Customer Reviews

Power Animals

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2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

"A power animal is just that: an animal spirit guide that will empower you and help you deal with both the spiritual and the earthly realm." --Dr. Steven Farmer in Power Animals

Ask the animals, and they will teach you, or the birds of the air, and they will tell you; or speak to the earth, and it will teach you, or let the fish of the sea inform you. --Job 12:7-8

Shamans and indigenous cultures have long been familiar with the concept of animal guides. Animal guides are represented by animal forms, and provide information, guidance, and protection. Some people use the words animal totems and power animals interchangeably, but according to Dr. Steven Farmer in his new book Power Animals - How To Connect With Your Animal Spirit Guides, there is a subtle difference.

Totem animals are usually asssociated with groups, such as a tribal totem, clan totem, or family totem. Even contemporary cultures have totem animals, such as those for sports teams (e.g. Toronto Blue Jays), or clubs and societies (such as the Lions Club).

Power animals, however, are personal and specific. Like totem animals, they are guardian spirits who empower us. Yet, power animals have a unique and highly personal relationship with the individual, leading the way through non-ordinary reality. Power animals can be contacted through meditation, dreams, visions, and shamanic journeys. They can also appear in physical form, bearing an omen or message--depending on the context of the sighting, how often it appears, and how it is behaving.

Power Animals describes the three realms of non-ordinary reality--and the plane where power animals reside--the four channels of spiritual perception, and how to honor your power animal. Farmer gives a summary of 36 different power animals, including a channeled message from each, qualities of the animal, what it means when a particular animal is your personal power animal, when to ask for this animal's help, and how to access it's power. He acknowledges that his summaries aren't exhaustive, and there are other power animals that exist--including imaginary ones like dragons and unicorns.

Included with this book is a CD featuring guided meditations, with a run-time of 65:53. The first three featuring drumming with a particular rhythm, the fourth has a similar rhythm using a rattle, and the fifth offers a unique type of rhythm and sound using the didgeridoo and click sticks. The drumming and rattling are at the rate of 4 to 7 beats per second, which is the same rhythm that shamans use to induce a trance state in order to do their work.

Track 1: Journey To Retrieve Your Power Animal
Track 2: Guided Meditation Journey For Divination
Track 3: Self-Directed Shamanic Journey With Drum
Track 4: Self-Directed Shamanic Journey With Rattle
Track 5: Self-Directed Shamanic Journey With Didgeridoo

Personally, there are several birds and animals that I've identified with over the years--animals that gave me great wisdom. However, I never really felt that I connected with them as a power animal. (Of course, I didn't really try to establish a relationship, either.) I approached the process with an open mind, and listened to Track 1 which is a guided meditation to help you find and retrieve your power animal.

Farmer's soothing voice led me down into the earth and out into a place where I was to watch for animals that crossed my path. One could imagine a forest, mountain, desert, beach, ocean, and so on, and I was surprised that my visualization actually shifted between all of these terrains. Quite a few animals, including sea creatures and birds, crossed my path--but Farmer says to be on the lookout for the animal that appears 4 times.

I was quite surprised that a creature did, in fact, come to me 4 times. Most surprisingly, however, was that it was a creature I did not expect. As I "retrieved" this beautiful creature with Farmer's guidance, I felt a sacred joy and reverence fill my being--and tears welled up in my eyes.

After coming out of the meditation and reading about my power animal, I had to chuckle. It made such sense to me! In fact, in a personality system I have studied, my particular personality is often associated with this particular creature. Even the keyword for my power animal is reflected strongly in my astrological chart!

If you're looking for a simple but profound way for discovering your own personal power animals, I highly recommend this book and CD from Dr. Steven Farmer.

I would have given it 5 stars if it has covered more animals in the wild.

But I like how Steven Farmer presented the info. It is so much easier to find the info you need since he made them into 4 sections as follow:
1. Your Power Animal's Message for You,
2. the qualities/ potentials in you if your power animal is, eg. an owl,
3. When to ask for your power animal's help,
4. How to access its power.

My book came with a shamanic journeying CD which I have only tried a few times. I prefer to meditate instead of journeying and the music actually distracted me or limited the length of time I have in interacting with my power animal. But that's just me.

I highly recommend this book for anyone who wish to get to know their power animal better or access its power.

With Metta.

Dr. Farmer has brought to us a simple yet very powerful resource guide to explore the phenomenon of animal guides. I have found this book so very helpful to help explain when certain animals have appeared in my dreams, my meditations and so on. The journey Dr. Farmer takes you on with his enclosed CD are great mystical travels through your innerself to bring forth that power animal that is by your side. I was astounded by which animal appeared when I did the CD meditation and when I read the description Dr. Farmer had provided in regards to that particular animal, it fit for me perfectly.

I enjoy in Dr. Farmer's book the information for each animal on how to work with their individual energy, how to bring this energy into your life. This is a great resource book that I highly recommend to anyone whose interests have been to discover the power in animals, who have acted from time to time as our spirit guides in our lives. Bless you Dr. Farmer for compiling this magnificent book of knowledge.

I bought this book with much enthusiasm after reading reviews since I wanted to study more about power animals and be able to share some information with others. Well, there are no water animals except "whale", "dolphin" and "seal" so when we looked up fish, crab, octopus, and frog, we found nothing. My power animal is the cockatoo - well, there was not even parrot to look up. Bottom line, there are only 36 animals with information. For those of you who believe in totem animals and power animals, you know that for each person, there may be several animals to look up. This book is not for those who are looking for a complete selection (obviously, within each species you find so many but it would be nice to at least list the main categories).

"Native beliefs explain that a totem animal is one that is with you for life, often an animal with whom you share a connection, either through interest in the animal or your resemblance to or shared characteristics of the animal in question. A power animal or spirit animal is a spirit in animal form that comes through with a specific lesson for you, and will change throughout the course of your life."

As the author of a book of similar ilk, 'Animal Dreaming', which lists the symbolic qualities of over 200 Australian animals, I encourage everyone to explore the wisdom of their power animals. 'Power Animals' opens a whole new way of exploring the acumen of the animals by illustrating tangible, practicle and fun ways of connecting with them. As an introductory guide and as a way of looking to the animals as a means of deepening one's relationship to Spirit and the Earth Mother, I highly recommend 'Power Animals'. Add it to your bookshelf, now.

Power Animals - How To Connect with Your Animal Spirit Guide by Steven D. Farmer, Ph.D. Through centuries Shamans have taught people how to find their Spirit Guides and Power Animals, known in some areas as totems. Did you know YOU have Power Animals and Spirit Guides also? In the West in modern times the ability to access this guidance from the unseen world has been squelched for years, but now, through books like this, you can learn how to "meet" the guide or guides who have been with you since you were born. You can experience how real they are and benefit enormously in decision making by learning how to contact your Power Animal. Dr. Farmer describes many of the spirit animals and their powers and you'll be led through his writing to determine which is yours. It is a fascinating exploration into the paranormal/spiritual side which we all possess.With the aid of the lovely CD which comes with the book you have your own personal guided sessions of meditation in order to meet and get to know your own Power Animal. When I first closed my eyes I thought this was rubbish, but I was happily STUNNED with the results! You will be too.

I have several of Steven's books and other cards. These are great for someone just starting out on their journey with power animals. It's not as comprehensive as the other books but it takes the beginning in a good direction of discover and understanding.

Is it wrong to express disappointment in a book when it fails to live up to your expectations? I purchased this book because I have long been fascinated in the spiritual practice of animal spirits guiding and supporting us.

I didn't feel a strong spiritual connection or conviction concerning the topic from the author. He seemed to briefly tiptoe around the animals that he choose to write about. Even with that, there was little insight or voice to the information presented in the book. I felt like the content was read somewhere and regurgitated on the page with little else added.

I was surprised at the similarity between this book and Ted Andrews' "Animal Speak" book. I was really looking forward reading a new perspective on the power animals. There was absolutely nothing written in the "Power Animals" book that was not available in another book on the power animals.

The content on the pages is limited and lacking in depth. It basically is a cliff notes version for the Ted Andrews book. Save your money and purchase from another author.

I bought this on Kindle, not realizing there was a CD that accompanied it. This is why the book has 3 stars. I do wish before something is placed on Kindle, that is not meant to be read without a CD.I almost requested my money back,but Shaman music is available on Itunes, as are guided meditations.

As for the book,I enjoyed it, it seemed to have some sustenance, but, without the CD, I'm left out in the cold. The author does give one a basic understanding of power animals,and clearly describes a few. (What about dogs? I guess dogs are considered to be domesticated.)He describes several animals, but it is limiting.I did enjoy how he described to meet the animal guides, but I don't enjoy that he continually refers to the CD. Some books are not meant to be digitalized.

Power Animals is a must have resource; it is a practical toolkit comprised of an easy to use guidebook and exceptional meditation CD! With elegant simplicity Dr. Farmer discusses the differences and gifts of guides, totems, and power animals. His wit and wisdom shines through as he outlines fundamental and advanced techniques to connect with the transformational energies of the animal kingdom. This master guide teaches with clarity and insight bringing voice to animal spirits in a way, which appeals to both the novice and advanced student. Dr. Farmer provides a unique key in developing a deeper personal relationship with your animal kingdom connections. This book and CD will encourage you daily as a divination tool (open the guidebook to discover your daily message), meditation partner and serve as a source of inspiration.