Issue #55 The Magic Heron Newsletter – What creature teaches how to be self-reliant and embrace change?

Welcome to the 55th 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, March 26, 2023

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Hi there !

So, Greebo is doing a new thing lately. She has a special sock that we used to put around a hot water bottle to keep her warm when she was little. She carries this sock everywhere with her. When the dogs play with it, she will sneak in and grab it and take off with it. Lately, I’ve been finding the sock stuffed part way down the kitchen sink drain. Why???? What is she thinking by doing this? 

We had a bit of rain this last week and then in the early hours this morning. Last week it was a rain/snow mix and high winds with –get this—a blowing dust warning—all in the same 24 hour period. Only in the Texas Panhandle. 

I need to buy a new hose for the front yard to start watering for this summer. The grass is still dry and brown, but there are hints of green here and there. We’ve seen other Spring sightings around town this week too! Robins, daffodils, and tulips.

This last week I added several of the old newsletter to the Newsletter Archives on the blog. I also started a Zazzle shop! So far I only have a few stationery and notebooks on there. As soon as the shop is live, I’ll share the link here. With Zazzle I can create spiral bound notebooks (Amazon doesn’t). And I plan to create some really cute designs for kitchen ware. So stay tuned!

This week’s newsletter Spirit Animal is Jaguar. Read on below for Jaguar symbolism.

This week’s Newsletter Spirit Animal

Jaguar Symbolism and Meanings:

If you are having a hard time deciding on when to resolve a problem or when to leave it alone, Jaguar can help you to discover your inner strength while embracing change without fear. 

Jaguar moves through the jungle with purpose and intensity. Jaguar’s sharp eyesight symbolizes seeing things with clarity. The Jaguar is connected to the night and even the patterns on his skin represent the starry sky. Each Jaguar patterns are unique, like human fingerprints. This symbolizes individuality and makes the perfect camouflage. 

The female Jaguar calls out during mating time, but only tolerates the male for so long. She will protect her cubs fiercely and not allow the male back into her territory until time to mate again. 

Jaguar Symbolism and Meanings:

• Bravery
• Courage
• Honor 
• Independence
• Individuality 
• Knowledge
• Patience
• Self-Confidence
• Self-Reliance
• Shadow Self
• Speed
• Strength
• Magic

Jaguar teaches us how to be confident and self-reliant and to embrace change. She will teach you about the strength you have inside and how to tap into your power for confronting the challenges that are holding you back. 

Ask Jaguar to help you face your shadows, to understand them, and move forward in your life.

–

Recently Published . . .

New in the Etsy Shop

I had fun this week creating junk journal ephemera and stationery with old letter papers as backgrounds!

1. Spring Bucket List, Spring Things, Bucket List Printable, Spring To Do List, Fun Ideas for Families, Kids Activities, Spring Checklist

2. Spring Nature Bucket List, Nature Printables, Nature activities, Homeschool printables, To Do List Checklist

–

Recently Published . . .

New Books!

My daughter and I created a whole line of Writer’s Notebooks. Use them for NaNoWriMo, notetaking, for work, or journaling! We are also creating logbooks.

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

This week I’m promoting my cookbooks.

1. 50 Ways to Eat Sardines: …a recipe journal

2. Salmon Patties, Cakes and Burgers: 25 Best Fish Patty Recipes

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. BEST SPRING DRIVES IN AMERICA

2. GETTING TICKED OFF: AN ESSENTIAL OIL BLEND TO REPEL TICKS

3. Camping Food for Foodies: No Refrigeration Required

4. Tornado Safety and Survival

5. Natural Yogurt: Using Kefir as a Yogurt Starter

***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

Spring Recipe . . . 

Celebrate spring by making this honey roast chicken with seasonal ingredients 

Honey Roast Chicken with Spring Peas & Shallots

Spring Fun  . . .

Spring Nature Bucket List! Walk barefoot in the grass!

What Is Earthing?

Fun Idea From: Spring 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. Amazing Tulip Flowers in 4K UHD – Beautiful Colors of Nature with Cheerful Spring Sounds NO LOOP #2

Journaling Inspiration . . .

1. Why Write? Making Meaning of the Meaningless

2. THE TWO BEST PIECES OF ADVICE FOR ASPIRING AND SEASONED WRITERS

3. The Advantages of Using a Sketchbook

4. How to Write Your Truths—and Keep Writing

5. Stories Instead of Stuff

Random Nature Fact . . .

The bearded reeding bird performs incredible splits to keep themselves balanced on the thin reeds in marshes and wetlands across Europe.

It’s also a very round bird ! So cute!

These Cute Pint-Sized Birds Perform Expert Splits to Keep Themselves Balanced

Nature Journal Video . . .

1. Nesting robins make alarm calls when there are owls in the area. This video shows what happens when there’s an owl nest within 30-40 feet of a robin nest.

Nesting Robin Makes Alarm Calls When Owl Is Nearby

Nature Journal Prompt . . .

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

Jaguar facts: 

Lifespan: 12-15 years

Scientific name: Panthera onca

Weight: 120-210 lbs

Length: up to 6.1 ft (Adult, nose to the base of the tail)

Speed: 50 mph

Habitat: tropical low-lying habitats close to lakes, rivers, and inland wetlands from south-western USA to scrub grasslands of Argentina

What it eats: capybaras, deer, tortoises, iguanas, armadillos, fish, birds, monkeys, tapir, caiman

What eats (or preys on) it: no natural predators except humans who kill them for their fur and ranchers who are protecting their livestock

Did you know? 

Unlike most cats, jaguars are excellent swimmers and don’t mind crossing large rivers. 

More fun facts:

TOP 10 FACTS ABOUT JAGUARS

Nature Tip:

What’s the difference between a jaguar and a leopard? Although they look similar, jaguars have black dots in the middle of some of the rosettes, and leopards don’t.

What I’m watching . . .

1. We finished Season 2 of Shadow and Bone and are now rewatching Pirates of the Caribbean movies. 

Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl Official Trailer 1 (2003) HD

What I’m reading . . .

1.  I’m trying a few prompts out of this book to get back into writing poetry.

Write the Poem by Piccadilly

What I’m Listening to . . . 

1. Live nature cams are fun to have on in the background while working!

Cat TV ~ Little Birds in The Forest

Quotes I’m pondering . . .

“Seasons change, and so do we.”

—NikkiChe

and

“What a lonely place it would be to have a world without a wildflower!”

—Roland R. Kemler

Questions I’m considering journaling on . . . 

What are the birds saying to each other when they sing every day? I need to make time to learn more bird language!

Journal Prompt . . .

Spring is all about birth and renewal for plants and animals going through their life cycles. Does this renewal for plants and animals hold any special meaning for you? Why? Do you take part in this process too? Why or why not?

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 April 9th !

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