(Sea Turtle)
In Spirits of the Earth, Bobby Lake-Thom teaches lessons about animals through stories. The author drew on his own Native American culture, and those of others who gave permission for the use of their stories in the book. People who contributed their knowledge to ranged from representatives of the Karuk tribe to those of the Tlinglet people. The wisdom of these people is reflected in Mr. Lake-Thom's presentations of animals.
The author explains, “Symbols, meanings, and omens–the communication with Owl, Hawk, Spider, or Snake, for example–might mean different things to different people from different cultures' beliefs, or from different systems of thinking, from different experiences and degrees of spiritual development. I want the reader to realize that the unique knowledge shared in the book is not meant to represent all Native people and tribes. It is simply this: an opportunity to learn how to understand and speak Nature’s language.”
Bobby Lake-Thom explains, “My father Charles “Red Hawk” Thom (Karuk), had taught me that the Hawk was a good sign, that it meant protection, and he was always happy to see it come in and fly around him. Calvin Rube (Yurok) claimed he worked with the Hawk, too, but to him it had a dualistic message, or sometimes conveyed even more meanings, all depending upon what kind of Hawk, how it was behaving, and what it was doing at the time. So he considered it a good bird but a bad sign.”
Bobby Lake-Thom further explains this concept of different messages from the same animal. “In time I’ve also realized that some signs, omens, messages and encounters are culturally and geographically foreign to me. For example, one time my wife Tela and I were traveling through Florida and Louisiana heading back to California. We saw an Armadillo alongside the road at sunset. We knew it was a messenger, but we didn’t know what it meant. At a later date I did some research on the Creek and Seminole Indians’ mythology and learned what that animal meant to them in terms of a symbol.”
The author discusses how to become more acquainted with nature. He instructs the reader on how to observe an animal’s behavior and to place it into a sensible context. Mr. Lake-Thom also tells stories to teacher about nature’s spirit symbols.
The author gives a lesson about Turtle. “Turtles of all kinds, both water and land Turtles are good signs and very good powers. The Turtle is considered very sacred to most North American tribal cultures. The Turtle is a healer and protector.” Then he tells the reader if a (real) Turtle comes to them, to thank the Turtle. Then a Lakota story about a turtle is presented.
Bobby Lake-Thom teaches how animals bring messages to people. The stories in the book are both enjoyable and instructive. The only drawback is that many of the animals covered are usually found only in the western United States.
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Va. Carper
August 24, 2005