Issue #51 The Magic Heron Newsletter – What creature teaches us to leave the “dirt” behind and clear a path for our true self to emerge?
Welcome to the 51st 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 29, 2023
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Hi there !
This past week we introduced Greebo to the other dogs and so far it has gone well. She walks around them with her tail high and all fuzzed out, and then darts between the furniture only to come back out and slap one of them in the face, just to show them who is boss now. The dogs have been curious, stunned, and a little scared of this tiny tyrant.
We finally had a good 7-inch wet snow that was much-needed moisture for our area. It came with no wind, dropped big fat flakes, and melted quickly. Then it was gone.
The Wheel of the Year is turning once again to mid-winter when Imbolc was traditionally celebrated. Candlemas and Groundhog Day are also celebrated at this time, in anticipation of how much longer until Spring arrives.
It’s a time for our ancestors when food stores were running low and sometimes starvation was at the door. They were hungry for the fresh new greens that would pop up as late winter melted into Spring.
In celebration of midwinter, this week’s Newsletter Spirit Animal is Groundhog.
This week’s Newsletter Spirit Animal
Groundhog or Woodchuck Symbolism and Meanings:
Groundhogs are part of the large Ground Squirrels species or Marmot family and go by several names: Woodchuck, Whistle Pig, Thickwood Badger, Moonack, and Red Monk. The Algonquin translation for “woodchuck” is “digger”.
Groundhogs like to burrow in their dens, especially when predators are around. They can also defend themselves with their teeth and sharp claws. They like to burrow into their den when the weather is terrible. This burrowing symbolizes grounding oneself and establishing sacred space while connected with the earth.
Groundhog prefers a solitary path, even if more than one share a den. They have up to five exits, allowing them to get away from each other when needed. This is a time for personal growth, going inward to find your strengths. It’s time for you to leave the “dirt” behind you and clear the path for your genuine self to emerge.
Groundhog or Woodchuck Symbolism and Meanings:
- Earth
- Survival
- Self-defense
- Rebirth
- Rapid growth
- Dependability
- Rhythmic cycles
- Evolution
How did Groundhog Day get started?
Groundhog Day 2023: Forecast, Facts, And Folklore
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Recently Published . . .
New in the Etsy Shop
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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! We are also creating logbooks.
You can find the rest of the series on the Magic Heron Amazon Author Page
2. Be Free: Blue Beach Cruiser Bike, cute unlined notebook journal 8.5 x 11 for Women
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. How to Upcycle Herbs After Making Infusions, Oils, Tinctures, and More
2. EASY HOMEMADE KITCHEN SPICES COUGH SYRUP
3. The Soup-er Secret Ingredient: Vinegar in Soups
4. Imbolc 2023: Honoring the Pagan Blessings of Midwinter
5. Groundhog Day 2023: Forecast, Facts, And Folklore
***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:
Etsy Shop Winter Sale . . .
All printables in the Etsy shop are on sale!
20% off all printables in the Magic Heron Creations Etsy Shop
Winter Recipe . . .
Try this Texas Chili to keep warm this winter!
Winter Fun . . .
Winter Nature Bucket List! Go on a lichen hunt!
Liking Lichen: A Nature Scavenger Hunt
Learn more about Lichens:
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. Winter Beauty of Canadian National Parks – 4K Scenic Nature Film about Beautiful Winter Landscapes
Journaling Inspiration . . .
1. Use Writing Therapy to Enhance Personal Growth and Improve Mental Health
2. What to Write in a Journal?
3. Tips for Writing in Anxious Times
4. Mary Oliver — “I got saved by the beauty of the world.”
5. How Do I Become a Writer With No Experience? (The Same Way All Writers Do!)
Random Nature Fact . . .
This city receives 312 inches (26 feet) of snow per year on average, more than any other major city on earth. Can you guess? It’s Aomori City, Japan!
Nature Journal Video . . .
1. In this workshop, John Muir Laws explores methods of drawing ice and snow phenomena with toned paper and looks at general strategies to help you use toned paper to record values in your nature journal sketches.
Drawing Ice and Snow on Toned Paper
Nature Journal Prompt . . .
Use the picture above to practice drawing in your nature journal and noticing details about this animal.
Groundhog or Woodchuck facts:
Lifespan: 3-6 years
Scientific name: Marmota monax
Weight: 8.6 lbs (Adult)
Speed: 9 mph
Habitat: open areas like fields, open forests, clearings, rocky slopes
What it eats: mostly plants: alfalfa, clover, peas, beans, lettuce, broccoli, plantain, soybeans, dandelions, squash, grasses, berries, and seedlings from people’s gardens, grubs, snails, baby birds,
What eats (or preys on) it: coyotes, foxes, dogs, hawks, owls, eagles
Did you know?
In this episode of “Creature Feature,’ we learn about the groundhog, also known as the whistlepig or the woodchuck. These large rodents hibernate every winter, & humans celebrate their emergence on Groundhog Day, where folklore states that if the groundhog sees its shadow and returns to its burrow, there will be 6 more weeks of winter.
What I’m watching . . .
1. The War of the Worlds | Trailer – BBC
What I’m reading . . .
1. I’m finishing up the last of this series.
The Final Day: A John Matherson Novel (A John Matherson Novel, 3)
What I’m Listening to . . .
1. Live nature cams are fun to have on in the background while working!
Cat TV ~ Mouse & Birds Fun 8 HOURS of CATFLIX
Quotes I’m pondering . . .
In winter, I plot and plan. In spring, I move.
~~ Henry Rollins
and
A lot of people like snow. I find it to be unnecessary freezing of water.
~~ John Geddes
Questions I’m considering journaling on . . .
This is the time of Imbolc or Mid-Winter, when we look forward to Spring. What seeds (physical or metaphorical) am I going to plant that I can harvest next Fall?
Journal Prompt . . .
What is your favorite winter or snowy day? Write about it adding elements of suspense, magic, or science fiction!
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
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I’ll be back on February 12th !
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