You are reading the sixth issue of year six. I always marvel at how quickly time passes. I have had many wonderful experiences over the last six years and I am grateful for all the terrific people I have met and the fun we have had together. I truly love working for myself and appreciate the freedom it gives me. My sincere interest in wanting to educate myself and others about the value and importance of wholistic health and wellness is what keeps me doing this work. I believe knowledge is the key to good physical, emotional and spiritual health.

As I age and look around me at the state of health of the elders in our community and know that time is moving on for us all, I become more acutely aware of the importance of honouring my body and soul, for the one is my vehicle on this earth with which to communicate and the other is my connection to everything in the Universe. They both need to be maintained in a healthy state in order to be of service in this world.

In looking at ways to maintain good health I believe we need to focus on a more all-encompassing approach to our wellness in the form of Integrative Medicine, which utilizes a variety of healing modalities including Western medicine, and has them working together. It is important to note that many of the complementary forms of medicine being revived have been around eons before Western medicine. What is happening is a return to natural approaches to healing which were common among our ancestors. The trend towards Integrative Medicine is growing rapidly as more people are recognizing that healing involves looking at the whole person and thus involves a more wholistic approach to good health.

In this issue we are presenting an eclectic mix of old and new ideas–from the time-honoured healing concepts of Jewish Science by Rabbi Steven Kaplan (p. 10) to Jacqueline Gautier’s explanation of a modern-day movement, known as Business and Consciousness (p. 16), which is positively changing the way people are approaching their workplaces.

Recognizing the importance of working for peace on earth, Heather Prince has been inspired to organize the First World Peace Spiral Walk (p. 24) to be held in Saskatoon at Easter. This is an event in which every age group can participate to help create world peace. It is an opportunity for each individual to make a difference, so come and join with others of like mind! And according to a quote by Wayne Peterson in Diana Holland’s article, Extraordinary Times, Extraordinary Beings (p. 26), he believes, "that we stand today on the very brink of a glorious new era, an extraordinary time in which humanity will achieve its age-old dream of world brotherhood, justice and peace." Never doubt for a minute the power of your prayers, your thoughts and your acts for peace on earth–they all count!

As part of his practice, counsellor and mediator, Andrew Smith, explains in Council - Help for Difficult Conversations (p. 14) how he incorporates the use of the ancient ritual of council into his work and finds great success with it. Also a counsellor, Cathy Fenwick, our regular writer has decided to use some reverse psychology by changing her column title to Cathy Asks and in this issue her question is: What Can I Do To Make My World A Better Place? (p. 12). You will want to read this one for sure and see the difference it can make in your life.

Our other regular writer, Paulette Millis, has done extensive research and blessed us with some valuable nutritional information and scrumptious recipes in her All Purpose Ginger (p. 8) article.

We have also reprinted an article called, Magnetic Therapy: The Invisible Force (p. 23), which briefly explains how magnetism and magnets have been used for healing since antiquity.

In honour of women and our Mother Earth, a group of women, including myself, are presenting a Wise Woman Celebration June 29-30 in Saskatoon. It is an event for women of all ages and you are invited to gather with us to honour and celebrate the changes in our lives. It will include playshops, dancing, singing, sacred ritual and lots of magical fun! Come prepared to laugh and cry with joy! For further information and registration please see our display ad on the back cover and watch for more details in our May/June issue!

May you all be well and happy!

Namaste!
(I honour the Spirit in you!)