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

by Lake-Thom, Robert

• ISBN13: 9780452276505
• ISBN10: 0452276500
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 1997-08-01
• Publisher: Plume

Summary

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.

Author Biography

Bobby Lake-Thom, known as Medicine Grizzly Bear, is a traditional Native healer and spiritual teacher of Karuk and Seneca descent (affiliated with the Quartz Valley Indian Reservation in California). He has been schooled in both Western and Native american traditions and has taught and lectured extensively aross the United States for more than three decades. He is the author of two previous books on Native American culture and spirituality, Native Healer and Chilula: People from the Ancient Redwoods, and his articles have appeared in The Indian Historian, The Journal for Ethnic Studies, Quest magazine, Shaman's Drum, and other publications. He lives near Mt. Shasta in Yreka, California.

Table of Contents

A Native Prayer	xi
Introduction	1	(6)
A Spiritual Understanding About Nature	7	(9)
How I Learned Nature's Language	16	(7)
Nature's Symbols	23	(14)
How to Develop Symbolic and Spiritual Thinking	37	(11)
Symbolic Thinking Exercises	39	(4)
Mythic-Spiritual Thinking and Spirit Guides	43	(5)
Stories for Discovering Nature's Spirit Symbols	48	(27)
The Woman Who Feared Snakes (Wiyot)	52	(2)
Grizzly Bear and Raven (Lummi)	54	(3)
Coyote and Wolverine (Cheyenne)	57	(2)
Creation of the Animal People (Shasta-Karuk)	59	(1)
Coyote and Skunk (Crow Nation)	60	(3)
Coyote and Eagle Visit the Land of the Dead (Yakima)	63	(3)
Coyote Takes Water from the Frogs (Wintun)	66	(2)
The Toughest Snake of All (Kickapoo)	68	(1)
How the Deer Got His Horns (Cherokee)	69	(1)
The Sister's Wish to Marry a Star (Chippewa, Cheyenne, Lakota)	70	(3)
Blue Jay's Skinny Legs (Salish-Kootnai/Flathead)	73	(2)
Animal Signs and Omens	75	(27)
Antelope	76	(1)
Badger	77	(1)
Bear	78	(2)
Beaver	80	(1)
Bobcat and Panther	81	(2)
Buffalo/Bison	83	(1)
Coyote	84	(3)
Deer	87	(1)
Elk	87	(1)
Fox	88	(1)
Gopher	88	(1)
Mink	89	(2)
Muskrat	91	(1)
Otter	91	(1)
Porcupine	91	(1)
Porpoise/Dolphin	92	(1)
Raccoon	93	(1)
Shark	93	(1)
Shrew and Mole	94	(1)
Skunk	94	(1)
Weasel	95	(2)
Whale	97	(1)
Wolf	97	(4)
Wolverine and Fisher	101	(1)
Bird Signs and Omens	102	(29)
Blue Jay/Stellar Jay	102	(3)
Buzzard	105	(3)
Crane or Egret	108	(1)
Eagle	109	(1)
Flickerbird	110	(1)
Goose	110	(1)
Hummingbird	111	(2)
Magpie	113	(2)
Osprey or Fish Hawk	115	(1)
Owl	116	(3)
Quail	119	(1)
Raven and Crow	120	(3)
Robin	123	(1)
Seagull	123	(1)
Turkey	124	(1)
Woodpecker	125	(1)
Wren and Other Small Birds	126	(5)
Insect Signs and Omens	131	(13)
Ant	131	(3)
Bee	134	(1)
Beetle	135	(1)
Butterfly	136	(1)
Cockroach	137	(1)
Cricket	138	(1)
Fly and Blowfly	139	(1)
Grasshopper	139	(1)
Moth	141	(1)
Spider	141	(2)
Tick	143	(1)
Reptile and Snake Signs and Omens	144	(17)
Alligator	144	(1)
Frog	144	(2)
Garden or Garter Snake	146	(3)
Lizard	149	(2)
Snake	151	(4)
Turtle	155	(6)
Using Nature's Symbols	161	(13)
Creating a Medicine Shield	161	(4)
An Exercise to Develop Creative and Symbolic Dreaming	165	(9)
An Earth-Healing Ceremony	174	(4)
Power Centers and Sacred Places	178	(11)
Relearning Nature's Language	189	(11)
Suggested Reading	200	(5)
Index	205