So I did a tarot spread about my animal totem as I never really got into totems but was curious what tarot had to say about it. I drew the Two of Wands as what it looks like and the Animal Divine Tarot says, it is a Dragonfly.
Symbolism
Illusion, the Power of Light
Dragonfly is the power of light. The dragonfly inhabits two realms: air and water and the influence of both these elements will be felt by Dragonfly people. Dragonfly is the essence of the winds of change, the messages of wisdom and enlightenment; and the communication from the elemental world. Dragonfly medicine beckons you to seek out the parts of your habits that need changing. Call on Dragonfly to guide you through the mists of illusion to the pathway of transformation. Dragonfly brings the light and color of transformation into your life.The dragonfly has a beautiful, jewel-like coloring. The bright colors take time to develop, reflecting the idea that with maturity our own true colors come forth. Structures in their shells scatter and refract light, making them look iridescent green and blue. This ability to reflect and refract light and color has caused it to be associated with magic and mysticism. Dragonfly’s magic is the power of light and all that has ever been associated with it. In Japan, dragonflies represent new light and joy. Dragonflies remind us that we are light and can reflect the light in powerful ways if we choose to do so. Life is never quite the way it appears, but is always filled with light and color.
The Dragonfly totem embodies the essence of change, renewal, wisdom and enlightenment. Dragonflies represent transformation – they begin life in the water as nymphs and then take to the air in colorful flight. The Dragonfly urges you to consciously express your hopes, dreams and needs and to seek areas in which to affect positive change
For some Native American tribes dragonflies represent swiftness and activity, and for the Navajo they symbolize pure water. Dragonflies are a common motif in Zuni pottery; stylized as a double-barred cross, they appear in Hopi rock art and on Pueblo necklaces. A Southwest Native American Myth says the speed in which the wings of a dragonfly moved would open up doorways to other realms and dimensions. They have also been used in traditional medicine in China. A Romanian folk tale says that the dragonfly was once a horse possessed by the devil. Swedish folklore holds that the devil uses dragonflies to weigh people’s souls and considered it holy. The dragonfly also symbolized the love goddess Freya. In Japan dragonflies are symbols of courage, strength, and happiness, and they often appear in art and literature. The shape of the archipelago of Japan, as seen on a map, is said to be that of a dragonfly. One of Japan’s former names – 秋津島 or あきつしま (Akitsushima) – is literally an archaic form of Dragonfly Island(s).[16] This is attributed to a legend in which Japan’s mythical founder, Emperor Jinmu, was bitten by a mosquito, which was then promptly eaten by a dragonfly.
What a perfect totem to represent me!! Its also interesting because a former classmate of mine had dragonfly wings tattooed on her back. I never particularly liked the idea of using over done icons and images for tattoos especially in places where its’ common to get them. I suppose its because if you’re going to get a tattoo which lasts forever, I’d choose something that’s unique and personal to me, I don’t care if you give your own personal meaning to a cliche tattoo people won’t know unless they ask… anyway this girl and I never really got along, at least in my opinion. Perhaps it was life’s way of saying, pay attention to her, something about her you could relate to, and of course it would be the dragonfly wings on her back. Or maybe she is the human symbol for my totem… life saying, she’s in your life for a reason!! Who knows…
But I think I am going to be using the dragonfly as a secondary symbol around here. A mascot of sorts. I really like what it stands for.