Stacey L.L. Couch - Gracious Wild: A Shamanic Journey with Hawks

This treasure is a must for all that love nature and are intrigued by the shamanic way of living, whether new or experienced. There is nothing I love more in reading a book than to enter into the adventure of a great story and find myself profoundly affected by depth of emotion and experiential wisdom. Gracious Wild does this and more in a provocative story that weaves together the raw beauty of nature, the fragility of life, the yearning of the wild, and the sacredness of Spirit through the author's insights, healing, and travels through dimensions and worlds most people know only in their dreams. This exquisitely written book warmly touches hearts and gives flight to the soul, while offering opportunities for healing and cathartic release. Don't be surprised if Gracious Wild moves you to tears and helps you experience some spontaneous healing of your own.

Colleen Deatsman, author of The Hollow Bone and Seeing in the Dark

Gracious Wild illuminates how our animal allies are ever present and persistent teachers, constantly whispering encouragement for us to unfold into the magnificent beings that we humans have the potential to be. With the detail of true mouse energy, Stacey's writing brings the winged-ones to life: seeing the feathers' colors, imagining the breeze created by the flap of a raptor's wing, feeling the presence of the soul of each marvelous bird. A beautifully crafted tale of one woman's journey of awakening to the power of the visible natural world, as well as the unseen, non-ordinary world.

E.P.I.C. magazineEmpowering People, Inspiring Community

Stacey Couch's Gracious Wild is a fascinating and tender account of her journey into healing, which was aided and mentored by the intimate contact she shared with a series of venerable hawks along the way. A highly recommended, beautifully written story of power and transformation; a lens into a world not often seen or heard from.

Kay Kamala, editor for A Journal of Contemporary Shamanism

Since ancient times, shaman have worked with the spirits of nature, and Gracious Wild is an excellent narrative of this work in contemporary society. An intimate and authentic account of one woman's journey from science to shamanism, Gracious Wild also offers fascinating insight into the world of hawks and brings inspiration of how everyone can discover grace from the divine spirits of the natural world.

June Kent, editor for Indie Shaman magazine

Simultaneously realistic and mystical, Gracious Wild weaves archetypal themes into the author's personal connection with the proud yet wounded birds of prey who changed her life. Stacey's heart-warming, at times heart-wrenching, narrative scintillates with possibilities the modern human mind normally embraces only in dreams. Reading this soulful, beautifully written book is a shamanic journey into nature's wisdom of renewal, empowerment, compassion, and hope.

Linda Kohanov, author of The Tao of Equus, Riding between the Worlds, Way of the Horse, and Power of the Herd

Gracious Wild is extraordinary in how it shows the profound understanding and soul transformation that can come from inviting the mind to open to the natural world and to connect with it on a deeper level. Stacey Couch beautifully describes her own journey and artfully weaves together her encounters in a way that accesses the draw our souls all feel to nature while also enrapturing our minds in the mystery.

Christa Mackinnon, psychologist, psychotherapist, counselor and author of Shamanism and Spirituality in Therapeutic Practice

This is a uniquely passionate and powerful book that explores the deepest mysteries of connection within the expressive world of birds. The author's personal journey is so well expressed to enlighten the messages available when we open to this sacred connection. This book will assist readers in transforming their everyday relationships with creation. Inspiring us all to honor, listen, and protect our messengers of the divine.

Melisa Pearce, author of Touched by a Horse Inspirational Deck (Whispers from a Horse's Heart)

Our ancient ancestors understood that sacred Nature and her plants, animals, and birds were masterful teacher-healers. Gracious Wild is the powerful story of one woman's profound healing in the company of hawks. These birds' timeless wisdom, connection between the Earth and the Sky, and fierce vitality guide the author to embody her soul's truth and step onto the shamanic path. This book is a perfect accompaniment for anyone's healing journey.

Evelyn C. Rysdyk, author of Spirit Walking: A Course in Shamanic Power

In a gripping memoir-narrative, Stacey Couch takes us on an unforgettable and seamless journey from the Dream World to the Real World, from the Scientific World to the Hawk World, from urbanity to wildness. Along the way, we become enthralled by the magic of synchronicity and the joy of spirit mirrors. In the madness of this modern world that we live in, I found Gracious Wild to be a gentle oasis of joyous and uplifting sanity.

Jon Turk, author of The Raven's Gift: A Scientist, a Shaman, and Their Remarkable Journey Through the Siberian Wilderness

First published in 2013 by

Turning Stone Press, an imprint of

Red Wheel/Weiser, LLC

With offices at:

665 Third Street, Suite 400

San Francisco, CA 94107

www.redwheelweiser.com

Copyright 2013 by Stacey L.L. Couch

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from Red Wheel/Weiser, LLC. Reviewers may quote brief passages.

ISBN: 978-1-61852-070-8

Cover design by Jim Warner

Cover image: Stacey L.L. Couch, Peter Schwarz/Shutterstock

Printed in the United States of America

IBT

10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1

www.redwheelweiser.com

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To the lonely and sacred island within us all and the divine spirits that cross open oceans to make our acquaintance there.

My appreciation extends to all of the challenging and marvelous mentors and teachers who've crossed my path over the years. Many of you pushed boundaries no one else would and you let nothing stand in the way of your passion. With your help I learned how to release my attachments, embrace my power, and follow my soul's guidance. Thank you.

Thank you to my editor Amber Guetebier for your artful guidance and to Red Wheel/Weiser for giving more authors like me opportunity through your creativity with Turning Stone Press. Many thanks to Sandra Ingerman for both what you've done for the world of modern-day shamanism and for offering the guidance that lead me down the path to my publisher.

Thank you to my mom, Carol Mazur, for teaching me about the light work and power animals, for guiding me to so many brilliant mentors and healers, and for loaning me the best books still in my library. I can't imagine a childhood without Medicine Cards, Louise L. Hay, and Clarissa Pinkola Estes. I'm glad you followed your intuition to loan me works by Caroline Myss at exactly the right times.

My heart and soul likely wouldn't have been able to risk what was needed to write this book if it weren't for the love and shelter of my husband's company. Thank you Chris Couch for believing in me, my wild stories, and my unruly heart.