animal nature — blog — Anne Benvenuti

Grief

Grief. This fundamental affect is not easy to name, but you know it when you're in it. Bereft might be the best word to describe it, the sudden panic that drops into a well of sadness, even despair, and it's caused by the loss of an important attachment. The reason why being shunned (as in solitary confinement or the "scarlet letter") is considered the most severe punishment is that this kind of separation pain is a pain like no other. It's the emotional pain that really can kill you.

So let me insert the good news here.

animal family, animal studies, anthrozoology, critical thinking, human-animal relationsAnne BenvenutiOctober 18, 2017grief, animal nature, animal sentience, animal family, animals and grief, Jaak Panksepp, Jane Goodall, attachment, oxytocinComment

Elemental Fall Equinox

The New Archaic. Elemental Innovations. What’s that got to do with the fall equinox?

It matters to me that today I change the table runner to the one with autumn colors and patterns, I get down the acorn and oak leaf candle holders. I change the bedding to the fall leaves pattern, and to slightly warmer covers. I put away the blues and greens of my summer season for next year, with the quiet questions about next year just out of mind’s reach.

ecospiritualityAnne BenvenutiSeptember 20, 2012new archaic, elemental innovations, fall equinox, autumn, winter, inner animal, animal nature, wise ones, older friends, wisdom, taking stock, sound and rhythm, ritual, ecospiritualityComment