Tidings of Joy

Still snowy here in Seattle, although the precipitation is now our customary rain, and I am getting caught up on uploading the last of my winter wonderland photos. Our Christmas card, above, features my dog, Puma, on a run across the bridge in Schmitz Park, last old growth forest in Seattle. You can check out the rest of the photos at my Flickr site, and you can see a winter wren having breakfast, and what cats do while dogs are going crazy in the snow!

And if you have not already read them, there are two more posts in this photo essay snow and holiday series: Winter Solstice Animal Celebrations, and Dog Walking in A Winter Wonderland. Enjoy!

So, from all of us, may your Holiday and New Year be as joyous as the expression on Santa Puma's face!

Rose De Dan
Wild Reiki and Shamanic Healing LLC
Website: www.reikishamanic.com
Blog: www.wildreiki.wordpress.com
Animal and Reiki Art: www.cafepress.com/reikishamanic

Ancient Healing Meets Modern Car

Shamanic inspiration often surfaces in interesting ways. Shamanism is not just about being spiritual, it is about walking in this world in a spiritual fashion. I always find it amusing when I receive a new idea that can do both.

In the Peruvian shamanic tradition sacred palo santo wood (or holy wood) is used for offerings in ceremony and as an incense for smudging and clearing of heavy energies. It has a wonderful scent that is difficult to describe, but everyone who smells it finds it unique and delightful. Unlit, its aroma and energy can produce a relaxation response, which is why I like to keep some out at home and in my office.

One day I suddenly had a vision of creating a palo santo wood pendant that could be used as a car air freshener. If blessed shamanically the palo santo wood could also assist in keeping the space in the car clear while assisting in reducing driving stress!

I smiled as I realized that this natural wood could be a more beautiful, sustainable and spiritual alternative to the popular, but chemically enhanced “Christmas tree” air fresheners I see hanging from many rear view mirrors. The palo santo wood is longer lasting, too, making it economical and earth friendly. You can rejuvenate the scent by sanding lightly with a nail file, or simply scratching it with a thumbnail.

So, I now offer the Palo Santo Wood Car Air Freshener Pendant under my Peruvian and Shamanic Gifts page on my website. A package contains three energetically blessed pieces of palo santo, each decorated with a different hand-painted bead from Peru (two Inca designs and one desert scene with llama), strung on a hand-cut leather thong to hang or carry. And with three I figured you can use them all throughout your house, too, they work great as a closet or drawer sachet, or you could pass one along as a gift.

I like the thought that the pendant might bring down the stress level of people stuck in traffic (I live in Seattle where gridlock on I-5 is becoming a major occurrence), or perhaps might help a driver stay grounded, balanced and centered for an overall safer driving experience. I can’t wait to see how other ancient traditions might suggest adaptations for our modern world.

Gracie by Morning Light

As outgoing as Gracie is, being the official greeter of our block, still she is shy of paparazzi. Rhonda, one of my Reiki Master students, has been armed with camera for the last several weeks. Every time she has come by for class she has kept an eye out for a Gracie sighting, with hopes of being granted a photo op. So far Rhonda has landed only one opportunity, and of course on that momentous occasion she had been late for an appointment and could not dally for more than a couple of shots.

And, of course, Gracie is not an easy subject because she is so friendly (see Gracie the Cat Star). As seen in the photo that accompanies that blog, the best shot that Rhonda was able to capture was at very close range with Gracie sitting on her knee. (Check out Rhonda's other photos.)

Many students and clients have quizzed me on whether they have had a Gracie sighting, offering descriptions of every other cat on the street (and there are quite a few). It was really driven home to me this past weekend while teaching Reiki Level I class just how much of a celebrity Gracie has become. While the students were practicing offering Reiki through chair sessions someone spotted Gracie across the street. There was a sudden rush of excitement that went through the class and I noticed that the students that were receiving Reiki had to quell an impulse to stand up and try to see her!

Yesterday morning as I greeted the day and looked out my windows across the street, I saw Gracie enjoying a morning sunbath before beginning her busy day of greetings and rounds. In the spirit of a true paparazzi I grabbed my camera, ignoring the exclamations of disappointment from my animals who were expecting their breakfasts, and headed out the door in my pajamas.

Despite the fact that she had not yet completed her morning toilette, sans briskly groomed fur or breakfast, Gracie graciously consented to a star turn in front of the camera. Several shots were taken in the doorway, with Gracie even turning her head to present a perfect profile. Next she posed surveying her domain, and then obliged me with her signature walk, always used when hurrying to greet her next new friend. I thanked her profusely for taking the time to work with me, she curled up against my side for a moment of affection, and then strolled off to begin her day.

And so, you see it here first, folks, a star is born! And since every star has her fan memorabilia, Gracie now has her own greeting card, journal, note cards, and pin-up poster!

Call of the Wild

I’ve been busy this week revamping the greeting cards section of my Animal Art & Gifts site. Greeting cards are now available as single cards at only $3.49, making it easier to mix and match rather than having to purchase a group of the same design! This means you can stock up on the great series which focus on shamanism, cats as urban tigers, joyful and expressive dogs, and many other images promoting our connection to the natural world.

Even better, there’s a new greeting card available featuring the art of Robert Blehert in the form of an incredible impressionist-style painting of a wolf.

Robert is a friend of mine, and he had been working on some paintings for the recent fund-raising auction for the local Seattle Woodland Park Zoo. When he sent me an advance image of the wolf I fell in love with it and asked his permission to add it to my greeting cards (the wolf is also available as a journal). In addition to the wolf image I also carry Robert's gorgeous "Cat Think" painting as a greeting card, ornament and magnet.

If you would like to see more of Robert’s Blehert's paintings you can visit his website.