Spirits of the Earth: A Guide to Native American Nature Symbols, Stories, and Ceremonies

By Bobby Lake-Thom

Book Overview

An extraordinary compilation of legends and rituals about nature's ever-present signs. From the birds that soar above us to the insects beneath our feet, Native American healer Bobby Lake-Thom shows how the creatures of the earth can aid us in healing and self-knowledge.

"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.

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 fascinating 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 lives. 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
- Exercises for creative dreaming
- The power of the earth-healing ceremony
- How to increase your spiritual strength and create sacred spaces
- And more....

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0452276500
• ISBN13: 9780452276505
• Release Date: August 1997
• Publisher: Plume Books
• Length: 224 Pages
• Weight: 0.75 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.6" x 7.2" x 9.3"
• Age Range: 18 years and up
• Grade Range: Postsecondary and higher

Customer Reviews

Well Done and Informative

I believe that anyone interested in expanding their knowledge of the Indigenous peoples of North America will find it a valuable tool.

Animals can tell us a lot...

Animals have been living on Earth and dealing with nature a lot longer than us. They can sense when an Earthquake is about to happen. Pets can sense an illness within their owner before the owner does. Birds, insects, and other animals have evolved and adapted to deal with floods, climate changes and dangers that happen in their lives. Why NOT use their reactions and knowledge to help us deal with nature and our own dangers? American Indians have been listening to nature and the animals to help them deal with such dangers. Early Europeans did the same before Modern Science and the Church destroyed those cultures. While I am not sure about many of the stories I did enjoy the book. It is for beginners and I think many details have been withheld so not to make the exercises and the ceremonies beyond the grasp of the person just starting his or her spiritual quest. Think of it as a Spirits of the Earth for Dummies.

A great book

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"

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.

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 BearsWah doh Ogedoda