I've been an animal communicator for 30+ years and practicing true kinship with animals for almost 10 years.
Those numbers boggle my mind! How can that be possible???
But the numbers go beyond identifying time periods to naming who I was, who I am, what my chosen values are and how I opt to show up in the world.
The picture above was taken about midway during those years. Both the world and I have vastly changed during that time and my practice hasn’t always looked the same.
For instance (this is really tough to admit) when I first started I saw myself as ***THE EXPERT***. And why wouldn’t I?? I’d studied and practiced hard to become an animal communicator, followed the teachers and mentors instruction exactly.
Plus, I truly believed because I paid good money to study with professionals around the world, that gave me the right to claim expert status. In hindsight that realization horrifies me while simultaneously I’m extremely grateful for it.
And of course, the animals would want to talk to me because I was a human who really got them and had their best interest at heart. 🤦♀️ 🙄 Ego much, Janet?
If you were around in the early days and had a 1:1 session with me, you might remember I would ‘highly suggest’ recommendations you ‘should’ take with your animal family member.
If you were on the receiving end of my “I’m the expert attitude” then, I apologize for harm I created for you and the animals. I continue to work to do better
I could not have anticipated then I would be where I am now - not the expert, but a true kinship with animals practitioner.
A little backstory - I am here in part due to the personal work I’ve been doing in anti-racism and decolonization the past few years. That work is making me aware of my racist biases, privilege, the expectation I am owed unearned privilege and that I should be centered simply because I’m white and white is the ‘norm’.
It was just a hop, skip and a jump for me to replace the word ‘white’ with the concept ‘dominion over animals’.
Practicing true kinship with animals made me aware of society’s imposed restrictions on animal/human relationship. I recognized the necessity of moving beyond those restrictions and learning to be with animals in a new place of understanding.
I want to share three things I’ve learned on my journey. If they resonate with you, lovely; if they don’t, no prob, just toss them aside.
When you’re on your journey, things will change. That’s life, it’s normal. It’s not a sign that you’ve done something wrong, and it’s certainly not a clarion call you should have known better. I’m a firm believer in Maya Angelou’s quote: “Do the best you can until you know better. Then when you know better, do better.”
When I claim power-over animals, I’m denying them their agency. I don’t know about you, but I really do not spider nearly as well as a spider does
If you’re feeling stuck between a rock and a hard spot on how society treats animals (as animals) and how you treat them (as kin), that’s a sign you are ready to relate to animals through a new place of understanding. It’s an indication you are growing beyond society’s dictum of humans having dominion over animals. Yay you!!!
I wish you well on your individual journey. If there’s anything I can do to help, let me know!
The May schedule is now open for 1:1 sessions - scurry on over and reserve your spot! Also, remember to purchase your gift certificate in time for Mother’s Day.
Folx who seek me out for 1:1 guidance in a one-time consultation or an ongoing collaborative arrangement are looking to:
Address the relationship you have with domesticated animal family members
Bridge the space between you and animals so that you are able to better understand each other
Become intentional in your relationship with animals by disengaging from colonized expectation
Does that sound like you?
Support the free teachings
Every week you find my free teachings teachings on the site, the podcast, in this newsletter and on social media. These are free because I want to nurture the practice of community and collaboration as best I can in a society that values power-over, competition and individualism.
I honor the integrity and wisdom of the teachings as well as the time I have spent learning, tending and passing them forward. I ask if you are in a position to pay for them that you do so in a reciprocal exchange of energy. Thank you!
Thank you for being a part of the true kinship with animals community!
About me…..
I am an animist, podcaster, intuitive practitioner and mentor identifying as she/they and respectfully acknowledge I am supported and sustained on the traditional and ancestral territory of the Séliš (Salish) and QÌispé (upper Kalispel or Pend d’Oreille) People who have stewarded this land throughout the generations.
As a practitioner of true kinship with animals, I pledge to recognize the descendants and practices of the original Peoples, Lands and Animals. I will not knowingly appropriate their wisdom, nor will I knowingly speak over their voices. When I have participated in colonialism practices, I will be accountable by publicly acknowledging the harmful practice, apologizing, and doing the needed reflection and self work to do better in the future.
For 30+ years I have facilitated clear conversations between animals and people. In my work I encourage people to recreate a bond with animals by disengaging from colonized approaches and relating in true kinship.
I am cheerfully owned and managed by a multitude of angel animals and several houseplants.
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We all do better when ALL creatures do better.