by Tamarack Song
Animal Guides are emblematic of a traditional way of life that preceded Western civilization. Yet they are just as alive and well today as they were in the time of our hunter-gatherer ancestors. Superheroes such as Batman, Spiderman, and Catwoman are contemporary examples, as are Guardian Angels and Patron Saints.
We are in the midst of a great resurgence in Animal Guide awareness. Many of us are fortunate to know our Guides, some of us will meet them in ceremony or dreams, and some of us already know them but don’t recognize them as such. Or as sometimes occurs, our Animal Guides are going to appear directly before us and claim us.
Whatever the case, they reveal themselves when they feel welcomed and are shown Respect for their Kind. That includes Respect of Self, for Animal Guide and Self are of shared soul. “In our Zapotec culture,” says traditional artist Maria Del Carmen Mendoza Mendez, “we believe that an animal shares her spirit with a person, and she will protect that person for the rest of their life. I feel a connection with the animal…I feel the spirit of the animal.”
Native people introduce themselves by their name and Animal Guide. The Ojibwe people of North America might ask of a new acquaintance, “Who is your family?” instead of “Who is your Animal Guide?” The term family conveys the way they feel about their Animal Guide relationships.
All of the above topics are explored in the book. It starts with the story of how Animal Guides came to be, then it gives in-depth guidance on how to meet and develop a relationship with your Animal Guide. Included are numerous stories on how others found their Animal Guides, along with coverage of special relationships many of us have with animal and plant relations in addition to Animal Guides.
Publishing date: summer 2025
