While I was searching online for face masks that I felt expressed my connection to nature and the animals I suddenly realized that I could do so with my own photos and artwork. So, I placed an order from my own online store on Fine Art America.

First, from my own cat family, I chose image Manitou Voices His Opinion. I was trying to take photos of the garden, and as usual, Manitou was doing his best to hijack my attention. He was standing in my shadow, pawing at my leg, and (loudly) voicing his demands. It will be be interesting to see if this mask helps folks maintain better social distancing (-:

Next, I had to have my connection to domestic and wild animals as represented by Kiya and Tiger for Cats: Urban Tigers from my cover for book Tails of a Healer: Animals, Reiki and Shamanism. I found Kiya as as kitten in a driveway next to two abandoned buildings in Worcester, MA. She was about four weeks old, and very sick. When I asked her if she would like to come home with me she ran into my cupped hands, flipped over on her back and looked me straight in the eyes. A definite yes. During our 16 years together, sweet and fierce, Kiya rocked her inner tiger.

And I did not want to overlook the Zoo Animal Ambassadors who have been so much a part of the ceremonies. I chose Lion Yin Yang which features two of my first lion teachers. The day this photo was taken at the Philadelphia Zoo, I was enjoying watching lion couple Merlin and Jezebel bask in the warmth of early morning sunlight. Merlin wanted to be as close to his lady as possible, and kept inching forward, while she was more interested in catching the rays.

Then I chose Yellowstone Buffalo on the Move—a whisper of the days when the buffalo owned the plains. The image would represent the years of travel in ceremony with wildlife at Yellowstone, Earthfire Institute, and Pacific coast marine wildlife.

Finally, last, but not least—my connection to Reiki, which was the start of my energy healing practice and path with animals—would be represented by Ancient Reiki Kanji. The hand-brushed Japanese kanji for the word Reiki is done in the style of calligraphy (Kaisho) popular during the lifetime of Dr. Mikao Usui, and is composed of two parts: Rei, meaning spiritual or sacred, and Ki, meaning energy. This original art was created specifically for me and Wild Reiki and Shamanic Healing to honor the origins of Reiki.

Now, every time I leave the house with one of these masks on, I will be honoring my connections to my allies and who I am at the very core of my being. And that is the very best way of all to stay strong and focused—my allies and I will “face” these challenging times together!

Please Note: The masks are pleated (accordion-style), so will not appear exactly as shown here. Therefore not all of my photos are suitable (click here to see available mask designs). Images shown are also available as prints, mugs, totes and other gifts, visit my online store to see all my stories in photo form.

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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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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.