Medicine Cards: The Discovery of Power Through the Ways of Animals [Hardcover]

Jamie Sams (Author), David Carson (Author), Angela C. Werneke (Illustrator)

Book Description

Publication Date: July 30, 1999

Discover the tool that millions of people worldwide are using for guidance, inspiration, and help in finding answers to life's questions. now, revised and expanded to include eight additional cards, this unique and powerful divination system draws upon ancient wisdom and tradition to teach the healing medicine of animals. Medicine Cards and found its way into the hearts and hands of many, guiding the way to healing the body, emotions, mind, and spirit, and providing insight into and understand of one's unique purpose in life.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Since the publication of the Navaho novel, Seven Arrows, over twenty years ago, I haven't seen anything so adventurous or beautifully executed as Medicine Cards...this handsome and inviting package has much to teach us all." --Patricia Holt, San Francisco Chronicle

"A potent yet refreshingly simple divination tool that can help up reconnect to the sources of life's natural guidance...extraordinarily well crafted. This work is plentiful, overflowing with the richness of the Native American way of life." --Yoga Journal

About the Author

Jamie Sams is of Iroquois and Cherokee descent. She is a medicine teacher and author of numerous books, including Sacred Path Cards (HarperSanFrancisco, 1990.) David Carson is of Choctaw descent. They both live in Santa Fe, New Mexico.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 240 pages
• Publisher: St. Martin's Press; Revised edition (July 30, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0312204914
• ISBN-13: 978-0312204914
• Product Dimensions: 8.8 x 5.9 x 1.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (108 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #8,665 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #1 in Books > Religion & Spirituality > New Age > Divination > Fortune Telling

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

85 of 87 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A pivotal deck for those who love animals., August 6, 2000

By 

seeker "tink-im" (cincinnati, ohio United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Medicine Cards: The Discovery of Power Through the Ways of Animals (Hardcover)

I have so enjoyed this deck over the years. When I first recieved it, following the easy directions for use, I was able to determine my entire totom (all the animals that influence me). I found it to be amazingly accurate. The system allows the user to understand the symbolic meaning of the animals which appear to us, in dreams, in person, or I even count the ones on TV. Thier messages are always timely and useful. The cards are lovely, the book is complete, easy to use, with just wonderful stories that make it very easy to remember and use the system quickly. I love it. Thanks to the creators.

64 of 66 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An Alternative Tarot, July 9, 2003

By 

Kalista M. Priddy "caitriona" (North Carolina, USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Medicine Cards: The Discovery of Power Through the Ways of Animals (Hardcover)

The thing that initally drew me to this deck was the fact that is based on teaching for Native American tribes. Among them ar the Cherokee and Chickasaw, which I have ancestry in. I'd tried working with several different types of decks, but never found one that spoke to me until I held this one in my hand.

This deck does not function in the way that most tarot decks do. Instead of dividing the deck into minor and major arcana and using suites (pentacles, cups, ect), this deck is meant to be read a whole.

You will find nothing but animals in this deck, everything from the ant to the dolphin. Each animal has a lesson. It may be leadership, stamina, self-reflection or innocence to name a few. This lesson is referred to as that particular animal's medicine. The medicine referred to throughout this deck is anything that will strengthen the reader's connection to the Great Spirit and to all life. By incorporating these lessons into your own life you will learn about yourself as well as those around you.

There are also blank shields for you to add any animals that you feel a connection to that are left out of the deck, or if you wish to design your own personal medicine shield they can be used for that.

The book contains spread for finding your nine totem animals, and various spreads that are influenced by the teachings of the Native American tribes (the Sun Lodge spread for example is for how others see you, while the Moon Lodge spread is a mirror of you.

I have used this deck for well over a year now and find its medicine has helped me along my path. If you're interested in Shamanism I would definately suggest this deck. It would work well for those interested in animal guides, totem animals or the teaching of Native American tribes.

26 of 28 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars They're okay, but..., July 27, 2002

By 

Annie (Wales, UK) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Medicine Cards: The Discovery of Power Through the Ways of Animals (Hardcover)

I prefer the White Eagle Medicine Wheel cards. These aren't very colourful and are quite simple in design. They aren't very imaginative. The hardcover plain book inside is a bit of a disappointment after seeing other sets. The book is okay as a reference, but not something I'm motivated to read from cover to cover. I suppose it serves as the tool it is meant to be, but I do prefer something more creative and colourful.