I wrote Coyote Wisdom for Challenging Times after the November 5 election and shared that I felt a definite push from Spirit: “I felt a strong rise in the energy, one that filled me with a strength of purpose that remains. I felt like I had joined the French Resistance during WWII.”

That feeling remains, and it received a boost in the form of a gift from friend and artist Mitzi Koch in the form of the piece of art you see above. It features mountain lion Master Teacher Windwalker sporting a beret, and it made me smile.

Mitzi told me she had been worried that Windwalker (now in spirit) might be offended, but that she thought she had seen a twinkle in his eye while looking at it afterward. I assured her that Windwalker definitely had a sense of humor, he often showed up in shamanic journeys that a practitioner used to do for me wearing a different type of headgear each time. [Side note which seems appropriate in light of protecting animals and the Earth: One of the earliest mentions of the beret can be traced back to the story of Noah’s Ark in the Bible. In the story, Noah wears a headpiece to protect himself from the sun while working on constructing the ark. This headpiece was called a “beret” in Old French, which is believed to be where the term originated.—from The Surprising History and Symbolism of the Beret]

Monsieur Windwalker’s image is prominently displayed where I can see him as I work at my computer, reminding me of my mission and inspiring me to reflect on the nature of the word “resistance.”

Interestingly, the origin of the word “resistance” is French: “late Middle English: from French résistance, from late Latin resistentia, from the verb resistere ‘hold back’ (see resist).”

The dictionary offers several definitions.

One is: “…the underground movement formed in France during World War II to fight the German occupying forces and the Vichy government.”

Other definitions:
• the ability not to be affected by something, especially adversely
• refusal to accept

Opposite:
• submission
• surrender

Similar: 

• ability to fight off
• ability to counteract
• ability to withstand
and perhaps most importantly for us—Resilience


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Thank you all for bearing with me as I reveal myself as a word nerd, but I do have a reason for going down this particular rabbit hole.

The incoming presidential administration is most decidedly not environmentally- or animal-friendly.

Resistance is not just pushing back or standing strong. Resistance is also taking steps to counter wrongfulness by create positive change in different ways, some of them quite small. Every action (like the wind created by the wings of a butterfly) creates ripples across the world.

One of my students, Mitzi Koch, grows plants that butterflies like, collecting the young in their vulnerable stage of evolution, protecting them, and then releasing them when they emerge as butterflies, thereby aiding in increasing the population. She finds inspiration in nature, which feeds her soul, and inspires her art (more about that later).

Claudine Records utilizes her extensive training in Reiki/shamanism with myself and other teachers to bring ceremony to animals in zoos and sanctuaries as well as for her clients. You might remember her efforts from Holding Space for Dying Orca Animal Ambassador Tilikum. She has also created a wildlife oasis in her yard.

Past student Tejas Oundhakar is a diver, amateur photographer, and many other things, and applied her passion for animals and energy healing to the groundbreaking effort of bringing Reiki to shelter animals in the Middle East.

Cassandra Kraham offers Reiki energy healing support for dogs that come for grooming, making the entire experience calming and healing.

Becky MacPherson creates art inspired by the magic of nature for people who live outside the box and donates a percentage of proceeds to animal sanctuaries and conservation organizations that support animals both wild and domestic.

To my many students, I would love to know how you are bringing your light into the world. Email me if you would like to be featured in an upcoming newsletter.

There are many other ways to Resist (self-healing and actions that contribute in some way to making the world a better place). Here are a few ideas:

• daily morning prayers, mine are tobacco prayers
• daily self-Reiki (all levels) daily Reiki to the situation (Reiki 2 and up)
• choosing to shop at ethical places (right now Costco jumps to mind versus other chains)
• choosing organic or natural food sources, local is even better; here I am blessed to have access to co-op PCC who buys up local farmland so that Seattle area has local food sources and farmers can continue to do what they love sustainably
• choosing best quality foods possible for your animal companions
• organic gardening, etc.

The idea is that we do our best to resist the forces that are trying to destroy the balance in the world by making choices that are in alignment with the changes that we want to manifest. I think of this as Natural Resistance. The Q’ero say that when we are in ayni (balance) then the Universe actively conspires on your behalf. The natural order of the world is balance and health, not selfish destruction.

We must dig deep into ourselves, finding our strengths, healing our wounds, acknowledging our gifts and bringing them out into the light of day to sustain and inspire others.

Now is the time when we must resist together. As Windwalker says, “Together we are strong. Together, we can heal ourselves and this world.”

The Monthly Shaman Returns

This month, guest shaman Patrick Corrigan will be leading us a Sacred Pipe Ceremony from the Lakota tradition, and surprise! I will not only be hosting it via Zoom, but it will also take place in my home office in front of a crackling fire. Note: there will be cats present, so anything can happen, and I have also never tried this before from a technology standpoint…Registration will open soon. Stay tuned for announcement in next newsletter.

Reiki Level 1 starts soon. This is the last class to be offered at the old rate.

Enjoy the beauty of the season,
Rose De Dan, Night Sky, Tamerlan, and foster cats Noctua, and Sadiya

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Want to learn how to connect more deeply with animals, restore balance to your life, increase intuitive skills, and help heal the Earth? Take a look at my live Reiki and shamanic virtual classes, 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.