Welcome to the 17th 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 26, 2021

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Hi there!

Can you believe we just had the autumn equinox? How did this season come up so fast? 

What is your favorite season? Mine is summer, I love and need the warmth from the sun. Fall is ok, but it’s like my early warning system to get ready for winter. I just stay cold all winter long and it is my least favorite season.

This week we have listed new stationery in the Etsy shop and it’s all Fall / Autumn themed. I had fun working with these graphics and creating some beautiful stationery I think you will enjoy. 

A slight cool front has moved through this week, bringing the night temperatures down into the 40’s, and the daily highs in the 80’s. The grass is turning brown from lack of rain, but that is normal here. That’s the only color change so far. 

This week’s spirit animal is Alligator. I saw my first young alligator years ago at an exhibition and was in awe of the raw primal predator vibe it put off. A man was holding it and teaching about their habitats, but all I was focusing on was the fact this baby alligator had locked his eyes on a small child nearby. I have been around predators my whole life, but the vibe from this prehistoric still living reptile was different. 

Then when I went to North Carolina, I saw a few alligators in the wild. At least there, they were afraid of humans, and they were hard to spot. When I did see them, I would watch their movements and behavior. Gradually, my fear of them dissipated to a healthy respect for their place in the chain of life and I eagerly looked forward to finding them on our scenic drives. And I was glad we didn’t have any close encounters!

This week’s newsletter Spirit Animal

American Alligator Symbolism and Meanings:

Alligators have highly acute senses and can hear their babies still inside the shells. They represent fierce protection. The mother carries her young in pouches in her mouth down to the water and guards them ferociously. 

Alligators can see underwater very well, teaching us to see clearly through our dreams and emotions. Since they are associated with water, they teach us to see clearly into our emotional worlds. Alligator can help us become grounded equally with earth and water and settled in our emotions.

The alligator’s skin is rough and bony that can deflect bullets, but also has a soft underbelly. This teaches us of duality and balance. They hold theirselves in ultimate control, wasting no movement and once they have seized their prey, will roll under water and hide it under a log. They are timing personified and teach us to make our choices wisely, and then let our decision take its course. 

Alligator Symbolism:

• Fear
• Time
• Magic
• Honor
• Speed
• Stealth
• Strength
• Instinct
• Cunning
• Bravery
• Efficiency
• Resilience
• Solar power
• Birth/creation
• Dependability
• Indestructibility
• Emotional depth
• Primal/ancient power

Many cultures around the world revered, worshipped, and respected the alligator. Reading their legends and stories will give you more insight into the symbolism of this prehistoric creature.

Questions to consider when learning about alligator:

1. How can you establish harmony in your life in order to survive and prosper?

2. Am I clear in my emotions and what I’m feeling?

3. What am I creating? Giving birth to?

Get to know the alligator/crocodile

John Muir Laws has an excellent video on drawing a Nile Crocodile. Taking time to draw this reptile will help you slow down and really see the detail and patterns in the bony armor, how many teeth are really there, how those toes splay out. I saw the tracks of one last summer and it was so interesting!

How to Draw a Nile Crocodile

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Recently Published . . .

*New* on Etsy

1. Fall Hiking Boots and Watercolor Autumn Leaves with Red Border

2. Crow Raven and Pumpkins Autumn Fall Stationery

3. Witch’s Broom and Pumpkins Stationery

4. Raven and Vintage Wheelbarrow Pumpkin Harvest Stationery

5. Fall Bucket List Printable

6. Fall Nature Bucket List Printable

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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. Another article based on a historical journal

MORE TO THE STORY: Axel Reed was no ordinary soldier

2. Nature journaling: Sketching, writing down what you see helps make connection to the outdoors

3. 21 Frugal Ideas to Decorate Your Home For Fall

4. Sometimes you just want a snack—my old standby is cheese, summer sausage, and crackers. Here are lots of ideas for more toppings!

The Best Cracker Toppings for Next-Level Entertaining

5. 12 Essential Facts About Juncos That Everyone Should Know

Different Ways to Journal . . .

1. Easy pocket journal from old maps Tutorial

Journaling . . .

1. 11 Journaling Tips For People Who Are Absolutely TERRIBLE At Keeping A Journal

2. Journaling Ideas For When You Don’t Know What to Write About

3. Journaling Cards and Tags- Easy Ways to Make and Use Them

4. Need a new notebook? Check out our Magic Heron Creations author page on Amazon

Random Nature Fact . . .

The flamingo can only eat when its head is upside down!

Nature Journal Video . . .

Join naturalist John Muir Laws as he breaks down the steps for a rich journaling experience on the next Equinox or Solstice. Learn how to make natural history observations, make a sky map, use a shadow target, and more!

Solstice and Equinox Journaling

Nature Journal Prompt . . .

American Alligator facts:

Lifespan: 30-50 years

Speed: 20 mph in the water, and up to 35 mph on land

Scientific name: Alligator mississippiensis

Weight: 500 lbs

Length: up to 15 ft average

Habitat: from North Carolina to the Rio Grande in Texas. Freshwater, slow-moving rivers, swamps, marshes, lakes. Can tolerate salt water briefly. 

What it eats: they are opportunistic feeders—Young alligators eat: insects, amphibians, small fish, invertebrates. Adults eat: rough fish, snakes, turtles, small mammals, birds, deer, bear, razorbacks, and other alligators.

What eats it: large fish, birds, raccoons, Florida panthers, adult American alligators

Did you know? 

Alligator eyes glow in the dark!

What I’m watching . . .

1. I love watching Survivorman and just recently found out he has a new series on his YouTube channel called ‘Surviving Disasters’. As we have more and more nature related events like hurricanes, wildfires, etc. it’s a good time to brush up on some skills and survival mindset to be prepared.

Survivorman | Surviving Disasters | True Storm Stories | Les Stroud

2. And… since alligator is the spirit animal this week, I think I’ll watch an old favorite with Betty White starring in it. I love her wit and personality, and she is so funny in this one.

Lake Placid (1999) – Official Trailer

3. And, for relaxing and writing to, I like watching Paul Dining’s nature channel. I leave it on in the background all day and the bird sounds are soothing and keep me grounded.

Videos for Cats to Watch – 8 HOUR Garden Birds Bonanza

What I’m reading . . .

I’m catching up on some magazines that I missed while I was in in North Carolina…

1. Backwoods Home Magazine

2. Birds & Blooms

3. Bella Grace

Quote I’m pondering . . .

“All you have to do is write one true sentence. Write the truest sentence that you know.”

– Ernest Hemingway

Questions I’m considering journaling on . . .

It’s easy to still be in a summer mood, but now is the time to prepare for winter. 

What tasks around the house and yard need to be readied for winter? 

What pantry staples do I need to stock up on now to ensure we can cook many meals from scratch from basic ingredients?

Journal Prompt . . . 

Journal about the new season as it shifts from summer into fall.

Then, turn it into a poem.

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 October 10th.

P.P.S. If you like this newsletter and want to support it, buy a book or notebook. Or forward this newsletter to a friend with an invitation to subscribe, right here.

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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