Issue #37 The Magic Heron Newsletter – What creature teaches us how to let go and regenerate?

Welcome to the 37th 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, July 17, 2022

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Hi there !

It’s been HOT HOT HOT. We’ve had a long string of 100-degree days. It did rain one evening and was really nice, but then back up to 100 the next day.

I’ve been posting the past newsletters on the blog and should be caught up soon. So if you missed one of the newsletters or need to go back to reread some, they are in the Newsletter Archives section of the blog. 

I’ve also been trying to get back to blogging journal entries. Haven’t had as much time to do daily entries as I wanted to, but I’m working with more clients lately too. I want to add the daily entries in throughout the week, but they will be short. 

I’m excited to go see Where the Crawdads Sing at the theater this weekend with my daughter. I loved the book and enjoyed the rich imagery of the wildlife, marsh, and swamps in North Carolina that I was experiencing while I was there. Now I’m back in Texas and I really miss hiking in the forest and being around all the tall pines. 

I thought crawdads (crayfish, crawfish) would be a good Spirit Animal for this week’s Newsletter. So read on to see what the crawdad / crayfish symbolism is and if it is relevant to you this week.

This week’s Newsletter Spirit Animal

Crayfish or Crawdad Symbolism and Meanings:

Crayfish shows us how to move forward in life. When crayfish molt, this symbolizes that we can overcome our fears by shedding our old “skin”. Each time crayfish molt, they are growing and maturing, and each time we shed our own “skin”, we grow and mature as well. 

This means we can shed (molt) layers of the past that are no longer useful, such as old habits, issues, and limiting beliefs. Crayfish teaches us to not be afraid to let these things go that are holding us back, but also not to overdo it either. The “skin” is your protective mechanism, and after shedding, like the crayfish, you can be vulnerable until your new skin is hardened. 

Regeneration is another symbol of crayfish. During the life cycle of a crayfish, it can lose legs or claws several times. It can regrow them easily, showing us that we can also regenerate symbolically, as well.

Being a water creature, crayfish represents our subconscious, dreams, and psyche. Pay attention to your intuition. Listen to your dreams. In both the waking and the dream world, look for symbols and messages to guide you. 

Crayfish or Crawdad Symbolism and Meanings:

• Strength
• Nobility
• Resolution
• Temperance
• Discovery
• Abundance
• Sensuality
• Regeneration
• Transformation
• Gripping/holding

Advice from Crayfish / Crawdad:

If a limb is damaged beyond repair, crayfish removes it. Is something in your life not serving you anymore? Remove it!

Crayfish have a hard grip/hold when they grab (pinch) something with their claws. Do you want something really bad? Grab it and hold on to it!

Crayfish need a few days to grow a thick “skin” after they molt. This reminds us we need a thick skin to get around in life as well. This is self-protection and self-preservation. Don’t let others destroy your softer side, like your dreams!

–

Recently Published . . .

New in the Etsy Shop!

1.  Octopus Wreath — Watercolor — Printable Letter Writing Paper — Stationery

2.  Starfish — Watercolor — Printable Letter Writing Paper — Stationery

–

Recently Published . . .

New Books!

1.  Of Course I’m Epic, I’m a Writer: A Writer’s Notebook | college lined pages | 120 pages

2.  Writer–An Epic Creature Plagued by Proofreading: A Writer’s Notebook | college lined pages | 120 pages

Blog Posts . . .

1. Journal Entry 19—Where the Crawdads Sing, Crayfish Crawdad Meaning and Symbolism

Mountain Rose Herbs Essential Oil Sale . . .

Did you know Mountain Rose Herbs is currently having the biggest essential oil sale in its history? 

This sale is intended to go through the end of the month but may be removed earlier, if necessary. We will offer a “last chance” opportunity if the sale is discontinued before its anticipated end date of 7/31. 

Here’s how it works:

• Purchase $25 in essential oils, get 20% off
• Purchase $50 in essential oils, get 25% off
• Purchase $100 in essential oils, get 30% off

*Discount applies to single essential oils and essential oil blends only. Does not include kits. Offer cannot be combined with other sales, promotional codes, or wholesale pricing. Unable to be applied to previously placed orders. Discount will automatically appear in the shopping cart after the minimum threshold is met ($25.00). Valid for a limited time only.

Mountain Rose Herbs Essential Oil Sale

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.  Homemade Mosquito Repellent

2. 20+ DIY Herbal Recipes You Can Make for Under $10

3. 3 FUN SUMMER HERBAL POPSICLES

4. HOMEMADE BUG BITE SALVE FOR ITCHY SPOTS

***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. Elizabeth Gilbert Talks “Big Magic” — Fear, Failure, & the Mystery of Creativity

2. A Treasured Keepsake and the Importance for Us All to Create One

3.  How Journaling Helped Ease My Pain Symptoms

4. How to Use Journaling to Open to Greater Possibilities for Your Life

Random Nature Fact . . .

A group of lemurs is called a conspiracy!

Nature Journal Video . . . 

1.  How Do I Deal with Ticks –Learn Your Land

Nature Journal Prompt . . .

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

Crayfish or Crawdad facts: 

Lifespan: 2-4 years, some may live over 10 years

Scientific name: Cambarus

Habitat: wherever there is water: streams, rivers, springs, ponds, lakes, marshes, swamps, wetlands, drainage ditches, and underground waters (cave crayfish!)

What it eats: living and dead plants, woody debris, aquatic insects, snails, worms, tadpoles, snails, fish, salamanders

What eats (or preys on) it: bullfrogs, fish like bass, water birds like herons, and mammals like raccoons, black bears, otters, mink, muskrats, water snakes, turtles, and humans

Did you know? 

Crayfish are known by many names depending on location: crawfish, craydids, crawdaddies, crawdads, freshwater lobsters, mountain lobsters, rock lobsters, mudbugs, baybugs, or yabbies. 

There are over 500 species of crayfish on earth, with 400 of those in North America–353 of those are in the United States and are east of the Rocky Mountains and in the Southeastern states. 

Nature Tip:

The crayfish name comes from the French word “escrevisse” –which means hole or burrow, or a French word meaning “crevice”. Some species of crayfish live their entire lives in burrows.

Did you know females “glue” their eggs under their tail? She is called “in berry” because the eggs look like a bunch of blackberries. Read more about it and other interesting crayfish facts here

Sustaining America’s Aquatic Biodiversity Crayfish Biodiversity and Conservation

What I’m watching . . .

1. My daughter and I are headed to the theater to see Where the Crawdads Sing… looking forward to it

WHERE THE CRAWDADS SING – Official Trailer (HD)

What I’m reading . . .

1. I’m spending more time nature journaling, and rereading one of my favorite books on nature journaling:

Keeping a Nature Journal, 3rd Edition: Deepen Your Connection with the Natural World All Around You by Clare Walker Leslie

Quotes I’m pondering . . .

“You must walk sometimes perfectly free, not prying nor inquisitive, not bent on seeing things. Throw away a whole day for a single expansion, a single inspiration of air . . .

You must walk so gently as to hear the finest sounds, the faculties being in repose . . . Nature will bear the closest inspection. She invites us to lay our eye level with her smallest leaf, and take an insect view of its plain.”

–Henry David Thoreau

and 

“Why do people keep journals? Well, we just do. Some people keep track reading the daily newspaper. Some keep track with the evening news. Some call their neighbors, or chat at work. I keep my place by putting my connection on paper.”

–Clare Walker Leslie

Questions I’m considering journaling on . . . 

What part of my life needs “regeneration”? What do I need to let go of in order to move forward?

Journal Prompt . . . 

What book (or movie) captivated you so much that you related to a character deeply? What resonated? How did it affect you? How did this character help you in your own life by reflecting on their part in the story?

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 July 31st!

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Links

Shanna Lea Author website
Books on Amazon
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Magic Heron Creations Etsy Shop

. . . Shanna Lea Author

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