On The Farm
What a beginning to spring! Although we’ve lost a lot of branches, I welcome the high winds. It’s an opportunity for me to commune with the wind spirits who support my work. These recent winds have been too strong for me to fly my 8’ butterfly kite that I got in Chinatown in San Francisco nearly 20 years ago. When I yank on the string, the butterfly wings flap like a real butterfly and take it higher where the wind is more steady and there are fewer gusts. That’s a good metaphor for life, isn't it? When we take the higher ground, things go more smoothly. When the horses were with me, only my youngest, K’i (Kai), would be curious about the kite and chase it. I strive to be like K’i.
There are other things the wind can provide. One of my favorites is a “wind bath”. In days of stress and chaos, I go outside and spread my arms to allow the wind to go through me, taking all the stress with it. Try it sometime. I remember doing this as a child and feeling the wind brush me clean.
In ancient times, sailors would consult the shaman, the wise man or woman of the village, to make “wind knots”. These practitioners would hold the rope to the wind, inviting it to enter the rope and then tie an overhand knot to secure it. There were three knots altogether. When the sailors were in the doldrums, without a wind to move the sails, they would untie the first knot for a gentle breeze. Then the second knot for a bigger breeze. If they really needed to make progress, the third knot contained the most wind power.
If you are working with a big project or issue in your life, try making wind knots to help you move forward when you are stuck. Just be sure to mark the ends, so when you release the knots, you’re not starting with the most power! Ask me how I know!
I learned these skills from Renee Baribeau, shamanic wind practitioner, https://thepracticalshaman.com. Deepening your relationship with nature brings so many blessings. Go fly a kite!
A SPRING GIFT!
Last year, I did a ‘dieta’ with seven plants. It was amazing! A dieta is a process of preparing and ingesting various parts of a plant to experience their benefits. Plant medicine has been learned and applied from the plants themselves for eons in this way by folk healers and doctors.
The first plant I did was DANDELION. What a treat! Every spring, I have 5 acres of dandelions. The horses loved them as treats. My house bunnies would beg for the flowers and end up with little yellow mustaches. Dandelions have so many health benefits:
*Liver Health: the dandelion contains oils and bitter resins that help to maintain the proper flow of bile while stimulating the liver – this promotes proper digestion. This decreases the chance of constipation, resulting in a lower chance of developing more serious gastrointestinal problems.
*Anti-aging: the root and leaves of the dandelion are rich in antioxidants such as vitamin C and Luteolin, which prevent free radical damage to our cells and DNA.
*Good for Bones: Dandelions are a good source of calcium and vitamin K, both of which support bone health.*Reduces Inflammation: dandelions contain phytonutrients and essential fatty acids that reduce inflammation in the body.
* Potential Anti-cancer effects: dandelions contain active chemical constituents that are currently being studied for their ability to act against cancer cells. Luteolin, mentioned above, “sterilizes” cancer cells and prevents them from reproducing by deactivating key components of the cells when it binds to them.
*Memory function: the leaves are rich in choline which aids in restoring memory.
*Weight Loss & Blood Pressure: dandelions are diuretic in nature and by promoting urination, “water weight” can be shed lowering blood pressure.
A simple basic recipe to begin with is Dandelion Tabouli. I combine chopped dandelion leaves with chopped Rainbow Chard. About half a bunch each that I purchased at this time of year. Add one chopped green onion, 1/2 chopped cucumber, a chopped Roma tomato, and mint (fresh or dried) to taste. I add quinoa (about 1/4c.) but you can use bulgar if that is your preference. Dress with a light lemon and olive oil dressing. The taste will be a little bitter, but I really like that. Enjoy!
MY SECRET ELF
So many of you have told me how much you enjoy this newsletter and others have said they love my website. Many of you took advantage of the free animal communication summit that I sent notices about, as well as enjoyed other events, classes, or social media postings from Heart to Heart. With teaching, clients, travel, farm management and daily life, managing a successful business takes a lot of time. I have a secret elf who takes on SO much of what I give to you to keep you informed and happy.
Cerian Scriven is my Virtual Assistant and we've been working together now for just over four years. She helps lighten the load in my business by taking on technical tasks such as putting together this newsletter, scheduling posts for social media, and updating and maintaining the website. What would take me several weeks to do, Cerian can accomplish in a matter of hours. I give her the content, and rely on her to make it happen.
Cerian is Welsh and lives in Spain. Since my clients live all over the world, including Europe, I’ve become used to the time difference. We have a coordinating meeting once a month by Zoom and use email to stay in touch for last minute projects. She offers packages of hours—I pay for 6 hours a month and usually use less than that because she is very fast and good at what she does.
If you need a little extra help with anything relating to admin, inbox or schedule management, customer service support, tech, websites and social media, Cerian currently has availability to take on a few new clients.
You can get in touch with her at cerian@cerian-online.com to talk about your needs. She really upped my game, so I know she can do this for you, too.
THE BOOKSHELF
WHAT IS GOOD GRIEF SUPPORT? Exploring the actors and actions in social support after traumatic grief by Cacciatore, Thieleman, Fretts, and Jackson.
I rarely recommend published studies to read—most are laden with heavy language and tedious to read. This study, however, presents some essential information that we all could use. It was published in 2021, after the peak of the Covid-19 epidemic. It indicated that those going through grief most appreciated emotional support—being present, holding space, and quiet understanding that allowed expression of deep grief and acceptance of emotional states.
Participants were volunteers who were experiencing severe grief from recent losses due to covid. Quotes from participants included, “ANYONE doing ANYTHING that lets me know they are thinking of me”, and “Never mentioning my daughter as if she never existed…friends stopped talking to us”.
Interestingly, animals came in first as premier supporters, higher than counselors or mortuary staff. The table below is very telling about our community’s ability to address grief support. You can read the whole study at https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0252324.
I hope you will join us for this unique summit. Karen Anderson is only one of the twelve fascinating people offering great information on communication with animals. Twelve different perspectives that I think you will enjoy. I’m bringing the shamanic perspective to communication.
If you would like to donate to Painted Rain Ranch Animal Sanctuary, just go to Karen’s website or click on this link.
BEFRIEND YOUR GRIEF
One of my favorite people is a fellow animal chaplain, Rev. Marshall Hammer, who is also a chaplain and counselor for people. Fifteen years ago, Marshall lost her father to suicide. More than 42% of American adults know someone who has died by suicide and each loss affects at least 135 other people. But we rarely talk about it. Even though so many of us have been affected, the general public knows very little about suicide, its causes and ramifications.
In Marshall’s words, “When someone dies of cancer, we call them fighters. When someone dies in an accident, we call it tragic. When someone dies by suicide, we whisper, we hedge. My father’s life was not diminished by his death. His love, his humor, his struggles, his gifts were not less real because of how his life ended.”
Reverend Marshall has begun a new cohort for support: BEFRIEND YOUR GRIEF, a 12-week live experience for survivors of suicide loss. It’s capped at 10 people because the work requires intimacy. It will be held on Zoom. Marshall says, “I am not here to get you “over” your loss…I’m here to walk alongside you until you can feel the ground under your feet again.” Within 90 days, most people are sleeping better. The intrusive thoughts loosen their grip. They begin to have moments, small at first, of something other than pain. Not because the grief is gone, but because they now have a way to hold it.
Because the group beginning on March 24 is full, Reverend Marshall has opened a new cohort which will run from April 22-July 22, 2026. If you know anyone who might benefit from this beautiful offering, please share this information. You can access the information and register to participate at https://befriendyourgrief.com or reach Reverend Marshall at marshall@reikifortoday.com, 828-585-5995.
JOIN ME FOR THE TRIP OF A LIFETIME!
We have already begun planning the 2027 group trip to Peru. It’s going to be amazing! The magic I experienced last year with the condors and the spiritual journeys to Lake Titicaca will be combined for the 2027 trip. Dates for the trip will be October 25-November 6, 2027. Fifteen days that include Arequipa (Colca Canyon and the condors), Lake Titicaca (including overnight on the island of Taquile), Cusco, Machu Picchu overnight, and Lima. It’s the best of what I’ve experienced over 26 years of exploring the gifts of this beautiful culture, people, arts and food.
With each newsletter, I will be giving you descriptions of various sites and the activities we’ll be engaging in. This may seem early to think about a trip in late 2027, but the truth is, that Peru has become a prime site for visitors. The earlier we can confirm our reservations, the less expensive it will be for those who join us. I will have the trip costs by October 2026, and we have a payment deadline for June 1, 2027.
Because I am a member of three families in the Sacred Valley, those who travel with me get the ‘family’ welcome, which usually includes music and dancing with great food. You will experience a very intimate connection with the Quechua culture. Something most people don’t see.
We won’t know the exact cost until a bit later this year when the 2027 fees are announced, but the ball park is likely going to be $4500 per person, not including airfare or costs in Lima. Because I go every year, my friends in Lima who run the inn where we stay offer a very affordable price for bed & breakfast in the nicest section of Lima, Miraflores and I know wonderful, cheap places with great food. We will be taking 3 domestic flights, for which we usually purchase group tickets (to make sure everyone is on the same plane) closer to the trip time. These are also not included in the trip price.
A bonus offering of the trip is ceremony and participation in Dias de los Muertos celebrations in Pisaq. We’ll be making pan wawa with the community to put on the ofrendas/altars for the ancestors.
Included in the trip cost is all ground transportation, lodging, all but a handful of meals, guide/interpreter, and entry to all sites. Our guides know so much about the history and culture of Peru. The group is small—only 12 people, so we can be flexible and go off the beaten path. Let me show you my favorite places and introduce you to some of the most beautiful people in the world. If interested, just contact me at ramsey.judy003@yahoo.com and I’ll send you the full brochure booklet by email. You’ve heard me talk about Peru for years! Now it’s YOUR turn!
UPCOMING CLASSES
Find full descriptions and costs of the classes and events on the website - https://JudyRamsey.net. Registrations are on the website. Once registered, a Zoom invitation will be sent to receive the meeting link. If you want to attend a journey circle, please contact Judy at info@judyramsey.net. Journey circles are held the first and third Thursday of each month. All classes and journey circles are recorded for your convenience. All class times listed are eastern time.
APRIL 11, 2026
Shamanic Gardening - From vision to harvest, take steps to manifest your life dreams and goals through shamanic gardening. Learn how to work with blocks and challenges so that everything contributes to your growth and synchronizes with your own pace and flow.
The class will be taught online via ZOOM.
$160 per person, $80 for repeating students
9am-4pm eastern time
(consideration may be made for west coast students with starting time at 10am-4pm)
APRIL 2 & 16, 2026
Journey Circle—Journey circle meets on the first and third Thursday of each month, exploring themes that support your inner work. Your first circle is free. Pre-requisite: shamanic journeying skills.
Held online via ZOOM
$25 per session or $40 per month
7pm-8:30pm est
Contact Judy for registration and payment.
APRIL 25-26, 2026
Ancestors: the Power Within - Ancestors can be powerful allies in your practice, and healing our ancestral lines can help us heal ourselves and our families. Deepen your connection with the grandmothers and grandfathers in ceremony, in initiation and in the shamanic journey. Prerequisite: basic journeying skills.
The class will be taught online via ZOOM.
$220 per person, $110 for repeating students
9am-4pm eastern time
(consideration may be made for west coast students with starting time at 10am-4pm)
JUNE 4 & 18, 2026
Journey Circle—Journey circle meets on the first and third Thursday of each month, exploring themes that support your inner work. Your first circle is free. Pre-requisite: shamanic journeying skills.
Held online via ZOOM
$25 per session or $40 per month
7pm-8:30pm est
Contact Judy for registration and payment.
JUNE 13-14, 2026
Basic Shamanic Journeying— The shamanic journey is an easy and powerful tool we can use to access spiritual information. In this class you will meet and begin to develop a relationship with a compassionate spirit or power animal who is coming forward to help you at this time in your life. You will learn techniques to help you develop a self-directed practice of empowerment, allowing you to move safely, intentionally through the world in a balanced way.This class is a prerequisite to ongoing and more advanced shamanic studies.
The class will be taught online via ZOOM.
$160 per person, $80 for repeating students
9am-3pm each day
(consideration may be made for west coast students with starting time at 10am-4pm)
JULY 1-AUGUST 26, 2026
Shamanic Healing for Animals Level I - Explore unique perspectives for animal healing that draw upon core shamanic practices. Students will develop a toolkit of techniques within a supportive, interactive, and experiential learning framework of instruction from a professional animal communicator who also practices shamanism. Prerequisite: journeying basics. Knowledge of animal communication not necessary. The class is taught via ZOOM.
$425 per person, $225 for repeating students
7pm-9pm Wednesdays for 9 weeks, eastern time
JULY 2 & 16, 2026
Journey Circle—Journey circle meets on the first and third Thursday of each month, exploring themes that support your inner work. Your first circle is free. Pre-requisite: shamanic journeying skills.
Held online via ZOOM
$25 per session or $40 per month
7pm-8:30pm est
Contact Judy for registration and payment.
JULY 11-12, 2026
Extraction: A Shamanic View of Illness - Extraction: Illness & Healing From a Shamanic Perspective. This is an advanced class with a limit of 6 persons.
Deepen your understanding of illness and how one’s spirit can help the physical body thrive or not. From a shamanic perspective, there are three causes of illness: loss of power, loss of soul essence, and intrusions. We will focus on power loss and extraction of intrusions. Explore different ways to “diagnose” an illness as well as to address its healing. Working with partners, deepen your understanding of spiritual intrusions and learn ways to extract them. Prerequisites: Basic Journeying, Medicine For the Earth/Healing With Spiritual Light. Suggested Reading: Walking In Light by Sandra Ingerman. Class will be taught via ZOOM with careful monitoring of techniques and practice.
9am-5pm EDT each day
$300 per person, $150 for repeat students
Attendance at all sessions is required
JULY 25-26, 2026
Basic Telepathic Animal Communication - Learn to communicate with animals the way they communicate with each other. Using all your senses, open to your intuitive, playful perceptions through exercises that will support your opening safely and comfortably. Pre-requisite: Animal Talk, by Penelope Smith. The class will be taught online via ZOOM.
$180 per person, $90 for repeating students
9am-4pm each day
(consideration may be made for west coast students with starting time at 10am-4pm)