CELEBRATING 26 YEARS IN PUBLICATION Enlighten Up! with The Aquarian

SPRING 2018 Volume 26 • Issue 1 INSIDE FEATURES The Green Man is everywhere...... 1 Internet profile to Inner Self...... 3 Cultivate your garden & yourself...4 Lessons from my year of kindness...... 6

OPINION Enlighten up...... 1 How my hose taught me to chill.5

COLUMNS Dubois: A poem of hope ...... 7 Wheelwright: The spirits in your garden...... 10 Cohen: The Cosmic Coincidence Control Centre ...... 12 Lakser: A lesson in embodiment. 13 EarthTalk: E-bikes are cleaner than regular bikes? ...... 15 Suzuki: Let grubs be your grub....17 Cassiopeia: Enchanted forest. 18

BOOKS A tidying-up manga makes sloppy points...... 14 The Song of the The Pressure to Enlighten

By DARREL SCOTT LAWLOR

Green Man ome people want enlightenment. Some Speople don’t. Some people don’t know what By SUSAN HURRELL enlightenment is – nor would they care if they did. Day-to-day living is enough. Survival is enough. We have needed a Father Nature for a long time, Eating, sleeping and procreating (or just practising) and never more urgently than now, when all over are enough. Not getting cancer is enough. Passing the planet, armored men, in or out of uniform, Goldilocks’ “just right!” seal of approval for comfort terrorize each other, women and children, and and convenience is enough (almost). But then there what remains of the wildwood. Daniel C. Noel, Tschubenko Photo by Mathew are those – the dreamers and seekers – who have this Ph.D. nagging feeling that there’s something more to life that’s just out of reach. ho is this mysterious leafy face, foliage Life feels like an unbroken flow of rippling Wbursting forth from his open mouth, singing simultaneous events in a universe the sheer size of the song of the green and growing earth? He has which is as mind boggling as human ignorance. To sung to us for centuries as we deflower and deforest find this certain “something” (enlightenment?) that his kingdom. He is the “Green Man,” asking us to might be missing, we look to nonhuman animals hear his verdant song. who live a modest routine of eating, sleeping and He sustains us as the vegetal sacrifice that feeds reproducing in harmony with nature and we look human and animals, distributing his life-force at humans, and the biggest difference seems to be a energy through the fruit, vegetables and grains matter of expectation. To live is enough for nonhuman that we eat, the flowers we enjoy, the trees we animals, but not necessarily so for some humans who grow for fruit, shade and shelter, and the jungles need a reason to be alive. These are the people who that contribute to our oxygen supply. look for meaning to their being (and read articles like The Green Man shares our need for water and the one you are reading). sunlight and models the mystery of birth, death The Rolling Stones captured this nagging feeling and rebirth through the eternal cycle of seed sown, that there’s something missing in the song “(I Can’t plant grown and harvest reaped. This cycle is the Get No) Satisfaction.” Years later they followed that taproot of his mystery and explains his presence with an addendum, singing, “You Can’t Always Get throughout the centuries around the world. See GREEN MAN on page 8 See PRESSURE on page 19 2 SPRING 2018 ~ Enlighten Up! www.aquarianonline.com www.aquarianonline.com SPRING 2018 ~ Enlighten Up! 3 You Are Not Your Online Profile How to connect with your true Self, the Yoga way

By NANCY DALEY The Upanishads of Vedic truth refer to this true divine Self as a piece of God or Brahman. Our true Self is spirit. Our true Self is eternal. Who are you? Our true Self is divinity. Imagine that to attract the love of your life, Huh? How do I put you are completing a profile for an online dating site. You need to describe who you are. that on my profile page? You fill out the physical appearance checklist for your height, your skin and eye colour, your How you identify yourself on a profile page weight and whether you are fit or not so fit. is ego’s doing. It is external and limited – so You also may identify yourself with what you different from the potentiality of you that lies own, who you know, your life circumstances, hidden within ego’s packaging of you. your race, gender, social status or where on The true Self is different from the face you put this rotating orb you plant your feet. You on for the online dating sites, for the public and profile your “best” self and all you think you for yourself. While the everyday you reacts, are with a few less pounds checked off (of responds and is thrown back by the punches course). that life throws in your direction, the true Self is very certain and clear about all things. It is not dependent on the “superficial things” of Is this what you are? this world or the good opinion of others; it is instead responsible for a deeper sense of truth. Even if you were completely honest in your It is not anxious, worried or easily disturbed, description and didn’t exaggerate about your but at peace, no matter what is going on around adventurous side when really the closest you it. ever got to white water rafting was holding The true Self doesn’t seek love and fulfilment your floaty over the pool jets … is this profile from outside sources like a dating site. what you really are? According to A Course in Miracles, it knows What if all the criteria and labels used by simply that it is Love, and it is complete as the dating site could never describe who you such. “Teach only love, for that is what you really were? What if you were much more are.” than what a checklist and a few short-answer questions could adequately define? Illustration by Macrovector Why would we want judgment, as you, in bodily form and with a head full to find the true Self? The True Self of racing thoughts clouding the peace that is your birthright, stomp around in the physical world. It is We want to find our true Self so the world will Beneath the Profile your most inner Self … it is your most real Self. make sense. When we know who we are, we will The true Self or Purusa, according to the definition not be reduced to having to describe ourselves and Beneath all those labels, in the most inner part of found in Sri Swami Satchidananda's translation of the meaning of our lives in 200 characters or less. you, is the real you or the true Self. The true Self The Yoga Sutras, is “the divine Self which abides is that which sees all and knows all. It is the quiet in all beings.” It is who we really are beneath these Observer that rests beneath the ego, watching without bodies and worldly identifications. See TRUE SELF on page 16 4 SPRING 2018 ~ Enlighten Up! www.aquarianonline.com

GardenCultivating the Land is Cultivating Bliss Ourselves By CHRISTINA RAI WHEELWRIGHT plants return to the earth in preparation for a new cycle planted to get an early start once it has warmed up a to come. After all, according to numerous religious bit. For serious gardeners, this might be the time to t’s the time we all look forward to – spring gardening myths, the first couple were gardeners! get the greenhouse going. Commercial growers are Iweather is coming! already hard at work by February, Engaging in gardening is one which is why we have a sudden of the most therapeutic pastimes burst of green at garden centres long there is. It heals both body and before any seeds have been planted mind and especially anchors the into the actual garden. In March it is just beginning to whisper warmth soul in its journey on this plane of Photo by lavizzara existence. We are here to have the to us so we may even be able to go physical/emotional experience. outside and have a look see at the We are not meant to detach while garden space. All this prepares us in corporeal form but, rather, to for the work ahead. fully embody all that is available Once it begins to warm up, usually through the five literal senses. by April, we can begin to tackle the This, in turn, feeds the soul and spring clean-up or prep work that provides it with a directional is necessary after the long winter impulse in its search for home. months. I have seen gardens in When we garden, whether on Winnipeg ready for seeding by a minuscule scale by having a the end of April, black earth rich few choice houseplants or on a and inviting and fully cultivated. If larger scale by venturing forth our own gardens do not resemble into our back yards, we connect this, we can make it a goal. Even with Gaia, the earth mother. though April is usually not yet Truly, this organism is our own warm enough to set plants out, source of life. From Gaia, all have some seeds may be planted, though come and to her we return. She a good guideline is to wait until the provides us with all that we may first New Moon after the May long need to sustain ourselves, both in weekend. I have planted out before body and in mind. What can we this and been disappointed by an do without food and water? How unexpected frost. However, due to many poems have been written by someone inspired by The gardening process is beneficial from its inception the fluctuating occurrence of the New Moon (the dates the magnitude of the beauty of the living earth? How to its conclusion. During the later winter months, we change on a regular basis), some years this is well into many landscapes have been painted or photographed can relax with gardening catalogues, make plans on June, so we have to be flexible as we prepare to plant. by someone attempting to capture even a small fraction garden grids, organize what seeds we have left over Onion sets, however, can be planted even if there is a of the vista before them? It is good to garden, to watch from the previous season and sort through equipment danger of frost, and for those of you who plant winter things grow from tiny seeds and then watch these same that may need repair. Some of those seeds could be See GARDEN on page 15 www.aquarianonline.com SPRING 2018 ~ Enlighten Up! 5 A Spiritual Lesson from a Garden Hose

By CAMILLE mechanically inclined and he once told me that if again and again, and again. The hose stayed attached all else fails, whack it! Okay, I will! I found an axe to the reel cart. The reel cart stayed together. I fter finishing planting flowers in my new garden in the garage and approached the hose reel cart. I placed a foot on one part of the cart and tugged it Aone warm spring day, I hauled out the garden put a foot on the cart to hold it down while I hit in the opposite direction. The cart stayed together; I hose reel cart. I discovered that the single hose it. The thought that I might accidentally attack my jumped up and down on it. The cart stayed together; attached to the cart was not long enough to water foot instead of the cart did not occur to me. With the hose stayed attached. that particular garden. I needed to By now, I was sweating add another to it, and luckily I had profusely. My language one. I began to examine the cart to capability had moved from small see how I could detach the hose so mutterings to profanities uttered I could join a second one. in a louder voice. The whackings I confess outright that I am proceeded with grunts and yells. not mechanically inclined. If I knew the newly planted flowers instructions say turn item G to Trubitsyn Photo by Dmitry were dying from the heat and the left, I will turn item C to the would continue to die without right. It’s a weakness, and I’m water. Sweat rolled off me. My convinced my mind is simply breathing increased. My temper incapable of following those sparked. That cart was going to kinds of instructions or logically come apart, or else! thinking through how to fix Just then, a friend rolled up to something mechanical. It’s just too visit. He came out in the yard hard. This basic belief has stayed looking for me and found me in with me over many years and has quite a state. When I explained influenced how I interact with what I was trying to do, he what I consider to be mechanical looked at me and bent down to items. For example, I don’t buy touch the cart, gently uncoupling things that need to be put together the hose from the connector. Just unless I can have the store do that. … like … that! The hose, to my way of thinking, Now, tears of laughter started was mechanical. I found the place to pour down my face, joining to disconnect if from the cart but it the sweat. I realized nothing has wouldn’t budge. I got pliers out of to be so hard. Life can be full of my handy-dandy flower-covered ease. I believed it was going to tool kit. The pliers didn’t work. I tried pulling the a mighty roar, I swung the axe above my head and be difficult, and so it was. connection. That didn’t work. The sun was beating brought it down firmly on the cart. The cart jumped. down on me, and the day was getting warmer and The hose stayed attached. The cart showed a small Camille is a Reiki Master, offering channelled healing warmer. I began to sweat. indentation in the frame from where the axe hit. sessions and guidance to her human clients. She has My father’s advice came to mind. He also was not Obviously that effort wasn’t hard enough. I swung been an animal communicator for over 30 years. Visit bluewolfspeaks.com. 6 SPRING 2018 ~ Enlighten Up! www.aquarianonline.com My Kindest Year How sharing my gratitude changed my life

By MEG CRANE she taught me to be a feminist, to take mental health I FaceTimed her just a few days ago, and when she days and to eat healthy food. She taught me to have said, “I thought about FaceTime-ing you earlier!” y partner does a lot for me. For the past year, compassion for others, to speak my truth – and the I teased her about whether it was because I wasn’t MI’ve been recovering from a concussion. I absolute joy of having a comfortable bed with cozy answering the other 5,000 ways she’d tried to get in haven’t always been able to steadily walk on my own, blankets. I filled the page and still had so many more touch. She looked a little embarrassed – my younger make myself meals, clean our house or work. So he’s grateful thoughts I decided to save them for another brother later told me she’d mentioned that she thinks held my arm, cooked me fabulous dinners, made sure time. she sends me too many messages. Now she’s cut back, the house was clean and paid all the bills. Unfortunately, I misplaced the letter – addressed, and I miss her name popping up on my phone. So I stamped and ready to go – somewhere in my house. call her once or twice a day. We can talk for an hour “Thank you for watering the plants.” By the time I found it and got it in the mail, mom was without me becoming irritated or us fighting. Before I wrote the letter – depending on our moods “I really appreciate it when you do the – we could barely last 10 minutes, sometimes. dishes.” This has been an amazing experience for me. While it was marked as an act of kindness “I’m so grateful you took the time and towards someone else in My Kindest Year thought to prepare this smoothie for me.” calendar, it was also an act of kindness towards myself. Since then, I’ve written similar letters. He returns the sentiment by thanking me To three of my best friends, I sent lists of all for every little thing I do for him. He thanks my favourite things about them. One landed in me for telling him I appreciate him, for a friend’s mailbox on what turned out to be an pouring his coffee in the morning and for awful day for her and it brought a little much- vacuuming the house. It makes me feel so needed joy. To my nephew, I wrote a detailed good; I feel appreciated and enjoy having my letter about the qualities he has that will take efforts recognized. him far in life, as he’s been having a tough time This year, I’ve embarked on a project I’m at school. calling My Kindest Year. Each day, I do This experience has been so good both for one nice thing for someone else and one me and the recipients that I’ve decided to send nice thing for myself. I make my partner his more letters of gratitude to everyone important morning oatmeal, send sympathy cards to in my life. Here are the themes I’m thinking of people whose animals have passed and give writing about: books I really enjoyed to others who I think would be into them. about to take off for a week-long holiday in Mexico. • Thanks for lessons I’ve learned from you. One day in mid-January (just a month ago), I She still doesn’t know what’s in that letter, but it’s • My favourite qualities of yours. was inspired by an article in Bella Grace magazine already had a profound impact on our relationship. • Reminiscing about the greatest times I’ve had encouraging readers to write a letter to their mom Shortly after writing the lessons mom taught me, with you. (or a mother figure in their lives) thanking her for my anxiety skyrocketed for unrelated reasons. My • Appreciating how you’ve impacted my life. the lessons she taught them. I love my mom a lot, phone was filling up with missed calls and texts, and Will you join me? Sit down today and pen a but we don’t get along. Last time she came to visit I was too overwhelmed to deal with them. Many of quick note to someone in your life who you have a me, she suggested she and my dad stay at my mother- these messages were from mom. She emailed me a tumultuous relationship with. See how things change in-law’s house for at least part of the week. She said few vegan recipes she thought I’d be interested in. after you contemplate how they’ve shaped you as it was so my partner and I could have our personal She sent me some cute cat posts on Instagram. On a person, and then convey your appreciation to space, which I know actually means so we’ll have Facebook, she sent health-related articles my way; them. This is a beautiful way to mend, deepen and fewer arguments. Sometimes, she can just be too and via iMessage she asked how I was doing. All strengthen relationships, and I can’t wait to send my much for me. She sends me social media messages went unanswered. I just couldn’t gather the energy next one off in the mail. and emails almost daily and frequently calls to ask to respond. simple questions that could be answered via text. But, for once, I wasn’t annoyed with her. I thought Meg Crane is a freelance writer and editor. Having I knew I’d learned a lot from her, but enough to fill about how in my letter of gratitude I’d written, “You struggled with anxiety and depression the tear-out page from the magazine with lines for the taught me how to love.” I acknowledged that by staying her whole life, she helps other letter? Well, it was something she would really love, in touch with me and connecting with me through freelancers and creatives learn how to and it was time I incorporated her into My Kindest the things I most enjoy (food and animals), she was take care of their mental health while Year. So I sat down to write. showing her love for me. Instead of becoming angry pursuing the work they love. Learn I wrote the first lesson. Then another. With each that she was flooding my phone, I felt so incredibly more at megjcrane.com. Find her on point I added, I thought of three more. I realized loved. I was overwhelmed in a different kind of way. Twitter/Instagram @MegJCrane.

Our Mission The Aquarian InPrint is published quarterly by the first week The Aquarian is an informational and networking resource of March, June, September and December. for a thinking community; we have a progressive approach The Aquarian Online is available all day, every day. to everything from health and spirituality to the environment Follow us on Twitter, @aquarianonline, or and politics. LIKE us on Facebook.com/AquarianNewspaper Our Vision We welcome your suggestions, letters to the editor, writers’ Celebrating 26 Years in Publication queries, press releases, announcements and other input. We Publisher & Managing Editor We have personally seen the transformative impact that may edit letters for length and readability. exploring new and alternative ways of thinking can have Kristi Dorian: [email protected] on individuals and communities. We provide an ongoing We strive to ensure editorial accuracy, but writers and opportunity for dialogue based on mutual respect, exploration advertisers are responsible for the accuracy of their claims and statements. The opinions and views expressed in articles do Contributing Editors InPrint & Online that leads to fulfilment and action that creates sustainability. Syd Baumel, Susan Hurrell and Meg Crane not necessarily reflect those of The Aquarian or its advertisers. Contact the office with all editoral inquiries. www.aquarianonline.com All contents are copyright. We welcome reprint requests. [email protected] ~ Phone: 204.287.8704 ~ P.O. Box 182 - 971 Corydon Ave. ~ Winnipeg, MB R3M 0Y0

COVER ILLUSTRATION: Cassi(opeia) #11 - Nature Spirits by Adam Kirk www.aquarianonline.com SPRING 2018 ~ Enlighten Up! 7 Strength, Courage and Hope By RIKKI DUBOIS

hortly before I changed my gender, I was in a very dark place. The heavy Sclouds of depression made me feel like I could no longer carry on with the life I was living. I wrote “Strength, Courage & Hope” as a way to tell myself to find the strength and courage to move forward and to remind myself that there is still hope that things will get better.

Strength; Courage; Hope;

Holding on when you want to just let go Refusing to give up or give in anymore Staying strong even when everything's going wrong Believing even when you're lost

But sometimes strength is merely the ability to hide the pain "You're so strong" they say But sometimes being strong is your only choice What will get you through each day Take that next step Or even get up in the morning

Courage is going through things and still holding on Being able to keep doing it Day in and day out Having courage isn't always great It just means you can go through it again and again And no one knows just how much you break How much pain is really underneath

Hope is always believing Even when you lose what to believe in Always seeing the end of that dark tunnel Knowing it’s there and will come soon But what happens when you hope for so long And nothing changes at all? When you open your heart to God or another belief

See STRENGTH on page 18 8 SPRING 2018 ~ Enlighten Up! www.aquarianonline.com GREEN MAN continued from page 1 on Christian tombs, and by the 6th philosophies, arts and cultures. Was is cut down and rises again. Another century, in Christian churches. From the Green Man of the East surprised sacrificial character, Green George, the 11th century forward, the Green to see himself already present in these was a vital part of Pagan rites of Roots and Branches Man profusely decorates cathedrals new lands, or did He know these dying spring. Represented by a young man in Germany, France, Italy, Holland, and rising gods? Jesus, Osiris, Odin, dressed head to foot in greenery, he The Green Man is most often found Spain, Hungary, Poland and the British the Green Knight, John Barleycorn, leads the festival procession like Jack where there are, or were, stretches Isles. These faces, created from the the Holly King and Thamuz of the o’ the Green, only to be dunked in a of ancient forest. In architecture living matter of the world, represent the Mesopotamians all can be related river or pond to ensure that there will predating European civilization, he Spirit of Life, Death and Resurrection. to the primordial Green Man who be enough rain to make the meadows decorates India’s Hindu and Jain In the Church, his story was indeed symbolizes the triumph of Ever-Green and pastures green. temples. In temples in Malaysia, his born again. Life over Winter and Death. In this rainmaking ability, the Green name is “Kirtimukha” or “the face of But who was he before the Church Over the centuries, the Green Man George is also linked to Herne the Glory” to frighten away evildoers. As found him? The Green Man has ancient remained a part of lore and legend, Hunter, a legendary spirit who roams the Hindu god Chhepi, he wards evil ties to one of the oldest folk images, the enshrined in the churches and cathedrals the forests of Windsor. He is usually away from the Temple. In Borneo, he Corn or Barley God, whose honouring that were often built on ancient pagan depicted as a horned man, peering is a Guardian of the Forest, a protector stretches back to the Neolithic Age. sites. Ultimately, the Green Man out of a mask of foliage, most often deity and a bringer of good fortune. We find him in the caves of Lascaux vanished with the remnants of the “Old the leaves of the sacred Oak. Herne is Faith” after the Reformation. often conflated with Gaul’s Cernunnos and other legends of “horned lords of the wood.” Lady Raglan made comparisons to the legendary Robin Hood, dressed in Lincoln Green and living among

Photo by Carol Blaker the ancient oaks of Sherwood Forest. In some stories, Robin is linked to the worship of Herne the Hunter, Lord of the Trees. Similar medieval legends of the Wild Men – dressed in leaves, living in the forest and venturing forth to take food – may be related to the Green Man.

Saving the Green Man Today

Today, the Green Man greets us from English pub signs and gardening knick-knacks. He is decorative rather than symbolic, and his potency is in danger of disappearing much like his beloved forest. We distance ourselves from the few wild places where he still lives, which we may visit as tourists to the rain forest. We try to capture his magic in backyard gardens and city park green spaces, but his presence is barely felt as the world turns. Can we save the Green Man from disappearing into the mists of time, as we cover his world with concrete and plow under the last wild places? We often speak of how we have He is best known from images in (France) and Altamira (Spain), where He reappeared on 17th century dishonoured Mother Nature, but in European and British architecture. paintings show shamanic dancers memorials and 18th century Scottish truth, we have also tried to kill her There are thousands of diverse images honouring a Green Man image, gravestones. Then came the Victorian consort, the seed energy that gives life – up to 2,000 in one church alone. He wearing foliate-appearing masks. classical revivalists looking to plant to the universe when planted in the is sometimes in the company of green Many ancient civilizations created seeds from a pagan age for new growth body of the Great Earth Mother. cats, dogs and dragons who also sprout religious stories to better understand in the era of industrial revolution. The Green Man cannot disappear if forth leaves and branches, or whose and explain the natural world, a world Reborn again, the Green Man played there is one tree standing somewhere. images are composed of leaves. There they saw as alive, often punitive and a significant decorative role in church The surge of energy behind are no “Green Lady” companions to sometimes easily propitiated. Nature restorations and street architecture. environmental awareness is like bright dance the dance of life with the Green was a mysterious, a vital and integrated sunlight to his green leaves, giving Man. force that was divine and magical. What’s in a Name? Him strength to put down more roots He appears on pillars, corners, roofs, Agrarian peoples were innately in our hearts, to branch out to touch friezes and doorways – any surface connected to the seasons and their more people’s awareness with the need growing cycles, honouring the Green We do not know what He was called by open to ornamentation or decoration his creators. Since 1939, He has been for change. – as he looks down from capitals, Man’s mystery through indigenous We are the keepers of his Garden, pagan practices before the ever- “the Green Man” – a name given to corbels, choir stalls, bench ends, Him by Lady Raglan, a noblewoman, and we have work to do. We can let fonts, screens and roof-bosses. He is increasing influence of the emerging His wildness touch us in ways that Christian Church and its theology that and scholar who wrote an article for a carved in stone or wood, shaped in British folklore journal. She compared are creative and vital, for we, as living stained glass (rare) and inscribed in gave humans dominion over the earth, beings, are also flowers in his garden. rather than partnership with it. his leaf-covered face to the lore of illuminated manuscripts. He is most ritual figures like Jack o’ the Green, We can call upon him when we plant often found on cold stone interiors, As civilizations evolved, so did our who precedes the May Queen in 19th seeds, bulbs, flowers, shrubs, trees adding life force energy in unexpected ancestors’ understanding, influenced century May Day pageants. – doing this to enlarge his kingdom places. His face sometimes borders on by new ideas brought by travelers and The “Jack o’ the Green” was a in ways that enrich our world with the grotesque. invaders over subsequent centuries. man caged inside a conical wicker green and growing things, providing Migrating to escape famine or plague, framework, covered with leaves, with us with air, fruit, grain, vegetables and wartime invasion, holy crusade, or the a place for his face to peer through. As materials for shelter. Birth, Death and Rebirth pursuit of work in the trades, people a living Green Man, “Jack” was the For those looking for a new began to move further from their centre of the celebration, accompanied masculine role model in this age of On 2nd century Roman columns in homelands. The Green Man journeyed by Morris folk dancers and musicians, domestic violence and global conflict, Turkey, he is a leaf mask on memorials with them. the symbol of springtime regeneration, there is the Green Man. Indisputably to wealthy citizens, granting the The indigenous peoples of early the annual renewal of life. and undeniably male in his attributes, promise of regeneration. By the 4th Europe mingled for centuries with The Green Man may also be seen century C.E., the Green Man appeared migrating peoples, blending religions, in Sir Gawain’s Green Knight, who See GREEN MAN on page 14 www.aquarianonline.com SPRING 2018 ~ Enlighten Up! 9 card file

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By CHRISTINA RAI Yowahoos, in the many African veracity of the five Cottingley Fairies logs or brush will attract the fire WHEELWRIGHT traditions; and Devs by the Persians. photographs taken by two young girls devas. The key thought is that these elusive in an English garden. He reproduced The work of the fire devas spirits are present among us and these photos in the book, along with includes transformation of that strongly connected to the organic his theories about spiritualism and which has died into new fertile ake a walk in your garden just world. Though they can, at times, be the existence of fairies and spirits and ground, inspiration for the gardener Tas the dawn is chasing away capricious and naughty, they are open their fundamental nature. Though and infusing the growing flowers the night or when the dusk begins to a cooperative relationship with there was much skepticism at the and plants with warmth, which is so to wrap its arms around the earth. humans. However, it is up to us, as time about the truth of these photos necessary for survival. You know These are magical times, full of the human part of the partnership, to (now proven to be false), Conan that the fire devas are present if you secrets and promises. This is the establish trust and maintain respect Doyle remained a firm believer in the suddenly see, from the corner of time when the elemental devas at all times. Otherwise, these little presence of fairies among us. your eye, rapidly moving twinkling come out to play. spirits will leave us to our own lights that disappear as quickly as devices and go places where they are you can turn your head to look. The What’s a deva? better welcomed. Fire devas fire devas can be coy and shy, but will advance when you light a fire. Deva is a Sanskrit word meaning Arthur Conan Doyle There are any number of devas you So, sit quietly and wait for them. heavenly, divine, anything of can coax into your garden space, They love the dusk. excellence. It is also one of the and the fairies each one connected to one of the four terms for a deity in Hinduism. Deva elements: fire, earth, air and water. Earth devas is masculine; the related feminine One of the most famous stories The fire devas include entities that equivalent is devi. Other spiritual in modern times about the human masquerade as salamanders, fireflies The earth devas are intrinsically traditions incorporate these life search for devas involved Sir Arthur and dragonflies, as well as the connected to the earth itself. forms into their mythology, with Conan Doyle, himself a Freemason element of fire or light itself. Placing Gaia is their source. Gnomes and various modifications of meaning and confirmed spiritualist. He wrote twinkling lights into your foliage, kobolds are two examples of these and purpose. Some other terms are several books on the subject. His most strategically positioning an iridescent hardworking, industrious entities. Shedim, in the Jewish traditions; famous, The Coming of the Fairies, gazing globe into a perennial bed, or Afries, in the Egyptian traditions; reveals Conan Doyle's conviction of the creating a site where you can burn See MAGIC on next page www.aquarianonline.com SPRING 2018 ~ Enlighten Up! 11

Their realm of influence is all that is the little sprites do not feel exposed. under the ground, including the roots If you are lucky, you might just see Fairies of a plant, minerals and soils, and them frolicking there. the burrowing insects that digest soil There are fairies at the bottom of our garden! matter. To work with earth devas is Water devas to toil in the garden with shovel and It's not so very, very far away; hoe. The dark of the moon is one of The water devas include nymphs, You pass the gardener's shed and you just keep straight ahead – their favourite times, as light – in any naiads, nixies and undines. The best form, but especially the light of a full way to attract these beings into your I do so hope they've really come to stay. moon – can overwhelm them. garden is to create a water feature. There's a little wood, with moss in it and beetles, The water devas are dreamy and extremely shy, even withdrawn, but And a little stream that quietly runs through; Air devas they love to bathe and swim with the fish. A pond is just the thing You wouldn't think they'd dare to come merrymaking there – Perhaps the most delightful of devas to lure them in. In fact, they often are those of the air element: fairies, Well, they do. masquerade as fish, so sitting by elves and sylphs. These tiny beings your pond and playing with your koi can move like lightning and come There are fairies at the bottom of our garden! is a good way to interact with them. to sudden stops just as rapidly due They do the job of balancing the They often have a dance on summer nights; to their mysterious changeability. If chemistry in the garden and ensuring you feel a sudden unexpected rustling The butterflies and bees make a lovely little breeze, the plants receive the nutrients they around you when in the garden, you need in order to be healthy and And the rabbits stand about and hold the lights. can be sure that a fairy is close by. strong. Did you know that they could sit upon the moonbeams Sudden changes in light can also be a sign of their presence. When you see And pick a little star to make a fan, an abundance of butterflies, you can The deva’s promise And dance away up there in the middle of the air? be sure some are fairies in disguise! Fairies and elves nurture flowers by Well, they can. It is a good thing to make a place in day, just as the fire spirits keep them your garden for the devas. When any There are fairies at the bottom of our garden! warm at night. deva is present, magic can follow – When you feel a storm coming on You cannot think how beautiful they are; magic that can make your garden and the wind begins to whip the trees even more abundant and fertile than They all stand up and sing when the Fairy Queen and King around as the clouds gather, you can you can imagine. be sure storm devas are dancing in the Come gently floating down upon their car. garden. These storms are an absolute The King is very proud and very handsome; necessity for the growing garden as Christina Rai Wheelwright has they activate nutrients in the soil and studied with shamans, both locally The Queen – now you can guess who that could be provide much needed moisture. One and internationally. She is also (She's a little girl all day, but at night she steals away)? way to lure fairies is to create a fairy an evolutionary astrologer, writer garden where they can lounge when and energy worker trained in Well – it's Me! they get especially sleepy. Tuck your reflexology and craniosacral therapy. Rose Fyleman little village into a secluded spot so [email protected] 12 SPRING 2018 ~ Enlighten Up! www.aquarianonline.com From the Heart By ALAN COHEN Who Sent the Ants? ome friends of mine decided to sell their house dream. When you are relaxed, open and in the flow of is in California? How will we ever meet?” I told her, Sand found a buyer. On the day before the sale was life, synchronicities show up gently, easily and joyfully. “Synchronicity and the Law of Attraction are not to close, they walked into their living room to find a The wisdom of benevolence is working 24/7 to help impeded by geography. The universe can overcome any wall covered with carpenter ants. The couple had us receive the good we desire and deserve. Its ability seeming obstacle to join people who belong together.” never seen such ants in the house before and had no to find and serve us depends on our willingness and Just out of college, I saw an ad for my ideal job as the idea where they came from. In integrity, they disclosed openness to receive blessings. director of a municipal youth guidance centre. I barged the discovery to the buyer, who cancelled the sale. At If something matches you and belongs to you, it will into the township supervisor’s office and applied for the that point, my friends realized they did not really want find you by right of your consciousness. job. A conservative fellow, the supervisor told me he to sell the house, and they kept it. The next day the When I visited Japan, I met a radiant healer named disagreed with everything I said. I figured I had lost the ants disappeared and they job and I forgot about it. never saw them again. That A month later I received was 20 years ago. They are a call from his secretary still living in the house and informing me of a second loving it. interview with the board The ants were dispatched of directors, who hired me by a brilliant creative over another candidate by organization called the a vote of 5–4. I went on to “C.C.C.C.” – the Cosmic enjoy years of reward in Coincidence Control that position, helping lots Centre. This is the agency of teens get a direction in behind synchronicity, a life. I and that job were a term coined by psychologist perfect match, and, in spite

Carl Jung, indicating “a at FreeDigitalPhotos.net Yongkiet of Image courtesy of my doubts and fears, the meaningful coincidence.” universe lined me up with it. Jung defined the principle What seems to be working after he conducted a against you may be working psychotherapy session with for you. Only the ego judges a woman who reported and interprets against one’s she had had a dream of a golden scarab (beetle). At Shinichiro Terayama, who years earlier had healed self. The Higher Mind recognizes that all events fit into that very moment a golden scarab flew into the room, himself of a disease that doctors said would cause the big picture of Benevolution. When things seem to capturing Jung’s attention and the patient’s. That type him to die. Shin decided to simply practise gratitude be going wrong, ask “How might they be going right?” of beetle was very rare in that region, and it was out and just be happy, and the disease departed. After that Quit trying to organize and micromanage your of season. The chances of such an insect entering that he became a well-known and beloved healer. He is destiny, which is already being handled by a Mind that space at the precise moment they were discussing it recognizable by his shiny bald head, gray beard and sees far beyond the human intellect. Someone gave me were infinitesimal. the cello he totes to musical engagements. Shin’s bright a coffee mug with the motto, “Relax. God is in charge.” Synchronicity is always working on our behalf, energy made in impression on me and I wanted to see We need to trust that all events have the potential to lead but we are only occasionally aware of it. We cannot him again. us where we want or need to go – and surprise ants may plan synchronicities; we just need to get clear on our A week later I was passing through Shinagawa be dispatched by angels. intention and then be open to signs and guidance. A Station, one of the most crowded terminals in a city happy-looking couple came to me after a lecture. “I of nearly 14 million people. Then I saw a familiar bald Alan Cohen is the author of the bestselling A Course in was seeking my soulmate,” the fellow told me, “and head and encased cello coming my way. It was Shin. I Miracles Made Easy: Mastering the Journey from Fear then I fell into a coma. When I awoke in the hospital, I was stunned to run into one of the few people I knew to Love. Become a certified professional life coach looked up to see the most beautiful angel looking down in all of Japan, the one I wanted to see the most. The though Alan’s transformational Life Coach Training. at me. She turned out to be a nurse, and I married her.” C.C.C.C. strikes again! For more information about this program, his books You do not need to create a coma or some dramatic A young woman at a seminar nervously asked, and videos, online courses, and weekly radio show, circumstance to meet your life partner or fulfill your “What if I am here in North Carolina and my soulmate visit alancohen.com. www.aquarianonline.com SPRING 2018 ~ Enlighten Up! 13 That Time My Body Turned on Me And taught me a lesson in embodiment.

By ADINA LAKSER

had an unexpected hole in my body and then Iit was gone. Yes, a story of magic. But not from a far and distant land or an incredible fairy tale. This is the story of magic in the here and now, in my very own body. Due to unexpected complications after a simple breast reduction surgery, I developed wound dehiscence and ended up with a hole at the base of my left breast. From the outside it didn’t look too deep, but on the inside it tunnelled in various directions. Essentially, it was a deep, dark cavern. Not what you want for a breast. Yes, I did need help from a daily wound care nurse. Yes, I did need help in the form of antibiotics. But, for the most part, I healed because my body knew what to do. It grew tissue – cell by cell, layer by layer, month by month – until the hole was no longer there. My body did that. Just my regular, old body. Since I am able bodied, privileged and healthy, I take my body for granted, like so many of us do. It does what I need it to do and, mostly, we plug along in a committed, but fairly silent, relationship. Nothing like being rocked out of Photo by Impact Photography complacency to really and truly appreciate the body’s infinite power. It’s such a cliché: a health issue can teach us to responsibilities of home, life, relationships, children, struggles to be connected to their bodies. One woman appreciate our bodies more, but there’s good reason pets, personal development and more. By the time I talks about her journey to being more embodied: that cliché is so ubiquitous. Through this process, was healed, I started to worry I would not be able to I was reminded of how critical it is to be in be in hack regular life anymore. The hardest part about being on that Pilates mat communication with my body and of how much Our bodies usually let us know when we need those first few weeks was really learning to trust wisdom is stored in my cells. During the months of rest, movement, touch and space. They are great my body again. I felt my ex-husband’s rejection in healing, when I did check in with my body, two strong barometers of our emotional, physical and spiritual every cell of my body, and it was showing up in messages came to me. needs. However, they are also super troopers and will my nagging back. Lauren encouraged me to close push through if we don’t listen. If we can get through my eyes when she gave instructions, so I could I am so tired the buzz of shoulds, musts and the societal pressure to locate within my body what she was asking me to be busy all the time, we can listen to the warning signs do....I started to be able to connect and appreciate long before burnout and exhaustion sets in. Our society is addicted to productivity. separate groups of muscles....I started to feel alive We think productivity increases our value as a again, in juicy, even sexy ways. human. I am here And we want to be valued and loved. There are many ways to become more embodied, So…we become addicted to productivity. Given my professional, intellectual, spiritual and including focusing on breath, exercise (formal Which means… physical love for sex, you’d think I wouldn’t get so or informal), massage, touch, yoga, stretching, being still is an act of courage. caught up in my head and become so distant from my visualization, masturbation, mirror work and dance. – Danielle Laporte body. But, it happens. It happens often to many of us. The process can be done incrementally. Every second We may carve out time in our day to do yoga, go to the spent in communication with the body can help you Oh, I can go on at length about how much I love doing gym or truly enjoy the taste of a good meal, but most feel more grounded, confident and sensual. of the time we operate in a state of thinking and doing nothing and how I don't want or need to be occupied • • • all of the time. But during my healing, when I had that doesn’t really vibe into our bodies. all these restrictions on my activity, when I couldn’t That’s one thing I love about sex; you can’t do it I’d love to hear from you. Contact me at adinacoach@ vacuum, carry groceries or go to the gym, I bristled without the body. However, it puts unfair pressure gmail.com with comments, questions or if you’d like to like I was in a cage. Suddenly, my anxiety was at sky- on sex if that’s the only time we live in our bodies. find out how working with high levels and I lay on the couch feeling so helpless For one, we might not really crave sex if we live in me can help you connect and vulnerable. After a few weeks, I was still climbing a state of thinking and distance ourselves from our more with the gifts your the walls (figuratively, I wasn’t allowed to do that bodies. As well, it can be especially difficult to enjoy body has to offer. either). sex and sensation if we are out of practice. So, while By four weeks, I was asking for help. I went grocery sex is a truly wonderful opportunity to appreciate our shopping with friends, hired a cleaner and let go of bodies, it might work better if we have other embodied Adina Lakser is a the total nonessentials. By six weeks, I started to experiences. Winnipeg-based sex coach, realize how exhausted I had been for so long. I had In her powerful book, Women, Food and Desire, writer and mother. Visit her been running myself ragged for years with the Alexandra Jamieson shares stories of women’s at coachingwithadina.com. 14 SPRING 2018 ~ Enlighten Up! www.aquarianonline.com for me. Chiaki appeared to get better at identifying method is wasteful. Our environment can’t handle this feeling as she went along, leaving me wondering this. I wish this manga had shown Chiaki donating if there were items she’d let go of too quickly while usable items and given examples of the appropriate she was perfecting the skill. way to dispose of things – like batteries – that should Chiaki’s concern that she might need a jacket come not be going to the dump. Kondo’s love relationship winter is met with a glib, “Don’t worry! If you keep with garbage bags meant this manga missed a golden only what sparks joy, you’ll have just the amount opportunity to show readers how to tidy up responsibly. you need.” KonMari is confident that once you’ve This oversight could have been attributed to the fact cleared space, if you need that the story is based in Japan, something, it will come to except for the fact that it’s you. obviously aimed at a North The Life-Changing I believe that the universe American market with Chiaki will provide, but I also and the guy next door looking Manga of Tidying Up: believe in common sense. like they attended Riverdale I live in Winnipeg and I’m High with Betty and Archie. on a fixed income. Though Kondo advises that you A Magical Story my winter jacket doesn’t should decide what you want to spark joy, I’m not tossing it keep, not what you want to get By Marie Kondo out with the expectation that rid of. Her method was good come next winter I will have for getting to know yourself, the money and the time to your tastes and gaining clarity Ten Speed Press, 2017 find a joyful one before the in terms of how you want to 192 pages, Paperback, $19.99 first snow flies. live. The goal is to make your Books, the second environment, and all you own category to be cleared, and consume, a true reflection Reviewed by NANCY were not to be opened and of yourself. But there wasn’t perused. KonMari questions enough instruction on the he Life-Changing Manga of Tidying Up is a how being surrounded by finer points of how to do this. Tgraphic novel that’s a speedy read. It is a happy- books you’ve never read Knowing what sparks joy ever-after story which will appeal to you if you like can be joyful. Set them out, doesn’t automatically happen, both life and tidying, to be simple. Kondo believes touch them all and toss those so you risk either having a “the true purpose of your home and your things is that don’t spark joy. Chiaki’s great big pile of stuff lying to bring you happiness.” Her assertion that your life rebuttal that she needs to around for a long time if you will magically change if you tidy up is based on her keep the ones she hasn’t read are a slow learner, like me, or personal experience. She’s confident her method will but plans to one day, gets getting rid of things you wish work for everyone. After reading this manga, I wasn’t a breezy, “Someday never you hadn’t. convinced. comes,” response. This was especially annoying to On the plus side, this easy-to-read manga did make When Chiaki Suzuki wants to impress the cute guy me, because after working two jobs for years, my me aware of how I was drifting along saying, “I’ll next door, she hires the tidying consultant, KonMari “someday” has come. Finally, I am reading the books decide about or do that later.” I’m procrastinating less (Kondo’s nickname). Chiaki lives in a one bedroom that waited on my shelf. I am glad they are there. and becoming more decisive. And in sorting through apartment in Japan. She’s a young, single, successful Papers, the third category, were given the gift of a the komono in my basement workshop, I found just professional. quick scan to identify if they were critical documents. what I needed to fix my front door. Getting down there First, Chiaki must identify what her ideal life would KonMari’s list of papers to keep is very small. The to work on the clutter did indeed bring me joy. look like. She needs to be aware of what makes her bulk of Chiaki’s were to be recycled. No consideration I was inspired as I read about how getting rid of happy. Then, it’s time to get rid of the superfluous was given to how much you can afford to replace a things could clear the way for a more authentic life. I stuff. KonMari instructs Chiaki to pile every piece of document you’ve tossed in terms of time or money. felt empowered when I followed Kondo’s advice and clothing she owns in the middle of the living room. Credit card statements, bills, invoices, warranties, ditched belongings that didn’t suit me. Her storage She is then to touch each piece and determine if it instructions, old class notes – shred them all. Diaries, ideas and organizing suggestions were excellent, but sparks joy. Anything that doesn’t make the cut goes in day books and letters were given a stay of execution setting aside the time and space to bring together and a garbage bag. as they were put in the sentimental category to be work through everything in my house by category is She’s to clear by category, instead of room by room. dealt with last. unrealistic. There isn’t a pause button on my life that KonMari’s categories, in order, are clothing, books, KonMari’s mantra, “Someday never comes,” is would make this possible. papers, komono (a “miscellaneous” category that insultingly short-sighted. If you have something This book heightened my awareness of what I includes everything not in another category), hobby- associated with a future plan, toss it out. Only items value and what I want in life. I have a new criterion related items, then anything sentimental. Chiaki must you are using right now spark joy. Out go spare to use when deciding what to let go of and am more go through every item in a category before moving buttons, extra batteries, left over screws and nails discerning about what I bring home. Read and enjoy to the next. By the end of the book, Chiaki will have from prior projects. They just take up space and this manga, but I suggest you purge your place touched and assessed everything she owns. you’ll never use them. In her joyful world, people no carefully. Clearing everything out that doesn’t spark Telling Chiaki to show appreciation for the things longer need to, or will, fix anything. Keeping what joy – without consideration for replacement costs or she was letting go of was nice, but I was horrified you might need is unacceptable. life circumstances – isn’t feasible. Your clutter might by the fact that everything she didn’t find joyful Though the speed-tossing seemed efficient and disappear, but if your joy meter isn’t working well, you was thrown into a trash bag. New clothes with price looked thrilling, KonMari’s method was a bit like could end up with a great, big mess of regrets. tags got the same treatment as ratty sweaters. Gifts, clearcutting a forest. Once the tossing high wore jewellery and sports equipment were all treated the off, I wondered if people would regret throwing out same way. In tiny print at the bottom of one page, there irreplaceable things. You don’t know what you’ve got Nancy, Night Sky Woman, has been doing psychic is a reference to donating to charity or recycling, but till it’s gone. card readings professionally for over 20 years. all the illustrations were of trash bags being filled and KonMari insists nothing be sent to other people, as She is also an astrologer and has studied a piled at the curb to be hauled away on garbage day. the item will just be a storage burden and a downer for variety of spiritualities and KonMari disturbed me. Her assertiveness bordered the recipient. I thought Chiaki should at least be given philosophies. She has been on bullying. Anything overlooked on the first sweep the chance to see if someone in the family would like writing Taroscopes for over was not given a chance to reveal its joyfulness. It the ceremonial tea set or the necklace her uncle gave five years and teaches the tarot was to be thrown out without a trial. And though her, but that wasn’t an option. through lifelong learning. To she insisted that only things that spark joy should Given that this method is gaining popularity, I think book an appointment or for remain in your life, instructions on how to determine it’s irresponsible of Kondo to glorify filling landfills information about classes, joyfulness were sketchy. A picture of Chiaki laying with things that are not garbage. The pictures of you can reach Nancy at 204- her hands on each item and smiling when she came garbage bags at the curb didn’t spark any joy for me, 775-8368 or by email at across a keeper just wasn’t enough of an explanation knowing that they were full of useable items. Her [email protected].

GREEN MAN continued from page 8 more their dance of life can revitalize walks the long acres of farmland. Note: An extended version of this article this force of nature rises again and the planet and undo the damage caused Where there is greenery, he is there. was originally published in the 2006 Prairie again with no agenda other than by those who mistakenly thought that He promises to feed you, to shelter you Garden Annual. abundantly providing much of what is the earth was theirs to do with as they and to return each year in accord with needed to sustain life. There is both force wished. The Green Man is watching the natural cycle of the earth. All he Susan Hurrell sees the Sacred in and gentleness here. Balance, rather than us from every forest, houseplant, asks is that you listen to his song, He strange and wonderful places in popular domination. meadow and hillside. He lives in is singing to you, and waiting for you culture. Fascinated by new spiritual The more the Green Man dances the manicured parks and in the wild to sing along with him as you plant a movements, she is a contributing editor gracefully with the Earth Mother, the places. He sleeps in our gardens and seed today for new growth tomorrow. to The Aquarian. www.aquarianonline.com SPRING 2018 ~ Enlighten Up! 15 GARDEN continued from page 4 WHEN TO PLANT strologically, it is best to plant when the moon Ais in New Phase, waxing, and in earthy or watery signs. Here are a few dates around the two-week period starting with the May New Moon that could work:

New Moon in Taurus: May 15 E – The Environmental Magazine Moon in Cancer: May 18–19 E-Bikes: Smaller Carbon Moon in Virgo: May 22–23 Footprint than Regular Bikes? Moon in Scorpio: May 26–27 Dear EarthTalk: Dear EarthTalk: Is there any truth to the assertion that e-bikes recharged off the fossil-fuel grid actually generate fewer carbon emissions overall than conventional human- On May 27 the moon aligns with Jupiter, the planet powered bikes? – Sandy McClave, New York, NY of abundance and growth, giving us an extra little it’s powered, is a far better mode of transport when it boost in our planting process. ell, actually, there could be. E-bike pioneer WJustin Lemire-Elmore argues that e-bikes comes to environmental impact compared to any of CRW are better for the environment, at least if you compare the other choices as well – even walking. According the carbon emissions associated with producing to research by Mirjan Bouwman of the University garlic, it will be up by this time, green shoots poking enough extra food to fuel the rider of a standard of Groningen in the Netherlands, travelling one through, even if there is still some snow around. bicycle against the emissions from coal-derived kilometre by bike (electric or conventional) requires By Summer Solstice, this year occurring on June 21 electricity used to charge an e-bike. approximately five to 15 watt-hours (w-h) of energy, at 5:07 AM in central time zones, your garden should “Although counterintuitive that a vehicle fueled by while travelling the same distance by foot requires be in full swing, with the green foliage overtaking the something as dirty as coal can be considered clean some 15 to 20 w-h. (Meanwhile, covering that black earth. Daily garden blissful activities include and green, the fact is that food production is much kilometre in a train requires 30 to 40 w-h and over weeding, cultivating and watering when necessary. For dirtier,” reports Lemire-Elmore. “All things being 400 w-h in a car with just the driver.) An e-bike needs hardcore gardeners, you may still be transplanting and relocating perennials before they get too big. Garden exercise is one of the best forms of exercise as the gardener does crunches, bends, stretches and lifts. It builds muscle while also expanding aerobic capacity. The sweat that is produced helps to cleanse the body of toxins, while the thirst that ensues forces the gardener to rehydrate on a regular basis. Gardening tends to slow us down. It releases us from urgency. We fall into an almost hypnotic rhythm, aligning ourselves with the drumbeat pulse of Gaia. This natural rhythm has been shown to actually reboot the very same natural rhythm of the human body. Back in the day, a popular therapy included sending patients into the countryside where they could be outside, or “take the waters,” as it was commonly called. Today, the most sought-after healing spas are located in pastoral settings almost always filled with gardens of some kind. The emotional benefits derived from gardening cannot be understated. We are physical creatures, so just being surrounded by the sounds and smells of the awakening earth is healing. While engaged in the physical activity, we can allow our minds to rest in a state of mindfulness. The garden is the best place to meditate, whether proactively or passively. Passive meditation can be incredibly restorative, and often we will suddenly come up with solutions Powered off Manitoba's low emissions grid, e-bikes may be the most climate-friendly way to get around. to problems. Don’t forget that Einstein dreamed his equal, an electric bicycle produces 8.5 times less only about 10 percent of the energy required to power Theory of Relativity! Sleep, of course, is the ultimate greenhouse gases than a standard bicycle.” a car, and is 13 times more energy efficient than a passive state, but engaging in a ritualistic gardening Lemire-Elmore goes on to argue that considerations typical four-door sedan and six times more efficient process can also create a passive mental state. One of the carbon impact of the food we eat should take than rail transit. indication of a happy mind and heart is joyful singing. into account every step “from fork to farm,” including The fact that it might be even better than riding While gardening, it is not uncommon to find yourself greenhouse gas emissions from creating fertilizers, a conventional bike when it comes to your carbon humming. The vibrations that this creates inside the operating farm machinery, delivering raw foodstuffs footprint might be just the impetus you need to body are yet another benefit that comes from the bliss to factories for processing and then transporting justify spending the extra dollars for a new-fangled of gardening. processed goods to a final production and packaging “battery-assist” bike. If everyone knew that you were The Buddha stated: “Mind your thoughts, as they facility before being once again shipped to the being even more environmentally friendly by NOT become your words. Mind your words, as they become grocery store shelf and finally to your pantry via the pedaling up that steep hill, who wouldn’t go for your actions. Mind your actions, as they become you.” way-back of your car. an electric bike? And with municipalities pouring We want to be the best we can be, full of love, peace In fact, the average American diet produces .005 millions of dollars into improving infrastructure for and acceptance. Gardening reminds us of those things pounds of carbon dioxide per calorie of food produced, bikes and new routing apps making biking safer and that really matter: the living earth, the continuity of according to researchers from the University of more fun, now is a great time to embrace the idea of life, wholesomeness and goodness. As we nurture the Chicago. Lemire-Elmore uses this formula to assert a two-wheeled commute. Maybe it’ll even convince earth, she nurtures us. and we blossom into the full that a bicycle commute of 15 miles each way would you to get rid of that car altogether. potential of the Buddha’s promise. require the rider to consume an extra 800 calories Christina Rai Wheelwright has which in turn would produce almost four pounds EarthTalk® is written and edited by Roddy Scheer studied with shamans, both locally and of carbon dioxide per day (or 1,444 pounds per and Doug Moss and is a registered trademark of E internationally. She is also an evolutionary year). And if you charge up your bike’s battery with – The Environmental Magazine (www.emagazine. astrologer, writer and energy worker renewable energy (say, from the solar panels on your com). Send questions to: earthtalk@emagazine. trained in reflexology and craniosacral roof), fuhgeddaboudit! The e-bike wins every time. com. Subscribe: www.emagazine.com/subscribe. therapy. [email protected] Of course, there’s no question that a bicycle, however Free Trial Issue: www.emagazine.com/trial. 16 SPRING 2018 ~ Enlighten Up! www.aquarianonline.com TRUE SELF continued from page 3 In that quiet place sit in a comfortable position with 2. Dhyana. Once you have mastered Dharana spine and neck erect. Close your eyes and shut out you will experience a “continuous flow of cognition Finding the true Self may be the answer to all of life’s background noise as much as you can by eliminating toward that object,” writes Satchidnanada. This is so-called problems. the chance for outside interruptions. Then focus on meditation. The world beyond will gradually slip In “How to Tell the Difference Between Your your breath simply by observing as the air goes in away, and so will time. You will lose sense of space True Self and Your Everyday Self” on oprah.com, and the air goes out. Do not try to control the process and where you are. The body may feel very light. You a modern-day leader in the search for Self, Deepak – just observe. The breath will naturally get deeper are detaching and getting the first juicy inklings of Chopra, tells us we should find our true Self, and slower as you focus on it. the true Self in the background of your experience. “because the true self, once discovered, is the source You are now ready for Samyama practice. Stay here as long as you can. You will either of creativity, intelligence and personal growth. No return to waking external solution has such power. The true self is the consciousness basis for being deeply optimistic about how life turns refreshed, out and who you really are, behind the screen of doubt rejuvenated and and confusion. The path to it isn't simply inspiring; more aware – or

it's the source of solutions that emerge from within.” Photo by maxpetrov you may even be lucky enough to How do we get to the true Self? slip into Samadhi. 3. Samadhi You will not find the true Selfout there no matter is the ultimate how many profiles you fill out. You will not find what culmination you truly need to feel at peace in anything outside of meditation yourself. Yoga offers a path to the true Self through practice. It Samyama. is where the Sam who? object you were Often, when we think of yoga we think of standing meditating on our heads or mimicking the postures of dogs, upon and you, cats, cobras and cows. These are asanas and only one the meditator, limb of the eight limbs of yoga. The physicality of become one. It yoga is referred to as Hatha yoga and encompasses really cannot be these postures as well as breathing and cleansing described, only techniques. experienced. It What we Westerners refer to as the practice of yoga, is here where however, is so limited in the overall understanding of the true Self is what yoga really is. As we do with so many things found, and it is in this world, we reduce our understanding to the here where you physical. Yoga is so much more than the physical. It become one with has other arms that could carry us to places we would The Practice it. Few of us will ever reach this level, but even in not have imagined in our restricted focus. It offers us the seeking of it we find so much peace. According to the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali, as relayed By practising Samyama and attempting to find our a way to the true Self. by Satchidnanada and Pandit Rajmani Tigunait (in Samyama is a yogic practice of going inward that true Self we will find a peace and understanding “A Seeker’s Guide to Samadhi” at yogainternational. that can never be compared to anything the ego takes a great deal of time and discipline to perfect. com), Samyama practice involves three steps: This search for truth, however, will bring joy upon offers us. It doesn’t matter how many likes or dates 1. Dharana. Satchidnanda refers to this as, “the you get – the real Love that will sustain you, the real itself. This joy is something we can all seek for the binding of the mind to one place, object or idea.” betterment of ourselves and for the world. joy that will fill you is found when you make a date Here we begin a practice of focused attention and with your inner Self. concentration and are “basically training the mind No profiles required. Preparing for the Trip Inward to meditate.” We can decide on a part of the body like the heart, the crown or the third eye (the space Nancy Daley is is a mother of four, a freelance writer To go inward, you need to select a quiet space in between your eyebrows) in which to hold an image of and a nursing educator who hails from Miramichi, which to retreat twice a day for approximately twenty something. Hold that image for as long as you can in New Brunswick. She does not minutes, to start out. The best times, according to that space as you continue to breathe. Other thoughts profess to be an expert in yoga Satchidananda, are usually somewhere between four will come in and out of your awareness, and the object but admits to finding great peace and six in the AM (the sacred hours) and before may fade. Just bring your mind back again and again in her lifelong practice. She wants going to bed. until you can stay focused on that object for several nothing more than to share the bits Say what? minutes. In this first stage you are detaching from what of wisdom she has gained, in hope So you're not an early bird? Any time is better than you thought you were and getting beyond thought and that others will experience the joy no time. form. You are heading towards your true Self. of knowing the true Self. www.aquarianonline.com SPRING 2018 ~ Enlighten Up! 17

Science Matters By DAVID SUZUKI Save the Planet: Eat an Insect

eople sometimes get bugged by insects, but we energy to keep warm. entomo, for “insects”) bring together applications that Pneed them. They play essential roles in pollination, Although few people in Canada have integrated focus on what insects do best. For example, organic combatting unwanted agricultural pests, recycling insects into their regular diet, nearly half of us have residues can be fed to fly larvae, which can then be used organic matter, feeding fish, birds and bats, and much tasted an insect, according to a survey conducted in as livestock feed. Black soldier fly larvae have voracious more. They’re the most numerous and diverse animals Quebec. According to the study, males are significantly appetites for fruit and vegetable residues and could help on Earth and form the base of many terrestrial and more likely than females to bite into an insect like a fly improve the way we handle this high-quality organic aquatic ecosystems. larva! waste. It’s a way to give a second life to stale food, Our admiration for these critters goes beyond To reduce our environmental footprint, not everyone rather than sending it to compost bins or biogas plants. their ability to adapt, their fantastically Considering nearly 45 per cent of fruit diverse colours and shapes, and their and vegetables produced worldwide is accomplishments that create dramatic wasted, this is not a fringe idea. impacts on our world’s functioning. After feeding the hungry with the Could the same six-legged creatures highest quality unsold portions of that form the backbone of ecosystem our food, we could feed our breeding services also help minimize humanity's animals with insects raised on organic environmental footprint? Could insects Zwerver Photo by Rudmer residues from grocery stores and revolutionize the way we eat and produce restaurant kitchens. food? With clean organic residues from We will be nine billion people on Earth urban agriculture, we could also feed in 2050. To feed that many, we should humans! In Montreal, the Blanc de Gris double food production, according to the farm grows grey oyster mushrooms on UN Food and Agriculture Organization. recovered coffee and brewery residues. But the way we currently produce food But we can take it even further. Several weighs heavily on the environment. tonnes of mycelium (akin to the “roots” If food were a country, it would rank of fungi mixed with growth substrate) third behind China and the U.S. as one are discarded from the company’s of the largest greenhouse gas emitters. mushroom production each year. A We eat too much meat, and its production research project by the David Suzuki is disastrous from an environmental Foundation, Montreal Biodome, standpoint. In Canada, we’re struggling Concordia University, Université du to curb water pollution related to corn and Québec à Montréal and Université soybean production for livestock feed, Laval is finding out if mealworms and aquaculture relies on wild-caught fish could grow on this mycelium. The to produce meal and oil feedstock. needs to incorporate these crisp, delicious arthropods first results are promising. In fact, entotechnology and Although vegetarian diets would suffice to feed into their diet. Changing the diet of farmed animals entomophagy (eating insects) research is blooming in humans and drastically reduce our environmental could also help. People who may not want to ingest Canada. footprint, meat consumption remains a firmly insects themselves would likely have little problem You can join the research on edible insects by established tradition. But if we bartered beef, pork or feeding their pets insect-containing kibble, or eating participating in a survey by Concordia University Ph.D. chicken for a handful of insects, the environmental farmed animals like chickens raised on insect-based student Didier Marquis at bit.ly/insectsurvey. impact of our animal-protein intake would drop feeds. The Canadian Food Inspection Agency has dramatically. According to the FAO, 18 per cent of already licensed fly larvae to feed farmed salmon and David Suzuki is a scientist, broadcaster, author and co- all greenhouse gas emissions are linked to animal chickens. (Full disclosure: My suggestion to use insects founder of the David Suzuki Foundation. Science Matters husbandry. Emissions from insect production are to feed carnivores like salmon inspired a company in is written with contributions from Science Projects negligible in relation to the amount of protein produced. which I have invested that harvests insects grown on Manager Louise Hénault-Ethier. David’s latest book is Insects are especially effective at converting their food food waste.) Just Cool It!: The Climate Crisis and What We Can Do because they’re cold-blooded and therefore waste less Emerging entotechnologies (from the Greek root (Greystone Books), co-written with Ian Hanington.

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She Readings by Nancy, psychic card reader and astrologer with over 15 years exp...... 204-775-8368 has two sons in university and is living with her partner, Trevor Psychic / Intuitive, in person or online...... www.trevorsense.com 204-504-9575 Charlene, and their black Pomeranian named Tux. Her book Muffy was Fluffy helps children understand what it means to SPIRITUAL CENTRES be transgendered. Rikki is available to help those who have DIVINE CLARITY Spiritual Centre & Metaphysical Shoppe...... www.divineclarity.com questions about gender dysphoria and other gender-related issues. To get in touch – or to read more of her writing – visit rikki152.wix.com/author-rikkidubois. www.aquarianonline.com SPRING 2018 ~ Enlighten Up! 19 PRESSURE continued from page 1 and seeker will find the prospect of enlightenment A Neural Perspective on Interactions Between mighty appealing; and with that desire, the pressure Cognition and Emotion,” the scientist Jonathan D. What You Want” and the most inspiring line that is on, but therein is the quandary. Cohen describes a conflict between emotional and goes, “But if you try sometimes, well, you just might In developing a theory of enlightenment, the first cognitive parts of the brain. We have an “old” brain find, you get what you need.” obstacle is the desire itself. While the majority of that’s about the size of a fist making quick, inflexible Most people (aside from Aquarian readers) don’t people ebb and flow between happiness, sadness and decisions driven by emotion and physical need and think about enlightenment. Enlightenment comes indifference, enlightenment is like the siren song – an we have a “new” brain that is in the prefrontal cortex across in the media and in religious traditions as alluring appeal that is seductive or deceptive. and cortical layer of the brain. This “new” part can either impossible or available only to a select few who As a result of their yearning, the pressure to override anger, pride and impatience, but it takes are special (and may or may not be human). enlighten is tightened, but it’s a bit like trying reasoned practice. It takes time, but you can train this Of those who may be considered enlightened to “make” yourself go to sleep or calm down on “new” part of your brain through contemplation, persons, it’s tricky to tell if it’s genuine or a self- command. But if you can’t want to be enlightened cogitation, deliberation, meditation and rumination. serving climb up the spiritual ladder and possibly or make yourself enlightened, what then? You’re in You can override emotional vexations and frustrations further career aspirations. Surely enlightenment between a rock and a hard place! by stepping back, reframing, reassessing and reposing is more than a self-proclamation and a puzzling Hearing or reading about someone who is suddenly in a state of rest and tranquility. BrainyQuote such as the following: enlightened – it is rarely described as a gradual In the Proverbs of Solomon, old man Solomon process – is frustrating. It leaves you thinking, “Why supposedly said, “Happy are those who find wisdom, “If a man can control his mind he can find the can’t I be enlightened? Where is my transcendence! and those who get understanding, for her income way to Enlightenment, and all wisdom and virtue I’m out there every day – being mindful, showing is better than silver, and her revenue better than will naturally come to him” (Buddha) gratitude (even for things I hate), being kind, eating gold. She is more precious than jewels, and nothing right, sleeping right, sitting right, speaking right you desire can compare with her. Long life is in her “To know yourself as the Being underneath the – always trying to see the invisible non-separation right hand; in her left hand are riches and honour. Her thinker, the stillness underneath the mental noise, between people!” ways are ways of pleasantness, and all her paths are the love and joy underneath the pain is freedom, You can start to feel disappointed and jealous. But peace. She is a tree of life to those who lay hold of salvation, enlightenment” (Eckhart Tolle) then, after a while, you might have a crazy thought her; those who hold her fast are called happy.” and whisper to yourself (because you don’t want to From this advice, we take our first steps like a “Knowing others is wisdom, knowing yourself is jinx it), “Maybe . . . I am enlightened.” You look the toddler learning to walk towards what we desire. Enlightenment” (Lao Tzu) same in the mirror, and the trees look like trees and Put away distractions and open your senses. Like mountains look the same. As much as you’d like Nathaniel Hawthorne, you too can enjoy focused “We are what we pretend to be, so we must be to deny it, deep down, you feel a little bit superior noticing in the natural world and, in so doing, feel the careful about what we pretend to be” (Kurt because you see how misguided people are and peaceful paradox of enlightened happiness. Vonnegut) there’s a tingly sensation in front of your prefrontal cortex on your forehead. Darrel Scott Lawlor is a stand-up comedian and If you Google “enlightenment,” you’ll find it The philosopher George Santayana said that philosopher living in Regina, Saskatchewan. defined as: “1. the action of enlightening or the state there are two modes of consciousness: the day-to- As a lighthearted “rock and of being enlightened,” and “2. a European intellectual day life as a Homo sapiens (Latin for wise man roll” philosopher, spiritual movement of the late 17th and 18th centuries or knowing man) and escape. Escape manifests as entertainer and interpretive emphasizing reason and individualism rather than freedom from anxieties, cares and problems. Escape dancer, Darrel teaches Stand- tradition…” can mean being unable to see the forest because you’re up Comedy 101 at the Lifelong If you noodle around in Google you’ll find that too close and focusing on trees. Escape is when you Learning Centre, University of spiritual enlightenment is described in the glorious realize that the world is ideal as it is and you enjoy the Regina. Darrel writes a blog terms of a heavenly feeling beyond understanding life you’re in and what comes along. called Philosophy of Enjoyment: that's too beautiful for words. The average dreamer In “The Vulcanization of the Human Brain: philosophyofenjoyment.wordpress.com.