On The Farm
Every few years, we get a gift of a mild winter to help us regroup, cozy up, and go inward. I love spending time in the woods with Stitch. We were blessed with a flight of sandhill cranes with their wonderful calling that my neighbor says sounds like aliens landing. And fog makes the woods mysterious and otherworldly. Great time to connect with the Earth.
In December, I was given a “prescription” by one of my spirit guides. Prescriptions are gentle rituals from healing ceremonies that help one to integrate what one received in the energy work of the shamanic journey. My prescription was to channel a blessing every day for 30 days. Sounds a lot easier than it is. With these prescriptions, if you miss a day, you have to begin again from Day 1.
Those of you who subscribe to SHAMANIMAL, my Facebook page for clients and students, got to see all 36 blessings—I did have to start over once.
John O’Donohue, Irish poet and philosopher, said in his book, TO BLESS THE SPACE BETWEEN US, that blessing is a way of life. During my month of blessings, I did find that my perspective was very gradually shifting to see the blessing in everything, even in the irritations of daily life. Now, if I encounter a challenge in my day, I ask to see the blessing in it. This gives me another side of things to look at, more information to bring more compassion to another or joy and compassion to myself.
I encourage you to get outside, even in the cold, the rain, the snow to see the beauty around you. Stitch gets me out in all kinds of weather to find the blessings. He joyfully sees them everywhere and is teaching me how to do that when I am present with him.
If you would like to access the Shamanimal Facebook page, just go to your Facebook account, search for Shamanimal, and ask to join the group. It is a good place to post photos and happenings with your own beloved animal friends, or cartoons that feature animals.
Bless you!
In light of my prescription last month, I thought I would repeat this video on Blessings that I did last summer. It provides a formula for the blessing, but you don’t have to follow it. Just accepts whatever comes to you when you ask for a blessing each day. It may be helpful to journal your blessings. Enjoy!
Cause of the month
OUR BIG FAT CARIBBEAN RESCUE conducts nonprofit spay/neuter services on the island of Vieques, a small island on the eastern coast of Puerto Rico. Last year, over 2,000 cats and dogs were neutered. The organization is creating a more humane island for its residents, supported by the dedication of their Puerto Rican veterinary surgical team and clinical volunteers. There are currently 14 mobile clinics on Vieques where sometimes as many as 400 animals are seen in a day.
During a home visit, they often find animals chained. Fences are rare, and expensive. Many animals are tethered to keep them home and safe. OBFCR volunteers replace chains with lightweight tie outs, new collars and offer dog bowls. When they have it, they treat the animals for flea/ticks, offer first aid and free food. All of these goods are donated through their Amazon WishList or in-kind donations from non-profits. They also sign up every animal for free spay/neuter and offer free vet care. Despite the unreliability of the ferries, their home and professional commitments, storms and even a pandemic, the staff and volunteers have organized, staffed, transported, set-up and taken down each clinic.
Recently, the main offices of OBFCR were vandalized, destroying their computers and clinical equipment, and supplies were stolen. This event really set the organization back in their mission and was devastating to their volunteers. If you would like to help them rebuild, go to ourbigfatcaribbeanrescue.org.
They are a U.S. 501.C3 nonprofit, so any donation is tax deductible. Veterinary care on the island is nearly non-existent except for this service. Please consider supporting Our Big Fat Caribbean Rescue.
Resources for your animal friends
From time to time, I have client animals who are not responding well to traditional veterinary care. It is difficult to locate a holistic veterinarian who uses non-traditional care. If you have one, count your blessings. There are, however, holistic practitioners trained in alternative medicine modalities for animals that may be able to support you and your animal friend. It is always important to know the pros and cons of each of these modalities, so do your homework before you try them.
Here are descriptions of some of those modalities so you know what to look for.
FLOWER ESSENCES
Flower essences contain the extracted properties of plants and work energetically and subtly to heal aspects of the mind, body and spirit. Because animals respond well to the energy in the medicine, essences are ideal for highly sensitive cases. I use them to support PTSD, grief, separation anxiety and fear responses. Each resource listed below has assistance which will help you choose, or will formulate the correct essence for the condition you want to alleviate.
My friend, Libby Hopkins, has been working with essences for thirteen years with both wild and domestic animals. She recently wrote an article on using flower essences with horses, donkeys and mules. For the full article, see www.judyramsey.net/flowersforequines.
Libby recommends the following providers:
Alaskan Essences: www.universalessences.com, www.alaskanessences.com
Australian Bush Essences: www.ausflowers.co.uk, www.ausflowers.com.au
Botanical Animal Flower Essences: www.botanicalanimal.com
Great Lakes Sacred Essences: www.sacredessences.com
Green Hope Farm: www.greenhopeessences.com, has Animal Wellness essences
Indigo Essences: www.indigoessences.com
Jackson Galaxy: www.jacksongalaxy.com, makes essences just for cats
Living Tree Orchid Essences: www.healingorchids.com
ACUPUNCTURE & CTVM
Acupuncture is part of an eastern healing tradition of medicine that has been around for centuries. A very gentle modality, it’s primary function is to support a body’s energy systems so that it can heal itself. It is only recently in the past 30 years or so, that western veterinary medicine has accepted acupuncture as a viable modality for musculo-skeletal pain, nerve damage, arthritis pain and organ dysfunction in animals. Many veterinarians now practice acupuncture and Chinese traditional veterinary medicine (CTVM) for their patients. CTVM practitioners can also advise about nutritional medicine and herbal supplements. From cats and dogs to horses, animals can find significant pain relief and restoration of function in their bodies.
See the following link for a brief description from National Geographic: www.youtube.com/watch?v=dR2YRk_p_Lo&t=6s.
Dr. Monica Turenne, D.V.M. in Ann Arbor, MI, has an amazing holistic practice. For more information on the CTVM modalities and holistic wellness, see her website, www.FourPawsVetWellness.com.
HARNESSES, BOOTS, SLINGS AND BRACES.
For dogs and cats who have compromised movement because of advanced arthritis, accidental injury or trauma, slings, harnesses, boots and braces can be a helpful adjunct to their veterinary treatment. Finding just the right one can be a challenge. First, check with your veterinarian on whether this kind of support might be helpful and how long or how often it can be used in a given day. Then, make sure it fits properly, so no wear sores appear and the animal is comfortable in movement. One of my friends recently tried support stockings for her arthritic dog, but couldn’t get them on his leg because of their very tight fit. She opted instead for a brace that was easier for both of them and is providing the desired outcome.
The equipment may be expensive, so check with your vet to see if there is a loan closet or used equipment cache that you can access if the device will be used temporarily. One supplier is Walkabout Harnesses, www.walkaboutharnesses.com, that provides good quality equipment. If your pet needs a simple sling to get up and down stairs with just a bit of assistance, consider making your own sling from a canvas shopping bag. Just slit the narrow sides of the bag from top to bottom, and hem or cut close to the seams. The bottom of the bag becomes the tummy holder and the handles help you lift the animal’s behind for ease of movement.
CRANIOSACRAL THERAPY AND BODYWORK.
Craniosacral therapy works with the nervous system to rebalance a body’s ability to heal itself. I was a craniosacral therapist for 25 years, and still practice with humans, but I have referred many clients for CST whose animals sustained head injuries or nerve damage from abuse trauma, birth accidents, or accidental injury while playing, being trailered or transported or falls. I refer clients to Lisa Murray, who has been doing animal massage and craniosacral therapy for some time. The important factors for me are 1) Lisa does excellent remote work, so if I have a horse client in California who sustained a head injury and won’t let anyone touch her, the remote work will do the job without anyone getting hurt by a cranky 1,000 pound animal. 2) When Lisa works with an animal, she provides a clinical report that can be given to any veterinarian, farrier or specialist and they will know exactly what was done, outcomes, recommendations and findings. It is so important to maintain contact with the veterinarian of record for any animal.
When our horses were with us, I always made sure they had regular sessions with an equine bodyworker. This helped them maintain their health and activity levels and relaxed them as much as it would you or me. In addition to massage, animal Reiki is a type of energy bodywork that animals respond to really well—again, a modality that helps the body heal itself. Chiropractic work is best done by a veterinary chiropractor, although they are few and far between in most areas. If a human chiropractor has been trained for animal treatment—the operative word is ‘trained’—your animal friend’s skeletal discomfort may be alleviated if it isn’t something too serious.
I hope these few descriptions are helpful. Do your homework before you try any of them and do consult your holistic veterinarian or homeopathic practitioner to make sure a given modality is going to be beneficial for your animal friends. Know that not every veterinarian has had exposure to some of these approaches.
The Bookshelf
I have two aging cats, 16 years old, who are retired barn cats now living inside for ease of their care, which has shifted significantly over the past couple of years. I want them to have the very best old age possible.
COMPLETE CARE FOR YOUR AGING CAT, by Amy Shojai, is the aging cat Bible. Shojai covers many important aspects of the aging process for cats and tells us what to expect. It’s easy for an aging cat person to panic if we don’t know what’s happening. She describes in detail what each system goes through in aging. Details of specific conditions and illnesses are provided to give us a guideline of questions to ask the vet, and preparations to make for care. The most recent research results are there to help us make informed decisions, with recommendations for advanced care and pain management. I liked that the author talks frankly about preparing for end of life care and the grief that will follow. As an animal communicator who provides hospice communication services, I appreciated the clear explanation of euthanasia and the choices a person has to help their animal friends.
The appendices to this book are a treasure trove of additional resources, including additional reading, online information, insurance plans, food for seniors, and what to keep in your animal medicine chest for emergencies and ongoing care. There’s also a list of experts in the field to refer to.
This is probably the most comprehensive and well written book on feline aging that I have seen. I hope it provides helpful information for care of your aging cat.
Upcoming classes and workshops
Find full descriptions and costs of the classes and events on the website - www.JudyRamsey.net.
Registrations are on the website except for Journey Circle. Once registered, a Zoom invitation will be sent to register to receive the meeting i.d. and passcode. If you have difficulty with a registration, please contact Judy at info@judyramsey.net. All classes and journey circles are recorded for your convenience.
ATTENTION: I AM INVITING A MASTER DRUM MAKER TO CONDUCT A WORKSHOP ON SEPTEMBER 2, 2023.
Ool Pardi, shamanic practitioner, will be guiding participants to make a buffalo drum with native elements. Cost is $275, which is quite good for these drums and instruction.
I need to know how many of you would be interested in attending before I confirm the workshop.
Please contact me at info@judyramsey.net if this resonates with you. You do not have to be a shamanic practitioner to attend. Thanks.
January 28-29, 2023
Basic Shamanic Journeying
The shamanic journey is an easy and powerful tool used to access spiritual information. 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. The techniques will 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.
9am-3pm EDT
Cost is $160, $75 for repeating students.
Zoom
February 2 & 16, 2023
Journeying Circle
If you know how to do shamanic journeying, you know that it is a path of direct revelation. Come join us as we explore different aspects of our life’s path, doing healing for ourselves as well as for the world. Zoom registration required—contact Judy at info@JudyRamsey.net
7pm-8:30pm EDT
Cost is $25 per session or $40 per month to attend
Zoom
February 4, 2023
Shamanic Personal Safety: Creating Sacred Protected Space
Learn techniques for energy hygiene and personal protection when doing shamanic work, and why it is so important.
9am-4pm EST
Cost is $80, $40 for repeating students
Zoom
February 15-April 12, 2023
Shamanic Healing for Animals I
Working with animals of all species, 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. Pre-requisite: journeying skills.
7pm-9pm EST weekly on Wednesdays
Cost is $360, $125 for repeating students
Zoom
February 25, 2023
Making Ceramic Rattles
Whether you are a shamanic practitioner or musician, or someone who just wants to craft a beautiful tool to help you with your spiritual practice, join us and instructor Eli Zemper, of Curiouser Clay, to construct and glaze two ceramic rattles. There is opportunity to purchase additional materials as well, if you have time to make another. Rattles will be fired off-site and collected about a month after construction.
1pm-5pm
Cost is $75 per person
Locale is Chelsea, MI (once registered, directions will be sent)
March 2 & 16, 2023
Journeying Circle
If you know how to do shamanic journeying, you know that it is a path of direct revelation. Come join us as we explore different aspects of our life’s path, doing healing for ourselves as well as for the world. Zoom registration required—contact Judy at info@JudyRamsey.net
7pm-8:30pm EDT
Cost is $25 per session or $40 per month to attend
Zoom
March 11-12 & 25-26, 2023
Medicine for the Earth/Healing With Spiritual Light
Explore the depth of your own inner light and its connection with All That Is. Learn how to transform the energy behind toxic thoughts and achieve balance in yourself and harmony in your world. You will connect with nature, spirit allies, and the elements to learn how to transform and heal yourself, your community and your environment. Suggested reading: Medicine for the Earth: How to Transform Personal and Environmental Toxins by Sandra Ingerman. Journeying skills are not necessary. All levels and traditions are welcome. This class is a core class for the year-long program for shamanic studies, but one does not need to be enrolled in the program to experience this class.
9am-4pm each day EST, two weekends with a week between
Cost is $375 per person, $125 for repeating students
Zoom