Animal-Speak: The Spiritual & Magical Powers of Creatures Great & Small

Rating:
Summary: A rare find...
Review: One of the two books that I haven't found too tainted by the New Age to include in my bookshelf. Although, as always, I dislike the "anyone can do this" feel of this book, the information within on the totems is wonderful, and I commend him for stressing that just because Wolf happens to be a popualar animal right now does not mean that He is your guide. I've met too many who claim to be of Wolf who make the claim for their ego. But overall, a better find than most of the bull I find in the "occult" sections of the bookstores.

Rating:
Summary: A must-have for studying animal totems and spirituality
Review: Animal Speak is an incredibly useful work for anyone interested in Totem Animals. Though it is geared towards a Shaman, it has good information for anyone interested in the spirituality of animals. Ever wondered why you collected pictures of wolves? Ever wondered why those elephant figurines are so appealing to you? This is the book for you. Check it out.

Rating:
Summary: Couldn't put it down
Review: If you are into animals and nature, or want to learn more about them on a spiritual level, this is the book for you. I couldn't put it down from the moment I began reading it. And it's not a small book by any means!
You really begin to look for the animals around you more closely and attentively. Especially when going hiking or camping, you become aware and note down what animals you saw and under what circumstances, and then look it up later in the book. It is surprisingly accurate, and fun on top of it!

Rating:
Summary: How animals can help you learn about yourself
Review: In this book, you will discover how much the "animal world" and the "human world" intersect. Much more than making us feel good about being surrounded by nature, animals have much to tell us about ourselves and our relationship to the earth and to other living things. Andrews has divided the book into 4 parts - 'Symbols in the Natural World' (including chapters on the roles of nature, spirit totems, predators and prey, omens in nature, and the meaning of landscapes); 'Winged Enchantment' (bird totems and bird medicine); 'Understanding Animal Medicine' (animal rites and totems); and 'The Exotic Language of Insects and Reptiles' (totems). Each animal or bird or insect or reptile included in this vast inventory is described thoroughly - it's behavioral patterns and natural habitat, its mythological characteristics, AND its symbolic importance to humans. I have used this book repeatedly to help me interpret dreams in which animals were central, and to investigate why a certain animal or insect, etc. showed up in my life on a particular day. I highly recommend this book to anyone who is open to non-traditional but very ancient beliefs about animals and their magical and mysterious powers.

Rating:
Summary: a good start/
Review: This book is extremely long and at times very boring because Ted likes to write in a very 'matter-of-fact' way. Also he likes repeating himself over and over again, going into cycles to make a point. I can not sit and read this book for more than 45 minutes before going to sleep. But this is not what the book is for. It would be silly and very awkward to read the whole book. This book is more for reference. You need info about a totem, you flip to the page. Most likely you will be able to find this animal (or at least an animal close to it) considering this book teaches the language and wisdom of hundreds of them. This book is reasonably priced and it is evident that Ted had taken a lot of time researching and writing this book. At first I was fooled thinking that "Animal Speak" would teach you how to communicate with animals.

Rating:
Summary: A little shamanism with my Wicca, please? Thank you
Review: I am especially fond of this book because my introduction to Wicca was a hodgepodge of online research and help from a friend who considers herself a shaman, but not a Wiccan. My spiritual relationship was built with my animal totem before I really understood the God and Goddess. I use Animal Speak to look up animals when I see them in the wild, or when they appear in dreams. Animal spirit guides are great helpers to Wiccans, they are easier relate to than deities.

I think the research here is well done, and I like Ted Andrew's writing style, which is informative and interesting without being *gasp, shudder* "fluffy". I think you will find this book especially useful if you worship outdoors more than inside at your altar. This book is a useful field guide to the signs and pathways the natural world and our animal friends can show us.

Rating:
Summary: Outstanding resource
Review: Ted Andrews brings us an outstanding resource on our relationships with animals as reflections of our participation in the collective consciousness. He explains how animals present us with signs and omens that alert us to what is going on in our inner consciousness and how our awareness and intentions manifest into the outer world. Going further into spiritual dimensions, as we waken to our interconnections with all that is, we become more conscious of our co-creation with the ALL.

Andrews points out that many people view such suggestions as no more than superstitions. Superstitions, he points out, are "not based upon knowledge or reason. Superstitions often involve irrational fears and behaviours. Superstitions often involve actions that are taken to avoid bad luck. Relationships and correspondences between natural elements and one's own life are not formed from a base of knowledge." (p. 44)

In contrast with superstitious beliefs, which interpret any occurrence of a particular event as representing a given meaning, Andrews explains how nature offers us signs and omens that invite us to understand our relationships with nature, the worlds within us, and spiritual worlds beyond. He has extensive dictionaries for bird and animal totems and what they may convey.

Andrews also suggests ways in which we can open to deeper awarenesses of these realms.

It is not surprising that this book has sold over 300,000 copies.


Rating:
Summary: Two Out of Two A'int Bad
Review: I recently purchased two books from Amazon.com. Animal Speak by T. Andrews and another by K(?) Packwood called Memetic Magic.

Score! x2. I bought one more 'softcore' book, Animal Speak, and it was great. The best book on animal shamanism I have found. I bought one 'hardcore' book, Memetic Magic, and it was great too.

I love it when I buy the right book. I suggest you all follow my lead. Happy purchasing. Merry Christmas!

Rating:
Summary: A great book to find your animal totem.
Review: Ted Andrews siply put amazing work into this book by disgussing how to communicate with creatures and understanding them. Ted is a very good author (My opinion I think he is right under Scott Cunningham)Ted breaks it down very easily to find your animal totem. Perfect book if your into nature/animal communication.

Rating:
Summary: This is a wonderful book!
Review: Great book to determine your animal familiar/totem animal. Highly recommend it if you are interested in these sort of topics. Has a large list at the back of the book of animals, what they symbolize, and how you can incorporate their power in your life; plus another very large list specifically for different kinds of birds. I definately enjoyed the book.

Niamh