Editorial
Volume 25 Issue 5 — January/February 2020
by Melva Armstrong

We just had the longest night and shortest day, known as the winter solstice. The light will continue to increase from now until March 21st, when we have the equinox (equal day and night). Then the light will continue to increase until the summer solstice, June 21st, the longest day and shortest night. It is an amazing cycle that signals a powerful transition between seasons and the rebirth of the sun. It has many different meanings to different cultures and each one has their own rituals around it. For me, it has a sense of power and rejuvenation and rebirth. It’s like coming out of hibernation and greeting the sun. I trust many of you found time to acknowledge this special energy shift.

Of course, it is also the end of one year and the beginning of a new one, when many of us sit down and have a review, in our minds, or on paper, of all that happened during the last 12 months. Eventually, we think about what the new year may have in store. For me, the first half of 2019 was stressful and I’m grateful the second half was much lighter, more focused, and joyfully positive. I think 2020 will be a very interesting year for the whole world. I feel that the energy is shifting in a healthy direction and we are in for interesting times ahead. Fasten your seatbelts, it might be a bit of a bumpy ride, but a fun one.

It has been another joyful experience working with all the folks who are part of this new year edition. I’m always excited to see who shows up with their articles and advertising. I get to know more new people and to also work with the long-time dedicated contributors. Last issue I mentioned that Stacey Tress of the Mindful Eating column was taking a break for a while. So I had the thought that it would be good to go back into the archives and find a food article that still resonates today. Like magic, I quickly found Sandra Brandt’s article, The Challenge of Three Food Resolutions (p. 8). It is from the Jan/Feb 2011 issue and one can see in today’s world that the same issues around food and food security still exist, and perhaps even more so. She offers lots of little gems and suggests there are three food resolutions to seriously think about when starting this new year; resolutions that can be highly beneficial to you, your local farmers/food growers, and to the planet.

Another food-related article is, Why Choose a Year of Plant-Based Eating? by Nancy Addison and Lorrel Elian (p. 22). One writer is a certified health counsellor and the other facilitates self-healing retreats, and together they are offering a one-year food challenge to try plant-based eating, which is currently a huge trend in the dietary world. And another trend in the food world is toward the keto-friendly diet, and Taranum Sultana, a certified ketogenic nutrition specialist, brings us another educational article called, Keto Quick Start: An Easy Transition to a Whole Food Ketogenic Diet (p. 10). She covers a wide range of information, which can be very helpful if you are leaning toward this particular way of eating, and need some important tips on how to begin.

Dr. Michelle Sthamann has written an article called How to Deal with Environmental Toxins (p. 23). This is an important topic to help us deal with the increasing toxicity in our world so we can maintain good health. A certified detoxification specialist, Sherri A. Scott, in her article, ‘Heal’thy Self with Cellular Detoxification 2020 (p. 26), says the body can truly heal itself, and that knowing how to detoxify properly is the key.

You don’t want to miss the rest of the excellent articles and advertisers. They are located throughout our communities to offer their healing gifts and talents for you to maintain good health in body, mind, spirit, and the environment. If you read from cover to cover, I guarantee you will be glad you did!

I offer this sad note on closing. I recently learned that Ming Sun, a well-known healer in Saskatoon, who helped a lot of people, passed away in September 2019. To all her family, friends, and clients, I extend my deepest sympathies. I knew Ming personally and know that her death is a great loss to all those in our communities where she lived and did her healing work.

Warm wishes to all for a happy, healthy, joy-filled, love-filled, and prosperous 2020! Blessed be!

Namaste
(The spirit in me honours the spirit in you)