Welcome to the 16th 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.

Texas, September 12, 2021

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Hi there!

It’s been a busy week! After having to fix several glitches in the Halloween planners (*ahem… mistakes I kept finding during the editing process lol), I finally got 2 planners finished and several stationery sets for Halloween. Whew! I think I’m tired of Halloween now and ready to move on to a new theme!

I think I’ll work on a few Autumn/Fall themed stationery and start a new recipe book. I haven’t decided what kind yet, but have several ideas running through my head. 

I have not been out in nature as much as I wanted since I’ve been back either. Compared to North Carolina where my son is, there really isn’t that much here in Amarillo to do. There is a small lake and a cemetery that are about the only places to go, and I will start making time again for that. 

My son is back at his home and on an IV of antibiotics to clear up that infection. I can hear in his voice that he is starting to feel better and he is getting up and around a little on his own. He has a friend that comes to check on him. Home health care checks on him as well. Still, I wish I was able to be there to help him. 

This week’s Spirit Animal is Butterfly. They have been showing up for me in front of my window as I work on the computer. Butterfly is all about transition, and Autumn is certainly a season that brings a transition to us away from summer. I’m going to miss these hot days full of sunshine.

This week’s newsletter Spirit Animal

Butterfly Symbolism and Meanings:

The butterfly is a symbol of amazing transformation from egg, to larvae (caterpillar), to pupa (the chrysalis or cocoon) and then from the cocoon emerges as a glorious butterfly.

This is a massive amount of transition this tiny creature goes through and the amount of energy it expends in doing so is amazing. I think we go through this same massive transition a few times in our lives too, after a major shift.

This cycle for the butterfly takes place in the span of about a month—imagine that!

Butterfly teaches us to embrace the changes of our environment and body and go with the flow of our own metamorphosis as we undergo our own transitions. 

Butterfly Symbolism:

• Time
• Soul
• Grace
• Growth
• Elegance
• Expansion
• Lightness
• Surrender
• Transition
• Expression
• Celebration
• Resurrection
• Vulnerability

Butterfly asks: What is your attitude towards change? How does that influence your life?

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Recently Published . . .

1. *New* on Amazon!

Halloween Coloring Planner & Journal: Coloring Pages, Planner Pages for Recipes, Weekly Menu, Decorations, Shopping, Trick or Treat, Costumes, Activities, Crafts & More!

2. *New* on Etsy

Same Halloween Coloring Planner & Journal as above, but with different writing prompts and in color

3. *New* on Etsy

Halloween Stationery

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. The Green, Magical Wild World of Alexis Nikole Nelson, Forager and TikTok Star

2. 4 Delicious No-Bake Recipes You Can Easily Whip Up With Items in Your Pantry

3. How to Make Homemade Toothpaste (2 Ways)

Different Ways to Journal . . .

1. Glue Book Flip Through

Journaling . . .

1. Easy Ways to Generate Endless Journal Writing Prompts

2. How to Make a Glue Book {And Flip-Through Video}

3. Empty Notebook?: 30 Ideas to Fill Up Your Blank Journals and Notebooks

4. Need a new notebook? Check out our Notebooks for Writers series

Random Nature Fact . . .

Baby giraffes often use their butts as pillows!

Nature Journal Video . . .

Do you nature journal your garden? 

John Muir Laws shares his process of documenting the growth of squash plants in his garden, and how he missed one part of the growth phase because of how quickly the squash goes through that phase! Like—in a matter of a few hours!

The Nature Journal Connection, Episode 30: Metacognition

Nature Journal Prompt . . .

Butterfly facts:

Lifespan: (adults) on average live 2-4 weeks

Scientific name: Rhopalocera

Weight: Monarchs weigh less than half a gram

Habitat: anywhere with nectar-producing flowers

What it eats: As larvae/caterpillars: the plants on which their eggs were laid. As adults: they have straw-like mouthparts and are restricted to a liquid diet of sweet nectar from flowers.

What eats it: birds, wasps, flies, protozoans, parasites. Spiders and fire ants kill and eat eggs and caterpillars

Did you know? 

Butterflies use their feet to taste. And yes, butterflies do fart, just like bees, ants and anything else that has a belly of sorts and a rectum!

What I’m watching . . .

1. The Hunger Games trilogy

The Hunger Games (2012 Movie) – Official Theatrical Trailer – Jennifer Lawrence & Liam Hemsworth

2. I’m in the mood to marathon Lord of the Rings, and may do that this weekend!

The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship Of The Ring (2001) Official Trailer #1 – Ian McKellen Movie HD

What I’m reading . . .

I still haven’t had time to get back to reading, since I have been working on the planners and stationery. Soon….

Quote I’m pondering . . .

“Too many of us are not living our dreams because we are living our fears.”

Les Brown

Questions I’m considering journaling on . . .

What fears am I living instead of my dreams? What is holding me back?

Journal Prompt . . . 

Do you have a regular “sit spot” in nature to do your nature journaling?

Journal why you go to that particular spot. 

If you don’t have a sit spot, why? What is keeping you from connecting to a spot on a consistent basis?

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 September 26th.

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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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