Issue #34 The Magic Heron Newsletter – What creature teaches us how to step into our own power?

Welcome to the 34th issue of The Magic Heron Newsletter, a fortnightly newsletter with a focus on journaling, writing, and learning nature’s wisdom through midlife. 

Did you miss a past newsletter issue? I’ve put them on the blog. Click here to read them: Newsletter Archive

If this newsletter was forwarded to you, you need your own: Subscribe here.

New to our newsletter? Welcome! 

Looking for the unsub button? Check the bottom of the newsletter!

You’re on this list because you signed up on my website for a free printable or pdf. You can unsubscribe at the bottom; please don’t mark as spam. I hope you’ll stay as I like to give out FREEBIES. 

Note: This email has affiliate links to partner deals. If you make a purchase, I get a commission at no extra cost to you. Thank you for supporting my business.

Thanks for being here. I appreciate you.

Texas, June 5, 2022

Be sure to hit the SUBSCRIBE button in the sidebar to receive The Magic Heron Newsletter in your inbox!

Hi there !

Our weather has been up and down lately. Last weekend we hit a record high of 104 degrees. Then the last several days a cool front and drizzle. Thunderstorms are rolling in now with the usual forecast of hail, high winds, and a possible tornado. 

My daughter and I found an old metal bowl out in the shed and decided to make a bird bath out of it. She found rocks and pebbles from an old aquarium and layered them in the bottom of the bowl. Then we set the bowl on the tree stump in the front yard and filled it with water. This is the window in my living room where I work every day.

Mourning doves have been coming in to get water from it and the little sparrows and blackbirds flit between the water bath and the bird feeder that hangs on the porch railing. Throughout the day the movements catch my eye and helps me look away from the computer screen for a few minutes and rest my eyes. 

A Blue Jay and a Gold-fronted Woodpecker also showed up. The woodpecker is a new one for me, I’ve never seen it before. It had a striking yellow-gold mixed with a little red on its head that really stood out. 

The Blue Jay took over the feeder area, bold and brash. I found a feather of his too, on the ground afterwards. A few years ago, a Blue Jay family nested in my walnut tree in the backyard, but have not since then. I’ve wondered why they haven’t returned to nest there.

My favorite color is blue and the Blue Jay has such a vibrant blue color and an attitude that calls me to name him as the Spirit Animal for this week’s newsletter.

This week’s Newsletter Spirit Animal

Blue Jay Symbolism and Meanings:

Blue Jay is in the same family as Ravens and Crows

Blue Jay’s message is to follow our intuition, to remind us to step into our personal power with the freedom to choose our own path. 

Blue Jay is playful and serious, curious and sly, intelligent and cunning. Wise and perceptive, Blue Jay teaches us to be optimistic, but also be realistic. And to rise above the challenges and obstacles in our life. 

Blue Jay calls us to use our potential to the fullest. But its trickster spirit warns against using our cunning tendencies.

Blue Jay Symbolism:

• Intuition
• Loyalty
• Spiritual aspirations
• Vibrancy
• Curiosity
• Faithfulness
• Intelligence
• Communication
• Determination 
• Assertiveness
• Quick thinking
• Protective 
• Resilient 

The Blue Jay is fiercely bold against its enemies, protecting its young, territory, and mate. Mating for life, Blue Jay teaches endurance, patience, and loyalty.

Blue Jay is an excellent teacher for developing character strength. 

Confident in his abilities and tenaciousness, he teaches you to be bold, assertive, resourceful, and hopeful through adversity.

Blue Jay is protective, mimicking the Red-tailed Hawk’s call in order to warn other birds of danger. This also teaches us to to be bold in how we speak, find our voice and use it when others need us to speak up. 

Blue Jay teaches us to trust our instincts and not someone else’s advice, to trust that inner voice of our intuition that knows what is best for us. 

–

Recently Published . . .

New in the Etsy Shop!

1. Printable Bookmarks – 16 Watercolor Deep Sea Set – Blue Humpback Whales, Jellyfish, Octopus, Seashell, Kelp, Seahorse, Starfish, Stingray

2. Gnome and Sunflowers on Honeycomb Printable Stationery, Yellow, Letter Writing Paper, Lined, Unlined, Planner Inserts, Notepaper for Women

–

Recently Published . . .

New Books!

1. To-Do List Notebook: To Do Checklist & Dot Grid Pages: Tulips Background Cover

2. I Came I Mowed I Kicked Grass Lawn Mowing Lawn Care Appointment Book: Logbook | 6 x 9 in | Glossy Cover | 114 pages

Herbal Summer School Workshop Bundle . . .

1. Today is the last day of the Herbal Summer School Workshop Bundle! The Bundle includes Tea Blending 101, Botanical Mixed Drinks, and Flower Pressing for Herbalists classes. Click here for the bundle, or below for individual workshops. Sale ends tonight.

Individual Workshops:

2. Tea Blending 101 Herbal Summer School Workshop

3. Flower Pressing for Herbalists Herbal Summer School Workshop

4. Botanical Mixed Drinks Herbal Summer School Workshop

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 Make Natural Dog Shampoo with Soothing Tea Base

2. 5 HELPFUL STUDY TIPS FOR HERBALISM

3. Drought Resistant Trees and Plants to Grow for Birds

***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. Everyone has innate spiritual intelligence. We just aren’t aware of it or don’t know how to use it. Writing Down Your Soul is a unique writing process that connects you to that Voice of wisdom within. When you write down your soul, three things happen. You:

– get out of your conscious, stress-filled mind

– get in touch with your deep, authentic self

– activate a limitless supply of intelligence, wisdom, and creativity

Start a conversation with the wise Voice within, and you will begin receiving the focused guidance and direction you need to live the life you want.

Writing Down Your Soul – Going (Way) Beyond Journaling

2. What Happens When You Write 20 Minutes a Day?

3. Writing Prompt: The 5 Values That Shape Your Work

4. 5 Famous Authors Talk About Writing

5. 7 Journaling Prompts to Face — And Transform — Your Fears

Random Nature Fact . . .

A housefly hums in the key of F.

Nature Journal Video . . .

This video shares some easy techniques for viewing wildlife.

If you ever feel like the forests and fields are abandoned when you go exploring, these tips could be exactly what you need to see more wildlife.

There’s a reason why some people are able to see tons of wildlife, while others seem to repel them. It has to do with your attitude towards nature and your awareness patterns.

How To See Animals In Nature: Wildlife Viewing Techniques

Nature Journal Prompt . . .

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

Blue Jay facts: 

Lifespan: 7 years. Oldest known wild Blue Jay lived 26 years, 11 months. 

Scientific name: Cyanocitta cristata

Weight: 3-4 oz

Speed: 20-25 mph

Habitat: forests, forest edges, urban and suburban areas around bird feeders

What it eats: insects, nuts, acorns, fruits, seeds, grains, dead or injured small vertebrates, raid nests for eggs and nestlings, 

What eats (or preys on) it: hawks, owls, falcons. Nestlings are preyed upon by cats, snakes, squirrels, American crows, raccoons

Did you know? 

Blue Jays are in the Corvidae family of ravens and crows. Blue Jays are extremely intelligent, and along with ravens and crows, are some of the smartest animals on Earth. They have been observed using tools to obtain food or manipulate locks on cages to escape. 

What I’m watching . . .

1. My daughter and I have really enjoyed the new dinosaur documentary that aired this last week.

Experience the world of dinosaurs like never before in this epic five-night event, from Executive Producer Jon Favreau and the producers of Planet Earth. Featuring David Attenborough,

Prehistoric Planet — Official Trailer | Apple TV+

2. And of course, the new Star Wars spin-off Obi Wan Kenobi

The story begins 10 years after the dramatic events of “Star Wars: Revenge of the Sith” where Obi-Wan Kenobi faced his greatest defeat—the downfall and corruption of his best friend and Jedi apprentice, Anakin Skywalker, who turned to the dark side as evil Sith Lord Darth Vader.

The series stars Ewan McGregor, reprising his role as the iconic Jedi Master, and also marks the return of Hayden Christensen in the role of Darth Vader.

Obi-Wan Kenobi | Official Trailer | Disney+

What I’m reading . . .

1. I’m rereading Everybody Writes by Ann Handley. I love her writing style and humor.

Quotes I’m pondering . . .

“Your days are numbered. Use them to throw open the windows of your soul to the sun. If you do not, the sun will soon set, and you with it.” 

 ~~Marcus Aurelius

and 

“The purpose of life is not to be happy. It is to be useful, to be honorable, to be compassionate, to have it make some difference that you have lived and lived well.” 

~~Ralph Waldo Emerson

Questions I’m considering journaling on . . . 

By observing Blue Jay’s free-spirited, curious, and gutsy nature, how can I break free from the ordinary and mundane in my life and trust my instincts to take a few risks to go after my dreams?

Journal Prompt . . . 

Pick one (or all) to journal about:

1. What are 3 things you can’t live without during the summer?

2. It’s grilling time! What are your favorite BBQ recipes?

3. What is one favorite gardening tip you could share with someone?

4. Create a bucket list of everything you want to do this summer…places to visit, experiences, goals to accomplish, etc. 

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 June 19th!

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

*This email may contain affiliate links. When you click on those links you are supporting me and my business. Thank you for your support!