Issue #25 The Magic Heron Newsletter – What bird teaches us about hope, devotion, and cheer?

Welcome to the 25th 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, January 30, 2022

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Hi there!

I’ve been super busy for the last 2 weeks. I’m still working on the Pantry Staples book and just finished the Anti-Valentine’s Planner and Journal bundle. It is now available on Etsy for all those who don’t like Valentine’s Day! I had fun with this one and hope you will too. 

It snowed 2 inches this week and more is forecasted for next week. I got out in it for a bit and even though the temperatures were bitter, I managed to stick to my goal of finding a way to enjoy this season. The snow was beautiful coming straight down in big fluffy flakes. Usually, it will be blizzard-like conditions, but there was very little wind and that made it more enjoyable to observe the snow and live “in the moment” of observation. I’m trying to learn how to mentally deal with the cold while doing this. It’s so much easier in summer with the warm sun beating down on me. Haha

A cardinal showed up this week. He landed on the dwarf apple tree in front of my living room window where I work on the computer. He looked up at me and watched me for a few minutes before flying off to do important cardinal things. I don’t see them often here, but I did in North Carolina. There, I got to see several males and females in the yard at the bird feeders. They are beautiful birds. 

How are you doing with observing the winter season? What new wintery things have you discovered in your area that you never noticed before?

This week’s Newsletter Spirit Animal is the Cardinal. Do you have them in your area?

This week’s newsletter Spirit Animal

There is no mistaking the bright bold red of the male cardinal. The stark contrast of their bright red plumage against a backdrop of snow is an amazing sight. This week, a cardinal visited me outside my living room window. As he sat on the dwarf apple tree and peered in at me, I thought, wow, just looking at him makes me feel cheered up!

The more bold and bright the color is, the more likely a male cardinal will find a mate. This spunky bird aggressively defends his territory against attackers. They will even fight ghost males which are their own reflections in mirrors, for hours. 

The cardinal reminds us to have hope, even in the darkest part of winter, and focus on being more cheerful. Their song even sounds like “cheer, cheer, cheer!”

Cardinal also shows us to take more pride in ourselves, to lead with grace, nobility, and confidence. Cardinal teaches us to be energetic, to love life, and help others where and how we can. 

Observe and study cardinal when you are feeling down with the winter blues and you’ll receive a boost of energy and vitality. 

Cardinal Symbolism:

• Hope
• Love 
• Cheer
• Pride 
• Focus
• Energy
• Renewal
• Devotion
• Monogamy 
• Loving relationships
• courtship

Cardinals mate for life and also symbolize romance and devotion. They also represent a renewal of romance in a relationship.

Need to “cheer up”? Watch this video and listen to the sounds of the cardinal.

Sound of a Male Cardinal

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Recently Published . . .

New in the Etsy Shop!

I had fun making this new planner, journal, and coloring pages to celebrate Anti-Valentine’s Day. They are available separately or combined in a bundle below. 

1. Anti-Valentine’s Day Planner Journal

2. Anti-Valentine’s Coloring Pages

3. GET BOTH in the Anti-Valentine’s Day Planner & Journal with Anti Valentine’s Day Heart Coloring Pages Bundle

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New Books!

1. Seashells Notebook

2. Jellyfish Notebook

3. Starfish Notebook

Blog Posts . . .

1. New on the blog! Freebies and Resources Page – if you are looking for free printables, online courses, or are interested in learning how to start your own printable side hustle, check out the resources on the freebie page. 

Freebies and Paid Printables and Online Courses

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.  14 Cute and Heartwarming Baby Cardinal Photos

2. How to Store Salt Long Term

3. Photographer Finds Polar Bears That Took Over Abandoned Buildings

4. Lavender Infused Sweets: Raw Walnut Milk and Fudge!

5. 50 Ways to Spice Up Your Life! 

6. HERBAL CHAPSTICK RECIPE FOR DRY WINTER LIPS 

***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

Winter Fun . . . 

How To Connect With Nature In Winter (10 Of The Best Activities To Go Deep And Get Wild!)

Journaling Inspiration . . .

1. Reading Journal Setup 2022 | Challenges, Trackers & More

2. FOUR WRITING LESSONS FROM STEPHEN KING

3. How to Journal while Hiking

4. Using your Journal to Reflect

5. How to Make a Vision Board Art Journal in 7 Steps

Random Nature Fact . . .

Why are vultures bald? Vultures stick their heads into carcasses when they eat and this may be why their heads are bald—feathers would be messy while eating and difficult to keep clean.

Nature Journal Video . . .

How can we use our nature journals to teach about astronomy – both to record our observations and to visualize ideas and/or our place in the universe? The Nature Journal Educators Forum gathers to discuss.

NJEF Astronomy Journals

Nature Journal Prompt . . .

Cardinal facts:

Lifespan: 3 years with some having have lived up to 15 years

Scientific name: Cardinalis cardinalis

Weight: 1.7 oz

Wingspan: 9 – 12 in

Habitat: backyards, suburban gardens, parks, towns, woodlots, thickets, woodland edges, desert washes, forest clearings, swamps, brushy habitats

What it eats: birdseed, insects, fruits, sunflower seeds, cracked corn, suet, mealworms, peanuts, safflower seeds, blueberries, cherries, grapes, apples, sumac, dogwood, hackberry, northern bayberry, serviceberry

What eats it: Barred owls, sharp-shinned hawks, coopers hawk, marsh hawk, foxes, squirrels, owls, snakes, blue jays, dogs, cats

Did you know? 

The brightness of the male cardinal’s bold red feathers is due to diet? Carotenoid pigments from red fruits give the male’s plumage the vivid red color, especially during molting.

What I’m watching . . .

1. I grew up watching Clint Eastwood and his western trilogy that ended with The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly. I have always loved the music and recently I found a video of The Danish National Symphony Orchestra that performed the music beautifully. Composer Ennio Morricone was brilliant in creating the music for this trilogy.

The Good, the Bad and the Ugly – The Danish National Symphony Orchestra (Live)

2. Absolutely love watching these videos by Sam the Cooking Guy—he has the best recipes! Plus, he’s funny! Oh, and watch how his son purposefully does the slow-motion parts of the video… makes your mouth water even more watching parts of the cooking or the flames in slow-mo!

Sam the Cooking Guy

3. Sometimes when I can’t sleep, I’ll play this relaxing video with cricket and nature sounds. I sleep peacefully every time.

Sleep and Relaxation Nature Sounds, Crickets Summer Night – Sleep Music

What I’m reading . . .

1. Sadly, I’m behind on reading. I’ve been busy with work and have not had time to finish Magic Lessons by Alice Hoffman. But I’m still working my way through it.

Quote I’m pondering . . .

“As one goes through life, one learns that if you don’t paddle your own canoe, you don’t move.” 

— Katherine Hepburn

Questions I’m considering journaling on . . . 

We are nearing the halfway point between Winter Solstice and Spring Equinox—midwinter. Even though it is still dark and cold outside, the days are growing a little lighter and longer.

We’ve spent the last few dormant months in self-reflection, planning, and goal setting. Now, new life is stirring just below the surface. And it’s time to manifest the dreams and goals we created over the long cold nights. It’s a time of transformation, purification, fresh beginnings, a time to celebrate the return of the light. 

Am I ready for new beginnings? Have I finished the deep self-reflection I need to do at this before the busyness of spring starts? Am I clear on the how of manifesting these goals and dreams for my life?

Journal Prompt . . . 

In this “quickening of the year”, how are you getting ready for spring? How are you manifesting the goals and dreams you carefully tended to over the dormant months?

Happy Journaling!

. . . Shanna

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I’ll be back on February 13th!

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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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