Autumn is again approaching. A time to be thankful for the harvest we are reaping; to be glad for the times you tended your garden throughout the growing season and now are able to smile at the magnificent results. And for those without gardens to know we are blessed with friends, family, neighbours and farmer's markets who share with us what they have harvested. Every season has its own uniqueness and autumn is a time to celebrate the Earth and all that She gives us for our nourishment and strength. May we honour and nurture Her so She will continue to provide for us in Her most caring and loving ways.

I truly enjoyed my summer. It brought me gifts of all kinds. The highlight was the wonderful success of the Wise Woman Celebration held in Saskatoon June 29 and 30. I am well-pleased that it brought so much pleasure and awareness to so many women. Close to ninety women gathered together, honouring their beauty, power and wisdom through dancing, singing, drumming and sharing their stories. I believe events such as this are vitally important to women's health, growth and development and I am therefore committed to helping make this an annual event. Discussions have already begun for next year's celebration. For any women interested in helping with it or wishing to apply as a playshop presenter please contact me. The deadline for applications is February 1, 2002.

I was able to get out into our prairie countryside on several occasions and loved seeing the wildness. After living in the so-called "concrete jungle" of pavement, humming wires, honking horns, thumping boom-boxes, squealing tires, and sirens, it was a pleasure to be out in Nature alone, feeling the wind brush gently across my face, watching puffy white clouds float through the clear blue sky and seeing tiny little ducklings swimming across a pond close behind their mother. For me an important part of maintaining good health and sanity is keeping a regular connection with Nature.

Driving north-east from Saskatoon in early July I arrived at Delphine and John Nielsen's Natural Health Ranch in Cudworth for an interview with them about the healing work they do (p. 10). A bonus for this "city gal" included the joy of meeting goats, cows, rabbits, peacocks, peahens, guinea pigs and several varieties of chickens—all a part of the Nielsen's natural health philosophy. While there I also reconnected with a university friend from my early twenties which added even more joy to my trip.

While experiencing the many delights of summer I was also busy gathering some more wonderful content for this issue. Our regular contributor, Paulette Millis, has chosen a very healthy and easy-to-cook grain to write about in Millet Mania! (p. 8), which, as usual, includes some scrumptious recipes. At the same time our other regular writer, Cathy Fenwick, has been asking, "What legacy will we leave our children?" as she writes for this issue from her Pilgrim's Journal: Stonehenge (p. 12).

Yoga—Many Styles or Just One Message? (p. 16) is a question that long-time yoga teachers, Christine and Venkat Machiraju, are often asked by their students. In their article they explain how yoga, which originated in India, is more than a variety of postures and breathing, it is a journey to the soul. I truly believe part of that journey is about Honouring Your Unique Self (p. 24) which author and reflexologist Shirley Kawchuk explains "... is a simple but very profound way to experience our precious gift of life by being aware of our body, mind, spirit and emotions."

The word "aromatherapy" may be relatively new according to Tania Biclea in her article, Aromatherapy-From Art to Science (p. 14), but she notes that the practice of using essential oils for therapeutic purposes started long before recorded history. And long before that time came our beloved Earth, and from it came a tree that spoke to writer Maureen Latta and now she tells us about it in her article, Nature: A Wise Elder (p.30).

Shortly after this issue is out in circulation I will be on holidays in New Zealand and Australia for two months and again I wish to remind you that there will not be a Nov/Dec'01 issue. The next issue will be for Jan/Feb'02 and the deadline is December 10. I wish you all a peaceful and joyous autumn and I will be thinking of you all as I experience many adventures Downunder. I shall return with tales to tell and a full heart.

Blessed Be!

Namaste!
(I honour the Spirit in you!)