Issue #31 The Magic Heron Newsletter – What creature teaches us about peace and tranquility? +FREEBIE

Welcome to the 31st 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, April 24, 2022

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Hi there !

How has your week been going? I’ve been busy with my virtual assistant work and publishing new Spirit Animal Journals on Etsy. The weather has been a little too cool for me to work out in the yards, so I haven’t finished the yard work yet. I think a few more days and we’ll finally have some warmer weather blowing in (yep, the wind is still blowing!).

Several mourning doves have been in my front yard this week, scratching around in the dirt where I raked before. I think they are finding some leftover seeds from the flower bed we raked out. I love listening to their soft “coo” sounds.

Just watching them brings a sense of calm and peacefulness, even when I’m super busy at the computer.

So, this week’s newsletter Spirit Animal is the Mourning Dove. I don’t have a journal made for the dove yet, but you can look at the other ones below through the Etsy shop link.  

Also—FREEBIE time! The link is near the end of the newsletter. Thank you for reading and enjoy your freebie. 🙂 (Freebies are only given out to subscribers–please subscribe!)

This week’s Newsletter Spirit Animal

Dove Symbolism and Meanings:

Doves in general are symbols of peace, harmony, and tranquility. The dove is also associated with mother figures throughout history and mythology, as a symbol of care and devotion. 

From Ishtar to Mother Mary to Aphrodite, goddess / mother love is often associated with a nearby dove. This is the higher love that sees into the heart of pure potential viewing the soul through the lens of unconditional love. 

If you listen for the dove outside your window at dawn and dusk, you’ll be enchanted by the sweet churbles, downy wurbles, and soft lulling coos. Dove brings the message of love, comfort, and hope. 

Doves are highly aware of their environment. They have been hunted for centuries for the breast meat. Doves have been claimed as a sacred symbol during battles and wars, a symbol of peace that will come after the war has ended. 

Dove Symbolism:

• Love
• Grace
• Promise
• Devotion
• Divinity
• Holiness
• Sacrifice
• Maternal
• Ascension
• Messenger
• Hopefulness
• Purification 

Dove symbolism is that of patience, tenderness and love. 

–

Recently Published . . .

New in the Etsy Shop!

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

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

–

Recently Published . . .

New Books!

1. Hello Spring! Coloring Book and Journal: Adult coloring book and lined journal of Spring flowers, owls, birds, mushroom, birdhouses, and butterflies

2. Snarky Mandala Coloring Book Journal: Stress Relieving Mandala Designs, Lined and Unlined Journaling Pages, and Sassy Coloring Pages

Recent Blog Posts . . . 

1. Need a side hustle or want to start your own online business? Becky Beach just put out her new course on starting a printables blog business

How to Start a Printables Business

2. My friend and colleague Denis Ledoux, is offering a free giveaway of his memoir writing course “The Memorable Story / Write Your First Memoir Draft Program”

Memoir Writing Course Giveaway

Interesting links . . .

Here are some interesting links I came across on my ventures through Internet Land this week that I thought you might enjo

1. Reconnecting with Nature Through DIY Skin Care

2. Traditional Fire Cider Recipe (and 2 Tangy Twists)

3. The Ultimate Guide to a Dog-Friendly Backyard

4. Why Do Owls Bob Their Heads? (Owl eyes biology & meaning)

5. Top 10 Edible Flowering Plants

***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

Journaling Inspiration . . .

1. What to Write About When You Have NO IDEAS… Quick Writing Inspiration! | with Julia Cameron

2. 7 Innovative Journaling Techniques You’ll Want to Try

3. What Can We Learn About Storytelling from Blockbuster TV Series

4. 6 Ways to Deal with Your Inner Critic

5. The Value of Connecting your Journal Writing with Current Events

Random Nature Fact . . .

What can fit in the palm of your hand? A newborn Chinese water deer—that’s how small they are! Chinese water deer also have tusks, or fangs!

Nature Journal Video . . .

1. Join the team at The rare Charitable Research Reserve and create your own one-of-a-kind Nature Journal. Get outside this week and show us your discoveries

Make Your Own Nature Journal

Nature Journal Prompt . . .

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

Mourning Dove facts: 

Lifespan: 1.5 years

Scientific name: Zenaida macroura

Weight: 4.2 oz

Speed: 55 mph

Habitat: Does well in man-altered environments: farms, towns, open woods, roadsides, grasslands, forest clearings, farmland, suburbs, prairies, deserts

What it eats: seeds—seeds of grains, grasses, ragweeds, and other plants, occasionally snails

What eats (or preys on) it: raccoons, hawks, falcons, owls, squirrels, snakes, cats, dogs

Did you know? 

Doves produce milk? It’s called “crop milk” or “pigeon milk”. Only two other birds produce the crop milk. They are the flamingo and the male emperor penguin. The crop is located between the esophagus and upper stomach and moistens the food before digestion. Doves produce crop milk 2 days before the eggs hatch and continue for 10 days. The crop milk builds the immune system of the chicks.

What I’m watching . . .

1. This week my daughter and I are watching Castle reruns. The writer in us loves the writer theme of the whole series.

Castle: Season one trailer

What I’m listening to . . .

1. I love listening to the crickets against a backdrop of gentle waves while I’m going to sleep

Crickets at the Beach | Binaural Nighttime Ambience | 10 Hours | Nature Sleep Sounds

What I’m reading . . .

1. This is the 30^th anniversary of Julia’s book, time to find it in the book stacks in the study and reread it

The Artist’s Way by Julia Cameron

Quotes I’m pondering . . .

“Don’t wait for someone to bring you flowers. Plant your own garden and decorate your own soul.”

—Luther Burbank

and

“The power of creativity is the power of consistency.”

–Julia Cameron

Questions I’m considering journaling on . . . 

I’m going to follow Julia Cameron’s advice in her video above about writing a list of 25 things I love, and see if it guides me to see something I’m not paying attention to in my life right now.

In the video, she discussed ways to be more creative:

• Try morning pages
• Go on an artist’s date
• Take a walk
• Ask for guidance about what you should do next
• Listen

Journal Prompt . . . 

When you go on a walk in the springtime, what is the one thing you LOVE seeing?

Happy Journaling!

. . . Shanna

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I’ll be back on May 8th!

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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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