Symbolism and questions

I'm not exactly sure how to word this, but I'm going to give it a shot and see if it comes out legible.
I have always felt a connection to certain kinds of animals at certain times. The animals are the snake, deer, horse, lion/cat, and gryphon. My zodiac is Leo and I have always been independent as cats are wont to do.
According to Crystalinks:
"Cat's medicine is independence, curiosity, many lives, cleverness, unpredictability, healing, the ability to fight when cornered, seeing the unseen, and protection. He also represents love and can assist us in meditation. If Cat is your Power Animal, then you have magic and mystery in your life. You are independent and a free thinker. You probably feel energized at night. You will stay with a person or situation until it bores you, and then you're gone. You have a great talent for organizing things " ("Totem Animals." Crystalinks. http://www.crystalinks.com/totemanimals.html).
I can vouch for all of this, but not all the time. I am not always independent, unpredictable, or healing. I don't always feel energized at night and at times my room is utter chaos. As far as curiosity goes, my girlfriend will quickly point out that I just can’t take “because” for an answer. I have to know why something is the way it is, and I won’t settle for less. I often question people as to why they believe the way they do, not in an effort to attack them, but to better understand them and quench my curiosity. I have been known to come up with clever and witty thoughts and ideas. My friends would call me classy. I also have always stood up for what I believe is right (I would never make it in jail lol). I have magic and mystery in my life. I have always been a cat person and am “mom” to 5 cats currently. Call me the cat-lady-starter-kit.
“Lion's Medicine teaches us the magic of group interaction, of group energy. It also teaches us the secrets of silence and patience. Patience is to pay attention to detail. Lion suggests that we examine ourselves closely in order to understand our strengths and weaknesses, and to wait for the proper moment to act and take full advantage of a given situation. Learn from Lion the proper way to use power and strength. Stay calm and still, sure of your power. But if necessary, don't hesitate to fight for the things you are interested in.”
As I stated above, I always stand up for what I believe in, but I have the introspection to know my own strengths and weaknesses and to be able to thoroughly define what it is that I believe. I can have great patience, and then I can sometimes be the exact opposite
Moving on to the deer:
"Deer blend very well with their environment but are very sensitive to every sound or movement. Often twins, even triplets, are born in the spring. Does and bucks live in separate groups until the mating season. The white-tailed deer are moderately gregarious, and family members forage food together along with other family groups, giving the appearance of a large herd. People with Deer Medicine are often described as being swift and alert. They are intuitive, often appearing to have well developed, even extrasensory perceptions. Sometimes their thoughts seem to race ahead, and they appear not to be listening. Deer's medicine includes gentleness in word, thought and touch, ability to listen, grace and appreciation for the beauty of balance, understanding of what's necessary for survival, power of gratitude and giving, ability to sacrifice for the higher good, connection to the woodland spirits, alternative paths to a goal. The gentleness of Deer is the heart-space of the Great Spirit which embodies His love for us all. Deer teaches us to find the gentleness of spirit that heals all wounds, to stop pushing to get others to change and to love and accept them as they are. The only true balance to power is love and compassion" ("Totem Animals." Crystalinks. http://www.crystalinks.com/totemanimals.html).
I love the thought of balance and I strive to find balance in the things I do. I pick up on things quickly. I have an Intuitive personality and extrasensory perceptions. My girlfriend often complains that I seem to be miles away and I often think of things before others do. People start talking and I finish not only their sentences but their whole train of thought and add to it. Sometimes I am so engrossed in thinking about whatever it is, that I tune out others around me. I am not always gentle in word, thought or touch though. I have been a better listener. I have also always felt that whatever great and good that is in me is best felt and used by applying it to others in need-thus the sacrifice for the greater good. A great example of this is “my creed” that I posted as a blog. I have always loved the woodlands and mountains and I have been blessed to be surrounded by these deep, earthy woodlands here in East TN. I also look at all possible choices before deciding on a route-alternative paths to a goal. I am searching for the gentleness in my spirit that heals all wounds. I have been a warrior for quite a while and it’s growing tiresome. I have only begun to love and accept people as they are, starting with me.
“The horse shows up in almost every mythological writing, folklore, and reality. There is the mighty winged Pegasus, the eight-legged horse of the Norse god Odin, the stallions of the Hindu sun god, the stallions of Apollo, and so on. Many legends speak of the horse as being clairvoyant and able to perceive humans with magical powers. No single animal has given man the physical freedom of movement as the horse. If you are drawn to Horse, you feel a power in your spirit that is sometimes difficult to control. Horse is a symbol of loyalty and devotion, of unquestioning love and faith in his master. He says that you love to travel, and have more than a touch of gypsy in your soul. Horse is also your warrior spirit - the brave fighter who brings you safety in your journeys, both physical and metaphysical. Horse's medicine includes power, stamina, endurance, faithfulness, freedom to run free, control of the environment, awareness of power achieved with true cooperation, interspecies communication, expanding one's own potential abilities, friendship and cooperation, travel, astral travel, guardian of travelers, warns of possible danger, guide to overcoming obstacles.”
As a symbol of loyalty and devotion, I find these things in my relationships with others. I do feel a power in my spirit that becomes difficult to control at times. I seek freedom and limitlessness in all things I do. I can’t sit still in one place without feeling trapped or caged. I can’t even stay home for one whole day without going out somewhere. I have trouble sitting through a whole movie. I am also very in-tune with the warrior inside of me. I love traveling and astral travel was something that I achieved early on. I perceive myself as a guardian and protector. I try to warn others of possible danger and urge them to look at things from every perspective. I was also born under the year of the Horse in Chinese Astrology.

Gryphons have always been depicted as guardians of treasure. Gryphon’s themselves depict gold, as they represent the wealth of the sun at dawn, the gold in the east.” (http://gryphonguild.critter.net/mythology.html)
In symbolism, the griffin combines the symbolic qualities of both the lion and the eagle. It is the king of birds and lord of the air united with the king of beasts and lord of the earth.
Griffins are a symbol of the sun, wisdom, vengeance, strength, and salvation.
Even Christ's Ascension came to be associated with the griffin. The creature appeared as frequently in the applied arts (tapestries, the work of goldsmiths) as in heraldry. In the latter domain, Boeckler (1688) offered the following interpretation: "Griffins are portrayed with a lion's body, an eagle's head, long ears, and an eagle's claws, to indicate that one must combine intelligence and strength."
A very protective and vigilant Spirit Guide, the Griffin (also spelled gryphon or griffon) is a master of astral workings and a guardian of the Soul and Life-essence. It appears as a creature with the head & wings of an eagle and the body of a lion. (http://www.tween-the-shadows.com/magick/symbols_magick/griffons_gry...)
The Gryphon has been used in art and literature to symbolize the Gods, the sun, chariots, gold, Christ, Satan and more. For me the Gryphon combines the qualities of several other animals: the warrior, freedom, strength, power, bravery, confidence, protection, guardianship, and several aspects of my zodiac Leo. The colors gold, orange, yellow, and red and also the connection to the east and the sun itself. In my own translation, the qualities of Deer are applied to the Gryphon when I see that the Gryphon is a combination of intelligence and strength. We see a balance were both are in check. As far as birds go, I have felt a lesser relation to Owls and falcons (or Eagles):
Owls come in all sizes, from a tiny miniature that actually lives inside the cactus in the desert, to the great horned owl, which is the only bird that can out fly the golden eagle. A fully grown great horned is an awe inspiring creature. Its talons are furry, and closely resemble the paws of a baby mountain lion with claws extended. It is a meat eater, which means it can be a fierce warrior if challenged, or if something dear to it is threatened. It is often referred to as Night Eagle. Owl is at home in the night. It has great awareness of all that is around it at all times. It has predator vision, which means it sees clearly what it looks at. It has great intuition: it is the totem of psychics and clairvoyants. It has the courage to follow its instincts. Owl's medicine includes seeing behind masks, silent and swift movement, keen sight, messenger of secrets and omens, shape-shifting, link between the dark, unseen world and the world of light, comfort with shadow self, moon power, freedom.(http://www.crystalinks.com/totemanimals.html)
Eagle feathers are used all over the world as ceremonial instruments and are considered to be the most sacred healing tools. They are a symbol of power, healing and wisdom. Eagle represents a state of grace that is reached through inner work, understanding and passing the initiation tests that result from reclaiming our personal power. Eagle Medicine is the Power of the Great Spirit. It is the spirit of tenacity. It is the gift of clear vision with which one can truly see the things one sees. It is the patience to wait for the appropriate moment. It is to live in balance with heaven and Earth. Eagle reminds you of your connection with the Great Spirit. It tells you that the universe is giving you the opportunity to fly above your life's worldly levels, or above the shadow of past realities. Eagle teaches you to look above in order to touch Grandfather Sun with your heart, to love the Shadow as much as the Light. Eagle asks you to grant yourself permission to be free in order to reach the joy that your heart desires.
Finally we arrive at the last animal, the serpent.
From the beginning of time serpents have imbedded themselves into the human psyche. Ancient societies ascribed to their amazing powers...considered among the wisest and most cunning of creatures with their unblinking eyes that were believed to see all. Emerging from Mother Earth, the serpent was believed to be all knowing of the world's secret knowledge and vital forces. It is viewed to be an Underworld magical animal found in Celtic Tradition and represents the natural cycles of life due to the regular shedding of its skin. Being a symbol of rebirth and by shedding its old skin to reemerge in the spring from the winter's hibernation; it gives the impression of its immortality.

Several different cultures recognize this aspect of the serpent. The Ouroboros for example, is the symbol of a circled snake devouring its own tail signifying the continuing cycle of life. The term "ouroboros" comes from the Greeks meaning "tail eater". This image is also seen as the Midgard Serpent (sometimes called Midgardsorm) of Norse Mythology. This symbol may not represent a specific mythos, but does represent the endless circle of time, rebirth, regeneration, and the balance of creation.

These aspects of the serpent were obvious and important symbolisms for our Tradition. Through the years we have learned to accept change and the teaching that it brings. Serpents are also recognized as symbols of wisdom and healing. Because of their "wave-like" movements they are associated with healing waters and sacred wells, sources of the healing and regenerative powers within Mother Earth. These facts and symbolisms have also lead us to view the serpent as a protector and keeper of health and well-being. In addition, the serpent is not only representative of the Goddess, but the God as well. This is also very relevant to our path because through it all, balance is one of our main focal points. We recognize both aspects of creation and the wisdom they bring. (http//:www.witchvox.com/va/dt_va.html?a=usok&c=trads&id=11533)
Here we see balance just like the Deer. Another major characteristic is the endless circle of time and rebirth and immortality. This is similar to yet another symbol: the Egyptian ankh. It’s not a surprise that I favor Egypt, the land of the rising sun, and the Egyptian ankh as well as serpents. I also have a tattoo that is a sun with an eye in the center of it. The symbolism that went into it is deeply personal on my behalf. The sun represents fire, power, passion, strength, beginnings, heat and light. The eye represents the all-seeing eye, wisdom, the eye of time, and the Egyptian God Horus.
Delving further into the mythology of Horus, we see that nearly all of the earlier animal characteristics apply to Horus.
http://www.crystalinks.com/horus.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Horus
http://www.touregypt.net/godsofegypt/horus.htm

So here I sit will all of this symbology that I deem meaningful in some way to defining who I really am. The elements: Fire and Air; the colors: gold, yellow, red, and orange; Time: Beginning or creation; the sun (especially the rising sun); wisdom, power, intuitive thought, balance, protection, guardianship, freedom, strength, intelligence, truth, vigilance, love, passion, awareness, and salvation; and the animals: falcon/owl, lion/cat, deer, snake, horse and the Egyptian God Horus sums everything up.
I’m not sure what a spirit/power/totem animal is, or what a familiar is. What should I do with this knowledge? How can I benefit from it? How can I use it in life? Is there a deeper meaning in it all?
Thank you in advance for your replies and considerations.