Issue #35 The Magic Heron Newsletter – What creature teaches us duality and Celebrate the Summer Solstice!

Welcome to the 35th 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, June 19, 2022

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Hi there !

The last two weeks have flown by. I can’t believe it is almost the Summer Solstice! We are nearly halfway through the year and it doesn’t seem like it should be. 

I’ve included lots of goodies below for observing and tracking the Summer Solstice this year (June 21^st). There’s a great article on the history of it, and a couple of videos on how to track the sun, learn how to calculate the shadow using a stick, and record the whole thing in your nature journal. I’ve also included some journal prompts at the end of the newsletter. 

A black bear came into my dream the other night, and since then they have been randomly popping up on the internet everywhere I go. A year ago, my son and I went to see the black bears while I was in North Carolina. I’m still reflecting on the symbolism of the black bear for me, and thought the bear is a good Spirit Animal for this week’s newsletter.

Happy Summer Solstice and have fun journaling!

This week’s Newsletter Spirit Animal

Bear Symbolism and Meanings:

Bear can be a picture of tranquility or a symbol for warrior and power. Bears are omnivores and love berries. They have an easy-going energy and love a sunny spot to relax in. They enjoy a simple life when the conditions are favorable. 

We can learn from Bear to do the same, enjoy simple food and simple pleasures in life. Simple moments, a cup of coffee, a sunset, these are the things that help us step out of the chaos of our lives.

Bear Symbolism:

• Peace
• Bravery
• Powerful
• Duality
• Benevolence 
• Motherhood 
• Sovereignty 
• Resurrection 

When Bear shows up, what messages are being brought to us? Think about patience and connection. Hibernation allows us a time to be with our ideas and projects until it’s time to implement them. Bear can also teach us how to connect with earth and celestial (sun/moon) energy and tap into the wax, wane and flow of our lives. 

Bear teaches confidence and authority as Bear’s physical presence shows us we can be larger than life when we raise ourselves up. No one questions the bear. Bear shows us how to impart authentic authority in our energy.

Bear teaches about nurturing and protection of motherhood. Nurture and protect your own children or ideas/projects with the same fierceness that a mother bear does for her own offspring.

Bear has imminent domain and beneath the surface, can be potentially explosive when defending itself. This is where Bear teaches courage, sovereignty, and warrior aspects of ourselves.

For many cultures from the Norse, to the Celts, to the Native Americans, Bear was an important teacher and messenger. A powerful symbol of solar and lunar duality teaching how to balance energy. 

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Recently Published . . .

New in the Etsy Shop!

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

2. Mandala Color Your Own Bookmarks, Mandala Bookmark, Bookmark Meditation Coloring, Coloring Bookmark PDf, Bookworm Gifts, Printable, Set #2

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Recently Published . . .

New Books!

1. Writer–An Epic Creature At The Mercy of Grammar: A Writer’s Notebook | college lined pages | 120 pages

2. Writer–An Epic Creature Plagued with Plot Bunnies: A Writer’s Notebook | college lined pages | 120 pages

Nature Walk Video . . . 

Nature Walk Video – Turn this on in the background while you work, or get on your treadmill and walk along with the video and enjoy some nature time!

3,5 HRS Summer Forest Walk in Oregon’s Park – 4K Nature Sounds of South Falls & Maple Ridge Loop

Here is a relaxing summer walk through the forest thicket of the Oregon Park in 4K UHD! Just look how amazing the sun’s rays play in the dense foliage of Silver Falls State Park. The noise of the South Falls waterfall, mixed with the loud chirping of forest birds, sets your emotional background for pleasant thoughts. Explore virtually one of the shortest trails in the park, but still beautiful. Open your heart to the lovely nature of Oregon while enjoying the sounds and colors of nature right on your 4K UHD TV screen.

Blog Post . . .

1. About a year ago my son and I went to see the black bears while I was in North Carolina. Here’s the blog post I wrote about it back then:

Journal Entry #7 — Alligator River National Wildlife Refuge

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. Summer Solstice 2022: The First Day of Summer

2. What are Resins and Gums in Plants?

3. Cat And Dog Paw Prints: How To Tell The Difference Between Canine And Feline Tracks

***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. How Art Journaling Heals (Video)

2. BREAKING IN THE NEW ART JOURNAL {PROJECT}

3. 19 Fun and Creative Ways to Use A Blank Notebook

Random Nature Fact . . .

A group of owls is called a parliament.

Nature Journal Video . . . 

*NOTE* these are videos from the Solstice in 2021 but still very informative and provide FUN things to track the path of the sun on this special day.

Geek out with John Muir Laws and nature journal the Summer Solstice. These 2 videos are from last year, but have a wealth of info to learn and journal about in your nature journals!

1. This one is around 30 minutes and he shows you how to calculate the sun’s movement across the sky. A great project to do with your kids/grandkids or fellow nature journalers.

Journaling the Solstice: Learn how to create a measured diagram of the sky to record the positions of the sun on the solstice (and the equinox). You can download a tangent table from the NASA website 

2. Join John Muir Laws and the Nature Journal Club for a clear discussion of how to document the position of the sun for the solstice. Also, learn some strategies to modify the activity for young children (first grade).

Journaling the Solstice 2

Nature Journal Prompt . . .

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

Bear facts: 

Lifespan: 10 – 30 years

Scientific name: Ursidae

Weight: 125 – 500 lbs

Speed: 35 mph

Habitat: tundra plains, ice fields, prairie and foothills grasslands, thick temperate rainforests, high mountain forests, etc

What it eats: omnivorous: berries, grain, fish, insects, birds, mammals, etc

What eats (or preys on) it: aggressive and top of the food chain, but tigers, wolves, cougars, bobcats, coyotes, and humans prey on bear cubs

Did you know? 

Bears have excellent eyesight and can detect when berries are ripe. Their sense of sight, smell and hearing are highly attuned to smell food, a mate, cubs, and predators from miles away.

Nature Tip:

When in bear country, NEVER run from a bear, and don’t approach. Just move away quietly and leave. However, if a black bear approaches you, then make yourself look big, clap your hands, make loud noises as you continue to back away.

Want to learn how to draw a bear? Check out John Muir Laws’ tutorial video and give it a try!

Drawing Bears with the Oakland Zoo

What I’m watching . . .

1. My daughter and I have always loved the Jurassic Park movies and are going to see the newest one. I can’t wait!

Jurassic World Dominion – Official Trailer [HD]

What I’m reading . . .

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

Quotes I’m pondering . . .

“Do one thing every day that scares you.”

–Eleanor Roosevelt

Questions I’m considering journaling on . . . 

The element for summer is Fire. What is the fire that burns inside of me, that makes me feel powerful and fierce? How does this manifest in my life? What have I accomplished in my life lately that I needed this fire to help me through?

Journal Prompt . . . 

Summer Solstice June 21, 2022

As the Solstice sun reaches its peak, it will have completed its cycle. The days grow shorter again. This is a time of letting go. 

What has come to completion for you? What no longer serves you and that you need to let go of? 

How will letting go of this help you to grow?

Happy Journaling!

. . . Shanna

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I’ll be back on July 3rd!

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. . . Shanna Lea Author

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