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Pocket Guide to Spirit Animals: Understanding Messages from Your Animal Spirit Guides
Stephen Farmer's "Animal Spirit Guides" is one of the most comprehensive and popular volumes on the incredible power of animals to teach us and show us our true path. In this condensed edition, you'll find all the spirit animals from the original edition plus some new ones in a format that makes it even more user-friendly. Just as our ancestors and indigenous peoples knew, when an animal comes to you in an unusual way or repeatedly, whether in physical or symbolic form, they are serving as spirit guides attempting to get a message to you.
321 pages, Kindle Edition
First published July 1, 2012
171 people are currently reading
248 people want to read
About the author
Steven D. Farmer
39 books73 followersDr. Steven D. Farmer is the author of the best-selling Animal Spirit Guides, Power Animal Oracle Cards, Messages from Your Animal Spirit Guides Oracle Cards, Power Animals, Sacred Ceremony, Messages from Your Animal Spirit Guides guided meditation CD, and the soon-to-be-released Earth Magic: Ancient Shamanic Wisdom for Healing Yourself, Others, and the Planet (Feb 2009). He’s also host of his own radio show, The Shamanic Hotline on HayHouseRadio.com. Dr. Farmer is a shamanic practitioner, ordained minister, and former psychotherapist, offering workshops on various shamanic topics and private consultations.
Picture of Dr. Farmer Having explored, studied, and taught shamanic practices, spiritual transformation, trauma recovery, and men's issues extensively, Dr. Farmer brings a wealth of skills and experience to his writing, teaching, and healing work. In addition to being a licensed psychotherapist, he is also an ordained minister in the Circle of Sacred Earth Church, and has conducted a number of ceremonies in his role as minister and shamanic practitioner.
Dr. Farmer's education includes a B.A. in psychology from the University of California, an M.A. in Counseling Psychology from Chapman University, and a Ph.D. from Madison University. He brings a unique blend of common sense and esoteric knowledge to his work, and by sharing his ideas and life experiences in a personal, down-to-earth, and humorous way, he inspires any audience to deeply appreciate the challenges, pleasures, and rewards of creating a fulfilling and spiritually directed life. He makes his home in Laguna Beach, California.
Picture of Dr. Farmer Having explored, studied, and taught shamanic practices, spiritual transformation, trauma recovery, and men's issues extensively, Dr. Farmer brings a wealth of skills and experience to his writing, teaching, and healing work. In addition to being a licensed psychotherapist, he is also an ordained minister in the Circle of Sacred Earth Church, and has conducted a number of ceremonies in his role as minister and shamanic practitioner.
Dr. Farmer's education includes a B.A. in psychology from the University of California, an M.A. in Counseling Psychology from Chapman University, and a Ph.D. from Madison University. He brings a unique blend of common sense and esoteric knowledge to his work, and by sharing his ideas and life experiences in a personal, down-to-earth, and humorous way, he inspires any audience to deeply appreciate the challenges, pleasures, and rewards of creating a fulfilling and spiritually directed life. He makes his home in Laguna Beach, California.
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
October 9, 2021
I enjoyed reading this more than I thought I would. It's a book to refer if one is open to the idea of animals showing SIGNS to us. It's also good-read to someone who is interested in Shamanism animal spirits.
Personally I believe animal spirits live in us as we are all connected to each other in a metaphysical sense. Nature is the best teacher (and the healer) and I believe in synchronicity. Nature communicates if you listen.
Personally I believe animal spirits live in us as we are all connected to each other in a metaphysical sense. Nature is the best teacher (and the healer) and I believe in synchronicity. Nature communicates if you listen.
August 24, 2015
I love this book! It gave me some insight into what was going on in nature and why animals constantly seek me out. Very helpful.
January 27, 2019
There is a wealth of info packed into this small book. The perfect size to accompany your journal on your travels, it's also really reasonably priced. This book is a handy-dandy reference guide that can be applied to animals you encounter both in real life and your dreams. The only issue I take with it is the term "Spirit Animals", which to me is problematic.
June 22, 2025
This is what I’ve been searching for. I don’t believe in power animals because I feel strongly connected to all nature. I firmly believe that if it’s special or I get a sense when encountering an animal there’s a lesson to be learned. Therefore, I've been hunting for a book less focused on power animals and discovering them and more so on understanding potential lessons when encountering animals. This perfect sized reference book is exactly what I needed! Also love how this is laid out like a dictionary~
October 20, 2025
I love following spirit animals and truly believe in their powers, and especially their guidance and lessons. I participate in spirit animal journey's all of the time. I find that a lot of animal tarot or oracle cards to contain wrong information or descriptions that have to do with the animals, but this book had its moments of wrong guidance, but overall pretty good advice that I would believe came directly from the animals. I would definitely recommend this book if someone was curious about spirit animals and their definitions and representations.
May 13, 2020
Really awesome guide for dipping your toes into the subject of power animals/spirit animals. And I can tell it will be a very good reference book once you delve deeper into the subject. Highly recommend for anybody interested in this topic. Even includes fae creatures such as dragons and unicorns.
September 18, 2018
Easy to read reference book.
Read
June 4, 2019Good pocket reference
September 2, 2019
I love how this is laid out (like a dream dictionary book). It will be really helpful to me.
January 2, 2020
It’s pretty fun, very positive spirit animals... I enjoyed learning the meanings of different animal guides.
April 15, 2020
Very informative guide to explore the meaning of animals
December 31, 2017
The following review is based off my own opinions, thoughts and reactions. So in other words brace yourself. *There may be inappropriate words such as curse words.* You have been advised in advance.*
Yes! So much yes for this book!
Being Native American and coming from a family where there's a lot of Native American blood in my family has always influenced my life. Even more so has calmed my nerves about why I always felt like I had a special connection with animals and nature.
With all that being said, believing in omens and animal spirit guides is a HUGE part in my family (though we rarely speak of it). Having a little pocket guide to actually reference and carry around with me all the time has really perked up my interest. I've even roped a few co-workers into inquiring about it.
And can I just say that the size of the book is perfect?! Not just because I can throw it into plenty of traveling pockets or stash it away in my purse to only pull it out when I need it, but the fact that this is literally the first book I've gotten that actually fit in the size of my hands! My hands are kinda on the smallish side! That was like the first feature I noticed about this book and needless to say every time I pick it up I instantly get a smile on my face.
The book itself really does offer a lot of guidance for those who actually want guidance and are into animal guides/spirits. I find that this book really helps mellow my nerves out and keeps me at a calm when I need to reference an animal. Granted there's some animals I wish the author had included like the cricket or the chickadee, but for all the ones that are actually included in this book, it really does help you take the pause you need to sort events out in your mind and find the right path.
Needless to say this book has found it's way onto my 'favorites' shelf and I'll be carrying this book around with me more often!
Yes! So much yes for this book!
Being Native American and coming from a family where there's a lot of Native American blood in my family has always influenced my life. Even more so has calmed my nerves about why I always felt like I had a special connection with animals and nature.
With all that being said, believing in omens and animal spirit guides is a HUGE part in my family (though we rarely speak of it). Having a little pocket guide to actually reference and carry around with me all the time has really perked up my interest. I've even roped a few co-workers into inquiring about it.
And can I just say that the size of the book is perfect?! Not just because I can throw it into plenty of traveling pockets or stash it away in my purse to only pull it out when I need it, but the fact that this is literally the first book I've gotten that actually fit in the size of my hands! My hands are kinda on the smallish side! That was like the first feature I noticed about this book and needless to say every time I pick it up I instantly get a smile on my face.
The book itself really does offer a lot of guidance for those who actually want guidance and are into animal guides/spirits. I find that this book really helps mellow my nerves out and keeps me at a calm when I need to reference an animal. Granted there's some animals I wish the author had included like the cricket or the chickadee, but for all the ones that are actually included in this book, it really does help you take the pause you need to sort events out in your mind and find the right path.
Needless to say this book has found it's way onto my 'favorites' shelf and I'll be carrying this book around with me more often!
August 13, 2016
Dr. Steven Farmer's 'Pocket Guide to Spirit Animals' is one of those reference books that is nice to have around if you are open to 'signs' from nature's animals/wildlife.
I am open to guidance and messages from nature, partially because I feel most at home there. Sometimes internal questions evoke external signs or answers by way of repetitive, or seemingly 'unusual' circumstances. That's not to say that you have to see a jaguar in your back yard to be able to use this guide. Perhaps you'll see it repetitively on t.v., in a magazine, random signs, etc. and it just seems to stick with you. Other times it could be close to home or in your house (like a ladybug).
For example, crows are abundant and are frequently seen just about anywhere, however, I had one literally outside my door one morning when I opened it (they're usually far and away in the distance) and it looked at me and cawed, so naturally, I said, "good morning" before closing the door. When I looked up 'Crow' in the pocket guide it said, 'You're on the verge of manifesting something you've been working toward for a while.' Fine. I already knew that, but it was nice to have some reassurance just the same. For each entry there are several possible 'options' and it is an instinctual thing to know which one actually applies to you.
I only wish that the book encompassed more animals, but it does do a fairly thorough job with everything from alligators to gophers (which reminds me of a dream about several of the cuties that I had and looked up in the book when I awoke), meadowlarks to zebras.
If you're open to receiving messages via animal spirt guides, this helpful book is for you!
I am open to guidance and messages from nature, partially because I feel most at home there. Sometimes internal questions evoke external signs or answers by way of repetitive, or seemingly 'unusual' circumstances. That's not to say that you have to see a jaguar in your back yard to be able to use this guide. Perhaps you'll see it repetitively on t.v., in a magazine, random signs, etc. and it just seems to stick with you. Other times it could be close to home or in your house (like a ladybug).
For example, crows are abundant and are frequently seen just about anywhere, however, I had one literally outside my door one morning when I opened it (they're usually far and away in the distance) and it looked at me and cawed, so naturally, I said, "good morning" before closing the door. When I looked up 'Crow' in the pocket guide it said, 'You're on the verge of manifesting something you've been working toward for a while.' Fine. I already knew that, but it was nice to have some reassurance just the same. For each entry there are several possible 'options' and it is an instinctual thing to know which one actually applies to you.
I only wish that the book encompassed more animals, but it does do a fairly thorough job with everything from alligators to gophers (which reminds me of a dream about several of the cuties that I had and looked up in the book when I awoke), meadowlarks to zebras.
If you're open to receiving messages via animal spirt guides, this helpful book is for you!
December 15, 2015
As this is a pocket guide, the descriptions for each possible spirit guide are necessarily shortened. At the same time, the information is concise and ready to apply to animals ranging from aardvark to zebra (with a mythological phoenix and unicorn thrown in to boot).
Steven Farmer's work with shamanism and power animals is well known in the metaphysical community; this little book is a handy reference that can be carried readily in a pocket or purse and thus makes good sense for travelers.
Steven Farmer's work with shamanism and power animals is well known in the metaphysical community; this little book is a handy reference that can be carried readily in a pocket or purse and thus makes good sense for travelers.
August 11, 2014
Nice resource
October 27, 2021
The #1 book for people interested in learning more about animal spirits!
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews