Erika Buenafl or, 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 more than 20 years, descended from a long line of grandmother curanderas, she has studied with curanderx in Mexico, Peru, and Los Angeles and gives presentations on curanderismo in many settings, including at UCLA. She lives in Tujunga, California.

“The animal kingdom, in its love and compassion to humans, is always willing to gift us with what we need the most when our souls are in need of teachings, guidance, and medicine. We, however, have lost so much of our connections to the ancient wisdom and the shamanic practices, making it quite difficult to translate the meaning of what is being transmitted. In Animal Medicine, the great curandera Erika Buenaflor has gifted us with her deep understanding of ancient shamanism and how we can rescue our sacred relationship with animals, temples, rituals, and ageless wisdom. This book is filled with teachings and practices from a rich culture, kept sacred by the curanderx of Mesoamerica. Animal Medicine is here to inspire us to discover and develop our own spiritual path, a path leading to the healing of our body, mind, and soul. Muchas gracias, Erika Buenaflor, for your curandera’s gifts to us all.”

• Introduction to Ancient Mesoamerican and Curanderismo Animal Symbolism PART ONEConnecting to Animal Spirit GuidesHistorical 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 TWOAnimal 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

Erika Buenafl or, 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 more than 20 years, descended from a long line of grandmother curanderas, she has studied with curanderx in Mexico, Peru, and Los Angeles and gives presentations on curanderismo in many settings, including at UCLA. She lives in Tujunga, California.

“The animal kingdom, in its love and compassion to humans, is always willing to gift us with what we need the most when our souls are in need of teachings, guidance, and medicine. We, however, have lost so much of our connections to the ancient wisdom and the shamanic practices, making it quite difficult to translate the meaning of what is being transmitted. In Animal Medicine, the great curandera Erika Buenaflor has gifted us with her deep understanding of ancient shamanism and how we can rescue our sacred relationship with animals, temples, rituals, and ageless wisdom. This book is filled with teachings and practices from a rich culture, kept sacred by the curanderx of Mesoamerica. Animal Medicine is here to inspire us to discover and develop our own spiritual path, a path leading to the healing of our body, mind, and soul. Muchas gracias, Erika Buenaflor, for your curandera’s gifts to us all.”

• Introduction to Ancient Mesoamerican and Curanderismo Animal Symbolism PART ONEConnecting to Animal Spirit GuidesHistorical 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 TWOAnimal 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

Erika Buenafl or, 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 more than 20 years, descended from a long line of grandmother curanderas, she has studied with curanderx in Mexico, Peru, and Los Angeles and gives presentations on curanderismo in many settings, including at UCLA. She lives in Tujunga, California.

“The animal kingdom, in its love and compassion to humans, is always willing to gift us with what we need the most when our souls are in need of teachings, guidance, and medicine. We, however, have lost so much of our connections to the ancient wisdom and the shamanic practices, making it quite difficult to translate the meaning of what is being transmitted. In Animal Medicine, the great curandera Erika Buenaflor has gifted us with her deep understanding of ancient shamanism and how we can rescue our sacred relationship with animals, temples, rituals, and ageless wisdom. This book is filled with teachings and practices from a rich culture, kept sacred by the curanderx of Mesoamerica. Animal Medicine is here to inspire us to discover and develop our own spiritual path, a path leading to the healing of our body, mind, and soul. Muchas gracias, Erika Buenaflor, for your curandera’s gifts to us all.”

• Introduction to Ancient Mesoamerican and Curanderismo Animal Symbolism PART ONEConnecting to Animal Spirit GuidesHistorical 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 TWOAnimal 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