This was so interesting. I did not know much about this topic and found it intriguing. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and have shared with friends! I highly recommend it if you’re curious about this topic!

this was a very nicely done book.
i didn’t know anything about the topic going in or what it even really was.
the book was very informative and well done in explaining and giving an introduction on the topic and a basic understanding on the topic.
definitely a recommendation for anyone else interested in the topic as i was or anyone that want a bit of a better understanding on it.

Un po' troppo new age e semplicistico, tanto è che non affronta il tema della cultural appropriation in nessun modo (forse quindi non ha mai riflettuto sul tema ed ecco perchè è nato un libro smile). Però è molto colorato e semplice da capire

The book is laid out in a nice easy-to-read manner, there are different coloured blocks for added bits of information. But I'm afraid I just couldn't connect with it and found it a chore to read so I gave up. It seems to be a well-written book, but it's just not for me.

Disclaimer: I received a free copy of this book and choose to leave a review.

I really enjoyed this book. I intend to buy a physical copy. The meditations and journal prompts. It is very insightful and informational. I expected to have just another book on Spirit Guides/Helpers/etc. It was a pleasant to see this onw was different enough to make it stand out. I recommend this book..

The Beginner's Guide to Spirit Animals the one of the best introductory books I've read on the subject of working with animal spirit guides. Dawn Baumann Brunke has an easy style of writing that's like having a conversation with a wise friend or mentor. The book is filled with great information on how to connect with animal guides and incorporate them into daily life.

The book starts with basic information on shamanism and connecting with animal guides. Exercises and meditations make it easy to understand and navigate these unique spiritual paths. Example encounters and interpretations are used to offer a deeper appreciation for how animals come into our lives to help and guide us, whether their presence is short term or forever. One aspect of animals guides I've rarely seen addressed in other books is that of Shadow Animals, those guides who come to us to show the not-so-pretty side of ourselves and how we may improve upon it. Personally, I'm happy to see this topic addressed as I feel it's one that is important, especially for beginners, to understand that spirit animals are as dynamic and multifaceted as their human counterparts.

The Beginner's Guide to Spirit Animals goes beyond some other books in that is offers information not only on the animals themselves but on other aspects such as color, number, location, postures and actions, and how not every animal will mean the same thing to every person. The book devotes an entire chapter to the spirit animals and their teachings under different categories likes large and small mammals, birds, insects and arachnids, and finally, reptiles and water animals. This makes for easy referencing so the reader isn't thumbing through pages of lions, tigers, and bears (oh, my!) to find information on the musical cricket or the humble frog. The book ends with how to integrate spirit animals into daily life. Again, samples interpretations are provided as well as suggestions for deepening our connection with our animal guides.

Overall, The Beginner's Guide to Spirit Animals is a perfect fit for anyone looking to discover their animal guide or wishes to deepen their connection with already established guides.

I really enjoyed this so much, I have wanted to look into spirit animals more and this seemed the perfect opportunity, I thought this was really accessible for a beginner, I had no issues understanding anything that was written or explained. I loved the tutorials, tips and guidance, it’s definitely a book live recommending

Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for a free copy for an honest opinion

Doesn’t address cultural appropriation or how to respectfully address using practices from belief systems you’re not a part of. The author doesn’t say anything about her own background. Not comfortable recommending this one to my readers.

The Beginner's Guide to Spirit Animals
4 Stars

I found this book interesting. I enjoyed learning the history behind spirit animals.
The Beginner's Guide to Spirit Animals
Start with the basics for those that have never tried meditation. I appreciated some new suggestions that help one look inward.

This book can help you identify and connect with your spirit animal. There's a lot about this book I liked. I really enjoyed this book's layout. It's easy to follow along. There are several things breaking up the text. For example, there are picture tutorials, photos of animals & nature with tips on journaling, making this book not too overwhelming. I loved the reference section! It included many animals.

Overall, a pretty great book for the soul!

Thank you, NetGalley and Quarto Publishing Group, for an advance review copy for free and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

Great for Beginners

The author provides background information on Spirit Animals, and states that Shamanism, one of the world’s oldest forms of spiritual practice, is rooted in the experiential
knowledge that we are not apart from, but an integral part of nature. She states that ancient shamans knew the value of observing animals and studying their teachings. They formed
personal relationships with power animals and journeyed with them through inner worlds, that spirit animals helped shamans to heal, advise, solve problems, and also served as protective companions through difficult situations.


She states that some spirit animals work with us for a lifetime, helping us to develop our spiritual natures and achieve our soul’s unique set of goals. Like master teachers, they follow our progress—cheering us on through our successes and helping us to learn from our mistakes. Sometimes we are aware of these guides; at other times they
operate quietly in the background of our subconscious.

The author indicates that some spirit animals come to us for a short while to impart a specific teaching or assist in a particular situation, such as; an aligator motivates us to be tough, persist through the task at hand, or arm ourselves with protection; deers arrive to help us heal from trauma
or learn to soften our heart through difficult times; and such animals may become journeying companions in our dreams and meditations, staying with us for as long as we need them.

While, spirit animals may be helpers in may ways, they also act as messengers, delivering hints, clues, or inner nudges. Seeing a flock of geese flying in V-formation may remind us to streamline our pursuits, while the glimpse of a red fox inspires us to sharpen our senses or draw upon our clever,
foxy nature. We may not form lasting relationships with such animals and their presence may be fleeting, but their assistance can be invaluable, however, in providing accurate, timely insights—if we are paying attention.

The author also states that still other spirit animals challenge us, these are our shadow guides—the animals that help us to confront our fears or explore shadowy areas of our
life that are stuck, stagnant, or in need of change and expansion. Such animals are often those we dislike or fear. And yet, these spirit animals may hold our most valuable teachings. For in learning to work with them, we begin to discover a truer version of who we really are.

The author provides exercises to help readers discover and understand how to approach and communicate with their personal animal spirit guides, stating this is usually marked by three stages:
1. Leaving the framework of ordinary reality;
2. Experiencing unusual encounters, dreamlike events, altered perceptions, and deep insights; and
3. Returning to normal consciousness.
These exercises will allow readers to attune to animal wisdom and form a meaningful relationship with their spirit animals.

Th e author discusses methods to explore ways to connect with your spiritual animal, such as various methods of meditations and dreaming. She discusses keeping a journal of the animals you encounter, paying attention to everything, every little detail on your journey, and she provides three steps to talking with the animals. They are:
1. Center, Connect, Attune—Step one is to calm, center, and deepen in consciousness.
2. Look, Listen, Perceive—Step two is opening ourselves to hear, see, perceive, and experience. Be patient, relaxed, receptive. Welcome what comes.
3. Say Goodbye, End With Thanks—The last step is to close your connection. Saying goodbye helps to clear the energy between you and your animal. By offering thanks, you acknowledge your appreciation and create a good foundation for future talks.

The author discusses animal numbers, their postures, actions, and different animals and their meaning. This is a great book on spirit animals, and is a great reference for beginners.

The Beginner's Guide to Spirit Animals will help you identify and connect with your own personal animal spirit guide. The book is easy to follow and well structured, and provides simple exercises to help you discover and communicate with your animal guide. There is a reference section so you can understand the significance of each animal and where their individual power and area of help lies. It is a very interesting book that will introduce you to the world, and the numerous benefits of having an animal spirit guide.

This book was really interesting, and I have never read a book specifically on this topic before.

I love how the book didn't just describe the animals and what they meant as a spirit guide but it told you how to do the inner work to discover your spirit guide in the first instance. It had some really interesting ways to look inward that I haven't come across before.

Overall I enjoyed this book and this is certainly one I will be dipping in and out of again - maybe testing and trying out on my friends.