The Medicine of Rewilding Hearts
By Elizabeth Anne Johnson.
We are still in Fire element season – the season of the heart. This time of year always takes me on an ancient journey of our wild hearts. Our dog’s heart, horses’ heart, cat hearts and all the other creatures out there with hearts – including our own, all began many moons ago with a wild heart.
Our relationship with a dog’s wild heart goes way back to ancient times when all our hearts were wild, untamed, not ruled by the mind but free to feel emotions, free to run, free to open and close our heart as situations evolved. Free to be who we truly are at any given moment without facades.
Canids were brave enough many centuries ago to step up and be part of our human lives. I envision that the first humans who accepted dogs as companions felt a kindred connection surround them that deeply touched their own wild hearts. I am certain it was an odd feeling but a good one, which has managed to expand for many centuries. Dogs have endured and thrived beside us, as we have beside them. For dogs, it is a very long story of leaving pieces of the wild behind and moving towards domestication. By our sides, the species accomplished it. But there will always be a vein of wildness that trickles though every dog. Every sniff, every stalk, every step carries the memories of wild.
Dogs can teach us to return to the wild that we humans once knew and honored. The wild of our own hearts.
Wild heart medicine holds understanding as it’s leader. It fosters the siblings of patience, acceptance, compassion and kindness – or as I like to call it – PACK. We humans have the capacity to touch into and channel this beautiful wildness that lives within all our hearts. To walk a road that creates harmony and that serves the world around us. Dogs teach us that in many reflective ways.
Dogs are the original wisdom-keepers. They are truly our teachers, even when we think we’re teaching them.
Dogs are also ancient ambassadors for the many other species of this world – including us – in how to cohabitate with humans. They teach us balance and to walk a good road with each step we take. We can reciprocate by learning “who they are”. Learning their archetypal personalities, behaviors, wants, needs, and stressors opens a new lens in your life with them and hopefully within yourself and the world around you.
Finding your dogs’ archetypal element is an eye-opening process. And it is a true gift to guide you towards your own element needs, wants, and stressors and those of other humans around you. Knowing this brings genuine peace to our wild hearts. This helps create stronger, healthier relationships for all.
The wild heart tenets of the five element dogs and humans are:
Wood: Bravery and Devotion
Fire: Joy and Connection
Earth: Pure Love and Caring
Metal: Purpose and Endurance
Water: Empathic Sensitivity and Deep Connection
Lastly, A dog’s true medicine is trust, loyalty, reflection, protection, family, honor, and integrity and dogs always live in the present. These are solid values that also live in the uncharted wilds of our human hearts.
Living with dogs ask us to explore these values within ourselves and within others. Do you know someone with dog medicine? – the person you go to for truth, friendship, safety, honesty, big hugs, saving you from yourself, or wiping your tears?
Uncover their elemental archetype and reciprocate by honoring their needs, wants, stressors and learn how to support them. (Practice on your dog first – humans are a bit trickier!)
When you create understanding, you weave better relationships. Next time you look into your dog’s eyes or see him sniff the air for scents, try to find his wildness and try to feel your own …it’s there!
Expand and enjoy your wild heart, wag your tail, find the gifts.
Dog Partner! Stay tuned, next month let’s discover what element you are! If you can’t wait, check out the human quizzes in my awesome book – Know Your Dog’s True Nature.
Elizabeth Anne Johnson is an Author, TEDx Speaker, animal empath and holistic healer, and a former veterinary technician with over 30 years of experience. She works with companion, sports, and aging dogs in her 4Legged Wisdom and Wellness practice. She lives with her two fun and hilarious dogs, Wilbur and Pretzel. https://www.elizabethannejohnson.com/
