Customer Reviews

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

5 star:		(126)
4 star:		(19)
3 star:		(6)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(4)

 

 

Animal Speak by Ted Andrews

Spirit Guides and Totems

I discovered this book on a trip through the White Mountains of Arizona, where I was born. After reading the book I have purchased several more copies as gifts and had them sent direct from Amazon. For anyone interested in Native American culture, shamanism, connecting with and understanding the creatures that share the Earth with us, this is a "must have" book. Animals speak about the events and emotions in our lives. For a writer the book brings a wealth of background character information.

Have you ever dreamt about an animal, a panther, a snake, a bear or a hawk? Did you wonder why the dream seemed important. Have you ever glanced out the door or window to see a spider casually weaving an intricate web or a raccoon or dog glancing back at you? What does a totem mean and do the inhabitants of this modern civilization have personal totems? Do you have pictures of a particular animal scattered throughout your house? I have many pictures of panthers and jaguars in the rooms in which I spend my time because I feel connected to the jaguar of South American history, especially the Mayans. Why?

My answers were in this book, but even without questions I have found Animal Speak is loaded with wonderful information about so many different creatures. Plus, it is a delight to discover what the underlying emotions may be when someone tells you that they like (or hate) dolphins, woodpeckers, ants, bees or perhaps a coyote which is actually linked to the dog.

For the mystic the answer is yes we have totems. The animals (perhaps pets) in a totem can change as they bring messages that are to warn, protect, comfort, guide, remind or whatever is needed.

I have been reading about/practicing with Animal Communication, and other holistic modalities (such as Reiki and Flower Essences) for awhile, and trying to find a path which puts it all together. Andrew's book has given me a tremendous set of insights into the basis for my beliefs and spiritual path, an intuitive foundation. Such ideas as communication starts with listening, respect and trust. And, as Andrew's mentions in his book, "They (Shamans) helped people remember that all trees are divine and that all animals speak to those who listen". (Page 1). One more quote, from page X, "When we learn to speak with the animals.....the animals are no longer our subordinates. They become our teachers, our friends, and our companions". He presents many such insights in the book, which give words to many of the thoughts and beliefs I hold.

Great reading for anyone who is pursuing a spiritual path which includes reverence for nature in any form. Thanks to Ted Andrews, from the animals.

"The true shaman, the true naturalist, works to reconnect conscious human life with Nature and Spirit through totems and ritual. The images of the animals are the expressions of nature help us to transcend our normal, waking consciousness so that we can more easily attune to ethereal realms and beings." - From the book

Throughout history, animals have appeared on cave drawings, pottery, sculpture, and paintings. Every culture contains myths, stories, songs and fairy tales featuring animals. For earth-based spiritual traditions, animals serve as protectors, messengers, and guides. Because animal archetypes are so strong within the human psyche, many individuals resonate with the mannerisms, defense strategies, social structures and habits of particular animals, insects, birds, and fish.

In the book Animal Speak, author Ted Andrews provides comprehensive information on animal totems, including the process of discovering your own. He describes the function of animal totems, emphasizing that the unique characteristics of animal forms reveal much about our own innate powers and abilities. According to Andrews, the purpose of Animal Speak is five-fold:

1. It will help you to determine your Nature totems
2. It will help you in learning to honor, attune, and invoke their energies more effectively in your life
3. It will assist you in discovering the hidden powers and significance of yourself, as is reflected by your totem
4. It will help you in applying the skills and adaptive powers of your totem to your own life environment
5. It will help you to learn the language of Nature (physical, spiritual, and magical) as it speaks to you every day, to read and apply what it says (through signs and omens), and in doing so help you to develolp a greater reverence and respect for all life, and greater power and control in your own.

Andrews says that animal totems are also known by names such as spirit animals, power animals, totem helpers, and others. Regardless of what you call them, Andrews asserts that there are ten basics attributes of these totems including: the animal chooses the person, not the other way around, lifelong power animals are usually wild, not domesticated, and more than one person can share a totem animal.

Animal Speak delves deep into more than 100 creatures and their habitats. Andrews discusses how to awaken to your spirit totems, the mystery of predator and prey, reading signs and omens in nature, and augury and the meaning of landscapes. He provides comprehensive totem dictionaries of bird totems, animal totems, insect totems, and reptile totems. For each creature, the author provides a Keynote phrase, as well as detailed observations on animal behavior, lore, and physical characteristics like plumage, fur, and coloring. He also notes idiosyncrasies, as well as seasonal, mating, and feeding habits.

Here are but a few examples of Keynotes and Cycles of Power from the book:

FOX

Keynote: Feminine magic of camouflage, shapeshifting and invisibility
Cycle of Power: Nocturnal, Dawn, and Dusk

EAGLES

Keynote: Illumination of Spirit, Healing, and Creation
Cycle of Power: All Seasons and during Daylight

ELEPHANT

Keynote: Ancient Power, Strength, and Royalty
Cycle of Power: Year-round

OTTER

Keynote: Joy, Playfulness, and Sharing
Cycle of Power: Spring and Summer

BUTTERFLY

Keynote: Transmutation and the Dance of Joy

CHAMELEON

Keynote: Clairvoyance and Auric Sensitivity

At 383 pages, Animal Speak provides a wealth of information for connecting with, and receiving Guidance from, animal spirits. Whether you seek to discover your animal totem, create and use magical animal rites, or call upon the protective powers of your power animal, Animal Speak provides you with the necessary tools for doing so.

My favorite use for this book, however, is animal divination. If I notice that a particular bird, animal, or insect gets my attention-perhaps by cropping up on TV, in a book, or even in a dream--I then get out Andrews' book and see what messages the creatures may have for me. There's enough information in Animal Speak to extrapolate specific animal behavior to my life and see if there are connections-let alone taking into consideration Andrews' own divinatory insight. Whether it's a dragonfly, blue jay, groundhog, or butterfly I can turn to this book to find wise counsel from the animal kingdom.

Because many the messages I receive are from the bird kingdom, I especially enjoy the Winged Enchantment section of Animal Speak, which covers bird totems, the initiation of Air, the mystery of feathers and flight, working with bird medicine, and so on.

This is a book I've referred to consistently over the years, and highly recommend to anyone wanting to understand-and connect with-the animal kingdom.

Janet Boyer, author of The Back in Time Tarot Book: Picture the Past, Experience the Cards, Understand the Present (coming Fall 2008 from Hampton Roads Publishing)

Animal Speak translates the language of numerous other creatures we share earth with, easily. How to listen, learn and relate better to animals and our selves can be gleaned from reading this book. I've been blessed in this life with exceptional encounters with animals.. sometimes it is called: Noah's sense.To friends who envied it I say," Read this book. It can be learned!" I often refer to Animal Speak for further information when a new animal experience occurs. I trust Ted Andrews insights to expand my own understanding of what nature is trying to teach me.I know as humans we tend to ignore and deplete what we don't understand. Animals have always spoke with man and this book can help us hear them! Many thank's Ted Andrews! Encore!! Daynie

Whether you see animals in real life or just in your dreams, they are communicating with you. Ted Andrews' enchanting book, ANIMAL-SPEAK, is the best reference book to such animal messages that I've seen. While not all animals are included in the book (that would require a HUGE book!), this book certainly does contain very relevant information about a large number of creatures. The author's love of animals is clear from the start, and he provides fascinating tid-bits of little-known information as well as numerous personal anecdotes.

Whether you've been wishing you could understand those perplexing dreams with animals, if you want to choose an animal totem, or if you're ready to start practicing shape-shifting into animal form -- this book is just what you've been waiting for!

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.

There are lots of books on this subject these days, all advertising that they have information on how you can contact your spirit guides and interpret their presence in your life, but Andrews' is the only book I've used that REALLY achieves what its advertising promises. He approaches his subject -- and the reader -- with reverence and respect, and stays away from the "mystical mumbo jumbo" too many other books seem to lean so heavily on these days. I've found his insights to be right on the money every time. I use his book not only in researching and understanding spirit guides, but as a tool for dream interpretation as well. It's an excellent book.

While all of the previous reviews are positive, none seem to be from people who have authentic training and qualifications to rate the accuracy of the contents.

It is true that the book is frequently cited--but in every instance I have found--the citations have been by non-Natives or non-tribal Natives who have not had recourse to authentic tribal teachers.

The meanings of animals as totems vary among tribal groups, so it can be expected that a book will reflect the training of the author. This book does not seem to match authentic teachings from any well-respected tribal educators.

According to all offical biographies I have been able to locate, Mr. Andrews is not Native American, and has not trained with one or more authentic shamen. He is an untrained lay person, who has made a career out of writing books and speaking about a wide variety of new age subjects in which his training is no broader than that of many of his readers/listeners.

Any book may be helpful and Mr. Andrews may have insights that help you. If so, great. But, please do not confuse this book with authentic Native American teachings.

Ever wonder why 4 deer walked in front of you this morning? or why you keep seeing the same little rabbit every evening for a week and then never again? Well, this book can tell you why AND MORE! Not only does Ted give descriptions of animals, birds and insects and their spiritual messages to us, but he also gives info on colors, trees, direction, etc.
This book is filled with all kinds of useful information to help you understand the messages given to us by the plant and animal kingdoms. He gives tips on how to find your Power Animals, how to attune yourself to animal energies, backgrounds on different spiritual practices involving communicating with animal spirits, and SO MUCH MORE! Granted, this is just his opinion, but who better to give an opinion than someone who is so intuned with the spiritual! I HIGHLY recommend this book. It is a must for anyone exploring their spirituality, their connection to earth and animal kingdoms, and those looking to decipher possible messages that they bring to us. If you find that the animal/bird/insect you are looking for is not covered in this book, then I recommend his other book as well: Animal-Wise.
I own both books and use them on almost a daily basis.

I have this book as well as Animal Talk. This is not the kind of book I would read from cover to cover, but I do look through it a lot. It is a spirituality- oriented book, but I've actually learned a lot of things about specific animals- their habits, habitats, etc more than anything else. I never knew that hawks and owls are complementary to each other until I read this book. It has a lot of information about the physical aspects of animals, and from that he writes about what meaning they could have if they are a totem for a person. When coming across foxes, skunks and other animals in real life, I would go home and look them up in this book, as well as any animal that held my curiousity. So it helped me learn and have even more appreciation.
It also has some guidelines for how to determine a totem. He says a person doesn't "choose" a totem, because then they would choose a more glamorous animal. True, a lot of people have "sexy" totems like wolves and panthers, but actually I know several people with totems like squirrels, skunks, raccoons, turkey vultures and even cicadas! He also writes about what is the purpose of a totem. One thing he writes is that if at all possible you should find a way to help animals, either your totem or just any animals in general. I love this the most, and I have advised others "ask not what your totem can do for you, but what you can do for your totem."
The author works in a nature center, so I don't think he is a poser and at least he is trying to help them. I understand that cultures don't like to get ripped off, but with how many animals are endangered, it's better if people are interested in things like this. It seems small, but if people have a consciousness where they appreciate the animals and environment, it can affect their actions in small and large ways. We don't have people going around killing buffalo "just because" anymore.