The Hawks Keep Appearing
Have you ever had a week where the universe keeps tapping you on the shoulder?
This week, for me, it’s been hawks. Four so far, to be exact. Hawks aren’t usually the birds who show up for me. I tend to get other messengers, so seeing this many, one after another, crossing my path, made me pause and wonder what they might be trying to tell me.
The first flew overhead while I was with a friend. The second sat in a tree, literally five feet from me. One was at the beach, and another soared above my car while I was driving. All red-tailed hawks. Something felt intentional about this, as if I’d been invited to stop and pay attention.
What the hawk means to me…
Symbolically, red-tailed hawks are tied to keen vision, clarity, and spiritual messages, a bridge between the physical and spiritual worlds. They ask us to step back and see the bigger picture when we’re so caught up in the details that we lose sight of where we’re headed. They also carry strength and courage, the kind that takes a chance without rushing in blindly. In some energy-healing traditions, that red tail connects to the root chakra: grounding, safety, belonging. I love that contrast, a bird that soars so high while reminding us of our connection to the earth.
To me, that’s the hawk’s message: look a little closer, stay grounded, and trust your own vision. You don’t have to know the whole journey to take the next step.
The sign I asked for…
There’s another side to seeing these birds.
The last time I remember seeing one was right after Litha, when I was looking at a space for my business.I was having one of those heart-wrenching, soul-searching conversations with myself, asking the universe for a sign about whether I should take it.
I was so worried about my son. He’s autistic, and I’ve been afraid to expand my business because of what he needs from me. Every time I’ve stepped toward growth, something in his life has come at us, and we’ve had to take five steps back.
So I asked. And a red-tailed hawk flew overhead and seemed to follow me for at least a mile.
I took it as a sign. The space didn’t work out, but I believe it opened a cosmic window for another one. Sometimes an ending arrives before we’re ready, before we can see what comes next. With that in mind, I’ve been trying to remember that something not working out doesn’t mean the hope behind it has to end, too. So this “revisit” was a little reminder to keep that hope alive.
When a familiar sign brings sadness…
And then, yesterday, my heart fell when I found what seemed to be the remains of a baby bird. There was no body, just tiny feathers scattered across my yard, ending in a small clump. I wondered if a hawk had been involved, though I hesitate to say “my” hawk. Or maybe the owl in our neighborhood, the one I hear every night, another animal I feel so connected to. With a heavy heart, I gathered a few of the feathers, including a couple of tiny red ones.
If you’ve been following along, you know I’ve been collecting feathers for the last five or six months. I used to find heart-shaped rocks, and somewhere along the way the feathers took their place. I find them every single day, and each one has felt like a little gift. But these feathers were different. They carried the feeling of an ending, and they stirred up sadness, a loss of hope, and a deep worry for those who are fragile.
Maybe they’re asking me to pay attention, too: to notice what feels fragile in my own life, what I’m afraid of losing, and what still needs my care.
Life isn’t black and white, and neither are the signs. The hawk and the feathers both belong to the same story: one of hope and loss, of expecting one thing and receiving another, and of learning to keep my heart open anyway.
October’s Endings and Beginnings…
What I want to impart is that not everything we hope for is exactly the way we think it will be. Our dream house might have a leak. Our dream job might have weekend hours. Our perfect relationship with a perfect person might include a really dysfunctional family.
There’s a darkness to everything. And that’s okay. That’s part of the balance. We shouldn’t lose hope because of it. We can try to alchemize it, to transmute it so that darkness becomes something we can handle while sustaining some sort of balance, without drowning in it.
That’s why we get to celebrate the darkness. It’s the underbelly of all of life, and rather than fear it or try to escape it, embracing it is a much more practical way to live.
And isn’t that exactly what this time of year asks of us? At Samhain, we honor those who have passed, and we also welcome beginnings: a new season, the dark half of the year, the quiet turn inward. Things end so that new things can be born.
What I found deserves a moment of reverence, and I’m letting myself feel the sadness, too. I know the hawk or owl was simply following its nature, but that doesn’t make this little life feel any less precious. There’s room to understand the cycle and still feel tender about the loss.
If you’re somewhere in that in-between place, too, I’d love for you to give yourself a little tenderness. Grieve what you’ve lost, what you hoped for, or what didn’t work out. There’s no need to rush toward hope. When you’re ready, it may return the way it so often does: quietly, in something small, like a little curiosity, a new idea, an unexpected sign or the desire to reach out and connect. It might not look like what you first hoped for, but it can still be real.
Connection, comfort, and gathering together…
When I read tarot for the group on Sunday, I was reminded again how thin the veil can feel. There were moments of connection that felt deeper than the cards themselves, and there’s real comfort in knowing we’re not alone. Maybe some of our endings are beginnings taking a different shape, one we can’t quite recognize yet.
That’s part of what I’m looking forward to exploring at our October 29th Samhain Sacred Circle: a little divination, a little mystery, and time to honor those connections, our ancestors, the season, and whatever each of us is moving through.
October 29th: Samhain Sacred Circle
A Witchy Ouija Circle of Mystery, Magic & Celebration
As the nights grow longer and the Wheel of the Year turns toward Samhain, we honor those who came before us, release what is ending, and welcome a season when the veil is growing thin.
Join us for a women’s circle of ceremony, connection, and good old-fashioned witchy curiosity, with room for remembrance, magic, and laughter. Together, we’ll explore Samhain traditions, ancestor remembrance, meditation, movement, journaling, oracle cards, and some witchy Ouija exploration. 🍂🔮
A seasonal dinner will be provided, with warming soup, salads, charcuterie, fruit, cookies, and pies, plus one glass of mulled wine or cider. Tea and water will also be available.
This spiritual, seasonal gathering is limited to 13 guests in our host’s private home, so I recommend reserving in advance. You are welcome exactly as you are, whether you practice regularly, are simply curious, or want to share a magical night with good people. 💞
Samhain ~ A Witchy Ouija Circle
📅 October 29, 2026
⏰ 6:30–9:00 PM
📍 A welcoming farmhouse in Smithtown near Sweetbriar Nature Center. The exact location will be shared upon registration.
Seven Spots Left! I hope to see you around the fire!
| Join the Circle |
Whatever the hawks, feathers, and quiet endings are asking of you right now, may you meet them with an open heart. Stay grounded, trust your own vision, and know that you never have to see the whole path to take the next step. The circle keeps turning, and so does the light.
With love and magic,
Shana
Discover Your Inner Wisdom: A Beginner’s Guide to Intuition and Feeling Your Vibes
In astrological terms, this is the start of a new year. We go from the heavenly and spiritual energy of Pisces; the slow watery sign that dreams and imagines, that is not so tied to this earthly plane as it is to the next, and lives half beyond the veil, to the Aries’ abrupt, rising, warrior energy.
Most of the ancient and modern astrologers agree that the year’s wheel is a metaphor to the lifecycle. We start out as babies with the high intensive energy of Aries, and make our way until we are in our later years (i.e. months) with the ending of the year in the wise, twinkling and elder spirit of Pisces.
The Aries temperament is similar to a young child’s in that it is fresh and vibrant, it has no fear, it goes after what it wants, it cries when it doesn’t get it -but- gets right back up again! This temperament may get angry, however, Aries has taught us to use that anger for production, and never to hold onto it.
…There are various other cultures and traditions that attach characteristics, emotions, energy, colors, and, even, taste and sounds to these transitional times. But, the majority would agree that this is the most impactful time of year, full of metamorphoses and change: the time leaving winter and entering spring. The opposition of these two seasonal energies create a vortex of possibilities in each of our lives…
Full and Freaky: the Lunar Eclipse Full Moon
In astrological terms, this is the start of a new year. We go from the heavenly and spiritual energy of Pisces; the slow watery sign that dreams and imagines, that is not so tied to this earthly plane as it is to the next, and lives half beyond the veil, to the Aries’ abrupt, rising, warrior energy.
Most of the ancient and modern astrologers agree that the year’s wheel is a metaphor to the lifecycle. We start out as babies with the high intensive energy of Aries, and make our way until we are in our later years (i.e. months) with the ending of the year in the wise, twinkling and elder spirit of Pisces.
The Aries temperament is similar to a young child’s in that it is fresh and vibrant, it has no fear, it goes after what it wants, it cries when it doesn’t get it -but- gets right back up again! This temperament may get angry, however, Aries has taught us to use that anger for production, and never to hold onto it.
…There are various other cultures and traditions that attach characteristics, emotions, energy, colors, and, even, taste and sounds to these transitional times. But, the majority would agree that this is the most impactful time of year, full of metamorphoses and change: the time leaving winter and entering spring. The opposition of these two seasonal energies create a vortex of possibilities in each of our lives…
Solar Eclipse Season & Life Lessons:
In astrological terms, this is the start of a new year. We go from the heavenly and spiritual energy of Pisces; the slow watery sign that dreams and imagines, that is not so tied to this earthly plane as it is to the next, and lives half beyond the veil, to the Aries’ abrupt, rising, warrior energy.
Most of the ancient and modern astrologers agree that the year’s wheel is a metaphor to the lifecycle. We start out as babies with the high intensive energy of Aries, and make our way until we are in our later years (i.e. months) with the ending of the year in the wise, twinkling and elder spirit of Pisces.
The Aries temperament is similar to a young child’s in that it is fresh and vibrant, it has no fear, it goes after what it wants, it cries when it doesn’t get it -but- gets right back up again! This temperament may get angry, however, Aries has taught us to use that anger for production, and never to hold onto it.
…There are various other cultures and traditions that attach characteristics, emotions, energy, colors, and, even, taste and sounds to these transitional times. But, the majority would agree that this is the most impactful time of year, full of metamorphoses and change: the time leaving winter and entering spring. The opposition of these two seasonal energies create a vortex of possibilities in each of our lives…
Happy New Year! The Vernal Equinox and WHY its the BEST Time to Start Again…
In astrological terms, this is the start of a new year. We go from the heavenly and spiritual energy of Pisces; the slow watery sign that dreams and imagines, that is not so tied to this earthly plane as it is to the next, and lives half beyond the veil, to the Aries’ abrupt, rising, warrior energy.
Most of the ancient and modern astrologers agree that the year’s wheel is a metaphor to the lifecycle. We start out as babies with the high intensive energy of Aries, and make our way until we are in our later years (i.e. months) with the ending of the year in the wise, twinkling and elder spirit of Pisces.
The Aries temperament is similar to a young child’s in that it is fresh and vibrant, it has no fear, it goes after what it wants, it cries when it doesn’t get it -but- gets right back up again! This temperament may get angry, however, Aries has taught us to use that anger for production, and never to hold onto it.
…There are various other cultures and traditions that attach characteristics, emotions, energy, colors, and, even, taste and sounds to these transitional times. But, the majority would agree that this is the most impactful time of year, full of metamorphoses and change: the time leaving winter and entering spring. The opposition of these two seasonal energies create a vortex of possibilities in each of our lives…
“Find Your Why and You Will Find Your Way”
It’s so important to KNOW without a shadow of a doubt what FILLS YOUR CUP and keeps your heart smiling, even when stress is out of control and sh*t hits the fan. It’s times like these , we get thrown off track, get hit from the side, lose the wind from our sails. Too many of these blows, can knock us down for the count. But there is always a way to get back up. And sometimes that means finding your true north, seeing what is important and going the distance. Getting back up means getting in touch with your ‘WHY’
to me
Word of the year: FLOW
2022 taught me a lot. It was tougher than I thought it would be , wasn’t it?? After all we’d been through in 2020 & 2021 most of us thought 2022 would be a walk in the park. But honestly- I don’t know anyone who felt that was.
The world was maybe only very slightly calmer- at least from my perspective- but my inner landscape was vexed. Things came up , situations changed, and topsy -turvy feelings became the norm. And this was the universal sentiment that seemed to rock our worlds- both outer and inner but mostly the former.
There were some larger energetic shifts that impacted us all,but, regardless of that, we all felt the awareness that there was still work to be done. This made me realize: sometimes things happen at their own speed, in their own due time. I am not in control, even as much as I wish I was, or as much as I try working hard to be. I can’t force anything- life can change and impact us -on a macro or micro scale – at any moment. It just is what it is….
And now I truly get that. My son having difficulties has really shown me how we can’t force things to happen. He is going at his own pace, not one imposed upon by me. He is doing the best he can. All I can do is pray, set intentions and ask for help when I need it. BUT I can’t force him on any level to go any faster to do any “better” even though my WILL, my ego might want him to.I need to be in the FLOW. The flow of my outer life and unexpected circumstances that may arise, as well as my inner life- flowing with my feelings, thoughts, passions and purpose- as well as my shadow side.
And now I truly get that. My son having difficulties has really shown me how we can’t force things to happen. He is going at his own pace, not one imposed upon by me. He is doing the best he can. All I can do is pray, set intentions and ask for help when I need it. BUT I can’t force him on any level to go any faster to do any “better” even though my WILL, my ego might want him to….I need to be in the FLOW. The flow of my outer life and unexpected circumstances that may arise, as well as my inner life- flowing with my feelings, thoughts, passions and purpose- as well as my shadow side.
What do Geraldo, Poop, the iPhone & Meditation have in Common?
Our thoughts are a function of our brain. Some thoughts are good and useful to us, and some are not. WE are the LISTENER of our thoughts. I know this is a bit confusing but here’s the deal -we hear our thoughts. We are our consciousness – we are our soul- we are our inner knowing but we are not our thoughts – they are only a function of our brain.
1:59 PM (35 minutes ago)
to me
Word of the year: FLOW
2022 taught me a lot. It was tougher than I thought it would be , wasn’t it?? After all we’d been through in 2020 & 2021 most of us thought 2022 would be a walk in the park. But honestly- I don’t know anyone who felt that was.
The world was maybe only very slightly calmer- at least from my perspective- but my inner landscape was vexed. Things came up , situations changed, and topsy -turvy feelings became the norm. And this was the universal sentiment that seemed to rock our worlds- both outer and inner but mostly the former.
There were some larger energetic shifts that impacted us all,but, regardless of that, we all felt the awareness that there was still work to be done. This made me realize: sometimes things happen at their own speed, in their own due time. I am not in control, even as much as I wish I was, or as much as I try working hard to be. I can’t force anything- life can change and impact us -on a macro or micro scale – at any moment. It just is what it is….
And now I truly get that. My son having difficulties has really shown me how we can’t force things to happen. He is going at his own pace, not one imposed upon by me. He is doing the best he can. All I can do is pray, set intentions and ask for help when I need it. BUT I can’t force him on any level to go any faster to do any “better” even though my WILL, my ego might want him to.I need to be in the FLOW. The flow of my outer life and unexpected circumstances that may arise, as well as my inner life- flowing with my feelings, thoughts, passions and purpose- as well as my shadow side.
And now I truly get that. My son having difficulties has really shown me how we can’t force things to happen. He is going at his own pace, not one imposed upon by me. He is doing the best he can. All I can do is pray, set intentions and ask for help when I need it. BUT I can’t force him on any level to go any faster to do any “better” even though my WILL, my ego might want him to….I need to be in the FLOW. The flow of my outer life and unexpected circumstances that may arise, as well as my inner life- flowing with my feelings, thoughts, passions and purpose- as well as my shadow side.
Word Of the Year: Flow! Getting in it for 2023
This made me realize: sometimes things happen at their own speed, in their own due time. I am not in control, even as much as I wish I was, or as much as I try working hard to be. I can’t force anything- life can change and impact us -on a macro or micro scale – at any moment. It just is what it is….Shana Heatley
1:59 PM (35 minutes ago)
to me
Word of the year: FLOW
2022 taught me a lot. It was tougher than I thought it would be , wasn’t it?? After all we’d been through in 2020 & 2021 most of us thought 2022 would be a walk in the park. But honestly- I don’t know anyone who felt that was.
The world was maybe only very slightly calmer- at least from my perspective- but my inner landscape was vexed. Things came up , situations changed, and topsy -turvy feelings became the norm. And this was the universal sentiment that seemed to rock our worlds- both outer and inner but mostly the former.
There were some larger energetic shifts that impacted us all,but, regardless of that, we all felt the awareness that there was still work to be done. This made me realize: sometimes things happen at their own speed, in their own due time. I am not in control, even as much as I wish I was, or as much as I try working hard to be. I can’t force anything- life can change and impact us -on a macro or micro scale – at any moment. It just is what it is….
And now I truly get that. My son having difficulties has really shown me how we can’t force things to happen. He is going at his own pace, not one imposed upon by me. He is doing the best he can. All I can do is pray, set intentions and ask for help when I need it. BUT I can’t force him on any level to go any faster to do any “better” even though my WILL, my ego might want him to.I need to be in the FLOW. The flow of my outer life and unexpected circumstances that may arise, as well as my inner life- flowing with my feelings, thoughts, passions and purpose- as well as my shadow side.
And now I truly get that. My son having difficulties has really shown me how we can’t force things to happen. He is going at his own pace, not one imposed upon by me. He is doing the best he can. All I can do is pray, set intentions and ask for help when I need it. BUT I can’t force him on any level to go any faster to do any “better” even though my WILL, my ego might want him to….I need to be in the FLOW. The flow of my outer life and unexpected circumstances that may arise, as well as my inner life- flowing with my feelings, thoughts, passions and purpose- as well as my shadow side.
That Summer Feeling~ June, Hormones, Sunshine and Heart-to-Hearts
June is a slip into summer……New scientific research has even discovered that different hormones peak during different seasons. Our reproduction hormones tend to peak late winter into spring. Move over birdie! Moreover, our serotonin levels are also elevated during the summer months with more exposure to sun light. With this higher dose, we can feel more confident in our skin, more able to open up and share with others. This hormone also creates feelings of loyalty, which may engender trust and open honesty. Hormonal changes such as these can increase our desire to connect with others. Biologically, we are social creatures and it is vital to our survival, our health and our well-being, to have solid connections with a close, core group of people in which we can allow ourselves to be intimate and vulnerable with.
‘You Must Believe In Spring…’
“And the day came when the risk to remain tight in a bud was more painful than the risk it took to blossom” Anais Nin. The Cycle begins again… Birth. Emergence. Becoming. Newness. Freshness. Blooming. Budding. Moving. Ascending.
For many decades now, I have come to live in harmony with natures seasonal changes and create rituals around them. I suppose my interest started at first as a child because I was always very observant to nature and what was happening in my outside world. Now, even the years that I am not quite as attentive, I still feel a buzzing in my body come late March that continues through to June. To me this sensation is spring….
….Think of the sort of “anger” one has when playing a sport, or the “anger” one has when playing a game, or the burning sensation that one might feel when a highly valued project or endeavor hits an avalanche of an obstacle. It’s the sensation of being so alive and so on fire that only a blood curdling cry can truly demonstrate the depth (like the NZ Maori’s war dance, the Haka). It’s that kind of anger that runs rampant during these spring months. If this anger is felt and understood and then, most importantly, let go of, it is useful in allowing us to forge ahead. It gives us resilience and strength despite our possible uphill battles. However, if this anger is nurtured and feed, it can become a noose around our necks and follow us everywhere we go. Not relinquishing its hold can poison even the most tender of moments, even the sweetest of relationships…..
What a Little Moonlight Can Do
The full moon is a super-attractor: meaning- whatever you are feeling will be 200% accentuated during this moon phase. Feeling crazy? Well, get ready for more Cra-cray. Feeling amorous? Here comes more mojo! Feeling sad? You better grab those tissues! The full moon amplifies EVERYTHING.
Related posts…
Got the Itch? How to Start a New Chapter When You Feel Stuck
It starts with a slight itch. Like nothing quite feels right. Like when you have an itchy sweater on that you just NEED to take off. But once it’s off, that itch is still there.
That’s kind of what it feels like when you’re feeling ready for a new chapter… but unsure how to cross the threshold. Got the itch? Then keep reading ~ this is for you.
I write this from a place of lived experience… and then some. Many, many, MANY times I’ve changed directions (for my astrology peeps- that’s my intercepted MC hard at work!). And that “in-between” space? It’s a REAL place. Not only real, but a tender place where the old version of you is loosening(old routines, old roles, old identities) but the new version hasn’t fully been discovered yet. And if you’re an empath (or having a deeply ‘feely’ human moment), it can seem like: “Why can’t I just decide already?” “Why am I emotional for no reason?” “Why do I want change and also want to hide under a blanket forever?”
We burn out. We disconnect. And we convince ourselves that magic was never real to begin with.
But here’s what I know: you’re allowed to stop waiting for those dreams. You’re allowed to stop participating in the hustle culture. You’re allowed to pause and breathe. And most importantly? You’re allowed to start creating.
A Moon That Remakes You: November’s Crossroads
You’re not imagining it—the magic really did disappear for a while. The world just takes from us, doesn’t it?
The bills. The to-do lists that never end. The constant pressure to keep up, show up, be more, do more. We’re so busy surviving the demands of modern life that we forget we ever had dreams. Forget what it feels like to be aligned with anything beyond just making it through the day.
And somewhere in all that noise and depletion, the sacred slips away. We lose touch with the part of us that used to believe in something bigger. That used to feel things deeply.
We burn out. We disconnect. And we convince ourselves that magic was never real to begin with.
But here’s what I know: you’re allowed to stop waiting for those dreams. You’re allowed to stop participating in the hustle culture. You’re allowed to pause and breathe. And most importantly? You’re allowed to start creating.
Learning to Trust What You Already Know
Have you ever found yourself pondering over your deepest desires, visualizing how you want to express your life, and asking, “What is it that I want to attract and manifest?” It’s a concept that might seem bizarre to some, and one that is often met with a lot of doubt. This is especially true when it comes to the belief or concept of manifesting or attraction. You might have heard of “The Secret,” Abraham-Hicks, or Gabby Bernstein, and thought it all sounded a bit too “woo-woo.” However, it’s a concept that is definitely worth exploring.
Regardless of your personal beliefs, manifestation can be an incredibly useful tool for achieving your dreams. Whether you see it as a blueprint for action or a method of bringing your desires to life, the practice holds true value. And the best part? Its applications extend far beyond just achieving your goals – its principles can be applied to many areas of your life.
Manifestation is a powerful tool that can help you bring your desires and dreams into reality. While there are many techniques for manifesting, some of the most effective ones are often overlooked. Here are five tips for manifesting that will be sure to can bring you closer to joy:
April’s Messages- can you hear them?
About the Author…
Did you know Meditation can reduce insomnia by 75%? It can reduce anxiety by 60%? It increases heart, hormonal and gut health!!
