• Includes an alphabetical guide to 76 animals, explaining each animal's spiritual gifts, shapeshifting medicine, the realm they are associated with, and their symbolic meaning when they appear in a dream or vision

• Details the trance journeying techniques and shapeshifting practices of ancient Mesoamerican shamanic traditions and modern-day curanderismo

• Explores how to strengthen our connections with our spirit animal guides
In this guide, Erika Buena or explores the animal mythologies, spirit journeying techniques, and shapeshifting practices of ancient shamanic traditions and modern-day curanderismo. She examines how indigenous Mesoamerican peoples used animals in their ceremonial healing and divination rites and explains the innate gifts and powers that different animals embody. She explores why certain animals are associated with and provide access to the nonordinary realms--the Underworld, Middleworld, and Upperworld--wherein deities, ancestors, supernatural beings, and medicine can be connected with or obtained. The author explores shapeshifting practices in detail and the physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual benefits we can gain by engaging in shapeshifting practices. She also explores how to strengthen our connections with our spirit animal guides.

Offering an alphabetical guide to 76 animals most prevalent in ancient Mesoamericanlegends, ceremonies, and medicinal rites, the author details each animal's spiritual gifts, shapeshifting medicine, the realm they are associated with, and their symbolic meaning when they appear in a dream or vision. Providing multiple methods to connect with animals for spiritual guidance, self-empowerment, and healing, Buena or reveals how each of us can enrich our lives with ancient Mesoamerican wisdom for working with animal guides.

Erika Buenaflor, M.A., J.D., has a master's degree in religious studies with a focus on Mesoamerican shamanism from the University of California at Riverside. A practicing curandera for over 20 years, descended from a long line of grandmother curanderas, she has studied with curanderas/os in Mexico, Peru, and Los Angeles and gives presentations on curanderismo in many settings, including at UCLA. She lives in Tujunga, California.

Introduction to Ancient Mesoamerican and Curanderismo Animal Symbolism

PART ONE
Connecting to Animal Spirit Guides
Historical Background, Meditative Exercises, and Trance Journeys

1 Animal Contact and Medicine in the Nonordinary Realms

2 Diverse Shapeshifting Practices and Their Many Benefits

3 Developing Symbolic Communication with Animals

PART TWO
Animal Allies A to Z
Ancient Mesoamerican Animal Mythologies, Spiritual and Shapeshifting Medicine, and Symbolism

American Bittern • Ant • Armadillo • Badger • Barn Swallow • Bat • Bee • Black Skimmer • Butterfly • Caiman (Alligator and Crocodile) • Catfish (Fish) • Centipede • Coati • Cormorant • Coyote • Crow • Curved-Bill Thrasher • Deer • Dog • Dove • Dragon • Dragonfly • Duck • Eagle • Earthworm • Falcon • Feathered or Plumed Serpent • Firefly • Fox • Frog • Gopher • Hawk • Heron • Hummingbird • Iguana-Lizard • Jaguar • Lovely Cotinga • Macaw • Monkey • Mouse • New World Quail• Ocelot (Cat) • Opossum • Owl • Peccary • Pelican • Porcupine • Puma • Purple Gallinule • Quetzal • Rabbit • Raccoon • Rat • Ringtail • Scorpion • Shark • Skunk • Snail (Queen Conch) • Snake• Sparrow Hawk • Spider • Spondylus (Spiny Oyster) • Squirrel • Stingray • Tapir • Toad • Turkey • Turtle (Tortoise) • Vulture • Water Turkey • Weasel • Western Grebe • West Mexican Black Bear • Wolf • Woodpecker • Wood Stork

Notes

Bibliography

Index