For Anne, who was gracious enough to take me through the journey.

~~~

This is the story -- my story -- of taking the journey to find my totem animal. I had the precious opportunity to be verbally guided through the depths of my subconscious in order to find my animal helper.

A totem animal is different than a power animal, or a spirit animal. This creature is not yours; it does not belong to you. It is its own entity, walking alongside you, helping you as you travel down the path of life. It is a source of wisdom and healing. A totem animal can change for every new part of your journey, or it can stay with you for life.

...I'm not sure I entirely believe in the journey. The beast that showed itself to me is an animal I wanted to have, which makes me think that I consciously imagined the voyage. I don't think I was truly traveling through my subconscious. However, real or imagined, it still makes for a good story.

The following story is a dramatized account of what I saw on my guided journey to find my totem. (There is no affiliation with the Spirit Animals book series or any other work of fiction.) You don't have to believe it. But you don't have to disbelieve it either.

Don't look back. Don't fear the darkness. And whatever you do, don't open your eyes.