On The Farm
Season’s Greetings! We’ve been winterizing the trees and bushes with wraps against the sharpness of the cold north winds that come at this time of year. Winds have been fierce and strong lately - our chimes and wind spinners are going crazy!
We set up additional bird feeders and suet holders for the feathered ones, and are providing ears of dried corn for the rabbits and squirrels, as well as our stale bread and leftover popcorn, and some peanuts in the shell. There is always something you can do to support the animals around you, even in the city. If you can’t support wildlife, many animal shelters and rescue organizations have wish-lists. Check out the opportunities.
Mostly at this time, I am grateful. I wish for all of you the peace of the season and the joy of new beginnings with the new year. I am grateful for all of you and for the community that continues to grow to serve the animals and the spirit of the land. Thank you for your scholarship donations, your registration for classes, and your encouragement to continue this work with both animals and people. Many blessings to you!
Gift Certificates
Healing yourself with Sound
I have listened to Tom Kenyon’s sound healings and meditations for some time and am always amazed at their powerful effect. When you visit his site, take a look at the LISTENING option in the menu. These are free recordings that you can listen to for self-healing. I used the HEALING REGRET sound meditation for December’s first journey circle and everyone who participated had astounding results.
Before listening to that selection, listen to Tom’s instructions for visualization. They will help to clarify your intention for the healing and take you deeper into the process.
I hope this will be a good resource for you to settle into your peace and inner harmony. Many blessings for the new year.
‘Tis the Season!
If you are wanting to donate to an organization that will help animals and the Earth, here are a few suggestions.
There is a special organization, Refurbished Pets of Southern Michigan, that takes rescue dogs and places them in prisons for training. This not only helps the dog, but also helps the incarcerated person with viable job skills, or if they do not have a parole option, with skills training to be of service to the community. Our beloved Stitch was just such a dog. We got to meet him at 3 months old, just before he went to prison. When we picked him up 10 weeks later, he was fully trained, obedient (as much as a puppy can be), and healthy. Puppies spend 10 weeks in training, and adult rescue dogs spend up to 16 weeks - more attention span. This is a very worthwhile program that needs donations to exist. See more about the organization and its mission, which also exists in Texas and a couple of other states, or donate here.
If you are in the southeast Michigan area, the Humane Society of Huron Valley is providing free adoptions during December. Potential adopting families or individuals are carefully screened for adoption criteria, but the fee is waived for this month only. See their website for more details.
I generally make all my donations once a year in December. Here are some of my favorites.
The Environmental Defense Fund
Funds go toward climate impact on lands that can be reclaimed and preserved. They have a beautiful report on what is happening in my state quarterly.
Funds go for ocean restoration, preservation of water species like whales, dolphins, coral reefs. They also have a wonderful newsletter report that keeps you informed about the state of our precious water resources in the ocean.
Center for Biological Diversity
Funds go to restore endangered species and for education.
Formerly the Sierra Club Defense Fund, this organization provides legal support for land and wildlife preservation as well as lobbying for conservation legislation.
Funds go to restoring wild fish populations as sustainable food sources, among other missions.
The Bookshelf
This month I have something different to recommend. Instead of a book, I would like to share a new (to me) musician, Nessi Gomes. Her music is shamanic, environmental, upbeat and beautiful. Listen to her on YouTube or at her website. Click on the picture to hear En El Cielo—Pacha Mama. I think of her music as gentle activism for the environment and the world. Although this song is in Spanish, her album is sung in English. Enjoy.
The I Am Winter Solstice Symposium and Firekeepers
With the Solstice, light begins to return to us in the northern hemisphere. Each year, Renee Baribeau, my mentor for doing the wind work, hosts a live-streaming symposium with speakers who inspire, inform and entertain. The event has a shamanic background, with quite a variety of topics to help everyone in the new year - you don’t have to be a shamanic practitioner to enjoy this event. It is free to everyone who registers, with recordings at the end of each day if you couldn’t join the session live.
Be curious, take a look at the topics and speakers to see what inspires you. I will be presenting THE ANIMAL WITHIN, on the lessons for living that animals have taught me over the past 15 years of communication. My talk will be on December 23 at noon eastern time. I hope to see you there!