I have read in this forum that there are 8 diffrent totems. Does each totem stand for diffrent skills I have 40 totems in all right now but only seven of the eight.

It's random on what you get.

I've gotten 4 totems today - 2 were ones I didn't have and the 2nd 2 have been repeats. They all had different sets of skills. The surprise is part of the fun of the game I suppose.