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September 2009 Ezine Archives

Dear JAR STAR,

I have to tell you that we got a new kitten last week! We named him Felix, not necessarily after the famous cartoon character, but because the name itself means ‘lucky, happy and fortunate’. That’s the kind of life we want him to have, particularly because over the last seven years or so, we lost three cats to predators in the woods outside. He was listed as an orphaned seven-week-old male black cat when we first set eyes on him at the Save Our Strays shelter, and he won our hearts immediately. He is a great companion for our other black cat, Pixel, and they spend hours chasing, chewing, and shredding each other to pieces.

The other day as I was watching them play together, this adorable little thing chased Pixel all around the kitchen. Pixel suddenly leaped up to the safety of the washing machine and looked down to watch what Felix would do. When he arrived at the spot where she had disappeared, he looked all around in confusion, and then proceeded to the bedroom to look for her. At that moment, I saw how a simple game can teach a treasure trove of lessons. Pixel was teaching him to be stealthy, and she was clearly enjoying the trick. In his youthful innocence, Felix saw things very simply – right, left, front and back. It never occurred to him to look up! That amused me to no end, but it gave me a bit of insight into life’s lessons too.

I imagined myself to be Felix, maneuvering through various situations and obstacles to reach my goals. I also see how there are times when I get to a point where I’m not sure what to do next, even though it may be completely obvious to an onlooker! Which direction am I not looking in? What simple action do I need to take to discover a whole new way of looking at my situation? Funny how sometimes answers can be hidden in plain sight. And it also goes the other way – things may sometimes look suspicious, yet may not have any real mischief lurking in their shadows.

So it all comes down to what the nature of our reality is. It is the place where we bump up against something outside of us. It could be an idea, a situation, a person, an object, an illness. Those things can instantly change the way we see things! If we happen to be adverse to change, we may have to endure many more obstacles before our lessons are learned.

Autumn is close at hand here in the North Country. This is the season when change is wistfully and thoroughly felt. The wind changes and becomes colder, the sun’s angle changes to bring clarity of vision, the foliage sheds its green disguise and reveals its true colors. We watch as the youthful innocence of summer tumbles into the middle-aged autumn, which will soon metamorphose into the frosty crone.

It is Life, with all its beauty and harsh realities. I wish you a Happy Spring – another lovely expression of change in all its glory! May you experience change in ways that will nourish and sustain you always.

Love and blessings,
JEM

Dear JemSTAR,

Once again your correspondence enchants me whisking me off to another location becoming the omniscient observer in your world. At times I’ve felt like an intruder as the metaphor captures my imagination and paints a transparent vision of life in Vermont, USA. Thank you for sharing these visions and the philosophical meanderings with me – I find that I am like the little girl waiting by the mailbox waiting for the postman to arrive. The ding of the email notifier is enough to get my heart and imagination racing. Now, once again I feel sated after reading your letter.

My husband and I’ve have just returned from our short trip to Norfolk Island. Norfolk is on the same latitude to Byron Bay (NSW) geographically. And it seems to be aligned spiritually also. The natural vistas are maintained by inhabitants’ that desire longevity wrapped in peace and harmony. This is a refreshing enclave and astounding in this modern era.

The economy of the island relies on tourism and yet the numbers of tourists are restricted. Of course there are few natural resources offered in trade but they too are carefully calculated and nurtured.

The quaint atmosphere has sustained a reputation for the geriatric visitor and that begs the question: Must we be older and wiser to enjoy the magnificence of historical evolution? Or do we become more captivated by our roots as we prepare to lie beside our ancestors in the ground?

Prior to my departure from the mainland I was warned that Norfolk is for old people. After this visit I would debate that statement with vigour. If it is our older and wiser members of the tribe who fly over here to soak up the ambience of paradise then I suppose the warning is appropriate.

I have decided that Norfolk Island is for people who respect themselves enough to take time to nurture their spirit and who wish to reconnect with nature and honour their historical roots. It is unfortunate however that some of the history comes with a huge cost of human oppression and degradation. This tiny island was initially a penal colony not long after Captain James Cook discovered Australia he sent a ship of discovery up the east coast of Australia to scope the possibility of resources for their ships (trees for masks) and as a location to incarcerate convicts. During these early penal settlements the spirit of a person was subjected to acts of treachery.

Perhaps we should take time to consider the lives of others who were forced into unspeakable circumstances and yet devoted themselves to carve out stately Georgian mansions for gentry to dwell. How can a man/woman serve another in shackles and still create the brilliance of architectural structures that stand the test of time – and more importantly, erosion.

The unbreakable spirit of this land and its people has enveloped me during this retreat. I am aglow with a peaceful soul. What price can you put on that? How much does hospitality cost? What is the going rate for the touches of elegance that make you feel like an Island Goddess? Jems, you would be amazed at the reasonable investment for the superb quality and benefit you’ll receive during your stay on Norfolk Island.

Well my Friend, I believe that in the busy humdrum of our daily lives few miracles have an opportunity to manifest. For me, Norfolk Island has crept into my soul and has waved a wand of magic – priceless!

Once again JEM thank you for giving me the opportunity to share my life experiences with you. I look forward to our next imprint across the World Wide Web.

I look forward to hearing about your glorious fall.

Peace and Love,

Jar

Welcome Cosmic Cousins and Celestial Cruisers!

I’ve decided to spring clean my body. This year, September means Spring and Spring means detox –what who said that? Well, I did! As at the first day of Spring I am putting myself on a six week detox. Why? Well, there are lots of reasons behind this decision. The main reason is that I want to rid my body of nasty toxins and rejuvenate my organs. Another reason is to celebrate this magnificent season. I am documenting the detox journey in Julia’s Journal each day and I hope you will share the experiences with me. Also, Moon Hawk Healing in her column in Natural Living has some sage advice and guidance about detox’s if you are interested in doing the same. I recommend you read her column or begin your detox under the supervision of a qualified practitioner.
Now, let’s look at the skies to see what we can expect for September 2009.

The Sun is in Virgo for most of September. Virgo represents the sixth house of work, health and daily routines. Virgos are renowned for their diligence, physical health, diet routines and exercise but most of all Virgos are efficient and undertake projects with determination and focus.

The Full Moon is 13 degrees Pisces, 4:01 am on Saturday September 5 AEST. At this time the Sun is with Saturn highlighting the importance of security and sticking to what’s familiar. The Moon, however, is with Uranus demanding freedom and change. Choices must be made between honouring the past and exploring the unknown. Radical ideas demand practical expression. Those who dare will move easily into new territory. You have the chance to build foundations and do it your way. Are you prepared to speak up for what you authentically need? Keep the desire to serve at the top of your heart and things will go much more smoothly. The Venus/Jupiter link is about generosity in relationships. Strive to find the right balance between showering someone with affection/gifts and taking the ‘spoil the one you love’ ideal too far.

Remember this is a time when Mercury (planet of communications and the intellect) is in retrograde motion. This is not an ideal time for negotiation or making decisions about your future. However, the Full moon is a perfect phase to bring a conclusion to an area/phase in your life that is not working for you – or at least giving you the satisfaction and joy you deserve.

The new Moon is 26 degrees Virgo on September 19 at 4:44am. When I first say the time of this new moon I considered the Angelic vibration of the 4:44. I did a little research on: http://www.angelscribe.com/1111.html and found that 444 or 4444 The Resurrection number. I will leave this message up to you and your personal interpretation. For me I see these numbers as an indication for revival or renewal.

The New Moon continues with the Saturn/Uranus themes so prominent in 2009. Where and how would you like to create your own personal revolution? The New Moon is with Saturn and on many levels the need for structure, form and a firm plan is a must. Work out what needs to happen for you to achieve your goals then make a step-by-step plan to get there. Life happens one step at a time, no matter how impatient you may be. Honouring the natural rhythms around you helps you appreciate that life, like the physical, has its own seasons.

The perfect time to plant your Virgo seeds for the coming months depends upon the structure and form of your wishes. For this new Moon focus on these areas of Virgo to gain the optimal impact for the future:

• Diet
• Exercise
• Establishing good health habits
• Weight control
• Healing
• Healers (herbalists, natural therapists, chiropractors, massage therapists, doctors, nurses and of course – dentists!)
• Jobs
• Work projects
• Tasks and errands
• Co-workers
• Structured routines
• Orderly environments
• Paperwork
• Punctuality
See, September is the perfect time for clearing out the clutter in your home, mind, body and making way for the new you!

The five of wands is the next card in our tarot deck. On a divinatory level, the Five of Wands augurs a time of struggle where the individual must battle the dragon of material reality to achieve the goal. Mundane matters may begin to go wrong, and more attention must be paid to the demands and limits of concrete reality; or the individual falls into the grip of a depressive or apathetic mood. Compromises must be made while still retaining the integrity of the original vision.

September is a number nine month. Astrologically speaking the eclipse season of July and August has begun to settle down and we are faced with the cleaning up from the carnage of the massive shifts in our lives. Nine is a number of empowerment. A number nine month offers peace, harmony and a bringing together of situations, people or information. It may not seem very comfortable in the short term, but the long term effects of this month rid you of exhausting, time wasting and draining patterns. This is a time to sketch the easel with your vision for you in a landscape of your desires.

Our animal totem for this month is: butterfly. Butterfly represents the three stages of transformation. The energy of this totem can give clarity to mental processes, help you to organise the project y you are undertaking, and assist you in finding the next step for your personal life or career. The main message to be obtained from drawing this symbol into our monthly spread is that we are ready to undergo some type of transformation. Are you ready?

The crystal for September is blue topaz. Virgo has enormous capacity to be of service to others, which sometimes means that you own needs and aspirations are put on hold. Wearing blue topaz ensures you live up to your own aspirations without reneging on your dedication to service. Blue Topaz insists that the scripts you live by are those you write yourself in accord with your own truth. It takes you out of the servitude trap, teaching that true service comes from the heart, doing what is necessary without through of reward or recognition and yet, at the same time, not allowing yourself to be put upon by others. This stone aligns you with the angels of truth and wisdom, drawing their invaluable assistance into your day-to-day life. Your gifts of common sense and a rational mind, combined with an innate ability for organisation and administration, give you the ability to plan things in the most function way possible, making the world run more efficiently. Happy birthday, Virgos everywhere!

Our goddess for September is the Greek form of the ancient triple Goddess. Her name is Amphitrite and she is a benevolent goddess who nurtures the creatures of her kingdom, she is the source of creative energy and strength. She is also known for expressing a wide range of moods, form tranquil indifference to raging hostility. Invite her into your life to quieten the chaos within. She is all about our oceans of emotions.

Enjoy September 2009 and live in the moment. Expect the best and that is what you will get!

Peace and Love,

Harles

Greetings.

This month I have decided to discuss clay and some of the ways clay can be used to improve health. Clay is more than a beauty treatment, it has some wonderful, healing potential that can be accessed by people in their own home.

The recipe this month is French onion soup. A pot of this soup is currently simmering away on my stove top, so it is very much in my mind.

Wishing you many good things
Moonhawk

Clay

Before talking about clay, I’ll explain the image this month. Chickweed – Stellaria media – is particularly good as an external treatment for skin conditions such as eczema, urticaria and psoriasis. I’ve chosen this herb because it makes a good adjunct to clay when treating certain skin conditions.

Clay is usually seen as something used by beauticians in facials. It certainly is an excellent skin treatment, but it is able to do so much more.

Clay is usually described by its colour.
• White – for sensitive skin
• Red – for ageing skin
• Yellow – dry skin
• Green- oily and congested skin

The mineral content will differ for each clay, which helps to denote its use. Clay also has polarity properties that will draw toxins out of the skin. Green clay is particularly good for drawing out the toxins in pimples and boils, and will cool and soothe the affected skin. One of my aromatherapy colleagues successfully used a green clay poultice to draw out the poison of a white spider bite. This doesn’t negate the need to seek medical attention if you are bitten by a white, or another poisonous, spider. If you are bitten by a spider, an you think it may be a poisonous variety, immediately seek medical help – better to be sure than not.

Clay Masks

Clay makes an excellent base for a facial. A simple clay mask is made with 2 heaped teaspoons of clay (choose a clay to suite your skin type), mixed with a little spring water to a paste. Spread this evenly over the face and neck (I use a small, natural bristle paint brush for this) and leave for 15-20 minutes. The mask may dry out and pull on the skin. Gently wash off with warm water. Apply a good moisturiser. My preference is to use a comfrey leaf moisturiser I source from one of my suppliers, but a good quality face cream will do.

Clay takes well to other products. For a softening mask, mix one heaped teaspoon of fine ground oatmeal with 2 heaped teaspoons of clay. Mix to a smooth paste and apply to the face. Egg yolk, yoghurt and honey can also be used with clay.

You can also add exfoliants to the clay mask. Ground almonds or fine ground rice flour can be added to make a reasonably gentle exfolliant.
You don’t have to stop at the face. Clay masks can be applied to the whole body. You just have to mix a greater quantity.

Clay also goes beyond skin care. A clay poultice will speed the healing of cuts, and is effective in treating ulcerations. To make a poultice, mix the clay with water to form a past, apply to the affected areas, cover in plastic wrap, and then wrap in a light bandage – not too tight. Leave overnight.

I’ve used a combination of white and yellow clay to treat eczema. The white because it is good for sensitive skin, and the yellow because it has a certain ‘oiliness’ to it. Mix enough clay with water to cover the affected area, leave for 15-20 minutes, then wash off. Remember to moisturise the skin afterwards. You can use a good, natural cream, or a natural oil such as avocado or jojoba oil. An aromatherapist would be able to compound a cream or oil to suit your needs. This is where chickweed comes in useful. It makes a wonderful, soothing cream for irritated skin. If you are covering a large area of the body, a large, natural paint brush is ideal for ‘painting’ the clay mix on.

Acne – don’t be tempted to treat acne with green clay. Skin affected with acne is usually red and inflamed. While green clay will draw out infection of individual pimples, too much will dry the skin out excessively, which is not good for skin with acne. White clay is better. Skin with acne needs to be soothed, not aggravated further. Remember to mosturise the skin afterwards. The last thing skin affected with acne needs is to be too dry. You need to balance the need to ‘mop up’ excess oil, with the need to keep the skin moist. Aromatherapists and herbalists are able to prescribe suitable skin care for acne.
Red and yellow clay are both good for mature skin, or dry skin.

Clay can also be used internally. Mix 1/3 teaspoon of green clay with around 150 to 200ml of water. Leave overnight. The next morning you pour off the water and drink it, or you can just mix the clay back in and drink that. It will be a little gritty, but that’s ok. If you choose to try this, start by only drinking the liquid, then after a week or so you can drink the clay and water. I haven’t tried this myself, but professional colleagues who prescribe clay this way, and use it themselves internally, have reported good results.

As usual, consult a qualified aromatherapist, naturopath or herbalist to ensure that the clay you choose is the best for you. Contact the Australian Traditional Medicine Society (ATMS) or the National Herbalist Association of Australia for a list of qualified practitioners in your area. Contact the International Aromatherapy and Aromatic Medicine Association for a list of qualified aromatherapists.

Sourcing Clay

Most aromatherapist stock raw clay. They will have sourced it from their professional supplier. It is also available in some health food shops. The Sydney Essential Oil Company and New Directions, are two companies in Sydney that sell bulk clay to the general public. These companies also sell base products for skin and hair care. A quick search of Google will supply a list of other companies that supply clay and base products. As with all things, you get what you pay for when buying clay, so be sure you choose a reputable supplier.

Making Your Own Skin Care Products

If you’re interested in making your own skin care products, then hunt down Do It Yourself Pure Plant Skin Care by Carolyn Stubbin. This book has a number of easy to make skin care products. If You Want Great Skin Throw Away Your Skin Care by Helen Bairstow and Jennifer Jefferies is another good skincare book.

Reference: The Earth on Which We Live by Marijke Vogel. The Fragrant Pharmacy by Valerie Ann Worwood. Aromatherapy by Judith Jackson. The Complete Guide to Aromatherapy by Salvatore Battaglia

French Onion Soup

This is not a soup to be hurried. To make the best soup, the onions need to be gently caramelised over a low heat, which takes some time. The onions then need to be gently simmered in beef stock until quite soft.

30 g butter or 30 ml good quality oil	2 large or 3 medium onions
3 cloves garlic	6 cups beef stock
salt/pepper	bread for croutons
grated gruyere cheese

Peel and thinly slice the onions. Melt the butter in a heavy based pan, add the onions and cook over low heat until caramelised and soft – this could take up to an hour. Stir the onions so they don’t stick to the base of the pan. If the onions burn, the soup will have a bitter taste. Add the beef stock. Simmer for 1 hour.

Toast the bread – I like to cut the bread into large rounds with a cookie cutter. Sprinkle with grated gruyere cheese and grill. You can use other types of cheese, but gruyere works particularly well with onion soup.

Drop a cheesy crouton into a warm soup bowl, add some soup, then serve. You can add a tablespoon of brandy to the bowl for extra warmth.

Greetings.

This month I am returning to a discussion on detox programs. With the industrial revolution came what is sometimes called the chemical revolution. Our planet, and bodies, have been inundated with a myriad of synthetic chemicals. In many cases the long term effects of these chemicals are not known, or are only just beginning to be known. The human body is able to process and eliminate toxins, but not necessarily in the quantities that bombard our body on a daily basis. Detox programs often refer to weed seed and feed; or remove, renew, release, and start with the gastro-intestinal tract (GIT). Once you fully understand the role the GIT has in ongoing health, you truly understand the express “you are what you eat”.

The recipe this month is an Italian apple torta. The recipe was recently in the Canberra Times Sunday magazine. I’ve made it several times already and all who eat it agree that it is delicious. It only has 2 tablespoons of butter and 2 eggs, so qualifies as low fat, unless you add cream and/or ice-cream when serving.

Wishing you many good things
Moonhawk

Detox Programs
Symptoms of toxic overload include recurrent headaches and/or infections, fatigue, tiredness, lethargy, muscular aches and pains, acnes, eczema and other skin conditions, and hormone imbalances.
Toxins are generally eliminated through one of the five elimination systems. These five elimination systems are the liver, gastro-intestinal tract (large intestine), urinary system (kidneys), lungs and the skin. Because the main detox pathwasy are via the liver, large intestine and kidneys, these are the body systems that are generally to focus of detox programs.

A detox program generally follows a weed, seed and feed regime for the gastro-intestinal tract, along with herbs and supplements that support the liver and kidneys to remove toxins from the body. Simply put, the liver processes toxins by dissasembling then into component parts that can then be eliminated via the large intestine and kidneys. If the large intestine and kidneys are already trying to deal with a toxic overload, then the toxins cannot be sucessfully eliminated. This can lead to

While a detox program can be undertaken at any time, it’s often not a good idea to start one when you know there will be difficulties sticking with it, such as around Christmas and New Year. Some people like to coincide detox programs with spring, or other seasonal changes. You need to be able to commit yourself to a 6-8 week program for optimum results.

Diet

A detox diet is similar to the wellness diet. It is recommended that during a detox program you avoid caffeine based drinks, wheat, and dairy. This can be a challenge, particularly if you consume coffee, tea, bread, and milk/milk products on a regular basis. My method of dealing with this is to instruct clients in the wellness diet 2-4 weeks before detox, and have them slowly reduce caffeine, wheat and dairy. Some patients are comfortable going ‘cold turkey’. I like to work on diet design with clients to ensure they fell able to meet the dietary requirements of a detox diet. A detox diet is:
• high in fresh and vegetables
• includes good sources of protein such as nuts, seeds, fish; with small serves of organic red meat
• includes organic produce where possible
• avoids packaged and processed foods
• eliminates artificial additives – colours, flavours, preservatives etc
• includes 1.5 to 2 litres of water daily

During the first few days of a detox diet it is not unusual to feel generally unwell, have a headache, be grumpy, and have little energy. Some people feel like they have the flu or at least a bad cold. Do not despair, this will pass. For this reason, I usually recommend that a detox diet starts on a Friday, giving the client the weekend to get over the worst of the symptoms. Alternatively, schedule a few days off work.

Step 1 – weed/remove
This step involves increasing fibre in the diet as well as taking a herbal supplement that will weed out/remove bad bacteria and microbes from the gut.

Step 2 – seed/renew
The worst of the detox program is over. The bad bugs have been elimnated. This step involves putting back good bacteria into the GIT, and reparing the lining of the GIT so it is better able to process food and absorb nutrients.

Step 3 – feed/release
This step involves supporting the liver and kidneys to continue the detox process and eliminate toxins.

Step 4 – maintenance
This phase involves permanent adjustments to diet and lifestyle that will support ongoing toxic elimination. Generally during this phase I recommend a good quality multi-vitamin/mineral supplement.
As usual, consult a qualified naturopath or herbalist to ensure that the detox program you choose will meet your individual needs. Contact the Australian Traditional Medicine Society (ATMS) or the National Herbalist Association of Australia for a list of qualified practitioners in your area.

This month’s herb image is liquorice (Glycyrrhiza glabra) root and seed heads. This herb is part of the formula used to repair and restore the GIT during the detox program. You’ll note that it looks quite different to the liquorice you buy as a sweet treat. Liquorice extract or tincture is produced from the roots, which when cut have a creamy white interior. Liquorice root tastes quite nice, as does the liquid herb, and is often used as a flavouring agent to mask the taste of some of the more unpleasant tasting herbs. Its uses include an adrenal tonic, to soothe a sore throat, calm certain types of cough, and soothe the GIT.

Reference: Herbs & Natural Supplements: An evidence based guide (2nd Edition), by Lesley Braun and Marc Cohen. Medicinal Plants of the World by Ben-Erik van Wyk & Michael Wink. In-Tele-Health © 2008 (from Hyperhealth Pro CD-ROM).

Italian apple torta

1kg apples – granny smiths are ideal	2 large eggs
¼ cup milk	2 tablespoons melted butter
1 cup caster sugar	1&1/2 cups plain flour (gluten free)
1&1/2 teaspoons baking powder	Juice of 1 lemon
Grease and line a 23cm cake pan	Preheat the oven to 170c

Peal and core the apples, cut into quarters then slice finely. Put the slices into the lemon juice and enough water to cover the slices. This will stop the slices browning while you prepare the batter.

In a large bowl beat the eggs, melted butter and milk until well mixed. Add the sugar and continue beating until the sugar dissolves. Sift flour and baking powder. Gently beat into the egg mix until a thick batter forms. Add the sliced apple, making sure that the slices are separate. At thispoint you’ll wondr how the cake works, there seems to be far too much apple for the batter. Believe me, if you mix the apples into the batter it will work.

Pour batter into prepared tine. You can add 12 whole cloves to the top before baking for a little extra flavour.

Bake for 50-60 minutes. The top should be brown and the apples soft when pierced with a skewer.
Remove form oven, cool in the tin for at least 15 minutes before turning out onto a wire wrack.
Serve warm or cold, with or without cream.