Tremendous stamina and can run for a very long time.
Powerful animals with strong reflexes and respond quickly to anything that appears on their path
unpredictable, passive one moment and aggressive the next, can sense danger the moment it arrives and can teach us how to become more observant of subtle energies.
live in large herds and are seldom seen alone.
enjoy the company of their own kind, do need space to roam and if cornered can become quite dangerous
Those with this totem need a sacred space to retreat to from time to time in order to keep their energy balanced.
have contests to see who will mate with the does; will fight very aggressively and frequently draw blood or worse. Those with this medicine need to keep their aggressive tendencies under control and seek fairness in all that they do. These tendencies may not be evident to the conscious mind, although when provoked they can often surface unexpectedly.
never graze at night, attacked herd will bolt in all directions so as to confuse a predator. The art of survival is part of its teachings. Majestic in their bearing the elk demands respect. Adult bulls with a full set of antlers are a match for any animal they would encounter, including a bear.
There is no more impressive a sight than a full grown elk, with its winter coat, standing tall and looking fierce. Elk shares with us its regal demeanor and those with this totem often find themselves on center stage both in their professional and personal lives. If Elk medicine is fully developed within a person a strong self image is expressed. Those with this totem usually have past life associations connected to royalty.
When elk appears in your life, it may be telling you to polish your act and carry yourself with pride and power. That does not mean you should be egotistical, however, for elk knows that its true power comes from Great Spirit. It shows off the gifts it has been given and uses them to its advantage.
Elk holds the medicine of strength and empowerment. If you need to be impressive in a situation, it would be good to connect with elk and learn from it. If you are shy or unsure elk can show you how to become more confident.
