Issue #45 The Magic Heron Newsletter – What creature teaches us about freedom?

Welcome to the 45th 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, November 6, 2022

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Hi there !

In the last newsletter, I mentioned we had been gifted a newborn kitten we named Greebo. She is growing fast and is almost 4 weeks old now. She’s teething and likes to ‘pounce’ and wrap her front paws around my arm and grab onto my skin with her little nubby teeth. Then her little demon personality fades and she looks up at me with these little round baby Yoda eyes, looking all innocent. 

Yeahhhh, I’m not fooled. 

I tell her I’ve had a few cats in my time and know what’s going on between her ears.

We are having our first freeze tonight. We usually have it on Halloween. Then the temps will go back to 70 for a few days and then back down. 

A horse came to me in a dream the other night, and then on the TimeHop app on my phone, it brought up pictures of my daughter’s horse from 10 years ago. And more horses showed up for me throughout the week. So, this week’s Newsletter Spirit Animal is Horse. 

I grew up with horses and have always loved their beauty and companionship. One of my favorite books while growing up was The Black Stallion by Walter Farley.

But … my horse was nothing like the black stallion. He had a body shaped like a barrel and would draw in a big breath of air while being saddled. He did this so that once the cinch was tightened and the stirrup lowered, he would let out the air and when I tried to get on, the saddle would slip to the side. Or, if I did manage to get on, the saddle would slip while we were headed out to gather cattle. Yeah, fun times.

He also had fun with me when I wanted to ride bareback. I would have him stand next to the corral fence, climb up the wooden rails so I could hop on his back, and just as I would swing my leg over, he would sidestep 2 paces and let me fall onto the hard ground. 

He was not the most eager of horses to go out on a ride. He liked standing in the pen, eating his hay and oats, and enjoying the day lazing around. 

So, yeah. He was nothing like the black stallion in the books, but a girl could dream!

This week’s Newsletter Spirit Animal

Horse Symbolism and Meanings:

Since prehistory, Horse has had deep symbolism for people across the earth. From the oldest known cave paintings 40,000 years ago to the present, Horse has been revered for its companionship. Horse has helped advance civilizations through agriculture, war, and mobility. 

Horse Symbolism and Meanings:

• Power
• Grace
• Beauty
• Freedom
• Nobility
• Strength
• Movement
• Independence 
• Trust
• War
• Service 

Wild horses symbolize freedom and vitality. Horse can symbolize your own personal power, your natural gifts, and mastering your life. 

Domesticated horses can symbolize the parts of yourself that feel restricted or confined. Or trusting relationships. Is something holding you back or limiting your freedom? 

Horse has carried much for humans with packs and pulling wagons and plows. Horse could be bringing a message that it’s time to quit carrying what you no longer need. Figure out what you need to let go of to lighten your load. Maybe it’s time to change direction and move on. 

What breed of horse do you like or want? Discover all the breeds and what they were bred to do here:

What Breed Would You Like to Discover Today?

–

Recently Published . . .

New in the Etsy Shop

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

2. Spirit Animals Coloring Journal, Animal Guide, Spirit Totem Animal, Spirit Companion, Undated Planner, Goal Tracker, Use with Your Journal

–

Recently Published . . .

New Books!

1. Writer–An Epic Creature Plagued with Imaginary People: A Writer’s Notebook

2. Writer–An Epic Creature Plagued with Creativity: A Writer’s Notebook

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

2. DIY Savory Herbal Whipped Butter Recipe for Holiday Cooking

3. 6 Reasons To Bake With Lard – It’s Healthier Than You Think!

4.  How to Make Lilac Jelly (Yes, Lilacs are Edible)

5. 7 Home Remedies for Upset Stomach to Soothe Indigestion

***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

Fall Recipe . . .

Easy Crockpot Apple Crisp

1 (3 lb. bag) apples

¼ cup sugar

¼ cup brown sugar

2 tsp cinnamon

2 tsp pumpkin pie spice

Crisp Topping:

½ cup flour

½ cup rolled oats

¼ cup sugar

¼ cup brown sugar

½ stick butter

1. Chop the apples and place in the crockpot.
2. In a bowl, mix the sugar, brown sugar, cinnamon, and pumpkin pie spice together.
3. Pour onto the apples and stir to coat.
4. Set the crockpot on high for 2 hours.
5. Make the topping: 
6. In a bowl, mix the flour, rolled oats, sugar, and brown sugar together.
7. Cut in the butter to make crumbles.
8. Pour the topping mixture over the apples, cover, and cook on high for 1-2 hours.
9. Serve with heavy whipping cream.

Autumn Fun . . .

Fall Nature Bucket List! Go on a scavenger hunt!

30 Scavenger Hunt Ideas for Families – Plan a fun scavenger hunt indoors or out

Fun Idea From: Fall Nature Bucket List

Nature Walk Video . . .

Nature video to play in the background while you work, walk on a treadmill, or just to relax to!

2 Hours Autumn Hike along Skyline Trail, Mt. Rainier – 5,5 mile Hard Trail near Paradise Inn

Journaling Inspiration . . .

1. 2 Powerful Ways to Deepen Your Journal Writing

2. Are you writing through November? Sign up for NaNoWriMo here!

3. How to Write a Nonfiction Book in 30 Days

4. 7 WAYS JOURNALING LENDS MAGIC TO YOUR NONFICTION WRITING

5. Get Started with Illustrated Journaling

Random Nature Fact . . .

Did you know a reindeer’s eyes turn blue in winter? It helps them see lower light levels. In summer, their eyes are golden. No other animals have this ability!

Nature Journal Video . . . 

1. Happy Bob Ross Day! Today would be the late great Bob Ross’s 80th birthday. Last year, on Oct 29th 2021, we celebrated his birthday by drawing some happy little trees – here is the recording. Get your Bob on today!!

Happy Little Trees

Nature Journal Prompt . . .

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

Lifespan: 25 – 30 years

Scientific name: Equus caballus

Habitat: Domesticated horses: usually confined to stables, paddocks, fields, pastures. Wild horses: wide-open spaces with their herd, moorlands, rocky grasslands, grassy deserts, grassy plains

Speed: 55 mph

What it eats: grass, hay, haylage

What eats (or preys on) it: mountain lions, wolves, bears, alligators, packs of coyotes, feral dogs

Did you know? 

29 fascinating facts about horses (that you will struggle to believe are true…)

Nature Tip:

If you live on the east coast, you can see wild horses up close (but do not interact with them) on the Outer Banks of North Carolina. And, another link to show the wild horses in the west!

How Wild Horses Ended Up in the Outer Banks

Wild Horse Photographer Braves Snake Bites for Breathtaking Images

What I’m watching . . .

1. My daughter and I enjoyed watching Coraline this week. It’s one of her favorites.

Coraline (2009) Official Trailer – Dakota Fanning, Teri Hatcher Movie HD

What I’m reading . . .

1. A Year in the Life: Journaling for Self-Discovery by Sheila Bender

What I’m Listening to . . . 

1. Great to have on in the background while working

Cozy Autumn Writer’s Retreat Ambience | Autumn Sounds & ASMR

Quotes I’m pondering . . .

“Autumn is a season followed immediately by looking forward to spring.” 

–Doug Larson

and

“Autumn wins you best by this its mute appeal to sympathy for its decay.” 

–Robert Browning

Questions I’m considering journaling on . . . 

Here in Texas, we are dry and fall is different than fall in North Carolina where I spent 2 years with my son. I’ll journal the moments I spent walking the soft, damp trails with him there and the dry, hard trails that are here. Such a difference in how the soil, plants, and air smell in different locations.

Journal Prompt . . .

Journal the difference that you feel in your hands when you crumple up a handful of wet leaves versus dry leaves. 

Describe what happens to the leaves, the sounds, smells, and what you feel sensory-wise.

Happy Journaling!

. . . Shanna

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I’ll be back on November 20th!

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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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