Re-post of a interview with Johnathan Clarkson Falconer in 2008...

now you can find what he's doing at

www.americanhawkeye.com

Interview with a Falconer---August 2008, 

I have always been in awe of raptors, the Hawk being one of my favorite, so being up close to one and feeling the rush of air on my legs as she swooped by me at a speed of 100 MPH or more, was like a dream come true.

I had the privilege of doing an Interview with a Falconer, and I'd like to introduce you to,

Amelia the 3 month old Prairie Falcon and her handler Jonathan Clarkson.

Johnathan was young man in my 4-H group, in the early 90’s. He was an energetic child, always hiking, fishing, being one with nature and usually doing things his own way, catching his first Hawk when he was around 13. Often I would see him, no saddle and bare feet, with his horse Smokey running up the fields behind my house, free like the birds he loves.
Since then he has grown into a fine young man and I have great admiration and pride for the man that he has become.

KMS: 
What is a falconer?

J. 
Someone who trains birds of prey for hunting

KMS 
Jonathan, You told me yesterday you do exhibitions, what is one important fact you want people to know about Falconry?

J 
I tell them it’s important they understand falconry is not keeping a raptor as a pet. The purpose of doing this is to train them to fly free and catch game. This was the original purpose of falconry, an easy way for people to get food.

KMS 
When did you know you wanted to be a falconer?

J. 
I've always been interested with birds, actually, since I could read I use to read about them. When I was in elementary school, I met a man that did bird banding, so I helped him with that. I’ve always liked birds of prey. When I was real little kid, there was a movie called Lady Hawk. A movie set in medieval times, that had a Hawk in it and that’s when I knew I really wanted to work with hawks and birds of prey.

KMS 
I know exactly what movie you are speaking of, it’s one of my favorites too. Please continue.

J. 
After watching that movie, I knew I wanted to do that (be close) with a bird of prey.

KMS. 
What does it take to become a falconer?

J 
Lot of hard work and patience. Legally you have to get a state and federal permit. The laws vary from state to state but they are trying to keep them close to being the same.

KMS. 
Do you have to go through any kind of training?

J. 
Yes, you have to go through an apprenticeship and serve under someone for two years. There are three different classes of falconry, an apprentice class, general and master’s class and with a bird for four months, in two different 12 month periods. An apprentice in NY can only have kestrel (sparrow hawk) or a Red Tail hawk. They have to be captured from the wild as a passage bird.

KMS. 
What is a passage bird.

J.
A passage bird is a bird that’s in its hatching year on its first migration. In NY the trapping season is from Sept to January

KMS 
Why did you choose working with Raptors?

J. 

Again since I was a kid, I was always interested and intrigued by them. Now that I am working and training Raptors, I get to see from their level how they hunt. Plus to be with them when they reach the next level, and right there when they are hunting, as a companion, lets you see how they hunt in the wild up close—is fascinating.

KMS 
How does one go about catching a raptor and at what age is best?

J 
That depends on what kind of prey you want to hunt. What kind of bird you want. You can capture them from the nest. There are all kinds of trapping methods. There are nets and box traps.

KMS 
How long does it take to catch a Raptor?

J. 
Sometimes it takes a long time. I’ve gone a couple of seasons without any luck.

KMS:
I watched you work Amelia yesterday and you mentioned that training a young raptor is a bloody task. How so and what do you to do train a young bird.

J 
You can use bait, like starlings, gerbil mice, nets, traps, etc. Songbirds are protected. There are special traps we use where the bait used in the traps are not harmed. When the rapture is young you have to try and mimic as close as you can to what their parents would do.

KMS 
HOW do you mimic its parents?

J. 
When a raptor is still in the nest, as they get older the parents fly by and drop food in, making the youngsters work for their food.
Then when they are fledglings, the parents drop food from above and have them catch it.We use lures to mimic this. They come in all shapes and sizes and you tie tidbits of meat and swing and drag the lure around, coaxing them to fly towards it. You give them a bagged animal, that’s alive for them to hunt.

KMS
So both parents are involved in raising their young raptors?

J 
Yes, Raptors are a family.

KMS
Jonathan, I'm not sure if I want to know, but I have to ask, you mentioned previously about giving your falcon a bagged animal. Please explain what a bagged animal is?

J 
Something you capture, like a Starling or Pigeon that you tie a drag weight on, with a line, so they can’t fly or run to far. The Falconer hangs on to the line to keep the game in a certain range where the young bird can see it. When the bagged animal tries to fly or run it entices the young bird to hunt it.

KMS 
Knowing you since you were a young child, I know you love animals. So how then can you willingly put a live animal out there to be killed by your bird in training or kill an animal to train your bird. How does this make you feel?

J
It’s hard. It’s a hard part of being a Falconer, but I realize in the wild their parents do the same thing, it’s part of the life cycle.

KMS 
So what this means then, if you decide to catch a young Rapture you become its parent and the responsibilities that go along with it.

J
Yes…If you are serious about being a Falconer, teaching others about Raptures and making your bird a good hunter, you have to replicate how it would learn to hunt as close to nature as possible. As your bird improves its hunting skills, you can’t keep handing them bagged or dead animals or they will not learn to hunt. They will soon learn not go after game that is physically fit, because the bagged or dead animal is easier. You have to push your bird to the limit. They must be physically fit and in the best health to be able to hunt like they should, and the way to achieve this is you must duplicate how they learn in the wild. You have to feed them well with what they would eat in the wild too. They have to be an athlete, or in the wild, it would mean certain death. The responsibility of a Falconer, because we want to learn and then teach others about these great birds is to do what’s best for the bird. As I said, it’s our responsibility, they did not asked to be captured.

KMS 
I don’t think most people think about a ‘bird’ being physically fit or an athlete.

J 
They have to be to survive in the wild. That’s why when they are young, their parents make them work for their food. It teaches them to use their instinctive skills. They MUST learn how to hunt for themselves and their families. In the wild, the ones that are not the athletes cannot survive.

KMS How long does it take to train a bird and at what age are they best to capture?

J 
About a month as a rule of thumb for training. Some are fast learners some are slower. The Prairie Falcon I have, as soon as she was flying she was pretty much trained. I captured her from the nest. She was all full of down, a little fluff ball. She became tame very quick.
To answer the second part of your question…at what age is best for them to be captured? The decision to catch a wild one or chose to take a baby from the nest, depends on what someone wants. If they want a really good hunting bird, they would want to capture a passage bird, because it’s already been living on its own for a couple months catching game. Many times though it will take them a little longer to become tame, called ‘manning’, (getting them use to humans).

KMS
What happens to these birds once you turn them back in the wild?

J. 
Imprints…birds captured from the nest, typically are not returned to the wild. They don’t think of themselves as a bird. So it is harder to return them. It can be done, but it is unusual. That’s why an apprentice can only capture a Kestrel or Red Tail from the wild (a passage bird), in case they loose it. It can return to the wild very quickly and it doesn’t take them very long to revert back. Imprints are use to man, use to dogs, which normally would be predators to them, so it would not be very fair to them to release them back in to the wild. They don’t have the natural fear to keep them safe. That’s why I stress the importance, that being a Falconer is a serious endeavor. You can’t take a bird from the wild, imprint it, get tired of doing it and just put it back.

KMS 
Which raptor is your favorite and why. Is one breed smarter or bolder than another?

J 
Yep, they are different, even raptors from the same families. For instance the Prairie Falcon I have, Amelia, my friend has her sister and they are two different personalities. Amelia, is quiet and friendly. My friends falcon squawks and bites his glove. A more aggressive one might make a better hunter, but I’ve also seen the quiet more docile ones have the most game kills. Sometimes the docile ones are just taking things in slower, thinking about them more. As far as my favorite bird, it depends on what you want to hunt. If you want to hunt up-game quarry, like Pheasants, or Grouse, Falcons are the best. I haven’t had one yet but probably my favorite is going to be the Goshawk. It belongs to a group called the accipiter, with short rounded wings and long tails. Their habitat is in thick woods. They catch birds, squirrels, rabbits, all kinds of rodents. They are very fast. In Europe, they were called Pot Hawks, because you could come back with all kinds of game for the dinner pot, geese, birds and game . I’ve always liked them so I would say they are my favorite, and I hope someday I will be able to fly one.

KMS 
Amelia is smaller then some of the other raptors you have mentioned. How with her smaller size does she hunt successfully and how are her hunting skills different than let’s say the Red Tail Hawk. Why did you choose her.

J 
I was impressed with the great hunting skills they (the falcons) have for a small rapture. Their successful kill rate is better than a Red Tail. If they go after game, they are 30-40% more likely to capture it on the first try. The Prairie Falcon is built different than the Red Tail. They are more streamlined and what’s considered a Long Wing. But her body is stocky and built rugged for hunting. She kills her prey with speed—hitting it at speeds of 200 MPH. If the impact does not kill her prey, then she severs its spine with a notch she has on her beak. Even though she is smaller, her wings are longer than the Red Tail and when she is full-grown she will probably weigh more. The Red Tail hunts with its talons. It could not hunt with impact like the falcon, because their bones are hollow. They look bigger because their feathers are fluffy.

KMS 
I noticed yesterday when I was up close to Amelia, her beak and legs are a bluish color. Is that a falcons coloring?

J 
Yes and no. The blue is normal for an immature falcon, and will stay that color until she is about a year old. When she matures her coloring will change.

KMS 
Oh and yesterday, you cued Amelia to fly between the two of us. As she flew by she was so fast, I couldn't catch her in my camera lens, and I could feel the rush of air as she swooped by. She was going 200 MPH?

J.
No…she was probably only doing about 100, just cruising.

KMS 
Is any breed of raptor bolder than another?

J 
Yes —Goshawk’s are very aggressive, and some species of falcons are more aggressive than others. Some falconers like certain falcons over others because of their flight styles. The Red Tail hawk is a very good hunter, plus many like them because of their beauty. It really depends on the falcon or raptor, just like a litter of pups; there are the bold ones and shy ones.

KMS 
You spend so much time with your bird, does a bond form between you and the bird?

J
Yes it does, but not as much as you think…we (falconers) all kind of want our birds to love us, like a dog, but they only perform because they know they will get food. Their bond is mostly around the food and game we provide them. As they become better at hunting with you as a team, they learn that you are their partner and you help provide game. There is a species of hawk however, called the Harris Hawk, that is very social and they live in a family group. Most raptors I know are solitary. Even during breeding season, they stick to themselves. The Harris Hawk on the other hand, is a big family group.

KMS 
Do hawks then mate for life?

J 
Yes most species do, until one dies or is killed. They will use the same nesting sites for many many years too. Often when one of the parents dies, the offspring will come back.
Let me go back to the Harris Hawk, because they live in families, when you take one you can take two and hunt them both or sometimes more. This is called gang hawking, kind of like a wolf pack. These raptors actually form a bond with you. They are very smart, and a lot of falconers like them because they are easy to train. Out of all the hawks, I would say the Harris Hawk builds the biggest bond

KMS 
Are raptors considered a bird or is a raptor in its own category?

J 
They are a bird, but they are in a group called Falconiforms, (eagles, falcons, hawks, osprey, secretary bird, vultures; class Aves) An order of diurnal birds that have sharp claws and strong hooked bills. They are mainly carnivorous, feeding on a wide variety of animal prey.
There are five families:

Accipitridae …
which are true hawks…hawks, eagles etc.
Falconidae …
Falcons,
Pandionidae …
Osprey
Sagittariidae …
Secretary bird that lives in Africa
Cathartidae …
are the vultures, which are really not considered birds of prey but they classify them together.
Owls are strigiformes

KMS 
Tell me a little about Amelia

J
She is a Prairie Falcon captured from the West Desert in Utah. Prairie Falcons are only found in the North American continent. For years, they thought they only lived in the Western Plain State and a little bit of Canada, but now they are finding that they nest deep in to Mexico.

KMS 
Do you think that’s just recent?

J 
No they probably just didn’t know. There are probably a lot of remote areas no one knows of yet. They believe the biggest population is in the Snake River Valley in Idaho. Falcons nest in rocky cliffs. Sometimes they will use old crows, ravens nests but not usually. Falcons do not build nests, they just lay their eggs in a little scrape. Some on real steep cliff faces. Their habitat is grasslands, prairie, desert, and open spaces.

KMS 
In General how many young do they have?

J 
This year in the nests they had around five babies, which is a good year. The amount of eggs a Raptor has depends on the prey base.

KMS 
Kind of like the wolf population?

J
Yep, all predators are the same in that respect. When there is a abundant food source, predators have a successful year.

KMS 
Out of those five eggs, how many usually survive?

J 
Rule of thumb, mortality rate is 80%. 80 out of 100 raptors will die before they reach maturity.

KMS 
Is that from other predators or different factors?

J 
Lots of things. Other predators, competition for food. Not enough food. Harsh weather. A predators life is hard on them.

KMS 
At what age do birds of prey start hunting in the wild on their own?

J 
Few months, the Prairie falcon fledges at about 8 to 10 weeks.

KMS 
Do birds of prey normally only have one brood a year or more?

J 
Normally they only have one. Sometimes though rare, if it’s a good year they can have a second.

KMS 
How long has Falconry been in existence and where did it start?

J 
One debate is that it started in Middle East. There’s also evidence it started in China. We know for sure its at least 4000 years old and that it may be older. I think probably the Middle East is where it started. There is evidence that the Egyptians practiced it and then Japan also. It got very popular again in the Renaissance, well even before that, in the Middle ages. It was for the hierarchy.
Back in the middle ages, different birds signified different classes. The birds the kings didn’t desire were for the peasants. They were very strict too. If you were caught with a bird out of you class designation they would cut your hands off. It was a very big social status, mostly for the rich. As you look through history, it was mostly a sport for the higher class.

KMS 
How do these birds fit into the hierarchy of the animal world and who are their predators.

J 
Different species have different predators. An Eagles predator would be other Eagles or man —man is their biggest predator. For the small raptures, their predators would be Eagles and Owls. Most all raptors who are diurnal, fear Owls. Because Owls are a nocturnal predator that hunt at night, and take a lot of young birds and many adult birds when they are sleeping. Prairie Falcons, for example, if they see an owl in the daytime, they will try to kill it.

KMS 
What do raptors eat?

J 
Prairie Falcons or other birds of prey?

KMS…
Any bird of prey

J
Some birds have specialized diets such as some Kytes which is a small falcon. The Snail Kyte that lives in Florida, live only on a certain snail. That would be an example of a specialized diet. Osprey, mostly eat fish. Bald Eagles, eat fish and will eat carrion and dead animals if they have to. Most of them are opportunists, they will take the opportunity to get any kind of food they can get.

KMS 
Will falcons or hawks eat anything that is dead?

J 
Not usually. But I have seen Red Tails in the winter eat road kill. Usually though, that’s only if they are injured or it’s a hard winter and they are hungry. If they are starving, they are not dumb; they know they need to eat. In the wild, Falcons mostly eat birds. During breeding and hatching season they will change their diet, to rodents and other small game. But when they are hunting for themselves in the wild, the falcon is adapted at catching birds. Red Tails, (buteo) will hunt rodents, some birds and reptiles. Eagles would be the same, mostly rodents, but they can also catch birds.

KMS 
You told me that Prairie Falcons hits speeds of 200 MPH. How do they catch their prey?

J 
They will bind to them in the air, which means they will impact with their feet, called raking (strike hard and rake its longer talon across the preys back). Some birds will just clutch their prey, take them to the ground and if they are not dead, sever their spine with the notch on their beak that I mentioned earlier. All birds of prey have that notched tooth in their head that when used kills their prey instantly.

KMS 
So actually then, the bird of prey is a humane hunter.

J 
I guess we as human would consider it to be humane but I think its natures way of equipping them with hunting and taking their prey quickly without getting hurt. The whole point is to kill something. Many times their prey is at least the same size or larger than they are, and if there is a struggle, they could get hurt.

KMS 
So when I see a bird of prey carrying a rabbit or something away, they’ve killed it before they carry it away.

J 
Usually. But the only bird that could really fly away with a rabbit is an Eagle. A very large Red Tail might be able to carry a rabbit a short distance, because a rabbit weighs at least a couple of pounds. Something that size they will usually eat on the ground.

KMS
How long do birds of prey live ?

J 
They can live a long time. There is a famous Eagle in captivity, who is still alive that is about 80 years old. Red Tails are known to live up to 40 years in captivity. In the wild, approx 20 years.

KMS 
You mentioned some words before, such as feaking?

J 
Yes Feaking is when they are done eating they wipe their beak off.
There are many falconry related words, such as Cadger.The old Hag. Hag refers to the term haggard, which is an adult raptor with adult plume. Cadger…is the person who carried the falconry ‘cadge’. A crate in medieval times that held many falcons at one time. The Cadge would carry the crate with the birds for the kings and the knights to the hunting grounds. So …the term come on you old cadger, came from that.

KMS 
I’ve watched you with Amelia since you’ve been here in NY for a visit and you fly her every day.

J
Yes…and its still not as much as I fly her at home. That’s why yesterday she was a little bit excitable and did not come as quick as she usually does when I asked her to come in. She’s use to more fly time. Can’t blame her, she’s a bird, she loves to fly.
Some guys get so involved and because falconry is so time consuming, they loose their jobs, get divorced, all because of the time it takes. But you need to spend this time to make sure your bird is in tip top shape and in good health. In the wild they hunt and kill something every day, so not only do you need to take the time to train them but you have to take the time to hunt with them. You have to find places where they can actually hunt. So that means if you live in the city, you have to take them somewhere they can hunt.

KMS 
As you with Amelia. She is not old enough to hunt on her own, so you have to do her hunting for her while she is in training and make sure she gets all the proper nutrients she would get out in the wild, correct.

J 
Yes exactly, I am her parents. I need to take care of her as they would. They have to eat wild game; they can’t just eat bird foods. There are certain nutrients and fats they only get in wild game that they need. If and when you capture a raptor to train, you also have to go through a legal process, put up facilities that have to be inspected and follow certain codes. Its not just catch a raptor, and then treat it like a parakeet you buy at the store.

KMS 
What would you tell someone wanting to become a falconer?

J 
We come across that a lot during falconry shows. People watch us, think they like it and want to do it. But we always tell them…it takes a LOT of time. I can’t stress that enough, the time it takes. You have to have a lot of spare time or make sure you MAKE the time. You can’t capture a bird, put it in a cage then expect it to perform. Falconry is not pet keeping. If you want a bird for a pet, I tell people get a parrot. Again, raptors are not pets. Make sure its what you want to do. Go spend some time with a falconer and see the time it takes before you go and catch a raptor. Spend time with some one who bands birds, anything to get to know the raptor better.
Its important you understand the commitment it takes. You have to be fair to the birds. Its a must you take the time and know what you will be getting in to when you become a falconer.
It's time you have to spend, not always time you want to spend. So just make sure you are willing to commit all you have to it before you enter in to it.
These birds, (birds of prey) truly are amazing and they deserve nothing but respect.
It is not something anyone should take lightly.

A Note of Thanks to Jonathan and Amelia in 2008 for letting me get up close and personal, it was a dream come true then and a privilege to know now, he's following his dream. 

Kellie

Again....Visit Johnathan and his birds of prey...at

www.americanhawekeye.com

Happy New Year~Pussy Willow~Nine~Cod Liver Oil...really~My house has onion breath~‏

Year's end is neither an end nor a beginning but a going on, with all the wisdom that experience can instill in us. ~Hal Borland

I hope everyone had a wonderful, joyous Christmas. We did, thank you.

Oppa, my friends father, gave me LOTS of onions. He was so excited I didn't have the heart to say no, but I can't imagine even though Rick and I eat lots of onions, I'll get to them all. So, not wanting them to go bad, I started dehydrating them. Only thing is I started them on a rainy day, and usually I put my dehydrator outside to do onions...didn't this time. Whew, my house smelled like an onion factory...LOL. Hopefully I won't have to wash all my clothes...! but I'll have fresh dried onions for a while. I do have some whole onions in the shop too, free of charge, you know, gifting it forward:)

Have leftover eggs from the holidays? No worries, if you can't use them right away. If they are farm fresh they will last 30 days or more. If store bought and you don't know how old they are, you can freeze them. Start by cracking the eggs in bowl, mix them, avoiding getting air in them. If you are going to use them for scrambled eggs add about 1/8 tsp of salt per 4 eggs....for baking, add a 1/2 tsp sugar per 4 eggs, this helps them from becoming thick or like gelatin. About tablespoon of egg mixture is equal to one egg.
Only want one egg at a time, you can use ice cube trays to freeze one tablespoon in each cube. Label eggs accordingly/sugar or salted.
Frozen eggs may lose some of their leavening ability so they may not help your biscuits, souffles or cakes rise as fresh eggs do, use in recipes at your discretion.

2016 is here.... One way to honor the old and the new is from a place in your garden or yard, and celebrating the four directions. Each direction, as in the Medicine Wheel, carries certain energies and 'medicine', READ MORE HERE from the farmers almanac
What to put a little extra zing to your honor, burn sage or sprinkle tobacco. Say whatever prayers and thanks come to mind no need to be poetic, just sincere.

2015 has been a year of spiritual muscle building, change, challenges and valuable lessons learned.
We all celebrate the arrival of the New Year differently, some quietly,some not so quiet. Now and even since childhood, watching the ball drop or saying goodbye to the old year is not something I enjoy, it would leave me feeling melancholy, so I don't say good bye. Lucky for me, I understood at an early age why I felt this way. The why, why would I want to rid myself of some of the previous year.
To me, logically, but then I know I don't 'see' things as many others do, instead of saying goodbye, I'd rather embrace and take, the valuable lessons learned with me. Combining the old and the new, taking even the lessons from the hard parts, because from the hardest things, or the old, or ancients is where we learn the most valuable lessons.
I couldn't/can't rationalize, wanting to totally start over and leave any of that knowledge we 'worked' so hard for behind.
Even a bad year, if you look back has something great to offer, something you should take with you. Such as the year Rick had his heart surgery, and other things that happened that year, People were surprised when they asked, "Aren't you glad this year is over and you can start over with a new year?" and
I said, "No...not really, just parts of it, I am glad to take other parts of it with me. Such as the part where we are blessed to celebrate the New Year together. How fortunate am I, we can take our new strength and faith within, with us, why would I want to leave any behind. I am thankful of the lessons I learned and the knowledge I acquired during this year. They will help in the coming years. So no I wouldn't want to say goodbye to that."

Every year, no matter what has happened, has some wonderful lessons and knowledge gained, so as you move into the 2016, don't leave those behind. Revisit 2015 and remember not only the good times, but the strength, wisdom and knowledge you gained from the not so easy times, know that you survived it, and take all the new wisdom with you to 2016, waste nothing of the lessons learned.

So often the knowledge we've gained the year before, has taught us we truly are a child of the Divine and as we shift gears now, lucky for us it's the time the angelic realm is closest and we can take advantage of their energies, of new birth, healing and creativity. It is a time when our inner light will be kindled. An inner light we may not have noticed, often revealed through dreams and meditations....Which brings me to,

The full Christmas moon, though, I thought I 'felt' nothing, I received a powerful message through a dream.
I dreamt an older man (don't know who) gifted me branches of Pussy Willows. He said nothing, just handed me the bundle, smiled and nodded his head.

Willow is an awesome messenger and I shouldn't be surprised it came the day after the full moon, and just before the New Year, during such a wet time, and the time of heightened angelic energy.
Willow is of water and lunar energies and speaks of being flexible as you grow spiritually, and to look for the angelic connections around you. It speaks of trusting one's inner visions.

Pussy Willow, in particular speaks of energies of the future with the reminder, that promises are yet to be fulfilled. Pussy Willow energies renew, revitalize, and awaken the hope and inspirations of what is to come as seen in its buds waiting to bloom.
Willow is water loving, thus tied to areas of water, such as where I live, and these energies are of feminine, birth, creativity, intuition, and the moon. It also stimulates healing on many levels.
Willow helps with 'hearing of spirit' which ironically that morning walking the Wheel I asked, " could I please have the ability to hear more clearly any instructions from You, God/Creator, Angels and or Spirit Guides."
I guess 'they' were letting me know they heard my request via the dream. 

2016, I think, will bring much growth and enlightenment if we allow the energies into our lives. Not in the way we thought 2012 was going to and didn't, but on a quieter more soulful level; an energy you'll feel right in the center of your chest...which makes sense too, as 2016 adds up to nine.

Nine...is time of healing, completion, issues ending and new beginnings to surface. There are energies of transition and leaving some of the past behind on top of the Full Moon energy which speaks of the same thing and this energy will carry over, until the next new moon, which wait for it, falls on Jan 9th. So take advantage of this time of healing, growing and transitioning.

However, be careful what you ask for, you may get it...such as I asked to hear more clearly, so...really... is this my first new clearer message..."Take cod liver oil, it will be good for you". Yewwwwwwww Really? Cod liver oil, But....I'll research and see what the benefits and maybe not so good side effects of taking it are. Maybe grandma was right giving everyone that spoonful of smelly hold your nose stuff... it is good for you...READ MORE HERE.

"Nature Always Wears the Color of Spirit"
Ralph Waldo Emerson

Happy New Year...

as always...

Be well

Laugh often

Love large

Dig in the dirt

Grow a garden

and may the sun light your way

Love yas

Kellie

+

Herbs & Things

The return of light~Bison, not Buffalo~What was that I heard? Excerpt 12/17/2015 newsletter

At Book Club Monday, we got talking about the old tradition of getting Oranges and Walnuts in our Christmas stockings. It was a given that on Christmas morning the toe of my stocking, (my fathers winter sock) would be bulging with the orange delight. Traditions speaks that an orange represents gold to those who that did not have enough money for a dowry. The most meaningful meaning to me is: In the great depression an Orange was one of the greatest gifts off all, because oranges were a rarity. My Mom and Dad grew up in the time of the great depression, so now after all these years, I see that orange in my stocking was one the greatest gifts I ever received from my parents. It was a wish from them that I would never have to go through something like the depression and that I'd always be provided for and have enough. I'll make sure to have those oranges set out again and be thankful with a new perspective for their bright orange wonderfulness.

 No surprise then, the universe sends orange (medicine) at this time in conjunction with a couple other messengers. Orange, in nature represents balance, family and warmth perfect timing as we approach the Winter Solstice and Christmas. The Winter Solstice, just before midnight Dec 21st, brings us into the first day of winter, and it is the longest night of the year, equal day and night; a time of balance. Though it seems such a dark time...it's really a time of emerging from the dark back into the light. Along with this emergence into the light there is hope. Hope helps heal us spiritually, emotionally and scientifically proven, physically. Hope helps us move, and transform into what God, our Spirit Guides want for us.

Then right on cue, with the return of light through Winter Solstice...again it should be no surprise, that God, my guides and Medicine Helpers are Still 'speaking' not only for me but for you, of balance, groundedness, gaining abundance, and using available resources to achieve all. While Meditating Dec 7th as clear as Eagle came to me, Bison came and looked me eye to eye, so close I could see my reflection in his brown pools of wisdom. As I looked deep into the eyes, with no fear, I was told, specifically that this was Bison not Buffalo. There is a difference. Bison the Native Americans greatest provisionist to their sustainable life, is also of groundedness, moving with intention and abundance; always having the resources you need. Bison also speaks of synchronicity, that things will happen in your life when it is best for you, but you cannot do it alone, you must have faith in Creator to create, and to receive you must also be grateful for what you have. I thanked Bison for bringing it's wisdom, and reminder of all that I have.

So then on Dec 13th, when I thought my ears were deceiving me nature gave me another surprise and message. Coming in from the barn around 9:30 PM, I stopped with a stark realization of what I thought heard...I waited, almost dismissing it telling myself I couldn't have heard what I heard. But...after a few moments, there it was... FROG! I'm not sure if it was a Peeper or Tree Frog, it made no difference...Frog was speaking and the message clearly was for me.

Frog as Bison, heralds of staying grounded. They speak of clearing clutter, singing through the transformation and also of abundance and fertility. I see in that Frog came on the 13th...1+3= 4 confirmed to me too that 'they' were still sending medicine of staying grounded. I was moved to search about Frog in the bible...and found to my surprise it seemed to always be a reference to a plague. Knowing the 'spirit' of Frog, my mind and heart felt like frog was used as metaphor, as often things are in the bible...thus I researched. Frog, from what I've learned, is a metaphor for the gift of tongues, or speaking all languages or more so, as I see it the universal language that all understand, the word of God or Creator. What does Frog mean to me, other than confirming my constant message of stocking up...via Bison, or whoever else comes, is that my one form of language, my writing/newsletter that bring awareness from a personal level, of what is around us and how the Divine, our guides, and angels speak to us every day and though these words only reach a few, is ok. Reason being is it doesn't take much to spread the word. Such as one stone thrown in a pond causes many ripples, one newsletter can cause the ripple effect and will do that job of spreading what God, our Spirit Guides, Angels and Medicine Helpers want us to know. I like this idea:)

Of Course there is more....Interestingly then after my visit from Bison, Frog, and Orange, my girl friend Kathy who knows A LOT about astrology,( I know nothing) let me know there is a Sabian Symbol for this time of the year, which is,
 'In Winter People Cutting Ice From Frozen Pond For Summer Use.' (CLICK HERE TO READ MORE ABOUT SABIAN SYMBOLS) 
This symbol speaks of the need for planning ahead, stocking up, being prepared, because, The people “In Winter” are “Cutting Ice From a Frozen Pond”, know they’ll need the ice /water for summer. They are thinking ahead so they have what they need at the right time. Like these people if you prepare now, you'll have what you need if you allow for shifts in time and seasonal variations. This Symbol can be about refrigeration, storage, air conditioning and even heating in the winter. It's about resources and how we use them and how we can plan for the use of them. Hmmm Just what Bison, Frog and Orange speak of. How can we deny a greater source is helping us, if we want the help, all we have to do is 'listen'. Oh Yeah doing the dance:)
as always...
Be well
Laugh often
Love large
Dig in the dirt
Grow a garden
and may the sun light your way
Kellie + Herbs & Things

Can't ignore message from Eagle----Excerpt of Winter Solstice Newsletter

Intuition is a faculty of the soul, just as reliable as that of Reason ~R.H. Brown~Spiritual Magazine October

I do believe November of 2015....is a time to remember and journal noteworthy, with such nice weather, wonderful energy and true uplifting transformations and transitions noted to many. It's been the season for change and valuable lessons learned that's for sure. Now here we are in Dec with no snow and mild temps, and this energy still with us. This could very well be, God's way of answering our prayers for a break from last years snowy weather we all asked for. So take time to acknowledge this fact and say thank you:) 

This energy we've been subjected to, as I mentioned in the last newsletter, and not wanting to sound like a broken record, but Mother Nature or Whoever keeps putting the info in front of me, is wanting to make sure we understand this energy, about balance and trusting our intuition, is a gift. It's kind of being drilled into me, to remind you that though you may not understand it, to embrace this energy. One of the most important things I must pass on ....is no matter if you understand the messages or not, you need to write them down for later, because the answer will come and you will be glad you did for reference. 

Such as, another lesson for me about this energy and transformation, came Nov 23rd, walking the Wheel. Eleven geese flew over. My gaze was fixed on them in their formation and I 'knew' there was a message in this sighting, though it's common to see geese. Goose speaks of balance and integrity, and there was 11 of them. Eleven a prime number, a number a friend and I were talking about a couple days prior, on it's own resonates the energy of balance, yin and yang, black and white, male and female, balancing each. Paired this number with Goose, it brings great balancing energy of wisdom and knowledge. Moments later, standing in the middle of the Medicine Wheel facing East,I heard, " Eagle will return. Trust in Eagle. Trust in who you are". Ok what does that have to do with Geese...? 

Eagle message, was confirmed I heard correctly with a few days of Eagle showing up everywhere, via pictures, words, Visions, articles, and a gift. Then Nov, 30th, during a morning meditation, with a clear vivid vision like I was looking at myself, I watched a Blue Eagle emerg out of me. I can not describe the blue, because no earthly blue can explain it's color. I knew it was message and an answer. Though I did not understand, I knew it to be a special message. I searched Blue Eagle and found many things, but none that 'felt' like the answer...Ah ah...a novel idea...why don't I just ask what it meant. So...during my next meditation I asked to have the meaning clarified, and the answer, of course was not what I wanted, but now I see it was a wise answer...which was 
"You need to ask the right question to get the correct answer". 
This time thank goodness, I wasn't left hanging wondering what's the right question, they gave me a clue of what to ask. When asked correctly it revealed an answer that resonated with my soul. I cannot explain this feeling, it's just a knowing, and once you experience it, you will know it too. Asking correctly also brought answers to a question I've had about one of my main totems, Horse, and the change we are going through. 

Horse has been one of my main totems since the age of 2, so it's been emotionally bothersome why it 'feels' I don't need Horse medicine as much as I use to. My logical mind contributed this lack of 'needing' to getting older...but what I learned is, it's about my maturing and preparing me for where I am today. Eagle much like Horse brings with it not only higher vision,connecting to the Divine...but balance and trusting in one's abilities. I've read about Eagle Medicine many times, and each time I do, I learn something new and this time was no exception, bringing the answer to my question of Horse and a couple other questions. Horse is a four legged, and four legged are all about being grounded and movement. At age 2 horse was gifted to me as a Totem/Helper, because as I now know, I needed to learn to be grounded, not the way of most. Thus God/Creator in his wisdom, sent me horse medicine..to teach me this lesson of groundedness, better than any other animal helper could. Understandably, emotionally, after so many years of Horse being part of who I am and what I am about, I found it disturbing, to be stepping away from their wonderful Divine energy and being drawn closer to Bird Nation even though at this point it is Eagle. I wondered how could Eagle, though magnificent, compare to what I've gotten from Horse and how could Horse and Eagle be connected. It felt like leaning towards Eagle, and Bird Nation, I was leaving a loyal trusted friend behind. 
Through the right question, I received my answer. 

I am not leaving Horse behind, it is a part of who I was and to become. Now I've learned the energy of Horse and Eagle are becoming one instead of two, balancing the medicine of each. How do I know this? I was reminded... my first connection to bird nation was as a child, through the mythical creature, Pegasus....the winged horse. Pegasuses grounding winged energy, prepared me or was teaching me, about both worlds, four legged and winged people though at that time I could only see the four legged part, readying me for the transition I'd make some day in traveling both worlds of earthly and heavenly realms, using the balance of the old energy I understood (horse) mixed with the new energy I would learn (bird nation) To my surprise...again...Mother Nature's wisdom, knew exactly what she was doing bringing Bird Nation to me, it was a medicine I already unconsciously understood. Because though I was learning to fly it was and is important I remain grounded, and the helper/totem that can accomplish that as well as Horse...is Eagle, symbolized by their talons. their ability to grasp on. So how does Eagle connect to Horse a Four Legged?

Eagles have four toes, four is traditionally a symbol of keeping oneself grounded and laying a solid foundation. This keeps Eagle and those with Eagle as a totem connected to Earth even with the ability to fly. The talons of Eagle are for hunting (gaining knowledge) and grasping (staying connected to, and learning to use what's available on Earth). Eagle, Without this ability to grasp (gain wisdom) and hunt (using earthly resources available) would not survive. Which answers the question, Why have you brought Blue Eagle and taken me to the Blue road. Answer.... 
"This is the essence of who you are" 
Hmm first the Wheel is the sum of who you are, now Blue Eagle, Blue Road and East are the Essence of who you are. I'm not getting it. 
Answer..."Essence...you need to understand the word essence, look in your dictionary, not on the computer...IN your dictionary". 
The definition(s) that resonated with me not found on the Internet...are Essence: 'The property (quality) necessary to the nature of the thing' or 'the individual, real or ultimate (fundamental) nature of the thing' . See what I mean, how it explains 'things':) These are parts of me I need to survive...Horse, Eagle, Bird Nation, The Wheel, and You. All of which brought me to the Four Roads traveled by native Americans...one of which is the Blue road, and the blue road apparently is the road I am on... The Blue Road is of soul, that embraces the path of Spiritually, to the eternal circle of life (the Wheel) home of the Rainbow, Water, Four legged, Stone, Winged, Tree and Crawler people and Four directions. The path of the Blue Road is govern by the direction East. Eagle is the totem and helper for East which is the path of destiny, and spiritual essence. Giving me the answer, through Blue Eagle, I am going in the right direction. And the message for you, from them to me, and me to you, by sharing my personal changes going on, now at this time...is...you need to embrace.....
You are who you are. You are you for a reason, do not fear to be who you are, embrace your individuality, this will help you to stay balanced and focused enough to use the gifts given to you and you will grow, transform and survive...all these new 'things'. 

As always... 
Be well 
Laugh often 
Love large 
Dig in the dirt 
Grow a garden 
and may the sun light your way 
Kellie + Herbs & Things