Totem of the day is Caribou! If there is something irritating you, now is the time to deal with it. Whether this includes retreating, changing it, or accepting it. Use this time to make a decision you will stand by. You may have been on a lengthy, rough journey, however, feel safe in the knowledge that it is coming to an end where you will finally receive the benefits of this trek. Do not be afraid to seek support to complete this journey. This could include letting yourself spend time with people you know and trust deeply. Allow yourself to delve into camaraderie and the safety of being in a group. The Caribou spirit guide is known for it's connection to journeying, communication, community, and protection during travels. When Caribou appears, it can be a reminder to turn to your family and friends. Spend time being helpful to those around you with a "All for one, and One for all" mentality. If you have been isolated, take the time to reenter into the social aspects of your life. However, if you have been in a leadership role, take time to make sure you are not overpowering those you are working with. Take a step back and remember the importance of being kind and guiding rather than bossy or controlling. If you are traveling anyway, Caribou is a strong totem for protection. These nomadic animals help us to return home after long journeys with our new knowledge in place. People who connect with Caribou are often travelers who enjoy regular vacations. This guide can help us through our darkest times by teaching us how to persevere through determination. These social souls love the company of like-minded friends and family. Even so, they are highly individual with a determined streak that has them running for their goals once they set their mind on it. They are often the most productive with their goals during the autumn.

Caribou, Rangifer Tarandus, are herbivorous mammals that can live between 12 and 15 years in the wild. Also known as Reindeer, these animals belong to the Cervidae family which includes moose, deer, and elk. The name Caribou is often used for wild populations while Reindeer often indicates a domestic animal. It is thought that Reindeer were one of the first domesticated animals with domestication occurring approximately 2,000 years ago. Caribou are found throughout the northern regions of the world from Alaska and Canada to Greenland, northern Europe, and northern Asia. They have a preference for mountains, tundras, and woodland habitats. Caribou require vast amounts of space to live for they are the furthest traveling land mammal. They can travel up to 3,000 miles a year in numbers up to the thousands. An adult Caribou can grow up to 53 inches tall from hoof to shoulder, over six feet long, and weighing as much as 600 lbs. Females generally weigh less. Caribou are the only members of the deer family which possess antlers on both the male and female genders. A male's antlers can weigh an impressive 33 lbs and as long as 51 inches. A male's antlers are generally used for fighting or defense, particularly during the breeding season. A female's antlers are used in order to protect herself and her young when nursing. Each year, these antlers fall off and regrow on both genders. When regrowing, they can become covered in a blood-filled tissue layer called velvet which is scraped off against trees or the ground to reveal the hardened antler beneath. These social animals gather in groups called herds that can grow to 500,000 individuals in the spring. These herds will travel south to find food for the winter. Living in the north, these large creatures have adapted perfectly to their cold habitat. Two layers of fur covering the caribou consist of a thick undercoat with a long-haired overcoat created out of hollow, air-filled hairs that aid in keeping the animal warm. Their feet even adapt between the two seasons. In the summer, their foot pads will swell and become sponge-like in order to step in a wider surface on the soft and damp tundra ground. In the winter, these foot pads will shrink which exposes the rim of their hoof. This allows them to cut into ice and crushed snow to keep from slipping as well as aiding in digging through snow to find lichen. The diet of a Caribou consists of ferns, grasses, mosses, fungi, leaves, and herbs. An adult Caribou can eat up to 18 lbs of plant material in a single day. During the harsh winters, they hunt in particular to a favorite lichen called reindeer moss. When breeding season occurs, females will give birth to generally only one baby called a calf. Although, in rare occasions, they have been known to give birth to up to four calves. At birth, these calves already weigh between 5 and 20 lbs and are able to stand within the first hour of their life. They will begin to eat solid food after about a week, however, they will also nurse from their mother's until approximately 6 months old. These calves will grow their first set of antlers at 2 years old and become fully mature between 4 and 6 years old.