Issue #50 The Magic Heron Newsletter – What creature teaches us how to stand in our own power?

Welcome to the 50th 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, January 15, 2023

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Hi there !

Can you believe we are halfway through January? We’ve had really nice weather with high’s in the 50s and 60s for a few weeks now. Unfortunately, we’ve also had high winds and no moisture, but I’m happy with the nice weather. 

We’ve introduced one of the dogs, Murphy, to little Greebo and they are playing together nicely. We’ll introduce the other two dogs slowly as well until we see everyone gets along. Murphy has slept every night on the bed next to Greebo’s carrier, so they have bonded well over the last few months. 

This week’s Newsletter Spirit Animal is Wolf. Wolf teaches us how to stand in our own power.

This week’s Newsletter Spirit Animal

Wolf Symbolism and Meanings:

When Wolf comes to us, it’s time to pay attention to what’s going on around us, a person or situation that may be a “Wolf in sheep’s clothing.” Pay attention to what your intuition tells you. It may also be time to work on your developing your intuition more deeply. Trust what it is telling you. 

Wolf also teaches that we have all the resources within us to face the challenges that we might feel we are not prepared for. 

Wolf Symbolism and Meanings:

• Intuition
• Loyalty
• Cunning
• Intelligence
• Independence
• Compassionate 
• Communication
• Inner wisdom
• Adaptability 

Wolf teaches how to stand in the seat of your own power and let predators know you are prepared to defend yourself and your sacred space. Wolf runs in a pack, teaching us about community, and when we are alone, about liberation. 

If you’re not sure where your circle is, Wolf helps you find your community. Wolf also shows you how to ‘mark your territory’ if anyone threatens your sacred space. Wolf will also teach you how to know when to fight and when to walk away.

Meditate with the wolf to learn what messages it has for you. There is a SPIRIT ANIMAL WOLF printable journal listed below that may be of interest to you in helping you journal your messages.

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Recently Published . . .

New in the Etsy Shop

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

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

–

Recently Published . . .

New Books!

My daughter and I created a whole line of Writer’s Notebooks with sarcastic sayings. Use them for NaNoWriMo, notetaking, for work, or journaling!

You can find the rest of the series on the Magic Heron Amazon Author Page

1. Making EPIC Things Happen: A Writer’s Notebook | college lined pages | 120 pages

2. Making ROMANTIC Things Happen: A Writer’s Notebook | college lined pages | 120 pages

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 PINE RESIN SALVE

2. 8 Natural Cleaning Product Recipes for Your Home

3. 5 Appalachian Winter Traditions You Will Love!

4. Pine Needle Salad Dressing

5. “EXPIRED” MILK TURNED INTO FREE FOOD – how to make farmer’s cheese at home

***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

Winter Recipe . . . 

This recipe for apple dumplings looks delicious!

Grandma’s Apple Dumplings

Winter Fun  . . .

Winter Nature Bucket List! Dissect a pinecone!

1. Dissect a pinecone. What are the reasons a pinecone is either open or closed?

2. Pine Cones are everywhere in the Sierra Nevada foothills where we live. We use them in our wood stoves as kindling, but I’ve never really stopped to think about what they really are, what their purpose is or why they’re so dang sharp. Today, I learned more than any one person should about the common Pine Cone. Turns out they’re actually very interesting.

I never knew this about PINE CONES…

3. Try this experiment!

Unlocking the Secrets of the Pinecone

Fun Idea From Winter 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!

1. Beautiful Snowy Winter in Mountains – 4K Ambient Nature Film of Southern Urals

Journaling Inspiration . . .

1. Family Connection—Another Reason to Write Our Memories

2. A Short Tale of Two Socks plus Journal Prompts

3. How to Manage Your Writing During Busy Times

4. An Art Journal Starter Kit for Not So Visual Artists

5. HOW TO USE ART TO INSPIRE YOUR WRITING

Random Nature Fact . . .

Groups of animals have different names. For example, a group of cows is a herd, for dogs it’s a pack. Here are some that may be new to you:

Elk: a gang

Ferrets: a business

Elephants: a parade

Giraffes: a tower

See more here:

99 Animal Group Names: A List From A to Z

Nature Journal Video . . .

1. In this Ask Jack session, we look at the shapes of deciduous trees in winter and learn some tree tricks from John Muir Laws!

Winter Trees

Nature Journal Prompt . . .

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

Wolf facts: 

Lifespan: 6-8 years

Scientific name: Canis lupus

Weight: 70-145 lbs

Speed: up to 37 mph

Habitat: forests, wetlands, shrublands, grasslands, tundra, pastures, deserts, mountain peaks

What it eats: moose, elk, caribou, white-tailed deer, mule deer, rodents, hares, waterfowl, eggs, lizards, snakes, frogs, salmon, large insects

What eats (or preys on) it: grizzly bears, polar bears, mountain lions, humans

Did you know? 

Wolves can eat 20-25 lbs of food at a feeding and able to survive without food for up to 2 weeks or longer if prey is scarce.

What I’m watching . . .

1. We loved Knives Out a few years ago and they just came out with another one. Really liked this one. 

Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery | Official Trailer | Netflix

2. After that we had to go back and watch the Knives Out again.

Knives Out – Official Trailer (2019) Daniel Craig, Jamie Lee Curtis

What I’m reading . . .

1. My best friend just gave me this wonderful book for Yule! 

Daydream Journals: Memories, ideas and inspiration in stitch, cloth & thread

What I’m Listening to . . . 

1. Birds in Winter – Video for People and Cats to Watch

Quotes I’m pondering . . .

In seed time learn, in harvest teach, in winter enjoy. 

–William Blake

and

In the depth of winter I finally learned that there was in me an invincible summer.

–Albert Camus

Questions I’m considering journaling on . . . 

Wolf teaches how to stand in your own power. What areas in my life do I need to address this?

Journal Prompt . . .

How does winter wind sound? 

Write a poem that describes it and how it is different than the other seasonal winds.

How does the wind in other seasons make you feel? Why?

Reviews . . .

If you have bought any of our books or printables and enjoyed them, please leave a positive review on Amazon or Etsy. Those reviews mean the world to us and help boost us up on the platforms. Thank You!!

Happy Journaling!

. . . Shanna

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I’ll be back on January 29th !

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