I have been following @wildwoolshepherdess online for a few years now. Unsurprisingly, I am drawn to other women who are also been raising sheep and have found a sense camaraderie from that online community. So, when she wrote a book, The Wild Wool Shepherdess: Weave the Ancient Path, Reignite Your Feminine Fire, I definitely preordered it, both to support her and also to spend more time reading and thinking about sheep, of course!

The book is about her background and her transformation into her current beliefs and way of life. The last part of the book offers more specific guidance for bringing ancient wisdom back into one’s own life. I am always happy to read a memoir, and so I happily read through that part of the book, even though I didn’t identify closely with many of her experiences.

I really enjoyed the last part of the book. Many of her practices struck me as brave of her to share, and some things I cannot imagine integrating for myself. However, many practices did resonate with me. Spending time alone. Meditating next to a tree (try doing it without the distraction of people for three days!) Making and drinking teas. Honoring the subtle monthly shifts and going more easily during that time. Allowing others to care for you (opposed to self-care–don’t get me started on that…).

There are aspects of her thinking that do not resonate with me. For example, I am not a wolf person. Sheep are the animal that I resonate with much more, and wolves are the natural enemy to sheep! She addresses this, but it is clear that wolves are her animal, and sheep seem more about what the represent: the wool, the positive impact on the land, etc. However, she does also love the sheep and appreciate their emotional intelligence. In fact her book made me reflect on how much longer the memories seem to be in my northern short-tailed sheep. For example, a few months back, I had to give my ewe Opal two doses of antibiotics in a painful shot. She still seems to be remember and has been irritated with me ever since. I am trying to win back her favor.