“Lyn Guiding Wedding Ceremony” by Claire Dibble
EarthWord SkyWord
A question I often ask my students and clients is this: what would you have us know? What do you think the world needs more of and how will your contribution help create a more vibrant, healthy world for all? Consider this question if it resonates with you. It can guide you to the depths of your wise inner being, your inner knowing of Self where you will discover a sense of underlying purpose that then translates into a chosen profession or life path or other creative interests. What would you have us know?
This big question that continues to guide my life’s journey is my contemplation of the principle of evolution, which includes nature’s evolution on Earth and the ever-unfurling consciousness of humanity. How are we growing expansively from both biological and spiritual perspectives? How do we interact with greater consciousness and care for all forms of life? Where is this magnificent creation of both Earth and the starry heavens taking us?
The origin of the name of my website, EarthWord SkyWord, stems from my earliest memories. I have always been intrigued with both the mysterious vastness of the heavens of the wondrous diversity and beauty of Earth. At dawn, I would arise early to identify the voice of a new bird with my Audubon Western Bird Guide and at night I would often gaze in stillness and wonder at the Milky Way, attempting to comprehend its infinite space. I started an outdoor museum with the neighborhood kids in the stream bed that ran through our family’s yard. We dubbed our museum the Creek Club, charging a small fee for neighbors to view our presentations. Birds and planets were the subjects of my exhibits.
In college at the University of Utah in Salt Lake City, Utah, I received an interdisciplinary BS degree in Biology/Botany with concurrent studies in writing and literature. In my education as a poet, I sought out and studied with my favorite poets and writers. I studied creative writing at Naropa University in Boulder, Colorado. I started my publishing company, Blue Bison Press, in 1996, and published my first book of poetry, Out of the Flames at that time.
May EarthWord SkyWord instill, illuminate and inspire seeds of evolutionary awakening as we co-create and celebrate the beauty of our many worlds.
On a whim in 1979, I had my first astrology reading. It was so fascinating and on-target that astrology became a part-time passion of self-study and then a full time career in 1994. I meet my sidereal astronomical mentor and beloved friend, Nick Anthony Fiorenza, in 1991 and continued to study with him until his passing in October 2020. I am greatly honored that Nick referred his readers to me for sidereal readings.
In my combined studies as a poet, astronomical astrologer, biologist and Jin Shin Jyutsu practitioner, I seek both personal harmony and awakening and to be a supportive guide for others, hoping to instill, illuminate and inspire seeds of evolutionary awakening as we co-create and celebrate the beauty of our many worlds.
Below are a few creative interests and projects from my past and present collaborations.
Current Projects
I am pleased to have poems coming out in 2021 in two long-awaited anthologies, The Artist’s Field Guide to Yellowstone and The Grand Teton Reader. I am completing my sidereal astrology book which is both a contemplative pondering of the stars as well guidance on how to shift to using the astronomical sidereal zodiac. I am also finishing up a second poetry book.
Grand Teton and Yellowstone National Parks
I have lived in Grand Teton National Park since 1976, having visited often as a child for family vacations. We have fun photos from the late 1960’s in which black bears are reaching inside our car window as back in the day it was okay to feed them. Bad choice, but exciting, and that’s when I fell in love with bears. I count this good fortune of calling these two National Parks my heart homes as one of the most valuable aspects of my life experience. I’ve spent countless hours exploring these wild lands via hiking and quiet contemplation, and in intimate contact with wild animals such as wolves, bison and especially our renowned grizzly bears, my favorite. I have learned directly from nature engaged in deep, timeless listening and I consider these sacred lands to be my wisest and most influential non-human teachers. And, it has been a blessing to be part of such visionary, vital and creative communities of the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem.
Performing Artist and Narration
I have been a performance poet and dancer for special events with organizations such as the Grand Teton Music Festival, the Greater Yellowstone Coalition, the Wilderness Society, Yellowstone National Park, Trout Unlimited and Dancers’ Workshop.
I compiled and narrated two recorded collections of poetry for NorthWord Press which honored Emily Dickinson — entitled The Heaven Below the Heaven Above — and Walt Whitman — entitled Go Directly to the Creation. I was honored to be the “voice of young Mardy Murie” in the film Arctic Dance. Beloved Mardy is considered to be the mother of the modern-day conservation movement.
Educator
Since 1976, as an educator, I have combined my interest of both biology and writing, teaching numerous classes in various contexts for the Teton Science Schools, the Murie Center and the National Park Service. I have been a mentor for the Ecology of Residency with the University of Utah Environmental Humanities Graduate Program. I have taught astrology classes for Naropa University, Climb Wyoming, and the Teton Wellness Festival.
Poetry and Writing
My writing has appeared in publications such as Northern Lights and Women Outside, Teton Spirit Magazine, Delicious Living, and in anthologies such as Stories of the Wild and Leanin’ into the Wind.
I love to support and promote other writers and artists which is why I always feature an artist as part of my monthly Star Signposts. As a Board Member for the Grand Teton Association, I started the monthly outdoor Writers in the Park for Grand Teton National Park, and co-founded the Moose Readings, an open-mike forum for writers in Jackson Hole, Wyoming.
Sidereal Astrology
In my decades as an astronomical sidereal astrologer, I have developed a unique and evolutionary way of interpreting the astrological chart. I have been an on-line astrology columnist for Delicious Living Magazine and Gear Goddess magazines. I started my own astrological blog in 2007 and launched the current version of my EarthSky Oracle and Star Signposts in 2010.
Jin Shin Jyutsu
I have been a student and practitioner of Jin Shin Jyutsu, a Japanese form of energy work, since 1983. I have worked on many clients in the past, but now I primarily use JSJ as a tool for my own well-being and vitality and share tips with friends and family.
