As the days shorten and the light grows softer, autumn reminds us that change is never still; it is constantly unfolding. The turning of the season can bring both beauty and challenge, and like our animal companions, we are asked to navigate shifts in energy, routine, and emotion.

In this month’s newsletter, I’d like to share a small tip from a lesson my cat taught me, introduce an opportunity for seasonal self-care and connection, and ask for your help in finding a forever home for my two very special foster cats. You’ll also find updates on Sacred Rhythms, plus a new class opening on October 1.

Tips for Vet Visits with Your Cat (or Dog)

Foster cats Sadiya and Noctua were scheduled for their annual wellness check, which meant getting them into carriers for the trip. Another time, I will focus on how I accomplish that, but for now, I want to share this story that illustrates how aware animals are of energy.

I always bless the cat carriers with Reiki (a Reiki 2 technique) to help create more ease for the journey, but a trip to the vet is still a break in the routine that cats find comforting, and some of the emotional stress they feel is shed in the form of hucha (heavy energy). Hucha is sticky, so it clings to the carrier itself. Upon our return from the vet, my cat Night Sky offered me a demonstration of just how sensitive he is to hucha.

A little background info. Night Sky is hyper-alert to any sounds associated with a carrier being moved in preparation for capturing a cat who is minding his own business (his perspective). His response is to flatten himself on the cat tree in hopes of not being seen, or to run and hide. He does not feel reassured even when I am headed out the door with someone other than him in the carrier.

After easing Noctua and Sadiya out of their carriers and back into the comfort of their daily routine, I placed both carriers back in the storage area on the Catio. That area is located on the right, just after crossing the threshold from the kitchen onto the Catio. Usually, when I restore access to the Catio after returning home, Night Sky immediately jumps to his watching spot overlooking the Wild Reiki Spa. This time, I noticed that he wouldn’t step over the threshold. Instead, he was craning his neck around the doorframe, peering to the right, and his body was very tense. I sensed his fear of the carriers; he was worried they would jump out and get him. (I almost laughed at the image, but he was seriously anxious about this, so I held it in.)

Extending my awareness, I realized that the carriers “stank” of heavy energy from the stress that Noctua and Sadiya experienced on their trip to the vet, so I cleared both carriers with Reiki (another Reiki 2 technique). I could have smudged them with sage or palo santo wood and achieved the same result. The instant the hucha cleared, Night Sky felt safe from the intrusive energy and resumed his normal routine. So, a lesson for me is that it’s not enough to smudge/clear myself and the other animals involved when I return from a trip to the vet; I should also smudge/clear the cat carrier as well!

Foster Cats Update: Noctua and Sadiya

Noctua and Sadiya have been in my care for three years, and they have made incredible progress in both physical health and comfort with being touched, as you can see in the Brushing Time video made this morning. Their actions are especially heartwarming considering their backstory: semi-feral, starving, and near-death, they were rescued from a hoarding situation just in time.

Tortie Noctua (mom) had never been socialized. She was an outdoor feral cat that was trapped and spayed (which is why one of her ears is tipped) and eventually ended up living in a hoarding situation along with her daughter, Sadiya. Through an unfortunate series of events, Sadiya was trapped after five weeks without food, and Noctua was discovered a week later. No one knows how Noctua survived six weeks without food; it was a miracle that she survived and was rescued.

When they were brought to me to foster, both would hide in the kennel if I were in the room. After a few weeks, Sadiya was calm enough to be out if I was present, but I never saw Noctua. Gradually, I was able to establish enough of a connection with Sadiya, who had been socialized as a kitten, to allow her out of the kennel. That enabled me to focus more of my attention on Noctua.

It took three months of intensive work to establish enough trust to allow Noctua access to the room. I continued to work with both of them on physical touch and trust, utilizing several approaches, including play, energetic clearing through shamanism, Reiki, tapping, offering food/treats, and listening to their needs through animal communication.

Three years later, they both rush to be first in line for feeding and treat times, morning brushing, and evening Reiki Time. I can now pet and brush Noctua all over her body, and she purrs happily the whole time. After so long being head shy (probably a result of being scruffed to be handled before living with me), Noctua will now do face presses with me and brush her face against my hand, and lean into cheek scratches. This is a very recent shift, and I practically cried the first time it happened.

Noctua and Sadiya are as prepared as possible for a new home with their forever person(s). I am starting to feel bad for them because they now trust me so much that they are trying to follow me out of the room. They want to come and be with me and expand their world, and that simply cannot happen here. Neither lady would be happy with Night Sky and Tamerlan (even after three years, Night Sky still hisses at them from under the door).

I need the help of my community for this next big step in their journey.
Red Rose Animal Rescue is located two hours south of me, which means that their listing on Petfinder is unlikely to be seen by anyone up in my area. Most people will not want to drive 4 hours round-trip for a first meeting.

How you can help Noctua and Sadiya:

1) 📍Available for adoption in the Seattle area! Is there room in your home and heart for Noctua and Sadiya? Check out their newly updated Petfinder profile for more about them.

2) Do you know of a shelter/rescue in the Seattle area that would be willing to guest-post them on Petfinder so a potential adopter can find them without having to travel so far? I’d love to connect.

3) Want to help support them until they are adopted? They need litter, treats, and food. Check out their Amazon Wish List.

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Navigating Transitions, Shifts, Changes, and Challenges, Naturally

🍁 October is a season of transition, and Sacred Rhythms is a way to honor those shifts in your own life. Each month, you’ll enjoy: a shamanic journey, a related activity, a digital puzzle, a story, wildlife videos, book recommendations, seasonal quotes, and a music playlist. Each offering is designed to deepen your connection with nature and restore calm and balance.

Sacred Rhythms makes a meaningful gift.
Instead of more “stuff,” give a year of journeys, seasonal magic, and wisdom from nature. Perfect for birthdays, holidays, or simply to say I love you.

⚡ Save $50, special savings end October 1: Registration increases from $99 to $149 on October 1.

Gift Sacred Rhythms to yourself—or someone you love. 

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🍂 Seasonal Self-Care Special 🍂
The weight of the season can be felt in many ways: shifting light, political tensions, or personal challenges that stir beneath the surface.

This October, give yourself the gift of ease. In a 30-minute session for people, I draw on shamanic practices, Reiki, and other clearing work to help release what no longer serves you—easing stress, supporting change, and creating space for growth and renewal.

✨ October Special: 10% off through October 31 ✨
A gentle invitation to pause, restore, and step into the new season with more balance.
Use Coupon Code HUMANSAVE10 at checkout for discount.

Click here to schedule your session.

Enjoy the blessings of the season,
Rose De Dan, Night Sky and Tamerlan, fosters Noctua and Sadiya

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Want to learn how to walk in harmony with the natural world, 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 and digital workshops.

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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 of Tails of a Healer: Animals, Reiki and Shamanism and Out of the Darkness and Other Animal Tails. 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.