Many ancient myths and stories speak of a magical time and place in which there were no boundaries between humans and animals. Animals and humans spoke. Wild and tame had no meaning. And always the divine revealed itself in Nature. ~ Ted Andrews – Animal-Speak

Native cultures throughout the world have a concept that is known as the Totem Animal, or power animal, and most students of modern day shamanism and paganism are familiar with the idea of an animal ally here to both guide and protect.

The Selkie is a shape shifting faery that lives in the cold waters off the coast of the Shetland and Orkney Islands in the United Kingdom.

The Selkie appears as a seal, but with distinctly human eyes. When it removes its skin, it appears as a beautiful woman, or a handsome man.

Of all the magical creatures of the world, none are as enchanting and captivating as the mysterious mermaid.

With the torso of a woman and the tail of a fish, the mermaid is the queen of the oceans and rivers. Always seen as young and beautiful, the mermaid has charmed more than her share of sailors and nautical travelers.

At the beginning of time, when everyone lived on this side of the sky, a great magician became very curious and cut a hole in the sky and climbed to the other side. He found the other side to be much more to his liking, so he returned for his wife and brought her to the other side so he would not be lonely.