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Tails of a Healer: Animals, Reiki & Shamanism by Rose De Dan AuthorHouse
book review by Jeanette J. Jennis
"During my first attunement, I felt the energy coursing through my hands so strongly that I was completely cured of any skepticism I might have harbored..."
Working as a freelance graphic designer has not kept Rose De Dan from traveling many unique paths on her journey through the modalities of chiropractic, acupuncture, Reiki, Qi Gong, Tai Chi, and eventually to her practice at Wild Reiki and Shamanic Healing. Tails of a Healer: Animals, Reiki & Shamanism explains not only De Dan's path to fulfillment, but relates stories of those who have come in need of her powerful hands and loving heart. Each "tail" is touchingly told with enough insight and soul to transcend the boundaries between man and animal.
The cast of characters begins at home with four disarming cats, a large Irish Wolfhound mix, and a hooded rat, who share quarters with Rose. However, the book itself shows concern for all animals and is broad-sweeping in its scope. Some of the chapters discuss the plight of "factory farm" animals, the best commercially produced food available, handling feral cats, and helping a beloved, dying animal make a peaceful transition. Often the book reads like a gripping dialogue between man, animal, and the universe, reminding us that there is more than routine and mechanics that makes us truly function in the world and that there is indeed a connectivity between all things.
At the core of this book is De Dan’s special skill for communicating with the other living creatures on the planet. She is a Reiki Master and a mesa carrier trained in the Peruvian shamanic tradition, equipped for treating ailing and distressed animals ranging from family pets to the zoo. Incident by incident, De Dan reveals how they establish effective and enriching levels of communication, if only we would listen.
De Dan explains that her "profession may seem exotic, but the emotions and perceptions portrayed in these stories are universal. I share my experiences because I think people are hungry for validation of what they already know at a deep level..."
Her approach is one of service to the animal community—a liason for those of us who cannot speak the language. As a shamanic initiate, she attended a workshop led by Don Manuel Quispe, a renowned shamanic teacher from Peru. She found his words especially meaningful, bringing great shifts in perception: "Personal power has to be of service to your people and yourself. Share, otherwise it will isolate you." Tails of a Healer is a memoir of sharing and healing.