by Darren Owen

Created on: September 05, 2010

Animal totems: Rat

The rat has a bad image in most western countries.  We see it as something to be feared or reviled and if you see a rat in your back garden you immediately start thinking of how to get rid of it.  Yet many other countries see the rat as something completely different and in the orient it is seen as part of their astrological parade and something to be respected. 

To the Chinese the rat is symbolic of fertility and wealth, possibly because the common rat can have many offspring and are highly intelligent.  A 2007 study found rats to have an intelligence that is on order with humans and some primates in certain areas.  In India the god Ganesh rode used rats as steeds while in Egypt the rat was symbolic of wisdom.  If you have a rat as a totem animal then you can guarantee it will teach you many things.

Adaptability is the first thing your totem rat will teach you.  Rats can and will live just about anywhere and not only that they will thrive.  It doesn’t matter if you live in a rural or urban setting because the rat will show you how to adapt to any change in your environment.  This adaptability shows in emotional settings as well.  If you allow it the rat will show you how to be resourceful in material and emotional realms giving you confidence that you will be ok no matter where you are or what happens to you. 

The rat will also show you lessons about foresight.  Ever heard of the phrase “rats leaving a sinking ship”?  They leave because they can see what is coming and will always choose the path that leads to survival.  Mix this with the rat’s natural cunning and you will have the perfect blend for survival in all realms.  If you get little intuitions about things in your daily life then you may want to listen to them and once listened to go with your natural inclinations.  This will allow you to survive and never be overly surprised about what is happening in your life. 

Traditionally the rat is symbolic with success and if you have a rat totem then you will probably be the sort of person who also needs to succeed.  This can be both a positive and a negative since sometimes in life you have to lose something to learn about something or to gain something else and rats hate to lose. But if you can balance this drive to succeed with the rat’s natural ability to adapt and survive then you will come out the best no matter what the situation.

On the negative side the rat totem can bring restless and nervousness of completely new situations.  They also bring the urge to horde material wealth because they fear to have to little.  If anyone tries to take what is theirs or spooks them then they can fight aggressively to maintain what they think is right.  If you can bring this urge into balance though you can use it to bring abundance into your life without losing track of what is truly important to you. 

Overall the rat totem will teach you many things about life if you will just listen to it.  Concentrate on bringing into balance the rats negative qualities while allowing the good qualities to bring you fulfilment and abundance will ultimately make you a happier person.  Remember though next time you see a rat to thank them, you don’t want the qualities you have worked so hard to acquire to scurry away like a rat running from a burning building after all.

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