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Totem Animals and Art Therapy

May 10, 2012 by jas milam

From time to time in my groups I like to present the Native American concept of the Totem Animal. This is similar to our idea of the “guardian angel” and is typically a non-threatening way to approach spirituality. It is the universe/god/source at work – watching over each of us, benevolent, providing us with what we need each step of the way. It can be a very powerful experience.

I have seen a lot of totem animals over the years; foxes, wolves, deer, rabbits and bears. The qualities they embody have helped many people through rough places in their recovery. I have seen some funny things too.  The new mom who got a kangaroo, the athlete who got a gorilla, the busy mom who got a bee. But I had my breath taken away by a badger that came to me following a guided meditation at Focus. I led the group members through a relaxation exercise followed by a journey to a field where their totem animal revealed itself to them. When the group members “returned” I demonstrated basic ways to shape the clay. I was surprised when a badger came out! But not half as surprised as when I opened my Ted Andrew’s book Animal Speak, the “bible” of animal spirits. There it said “Although the badger looks fat it has extra skin to protect itself from predators. “ This, in an art therapy group for women inpatient with eating disorders. This, with me and my extra weight at the head of the table.  This, with me teaching them to speak metaphor. I say aloud that my weight must protect me too. I “try on “ this idea. The fat protects me. Or at least I think it protects me! I need extra weight for protection…is it even true that my weight protects me? I may believe a lie!

The badger totem hits home and I get interested in my own process again.

I am an emotional eater, an overeater and private binger.

 

 

 

 

Filed Under: art therapy, eating disorders

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