Nicholas J. Saunders
Time-Life Books
Nonfiction, Magic/Folklore
****
Animal Spirits: An Illustrated Guide (Living Wisdom Series)
Living Wisdom: Animal Spirits
Nicholas J. Saunders
Time-Life Books
Nonfiction, Magic/Folklore
****
Animal Spirits: An Illustrated Guide (Living Wisdom Series)
DESCRIPTION: Since humanity's earliest days, people have attributed strange and mystic powers to various animals. Observing the owl's large staring eyes and eerie calls, mankind decided it must also possess wisdom of the dark afterlife. The long-lived turtle came to stand for longevity. These are somewhat obvious inferences, but how did the bear come to represent creation, or butterflies fire? This book outlines how some of these strange associations may have come about, discussing various cultures and their views of animals' spiritual and symbolic aspects.
REVIEW: The author seems to have a jaded view of animal intelligence and emotional capacity, but otherwise this is a rather interesting look at the spiritual roles assigned to a wide variety of creatures. No other book I own on the subject deals with as much cultural variety, nor do most other books bother looking at the "why" of beliefs surrounding animals. I found this in the discount section, so it was a real steal for the price.
You might also enjoy:
The Alexander Cold trilogy (Isabel Allende, YA Fiction - An American teen discovers his power animal during a dangerous journey through the Amazon Jungle)
Animal-Speak (Ted Andrews, Nonfiction - An extensive look at animals as totems, messengers, and spirit guides)
The Animorphs series (K. A. Applegate, YA Fiction - Kids learn about animals from the inside out when an alien gives them the power to morph, a weapon against mind-stealing invaders)
The Encyclopedia of World Wildlife (Mike and Peggy Briggs, Nonfiction - An overview of animals)
The Illustrated Book of Signs and Symbols (Miranda Bruce-Mitford, Nonfiction - Symbolism of many global cultures explained)
D. J. Conway's books (D. J. Conway, Nonfiction - How to recognize, attract, and use power animals real and mythological)
The Little Giant encyclopedias (The Diagram Group, Nonfiction - Quick reference guides to superstitions, magic spells, and more)
The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Divination (Stephen Karcher, Nonfiction - How people around the world divine the future)
The Folklore of Birds (Laura C. Martin, Nonfiction - A selection of birds and their folklore connections)
A Plague of Sorcerers (Mary Frances Zambreno, YA Fiction - A boy magician attracts a skunk for a familiar)
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