Spirits of the Earth: A Guide to Native American Nature Symbols, Stories, and Ceremonies [Mass Market Paperback]

Robert Lake-Thom (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: August 1, 1997

"There are ancient secrets and lessons hidden in nature. If you seek for guidance, you will discover truth." —Bobby Lake-Thom

Much of the ancient knowledge that has been passed down from Native American medicine men, or shamans is in danger of being lost. Bobby Lake-Thom, a Native American healer known as Medicine Grizzly Bear, has sought to preserve this powerful heritage by sharing his wisdom and experience learning from the world around us. The result is Spirits of the Earth, an extraordinary compilation of legends and rituals about nature's ever-present signs. From the birds that soar above us to the insincts beneath our feet, Bobby Lake-Thom shows how the creatures of the earth can aid us in healing and self-knowledge.

What does it mean if a hawk appears in a dream? What are the symbolic interpretations of a deer, a skunk, a raccoon? Lake-Thom, who has studied with the elders of many tribes, explains the significance of animal figures as manifestations of good or evil, and shows how we can develop our own powers of awareness and intuition. The first book of its kind, this practical and enlightening resource includes dozens of fashinating animal myths and legends, as well as exercises and activities that draw upon animal powers for guidance, healing, wisdom, and the expansion of spiritual influences in our lifes. You'll discover here:

• How animals, birds, and insects act as signs and omens
• The significance of vision quests
• How to make and use a medicine wheel
• The role of spirit symbols—and how they affect the unconscious
• Excercises for creative dreaming
• The power of the earth-healing ceremony
• How to increase your spiritual strength and create sacred spaces
• And more

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

Native Americans believe that animal spirits can ultimately influence everyday lives. Lake-Thom, a healer and a descendant of three Native American tribes, combines his own experience, work with tribal elders, and readings from folk tales to explain the significance of good- and bad-luck symbols to these tribes. For instance, the hummingbird is considered to be a good-luck messenger that can carry a person's prayers to the Creator; in contrast, the owl is considered a sign of bad luck and a messenger of death. In a clear and straightforward writing style, the author defines symbols such as the turtle, bear, and coyote for Karuk, Seneca, and Cherokee tribes. He also includes several chapters on how one can get in touch with animal spirits through active participation in ceremonies and establishing sacred places. There is a helpful index and accompanying sketches. Recommended for public libraries.?Vicki Leslie Toy Smith, Univ. of Nevada, Reno
Copyright 1997 Reed Business Information, Inc.

About the Author

Bobby Lake-Thom, known as Medicine Grizzly Bear, is a traditional Native healer and spiritual teacher of Karuk and Seneca descent (affiliated with the Quartz Valley Indian Reservation in California). He has been schooled in both Western and Native american traditions and has taught and lectured extensively aross the United States for more than three decades. He is the author of two previous books on Native American culture and spirituality, Native Healer and Chilula: People from the Ancient Redwoods, and his articles have appeared in The Indian Historian, The Journal for Ethnic Studies, Quest magazine, Shaman's Drum, and other publications. He lives near Mt. Shasta in Yreka, California.

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 18 and up
  
• Mass Market Paperback: 224 pages
• Publisher: Plume (August 1, 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0452276500
• ISBN-13: 978-0452276505
• Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 7.2 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 10.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (28 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #40,281 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

47 of 53 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A selection of stories from various tribes, September 24, 2000

By 

W. Lambdin "Two Bears" (Ellensburg, WA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

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This review is from: Spirits of the Earth: A Guide to Native American Nature Symbols, Stories, and Ceremonies (Mass Market Paperback)

This book contains a selection of various legends from assorted tribes; such as Wiyot, Cheyenne, Crow, Yakima, Kickapoo, Cherokee, and others.

On page 80-160 or so, Mr. Lake-Thom lists probable omens for assorted animals, birds, insects, and Reptiles. What the reviewer "Moonwatcher from Earth" below failed to notice is that Mr. Lake-Thom repeatedly tells people to check into the local legends. Mr. Lake-Thom wanted people to pay attention to nature acting in an unnatural way, or animals appearing in places where it was uncommon for them to be.

The ceremonies in this book are sketchy at best.

In the medicine wheel discription Mr. Lake-Thom uses the colors of Black, White, Red, and Yellow like in Nick Black Elk's vision, but he reverses the places for Earth and Water (This is the 8th or 9th tradition I have seen for setting up a medicine Wheel.

Personaly; I found the stories of the Bobcat, and Snake farfetched.

I will not say that it is impossible because in my Shamanic experience I have personaly witnessed some things that should be impossible.

Questions or comments. E-Mail me. Two Bears

Wah doh Ogedoda

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A great book, February 15, 2006

By 

Laughing Woman (Turtle Island) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Spirits of the Earth: A Guide to Native American Nature Symbols, Stories, and Ceremonies (Mass Market Paperback)

Bobby Lake-Thom aka Medcine Grizzly Bear is the real deal, word is, that he is an excellent medicine person with tremendous knowldege. These books are an effort of Medicine Grizzly Bear to bring this knowledge to all people. The Spirits of the Earth offers us a look into old form of comunication when people and nature were one. Spirts of the Earth uncovers the path so that we can re-learn a language that was given to us by the Great Creator in order to make our lives easier. This book is exellent, I would highly reccomend it as a necessary book to any Native American or Shamanism collection. His other titles are also fantastic...... "Native Healer" and "Call of the Great Spirit"

21 of 24 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Spirits of the Earth, July 6, 2003

By 

"hearing_leaves" (Iowa) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Spirits of the Earth: A Guide to Native American Nature Symbols, Stories, and Ceremonies (Mass Market Paperback)

I found this book to be extremely easy to read and understand. Bobby Lake-Thom incorporated Native teachings and stories with Western Scientific theories. I especially found it interesting when he discussed right and left brain thinking and how it relates to comprehension of Native signs and symbols.
He provides us with valuable insite into the stories and legends of many tribes. He shows us how important our oral culture is and was and how the people learned mores and values through listening to stories from the elders.