Totems: The Transformative Power of Your Personal Animal Totem (Paperback)

~ (Author) "JOINED THE OTHERS in the teaching circle with Grandmother Twylah in the original Seneca longhouse of the old Buffalo Creek Reservation and listened to her..." (more)
Key Phrases: totem guide, comfortably deep breath, spirit helper, Great Mystery, Native American, Earth Mother (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

In Totems, Brad Steiger doesn't dwell on any single tradition, but acknowledges the significant roles that animals play in many cultures in order to advise you about the best way your totem animal may be of assistance. Drawing on the idea that humankind is inextricably connected with nature, Steiger reveals how we can call on the resources of the animal kingdom to guide and aid us through troubled times as well as through the trials of everyday life.

Product Description

Discover the secrets of animal totems and their sacred, transformative powers.

Among traditional Native Americans and other tribal peoples, totems are the enduring animal symbols that allow these peoples to explore the mysteries of life and the spirit world. from the graceful Antelope to the aggressive Cougar to the wise and peaceful Turtle, each animal embodies certain strengths and attributes that the spiritual seeker can embrace and follow on the path of self -exploration. Now, Totems offers each of us the tools we need to tap into the power of sacred animal totems by finding our own personal symbol and experiencing its energy firsthand.

Drawing upon his long association with native teachers, as well as guidance from his own spirit helper, author Brad Steiger has created a fascinating, informative, and thorough guide to this ancient Spiritual practice. Filled with the wisdom of many different tribes and cultures, Totems provides exercises and techniques for:

·choosing your own animal totem from the American Indian Zodiac · receiving dream and vision teachings using animal totems · embarking on a spirit journey · learning the healing powers of totems · calling on your spiritual helpers in times of need·

Product Details

• Paperback: 218 pages
• Publisher: HarperCollins (January 10, 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0062514253
• ISBN-13: 978-0062514257
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 7.3 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 11 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (15 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #436,452 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

99 of 102 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The sub title of this book says it extremely well!, January 7, 2001

By	W. Lambdin "Two Bears" (Ellensburg, WA) - See all my reviews (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)

Practising Shamanism is a huge transforming influence on your life.

As far as I am concerned this book is a masterpeise! This is the first Shamanism book I have read that deals almost exclusively with Totem animals.

Totem animals serve the same duties as guardian angels to protect and guide.

I have some minor points readers of this book need to be aware of.

Page 18: "How should you go about selecting the totem that will represent your spirit helper?"

You shouldn't select a totem. The Totem that is right for you will make itself known. The Bear constantly entered my consciousness for about three weeks before I paid attention.

Page 32-35: Here this book goes into numerology.

I don't know why.

Page 64 - 70: This area explaims Tara Sutphen's method of Shamanic journeying.

This method is fine, but I would recommend for people to set up a medicine wheel before journeying.

Page 99-101: This teaches one method of setting up a medicine wheel.

All methods of the medicine wheel work, but there are much easier varieties. I use the Sioux medicine wheel. If you want to know the Sioux medicine wheel read my other reviews or E-Mail me.

Page 100. Mr Steiger talks of placing the 12 stones in his version of the medicine wheel representing the 12 moons. This is an error. There are 13 moons in a year.

Be sure to to read chapter 8 of this book. It does a masterful job im explaining evil and negative entities.

I recommend this book VERY highly.

I never thought I would find a book that would surpass "Shamanic Experience" Kenneth Meadows, or "Shamanism: As A Spiritual Practise For Daily Life" Tom Cowan, but this book has!

Please E-mail me if you have questions or comments about my review. Two Bears.

Wah doh Ogedoda (We give thanks Great Spirit)

42 of 43 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This book has seriously affected my life., January 22, 2001

By A Customer

I saw this book a few times and finally talked myself into buying it and have never been disapointed since. This book struck such a chord within me. I can honestly say that this book has had an impact on my personal spirituality and the way I view religion and what I believe now as apposed to what I grew up with. It covered not only Native American mythologies on the Totem animals but also Eygptian and others as well, which I thought rounded the book out and made it possible for everyone to find something that applied to them in it.

38 of 39 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Who walks within or beside you?, April 27, 2002

By	Victoria Tarrani "writer, editor, artist, des... (Betwixt FL and CA, USA) - See all my reviews (TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)

Those who guide come in many guises, including nature's creations. I use the information in Totems both as a writer and personally because it is possible to transform your life; people can change their future.

Being in tune with your own force is the most intense sensation of peace that you can find. I have known my spirit guide for many years, and have found that other animals come into my realm, or totem, as my needs change. When my niece was four I began calling her Rabbit, and when she grew up, she asked me why. My brother's family had kept pet rabbits for years; based on what he saw, he disagreed with what I said of the rabbit. Several years later, in Totems, I discovered that my ideas were those of the Native Americans.

Animals are significant throughout history. The zodiac links human traits to fish (Pisces), bulls (Taurus), crabs (Cancer), lions (Leo), scorpions (Scorpio), and goats (Capricorn). Egyptians worshipped Bask, the Cat-Mother goddess, while South American tribes revered the leopard or panther, and animals represent all twelve years in the Chinese zodiac.

You do not pick your guides, but if you watch the animals that cross your path you will see the guide and can learn the messages they bring to you. Once you train yourself to not just see a cricket or a bee, but to see the messenger, then you discover the message. Butterflies land on me when I am going through changes, or should be. When I see hawks, I should pay greater attention to my dreams.

This book includes some details on relaxation and meditation; some numerology; some information about the Medicine Wheel, but none is as in-depth as the information about totems. This is a good primer, and I give Totems four stars.

Victoria Tarrani