I first encountered totems during my job as a scientist. Funny, isn’t it. Yet, there were all these little figures around the computers in the environmental lab where I worked. They were to protect the instrument, make it run all night, and bless all the data being produced. It was the lucky shirt/shorts/whatever that we didn’t have to wear everyday and be obvious about it. Everyone picked a their own totems. And you needed permission from the instrument to swap one out for another if you took over someone’s equipment, or were running it for that matter.

I’ve noticed that I’ve begun to acquire totems for my writing.

My latest edition. I don’t hear the swearing, but maybe one day.

This is a souvenir my friend gave me from her trip to Alaska.

Yes, I’m a bit minion happy. My son picked this up from the movie theatre. Everyone should have minions.

My friend gave me this one. I hang it at work, to dream of other things while doing my job.

Zot, I picked up from the Renaissance Faire. Everyone should have a dragon guarding their work, so it doesn’t get stolen.
This bit of crystal is supposed to attract money. I think it might be useful to knock a rich person upside the head and rob them, but so far much luck. Still, it’s pretty cruel and the cats like to knock it off my desk all the time.

So there they are. My totems. Sometimes we all need a little help. Even if it is just in our heads.