Animal Totems & Spirit Animals: The Shamanic Approach

by Carly van Heerden

Have you ever seen a hummingbird attempt to impress a mate? Have you ever seen a porcupine defend itself from a predator? Have you ever watched the calculating expression on a cougar's face as he weighs up the pros and cons of his approach? And, have your ever watched an otter play in the currents of a fast moving river?

Ever wondered what it is that makes these animals and others act the way they do?

In this book you will take a closer a look at numerous animals and the special potentials they were created with. These potentials give them drive, keep them alive, and make them the creatures they are. They determine whether or not the creature is predator or prey, and they determine the steps that the creature will take in order to survive and procreate.

The Native American Indians believe that the Great Spirit, the creator of all living things, embedded specific potentials and characteristics into each creature as he made them. These characteristics would help the creature through life, according to its physical form.

At the same time, the Great Spirit was able to express every aspect of creation by creating various creatures with these various potentials. Knowing creation would ultimately be dependent upon itself, and that it would be difficult to endow each and every creature with every answer, Great Spirit created a world where every creature could teach and learn from others around it.

Hence, this book takes a closer look at some of the animals of the world, and the potentials they were endowed with. The purpose of this being so that you can turn to a specific creature for guidance when necessary, or understand why a specific creature visits you so often.

As a start, it takes a closer look at the way the Native American Indians think, and why their system of belief is as wonderful as it is. It offers you a chance to get to know the animal associated to your time of birth. It also takes a closer look at specific ailments and illnesses associated to specific times of birth, and offers ways to heal these ailments with plants and herbal medicines.

'Animal Totems And Spirit Animals' is a book that will inspire you and bring you closer to nature. It will help you to understand the shamanic approach to life, and will open your eyes to the obstacles that stand in the way of this harmonious approach.

170 pages, Kindle Edition

First published August 5, 2012

About the author

Carly van Heerden was born in England and raised in South Africa. Her love for story-telling is considered an inherited trait. She began by first writing fantasy stories about talking animals.

By the age of thirty-four her love for animals became a part of her worldly reality as she began studying animal behaviorism, hoping to incorporate both writing and working with animals into her daily life.

Her passion for writing books centered on self-discovery, the universe and nature, allowed her to create works that would ultimately benefit readers on a personal level. Whether writing for children or adults, she hopes for her books to convey a message.

Works created by Carly are aimed at bringing the reader closer to self-discovery and the marvels of nature. Whether through humor or strong advice, her words and intentions are from the heart.

Reviews

[Connor+Lindy · Rating 1 out of 5]

Not actually Native traditions - New Age invention.

Find you birth totem animal, based upon the Native Traditional method of assigning an animal to each Zodiac month? Please. They use(d) a Moon Calendar, not 12 astrological months. New Age information from the new breed of “make it all up, it’s okay” spirituality. You may enjoy it, but please don’t confuse it with anything authentic.

[Rissa · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was ok...from the blurb, I guess I was expecting something more? It WAS educational about animal totems and spirit animals - I wish we dug into more about what those were but it was interesting to find out what the animals symbolized.

[Deirdra Hearn · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very basic

Extremely introductory. Writer is passionate about the subject matter and I am always interested to read each person's interpretation of what the animals mean in relation to the human condition. It is a good inclusion for my Kindle Library because it is so small and the price is great. I prefer Farmers pocket guide however and would recommend that over this one if you are trying to decide.

[Merissa (Archaeolibrarian) · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a short book with nonetheless manages to give you an impressive start into the world of animal totems and spirit animals. There is enough information here to quench your immediate thirst and you will find out your birth animal. You can then use this knowledge to search deeper if that is indeed your wish.

Short but sweet.

[Patricia Poupart · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a good introduction to finding my spirit animal and the meaning of a totem /fetish I was drawn to some years back and have been carrying everywhere with me.

[Brandy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book..

it was very informative and easy to understand. Helped me connect with my Native American ancestry. Thank you Carly.. :)

[dawn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brilliant book

Spot on with my birth animal. Only a small book but lots of information. Enjoyed reading this book from start to finish