Spirit Guides and Totems

I discovered this book on a trip through the White Mountains of Arizona, where I was born. After reading the book I have purchased several more copies as gifts and had them sent direct from Amazon. For anyone interested in Native American culture, shamanism, connecting with and understanding the creatures that share the Earth with us, this is a "must have" book. Animals speak about the events and emotions in our lives. For a writer the book brings a wealth of background character information.

Have you ever dreamt about an animal, a panther, a snake, a bear or a hawk? Did you wonder why the dream seemed important. Have you ever glanced out the door or window to see a spider casually weaving an intricate web or a raccoon or dog glancing back at you? What does a totem mean and do the inhabitants of this modern civilization have personal totems? Do you have pictures of a particular animal scattered throughout your house? I have many pictures of panthers and jaguars in the rooms in which I spend my time because I feel connected to the jaguar of South American history, especially the Mayans. Why?

My answers were in this book, but even without questions I have found Animal Speak is loaded with wonderful information about so many different creatures. Plus, it is a delight to discover what the underlying emotions may be when someone tells you that they like (or hate) dolphins, woodpeckers, ants, bees or perhaps a coyote which is actually linked to the dog.

For the mystic the answer is yes we have totems. The animals (perhaps pets) in a totem can change as they bring messages that are to warn, protect, comfort, guide, remind or whatever is needed.


Core Beliefs Expressed   February 10, 2000
 55 out of 57 found this review helpful

I have been reading about/practicing with Animal Communication, and other holistic modalities (such as Reiki and Flower Essences) for awhile, and trying to find a path which puts it all together. Andrew's book has given me a tremendous set of insights into the basis for my beliefs and spiritual path, an intuitive foundation. Such ideas as communication starts with listening, respect and trust. And, as Andrew's mentions in his book, "They (Shamans) helped people remember that all trees are divine and that all animals speak to those who listen". (Page 1). One more quote, from page X, "When we learn to speak with the animals.....the animals are no longer our subordinates. They become our teachers, our friends, and our companions". He presents many such insights in the book, which give words to many of the thoughts and beliefs I hold.

Great reading for anyone who is pursuing a spiritual path which includes reverence for nature in any form. Thanks to Ted Andrews, from the animals.


Understanding Animal Wisdom   November 8, 2001
 45 out of 51 found this review helpful

Whether you see animals in real life or just in your dreams, they are communicating with you. Ted Andrews' enchanting book, ANIMAL-SPEAK, is the best reference book to such animal messages that I've seen. While not all animals are included in the book (that would require a HUGE book!), this book certainly does contain very relevant information about a large number of creatures. The author's love of animals is clear from the start, and he provides fascinating tid-bits of little-known information as well as numerous personal anecdotes.

Whether you've been wishing you could understand those perplexing dreams with animals, if you want to choose an animal totem, or if you're ready to start practicing shape-shifting into animal form -- this book is just what you've been waiting for!


Best You Can Find on the Topic of Totems   May 6, 2000
 39 out of 39 found this review helpful

Now, I'll try to make this as easy as possible for those of you who don't know what Totems are. Totems are Spirit Guides (spirits who help you along on your journeys through life) that come to you in the form of animals. A Totem can be any animal that you have a strange connection to. This book is very good when it comes to the topic of Totems. Trust me, I've done a lot of studying and have seen a lot of information, but this has the most extensive collection of knowledge.

The best part of the book that is original that you can find few other places is it's huge dictionary of animal Totems. You can look up your Totem animal in the dictionary and it will give you the animal's history and folklore. It will also give you suggestions for someone who has that Totem. But that isn't the only good thing about the book. This book teaches you to find Totems if you don't yet knoww how. It tells you how to meditate to find your Totems, or, for the less patient, it gives other ways, too. Animal Speak also teaches you to read Totems in your life. Other topics include things that you won't find in other books like the Preadator and Prey Theory, magic with bird feathers, honoring your animal Totems in many ways, and working with TOtem medicine. All of these are extremely useful and you can learn about the topic greatly. This good and all, but the book is not reccomended for beginners on Totem study and preferable for advanced people serious about the subject. The book is okay for starters, but some things are not explained as well as they should be for those who know nothing about Totems. Totems are a very interesting topic and this book is very good for the adventerous one that you know.


One Of My Favorite Books! (I Consult It Often)   September 20, 2005
 34 out of 34 found this review helpful

"The true shaman, the true naturalist, works to reconnect conscious human life with Nature and Spirit through totems and ritual. The images of the animals are the expressions of nature help us to transcend our normal, waking consciousness so that we can more easily attune to ethereal realms and beings." - From the book

Throughout history, animals have appeared on cave drawings, pottery, sculpture, and paintings. Every culture contains myths, stories, songs and fairy tales featuring animals. For earth-based spiritual traditions, animals serve as protectors, messengers, and guides. Because animal archetypes are so strong within the human psyche, many individuals resonate with the mannerisms, defense strategies, social structures and habits of particular animals, insects, birds, and fish.

In the book Animal Speak, author Ted Andrews provides comprehensive information on animal totems, including the process of discovering your own. He describes the function of animal totems, emphasizing that the unique characteristics of animal forms reveal much about our own innate powers and abilities. According to Andrews, the purpose of Animal Speak is five-fold:

1.It will help you to determine your Nature totems
2.It will help you in learning to honor, attune, and invoke their energies more effectively in your life
3.It will assist you in discovering the hidden powers and significance of yourself, as is reflected by your totem
4.It will help you in applying the skills and adaptive powers of your totem to your own life environment
5.It will help you to learn the language of Nature (physical, spiritual, and magical) as it speaks to you every day, to read and apply what it says (through signs and omens), and in doing so help you to develolp a greater reverence and respect for all life, and greater power and control in your own.

Andrews says that animal totems are also known by names such as spirit animals, power animals, totem helpers, and others. Regardless of what you call them, Andrews asserts that there are ten basics attributes of these totems including: the animal chooses the person, not the other way around, lifelong power animals are usually wild, not domesticated, and more than one person can share a totem animal.

Animal Speak delves deep into more than 100 creatures and their habitats. Andrews discusses how to awaken to your spirit totems, the mystery of predator and prey, reading signs and omens in nature, and augury and the meaning of landscapes. He provides comprehensive totem dictionaries of bird totems, animal totems, insect totems, and reptile totems. For each creature, the author provides a Keynote phrase, as well as detailed observations on animal behavior, lore, and physical characteristics like plumage, fur, and coloring. He also notes idiosyncrasies, as well as seasonal, mating, and feeding habits.

Here are but a few examples of Keynotes and Cycles of Power from the book:

FOX

Keynote: Feminine magic of camouflage, shapeshifting and invisibility
Cycle of Power: Nocturnal, Dawn, and Dusk

EAGLES

Keynote: Illumination of Spirit, Healing, and Creation
Cycle of Power: All Seasons and during Daylight

ELEPHANT

Keynote: Ancient Power, Strength, and Royalty
Cycle of Power: Year-round

OTTER

Keynote: Joy, Playfulness, and Sharing
Cycle of Power: Spring and Summer

BUTTERFLY

Keynote: Transmutation and the Dance of Joy

CHAMELEON

Keynote: Clairvoyance and Auric Sensitivity

At 383 pages, Animal Speak provides a wealth of information for connecting with, and receiving Guidance from, animal spirits. Whether you seek to discover your animal totem, create and use magical animal rites, or call upon the protective powers of your power animal, Animal Speak provides you with the necessary tools for doing so.

My favorite use for this book, however, is animal divination. If I notice that a particular bird, animal, or insect gets my attention-perhaps by cropping up on TV, in a book, or even in a dream--I then get out Andrews' book and see what messages the creatures may have for me. There's enough information in Animal Speak to extrapolate specific animal behavior to my life and see if there are connections-let alone taking into consideration Andrews' own divinatory insight. Whether it's a dragonfly, blue jay, groundhog, or butterfly I can turn to this book to find wise counsel from the animal kingdom.

Because many the messages I receive are from the bird kingdom, I especially enjoy the Winged Enchantment section of Animal Speak, which covers bird totems, the initiation of Air, the mystery of feathers and flight, working with bird medicine, and so on.

This is a book I've referred to consistently over the years, and highly recommend to anyone wanting to understand-and connect with-the animal kingdom.

Janet Boyer, author of The Back in Time Tarot Book: Picture the Past, Experience the Cards, Understand the Present (coming Fall 2008 from Hampton Roads Publishing)