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

Ted Andrews (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 1, 1996

Open your heart and mind to the wisdom of the animal world.

Animal Speak provides techniques for recognizing and interpreting the signs and omens of nature. Meet and work with animals as totems and spirit guides by learning the language of their behaviors within the physical world.

Animal Speak shows you how to: identify, meet, and attune to your spirit animals; discover the power and spiritual significance of more than 100 different animals, birds, insects, and reptiles; call upon the protective powers of your animal totem; and create and use five magical animal rites, including shapeshifting and sacred dance.

This beloved, bestselling guide has become a classic reference for anyone wishing to forge a spiritual connection with the majesty and mystery of the animal world.

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

Want to learn how to speak the language of critters, large and small? Easy-to-read and understand, Ted Andrews's bestselling Animal Speak shows readers how to identify his or her animal totem and learn how to invoke its energy and use it for personal growth and inner discovery. Nature lovers will love this insightful compendium, chock-full of touching stories about animals, natural history, and animal folklore. Readers will also learn magical animal rites and how to read omens. Animal Speak includes a dictionary of bird, animal, reptile, and insect totems, which describe each creature's meaning. For example, if a person's totem is dragonfly, he or she was most likely excessively emotional and passionate in early years, learning with age to balance it with mental clarity and control. If a dragonfly suddenly shows up in your life, it means you may need to gain a new perspective or make a change. --P. Randall Cohan

From the Publisher

Every day I sit in front of my computer. I'm surrounded by technology in every room of the house. I started to read Ted Andrew's Animal-Speak, but then stopped. I went outside and listened to the birds and insects and animals as I continued reading. I realized that, indeed, when we isolate ourselves from nature we are actually separating ourselves from reality.
So this is truly a book that changed me. I try to get outside every pleasant day. And when I do, I think of what I learned in this book. I'm more attuned to the animals and they seem to share their secrets with me. Secrets of peaceful living and secrets of self-empowerment. Secrets of spirituality and secrets of magic!
And the great thing is that with the guidance in this book I'm never limited. As you'll discover, there is animal after animal in this book that you can learn about and to which you can attune. Perhaps a lizard one day and a cat the next. Or perhaps you might find the power of the loon (who helps with lucid dreaming) to be just what you need.
One exercise I've found very useful is the technique used to call your spirit animal. You mediate on the animal and do simple visualizations, imagining it standing before you or drawing close to you. Eventually, you visualize it merging into you, feeling its energies as strong and vital. After spending just five minutes like this you will be more awake, aware and alert. Amazing!
This is one of those great books where there is a tremendous amount of information that can quickly and easily be put to good use. You can pick this book up anywhere, read a page or two, and find that you have something new to contemplate and put into practice.
I know you'll find this book as practical and useful as I have.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 400 pages
• Publisher: Llewellyn Publications; 1st edition (September 1, 1996)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0875420281
• ISBN-13: 978-0875420288
• Product Dimensions: 10.6 x 6.9 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.9 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (158 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,363 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #1 in Books > Religion & Spirituality > Earth-Based Religions > Shamanism
  • #6 in Books > Professional & Technical > Professional Science > Biological Sciences > Animals
  • #6 in Books > Science & Math > Nature & Ecology > Fauna

More About the Author

Ted Andrews is a full-time author, student, and teacher in the metaphysical and spiritual fields. He conducts seminars, symposiums, workshops, and lectures throughout the country on many facets of ancient mysticism, focusing on translating esoteric material to make it comprehensible and practical for everyone. This includes resynthesizing ancient scriptures, literature, and teachings for use by the modern spiritual student.
Ted is certified in basic hypnosis and acupressure, and is involved in the study and use of herbs as an alternative path in health care. He is active in the holistic healing field, focusing strongly on esoteric forms of healing with sound, music, and voice. Trained in piano, Ted also employs the use of the Celtic harp, bamboo flute, shaman rattles, Tibetan bells, Tibetan Singing Bowl, and quartz crystal bowls to create individual healing therapies and induce higher states of consciousness. Ted is a clairvoyant and also works with past-life analysis, aura interpretation, dreams, numerology, and Tarot.
Andrews is the author of The Healer's Manual; Animal-Speak, How to See & Read the Aura; Dream Alchemy; Crystal Balls & Crystal Bowls; How to Develop & Use Psychic Touch; How to Heal with Color; Sacred Sounds; Magickal Dance; and many other titles.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

175 of 184 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Spirit Guides and Totems, July 6, 2000

By 

Victoria Tarrani "writer, editor, artist, des... (Florida, USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

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This review is from: Animal-Speak: The Spiritual & Magical Powers of Creatures Great & Small (Paperback)

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.

69 of 72 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Core Beliefs Expressed, February 9, 2000

By 

Alison Kruk (Arlington, Virginia) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Animal-Speak: The Spiritual & Magical Powers of Creatures Great & Small (Paperback)

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.

47 of 48 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars One Of My Favorite Books! (I Consult It Often), September 20, 2005

By 

Janet Boyer "Author, Blogger, Mystic" (Pennsylvania) - See all my reviews
(HALL OF FAME REVIEWER)    (VINE VOICE)    (TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Animal-Speak: The Spiritual & Magical Powers of Creatures Great & Small (Paperback)

"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)