By Michelle McLemore • Photos by Edda Pacifico
“Nature’s first green is gold,” Robert Frost wrote of the rejuvenating energy alive in spring’s first buds and blades. The myriad shades of green delight a nature-lover, transforming walks in the woods into an embrace from the Green Man of lore.
It’s a rare individual who paints their living room walls deep green. As soon as our video chat went live, Judy Ramsey and I simultaneously noticed our backgrounds. “I like your wall color choice,” I said.
She smiled and responded, “I was thinking the same about yours.” Ramsey’s relaxed face and deep-seeing eyes were framed with brown bobbed hair, parted left. The soothing green of the walls were accented with wood-edged furniture and gold framed nature wall hangings. Through a window, wind chimes gently punctuated key responses throughout the interview.
The room was soothing, but Ramsey herself, seemed the embodiment of nature’s serenity.
Living on a farm in Chelsea, Ramsey’s journey from community developer and social worker to shamanic practitioner and animal chaplain exemplifies an authentic evolution of one’s unfolding of identity, own healing, and epiphany in recognizing one’s place within the actual world contrary to the confines and misperceptions of society.
At 78, she now has nearly 18 years of experience working with humans and non-humans to improve communication, counsel, and heal across (and within) various beings. Though, this may not have been on the radar when she earned her master’s in education in Community Development from the University of Michigan, the experiences no doubt teased out already inherent empathies and energetic connections while she consulted on teen pregnancies, homicide patterns, suicide rates, drug use, and addiction among young people.
Ramsey grew up in Colorado Springs. “We hunted and fished and were in the mountains a lot. I remember talking to the Hidden Folk, flowers, trees and animals—even rocks when I was very young, probably until the age of seven or eight years, when, like everyone else I know, it got ‘schooled’ out of us.”
Ramsey recalled always having pockets full of rocks. “I’ve been talking with them [rocks] since I was quite small. Some of my best friends are stone people even today. Even when I went to Scotland for the first time around 26 or 27 and met the Machrie Moor Standing Stones, I felt giggly energy, like joy, coming up from the rock. We’re still good friends. The cliffs and canyons in Canyon de Chelly, particularly Spider Rock and the cliffs of del Muerto [in Arizona] were good friends.”
It wasn’t just stones, though, that Ramsey felt the life force within and camaraderie to share. “I talked to Christmas trees that we’d bring into the house, and they’d talk back. My invisible friends weren’t invisible. I spoke with animals both wild and domestic. We had around nine Siamese cats with us at any given time until I was about 12, who were all my friends.”
She paused, then addressed the inevitable doubt readers may still be carrying. “All of us were born with the ability to communicate with animals and nature spirits. Most [people] remember understanding [the language of nature] as kids, but we are taught not to value imagination. If you can’t imagine, it doesn’t happen for you. From ages seven or eight to college, it isn’t really encouraged in the mainstream. But, it is changing. There is movement to value independence versus conformity.”
Conformity has been the cautionary shield used for many generations. Ramsey’s family was no exception. “Grandmother and Mother were quite intuitive, but Mother was embarrassed about her skills, which she did not use openly. They would be embarrassed if I spoke about it at school. Consequently, I set most of the abilities aside, noticing only sporadically my connections to my hidden friends.”
This suppression, or setting aside, of the whispers and nudges from around her could only last so long. “In my late forties I recovered my intuitive skills and awareness. My mind was foggy due to menopausal symptoms, so instead of an office job where I had to multitask a dozen things at once, I trained as a craniosacral therapist and began a more intuitive path with bodywork. That was when I met Penelope Smith, a premier animal communicator, who is still a friend and mentor.”
Ramsey credits Smith for starting the 1980s movement which made animal communication a socially acceptable service as well as integral support for holistic veterinarian care. Ramsey enrolled in all of Smith’s courses and now teaches Smith’s telepathic animal communication among others.
“About 10 years ago, I met Carla Meeske,” She continued. “I had been thrown from a horse and broke my back. I couldn’t move and was in a body brace for three and a half months. So, I took courses online.” Ramsey was “fascinated and strongly drawn” to what Meeske offered, which led to a year-long intensive in Shamanic practice.
The ease at which Ramsey picked up the skills made it clear that she was remembering prior life experiences. Sandra Ingerman would become her next friend and mentor. Ramsey studied diligently and became an approved instructor for Ingerman’s classes. In 2025 Ramsey will be presenting Ingerman’s intensive along with her own curriculum for shamanic animal communication and healing for animals. Additionally, Ramsey is also offering her own Interspecies Counselor Training which combines both telepathic and shamanic skills.
Her passion, or soul’s joy, connects Ramsey’s childhood to her current presence. “Everything was alive to me then, and everything is alive to me now. If I have a house issue, I talk to the spirit of the house and the spirit of the land. I have my altar underneath Grandmother Magnolia. I also have a vine house.”
Ramsey explained that she raises rabbits in the house. As they each pass on, they would be buried outdoors. Until… “A house bunny asked me if they [the bunnies] could have a designated spot all together—It asked to be buried near an ash tree, as a type of bunny memorial garden.” Ramsey asked permission from the ash tree which agreed. “I used a pendulum so the tree could show me where to bury the bunny so we wouldn’t have to cut into its root.”
Awareness, consideration, and humble respect for every living entity directs Ramsey’s thoughts and actions. I mentioned the respectfulness of the practice and the wind chimes tinkled immediately.
We laughed at their agreement. Ramsey added, “The trees love the wind chimes. They seem happier with the bells playing on their branches.” I wondered if a playful wind also enjoyed the opportunity to chime into conversations in this way.
Wind, tree, or rabbit—listening and respecting other being’s preferences requires a wider understanding of the world than many consider. As we talked further, this respect became clear as the foundation of Shamanism.
“Shamanic practice is not a religion,” Ramsey said. “The basic concept is that everything has a spirit understood as Animism. There are three worlds for journeying to for answers and compassionate spirit allies will be guides and want to help.”
I questioned if she was ever accused of appropriation. She shook her head. “This is not appropriating a specific culture. There is no disrespect. Journeying is part of every culture.”
Ramsey continued, “The term ‘shaman’ is currently a generic term assigned in the 18th century by anthropologists and others to refer to indigenous medicine people who contact the spirit world while in an altered state of consciousness. The term is like the Kleenex brand of the practice. Originally it was a Siberian Tungus term referring to the spiritual and wisdom leader of a village. It means ‘one who knows’ or ‘one who sees from the heart.’ To be called a shaman, your village or community appoints you the title. Otherwise, we are known as shamanic practitioners. Elsewhere in the world, they are known in Peru as paqos, curanderos, in Tibet as amchis.”
On a personal level, “’Shamanic’ means to me that a spiritual aspect of healing or communication is happening,” Ramsey noted. “I can do telepathic communication, which is mind to mind, as well as shamanic communication, which is heart to heart. When combined, I have a powerful tool to offer that goes very deeply into communication with another being, another spirit.” “I started seeing the spirits of pets sitting on my clients. Ethically as a therapist, I have to wait for them to bring it up. So, I would casually prompt them by asking, ‘Do you have animals at home?’ They would describe them, and then I could initiate conversation.”
Ramsey also was close with her own animals. She had a thoroughbred and several quarter horses. “It was my horse, Classy, who first showed me how to communicate with animals and encouraged me to pursue it as a passion. They showed me how to open my heart so I could receive communication. I have always listened to what shows up, and when the communications began, I literally and figuratively heard that and directed my energies to it. It was a partnership.”
How does it work? How does it feel? My mind raced between my casual attempts to communicate with my house plants, trees, and cat. “For animals it’s quicker [communication],” Ramsey described. “I receive as a felt sense—see pictures, hear sounds, get impressions and feelings. It’s no different than the trees or rocks but slower and more subtle than with animals.”
She continued, “People have chipmunk mind—it’s very rapid because we are used to processing rapidly. The key is to slow down the process of receiving information. Stay with it long enough. New students are always anxious to do it well and not make a mistake. I say, ‘Go ahead, it’s not life or death.’”
Ramsey recalled what it was like when she first started offering sessions for people to communicate with their pets. “I felt pressured from people who wanted answers for their animals. I learned to lean into it. I want to hear what the animal has to share.” And what the animals want to share takes precedence over what the humans may want to know.
“Constant contact is key with an animal versus hopping back and forth with different questions to get the task done. People tend to disconnect with the animal, and with each other, in a similar process. I teach to stay connected with each other. It’s the group energy that amplifies what you get and what you receive.” The wind chimes applauded her.
Ramsey is daily surrounded by advisors and close companions. She has a cat, Ernie, who is four and recently adopted from Huron Valley. Stitch is a four-year-old labrador retriever, and Balthazar is a California King snake who is about eight years old.
Balthazar was inherited from a friend’s daughter going away to college. Ramsey divulged, “Balthazar is a clear communicator and an amazing spirit. He likes socializing but on his own terms. We have a meditation during certain parts of the year. His terrarium has a view of the east window. He likes to watch the sun rise. We watch it together.” Ramsey explained, as part of the animal chaplain program she learned people often have unintentional practices or rituals with their pets. “When we become aware of them, and do them intentionally, it [the time and sharing] becomes special.”
Then she asked me: “Do you have a pet?”
“Yes.” My throat began to tighten. (I get emotional about my cat who has been my consistent companion for many years.)
“Would you like to do an exercise?”
“Absolutely.” I was excited and curious.
Ramsey first asked me to name three qualities I most admire about my pet. I named, “Patient, adaptable, and forgiving” (even though sometimes she ignores me for a while if I come home too late.)
Ramsey said then to take each quality and put it into a statement of intent for my actions and how they may assist my day. She gave a sample construct:
Today, may I be courageous accepting whatever comes and open to insight that comes with it.
I began, but tears started to well up before I completed even the first statement.
Today, may I be patient with understanding others and accepting when patterns differ.
Today, may I be flexible with the needs of others—to flow with them for the good of the home versus fighting for my own preferences.
Today, may I be forgiving for unintentional slights, lack of attention, or unintended harm as I know the true resolve is friendship.
Ramsey suggested, “Say them each day—when you say it, most will feel the energy of the animal with them because these are the things they have taught us in the time they have been with us. When you do it, you are experiencing whole interspecies effect—a close connection with the animal and honoring the relationship with them. That’s what it’s like.”
Healing protocols may differ, so Ramsey shared a bit about a session and her services. “When I do shamanic healing for people or for animals, I don’t ask for a specific service. I consult with the person to determine why they are asking for a shamanic healing and if we are a good match energetically. When we have a healing session, I do a shamanic journey on behalf of the client, and it is my compassionate guiding spirits who determine what is needed and provide it. I am what we call a ‘hollow bone.’ I am the channel that is used to bring the subtle healing energies from one dimension to this one with conscious connection to spirit.”
Whereas some energetic modalities will focus on reducing symptoms of a diagnosed dis-ease and then work toward re-establishing balance from the cause, shamanism attributes all illness to only three causes: loss of power, loss of soul or essence, and spiritual blockages or intrusions.
A loss of power can occur when power is taken away, given away, or set aside.
Loss of soul, or essence, may occur when someone experiences trauma. Ramsey elaborated, “When anyone has a trauma, a part of the soul leaves or is set aside so that the rest of the person’s being can survive the ordeal. It usually takes with it qualities like trust, joy, or openness. Events like an emotional or physical traumatic event, shock, abuse, surgery, natural disaster, war, difficult birth, or even shouting can lead to soul loss. This may manifest as dissociation, PTSD, depression, illness, immune deficiency, addictions, unending grief, or even produce a coma.”
Spiritual blocks, or intrusions, are mostly self-induced negative thoughts. Ramsey clarified, “When most people think of intrusions, they are thinking of possession or something more serious. When a loss of soul becomes a chronic condition, we also lose power, that makes us vulnerable to intrusions—the negative thought patterns which are not a spirit of their own.”
Ramsey also offers curse unraveling and compassionate de-possession, which she learned from Betsy Bergstrom. “Sometimes,” she explained, “confused souls get lost and don’t know what they’re doing, so they look for the quickest shelter. Most are not evil and want to get home as badly as the host person wants to get them gone.”
It’s easy to imagine a run of bad luck or unfortunate circumstances as being a potential curse, possession, or a loss of personal power. Ramsey stays true to the intent of being the hollow bone without the responsibility of deciphering what a client needs. “I offer a free 20-minute session to talk. I work as a mediator to help people get what they need. It works better if we assume that they [any intrusive entities] are not evil. Then you can work with compassion, and it works faster and nicer. More respectful. No pain, no torture.”
Support in life and support in the transition of death of the flesh, Ramsey assists with it all. One of her services is listed as “psycho-pomp” on her website. She explained, “Psycho-pomp is from Greek origins meaning ‘accompanying the spirit.’ It was a traditional role of the shaman to teach/help people in their care to have a good death by living a good life. At end-of-life, it was the shaman that gathered the community to help the dying person cross the veil. As a chaplain and shamanic practitioner, I offer consultation, support for grief/loss and hospice services/communication for animals and their people.”
Ramsey also offers hospice communication and support for both an animal in transition and their person. This meshes with her interspecies counselor support services which serves to achieve balance in a person’s and their animal companion’s relationship.
Take a class with Ramsey and you will assuredly get a cross-dimensional, cross-density collective consciousness educational experience. “My spirit guides and allies help. My primary teacher gives me the outlines for my classes. I still have to do the research, the slides, and actual teaching but she gives me the topics and the outlines, and I fill in the blanks. It’s a good team.” Ramsey beamed.
Ramsey politely explained in shamanism tradition, it is unwise to reveal the name or species of personal guides. She did, however, share, “She’s [Her guide] been with me since I was three. I met her in my grandmother’s iris garden.” They reunited when Ramsey was in her 40s as her intuitive experiences blossomed.
Self-care is always of importance for a community caregiver. Ramsey shared, “First, I do my inner work. I regularly enroll in trainings with Christina Pratt, Alberto Villoldo, Rene Baribeau and others to stay ‘fit’ to support others. There’s also daily spiritual practice, walks in nature, and connection with my guiding spirits. Then, the usual: rest, take time for myself to enjoy (I spin yarn and work with textiles) and to replenish energy. Cooking is a meditation for me. I also love to travel— China and New Zealand are on my bucket list, as is Argentina. I read extensively and garden.”
My childhood memories of raising sheep warmed at her spinning comment. Did she also raise her own sheep? She seemed to chuckle at the thought. “I belong to a guild. Those folks raise the sheep. My life goal is to thin down the inventory. Over 50 years of spinning, it multiplies on its own!”
When asked, if there was something others commonly misunderstand or misjudge in life that is hurting their own growth and peace, Ramsey addressed a prevalent ailment in society: “What first comes to mind are the negative words and thoughts we give ourselves. Most people aren’t aware that they can make themselves sick with this. The judgement and negativity that prevails in the current political environment is toxic and keeps everyone from moving forward.”
Was there anything else she wanted to share? “Let me check in with my guides,” Ramsey requested, then paused to listen. “They are letting me know, if I had to summarize, it’s to bring people’s awareness to their own power to create harmony between people and animals.”
She continued, “Most humans hold themselves aside thinking animals are tools, inferior, or food. Likewise, they view other people as inferior—hold ourselves outside of human circles.” She paused, letting the ideas swirl around her, the room, and the space between us.
“From animals, trees, and earth’s perspectives, we are pretty small compared to everything else. The sooner we can accept our role—our part—the easier it will be to live. Consider walking among the rest of the world…the nature and the animals. We walk with them… not separate from them.”
It seems Ramsey has already studied, taught, and experienced several lifetimes’ worth and yet, I sensed her zest for learning and service were far from satiated. Not surprisingly, when asked about future goals, she has several already in the hopper.
“I want to develop classes for aging. I find it puzzling that no one can tell us how to age. It’s unusual for someone to reach 100—which I fully intend to reach. Society leaves seniors on their own to age however they will. There isn’t much support—social security and care facilities—nothing that treats seniors as people. I’d love to develop a class on how to age shamanically with spiritual practices that are grounded and practical. And it’s starting to gather [momentum].”
Learn more about Judy Ramsey, her classes and services through her website judyramsey.net/ or social media pages: Facebook at Heart2HeartwithJudyRamsey and instagram.com/heart2heartwjudyramsey. To find an animal chaplain, visit findanimalchaplain.com/michigan/consult-with-an-animal-chaplain/judy-ramsey. You may also read past articles she’s written at the Crazy Wisdom Community Journal home page.
Michelle McLemore is a freelance writer, energy wellness practitioner, stress management guide, and workshop presenter. Her background as a psychology and writing teacher supports personalizing client self-care for creating balance and enhancing vitality. Learn more at michellemclemore.com or facebook.com/MichelleMcLemoreHealingGuide.
Related Articles:
Living on a farm in Chelsea, Ramsey’s journey from community developer and social worker to shamanic practitioner and animal chaplain exemplifies an authentic evolution of one’s unfolding of identity, own healing, and epiphany in recognizing one’s place within the actual world contrary to the confines and misperceptions of society.