On The Farm
As I write this, it’s 2 degrees outside with 30 mph winds. I think winter has arrived. Fresh snow creates a quiet, blanketed nature that seems to listen well to my soul. There is such beauty in that stillness. At sunrise, the little snowflake prisms reflect millions of little rainbow colors, and in the moonlight, the snow shines like crystals. Magical.
At this time of year, I take time to go within myself to do my inner work with spirit, to acknowledge the gifts I have received in the past year, and to review what I want to take with me into the next year. There is a kind of recalibration that happens—slightly adjusting my actions, my thoughts and my intentions so that everything lines up, so it’s all going the same direction. This is the time I can make corrections, let go of what is no longer needed, and reconcile anything that may be out of sync, including relationships.
This is also a time of gratitude. I have been blessed with the best friends anyone could have; the best students who teach me as much as I teach them; and the best clients who support the work I love. I am surrounded by my animal family—Balthazar (snake), Stitch (dog), and Ernie (cat)—who keep me laughing. I have new neighbors next door, whose horses use my pasture. It’s like being a grandmother. I get to enjoy horses once again, but don’t have to clean up after them or pay the vet bills! And the bonus is little Jerry, a miniature donkey only 6 months old, whom they rescued. What a treasure!
As 2024 comes to an end, I want to thank you all for staying in touch through the newsletter. I wish you many blessings, and a new year full of wonderful adventures. Stay tuned for new developments in 2025!
The Bookshelf
I have long admired author and indigenous scientist, Robin Wall Kimmerer, who wrote Gathering Moss and Braiding Sweetgrass. Her writing is like poetry and has a beautiful rhythm that leads us into nature in a way we may not have taken before. Her latest book is a small gem, THE SERVICEBERRY. Kimmerer harvests serviceberries with the birds, and in this work, considers the ethic of reciprocity that lies at the heart of the gift economy. She poses the question of how we can learn from indigenous wisdom and from the plant world to reimagine what we value most.
The serviceberry’s relationship with the natural world is an embodiment of reciprocity, interconnectedness, and gratitude. The tree distributes its wealth—its abundance of sweet, juicy berries—to meet the needs of its natural community. And this distribution insures its own survival. As Kimmerer explains, “Serviceberries show us another model, one based upon reciprocity, where wealth comes from the quality of your relationships, not from the illusion of self-sufficiency.”
This is a good snowy day book and one that certainly helps us understand how to walk in the world in right relationship with all that is. A very shamanic point of view.
Eight Ways to Honor a Life
Losing our beloved animal companions is a heart-wrenching experience that no one is ever truly prepared for. We feel helpless to reverse the course, overwhelmed with grief at the loss of a loved one, even if we knew it was coming. Knowing that this beautiful being will always be one of the best parts of your life, creating a tribute to honor their life can bring comfort. Here are some suggestions to try.
1. Create a photo album
Bring out the photos that remind you of your favorite times together. Write captions or memories of that time, perhaps even from the animal’s point of view.
I keep one photo, a portrait of each animal, and write about what I loved most about them, and times together that stand out to me.
2. Set up a memorial garden
I make a special garden in the spot where they loved to be in the yard or I dedicate a place for the indoor animals. For example, one of my house bunnies chose to be buried underneath a tree he could see from the window. He communed with that tree every day. It grew into what we call now the Bunny Memorial Garden, with bunny statues that represent every house bun that came to us. It is a beautiful place to meditate and remember the joy they brought to us.
3. Preserve their pawprint/hoofprint
This is best done while they are still with you, and can be done with ink, salt dough, paint or clay (Crayola makes a type of clay that hardens in water and is easy to work with). Some veterinary clinics offer this service if they attend to your animal’s end of life needs. The print can be a plaque, a memory item or even a piece of jewelry.
4. Host a memorial service
Gather family, friends and those who loved the animal to share stories and memories. As an animal chaplain, I can help you design a ceremony that honors your beloved animal friend. If you want an animal chaplain in person and you aren’t in SE Michigan, go to https://findanimalchaplain.com for someone in your area.
5. Display their favorite items
If it isn’t too painful for you, displaying their collar, harness, toys or other belongings can be a comforting way to keep their memory alive in your home.
6. Customize art or jewelry
In Victorian times, an artist would create jewelry from the hair of the deceased person. I took mane and tail hair from my horses to braid into a memory bracelet and to include in artwork. You can also have an artist make a portrait painting from a photo. Some artists can even incorporate a portion of the animal’s ashes into the artwork. Feathers from your bird friend may also be used in jewelry or art.
7. Get a tattoo
This is becoming more popular as a way to honor the animal’s memory. Whether it’s a portrait, their name, or a simple paw print, it’s a lasting reminder of the love you shared.
8. Celebrate their birthday or passing anniversary
Take time to reflect on their life, visit a place that was important to you both, or celebrate in any way that feels right. It will be a tough day for a few years, but will bring comfort and peace.
Explore Death As a Rite of Passage With Shamanic Wisdom: Spiritual Practices to Help Loved Ones, Pets, and Clients Live Fully, Love Deeply & Fear Less
Those who are familiar with my services know that I assist both people and animals with end-of-life experiences. As a shamanic practitioner and teacher, approved by Sandra Ingerman as one of her instructors, I see death as a rite of passage that is naturally a part of our life cycle. Sandra, a reknown shamanic teacher and an award-winning author, has developed an online program for those who don’t practice shamanism. This course is being offered in January, 2025, by the Shift Network, an online education resource. You do not have to know anything about shamanism or journeying to benefit from this class.
In this online course, you’ll:
Uncover why society’s obsession with longevity and youth can actually rob you of living fully today — and discover a powerful mindset shift to reclaim the quality of your life
Learn how to release the fear of aging and dying, so you can truly embrace each phase of your life with confidence and peace
Gain fresh insights into death, understanding it not as an end, but as a natural passage that gives depth to life — and get a glimpse into the realms we journey to after we pass on
See how embracing aging can deepen your self-acceptance and connection to your mortality, so you’re more present, grounded, and ready for each moment
Experience a transformative shamanic journey with drumming to help you receive a unique message about death from the wisdom of nature itself
If you or someone you love, animal or human, is experiencing end of life, this workshop will provide a different perspective of death that will bring more grace and ease to the process. To register for a free hour of introduction on December 10, 2024, contact the Shift Network.