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   July 7, 2003
14 out of 16 found this review helpful

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 great book   February 15, 2006
Laughing Woman (Turtle Island)
7 out of 7 found this review helpful

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"


Great guide to reading natures signs   July 26, 2006
Mark Perkovich (chicago ill,)
5 out of 5 found this review helpful

I ,and my family,use this book all the time as a field guide to interpret natural signs and omens in nature.This book is an authentic,true guide to how many native people look at the natural world and how it trys to guide and assist us in our lives.Bobby has done a great job,weaving traditional stories and short interpretations on each animal,insect or birds being discussed.Especially instructive was the section on how to use the creative,right brain to intuit the language of nature.Native people do not write in a overly intellectual or complex style .The teachings and beauty is in the simplicity and heart of the words.This book speaks to your mind yet on the spiritual level too.Great book!!!!!!!


Animals can tell us a lot...   April 14, 2007
Michael Valdivielso (Alexandria, VA)
7 out of 8 found this review helpful

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.