Medicine Cards: The Discovery of Power Through the Ways of Animals

This was my very first oracle deck. I sat under a tree while waiting 4 the kids 2 get out of elementary school back in the '80's. I asked 4 guidance, breathed in, & focused. The very first card I pulled was Whale, the record-keeper.It was completely right 4 me. I have been an oracle deck user ever since. This is the deck I use the most & I consult it daily. I bought the updated version with Alligator & Black Panther among others. For my most powerful & immediate need 4 direction & guidance I use the Medicine Cards. You can't go wrong with this deck.

A dear friend of mine turned me on 2 Medicine Cards. I am here 2 tell you, that if you are a spiritual individual that embraces new ways 2 tap into that spirituality, they will not let you down. Starting with picking the totem animals, I was blown away. The cards that came up fit me perfectly. They haven't failed 2 aline with my spiritual & emotional place in time yet. It's just like anything else in life, spiritual or otherwise, you must keep an open mind & heart. Enjoy!

P.S. I find it hard not 2 contact my pal who sent me the Medicine Cards daily 2 say "this is amazing, I'm speechless!"

We all want 2 have more information about how our day will be these cards are fun & very informative.

An excellent source of councel, support, enlightment & wisdome in an interestingly written book & beautifully painted cards. A real joy! Merit

Ever since I heard that in the Native American Spiritual tradition the universe may be sending us a message when we have an unusual experience with an animal I saw my own significant contacts with animals in a new way.
My favorite source 4 verifying my experiences is Jamie Sams & David Carson's cards called "Medicine Cards: The Discovery of Power through the Ways of Animals." They believe that each animals' medicine relays a life lesson.
Sams & Carson's helped me better understand some unusual animal experiences.
My first experience involved six baby ring neck snakes that suddenly appeared in our cabin when our friend from South Africa was visiting. Since my husband & I had lived there 4 five years we decided it was an omen. We did a "Pathway Spread" on our friend with Sams & Carson's animal medicine cards & learned that the snake is a symbol of change, transmutation, death & rebirth. We were stunned as she, after a two-year separation, was about 2 ask her husband of 29 years 4 a divorce.
On another occasion I heard the sneezy-snorts of some white tail deer. I looked out the dining room window & froze. Three deer snorted & pawed the ground within a couple of feet of where Lady, our golden retriever, lay in her dog pen. Sensing something was wrong I dashed over.
Lady got up, staggered & collapsed. My husband & I took her 2 the vet but it was too late; she died shortly thereafter. The vet said she had cancer. We were heartbroken. Wondering about the deer I consulted the medicine cards & learned that the deer is a symbol of love & gentleness. I like 2 think that the deer were trying 2 comfort Lady & alert us about her distress.
A friend & I were charmed when an otter circled our canoe on a river in Florida. We became nervous when it tried 2 climb the canoe's bow & stern. I shrieked when it hoisted itself into the boat at my feet via my dry bag. Luckily my friend was able 2 scoop the otter out of the boat with her paddle. We were amazed when the otter chased our canoe as we raced off but ignored two other canoes a few moments later.
When I checked the significance of an otter in the medicine cards I learned that it is a symbol "woman medicine." Sams & Carson said an otter tells us 2 become the playful child, 2 allow things 2 unfold, 2 stop worrying & 2 not hang on 2 material things that become a burden. They said the otter teaches us 2 look at the joyousness of the receptive side of our nature, 2 give freely & 2 move gently into the river of life, "By flowing with the waters of the Universe we balance, honor female receptive energy & discover the power of woman."
Since I've been struggling 2 find the right balance in giving & receiving & work & play I saw otters' medicine as a sign 2 be more generous & have fun.
My fourth experience involved a musk turtle that sat in one of our creek's pools 4 a week. Since there was a drought & the turtle seldom moved as the water retreated I became concerned. When I told my husband at breakfast that I thought the turtle was dying we decided 2 relocate it in a larger river after lunch.
My husband appeared a few hours later & said, "Your `dying' turtle is sitting at the front door of our cabin." We were shocked. The turtle had climbed a steep hill & found our front door. We immediately drove the turtle 2 a nearby river & released it.
The medicine cards said the turtle is a symbol of Mother Earth. It asks us 2 honor our creative source, 2 be grounded, 2 flow harmoniously between the water & the earth & 2 go inside ourselves 4 protection.
Feeling depressed about the drought the turtle's presence gave me the gift of gratitude.
I believe there is a presence among all of creation, the earth, people, animals & plants that is healing & draws us ever closer 2 God. It was said in the Book of Job; ask the beasts, & they shall teach you, & the birds of the air 2 tell you.
Animal Medicine & the use of the medicine cards not only helped me identify & resolve issues but better appreciate their gifts.
All I need 2 do is pay attention.