Welcome to the 49th issue of The Magic Heron Newsletter, a fortnightly newsletter with a focus on journaling, writing, and learning nature’s wisdom through midlife. 

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Texas, January 1, 2023

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Hi there !

Happy New Year! I wish you a happy new year full of joy, health, and prosperity!

My daughter and I stayed up late watching Tolkien. We finished Rings of Power earlier this week and absolutely loved it. Learning about his life and what inspired him to write The Lord of the Rings was very interesting.

Now it’s time to look forward to the coming seasons and what we wish to make of them. I’m planning on publishing more cookbooks and I’m writing a lifestory journal just for me. It will be a mixed media junk journal/scrapbook/smashbook full of the family pictures I want to keep mixed in with memories and stories of my life. The rest of the pictures I will pass on to my kids. It’s time to move on to a new phase in my life and keep only the things I want. The kids can have the other pictures for their own albums. 

The Chinese New Year changes to Rabbit (Black Rabbit specifically), so Rabbit is our newsletter Spirit Animal this time. Read on for more about Rabbit and what it means for this year.

This week’s Newsletter Spirit Animal

Rabbit Symbolism and Meanings:

According to the Chinese Zodiac, January 22^nd kicks off the Year of the Rabbit. Rabbit is considered good luck in many cultures, as it does in Chinese astrology. After a rough Year of the Tiger, Rabbit ushers in tranquility, time to develop your ideas, think creatively, and abundance.

Rabbit symbolism deals with abundance, comfort, and vulnerability. Rabbit is associated with fertility, procreation and the changing seasons, especially Spring.

Rabbit Symbolism and Meanings:

• Luck
• Abundance
• Comfort 
• Vulnerability 
• Awareness 
• Love 
• Speed 
• Growth

Rabbit is a burrower, making deep maze-like tunnels, teaching us to connect to the earth energies. They also have exceptional hearing and sight. All of this teaches us to retreat within ourselves to find our own wisdom. 

Tap into the energy of Rabbit for meanings and do more research to get to know them on a deeper level. 

What does the Chinese Horoscope 2023 say for your zodiac sign?

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Recently Published . . .

New in the Etsy Shop

1. SPIRIT ANIMAL RABBIT, Animal Guide Totem Meanings, Spirit Companion, Spirit Companionship, Printable Journal Prompts and Cards

2. SPIRIT ANIMAL Tiger, Animal Guide Totem Meanings, Spirit Companion, Spirit Companionship, Printable Journal Prompts and Cards

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Recently Published . . .

New Books!

My daughter and I created a whole line of Writer’s Notebooks with sarcastic sayings. Use them for NaNoWriMo, notetaking, for work, or journaling!

You can find the rest of the series on the Magic Heron Amazon Author Page

1. Making MYSTERIOUS Things Happen: A Writer’s Notebook | college lined pages | 120 pages

2. Making WRITERLY Things Happen: A Writer’s Notebook | college lined pages | 120 pages

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. DIY COLD AND FLU BOMBS WITH IMMUNE-STIMULATING HERBS

2. Homemade Granite and Marble Countertop Cleaner with Essential Oils

3. 6 Native American And Indigenous Winter Traditions

4. What are the Odds of Everyday Emergencies?

5. Dried Apples: Two Ways to Enjoy All Year Long

***I use Mountain Rose Herbs for ordering all the herbs I use. Every order I’ve received has always been fresh and gorgeous. Click here to order the herbs you need for your teas, infusions, spices, and other ingredients for your kitchen:

Mountain Rose Herbs

Herbal Academy Holiday Sale . . . 

The Herbal Academy Holiday Sale is one week only!

• The Holiday Sale runs Sunday, December 4 – Sunday, January 8
• ALL Herbal Foundational Courses, Path Packages, and Short Courses will be on sale
• The sitewide sale features markdowns on courses up to 30% off
• No coupon needed, all prices as marked

Herbal Academy Holiday Sale

Winter Recipe . . . 

This recipe for a pot pie looks delicious!

Seasonal Recipe: Winter Root Veggie Potpie

Winter Fun  . . .

Winter Nature Bucket List! Make a bird’s nest!

1. How to make a birds nest || Easy DIY Birds nest

Fun Idea From Winter Nature Bucket List

Nature Walk Video . . .

Nature video to play in the background while you work, walk on a treadmill, or just to relax to!

1. Virtual Walk along the Trails of Kootenay & Yoho National Parks – 4,5 HRS Canadian Winter Scenery

Journaling Inspiration . . .

1. How to Write Faster: 15 Tips for Maximum Productivity

2. Why Write? Journaling to Achieve Your Goals

3. 3 Healing Questions to Answer in Your Journal

4. 4 Healthy Ways To Manage Your Anxiety During Uncertain Times

5. What to Write in a Junk Journal – Prompts and Ideas

Random Nature Fact . . .

A woodpecker can peck 20 times per second.

Nature Journal Video . . . 

1. Have you ever wanted to see owls up close in the wild? Today we’re exploring the simple method I’ve used to find dozens of owls including 5 sightings in a single day! 

This method has helped many budding naturalist spot their first owl in the wild, and it can do the same for you!

How To Find Owls (Owl Tracking)

Nature Journal Prompt . . .

Use the picture above to practice drawing in your nature journal and noticing details about this animal.

Rabbit facts: 

Lifespan: European rabbit: 9 years, Arctic hare: 18 months, Scrub hare: 1-5 years, Cottontail 11 months

Scientific name: Leporidae

Weight: hares: up to 12 lbs, average wild rabbit weighs up to 6 lbs.

Habitat: grassland, meadows, woods, forests, deserts, wetlands

Speed: 30 mph, some hares can run 45 mph

What it eats: grass, leafy weeds, herbs, field crops, twigs, buds, bark of shrubs and fruit trees

What eats (or preys on) it: hawks, owls, coyote, foxes, lynx, wolves, bobcats, mink, weasels, feral cats

Did you know? 

What is the difference between hares and rabbits? And which one is faster? Check out the link below to find out.

Hare vs Rabbit: What Are the Differences and Which Is Faster?

Nature Tip:

If you find a baby rabbit or hare, leave it where it is and keep dogs away from the area. The mother will come back for it in the evening.

What I’m watching . . .

1. I’ve finally had some time to watch Rings of Power on Amazon Prime this week and enjoying it immensely 

The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power – Main Teaser | Prime Video

What I’m reading . . .

1. My best friend just gave me this wonderful book for Yule! 

Daydream Journals: Memories, ideas and inspiration in stitch, cloth & thread

What I’m Listening to . . . 

1. Live nature cams are fun to have on in the background while working!

International Wolf Center North Camera powered by EXPLORE.org

Quote I’m pondering . . .

“That’s what winter is: An exercise in remembering how to still yourself then how to come pliantly back to life again.”

— Ali Smith

Questions I’m considering journaling on . . . 

Time to start doing some shadow work in my journaling. Some questions I’ll be reflecting on are:

1. What does freedom mean for me?

2. What makes me feel empty inside and how do I fill the void? Are there healthier ways to fill this void?

3. How did I process emotions when I was young and how has it changed to how I process them now?

Journal Prompt . . .

How would you describe the taste of snow? Have you ever made “Snow Ice Cream”? How do you make it?

Reviews . . .

If you have bought any of our books or printables and enjoyed them, please leave a positive review on Amazon or Etsy. Those reviews mean the world to us and help boost us up on the platforms. Thank You!!

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 January 15th !

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