I appreciate the way this book has been written. A great deal of sincerity has been placed into the text. Although Carly van Heerden is not from the Native American Indian culture herself, anyone can tell that the passion she feels for the people and their ways are what compelled her to write on this subject.
Her research is accurate and can help those who wish to know more about the traits and potentials that various animals from around the world are blessed with and why; then obviously stresses why they are important and how we as humans can learn from them – or at least be inspired by them.
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 additional information offered concerning 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, packed with high quality images, is certainly the number one beginner's guide for anyone who has ever wanted to begin to understand shamanism, the struggles that the Native American Indians face, animal totems, spirit animals and medicinal plants. From here, the reader can choose to read more advanced text written by anthropologists, historians, and lecturers.
You may have seen a dove trying to attract the attention of a possible mate. You may have witnessed a cobra defening itself from a curious predator. Perhaps you've seen a bear negotiate its way through a rapidly raging river. And, you may very well have seen a hawk dart downward; arrow-shaped to grasp its prey.
You've more than likely spent time pondering; wondering what makes these animals and others behave the way they do.
This book allows you to take a closer a look at numerous animals and the special potentials they were created with. These potentials and characteristics are responsible for their being alive and driven. These traits place the animal into the group of 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 one that created life itself, decided which animals would be gifted with which potentials and traits, making each animal unique. Each creature would be capable of living a full life in its environment; it was made to live in that environment.
By doing this, the Great Spirit was able to make known every part of creation making numerous creatures with very different characteristics. Realizing that each creature created would need to sustain itself, and that it would be difficult to endow each and every creature with every answer, Great Spirit created a world where all creatures could co-exist; learn from and teach one another.
This book is filled with various pictures of animals, and the traits they were granted. It was written 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. You will be able to learn more about the uniqueness of the animal unto which you were born; according to your specific birth time. You will also be shown how various plant medicines and herbal remedies can heal specific illnesses found predominantly in specific individuals; according to their time of birth.
'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 will open your eyes to the obstacles that stand in the way of this harmonious approach.
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