Excellent source book for Shamanic students. ( )

This book is/was a handy reference material. I mainly used it as a writer for symbolism in combination with [b:Medicine Cards: The Discovery of Power Through the Ways of Animals|168400|Medicine Cards The Discovery of Power Through the Ways of Animals|Jamie Sams|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1387751813s/168400.jpg|162622]. It is the source of a few character names for my series The Windwater Pack. It was easy to read and look up animals, plants and trees and thus allowed me, if I wanted to, to include them in the background of scenes as foreshadowing. I haven't done this as much anymore, so when the book was lost I didn't replace it.

It appears well-researched and if totems interest you, you'll likely enjoy it. It can also be used in combination with Medicine Cards for use if you add new animals to the deck. ( )

Very good reference book. On par with the Scott Cunningham reference books. Very well done. ( )

Ted Andrew’s book is a rather popular book on totemism for those new to the topic. His work, while good for a general overview on the subject, is certainly not the be-all and end-all of any kind of totemism. A lot of the books pages are taken up by an animal dictionary, which while an informative read, is somewhat counterintuitive to personal symbolism at times. One thing I do like about this book is that it doesn’t directly bolster itself as being “Native American” or working off of “genuine Native American totemism” which it certainly is not of which you sometimes see in other books. However, the cover of the book and some of the drawings within the book itself may unfortunately give off that imprecision. Regardless, it is a rather good beginners book to totemism and working with animals. ( )

Animal Speak by Ted Andrews is a guide to the wisdom that can be attained by taking a closer look at the animal kingdom. In it, Andrews provides techniques for recognizing and interpreting the signs and omens of the natural world. With insights into the myths/lore and history surrounding animals, Animal Speak helps you to discover the power and spiritual significance of more than 100 different mammals, birds, insects, and reptiles.

For anyone interested in Native American culture, shamanism, connecting with and understanding the creatures that share the Earth with us, Animal Speak is a must read book. Throughout history, animals have appeared in the art, stories, fairy tales/fables, and songs or every culture. Animal archetypes are so enduring within the human subconscious, that many people are fascinated by the habits of a particular animal or group of animals. Andrews explores the meaning of the animals we choose to share our lives with, the animals that appear to us in dreams, the animals we have always been interested in studying, and even the animals that frighten us.

Animal Speak examines more than 100 creatures and their habitats. Andrews discusses the intricacies of the relationship between predator and prey, reading signs and omens in nature, the special significance of colors, patterns, and numbers in the natural world, and the meaning of landscapes.

In the second half of the book, Andrews provides a large dictionary of animal totems, including birds, mammals, insects and reptiles. For each animal, the author imparts valuable information on animal behavior and physical characteristics, as well as a detailed mythological history. Even readers who don't subscribe to Shamanism will find the information Andrews provides on the mating, feeding and other behaviors invaluable in understanding the creatures we share the earth with.

Animal Speak teaches the reader to pay more attention to, listen and learn from the animals around us. By translating the language of animals for the reader, Andrews gives insights into what the natural world has to teach us. It's a wonderful reference that I can see myself referring to again and again. ( )