In honor of St. Francis Day, many people choose to take time to have a Blessing of the Animals. I have attended many different ceremonies in different cities and with various faiths.
People lovingly brought their animals, and while the humans felt deep appreciation for the event, I couldn’t help but notice that the animals were stressed and didn’t seem to be enjoying the experience. In one ceremony, water was splashed on dog’s faces, which stressed them terribly. I always thought there must be a better way.
The Human-Animal Connection hosted our first Blessing of the Animals on October 5, 2024. It was my first time officiating since I became an Animal Chaplain in June. The animals were free to engage -- or go dig and play in the dirt. Giving animals freedom of choice is one of the important principles in The Human-Animal Connection. And when they are free to choose to be part of the circle, I find it is always a meaningful moment when they rejoin the circle and pick one person to comfort. It is a recognition of the emotions happening, and often a message of calm, peace and love when they choose to engage.
As this was our first group, we wanted to keep it small, and the four dogs all knew each other. Each participant also invited many of the animals who have crossed over into spirit, with their photos on the altar. In the end, with so many of our loving visitors from The Beyond, we had quite a full gathering!
Participants shared loving, treasured memories as we expressed both our gratitude and our wishes for the animals, past and present. However, someone forgot to tell the weather in Tucson, that the calendar said it was Fall season! It was warmer than we would have liked. But another kind of warmth was present, from all of our hearts beating in unison as we Amplified the Sense of Gratitude for our animals. And Rev. Howard gave a special blessing to all the animals in the world who are facing adversity and unkindness.
Please enjoy this short, high-light video to tap into the lovely feeling of joy.
A Shamanic Rabbit Named Luna
One highlight of the very special ceremony was a message from a rabbit named Luna. Luna is a Shamanic Rabbit who shared her life with a dear colleague and animal communication mentor, Paloma Beartschi who lives in Switzerland. When I told her we were planning this blessing, she said Luna Rabbit had something she wanted to contribute. Luna, who is in spirit, continues to amaze clients with her precise guidance about health and other matters and often accompanies scared animals when they must go for their vet visits. She has even been known to guide the hands of veterinarians who are performing life-saving surgery.
What Luna had to Say:
Luna asked each of us not only to feel gratitude for our animals occasionally but to make it a daily ritual or habit. We each committed to a Daily Gratitude Ritual for our animals. Mine was, as I put the breakfast bowls down for my three dogs, I take a moment to sit with them, listen to their happy eating sounds, and open my heart to experience the gratitude I feel to have three happy dogs in my life. This is good for them, but it also lifts my energy field and puts my day on the right start. I hope you will consider adding a Daily Gratitude moment into your animal’s lives.
Messages from the Animals
Our ceremony ended with channeled messages from the animals. Each person picked one of their animals—either alive or in spirit—from which they would like to receive a message.
Rev Howard and I took turns delivering profound and joyous messages from their animal to each person. Eyes filled with tears, hearts melted, and we all were lifted, knowing our animals were delighting in the Great Beyond.
We are grateful to those who attended our “inaugural animal blessing” and hope to do a few of these sweet and delightful events every year. Not just on St. Francis Day!
And a special thank you to Sophia, Harry, Bailey and Lucy – our four-legged friends who weaved in and out, and stopped for cuddles, but only when they felt like it.
Join our free newsletter list at TheHumanAnimalConnection.org to find out about our next Animal Blessing, Donkey workshop, and online classes.
Blessings to you and your loved ones.
May you be sweetened by their presence in your life.
Rev. Genie Joseph
Animal Chaplain
Executive Director
The Human-Animal Connection
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