On The Farm
As we feel autumn in the cool air, it is bittersweet. The horses loved the shift, running, playing, and embodying the crispness and relief from the heat. I miss their seasonal energy, finding joy in the memories.
I love fall colors. Now, so many blooms—asters, goldenrod, some phlox fooled by the cooler nights, thistles’ furry heads of brilliant purple. How wonderful to watch the color pallette change across seasons. Time to plant bulbs at the tiny house.
A family of rabbits has moved under the tiny house. I hear them storing black walnuts—sounds like they are constructing a bowling alley. Their entrance is beside a large bunny planter that WAS full of impatiens. Apparently, they thought that was a welcome gift, as they have eaten the flowers down to nubbins. I do enjoy their energy with me as I work.
As much as we suffered from heat and humidity, the plants loved it! The apple tree in front of the tiny house has given such abundance this year that we invited everyone we knew to come and get apples before the branches broke from the load. I think the tree is happy to get daily attention.
I hope your harvest is abundant and rich, and your autumn is beautiful.
The Best of Both Worlds
As I began to focus on doing shamanic healing and animal communication, I wondered how to merge these two passions into a smooth union. It seemed that I had two different audiences to address—those whose interest was spiritually shamanic and those who wanted to be closer to their animals and provide better care for them.
I realized, after speaking with friends, that there isn’t really a dilemma. The connection with spirit, the focus on service, and the support of individuals and families is exactly the same. It was the same when I was doing craniosacral therapy for the past 25 years—I was connecting with a person’s body, mind, and spirit to support healing and to open awareness and connection to their whole health. Providing animal communication for the past 16 years, I was connecting with the animal telepathically, communicating deeply with body, mind, and spirit. I just didn’t know it was shamanic practice, but it was.
I only got a name for what I do eight years ago when I discovered my first shamanic teacher, Carla Meeske. More beautiful teachers came after that and brought me fully into service in a way that the logistics of clinical work never could— I was headed this way anyway.
I hope that those of you who haven’t tried shamanic healing will be encouraged to do so for yourself or for your animal friends. It approaches illness and dis-ease very gently, in a supportive way that feels different from what you may have tried before, especially for trauma recovery. If what you’ve been trying hasn’t worked, maybe it’s time for something a little different. It would bring me great joy to provide that for you.
Please post your own animal photos and nature experiences on The Heart to Heart Facebook
A New Facebook Group for Students
I am fortunate to teach the world’s best students in both animal communication and shamanic practice. Because of the nature of the work- expanding awareness, connecting at a deep level with Spirit, and developing the capability of profound stillness—students tend to form close ties in community with each other and many classes form a support group after class ends.
Now, there is a Facebook group for all students which will provide continued opportunity to share experiences, pose questions, post about animals you need help with, and learn more about animals and shamanic practice. Judy will be doing Facebook live tutorials from time to time, using topics suggested by the focus group held in the spring and by her guiding spirits, who ALWAYS have something to say! The group’s name was suggested by my wind work study buddy, Brigid Hopkins—SHAMANIMAL. I think that’s brilliant.
If you have taken a class of any kind from Judy, you can ask to join this group and continue your learning in animal communication or shamanic practice—maybe you’ll get interested in something you haven’t yet tried! FIRST, “like” the Facebook page for Heart to Heart, then go to Shamanimal Facebook group and ask to join the group. Hope to connect with you there!
The Bookshelf
Every season, I make a mandala in nature by gathering whatever beautiful thing calls to me. It is my way of honoring the season, honoring the spirit of my land, my home, and it gives me a way of communing with nature.
Imagine my surprise to find MORNING ALTARS by Day Schildkret. This beautiful book describes a 7-step process for making your own mandala ritual for the nature in your place. Filled with gorgeous photos of the author’s work, it is truly an inspirational book. The 7 steps show you how to connect deeply with the nature around you, whether you live in town or in the country. Enjoy!
The Scholarship Fund
Just an update about the scholarship fund for students who are working with animals: we raised enough through Go Fund Me to pay for one student in Zanzibar to complete the Medicine For the Earth course. She works with rescues of all kinds on the island.
At the end of September, the donation “button” will be moved to the website, where you can donate any amount to help services reach a broader audience of animals and people than I can do alone. These students range from rescue and shelter staff to veterinarians to volunteers for animals all over the world.
If you have experienced a fulfilling healing or communication session for yourself or your animal friend, or you have been a student yourself and can help others achieve their dream, please consider donating. Until October, you can donate at https://gofund.me/7cc8227d. The next newsletter will have details on how to donate to the fund from October on. Thanks so much to those of you who have helped us support our students.
Honoring Animals
When we've lived with an animal as a family member, and bonded closely over years, it is important to honor their passing, just as we would a human family member. This honoring can take a variety of shapes and helps with closure of a cycle of our lives to which this animal was important. Click here to watch honoring animals.
Upcoming Classes
UPCOMING CLASSES
October 9-10, 2021
The Art of Shamanism for Practical and Visionary Purposes in Daily Life
$140 if paid by October 1, $160 after.
9 am-3 pm each day.
Online ZOOM class.
Everyone welcome.
October 23-24, 2021
Extraction: Illness & Healing From a Shamanic Perspective
$180 paid by October 15, $220 after.
9 am-5 pm each day.
Online ZOOM class.
Permission of instructor is required to attend.
January 16-21, 2022 Soul Retrieval $600 tuitition plus room & board TBD. Begins at 9 am each day. Residential in-person class Location: Ann Arbor, Michigan Advanced Class. Permission of instructor is required to attend.