In July, following shamanic guidance that reminded me to focus on building bridges between people and animals, I asked my spirit allies for guidance on a place where people and animals could come together in dialogue and ceremony to co-create a sustainable vision for the future. And my prayer was answered.

First, I had a conversation with Deb Petosa, who, when I called, was driving back from attending the first group retreat held at Earthfire Institute Wildlife Sanctuary and Retreat Center. As I listened to Deb excitedly share her experiences, I felt my excitement flicker, but I got busy and did not follow up.

The following week, someone else sent me a link to a video entitled Energy Healing Wolf, in which I witnessed the amazing connection and trust created between wolf Apricot and energy healer Jill. Co-founder Susan Eirich’s final words on the video made the hair on the back of my neck stand up—Earthfire’s mission and message were the same as mine! And that’s when I knew I had found the place and the animals.

When I first spoke with Susan, I considered offering the event the following summer, but Spirit had other ideas. Instead, I found myself planning an event for Oct. 1-3, less than two months away! Named “A Walk on the Wild Side: Answering the Call of the Wild,” after a series of articles I had previously written at the request of the animals and Spirit, miraculously, everything fell into place, and people responded from all across the U.S.—Alaska to Florida.

Eventually, I discovered why Spirit wanted the event offered sooner rather than later—October 4 was World Animal Day! This meant that our group and the animals could connect the energy of the shamanic ceremonies at Earthfire with the intention of others worldwide, creating a fantastic opportunity for a shift on a global scale.

Eagerly, our group and I counted the days until we would finally meet Susan, Jean Simpson, and the Earthfire animals in person. I used the time in between to carefully plan the event, receiving guidance from shamanic journeys and several dialogues with the animals at Earthfire and with animals in spirit. The journeys were powerful and—as events unfurled during the weekend—prophetic.

Feather the Fox greets participants at A Walk on the Wild Side 2010 at Earthfire Institute

Meeting the animals at Earthfire was like coming home to a place I had always known but had not yet found—we were embraced as family. The wolves greeted us with a pack howl each morning. Whenever I shared a story in class, the wolves would howl at a crucial point for emphasis. Throughout the event the horses, the burros, and buffalo Bluebell stood as close to the yurt as possible to share in our experiences. The day after the fire ceremony, wolves Apricot and Moonbeam raced to the firepit, digging it out and rolling in the energy.

The animals also stepped forward as Teachers. Pimpernel, the coyote, shared with us the lesson that in every situation, there is an opportunity to be seized and savored. During our Peruvian despacho ceremony, not only did she patiently and carefully observe every detail sitting by my side, but she also participated, including her prayers into a kintu (prayer bundle) as a representative for the other animals.

There were so many unforgettable moments, but a pivotal one was our encounter with timber wolf Cucumber. Our time with her touched everyone in our group deeply as we observed her willingness to step outside her comfort zone to connect with us.

But it was a personal moment of connection with Cucumber that affected me so profoundly that I still cannot tell the story without tears, and it was a moment that she initiated.

Walking up to me, Cucumber raised her eyes to mine. Her gaze was soft and completely open. Her eyes held mine, inviting me to meet her at a soul level. It felt like falling deeply in love—one moment, you are two separate individuals—the next, one.

Still maintaining eye contact (something that animals rarely do), she said, “I want to be the best representative I can be.” I reached out to touch her, profoundly and deeply moved. As I gently stroked her face I made her and all the other animals a commitment that I am sure I will be held to, “I promise that I will do everything I can for you.” That moment showed me that the potential for a different awareness and relationship with animals is more profound than I had imagined. Our connection transcended any limitations of species or language–we had a common purpose.

It is challenging to sum up our experiences at Earthfire simply because they were so transformational. Many of us were strangers before the event. Now bonded by our experiences and a love for Earthfire’s mission, we have maintained contact afterward, sharing ideas as we reintegrate and discover how deeply each of us has changed. Many participants report having considerably deeper interactions with the animals in their lives and in nature and have had significant shifts in self-limiting beliefs or long-standing emotional blockages—healing on a major scale.

We answered the Call of the Wild, and the Wild walked with us, guided us, and taught us. Together, as partners, we are changing the world.

Earthfire Institute is a non-profit organization. Please help support the animal ambassadors at Earthfire Institute by making a donation! Your tax-deductible donation will give you the satisfaction of knowing that you have made a difference in the lives of Earthfire’s animals, empowering them with a voice that can be taken out to the world.

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Learn how to connect more deeply with animals, restore balance to your life, increase intuitive skills, and help heal the Earth with live Reiki and shamanic teleclasses, available worldwide.

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©2010 Rose De Dan. All Rights Reserved. www.reikishamanic.com

A WILD WAY TO HEAL
Rose De Dan, Wild Reiki and Shamanic Healing LLC, is an animal communicator, Reiki Master Teacher, shamanic energy healer, and author. Her classes, sessions and ceremonial work are inspired by wild and domestic animals who have issued a call to action for personal and global healing.

Her book Tails of a Healer: Animals, Reiki and Shamanism features heartwarming stories about animals and their role in her evolution as an energy worker and shamanic healer.