Totem Magic: Dance of the Shapeshifter [Paperback]

Yasmine Galenorn (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 7, 2004

"Inside of each of us an animal lies in wait, ready to be revealed and explored. As humans we share the earth with many magnificent creatures, and through Pagan magic we can connect with the animal kingdom and with our individual animal spirits, or totems. In TOTEM MAGIC, author Yasmine Galenorn-whose soul is part panther, boa, and peacock-shows you how to uncover the animal spirits who guide and guard you in your life'¬?s journey. Drawing on Pagan shamanism, she offers guidelines, spellwork, and rituals for connecting with your totems for strength, protection, and empowerment. Through the ancient mystical practice of totem magic, you can discover your animal within while exploring new, exciting paths in your spiritual development.

Editorial Reviews

Review

Includes spells for discovering your totem spirits, rituals for connecting with your totems, and a section of resources for further information on totem magic. Speaks to a growing interest in Pagan and shamanic wisdom, traditions, and practices."

From the Publisher

* An advanced shamanic witchcraft book that focuses on forging a spiritual bond with the animal kingdom and with your personal totems.

* Includes spells for discovering your totem spirits, rituals for connecting with your totems, and a section of resources for further information on totem magic.

* Speaks to a growing interest in Pagan and shamanic wisdom, traditions, and practices.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 224 pages
• Publisher: Crossing Press (May 7, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1580911161
• ISBN-13: 978-1580911160
• Product Dimensions: 6 x 0.6 x 8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9.1 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #238,885 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

New York Times, USA Today, and Publishers Weekly bestselling author Yasmine Galenorn writes two bestselling urban fantasy series: the Otherworld Series (Sisters of the Moon Series), and the Indigo Court Series, both for Berkley. She's also written a paranormal mystery series (the Chintz 'n China Series) for Berkley Prime Crime, a short-lived mystery series (the Bath & Body Series) under the name of India Ink, again for Berkley Prime Crime, and eight metaphysical nonfiction books (Llewellyn Publications and Crossing Press).

Yasmine is a shamanic witch, and walks an eclectic path. She considers her life a blend of teacups and tattoos--the former in her china closet, the latter on her skin. She's a theatre major, a graduate of the Evergreen State College (Olympia WA). She lives in the Seattle WA area with her husband and is the mother of four cats.

Because so many people ask, you pronounce her name this way: Yaz-mihn (NOT Jasmine--it's a "Y", not a "J"). Last name is pronounced: Gal-eh-norn The accent is on the first syllable.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

19 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Be warned..., October 19, 2004

By 

Me - See all my reviews

This review is from: Totem Magic: Dance of the Shapeshifter (Paperback)

I absolutely loved this book... although it probably doesn't hurt to warn some people that it is heavily shammanic in nature, so if that bothers you, you might want to think about getting something else.
It was well researched, but what I really enjoyed were the stories of Yasmine's experiences and the rituals that she designed. Her workings have (I think) a truly unique style to them (which has changed along the course of her career--she's always had a fiercely 'this is how I am, and if it's not your path, that's fine' kind of attitude, but this one is rather different, and probably appeals to a more specific audience).
A lot of the books out there are sort of limited to a purely modernized-western view, and are even a bit fluffy-bunny; the ideas and rituals in this one really seem to have their place in a different culture, which I found refreshing. It's not just the same ideas over and over again. The forces that you're working with are primal and wild--animals; the forest or the jungle--and Yasmine's magic fits that energy. Some of it even surprised me at first, but I think this is definitely worth being open to, if you can.

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Good starter book, August 12, 2005

By 

Lupa (Portland, OR) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: Totem Magic: Dance of the Shapeshifter (Paperback)

I really like this book. The author certainly has a unique viewpoint on animal totems and spirit guides, and I love her use of anecdotes. She's got a superb writing style and is quite thorough in her coverage of the topic. Truth be told, though, if I could give it a 4 3/4 I might, simply because I'm getting tired of books that rely on precrafted spells for content-filler--but I give her *major* props for not falling back on the totem-meaning dictionary that *everybody* does. And the pre-crafted magick she does have is inventive, so I'm definitely rounding up to a 5 for a good effort.

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Must Read!, January 4, 2006

By 

Joel "thunderwolf13" (Ohio) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Totem Magic: Dance of the Shapeshifter (Paperback)

I recently finished reading this book, and I was amazed! I've also read Animal Speak by Ted Andrews and Animal Magick by DJ Conway. This book left both those combined in the dust! The information provided in those books is helpful providing you already have an understanding how to work with your animal guides, but Yasmine's book is very experiential and helps one to truly understand how to work with the animal spirits.

Yasmine also has a bit different view as to the definition of totem. For her, a totem is much more than an animal guide, and she differentiates between totems and animal guides and guardians. In her way of understanding totems, as humans, our souls are composed of more than just human souls, but are also part animal. It is the animal parts of our souls which are our totems. "Power animals," then would simply be animal spirit guides. This view of totems may seem a bit radical, but it resonates quite well with me. Also, as someone with so many power animals, it would explain why traditional Native American totem poles were not sky scraper height. It also makes sense for me in terms of explaining why I feel I possess certain qualities of some animals while others simply seem to guide me.

More importantly, this book seeks not to explain what it means to have a certain totem or guide but, rather, seeks to instruct one in how to develop a relationship with one's own totems and guides and to learn what it means from the animals themselves. This book was genuinely fascinating and one which I had a hard time putting down.