Animal Spirits Knowledge Cards

To the ancients, all things in nature had sacred or spiritual meaning. The world was inhabited by the higher beings, who took the form of fantastical creatures that were part animal, part human, and exceedingly powerful. These beings are the spirit guides who lead the departed to the next life, heal the sick, and restore balance and harmony to a troubled world. The tribal healers knew the animal sprits well. They journeyed beyond the threshold of ordinary reality to invoke the power of these great beings. The 48 paintings by Susan Seddon Boulet reproduced in this deck resonate with an ethereal energy and speak in the language of the soul. Each image is accompanied by a brief description of the animal's power and symbolism in various cultures.

Susan Seddon Boulet

As a child, Susan Seddon Boulet (American, b. Brazil, 1941–1997) drew the animals on her family’s farm while listening to folktales told by her father. From these simple roots, creating art became central to her life. She developed a unique style, an inspired vision suffused with detail, texture, and color. Boulet’s artwork reflects her innermost journey as well, with emphasis on her study of world spiritual traditions. Even as she explored the darker aspects of the psyche in her work and began her long struggle with cancer, she retained the energy, honesty, and warmth that endeared her to so many. In the decades since Boulet’s death, her artwork has continued to move and inspire people the world over.