My son Patrick & I attended the June retreat.  I found it to be a very nice experience and particularly enjoyed visiting with the animals and hearing Bernie  Krause the bioacoustician.  It certainly “opened my ears!”

I was struck by the concept of wildlife corridors being maintained as a way to ensure genetic flow to maintain species viability and health.  I had not previously considered that as a real issue, nor the concept that such work is already underway in different places.  This experience led me to look locally in Minnesota for similar ideas, which in turn led me to Minnesota’s Superior Hiking Trail Association.  This is a volunteer nonprofit organization established to create and maintain a continuous backpacking/hiking trail that currently stretches from the Canadian border to Duluth, MN.

I ended up taking a weeklong backpacking trip on the SHT, which beyond the initial goal of providing one of the best hiking trails in America, has also served as a wildlife corridor itself.  Although narrow and crossed by roads in places, the Trail allows a pathway for animal movement, and much wildlife is indeed abundant there.

I guess my thinking about all this comes down to the idea that ”dual user” parkways, pathways and trails might be a good step toward serving the needs of people and wildlife without the need for conflict.

-Pat Hager

Connecting with Wildlife Heart to Heart was a retreat held in June of 2011 at Earthfire Institute. With the help of the animals of Earthfire and co-founders Susan and Jean, participants were able to live more deeply and more “in the moment”. There was time for truly meeting the animals in the wildlife garden, contemplation, storytelling, deep conversation and celebration, with the magnificent Grand Tetons in the background. Watch as retreat goers worked towards healing themselves and the planet.

The bears are pining for their gardens so they can go out daily. It breaks our heart that they can’t. Due to the generous efforts of one caring donor from last year we have $3000 towards this.

Diane Fuller has given a $5000 challenge grant for the bear gardens in memory of Windwalker the cougar. She writes: “For quite some time, I have known that my passion is around the human-animal connection, although I have not known where my journey would take me. I truly believe that if I open myself to the universe, the right path will present itself. Last August’s “Call of the Wild” Retreat at Earthfire was just that path. . . and then, among all the other amazing animals at Earthfire, I met Windwalker.

“I would have to say that this was one of the most profound and emotional experiences of my life. It reawakened some parts of my being that I have lost over time and is helping me focus on who I am and what I am fundamentally about. It was amazing, and my connection to this new community runs deep to my core.

“Earthfire is a valuable treasure, and I challenge you to “keep the EARTHFIRE alive” through your support.

Diane Fuller & Jenny the Donkey

“As a result, our community will continue to grow, and together we can make a positive difference!”

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INFIRMARY & HOSPICE BUILDING

We have no place to house and care for sick, old or dying animals in our long and bitter winters. It is from the sick and dying that we have received some of our most profound insights and we want to give the opportunity for them to be heard; to share their gifts before they leave the earth. In general, our philosophy is not to cut an animal’s life short but to let it go in its own time unless it is clearly suffering. Thus we would deeply appreciate funding towards a barn/infirmary building. John Towner, board member and professional surveyor, donated his services and did a complete detailed survey of the property. This will serve as the physical basis for a master plan, and gives a physical size and placement for the bear gardens and barn/office/infirmary. This means the minute we receive funding we can begin construction. Donations of $30,000 will enable us to complete the first phase of construction, which would give us a functional unit that can be added on to later.

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GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT

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Caitlin and retreat leader Polly Klein, returning to the yurt. (c) Hershel Klein

In August, I was honored to be invited with 10 other students to a retreat at the Earthfire. We were brought there by our Reiki teacher and animal communicator Polly Klein. I am still figuring out what happened. Still journaling, meditating, singing, and whispering about it to myself, a few others. One thing I learned: right after, I should have gone into silence, as befitting any sacred encounter. But I also felt a deep need to tell people about it. Somehow.

These were said quietly and without irony by caretakers and founders Jean and Susan. How do you integrate those into your usual sentences, I wonder? Even with such a strange internal dialogue as mine? I had thought, before I left, that I would get to stand really, really close to a bunch of cages with wild animals in them. I had no idea that I would not only be able to touch some of them, but give one of them a massage and a Reiki treatment to another.

Bramble Bear enjoying his time in the Wildlife Garden, showing off for retreat participants. (C) Hershel Klein

I keep trying to interpret but I’ll just tell this one thing: I sat on the grass watching Jean pet ancient cougar Windwalker until he purred. (Again with the sentences.) Behind me I heard a huff-huffing, which turned out to be the large grizzly, Huckleberry Bear Bear. Poking his giant snout under the bars of his enclosure, followed by more of his head until I could see his eyes. Following instructions, I looked at him briefly, then looked away. I looked back and he was still gazing at me. I looked away again. Then I trusted my instincts and looked back. We gazed a long time. And I heard, clear as a bell, a question from him:
What kind of animal are you? I knew instantly that this is the question I’ve been answering all my life. I told him that, awkwardly.

Caitlin and Firefly getting acquainted. (c) Hershel Klein

It took me a full three days to realize that Jean and Susan weren’t kidding: they really do mean to be creating something new (or very old) with animals. A connection. How it used to be or how it could be or something else that I won’t diminish with words. But to be with wild animals who are perceiving you as a fellow critter, to be sniffed and possibly touched by them, is to restore the animal in oneself. What a gift.

Windwalker has a powerful presence and a great heart that is both awe-inspiring and humbling. His love for wildlife expert and friend Jean Simpson of Earthfire is very clear as you will see in the photos.

But Windwalker is something more—in my opinion he is a spiritual Master Teacher/Healer. And I’m not the only one who thinks so. Other workshop attendees and workshop leaders/animal communicators such as Penelope Smith and Polly Klein have expressed the same opinion.

It was that belief that caused me to offer Windwalker a Reiki attunement after the 2010 A Walk on the Wild Side event concluded.

It was an experience that had its moments of humor as well as energetic depth and spiritual connection. I thought to offer Windwalker a distance attunement using a plush stuffed animal as a surrogate. However Windwalker wanted my Tiger—big time. And he did not have spiritual intentions—Windwalker wanted a play toy—an encounter I doubted that Tiger would survive.

Rose De Dan offers Reiki attunement for Windwalker the Cougar ©2010 Debbie Noyes

Once Tiger was moved out of Windwalker’s sight I again had his full attention, and I mean FULL attention. He took up a position where he was looking directly at me, into my eyes, and he barely blinked the entire time. I could feel the intensity of our connection in the energy of the attunement and it moved me deeply.

Windwalker and I have stayed in touch in the almost year since, and he makes requests of me from time to time, or offers opinions (sometimes out of the blue). Lately I have felt a very strong pull from him, and the feeling that he was going to play a larger role in the upcoming workshop.

That feeling was confirmed when I spoke with Polly Klein upon her return from her August workshop. She’d had a conversation with Windwalker where he expressed his determination to remain in his body, no matter the cost, so long as the people kept coming, for he had a mission. And his request to me was to assist him in staying in his body as long as possible (he is an elder, at least 13, and has the pains of old age). And so, Windwalker has now been added to my weekly client schedule and is also receiving daily Reiki from Debbie Noyes and myself (he has requested that others not send Reiki directly, preferring to work with only a few people, but is open to Reiki and prayers for the situation).

Not long after, Diane Stringfellow signed up for the 2011 A Walk on the Wild Side: Answering the Call of the Wild at Earthfire and shared her experiences with Windwalker.

I was so moved by the synchronicity of experiences and Windwalker’s desire that I asked Diane if she would be willing to be interviewed, and she gladly agreed, feeling that it was important (as I did) to get Windwalker’s call to the people out.

And so, I present a transcript of our interview which I hope you will share with others. Read or listen to the recording and learn how one person heard and responded to Windwalker’s Call.

This is Rose De Dan, and I’m talking to Diane Stringfellow about her experiences at Earthfire Institute with a cougar named Windwalker.

Hi Diane, how you doing?

Diane: I’m good, Rose, thank you.

Rose: First, I’m curious, what drew you to Earthfire Institute in the first place?

Diane: Well, it was kind of odd, actually for me, I’m a very kind of practical person, and I was looking at not working for a year, and was starting that process last fall/spring. My daughter had gone to a psychic and she kept encouraging me to go see this woman, she thought it would be fun and interesting. So I went and saw this woman, and during the session she said that they (the people on the other side) were telling her that I needed to check out Earthfire Institute, and I asked her what was that and she said, “I have no idea, this is what they are telling me that you need to do.” And I kind of went, ‘Okay, yeah right.’

And I came home and I Googled Earthfire Institute and there really was a place. I mean it was like there really was this place. And the hair stood up on the back of my neck—I just could not believe that there really was this place. So I started looking at the 2011 programs and they weren’t posted yet, but I actually saw yours from last year and I was really drawn to it. And so I kept checking, waiting for the calendar for 2011 to come up and eventually I phoned and spoke to Linda the office manager there. She was telling me about the various programs, and I was really drawn to do yours but it wasn’t until the fall. I was going to be stopping work mid-May and wanted to kind of do a trip and go to Earthfire.

So I signed up for the Heart-to-Heart with Susan and Jean, and I started off on my road trip, went down the coast of the States, up through desert up to Driggs, Idaho.

I ended up kind of building this whole kind of journey, this kind of walkabout around ending up at Earthfire, right? But I really wasn’t clear. I was attracted, I’ve always had a really strong relationship with animals, probably more so than people. I’m more comfortable with animals than people. I was inspired by what was happening at Earthfire and I wanted to go see that, but that was as much as I knew at that point. So that took me to Earthfire in the middle of June.

Rose: And so, I understand you had a powerful experience with one of the resident Animal Teachers there. What was your experience meeting Windwalker like?

Jean and Windwalker @2011

Diane: Windwalker? Oh, it was profound! We went up to his compound, and he was laying up on top of his house, or den, or whatever the right word is for that. And he kept calling to Jean, he really wanted Jean to go in, and Jean had a different idea of how the day was going to look, so he really didn’t want to go in, but Windwalker was really persistent.

Finally Jean went in, and he went up to Windwalker and Windwalker reached out his paw and touched Jean’s face. The love and reverence in that touch, I mean I just (I’m going to cry again)…I just lost it, I just started crying. The beauty of his spirit, of Windwalker’s spirit, was just, I mean it just…I don’t even have words for it! It was like this profound, energetic emotional connection that I had with Windwalker, I mean it wasn’t about words it was about something much different than that. I realized in that moment that it was Windwalker that had called me to be at Earthfire. It was really clear to me but I was kind of just reeling.

We were there with him for a while, and Jean was in with him for a while, and then I look up at Jean and said, ‘Hi, can I just have a hug?’ I mean I was trying to get grounded, I mean it just knocked me over, you know?

And I’m usually pretty stoic—part of me was embarrassed that I was bawling my eyes out next to Windwalker there. But I mean he’s just…Windwalker’s amazing. He’s just this wonderful old soul. You know, I think that he’s a healer. Kind of what’s come through to me later—it took kind of a while for me to kind of find words for that. I think he’s a healer, I think he calls people to be awake, that he calls people to be in a circle. Yes, my time at Earthfire, my time with Windwalker—all the animals were really special but he was kind of the big piece on the end of an amazing few days that I spent there.

Rose: Yeah, it is a really incredible place.

Diane: Kind of in hindsight it was like the redwoods called me. When I was standing in the redwoods on the coast there, I realized that these trees had called me. And then when I was in the desert it was the same thing; I realized that the desert had called me, and I’ve never had a lot of interest in the desert. So it was really interesting that there were all these pieces, including Windwalker, that kind of called me on this, this journey that I did.

Rose: Yes, indeed.

Diane: So after the workshop it was kind of like Windwalker kept kind of saying, ‘Well, you’ve got to come back—you’ve got to come back in September.’ And I went, ‘Well, I’m not sure the money’s going to last…you know there’s other things that I’m going to be doing.’ I mean you, know, all those justifications that we make.

Rose: Mmm-hmm (agreeing)

Diane: And then the other week —it was actually Sunday night (Aug. 21)—I was almost asleep, and I saw these paws, and I instantly knew that they were Windwalker’s. And then his face came into view and it was like he filled my bedroom—he was there, he was there with me. And he said, ‘You have to come back. I’ve been calling and you’re not listening. You have to come back.’ And I said, “Well, why?’ And he said, ‘Well, you need to be in ceremony with Rose, you need to come and meet Rose. You need to be in ceremony with her.’ And I said, ‘Well, why?’ And he said, ‘Well, that will be revealed when you get here.’

But I mean, like his presence, his presence was like…I mean it was just amazing. I mean there was no doubt, it was just absolutely no matter what I have to go back to Earthfire. So I actually went online and booked your seminar, your workshop.

Rose: A Walk on the Wild Side

Diane: Yes, that’s right.

Rose: And the subtext on that one is Answering the Call of the Wild and it certainly sounds like that’s what you’re doing by answering Windwalker’s call.

And I would definitely agree, I too believe that he is a Master Teacher/Healer, but his time is growing short, and so this call may be his last. We don’t know.

Diane: I think that’s true, I think that’s true. I hope not.

Rose: I hope not, too. We will sit in dialogue and ceremony with him once again and we’re planning on building the ceremony, as much as we can, involving him, around him, with him—he’ll be a central focal point.

Diane:  I was just struck by the beauty of his spirit, you know?

Rose: I know—you won’t get any argument from me. I’ve got my own stories to tell about Windwalker, which I’ll probably talk about in the article that I’ll be writing.

Diane: Oh, that will be wonderful!

Rose: So, thank you. It is my understanding that you have not had many psychic or visionary experiences prior to this?

Diane: Truthfully, there’s always been times in my life at different times where there’s been inspiration kind of from the universe. But I’m a very practical, pragmatic kind of person in the world. So I tend to go okay, yeah, that’s interesting, but…So it’s interesting that this came through loudly enough that there was no ignoring it. And it’s still amazing to me that I found Earthfire based on going and seeing a psychic. That this woman was telling me about this place—she did not even know what she was telling me about. She said, ‘I have no idea, this is what they are telling me.’

And that was Windwalker. I think that was Windwalker putting it out to the universe on behalf of Earthfire or his own need, whatever that is. Sorry, to sound vague but I don’t have a lot of words, it is like this feeling, this energetic feeling as opposed to something I have words for.

Rose: (laughs) I understand. So, I look forward to meeting you in person and sharing that time together with Windwalker, and of course Susan and Jean and all the other animals at Earthfire—it’s coming up soon!

Diane: I know, it’s going to be wonderful to be back, yes, absolutely.

Rose: Thank you, Diane, and I’ll be seeing you soon!

Diane: Thank you, Rose.

“A visit to Earthfire Institute ‘should’ be a requirement for all human beings. I seize every opportunity to share the value of wolves with others. Being around and with Jean, Susan and the beloved animals was such a gift. I will always remember and treasure this experience.” Della Moher, Seattle, WA

“I gained an even deeper love and appreciation for these magnificent creatures. And insight from Susan and Jean about the animals’ lives in the wild, and the dangers they are now facing. The wisdom and knowledge of patience they both exhibited is inspiring.” Kris Fahlstrom, Lake Forest Park, WA

“In four days, the animals, with help from the humans involved, taught me some very important life lessons. Very wise animals. Thank you for the program and the peace that now is in my life once again. I will do whatever I can to promote this special piece of Earth and the harmony between man and animals.” Donna Safley, Zion, IL

Rose will be coming back next year (the workshop is already 1/3 full). We are putting together a video of the weekend, and will have a full article in our upcoming November, hard-copy newsletter.

Click here to view the embedded video.

This was a beautiful experience.  I feel changed fundamentally, and I am not sure how or when this occurred.  It feels like an unfolding or a softening with each experience being with wild animals.  Pimpernel, the coyote, the talkative Mr. Goose, Teton Totem and Mr. Pinkerton and Windwalker all helped me unpack my preconceptions and fears about being present with wild animals, and I feel like this has enriched my life and the way of being in the world in ways I can’t predict.  Suffice it to say the experience at Earthfire is still unfolding within me.

Learn from animals.  Take care of the earth.  We are all one.

Earthfire provides a unique place to gain an understanding of the individual nature of animals and what exceptional spirits they can be.

Everyone at Earthfire, human animal and wild animal, have provided such a beautiful and wonderful journey!  Congratulations and thank you!  Even the food was great.

Thanks to everyone who participated and helped put this event on; Penelope Smith for the retreat, Miso Hungry for the food, Anthony Birkholz for filming, Jean Simpson for the animal handling.

Watch as participants of Earthfire Institutes digital storytelling workshop go from technological panic or storytellers block to completing a passionately felt creative piece in two days. These stories are beautifully told in their own voice with Earthfire’s animals and the experience of meeting them as inspiration. For more information on this years Digital Storytelling Workshop led by Leslie Rule of KQED San Francisco visit our calendar.

Click here to view the embedded video.

Fortunately for us, Windsong is so gentle that Cucumber, who long ago decided she was to be a permanent fixture in the cabin, has accepted her presence (after a few dominating growling sessions to assert her place and superiority). This is quite a statement of not only her age but also the softness she has always projected. It was this combination of age and innate gentleness that made us decide to invite Windsong to host our very first parent-child retreat in the yurt, lending her wolf magic and energy to the event.   On a splendid winter day in January, three sets of parents and their children visited the coyotes and foxes and badger and wolves and buffalo and wild burros. When finished we all entered the warmth of the yurt for hot chocolate, homemade animal cookies  and storytelling around the wood-burning stove.  Then we brought in Windsong and the kids were electrified. Tentatively at first they came over, their parents with camera in hand as the children made her acquaintance. Soon she was surrounded by kids, covered by little hands as she stood there patiently allowing them to feel her, explore her. Two mothers, watching this, were crying. It was quite something.

For information on our family retreats this summer, visit our calendar.