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This is a subject I'm slowly learning about. It has a number of similarities with Spiritualism, primarily both work with spirits, however Shamanism tends to focus more on natural elements, where Spiritualism is loosly christian based.

The 4 books I'm curently reading are
Animal Speak - Ted Andrews
Sacred Encounters - Nevill Drury
Shamanic Spirit - Kenneth Meadows
Teachings around the Sacred Wheel - Lynn Andrews

So time to open up discussion on peoples experiences and awareness of Shamans and some traditions and beliefs. As well as what messages animals may have for us.

I'm fortunate that some friends of my uncle have had Shamanic training. I don't recall the tribe they were instructed by, but their home was amazing. Their walls had shelves of drums, and rattles made of various animal hides and bones. The property had a medicine wheel and an inipi (sweat lodge). Every so often they held ceremonies. I participated in a Drum making ceremony, and a woman's ceremony.

I've also sought out my animal totem. But it didn't work out well because 15 or so animals presented themselves and not one was able to come forward to say it was my primary totem. But over time the Wolf, and Turtle seem to be the ones I'm drawn towards with Dolphin and Otter as secondaries.

I haven't yet read it from cover to cover, just flip through it to get a basic feel and insight of some things. But I have enjoyed what I've read. It includes some information about rituals, colours and environments as well as more commonly known animals including birds, reptiles and insects. It's missing fish though (as in salmon, trout, sunfish etc...)

Wolf would tell me you have a high regard for your family and friends. You can be protective of them and those you care about. The wolf also is attune to their environment and those around them. Wolves tend to be associated with the care providers, social services, public workers. (occasionally the odd medical professional such as doctors and nurses)
Cat and lion says you do like your independance but know your strengths and your place in group situations, you respect rules, more so if they are your own. They are also known for their intuitive abilities and mysticism which is why they are commonly associated with the wise and psychics.

Something too with wolf and cat working together you are usually pretty good about knowing where the dangers are and easily avoid them.

How is that for a sample?

the celtic astrology along the same line as the zodiac only with nature representing each month.

The Medicine Wheel is along the same line.
According to it I'm otter, colour is silver, plant it ash or birch

Animal totems are a bit different, they are along the lines of a spirit guide that we tend to asociate the most with (occasionally the least) depending on our personality, strengths and fears.

Deer is nice it is supposed to reflect ones gentle and innocent nature
Cats involve mystery, magic and independance

totem and spirit animals are different.

A totem animal is effectively your SOUL animal so i will not share mine here.

My spirit animal however is the MOST sarcastic cat in the world... sweatdrop

Ted Andrews has another book you should check out its call Animal Wise its a sequale to Animal speak.
I have a totem pole of animals but manly they are a red fox, a gray wolf, a black cat, a white tiger, and a snow owl. And every now and then a black horse with a white star on face.
If any one would like i can give you the name of your sprit animal.

I am going by what I was taught. There are some people that know my totem because it is what I am at the core even though I have quite a few animals that are affiliated with me.

This is an example, in my opinion, of a specific term (in this case, 'totem') coming to have a broader meaning or application with time.

I have read discussions where the argument was made that the term 'shaman' may only refer to a practitioner from specific Siberian tribes [hope I have the attribution right]. Under the logic used in this discussion, a 'totem' is a specific entity among the Ojibwe tribe of North America and could not be used for any other relationship with a spirit animal.

Terminology is a sticky thing and it's easy to misunderstand as we try to put labels to guides or practices or tools we use in our spiritual lives.