I appreciate the way this book has been written. From page one I felt comfortable with the style of writing and information provided. Carly is not a part of the Native American Indian culture, nor has she descended from it; however, it is clear that her understanding of how the shamanic way of thinking could help mankind, is what drove her to write this book.
The information given is accurate and lights the way for those who would like to know more about the potentials and characteristics that different animals around the world carry and why; then Carly stresses the importance of these potentials and how humans can be inspired by them, which in turn allows us to see these animals as guides.
While most animal totem related books give descriptions of birth totems and their meanings for individuals living in the Northern Hemisphere this book covers the Northern and Southern Hemispheres which is wonderful. The information on plant remedies and medicines, suggested for the various ailments experienced by people born in specific times, is as beneficial as the information given on the animal totems and spirit animals.
This book, filled with superior images, is honestly the number one beginner's guide for anyone who has ever wanted to begin to understand shamanism, the plight of the Native American Indians, animal totems, spirit animals and medicinal plants. After reading this you could move to more advanced text written by lecturers, historians and anthropologists.
You may have seen a dove trying to attract the attention of a possible mate. Have you ever seen a porcupine defend itself from a predator? You may watched a hedgehog hard at work; trying to maintain its living area. And, you may have wondered why owls sleep in the day.
Perhaps you've often wondered about what it is makes these animals and others do the things they do.
This book allows you to take a closer a look at a number of animals, and the characteristics and potentials they were endowed with. These potentials and characteristics are responsible for their being alive and driven. They are responsible for the creature being either predator or prey, and they are responsible for the choices the animal will make; which defenses it will develop and which advances it will make.
The Native American Indians believe that the Great Spirit, the one that created life itself, is responsible for granting specific animals with specific gifts; trait and potentials. All creatures were in other words designed to function in the specific environments they would be placed in.
All the while, the Great Spirit was able to exhibit every aspect of creation manifesting various animal and creatures; each one with a special potential or trait. Keeping in mind that the inhabitants of earth would ultimately have to fend for themselves, and that it would be difficult to endow each and every creature with every answer, Great Spirit created a world where creatures would be able to learn from one another; creating a chain in creation, where all links are necessary.
This book is filled with various pictures of animals, and the traits they were granted. The purpose of this being so that you can turn to a specific creature for guidance when necessary, and help you to see the purpose of a specific animal visiting you.
As a start, it provides a sound explanation of how the Native American Indians think, and why the way they think is unmatched by any form of modern day thinking. It offers you a chance to get to know the animal associated to your time of birth. Not only are the animals covered in detail; you will also learn more about specific ailments and illnesses that affect different individual's born in different times, and the plant medicines used to heal them.
'Animal Totems And Spirit Animals' is a book that is sure to put you in touch with the nature. It will help you to understand the shamanic approach to life, and and helps you to see which obstacles that stand in the way of your progression, as well as the progression of the human race.
