Animal Spirits

This lovely little book should never be allowed to go out of print. It is one of the first two books I recommend to anyone who is interested in animism and shamanism. This book does more than convey important information--though it does that well--it conveys a sense of understanding. Archeologist Nicholas J. Saunders seems to truly know the animist/shamanist worldview. His books are concise, well researched, beautifully (and appropriately) illustrated, and easy to read and understand. I also recommend his book Cult of the Cat (Art and Imagination Series), which goes more deeply into the amazing beliefs and spiritual practices centering on cats (from jaguars to house cats) from the dawn of time to today. Saunders's books are so full of amazing information that you will want to reread them time and again, and they are so beautifully written that you will reread them. Read this book to understand how our ancestors thought and felt about animals and why they revered them, and to understand the origins of how we feel about animals today.