"Everyone is wounded in some way," said Brooks, "Our wounds are our emotional, spiritual, and psychological manifestations of our opportunities to grow spiritually."
When I read God is in the Little Things:Messages from the Animals, this past weekend, I have to admit that as much as I DO believe in the spirit world, and the belief that loved ones and animals do communicate with us, the skeptical side of me had a hard time believing some of the events that Author Brooks experienced that are featured in the book. By her own admission in the preface, she says that: "though some things will seem fantastical, I assure you they are all true."
I had never heard of the concept of animal totems until I read this book, I am sure that many of you probably have, I just had never heard of them, after reading this book, I am interested in learning more.
From Patricia's website: Animal totems are animals that visit us either physically, in the dream state or through mediation. They come to us in either unique or repetitive ways. The belief is that the animals energetically communicate with us whether through their own spirit or God communicating through the animals. The behaviors and characteristics of the animals are studied because they are symbolic of their message. This belief has been a part of many cultures throughout history. For centuries man has looked to animals and the symbolism of their unique qualities, to garner guidance and inspiration.
I am going to let you make your own judgement, and if any of you have read this book and would like to share your thoughts below, please do by leaving a comment below. Also, if you want to share your experiences with animal totems I would love to read about those as well if you would be kind enough to leave me a comment below. I look forward to you sharing your thoughts!
For more information visit www.godisinthelittlethings.com
ISBN:978-1-45257-656-5
Available in paperback, hardcover and ebook formats.
Available on:
AMAZON
BARNES & NOBLE
BALBOA PRESS
ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Patricia Brooks is an interfaith seminary student and an angel healing practitioner. She is dedicated to continuing her studies of different spiritual practices and energy modalities. She lives with her two daughters in Connecticut.
In full disclosure: I was not compensated for this review. I was sent a copy of the book in exchange for my honest opinion.
I totally subscribe to the notion that we (all life) are connected - the birth of this planet and its history says so imo and it's that connection we must hold and keep for the sake of our beautiful - and very fragile - planet! Gosh I sound like a hippy! LOL!
ReplyDeleteThanks for your honest review of this book, Caren! Very interesting - I'm most curious as to what happened to Patricia now just to find out what these events that occurred in her life were! Interesting! Take care
x
Thank you Old Kitty and you are most welcome!! I agree with you completely! Oh I linked to her website, she is alive and well! You can subscribe to her blog too! I did!
DeleteSounds like a read that makes you think if nothing else. Thanks for the review Caren, Have a marvellous Monday.
ReplyDeleteBest wishes Molly
Sounds like the kind of book my mum will be interested in.
ReplyDeleteHave a great week!
Purrs xx
Sadly, most of the books I read about this subject make me more of a skeptic than a believer. Still interested in reading more about it, though, but I think I'll never really believe until I experience it myself.
ReplyDeleteVanessa in some ways I agree. I am highly skeptical about one person experiencing a parade of animals, but I am not skeptical about for example, Pam who said below she has been tied to deer. I have a thing for squirrels and dolphins which I will look up. I am open minded about the communication but not through a parade of animals.
DeleteMost interesting book Caren......I always wondered why I have always felt a deep connection with deer and often dream about them.....until I learned the deer is one of my animal totems! Anyway, it sounds like you enjoyed reading something a bit different for you that left you thinking! I'd love to read this one I think.......
ReplyDeletePam
Hi Pam, it is super interesting! Yep, I mentioned in a few of my replies I have heard of it with ONE animal, such as your connection to deer (and I have a connection with Dolphins and Squirrels so I think I need to look that up). What I am questioning is one person experiencing a PARADE of animals.
DeleteI love that you provided such a thoughtful review, even though you weren't sure about the book's subject matter. I've had some pretty cool experiences with messages from animals. One way to "play" with this concept is if you frequently see a certain animal - be it a certain type of bird, or other wild animals, look up the totem meaning of that animal. You might be surprised at the messages that you get as a result.
ReplyDeleteHi Ingrid and thank you so much!!! I AM familiar with animal messages that I have received from psychics telling me that if you see such and such then it is that person communicating with you. For example, my husband was told about a ladybug pertaining to his mother....there are times we will see them (we discount it when it is heavy ladybug season lol), out of the blue and we know it is his Mom. My sister-in-law was told when she sees a monarch butterfly it is their Mom communicating with her and she has had instances of one lighting on her, or not leaving the vicinity. Those kinds of things I am super familiar with. What I hadn't heard of before was a chain of differing animals for one person. Then it got me to thinking...I rarely see ANY animals out of the blue...I just see my cat and dog. I am interested in the subject though and have subscribed to Patricia's mailings to learn more. Thanks so much!!
DeleteVery intriguing post! It makes me want to read the book. I have always heard of animal totems with regard to Native American tribes. Even when they killed an animal, it was for food or defense only, and they had a ritual afterward which included thanking the animal for its meat, fur, etc. They never killed for sport. I only recently learned of animals as spirit guides but the more I have explored it, the more I believe in it. We simply need to be open and receptive to the messages all around us.
ReplyDeletethanks so much! I am embarrassed that I wasn't knowledgeable about them. I had psychics tell me that if a loved one passed I would see ONE animal that represented them, but never a series of different kinds. I DO find it intriguing and am looking forward to learning more about this. I definitely believe in spirits so this is worth investigating more.
DeleteGreat post... We really enjoyed the review. It looks like a good book.
ReplyDeleteHave a great day.
hugs, Bugsy and Knuckles
Looks good!
ReplyDeleteHave a great day.
When our parish had a spiritual director, I had confided that I wished for a spiritual visit from my husband. She asked me if I'd had a butterfly fly close to me. She said that was often interpreted as a human spirit sending the butterfly to a loved one.
ReplyDeleteyep I hear that quite frequently. Did you end up seeing more butterflies?
DeleteI havent read the book, I wouldnt be apposed to reading it. I dont think I could really voice my opinion without first knowing what was written. Definitely interesting though!
ReplyDelete((husky hugz))
Anything scientific that can't be dissected seems to find skepticism. But for myself, I am open to things unknowns and sights unseen by our eye. Since Abby left me I believe her spirit is still here and one day I am of the belief I will be able to communicate with her just like I did when her body was here. Absurd to some but that's ok with me. I had not heard of animal totems either but Abby has sent me butterflies.Thanks for the review and discussion.
ReplyDeleteHi my furiend! I just left a LONG comment that got eaten by Blogger. I AM TOTALLY open to things unknown and sights unseen as well....and I soooo believe that my Angel Bobo communicates with me too. I have NO DOUBT that Abby sent you butterflies, but you mentioned ONE ANIMAL, you didn't say that Abby sent a parade of animals. I am having trouble believing a parade of animals (and not commonly seen ones at that), coming to one person. I am a huge believer in the spirit realm, and as I said one or two animals but a ton coming to one person, I don't know. Thanks so much for participating!! xoxo
DeleteI think there is so much out there that we will never know about!
ReplyDeleteA really good review of the book. Sound interesting although hard to believe but who the heck knows. You just have to believe what you want to believe and go with it. Take care.
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for your honest review, Caren. This sounds like a fascinating and thought-provoking book. As Brian said, there's so much out there that we will probably never know about or understand!
ReplyDeleteWow! What an intriguing and interesting review. After reading the comments, I found myself looking up stink bug b/c we just found one in the oddest of places. Interesting. Thank you for sharing. The comments are just as intriguing.
ReplyDeletedon't keep me in suspense!! Did you find anything out about the stink bug?
DeleteLOL..stuff about a heightened intuition, making connections between unrelated events, pay attention to instincts... find balance. and then I tuned out. ;) I'm a bit ADD.
Deletedon't feel bad, I think I am too :)
DeleteHmmm! Thanks for your honest review, Caren. I have my own thoughts on this kind of thing, but can't really comment unless I read the book! I know! Cop out!! lol
ReplyDeleteCaro xx
I have not heard of animal totems either Caren. Thanks for the review. Sounds very interesting.
ReplyDeleteSue B
thanks for making me not feel so stupid! :)
DeleteI love the title of this book... God is in the little things (and in God's little people!! - sorry I couldn't help but draw the parallel of the name). I believe there's SO much more between heaven and earth than we see and perceive. I believe it's there all the time wanting to reveal special messages to us but we're too loud and too busy to "hear" and see these subtle messages when they try to reveal themselves. I think animals are such amazing "servants" so to speak. They've have this amazing access t our hearts and we put our guards down when we're with them - that's why they can give us special messages. I've tried it often and I've always found myself surrounded by animals in a special way in times of great sadness. I think they're trying to tell us things all the time if we would but listen. Thanks Caren, looks like a very interesting book but I don't think I have to read it... I've already got very strong beliefs when it comes to the spiritually intelligent nature of animals. Hugs to you.
ReplyDelete:)
DeleteYour totem animal is DEFINITELY the CAT :)
I had never heard of animal totems until I moved to Alaska and had the opportunity to spend time with individuals from one of the native tribes up north. Animals play such an important part in their culture and beliefs. Cats and squirrels have always been part in my life but encounters with honey bees and a praying mantis have made a believer of me.
ReplyDeleteI also have had instances with cats and squirrels....I would love to hear more of your experiences!
DeleteCaren, thanks for your honest and open-minded review. There are many books about animal totems, messengers told from the Native Indian and shamanic perspective so I'm curious how this one is different. I've worked with animal totems for over twenty years and feel blessed for every lesson. While most of us resonate with one totem or power animal, we actually have a number and they come and go as we change and grow in life. I'll be writing about it in my book on pet loss and grieving.
ReplyDeleteLayla Hi and you are welcome! Thanks for the clarification! I had always thought it was one or two animals but now that you said we have a number and they change as we grow, it makes more sense as to why there would be so many. I look forward to reading your book!
DeleteSounds like a really interesting book. I really like Jamie Sams and Ted Andrews for their interpretation of animal totems. I have been familiar with animal totems through the Native American culture and always like to read interpretations when animals keep showing up repetitively or really vividly in dreams.
ReplyDeletewhen I was young I had a recurring dream about a Gorilla. I should look that up. I am not kidding. My mother was abusive....and we didn't have a good home life. I need to look that up.
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