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A cluster of monarch butterflies gather on a eucalyptus branch

Every fall and winter, Natural Bridges State Beach welcomes back monarch butterflies to their winter habitat in the eucalyptus grove, the only State Monarch Preserve in California. It is like watching a beautiful ballet choreographed by nature itself. Thousands of delicate wings flutter in perfect synchronization like a theater company moving across the stage as they move gracefully from one tree to the next and then land there, looking like orange and black leaves. In this grand performance, they not only engage in the vital act of pollination, enriching the genetic diversity of numerous plant species, but also play the role of nourishing providers for local predators and scavengers. Their migration reminds us that the delicate flutter of their wings holds the balance of life itself.

Every fall and winter, Natural Bridges State Beach welcomes back monarch butterflies to their winter habitat in the eucalyptus grove, the only State Monarch Preserve in California. It is like watching a beautiful ballet choreographed by nature itself. Thousands of delicate wings flutter in perfect synchronization like a theater company moving across the stage as they move gracefully from one tree to the next and then land there, looking like orange and black leaves. In this grand performance, they not only engage in the vital act of pollination, enriching the genetic diversity of numerous plant species, but also play the role of nourishing providers for local predators and scavengers. Their migration reminds us that the delicate flutter of their wings holds the balance of life itself.

A Safe Haven

Mathematical pendulum is drawing on the sand.

<a href="https://dowserswestcoast.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter" src="https://dowserswestcoast.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/susan-A.jpg" alt="Details on Our Conference - 2024 West Coast Dowsers Conference Keynote Speaker: Richard Feather Anderson" width="312" height="314" /></a>
Dowsing, a practice known by various names such as divining, doodle bugging, water witching, or Radiesthesia in European countries, is a versatile skill that can be applied to a multitude of tasks, from finding water sources to locating missing items or even choosing stocks in the market.
It is mostly known for finding water well sites but can also be used to find missing people, pets, and items, choose stocks in the stock market, discern the truth in conversations, and find treasure. It is also used for oil and mineral discovery. Only your imagination limits what you can do with this ancient skill.
Some people use dowsing to choose fruits, vegetables, vitamins, doctors, dentists, or even a mate.
<img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter" src="https://atalatoy.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/West-Coast-Dowsers-Conference.jpg" alt="Dowsing for Sentient Lifeforms in Nature - West Coast Dowsing Conference - Atala Toy Nature Beings Photography" width="648" height="648" />
The ancient art of dowsing, also known as water witching or divining, is a practice that not only spans thousands of years but also transcends cultural boundaries. It has been used by diverse cultures worldwide for a range of purposes, from locating water sources to finding minerals and lost objects.
The technique typically involves using a dowsing rod, commonly made of wood or metal, which is held in the hands of the dowser. The dowser then strolls over the area of interest, paying attention to any movements or vibrations in the rod. Practitioners believe that the rod will react by dipping downward or twitching when it passes over the desired target.
While the exact mechanism behind dowsing remains a topic of debate, some theories suggest that dowsers can detect subtle changes in electromagnetic fields or underground water currents. Others propose that dowsing may involve extrasensory perception or heightened intuition.
Dowsing continues to be utilized by individuals and communities worldwide. In agricultural settings, dowsers are often employed to locate underground water sources for irrigation. In mining and exploration industries, dowsing has been used to identify potential sites for drilling or excavation.
In addition to its practical applications, dowsing has cultural and spiritual significance for many people. In some traditions, it is considered a sacred practice, with practitioners often invoking rituals or prayers before undertaking a dowsing session.
Dowsing&#8217;s enduring popularity speaks to the deep-rooted human desire to understand and harness the forces of the natural world. Whether viewed as a practical tool or a mystical art, dowsing continues to fascinate and intrigue people across generations, offering a glimpse into humanity&#8217;s enduring quest for knowledge and connection with the unseen forces that shape our world.

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Join the West Coast Dowsing Conference to explore the ancient art of dowsing. Learn to find water, minerals, lost items, and more using this versatile and timeless skill.

West Coast Dowsers Conference

In this new series, Vibes profiles local artists to get insight into their most recent creations. From inspirations to the process itself, these profiles serve as a way for readers to connect with their favorite local artists on a personal level.
First up, we have the talented Maia Negre, who&#8217;s been wowing art lovers for years with her gorgeous oil paintings that combine loose washes and intuitive brush strokes to evoke a sense of magical realism. Here&#8217;s what she had to say about her latest series, inspired by dreams of tropical paradise during a long Winter.

These plumerias are an oil painting and the first of a new botanical series. I started painting the plumerias towards the end of our rainy winter in Santa Cruz back in February, and is inspired by the blooming flowers I saw in Mexico last Spring when we stayed with Steve and Renee Coletta.
At the time I painted it, we were nearing 3 months of wet, cold, wintery weather in Santa Cruz and I honestly just started thinking about the physical architecture of this particular flowering plant (the plumeria) moving towards the sun, the way nature designed it to look like a bunch of tiny suns, and its radial structure of opening up towards the light.

Interestingly enough, a few weeks into painting this, we got a call from Chris Gallagher to come out and housesit at Rocky Point on the North Shore of Oahu, while he was in Australia coaching, and the call towards the sunshine manifested! 🙂
Unfortunately for Adam, this meant pulling over and stopping at every single place we went so I could take photos of everything.
With all my work, I’m always trying to evoke a sense of beauty, light, awe, and joy. The way I feel about the things around me gets transmitted through the paint and ultimately the goal is to create more good vibes, everywhere, all the time.

The process of making art generally starts with real life observations, photographs, sketches, and in the final stages, layers of paint in full color on canvas. It’s all a really enjoyable process, and I feel super grateful every day that my journey as an artist has taken me this far. Can’t wait for what’s next!

Be sure to check out <a href="http://www.maianegre.com">www.maianegre.com</a> for prints and more! You can follow Maia&#8217;s life and adventures on Instagram <a href="https://www.instagram.com/maianegre/">@maianegre</a>

What's the story behind Maia Negre's latest tropically inspired Plumeria oil paintings?

A Safe Haven

The annual monarch butterfly migration to Natural Bridges means Fall has landed in Santa Cruz.