Product Description

A Native American healer explores the symbolic meanings of animals in Native American legends and tales and explains how one can get in touch with animal spirits through dreams, ceremonies, or sacred objects and places. Original."

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #68370 in Books
• Published on: 1997-08-01
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 224 pages

Features

• ISBN13: 9780452276505
• Condition: NEW
• Notes: Brand New from Publisher. No Remainder Mark.
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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.

Customer Reviews

A selection of stories from various tribes
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

Spirits of the Earth
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.

Good book, but some parts don't make sense
This book is an enjoyable read and gives you a feeling for Native spirituality and animal symbolism. However, in the section that explains different animal's symbolism, the author often states that seeing a certain animal is an omen of something. For instance, in the section on Owls, it says that owls are an omen of sickness and death, and that if you hear an owl hooting near your home, someone close to you will become sick. But what if there happens to be an owl living nearby your home? You might hear it all the time. I find it hard to believe that it is *always* a sign of sickness and death, every time you hear it. After reading this book, I read Tom Brown's The Vision, which said that owls can be a sign of death *only* if the owl is acting strange when you see it. People see owls all the time, it can't possibly mean sickness or death every time. I would agree with Tom Brown.