of the entire piece. It’s wild and free just like the horse, which will lead us to our symbolism.
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HORSE SYMBOLISM
The horse has been an amazing companion throughout the history of mankind. No other animal has made a bigger impact in the lives of humans than the horse. They’ve aided us with traveling long distances, they’ve carried men through wars, provided the power needed for agriculture and entertained us with racing and horse shows. Horses have been by our side since cavemen. If you have horse for a totem, consider yourself extremely lucky.
The horse is a symbol of travel. They have always carried us where we need to go, making travel between cities and families easier. They also were used to deliver goods and news from place to place. They were the first to show us what it is like to have wings. If the horse has crossed your path, it may be time for you to take a trip. Are you stressed? Do you need to get away for a while? Let the horse take you away and show you what it’s like to fly. They will show you what it’s like to feel free again.
I loved riding my horse, Skyler, through the open fields by my childhood house. Once they have the open space, they will run as fast as their thundering hooves can carry them! The tears streak from your eyes! It’s a rush. The horse is a strong symbol of freedom. Remember to keep this spirit with you always. Do not stay tied down, no matter how domesticated you feel. Even domestic horses let go and let the wind guide them, their manes flowing wildly. Use this energy in your own journey to freedom. Live a little.
Horses are the greatest symbol of power. Each color of the horse represents an individual strength. The black horse rules dreams and the dark. They will guide you and show you how to find the light. The chestnut shows us the power of remaining playful and remembering the joys of life. They show us how to have fun. The palomino shows us the power of teaching others and sharing our enlightenment. It is important to help others when we can and guide them to find their own strength. Finally we have the white, or gray, horse. They are the unity of all the powers and your mount to and from the spirit realm. The white horse teaches wisdom and that wisdom cannot be obtained if power is abused. Keep all this in mind as you trot down your path in life. It will take you far!
Last but not least, the horse represents sexuality. The stallion is a strong representation of this. The stud. Need I say more. Strut your stuff, honey! You look mighty fine. Just don’t get too cocky. Wouldn’t want to take a kick to the face.
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I hope you enjoyed this week’s totem. It has been a long time coming. Horses are my favorite animal and have played a huge role in my life. They have truly changed my outlook on life. Do you have any great horse tales? Share your story in the comments below! Thanks for stopping by!
Stay wild, free spirits!
Find Horse Totem prints and other products @Redbubble
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Twitterpated
Spring has finally arrived! The weather is trying to make the shift from cold and frigid to into warm and inviting. I can hear the birds throughout the day. It was silent during the winter then one day, it seemed all the birds came out at once to sing their songs! I love it! I always think of the scene from the movie Bambi when the owl explains that all the birds are twitterpated! Twitterpated? Yes.
“Nearly everybody gets twitterpated in the springtime. For example, you’re walking along minding your own business, you’re looking neither to the left, nor to the right, when all of the sudden, you run smack into a pretty face. WHOO-WHOO! You begin to get weak in the knees, your head’s in a whirl! And then you feel light as feather, and before you know it you’re walking on air! And then you know what? You’re knocked for a loop! And you completely lose your head!” -Friend Owl
It makes me laugh every time I think about it. So in honor of springtime and a great movie, here is a collection of all the avian totems I have drawn so far.
There are still quite a few I need to cover but it’s a pretty great collection to start. I have the flamingo in the works right now. It’s going to be fun playing around with the different shades of pink. For now though, we have these beauties! You can read about each birds symbolism by clicking the links below.
You can also find prints and other cool products with these images @Redbubble and @Society6!
Which drawing is your favorite? Is there a bird not pictured here that you would like to see? Drop a suggestion in the comments below! Thanks for stopping by today!
Fly high, free spirits!
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Totem Animal: Orca
I had so much fun creating this piece. I always have an idea in mind but as I draw I let the piece create itself. My original thought was to have each orca resemble each half of a yin yang symbol. They originally were going to be done in zentangle and one porpoise would be black, the other white. The more I worked on it, my entire idea changed. The orcas’ skin is so smooth and shiny, I didn’t want to take away from that by adding patterns. I thought, instead, it would be a fun opportunity to play with the value scale and get some nice blue hues in replace of the orcas’ natural black. To fill in the space between, I created a neat design to represent the waves of water splashing around them. It’s a very calming piece. I feel like I can hear the water splashing when I look at it.
The orca has always fascinated me, ever since I was a child. They are my favorite marine animal and they have a lot to boast. So let’s dive on in and learn about their symbolism! (…see what I did there…)
Orca Symbolism
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First of all, lets get this out of the way so there is no confusion. Orcas are also known as killer whales. They are not actually whales, however. They are the largest porpoise (like dolphins) species in existence.
Orcas are highly intelligent creatures. They have the second largest brain in the ocean and can figure out any dilemma they come across. Have you ever seen those videos on youtube of the killer whales hunting? Pretty crazy stuff! Their ability to work together and problem solve is remarkable. This is a key point we should take from the orca. If they have swam into your consciousness, it may be time to start using that big brain of yours. Keep yourself mentally active and healthy. The better you take care of yourself, the better you can take on any obstacle in life!
Orcas are a strong symbol of family. They live in huge “pods” sometimes of 40 family members! The females lead the pod, passing it down from generation to generation. They have great respect towards their grandmothers and mothers. We, too, should remember to respect our own family members who have cared for us and taught us what they know.
It is also important to work together. Killer whales know they can accomplish more when they are together. They are phenomenal hunters. Orcas have often been referred to as the wolves of the water because of the way they work as a pack to catch their prey. Make sure you are being a good team player. Help each other to obtain a common goal. The success rate is higher when you work together. It is much easier to make waves with many whales than it is with one. Imagine what you can do if everyone is in tune with each other. Communication helps with this.
Orcas are very vocal and rely heavily on sound. They use echolocation to navigate the world around them. Plus their songs are beautiful and melodious. If you hear the call of the orca, remember to use your own voice. Communicate with others to achieve harmony. Sing your song and enjoy the music of others. A calming tone can do wonders!
Some Native Americans believed that each orca was a reincarnation of a loved one. They showed a great respect for the animal and never hunted them. They were a sign from the spirit realm that a love one that has passed is still with you, watching over you. If you have lost someone recently, perhaps they have come to comfort you in the form of orca.
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The orca is such a powerful totem and they represent so much more than what I covered here. Make sure to check out other sources to get a full interpretation of your totem. Thanks for stopping by this week! Say hi in the comments below and let me know what you think of the orca totem!
Make a splash, free spirit!
Find Orca Totem prints and other products @Redbubble
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Totem Animal: Blue footed Booby
This post is all about boobies! I’m sorry, I had to! Ok, but seriously though it’s about boobies. The blue footed booby to be exact. It is the latest animal I chose for my totem series. I had a lot of fun with this piece. I really enjoy using zentangle when drawing birds. Their feathers always come out awesome! I was excited to use the blue colors to create the feet, as well. I didn’t use any ink around the feet like I did through out the rest of the piece. I wanted the color to be the only part of the feet you pay attention to. This is also why I didn’t add any tangles to the feet. I kept the colors for this drawing realistic. The blue footed booby is so beautiful on it’s own. I didn’t want to take away from their natural patterns and colors.
The blue footed booby’s symbolism is just as interesting as their appearance. It was difficult to dig up information on this one. It was a unique choice on my part. Not too many people stumble across these guys too often, being that that they are only found in Central and South America. However, I was seeing them repeatedly online and my son brought home some school papers about them so I decided I needed to check this one off the list.
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Blue Footed Booby Symbolism
The word booby comes from the Spanish word “bobo”. Bobo means stupid. Some think this name was given to these birds because of how clumsy they are when on land. Although they bumble around on land to mate and care for their young, they are most graceful in the air and water. They soar through the air, above the ocean hunting for food. They will dive straight down into the water, with speed and elegance, to gobble up unsuspecting schools of fish. When searching for a mate, males use their vibrant feet in a courting dance to show off to females. The brighter the blue, the more attractive the mate. They also use their feet to protect their young and keep them warm. Because of their size, the only predator boobies have
(besides humans) are sharks.The blue footed booby is a survivor. If one has crossed your path you can expect the same for yourself. No matter what life is throwing at you, you can come out of it stronger than ever! Dive deep within yourself. There are more layers than just the surface. You have strength deep within that will help you get ahead in life.
The booby is fearless. They may look silly as they stumble around, doing a little dance. They may be a bit goofy with big blue feet that don’t quite seem to fit the rest of their body. Though in the end, they are still confident and continue on. So what if your own dance is a little clumsy, it’s yours! Strut your stuff, don’t be afraid to be you! Single? This could be your time to shine and pick up that cutie you’ve been too shy to approach otherwise. In a relationship? Don’t forget to have some fun every once and a while. Remember to dance together, even if you look silly.
The blue footed booby is also a symbol of creativity and dreaming. It might be time to take that dream and make it a reality. The booby is telling you to keep in touch with your creative side. Anything is possible, as long as you can imagine it. Use your creativity to make it happen.
Blue footed boobies live on the coast. This symbolizes unity of all the elements. The sun shines on the coast (fire), the booby birds dance on the shore (earth), they soar through the sky (air) and they dive into the waters(you guessed it, water). They use all the elements to survive and have achieved a balance between them. If we can obtain this balance in our own lives, we too can dive deep into the open water and come out with an abundance of fish….or whatever you are aiming for!
With awkward feet and a name that makes you giggle, it’s surprising how powerful a totem the blue footed booby can be. Balance your life and remember to look within yourself for the strength to survive. Stay silly and spend time with the love of your life.
I hope you were able to gain some insight from the blue footed booby. I was happy to learn as much as I did about them. They are unique and interesting creatures. Have you ever seen one of these birds in person? Share your story in the comments below! Thanks for stopping by this week! Check back soon for my next totem piece, the orca.
Dive on in, free spirits!
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Prints of “Blue Footed Booby Totem” are available at my shop! You can also find patterns and other cool designs available for these colorful birds! Click the links below to find all the products available for each one!
Blue Footed Booby Pattern | Blue Footed Booby Totem Animal | I Love Boobies Design
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Totem Poll (see what I did there)
Hey All!
I’ve been out of sort for the past week or two, getting a lot of snow removal hours and trying to catch up on some zzzzz’s! I think Mother Nature is going to give me a breather now…for a little while…so I can start my next totem, the blue-footed booby! I real excited to get start because the colors are going to be bright and beautiful! Once I finish the booby, I thought it would be fun to let you guys choose what totem I should do next. I’ve created a poll to let you guys pick which animal you would like to see next. Here are the choices…
Which totem animal should I draw next?
- Orca
- Jaguar
- Sloth
- Mouse
- Horse
- Wolf
- Kingfisher
- Buffalo
- Zebra
- Dog
Leave a comment below with the animal of your choice.
Thanks for voting! I can’t wait to see who the winner is!
I also have the poll up on twitter and deviant art. Those votes will be counted towards the total as well! Unfortunately, twitter only allows 4 choices so you can only vote on the full list here on my blog and on deviant art.
Take care, free spirits!
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Totem Animal: Flying Squirrel
What a goofy, little critter. These strange creatures are unique from other squirrels as they have a flappy membrane from there front to their back feet called a patagium. This is what allows them to fly, or rather glide, through the air. They are clumsy creatures on the ground so the will try to hide until they can return to the tree tops for safety. Another trait that makes them unique is that most of them are nocturnal. The fact that they only come out at night led to the recent discovery that certain species glow under UV light. Their underbellies glow a vibrant pink. After learning about this, I had to draw one for my next totem piece, even though I’ve already completed a red squirrel.
The drawing came out so bright and crazy! It’s very different from my other totems. The pink is so vibrant, I wanted to make sure I captured that unique trait the best I could! The blue and pink work well together. It was a lot of fun creating this piece and I can’t wait to try even more wild colors in the future! Now on to the symbolism!
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FLYING SQUIRREL SYMBOLISM
Flying squirrels over all have the same lessons to teach as all squirrels. You can read general squirrel symbolism in a post I wrote a while back first if you like. Then come back to this one for a cherry on top.
Because they are nocturnal, the flying squirrel is connected to the moon. The moon is a strong symbol for feminine energy and the flying squirrel is known for fertility in some Native American lore. These little critters also teach us about balance. Perhaps it is time to balance our energies in order to glide, effortlessly, through our day to day. Maintaining balance will help us remain fertile in life, not only meaning family but in joys and riches as well.
Flying squirrels have huge, buggy eyes in order to see better in the dark. Make sure that you are aware of your surroundings. Dangers could be right in front of you but if you refuse to see them, they will get you! Just like a hungry owl gets the flying squirrel. You may also want to check out Owl symbolism to see what could be lurking in the shadows.
************************************I hope you enjoyed my latest totem and were able to gain some insight from the flying squirrel. Have you ever seen a flying squirrel? Share your story in the comments below! Thanks for stopping by this week!
Glide on, free spirits!
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Love what you see? You can find prints, apparel, home decor and other cool stuff with my Flying Squirrel Totem by clicking the links below!
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Sources:
- Animal Speak by Ted Andrews
- Mother Nature Network
- National Geographic
