Issue #11 The Magic Heron Newsletter – What bird is all about wisdom, transition, and mystery? -

Welcome to the 11th issue of The Magic Heron Newsletter, a fortnightly newsletter with a focus on journaling, writing, and learning nature’s wisdom through midlife. Thanks for being here. I appreciate you.

Independence Day, North Carolina, July 4, 2021

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Hi there!

Happy Independence Day!

This week I’ve been getting packed up to go back to Texas. My son is done with all of his surgeries now and is mending well. So, it’s time for me to go back and settle into my life and see my daughter and my doggies again.

For my last bit of remaining time here, we have been going out to see some of the sights and this week we went to the North Carolina Aquarium at Pine Knolls and then drove out to Harkers Island.

The aquarium was so much fun! We saw otters, bald eagles, different types of fish, a sea turtle, jellyfish, sharks, and seahorses. I got to touch the stingrays. That was really cool. They felt velvety soft, nothing like I expected.

We also saw some really cute Screech Owls, the smallest owls in North Carolina. And then owls showed up for me a few days later, so Owl is this week’s spirit animal. We also have an Owl Spirit Animal Journal in the Etsy shop.

Then we went out on the walkway over the marsh area and watched a young Great Blue Heron, an egret, and barn swallows. It was hot and muggy so we went back into the aquarium and wandered around the exhibits.

After we left the aquarium, we drove out to Harkers Island to see the ocean one more time and I enjoyed watching the pelicans dive into the water. It was a beautiful day and perfect weather.

This week’s newsletter Spirit Animal

Owl Symbolism and Meanings:

This week while we were at the aquarium, we saw 2 owls in the exhibit. Owl has also shown up in random places as I go about my work. Although Owl traditionally has symbolized death, it’s not in the literal sense of a physical death, but rather a “transition”.

And it is particularly symbolic for me at this time, as I will be moving back to Texas after a long absence. My son is able to do everything without me now and it is time for me to go back home to settle back into my life there.

Owls also symbolize wisdom and mystery of the dark, shadowy unknown. They maneuver these realms with ease and help us manage these dark places.

Owl Symbolism:

Wisdom
Mystery
Transition
Messages
Intelligence
Mysticism
Protection
Secrets
Dreams
Shadows
Otherworldliness
Secret knowledge
Psychic awareness

Learning the owl’s habitat is a way to learn the trees, wind, sky, moon, and other aspects of nature that is the language owls speak in, and bring messages from to us.

Owl symbolism will be different for who they have shown up for, where and when. This is why it is important to do your own research and be in tune with your intuition to discern messages brought to you (as is any animal symbolism).

What owls are in your area? Have you heard them at night? Have you seen their pellets on the ground? Does owl resonate with you in any of the meanings for this week?

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Recently Published . . .

Here are a few recently published items that may be of interest to you . . .

1. SPIRIT ANIMAL OWL Printable Journal Pages Totem Meanings for Art Journals, Mixed Media, Junk Journals, Scrapbooks, Planner Digital Download

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Get Your Gardening On With the 2021 Superfood Garden Summit . . .

1. Grow Your Own Vegetables–The 2021 Superfood Garden Summit is Open!!!

2. Free Super Food eGuide

Blog Posts . . .

Here are my latest blog posts:

1. Superfood Garden Summit—Free Virtual Event and eGuide

2. Things To Do When You’re Bored Part 1—Watch Wildlife Cams and Nature Journal

3. Building Sensory Awareness Skills and a Visit to Catfish Pond

Interesting links . . .

Here are some interesting links I came across on my ventures through Internet Land this week that I thought you might enjoy:

1. ROASTED ZUCCHINI FLOWERS STUFFED WITH BACON, MUSHROOM & RICOTTA

2. 7 Easy Ways To Attract Bats To Your Yard! (2021)

3. How procrastinators can use the basic To-Do List—Try this for 30 days. . .

I did this for 30 Days and it changed my life

4. Vitamin B1 (Thiamine) Deficiency: The “Great Imitator” of other Illnesses

5. Herbal Coffee Substitute with Roasted Chicory and Dandelion Root

Different Ways to Journal . . .

1. NATURAL LEAF STENCIL PLAY! Fun Way to Make Art for your Junk Journal! It’s Easy! The Paper Outpost!

Articles on Journaling . . .

So many good articles on journaling. Here are a few you might like.

1. What’s All This About Journaling?

2. Journal Writing Tips: Writing a Letter to Yourself

Random Nature Fact . . .

Jellyfish evaporate in the sun. They’re 98% water!

Nature Journal videos . . .

1. Experiment! How Does An Owl Fly So Silently? | Super Powered Owls | BBC

2. The Nature Journal Connection, Episode 26, Exploring Biodiversity

Nature Journal Prompt . . .

This week’s nature journal prompt is the Owl. Here are some fun facts!

Owl facts:

Order: Strigiformes (over 200 species)

Lifespan: 25 years

Weight: 1.4 oz (Whitney’s elf owl) to 8.8 lbs (Blakiston’s fish owl)

Wingspan Length: 10.5in (Whitney’s elf owl) to 6ft 3in (Blakiston’s fish owl)

Habitat: coniferous forests, mountains, deserts, plains, cold tundra

What it eats: mice, voles, rats, hares, squirrels, skunks, insects, frogs, lizards, snakes, birds, fish

What eats it: hawks, eagles, and sometimes other owls. Opossums, foxes, and crows will raid nests for eggs and owlets.

Nest: use vacant nests built by hawks, crows, and magpies in trees or on cliffs. Some nest in barn rafters or in underground tunnels in prairie dog towns.

Did you know?

A group of owls is called a “parliament”.

More Owl information . . .

The Owl Pages

Owl Research Institute

What I’m watching . . .

1. A tracker searches for a missing girl lost in the desert while struggling with her own battle because of her own children who were kidnapped by her ex-husband.

2. I really enjoyed watching The Ghost Writer this week, a psychological thriller!

The Ghost Writer (2010 Official Trailer – Ewan McGregor, Pierce Brosnan

What I’m reading . . .

1. Where the Crawdads Sing by Delia Owens. I read this book last summer and fell in love with the imagery. I am rereading parts of it now because the author describes the area I’m in with such vivid descriptions, it pulls you right into the landscape. And I love the main character, I really resonate with her.

2. The Secret World of Weather—How to read signs in every cloud, breeze, hill, street, plant, animal and dewdrop by Tristan Gooley

Quote I’m pondering . . .

“Your Journal is like your best friend, You don’t have to pretend with it, you can be honest and write exactly how you feel.”

― Bukola Ogunwale

Questions I’m considering journaling on . . .

How will I transition into the next phase of my life? What do I need to do to make that transition with ease?

Journal Prompt . . .

Make a list of the most important life lessons you’ve learned. Select 3 to journal about.

Make a Summer Bucket List—what do you want to do this summer.

Happy Journaling!

. . . Shanna

P.S. Is there something you like or would rather see in the newsletter? Hit reply and let me know!

I’ll be back on July 18th.

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Links

Shanna Lea Author website
Books on Amazon
Magic Heron Creations Notebooks on Amazon
Magic Heron Creations Etsy Shop

. . . Shanna Lea Author

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Issue #11 The Magic Heron Newsletter – What bird is all about wisdom, transition, and mystery?