Conscious Community Magazine - September 2019

FR

Award Winning

EE !

™

CELEBRATING 40 YEARS INTERVIEW WITH KASIA SZUMAL

LANDSCAPE TEMPLES

TWIN FLAMES

HOW DO YOU KNOW?

DAILY SPIRITUAL PRACTICES

BEYOND BELIEFS

ENERGY VORTEXES AROUND THE WORLD

NATURAL REMEDIES

FOR A YOUTHFUL APPEARANCE SEPTEMBER 2019

ConsciousCommunityMagazine.com

HOT TOMATO COLD TOMATO

WHAT’S THE BEST WAY TO EAT THEM?

Call 630-451-8821

Hyperbaric Oxygen Soft Chamber 32 inch Chamber 1.3 ATA

Regular $12,900 Special $6,990 Spiritual Disconnection Lost Life Direction Spiritual Depression Energy Overwhelm Resonation Changes Advanced Spiritual Evolution

Faster Recovery From Surgeries with HBOT Improve Brain Repair & Recovery Enhance Neurological Repair & Regeneration Accelerates Stroke Recovery, Improves Vision & Speech Supports Anti-Inflammatory Process at Cellular Level

407.575.7547 www.rebeccarockwood.com

Anti-Aging - Regeneration of Tissue & Blood Vessels HBOT Therapies for Autism Treatment

OxygenHealthSystems.com

T I N L E Y PA R K C O N V E N T I O N C E N T E R T I N L E Y PA R K , I L O C T O B E R 2 6 T H –2 7 T H

EMPOWERING THE FUTURE OF NATURAL HEALTH 100 EXHIBITORS 2 PA N E L S 45 SPEAKERS

SPEAKERS INCLUDE: PAT C H A D A M S , O C E A N R O B I N S , LISA OZ, EFFREY SMITH, D R . S H E R R I T E N P E N N YA N D M A N Y M O R E !

PRICES:

$ 3 0 F O R O N E D AY A C C E S S $ 5 0 S AT & S U N $ 5 0 GEORGE NOORY LUNCHEON

OCTOBER 26TH–27TH S AT U R D AY 1 0 A M – 6 P M S U N D AY 10AM–5PM

C O N TA C T U S T O D AY F O R M O R E I N F O R M AT I O N 1 - 8 8 8 - 6 5 8 - 3 9 7 6

Contents

AMERICA’S OLDEST SPIRITUAL AND METAPHYSICAL MAGAZINE

FEATURES

18

12 CELEBRATING 40 YEARS!

Interview with Kasia Szumal, Publisher

by Theresa Puskar

18 LANDSCAPE TEMPLES

by Jaap van Etten

21 TWIN FLAMES

How do you know?

by Patricia McNeilly

14

12

24 DAILY SPIRITUAL PRACTICES

BEYOND BELIEFS

by Misti Dian

26 YIN YOGA

The Perfect Practice for Summer

by Stefanie Arend

21

28 FULL MOON SEPTEMBER 13, 2019

Health, Luck and Efficient Energy

by Donna Stellhorn

37 NATURAL REMEDIES

for a Youthful Appearance

by Nicole Cavalea

26

DEPARTMENTS 06 PUBLISHER’S LETTER

The Next 40 Years and Beyond!

by Kasia Szumal

08 COMMUNITY HAPPENINGS

September 2019 11 ASK ALECIA

Community Q&A

Ask Alecia – September 2019

by Alecia Rice 4

| CONSCIOUS COMMUNITY MAGAZINE SEPTEMBER 2019

SEPTEMBER 2019 VOLUME 41, NO.1

14 ALL ABOUT TOWN

The Friends of Astrology Conference

by Theresa Puskar

16 FROM THE HEART

How I Flunked the Science Fair

but Saved the World

by Alan Cohen

30 HEALTHY EATING

Hot Tomato, Cold Tomato

What’s the Best Way to Eat Them?

by Betsy Bruns

34 COSMIC DAILY WEATHER

In–Depth Astrology Perspectives

September 2019

by Bernadette Evans

CONNECTIONS 22 MIDWEST PULSE CALENDAR

Events, Happenings and

Announcements of Interest

September 2019

32 BUSINESS DIRECTORY

Resources for Better Living

REVIEWS 38 IN PRINT

by Kayla Hancock

™

(Formerly The Monthly Aspectarian)

PUBLISHER KATARZYNA (KASIA) SZUMAL EDITORS JANAE JEAN ALMEN SUSAN PLUTO JULIE ROBERTS MEDIA COORDINATORS JANAE JEAN ALMEN KAYLA HANCOCK SPENCER SCHLUTER ART DIRECTOR/WEBMASTER JODY LEVITAN ADVERTISING INQUIRIES KASIA SZUMAL KASIA@CONSCIOUSCOMMUNITYMAGAZINE.COM 847.966.1110 SPENCER SCHLUTER SPENCER@CONSCIOUSCOMMUNITYMAGAZINE.COM 630.492.0831 EDITORIAL INQUIRIES KASIA SZUMAL KASIA@CONSCIOUSCOMMUNITYMAGAZINE.COM 847.966.1110 JANAE JEAN ALMEN JANAE@CONSCIOUSCOMMUNITYMAGAZINE.COM ALL OTHER INQUIRIES INFO@CONSCIOUSCOMMUNITYMAGAZINE.COM ONLINE WWW.CONSCIOUSCOMMUNITYMAGAZINE.COM

www.facebook.com/ConsciousCommunityMagazine www.twitter.com/TweetCCMagazine www.instagram.com/consciouscommunitymagazine/ www.youtube.com/channel/UCla2b_NjCdjxQldeXCL1FjA

ON THE COVER Celebration!

CONSCIOUS COMMUNITY is published 12 times yearly by CONSCIOUS COMMUNITY, LLC 47 W. Polk St., Suite 153 Chicago, IL 60605 847.966.1110 © 2019 Conscious Community, LLC. Formerly The Monthly Aspectarian. Nothing may be reprinted in whole or in part without written permission of the publisher. Conscious Community does not necessarily agree with opinions of the writers, nor is it liable for advertiser claims or representations. We believe in the reader’s judgment regarding the quality of any information. All ads should be received by the 10th of the month preceding publication.

CONSCIOUSCOMMUNITYMAGAZINE.COM

|

5

PUBLISHER’S LETTER

THE NEXT 40 YEARS AND BEYOND! T

he September issue of Conscious Community Magazine is here! I feel so privileged to announce that this issue is our 40th Anniversary issue! We are cele brating 40 years in business, millions of magazines distributed and billions of inspired and conscious souls!

People ask me all the time how I came to be the publisher of Conscious Community Magazine, and I am happy to share my story with you. I came to the U.S. from Poland when I was 19 years old. At first, I focused on studying English for a few years, and then I went to college. I had family here, but I felt quite lonely. I began my search for happiness when I was 23 years old in 2006, and I asked God to show me the way to a more meaningful and joyful life here. A few weeks after I prayed to find meaning, I found Yoga Chicago magazine. There was a schedule for the Spiritual Learning Center inside, and there was a movie event there, The Shift by Wayne Dyer. Please see my interview on page 12 for more of the amazing story!

KATARZYNA (KASIA) SZUMAL PUBLISHER

Fast forward to 2012, when Walter bought The Monthly Aspectarian and became the publisher… I asked him who would manage the magazine. Much to my shock, his response was “YOU!” I said, “Yes.” And this is how I became the Circulation Manager of The Monthly Aspectarian, now Conscious Community Magazine. We had so much joy working together. Walter taught me a lot about running a business as well as spirituality. As many of you know, Walter Perschke passed on in May 2016, and he left me the magazine (and this community) in his will.

I felt prompted to share this story to assure you that you are never alone, and the true meaning of your life may appear to you when you are ready for change. There are no coincidences in life. You are on a spiritual journey in a human body; try to enjoy it even though sometimes the journey can be bumpy!

This magazine would not exist without our advertisers, who fully support this magazine and our mission to help people live a more mindful, healthier and conscious lifestyle. Please support them and let them know that you saw them in Conscious Community Magazine. Thank you!

Thank you to my Conscious Community Magazine team: Theresa Puskar, Julie Roberts, Susan Pluto, Janae Jean Almen, Spencer Schluter, Jody Levitan, Joe Jarnol, Jonathan McConaughey, Kristen Panek, Barbara Ostrowski and Theresa Cascio for their collaboration and all the hard work they put in to make each issue vibrant, delightful and delivered on time.

Also, I want to thank all of our subscribers and our monthly print and online readers for co-creating this world and elevating your consciousness! My wish for Conscious Community Magazine is to inspire people for another 40 years and beyond and to create Conscious Community in each state in the United States!

The Best,

Katarzyna Szumal

6

| CONSCIOUS COMMUNITY MAGAZINE SEPTEMBER 2019

We Take the Stress Out of

Wills & Trusts A mom-owned modern law firm with a holistic approach to legal services.

We offer many family legal services, some at a flat fee:    



Wills & Trusts Trust Administration Probate Adult & Minor Guardianship Adoption

     

Mediation Collaborative Family Law Premarital Agreements Real Estate Closings Contract Review Document Drafting

Contact Campbell Long for an initial consultation.

Enjoy flexible scheduling including meetings via FaceTime & Skype, with children welcomed any time.

Call 866.566.9494 or email assistant@clcounsel.com www.clcounsel.com

an AWAKENING SPIRITUAL COMMUNITY of acceptance, safety and inclusion, offering:

◦ Meditation Circles ◦ Workshops & Events ◦ Group/Individual Sessions

Journey Into Happiness!

LIVE from India!

Wed. Sept. 25th 9:30am - 9:30pm

Meditation & Blessings!

Mon & Wed 7:30 - 9pm

perennialmusicandarts.com • 630-945-7356

f l o w e r i n g h e a r t c e n t e r. o r g 630.334.5747

COMMUNITY HAPPENINGS

• Chakra Intuitive Reading with Christina Wilke-Burbach, Ph.D., RMT, CA • Two-hour Chakra Yoga, Art and Chakra Meditation Class with Erica Huntzinger • Individual reading with psychic medium Brenda LouAnn • Individual Acupuncture Session with Janet Fritts • Individual Thai Massage Session with Gina Roethle • Much More!

2019 will be our best year yet!

Location: Mind, Soul, and Self LLC, 1310 Wisconsin Avenue, 1st Floor, Sheboygan, WI 53081.

Women’s Wellness Weekend Retreat

For more information, email mindsoulandself@yahoo.com, call 608-393-7353 or visit https://mindsoulandself.com/ womens-wellness-retreats/

Journey Through the Chakras Friday, Sept, 13 and Saturday, Sept. 14, 2019 Take a transformational journey through your chakras, emotions, body and soul with Dr. Christina Wilke-Burbach and her tribe of experienced healing facilitators. Our retreats are intensive women’s wellness weekends focused on cultivating self-awareness, personal growth, healing and spiritual development! Relax, heal and rejuvenate with our extraordinary weekend retreat! Previous attendees have said this weekend was life-changing!

This experiential weekend of self-discovery will explore the chakras and healing through meditation, massage/bodywork, yoga, tai chi, energy work, intuitive readings, art, spiritual mentoring and personal growth activities.

Night of Comedy!

No prior experience required; retreats are for both beginners and the more experienced. Our retreats are small and intimate with lots of personal attention. There is a maximum of 10 to 12 participants per retreat.

Join us for a night of love and laughs in support of Unity Church of Oak Park. Scheduled comedians have graced the stages of Zanies, Laugh Factory, The District & Second City. The doors will open at 6 p.m. and the show will start at 7 p.m. Advance tickets are required. There will be a cash bar.

Retreat Includes: • Lunch & Dinner on Saturday. Beverages, wine and snacks provided.

• All group activities, services, and materials included.

• Intensive Group Work • Guided Chakra Meditation • Chakra Aromatherapy • Chakra Cleansing/Fire Ceremony • Chakra Tai Chi & Chakra Qi Gong

8

| CONSCIOUS COMMUNITY MAGAZINE SEPTEMBER 2019

Saturday, Sept. 21, 2019

We open ourselves to the Divine flow of goodness, ideas and substance.

Location: Unity Church of Oak Park, 405 N. Euclid Ave., Oak Park, IL 60302.

For additional information email unity@unityoakpark.org.

Cost: $25.

7 Chakras Power Weekend Friday, Sept. 27, - Sunday, Sept. 29, 2019 Happiness is a feeling, not a goal. Reaching a goal rarely brings the happiness most people hope for. Chakras vibrate our unique traits and trigger habitual thoughts and actions.

Aligning the Chakra System is our key to happiness.

Chicago Area Twin Flame Body™ Class Sept. 28 - 29 and Oct 26 - 27, 2019 Join Patricia McNeilly live and in person for a five-week Twin Flame Body™ Class! If interested, email or preregister. For insurance purposes, the price and costs are handled by the Park Ridge Fitness Center through their website. There will be an outline and a handout to track your progress over the five weeks.

Twin Flame Body™ is a five-week class of self-discovery, opening your heart channels and movement.

Clearing the false beliefs that cause suffering allows for genuine happy experiences. It is up to us to bask in the emotional reality of present joy rather than activate cellular memory of past pain that triggers self-defeating behavior. Thoughts like “I am not lovable” or “There isn’t enough” cause suffering for oneself and others as we strive for unattainable love and greater wealth no matter how much money or how many lovers are attained.

Join Master Chakra Healer and Founder of The Chakra Shoppe, Blanche Blacke, as she leads a limited group of Chakra Pioneers. Learn to heal yourself and others at the 7 Chakras Power Weekend at a riverfront location 90 minutes from Chicago by train or car.

For more information, visit https://bit.ly/33sG8M5, www.blancheblacke.com or call 773-271-3054.

Learn how to: • Be deeper IN LOVE! • Improve your relationships • Jumpstart your metabolism • Get “unstuck” • Increase the endocrine and other glands • Find hormonal balance • Get in touch with the higher aura and energy connections to create an improved, abundant flow in life • Release and detox from addictions • Elevate your sleep and decrease insomnia • Get rid of daily tensions and learn how to shift things Location: Centennial Fitness Center, 1515 W. Touhy Ave., Park Ridge, IL 60068.

Visit www.twinflamesmerge.com, or call Patricia at 847-529-7207 for more information.

Cost: $150 for two days

CONSCIOUSCOMMUNITYMAGAZINE.COM

|

9

COMMUNITY HAPPENINGS

Singing and Speaking Naturally with Claude Stein, PlatinumAward-Winning Voice Coach

Saturday, Oct. 12 and Sunday, Oct. 13, 2019, 9 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. each day Engage in an extraordinary experience to gracefully and easily sing or speak authentically and powerfully from your heart.

Conquer fear, hit the notes and speak up courageously while you rediscover the undeniable magic and beauty of your soul. Celebrate the remarkable healing power of the voice you were born with.

Overcome constricting blocks and beliefs that limit your ability to express your true self. Transform favorite songs into wellsprings of creativity and personal growth.

Eliminate self-consciousness and reconnect with your deepest intentions. Simply put, build your natural vocal instrument, improve your musicality and nurture your hidden creative impulses as you develop the ability to remain in a flow state, cultivating the nuances of your soul. Tap deeply into your spirit, who you are in the world and the difference you wish to make.

Lunch is on your own. Course 192160, CEUs available.

Location: Infinity Foundation, 1280 Old Skokie Road, Highland Park, 60035 To register or receive a free course guide, visit www.

InfinityFoundation.org or call 847-831-8828.

Cost: $295/$255 by Sept. 12, 2019.

Trinity Health Freedom Expo Saturday, Oct. 26, 2019, 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. and Sunday, Oct. 27, 2019, 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.

Empowering the future of natural health, the Trinity Health Freedom Expo will take place on Oct. 26 and 27 at the Tinley Park Convention Center in Tinley Park, IL. There will be 100 booths to browse and shop. Guests will encounter the newest products for consumers, practitioners and business owners; along with the latest technology such as state-of-the-art electronics, massage techniques and cutting-edge modalities.

Trinity Health Freedom Expo is a comprehensive natural and alternative health forum, featuring dozens of dynamic health experts, two topical panels, educational lectures and demonstrations. Created to educate and empower attendees, the expo is about meeting people, making discoveries and having a hands-on experience with products and techniques, all under one roof during one weekend.

Location: Tinley Park Convention Center, 18451 Convention Center Drive, Tinley Park, IL 60477.

For more information, call 888-658-3976, email Info@ TrinityHealthFreedomExpo.com or visit trinityhealthfreedomexpo.com.

Cost: Admission is $30 per day or $50 for both days. The George Noory luncheon is an additional $50. The cost for a booth is $795 through Oct. 15, 2019.

10

| CONSCIOUS COMMUNITY MAGAZINE SEPTEMBER 2019

[COMMUNITY Q&A]

ASK ALECIA

by Alecia Rice

Q: I feel like a prisoner of my phone.

I feel hijacked and obligated by messages that I’m not interested in replying to immediately and feel anxious pressure to respond. How do I free myself from jail? —No Cell Bars A: Dear No Cell Bars, Technology has entrenched itself in our lives in ways that can cause us to feel trapped. Communications run 24/7 which can bring a lot of stress, especially for those who are hyper-conscientious about social roles.

I highly recommend various forms of digital detox for peace of mind, combined with boundaries set to insure personal balance. First, we need to separate our feelings about electronic connection from the external expectations pounding on our mental doors. Then we can set boundaries around how we choose to respond.

Once you’re clear on your electronic “style,” you can begin consistently communicating to others what they can expect. Explain that electronics amp up your anxiety, and you’re practicing selfcare by limiting your engagement with them. Initially, some may not be happy about not having instant access, but continuously reinforcing your boundary (that you won’t be tied to your phone) will help cement it in people’s minds eventually. Holding true for personal balance is key. There’s also a conscious balance in considering the urgency of certain messages as well as the person who sent them.

Here are some things you can do to detox and reverse the sense of obligation that “connection” often brings:

• Remove rarely-used apps.

• Lessen your number of devices.

• Disengage notifications on apps so that you aren’t triggered the minute that someone messages you.

• Set “Do Not Disturb” settings on devices.

• Set automatic replies that indicate that you’re not immediately available.

• Be clear of priorities in communications; not all share the same level of importance.

Post messages on social media that you won’t be communicating or are disabling your account for a while to lessen expectations that you’ll be responding.

It’s important that we relieve the social pressures that pile up with the introduction of new platforms and apps. It’s imperative to be the driver of our own digital vehicles and not take a back seat by allowing them to drive our lives.

Q: My fiancée wants a large wedding which will cost tens of thousands of dollars. My interest is solely in marrying my soulmate and building a life together. I don’t want to disappoint her, but I also feel that’s a waste of money. I’m not really sure how to handle this.

— Prudent Groom A: Dear Prudent Groom, In 2018, the average wedding cost $44,000, thereby exponentially raising stress levels for expected perfection which turns some women into bridezillas. There’s so much on the line for that one special day. That’s a lot of money, so your concerns are warranted.

Fairy tales combined with the exploitative wedding industry have imprinted females

to think that they have to have the “wedding of their dreams.” Studies show that those who spend less on weddings and engagement rings, on average, get divorced less. Many subconsciously think that more extravagance exhibits how blissfully in love the couple is, which couldn’t be further from the truth.

Generally, this is a highly emotional topic so approach it as neutrally as possible.

When you’re in a bonded, easy place, ask her why a big wedding is so important to her. Big emotional decisions like this are often fraught with subconscious regressive tendencies which stand symbolically to fill comparisons and previous wounds. Does she want to be Cinderella for a day? Did her sister have a big wedding? Is there social pressure from friends or family?

Gather statistics to bring sobriety to the wedding intoxication fantasies. Talk over the amount of social and financial stress that an expensive wedding brings. Discuss alternative options for cutting costs and making other decisions, like buying a car, going on a honeymoon that lasts longer than one day, or putting a down payment on a home.

This may be your first big foray into negotiating larger decisions as a couple.

Men often get reluctantly dragged into wedding details that they don’t care about.

Be clear as to your personal boundaries in creating this experience and speak your sober truths.

Navigating this emotional maze will illustrate how compatible with compromise you’ll be longer-term when decisions arise about children, planning your financial future, and communicating about important hot button topics. Remind her that this day is fundamentally about speaking those words that bond you spiritually and legally as a couple. Everything over and above that is merely fluff.

Alecia Rice integrates higher concepts with wisdom to bring forth balance, perspective and clarity. She’s a personal advisor, speaker and gatherer of women.

For perspective on life issues, you’re invited to text questions and comments to 681-321-1109. Discussions continue at Ask Alecia on Facebook.

CONSCIOUSCOMMUNITYMAGAZINE.COM

|

11

Left to right, Kasia Szumal, Walter Perschke and Theresa Puskar

CELEBRATING 40 YEARS! Interview with Kasia Szumal, Publisher

by Theresa Puskar To celebrate the 40th Anniversary of Conscious Community Magazine, I interviewed our publisher, Kasia Szumal about the magazine’s history, her vision and her intentions for the future of the magazine and our vital community.

began, and then I worked with Walter for four years. Then in 2012 Walter decided that he wanted to expand his spiritual business and he bought The Monthly Aspectarian, the previous name of Conscious Community Magazine.

Theresa: Tell me how you first got involved with the magazine.

Theresa: The Monthly Aspectarian was created by Guy Spiro.

Kasia: In 2006, I was studying accounting, and I was not the most joyous person on earth. I was looking for more joy, meaning and a community because I felt quite alone here. I found Yoga Chicago, and they were advertising a showing of the movie, The Shift by Wayne Dyer. I thought to myself, “Okay, Kasia. You are looking for a shift in your life, so go to the movie.” I went and it was [being shown] at the Spiritual Learning Center. There I met Walter Perschke, the previous publisher of Conscious Community Magazine and he said, “Do we know each other?” I was like, “No!”

12

Kasia: Yes. Guy started the magazine in 1979, and he ran it for 32 years. He was an astrologer, and the magazine was very astrological—and very spiritual as well. He passed away and his wife was running the magazine for a few months. Then [one day], one of his co-workers called Walter and asked if he wanted to buy the magazine. Walter was already in this energy—he wanted to buy a magazine. It was a perfect fit for him.

Theresa: So, they approached him. He set the intention, and then look out, Universe!

Kasia: Exactly! He was thrilled…

Theresa: Maybe in a past life or something. (laughter)

Theresa: Now, you studied at DePaul…

Kasia: Walter started questioning me, “Can you help me with the students?” And I responded, “Sure.” This is how my story

Kasia: Yes. After finishing high school, I came to the U.S… first I studied English for two years, and then I graduated in

| CONSCIOUS COMMUNITY MAGAZINE SEPTEMBER 2019

Business Management from DePaul University. That was 2012 as well (the same year as beginning the magazine).

Theresa: And there is a clear connection. I’ll share with the readers that I met Kasia right before I started writing for the magazine. I had a friend who suggested that I attend a free healing session at SoderWorld. There were three women doing the energy work. This one woman did the most incredible healing on me…and it was Kasia. I didn’t realize this until years later! [Back to Kasia’s journey.] Talk about a perfect dynamic—with your passion for spirituality, healing and business management. Then when Walter crossed over, he left you the magazine. How was that transition for you?

Kasia: It was really hard. Even though I had the business experience of running the magazine…I missed working with Walter.

I loved our collaboration about business and spirituality. What we were doing next and where we were going. Sometimes I was wondering where his vision ended and mine started.

Theresa: So, it was a partnership. I can see that! I used to tell Kasia back then that she was the friendly face of the magazine. I loved Walter dearly, but he could be a little gruff around the edges. Whereas, Kasia—whenever I talked to her on the phone, she was such a beacon of light and joy.

She has been a wonderful asset to the magazine. I’m glad that he left it to you because he left it in wonderful hands.

Kasia: Thank you.

Theresa: And then we transitioned from The Monthly Aspectarian to Conscious Community. I remember the meeting.

Kasia: And you were the one who came up with the name.

Theresa: Thank you for remembering! God (or Goddess) bless you, Kasia. (laughter) Do you think that changing the name made a difference, and if so, how?

Kasia: Yes. I think that changing the name made a big difference. When I asked people “What does Aspectarian mean?”

One hundred percent of the people did not know...Walter changed the name in 2013, and I think that it changed the energy. We changed our tag line from “Awakening Consciousness” to “Elevating Consciousness.” The magazine expanded from astrology and spirituality to consciousness, health, yoga and mindfulness. We are more than spiritual beings. We have our mind and our body that we need to take care of as well. The reason why you see so much variety of articles in Conscious Community is because I feel that we are many things. When you are ready, you are going to be reading more about spirituality, you will be reading more about yoga, etc.

Theresa: It’s diverse…It encompasses a larger audience.

What was the feedback from people as we made the shift?

Kasia: They really love the new name and the new content and variety that this magazine has to offer. Nice to see!

Theresa: Your efforts are being noted.

Kasia: Yes, but I am not afraid of change. The magazine is about elevating consciousness and inspiring people to be who they really are. This is what we continue to do.

Theresa: Our commitment is to serve. Has anybody come to you and told you how the magazine influenced them… any stories you can share?

Kasia: Yes. I remember this guy who was a veteran from Iraq and he came by our table at a conference. He said that the magazine saved his life. He was going to kill himself, but the article he read in the magazine changed his mind and he started his new life…I get goosebumps whenever I think about it. The magazine is also being sent to jails. Some parents see that this is the last opportunity for their children to change, and they send it to them. I never imagined this as a possibility.

Theresa: You never think about that. When we’re going through the grind all the time. Trying to get it out on time, the deadlines. And for me, it’s writing the articles…it’s nice to hear that the end product touches souls in a bigger way.

Being so busy, we forget sometimes.

Kasia: Exactly. Each article can change someone’s life. Even when you are not aware…everything in the magazine transforms people’s lives…if you change someone’s life for the better, life is worth living. Also, I keep hearing from people that they collect each issue because of the articles and the connection this magazine provides.

Theresa: And it’s good karma too! (laughter) So, what is your vision for the future of the magazine? I know it’s about elevating consciousness, and strengthening the community.

Kasia: I would love the magazine to be a hub for consciousness where all of us can collaborate, work together for higher good. I feel that when we are collaborating and getting together, we are much more powerful and we can achieve more. I just want people be to happy, healthy and joyous all the time. We are the energy and the engine that shifts the world!

If you want to become even more involved with the Conscious Community, go to www.ConsciousCommunityMagazine.com, and let Kasia and the team know your thoughts, feelings, insights and consciousness-raising ideas!

Theresa Puskar is an author, performer, speaker, minister and motivational audiobook producer. She is the creator of the “Terri” children’s book series, as well as being an actress and director. A powerful inspirational speaker and transition leader, Theresa edu-tains her audiences, by touching hearts and minds in a way that is engaging, joyful and life-affirming. Her most recent endeavors are her solo show Causeless Joy, her new company, Dragon Soup Children’s Theatre Training and Productions. Her upcoming books, 8 Ways to De-Clutter Your Brain and The Good Morning Mind: Seven Highly Effective Habits for the Workplace will be in print in the spring. For more information, visit her website at www.TheresaPuskar.com.

CONSCIOUSCOMMUNITYMAGAZINE.COM

|

13

[ALL ABOUT TOWN]

THE FRIENDS OF ASTROLOGY CONFERENCE MARRIOTT DOWNERS GROVE, IL

- August 10, 2019

by Theresa Puskar “We need not feel ashamed of flirting with the zodiac. The zodiac is well worth flirting with.” —D. H. Lawrence On Aug. 10, I headed to the Downers Grove Marriott to explore an event held by the Chicagoland chapter of The Friends of Astrology. This 501(c)(3) organization promotes astrology education from beginner to professional.

They are a diverse group in experience and expertise and meet seven months of the year. Along with having an annual dinner, they also host summer seminars, bringing in well-known astrologers to discuss various aspects 14

| CONSCIOUS COMMUNITY MAGAZINE SEPTEMBER 2019

of astrology with members and guests.

In this case, their guest speaker was Seattle astrologer, Laura Nalbandian.

The founder of the Soul Wise School of Evolutionary Astrology, she discussed the Moon and how to develop emotional coping skills based on tendencies of your Moon sign.

“Astrology is a Language. If you understand this language, The Sky Speaks to You.” — Dane Rudhyar Upon my arrival, I was greeted by the current president of the organization, Omari Martin, who soon after

Christine Arens and Omari Martin

also introduced me to Christine Arens, President Emeritus, who has served

The Friends of Astrology for over 21

years. Having originated in 1938, it is the fourth oldest astrological organization in the country. As I sat at the event, I noted that there was close to an equal ratio of men to women in attendance. I noted this because I most often find that the number of women at such events far outweighs the number of men who attend.

Unfortunately, due to my lack of familiarity with the language of astrology, I found the contents of the seminar difficult to follow. That being said, there was a large population of educated and astute astrologers in the group who were clearly engaged and committed to their craft.

“The starry vault of heaven is in truth the open book of cosmic projection…

Astrology is assured of recognition from psychology, without further restrictions, because astrology represents the summation of all the psychological knowledge of antiquity.”

— Carl Jung I was surprised when I found the above quotes by Carl Jung while doing my research on this subject. As one of the greatest psychologists in the history of mankind, I was shocked to discover his open support of astrology as a viable source of wisdom and knowledge.

I have been perplexed when it comes to astrology. There is a general mindset among nay-sayers that it is a bunch of mystical hogwash. While most often I’ve been on the fence, during the past year I’ve leaned more towards being intrigued by it. I’ve perused YouTube, looking for monthly forecasts.

After the event, I met with the organization’s president, Omari Martin. As he explained my chart and described the specifics of the science and calculations behind it; the more he described how mathematics was the foundation behind analyzing and reading one’s chart, the more I realized that there is a very specific logical and calculatable aspect of this science. I had never prior heard anyone explain astrology in such left-brain, fundamental terminology. When I step back and see that the planets and stars are all a part of the energetic world in which we live, the

more I realize that there may be something very deliberate about the exact time and place I was born.

“Astrology has no more useful function than this, to discover the inmost nature of a man and to bring it out into his consciousness, that he may fulfill it according to the law of light.”

— Aleister Crowley What I found very exciting about Omari’s analysis was that the Sun sign that I was born under was only one factor in piecing together the puzzle of my chart in relation to the planetary positions throughout the next year. I learned that my Moon sign and my ascendant (or rising) sign were almost equally significant. My most recent understanding (while still far from expert) is that my Sun sign represents the core of myself—my zodiac personality; while my Moon sign represents my inner self—my emotions and inner mood, and my ascendant sign represents my outer self—my appearance, my attitude and the way I come across to others.

“Faith…is letting go and trusting oneself to the unknown.” — Alan Watts My Sun is in Pisces, my Moon is in Leo and my rising sign is Capricorn. Each aspect holds a different role in how I present myself and how my life unfolds in relation to the movement of the planets and stars. I learned that the more I know about my signs in relation to the current astrological forecast, the more I can anticipate good dates for doing things like starting a new business, buying a lottery ticket or entering into a relationship. Similarly, I learned that there are dates that would likely not be as effective, or could even cause chaos and unrest. For example, we are usually encouraged to be more introspective and not to sign contracts or make substantial investments when Mercury is retrograde. As I continued to listen and learn, I asked myself, “How deliberate do I want to be with the decisions I make in my life? How much do I want to allow the guidance of the universe to unfold within the predictability of the mappings of the planets and stars, compared to allowing life to reveal itself

and unfold naturally and without my prior knowledge?”

In turn, I ask you, “If you knew the dates that you are more likely to win a lottery, would you want to know? If you knew that a particular relationship would not work out, would you want to know prior? If you could calculate the age in which you will likely die, would you want to be privy to it?”

While your immediate response might be “Yes, of course,” as you ponder the ramifications, you may hesitate, as I did. If I knew that I was likely to die at the age of 103, might I be less fearful about illness or death as I journey throughout my life? If I knew a relationship would eventually break my heart, would I shy away from experiencing the joys of falling in love? How might such knowledge alter the way I currently live my life?

So many questions. I sit in the stew of “What if’s…” noting that I am but a tiny dot in a universe that is so massive and magical. And so, I hang out with the questions, trusting that there is no answer in the immediate horizon.

Perhaps I can try on Merlin’s cloak of predictability for a while and note how it fits, as my minuscule life in this enormous universe unfolds.

To learn more about Friends of Astrology, go to www.FriendsofAstrology.org or follow “Friends of Astrology” on Facebook.

Theresa Puskar is an author, performer, speaker, minister and motivational audiobook producer. She is the creator of the “Terri” children’s book series, as well as being an actress and director.

A powerful inspirational speaker and transition leader, Theresa edu-tains her audiences, by touching hearts and minds in a way that is engaging, joyful and life-affirming. Her most recent endeavors are her new company, Dragon Soup Children’s Theatre Training and Productions, and her upcoming books, 8 Ways to De-Clutter Your Brain and The Good Morning Mind: Seven Highly Effective Habits for the Workplace. (They are both available for pre-order on Amazon. com.) For more information, visit her website at www.TheresaPuskar.com.

CONSCIOUSCOMMUNITYMAGAZINE.COM

|

15

[FROM THE HEART]

HOW I FLUNKED THE SCIENCE FAIR

BUT SAVED THE WORLD

by Alan Cohen

16

In the ninth grade, I did a project for the city science fair. It was about photosynthesis. I set up a little lab in my bedroom with colored lights on African Violets. I had no idea what I was doing and I learned nothing. I would rather have been playing baseball.

Science teachers milled around the hall, inspecting the projects and quizzing the students. A teacher approached me, and the conversation came around to genetics. “If you cut the tail off of a rat, will its children have short tails or long ones?”

When the big event came, I displayed my experiment in the sprawling exhibition hall, next to kids who actually knew what they were doing.

The answer was obviously “long ones.” But since my mind was with the Yankees more than hypothetical mice, I answered, “Short.”

| CONSCIOUS COMMUNITY MAGAZINE SEPTEMBER 2019

The teacher nodded briefly, said nothing, and moved on.

I didn’t win the science fair.

Fast forward many decades. I’ve moved on from the Yankees to A Course in Miracles and other spiritual studies. The Course Workbook repeats one lesson more than any other: I am as God created me. One morning, I wake up and a stunning realization

gobsmacks me like a100 mile a hour fastball: The baby mice have long tails because the external changes to their parents cannot alter the genetic blueprint passed along to them. The parents’ innate wholeness is their legacy to their children. What is embedded deep within the parent is not affected by external manipulation.

“

No matter what happens to our body, personality, relationships, career, finances or worldly politics, external events cannot affect who we are at our core.

”

Our spiritual nature ensures that we are whole and perfect. We are created in the image and likeness of God. What goes on in the external world cannot change who we are or affect our true nature. No matter what happens to our body, personality, relationships, career, finances or worldly politics, external events cannot affect who we are at our core. Our divinity remains intact.

I learned about a healing method in which when a child is born, the parents save the placenta and freeze it.

If, later on in life, the child contracts a disease, the parents take some of the placenta and infuse it into the child’s body. The placenta contains the original code for the child’s wholeness or, we might say, innocence. When a threat or denial of innocence attacks the body, its strongest response is to return to innocence.

The title of Marianne Williamson’s book Return to Love captures this principle.

When the world assails our well-being, we will not prevail by pushing harder, working more furiously or attempting to manipulate external circumstances.

Instead, we must drop into the place deep inside of us that has never been touched, changed or damaged by the world. At our core, we remain who we always have been and always will be. I am as God created me.

If I am as God created me‚ so are you, and so is everyone. We don’t need to fix or improve ourselves. You cannot improve upon perfection. The only things that we need to fix are our thoughts that define us as less than we are, limited, broken, ugly, unforgiven and unsavable. The Course tells us that it is not what we need to be saved from that is important. It is what we need to be saved for. Our destiny is to come home to our original innocence.

All that appears lost will be restored as we recognize that we can never lose ourselves. There is no loss in heaven.

In the movie Bedazzled (2000 version) nerd Elliot has an industrial-strength crush on the gorgeous but unattainable Alison. The devil comes along and offers to help Elliot woo Alison in exchange for his soul. Elliot agrees.

What the devil doesn’t tell Elliot is that every scenario in which he gets the girl will leave him disappointed and suffering. Finally, Elliot ends up in jail awaiting the devil to take her due. When he tells his cellmate about his predicament, the fellow (who is an angel) tells Elliot, “No devil can take your soul. It’s not yours to give away.

Your soul belongs to God.” What God created cannot be damaged, compromised or lost. The God in you is God forever.

“Papaji,” captures this liberating principle in three simple words, “Nothing ever happened.”

After the science fair, I went home and studied mice and their tails. I realized that my answer to the teacher was dead wrong. Even if a parent has been damaged, the child is born whole.

Now, many years later, the lesson has sunk in. I flunked the fair but learned how to redeem the world. You can lose your tail but not your soul.

Alan Cohen is the bestselling author of A Course in Miracles Made Easy.

Join Alan and musician Karen Drucker in Hawaii, Dec. 1-6, 2019, for an extraordinary retreat, “A Course in Miracles: The Easy Path.” For more information about this program, Alan’s Holistic Life Coach Training beginning Jan. 1, 2020, his books and videos, free daily inspirational quotes, online courses, and weekly radio show, visit www.alancohen.com.

Many of us regret decisions we have made. We believe we have sinned, offended God, and set in motion karma that will hurt us and others. A Course in Miracles tells us that none of this is true. It declares, “. . . all that you believe must come from sin will never happen.” The world in which sin seems real, The Course explains, is illusion. The world of forgiveness, love and wellness, is reality. The title of a book based on the teachings of spiritual master H.W.L. Poonja, known as CONSCIOUSCOMMUNITYMAGAZINE.COM

|

17

1. Machu Picchu in Peru

LANDSCAPE TEMPLES

by Jaap van Etten

One of my interests is the study of the use of the Earth energies by different civilizations and traditions over time.

These studies led me to the subject of landscape temples. It is a fascinating subject that helped me to see how people, both in the past and the present recognize the importance of the energies of Mother Earth, especially those that resonate with our chakras. The fact that there are landscape temples that integrate these chakra vortex energies indicates that people in the past were able to recognize the importance of these chakra energies. Chakras reflect 18

| CONSCIOUS COMMUNITY MAGAZINE SEPTEMBER 2019

the way we relate to the physical world in which we live from both a physical and spiritual perspective. Our souls contain and radiate the white light of Source. When souls enter a physical body, this white light refracts into the seven colors of the rainbow which also are the seven colors of the chakras connected to our physical body. Our body functions as a prism; it refracts the white light of the soul into the array of colors we know as the rainbow colors. In our current times, we are insufficiently or even not at all trained to use these chakras properly, and as a

consequence, the chakras lose their brightness and are no longer able to form together into white light. Our task is to bring these seven chakras (colors) into such a state that the colors of the chakras will again have such a pure quality that together they can again create white light. We call the state in which this is possible enlightenment.

We again begin to realize that the Earth has chakra energies and that it is important to connect with them as a support for our personal development.

These chakra energies were important

enough for our ancestors to use them in their lives and their activities. One of the ways they used them is in the aforementioned landscape temples, which is a much more common phenomenon than I realized.

THE TWO TYPES OF LANDSCAPE TEMPLES We can separate landscape temples into two types. The first type is the landscape temples that are discovered and described by geomancers. They mainly work with patterns of the earth and structures in the landscape which could include human structures. They also include their feelings and the way they experience the energies of the area they are studying. The patterns they see, together with the feelings they have, lead to an understanding of the potential or actual function of the landscape. Based on this approach, they describe chakra landscape temples in countries and even in whole continents.

In almost all cases they describe landscape temples having seven chakras located in a straight line. An example is the chakra alignments in the landscape temple of Sedona as described by Nicholas Mann.1 Other examples are the landscape temple in Ireland, described

by David Furlong,2 and the landscape temples described by Peter Dawkins in de United States,3 in England4 and Europa as a whole.5 As far as I have been able to check their studies, these researchers do not use specific chakra vortexes but use a certain energetic quality of an area. For that reason, they can indicate the seven chakras of the landscape temples as a straight line. Their idea is not as farfetched as it may seem. All energies are present everywhere unless we create artificial energies that destroy, alter or diminish these energies. Therefore, all energies are everywhere, and maybe that is what inspired these researchers to indicate landscape temples as they do.

living being, and for living beings, nothing is mathematically precise, but depends on the dynamic of the living structure.

They selected the centers of the chakra vortexes as the basis for their temples. The centers of vortexes have the most optimal energy and therefore will give the most optimal effect of what they wanted to achieve and experience. The chakra sites they selected and used are interconnected by lines that I call communication lines. The landscape temples based on actual vortex sites belong to the second type, and in my opinion, are the “real” landscape temples.This second type of landscape temples also has two different types.

The first type is a temple that is part of what we can call a city. These “cities” are ceremonial cities that were in use

2. Teotihuacan in Mexico

for initiations and spiritual purposes.

In these cities, you will find all seven chakras and sometimes there are other energy sites (sacred places) added to the seven chakras. These places are perfect for training initiates into higher spiritual experiences through mastering the seven chakras, the seven ways to deal with life in physical reality.

Examples of these city temples are Machu Picchu in Peru, (top of p.18), as well as Teotihuacan in Mexico (top of

Ancient peoples did not go for the general quality of the land. They selected specific sites which today we call vortexes. They also were not attached to straight lines. For them, the Earth is a CONSCIOUSCOMMUNITYMAGAZINE.COM

|

19

form a complex energy system that you can compare to the chakras of an enlightened person. They form a coherent energy field. Connecting with one of the chakras not only connects you with the energies of that specific chakra but also with the energies of the temple as a whole. Each of the chakra locations is a doorway into the total system. That is what makes these places so powerful.

Visiting the different chakra sites of a landscape temple is like a pilgrimage.

If you have the opportunity, I highly recommend a visit to any of the sites of any of the landscape temples. How to visit these sites and how to use the energies most optimally is described in the mentioned articles.

3.Teotenango in Mexico

p.19), and Teotenango in Mexico (top of p.20). These are known as spiritual places, but there are many more of these cityscape temples. In all of these situations, the seven chakras are integrated into the structure and layout of the city using natural chakra energies/vortexes. In none of the given example are the vortexes located on a straight line.

The second group of the “real� landscape temples consists of what you truly can call temples in a landscape.

These landscape temples are more common than I originally thought. So far, I have found and researched several landscape temples, both in the US

4. Lemurian Temple in Denmark 20

| CONSCIOUS COMMUNITY MAGAZINE SEPTEMBER 2019

and Europe. I found several landscape temples in the Sedona area, not including the one described by Nicholas Mann which has its base in geomancy.

I found one in Pennsylvania and two in Hawaii. So far, I found four landscape temples in Europe: two in Denmark and two in The Netherlands. In almost all of these situations, the chakra vortexes that form the temple are spread over a larger distance, from tens of miles up to more than 100 miles. None of those temples mentioned above have chakra sites that form a straight line.

Each of the chakra sites within the landscape temple seem to be a separate unit. They have, in most cases, human-made structures as part of the system.

When that is the case, these structures always are in the center of the chakra vortex. These chakra sites all connect, making them into one system, the landscape temple. The connection between the chakra sites is formed by communication lines.

The chakras and the communication lines

Jaap van Etten, PhD, was born and educated in the Netherlands.

He received his PhD in biology in Amsterdam, specializing in ecology. For the past 23 years, his focus has been on metaphysical ecology. He studies and teaches about human energies, Earth energies and the energies of stones, crystals and crystal skulls. He also looks at how these energies interact. He is the author of: Crystal Skulls: Interacting with a Phenomenon; The Gifts of Mother Earth; Crystal Skulls: Expand Your Consciousness; Birth of a New Consciousness; and Dragons: Guardians of Creative Power. He is the co-founder of the Universal Center for Metaphysical Ecology, www.ucme. international. He currently resides in Sedona, Arizona.

NOTES 1. Nicholas R. Mann, Sedona Sacred Earth, A guide to the Red Rock Country, Light Technology Publishing, Flagstaff, AZ, 2004, Revised Edition.

2. David Furlong, Working with Earth Energies; How to Tap into the Healing Powers of the Natural World, London, Piatkus, 2003, 66-74.

3. Peter Dawkins, North America, www.zoence.com/ pages/landscape-temples.html 4. Peter Dawkins, Sacred Landscape and Geomancy, www.peterdawkins.com/pd_ landscape.htm.

5. Peter Dawkins, The Continent of Europe, www. zoence.com/pages/landscape-temples.html

it may be felt in very different ways than other types of spiritual awakenings. It will serve the purpose to enable a person to feel love at a higher level than ever before. In fact, many spiritual awakenings and kundalini rising experiences may be twin flame experiences precipitating a physical encounter.

Twin flame love is a term which may be unfamiliar, yet, passionate love which has been written about for centuries, sung about is really about the deep passion that twin flame couples share. It is the “type” of love which many seek, the love that lasts beyond space and time. Unbeknownst to many people, their twin flame is already connected to their heart. Many people already have this deep connection in place to be enlivened very soon and activated. Some of what a person may feel is what they have known deep inside themselves; a deeply ingrained sense that they are here to be with someone.

TWIN FLAMES HOW DO YOU KNOW?

by Patricia McNeilly Have you heard of terms such as soul mate, or twin flame? In my first of several articles, I hope to help you understand and feel more comfortable with these subjects.

“Twin flame” is the common term for what is the true other half of a person’s soul. It’s not just a “soul mate” but something far beyond. Twin flames are also people, not a random energy, and not interchangeable. This is the actual person who can match your soul signature. A twin flame is a person whose cosmic heart has become activated. The “twin” is the exact match of the etheric subtle body you share. The “flame” is the lit up and activated heart connection to each other. This activation is much higher than ever before. Together with this goes the etheric body’s high heart connections which become prominent, which enables the person to stay focused upon love. This also serves to balance both people for meeting and falling in love again.

When hearing this term, people who have not had their activation of the cosmic heart will believe that it is another way of saying “soul mate” or “life partner.” For those who are each other’s true love, this is also an eternal connection. An eternal connection to each other’s human body, life and the way for them to find each other. It is the ultimate return to a state of oneness and intimacy which has not been experienced in a very long time. Therefore, twin flames can and will affect each other.

This is because they are deeply connected inside their hearts.

This activation awakens the person’s heart connection to their true love. It is very spontaneous and cannot be controlled by the person experiencing it. It seems very abrupt and random, and

There are many experiences prior to a physical encounter, as each person in the twin flame union begins to flow toward each other. When a twin flame is activated, the internal areas of their body begin to feel movement. Sometimes this movement is subtle but noticeable to the person experiencing it. Feelings begin to be felt which come from nowhere. Wishing to heal oneself is very important to the twin flame process.

What can happen as a person becomes aware of this or becomes abruptly awakened? The countdown begins, and they will see number sequences, such as 11:11 on clocks, 444 on a license plate, etc. Waves of love feelings surge through the body, bringing lightness and poignancy. They may experience a deep desire to improve themselves and seek self-help material.

Relationships begin to “dismantle.”

Other experiences may include: • A longing for love • Having an inner knowing, usually from childhood, that there is a person that you are supposed to meet • Feeling compelled to find the person, especially if dreaming of him or her • Feeling that there is only one person in the universe for you • Feeling isolated from other people • Sensing few will understand you • Suddenly feeling that there is another person living within your body • Heightened senses, more sensitive to light and sound • Acute awareness of your Self • Being aware of what lies beyond the realm of your sight • Beginning to sense and see what lies beyond the natural world • Feeling closer to nature Patricia McNeilly is the owner of Twin Flames Merge located in Park Ridge, IL. She offers one-on-one sessions, energy movement, guidance and classes. Visit www.twinflamesmerge. com for more information.

CONSCIOUSCOMMUNITYMAGAZINE.COM

|

21

Midwest Pulse Calendar Friday-Saturday September 13-14 WOMEN’S AUTUMN EQUINOX CHAKRA RETREAT - A transformational journey through your Chakras, Emotions, Body, and Soul! Retreat includes acupuncture, massage, yoga, psychic medium, meditation, tai chi, artwork, more!

Southeast WI. mindsoulandself@ yahoo.com; 608-393-7353; https:// mindsoulandself.com/womenswellness-retreats/

Saturday, September 14 CHICAGO IANDS, support/study/resource forum for near-death, out-of-body, & spiritual experiences, losses. 2-5 pm.

Donation: $20. Guest Speaker: Edy Nathan - OBEr, STEr, MA, LCSW, CST is an author, workshop leader, licensed psychotherapist and certified sex therapist, from NYC. Frank Auditorium in Evanston Hospital. Free covered parking.

For more info: 847-251-5758 or https:// www.chicagoiands.org/ EFT WORKSHOP WITH TOM MASBAUM. Experience RELEASE of Grief, Stress, PTSD, Digestion Issues & Much More. Time: 6:15-8pm Free.

Location: SoderWorld Wellness.

WillowBrook. 630-455-5885. If you have any questions call Tom. 708-9553634. www.EFT-Tom.com.

Sunday, September 15 WELLNESS METAPHYSICAL FAIR: 11am5 pm. Free admission. Energy workers, Vendors and the best Readers in Southeastern Wisconsin. New Berlin Ale House, South Hall,16000 W Cleveland Ave, New Berlin, WI 53151. Contact: 414-530-5477 or www.spiritualenlightenment.me

Wednesday, September 18 EFT WORKSHOP. Experience RELEASE of Grief, Stress, PTSD, Digestion Issues & 22

| CONSCIOUS COMMUNITY MAGAZINE SEPTEMBER 2019

Much More. 6:15-8 pm. Free. Location: SoderWorld Wellness, 16 W. 501 Nielson, Willowbrook, IL 60527. 630-455-5885.

For more info call Tom. 708-955-3634 or visit www.EFT-Tom.com

unityoakpark.org. We open ourselves to the Divine flow of goodness, ideas, and substance. Advance Tickets required and are available online at www. brownpapertickets.com/event/4289277.

Friday, September 20

PRE-CERTIFICATION EFT WORKSHOP: 9:30 am-5:30 pm $95. Experience/learn EFT basics. Also counts as day 1 or day 2 of 12 hours required for certification. For EFT newbies and professionals. Full Certification requires 2 full days plus practice sessions. Location: SoderWorld Wellness, 16 W. 501 Nielson, Willowbrook, IL 60527. 630-455-5885. Contact Tom 708-955-3634 or www.EFT-Tom.com

AUTUMN INGRESS PREDICTIONS – Mini Webinar: 7 pm CT. $15. The first day of Autumn gives us a chart from which we can predict what’s coming for all signs for the next three months. Astrologer Donna Stellhorn, reveals what’s coming up for each sign. We’ll talk about the financial forecast, love and romance predictions as well as some Feng Shui cures to bring in positive energy. Location: online. Contact: 949940-5697 or Website: https://fengshuiform.com/teleclasses.htm

Saturday, September 21 GET A PLAN, A MOTIVE AND A LIFE DIRECTION! 12-2 pm. $20. Most spiritual people have a point in their lives where they hit a crossroads and know SOMEthing in their life must change. But sometimes they aren’t sure what to do or how to go about it.

If you have no idea where you’re going, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed by an end-goal or to feel defeated before you even begin.

In this session, we’re going to streamline things down to a few areas of focus to cut down on the scatter, fear, confusion and over-analyzing. By the end, you’ll have a plan, a motive and a direction! Location: 219 W. 55th St. STE 105 Clarendon Hills, IL 60514. (Go through front door, turn right, down the stairs, office 105 on the left). Phone: 407-575-7547. Website: www.rebeccarockwood.com NIGHT OF COMEDY! Doors open at 6 pm; show starts 7 pm. Cash Bar. Tickets are $25. Scheduled comedians have graced the stages of Zanies, Laugh Factory, The District & Second City. Location: Unity Church of Oak Park, 405 N. Euclid Ave. Oak Park, IL 60302. For additional information, email Unity@

Saturday-Sunday, September 21-22 37TH ANNUAL FALL HOLISTIC FAIR: 10 am – 5 pm (both days). Admission: $7/day; $12/weekend. Children under 12 FREE. Bring a canned food donation for the Food Bank & save $1 on admission. Get your Re-Balance on! Join us for a fun weekend, at the Larimer County Fairgrounds / The Ranch – South Exhibition Hall, just east of I-25 (exit 259) in Loveland! Explore alternative choices for taking care of your body, mind, spirit & our environment. Discover aspects of yourself/Self through astrology, tarot, palmistry, clairvoyant readings, aura portraits and other intuitive arts. Experience healing modalities from massage and reflexology to energy re-balancing, reiki and aromatherapy, just to name a few.

Sample natural body care and CBD products.

Learn about healing qualities of crystals. Meet old friends, make new friends. Shop with our creative local vendors & unique artisans. Visit www.Holistic-Fairs.com for further information & 2 for 1 coupons. Free Parking! FREE LECTURES all day. Register for exciting door prizes! See you at the Fair! Larimer County Fairgrounds / The Ranch – South Exhibition Hall (just east ofI-25 (exit 259 – Crossroads Blvd) Loveland, CO) Contact: holisticfairs@gmail.com or www.HolisticFairs.com

FALL EQUINOX SPIRIT FAIR: 12-6 pm. $25 to $35. Have you been wanting to experience a channeling session, reading or chakra balancing? Check out another practitioner? The Chakra Shoppe, 5034 N. Lincoln Ave., Chicago, IL 60625.

773-271-3054. www.chakrashoppe.com

Sunday, September 22 EXPLORING YOUR POTENTIAL THROUGH MINDFULNESS SEMINAR: 10 am – 4 pm. $150. You’re more valuable than you’ve been told. Too often you’re basing your self-worth on other people’s opinions.

Our Mindfulness Seminar helps free you from these limiting, self-sabotaging beliefs to reveal the beauty of your authentic self.

With mindful meditation, you’ll experience a shift in consciousness to see things you’ve been missing in life. Using simple methods to stay peaceful and centered, you’ll discover amazing qualities within you to create a life worth living, filled with good health, great relationships, laughter, love and purpose. Location: Arche Meditation Center of Purpose and Joy, 212 S. Marion St., #21, Oak Park, IL 60302. Registration is required. Contact Sandy Daliege, 708622-8453 or archemeditation@gmail.com

Wednesday-Friday September 25-27 STELLAR WOMEN TRIBE ONLINE CONFERENCE. Free. On this conference you will learn about feminine power, how to strengthen your energetic boundaries, learn what is and how to activate Light Language, living the Sacred Hoop, the Four Directions, how to quiet your busy mind with expressive arts, what to eat for your brain health and much more. For more information about our speakers and topics, check out our website: http://stellarwomentribe.com. This conference is partnered with Conscious Community Magazine. It is a FREE online conference and you can register online at http://stellarwomentribe.com

Friday-Sunday September 27-29 7 CHAKRAS POWER WEEKEND: Reveal and Heal your own unique chakra programming. Delve into the core of your inner being for more power. Join Master Chakra Healer, Blanche Blacke for a journey of discovery in vibrational healing with crystals, aromatherapy, sound, meditations and yoga.

Friday night at The Chakra Shoppe, 5034 N. Lincoln Ave., Chicago, IL 60625.

Saturday and Sunday at a serene location 90 minutes from Chicago with easy public transport or car-pool. More info at https://bit.ly/33sG8M5. 773-271-3054 and www.chakrashoppe.com

Saturday-Sunday, September 28-29 HOLY FIRE® III REIKI in Wheaton: special class series just for current Reiki practitioners! Levels 1 & 2, Sat. & Sun., September 28 & 29 (required for A&M class) Advanced & Master Level, Sat., Sun., Mon., October 12, 13, & 14. Levels 1 & 2, $450; Advanced & Master Class, $800. Class size is limited! Location: 1211 Pershing Ave., Wheaton, IL, 60189. For more information, email revlindsaybates@gmail.com or visit www.lifewaysreiki.org

and learn how to shift things. There will be an outline and a handout to track your progress over the five weeks. The price and costs are handled by the Park Ridge Fitness Center through their website for Insurance purposes. Centennial Fitness Center, 1515 W Touhy Ave Park Ridge, IL 60068. To preregister, call Patricia at: 847-529-7207 or visit www. twinflamesmerge.com LEARN AKASHIC RECORDS READING: 1-5 pm. $200. Learn to read the vibration of your soul or read for others. Many students from this class are now practicing professional intuitives. Pre-requisite: Learn to Use the Pendulum Class—available at 9 am Saturday, September 28. 5034 N. Lincoln Ave., Chicago, IL 60625. Contact: www.chakrashoppe.com

Saturday October 5 Sunday, February 2, 2020 KUNDALINI YOGA 200 HRS TEACHER TRAINING: Early Bird Price: $2,999.

Lead Teacher: “Samadhi” Donna Witters Banks, E-RYT 500, RCYT, YACEP, IKYTA Location: Rising Lotus, 14911 S. Bell Rd, Homer Glen, IL 60491. Contact: 708262-9539 or http://www.RisingLotus HealingCenter.com

Saturday-Sunday September 28 - October 29

Saturday-Sunday October 26-27

TWIN FLAME BODYTM CLASS in Chicago area 1-2 pm. Second class is on October 26-27. $150 for two days.

Class of self-discovery - opening your Heart Channels and movement to learn how to be deeper IN LOVE! Improve your relationships; jumpsta rt the metabolism; get unstuck; increase the endocrine and other glands and hormonal balance; get in touch with the Higher Aura and energy connections to create a better, improved abundant flow in life; release and detox from addictions; elevate your sleep and decrease insomnia; get rid of daily tensions

TRINITY HEALTH FREEDOM EXPO. aturday: 10 am-6 pm & Sunday 10am 5 pm $30.00 a day or $50.00 for both days (discounts are available for military and senior citizens). There will be 100 booths to browse and shop. Guests will encounter the latest cutting-edge products for consumers, practitioners and business owners, along with state-of-the-art electronics, massage techniques and newest modalities. Location. Tinley Park Convention Center – 18451 Convention Center Drive, Tinley Park, IL 888-658-3976. www.TrinityHealthFreedomExpo.com

AT T E N T I O N A D V E R T I S E R S Did you know that the Midwest Pulse Calendar section is one of the most read parts of Conscious Community? The Midwest Pulse Calendar listings are $1.00 per word with a 30 word minimum. Copy is due by the 10th of the month prior to publication. Copy submitted after the deadline is not guaranteed to be included in the next issue. Check or credit card information must accompany calendar listings.

For questions, please call: 847–966–1110 or email: Kasia@ConsciousCommunityMagazine.com.

CONSCIOUSCOMMUNITYMAGAZINE.COM

|

23

DAILY SPIRITUAL PRACTICES BEYOND BELIEFS

by Misti Dian

When people hear I am from the South and then discover I am an Intuitive Healer, Metaphysical Theologian and Spiritual Activist with my messages of spiritual and religious inclusion, some are confused—and skeptical—to say the least. Most cannot understand how someone who is also a Christian can make room for any other devotion of faith or belief. I am often asked, “How do you reconcile being a Christian and a yoga teacher who is passionate about metaphysical teachings?” My answer is brief and poignant. These are not separate, so I do not need to reconcile them.

Do you?

24

| CONSCIOUS COMMUNITY MAGAZINE SEPTEMBER 2019

I consciously choose my beliefs (over and over again) as an expression of my most authentic self. I point this out because, in the context of spirituality and collective consciousness, you do not have one without the other. There isn’t any separation between these elements. We may believe we can separate them at our convenience, but this is a dysfunctional desire to keep things in neatly packaged compartments to avoid trauma and pain and is part of the reason for so much discourse and a lack of healing in our world today.

Touting a belief in metaphysics without

spirituality may seem like a safe way to avoid religion, but in all honesty, you have just chosen to isolate that which makes the metaphysical possible— belief in something beyond the physical.

We struggle with the discipline that we believe it takes to have a devoted level of consciousness, but what if our belief was the problem?

Our core beliefs are all too often not something we question or observe. We assume beliefs without much thought at all. If we can step into the role of observing our beliefs and ask if they really “taste like truth” to us, we might

surprise ourselves to find out they do not. Many beliefs we live by, specifically regarding religion, spirituality and consciousness, have been handed to us by our relatives, friends, politicians or even a cultural disposition. We unconsciously take on the beliefs and integrate them into our subconscious, having no idea that this is where we draw our experiences from every single day. If our experience was a coloring book, our beliefs would be the crayons.

Simply getting “more curious

about what makes you feel alive and full of purpose is consciousness.”

For example, let’s say I have the core belief that “Money doesn’t grow on trees,” which means I have subconsciously set the intention that having money is hard or impossible, like making paper grow on trees! This belief surrounding money is a big one for most of us, and we are just starting to realize how much of a block this creates to our financial freedom and abundance. If we can step back from this belief, drop the resistance and observe it, then we can consciously decide if it fits into our being. If it does not, then with some practice we can choose a new belief.

In addition to observing our unconscious beliefs, we then begin to see an opening to curiosity. Simply getting more curious about what makes you feel alive and full of purpose is consciousness. Many of us aren’t sick and tired of being sick and tired; we are sick and tired of being uninspired. We are waiting for someone or something to inspire us; this is most likely the reason you have found yourself reading this.

You are curious, and that is an essential step to the cultivation of consciousness as a practice. So, good work! Curiosity is the doorway to which we open ourselves up to new ideas, new perspec-

tives and new ways of living more fully and thus more consciously.

We all want to feel more connected, but how? If you want to connect to the collective consciousness, I have excellent news for you. You’re in. A desire and curiosity is your first-class ticket to the collective. Easy, right? Yes! Although the impact you are currently having on the collective may not be so simple. If you want to know what kind of impact you are having on the collective, look around at your life and what you do each day. Look around at the people nearest to you. Do you love your life? Do you love going to work?

Do you learn new things every single day? You see, when you are making a positive impact in your own life, you are in turn creating a positive shift in the collective, hence the name, collective.

What we choose to do, say and believe every day is our practice. Our practice becomes our life.

A practice of curiosity is further enhanced as you add some creativity into the mix. How does one integrate creativity with a spiritual practice? By paying attention. What makes you sad, happy, motivated or tired? What fills your cup and what drains it? When we focus on the things that inspire us, we can become more creative in which ways we are adding more of that to our daily lives. If gardening is a passion for you, how often are you considering it a spiritual practice and how often are you doing it? Do you love animals? What ways do you cultivate this daily? We often overlook the cultivation of what naturally inspires and interests us as being a spiritual practice of consciousness.

It is plain old misinformation that spiritual practices and consciousness are out of reach without religion or specific practices such as prayer or meditation.

Many of us feel isolated by this false belief, so we spend too much time looking for contentment in things and people. I say organized religion is a form of spiritual practice, and if your organized religion brings you peace, joy, and connection then wonderful!

I define a spiritual practice as anything that brings us into a state of gratitude.

You see, gratitude is another doorway to the collective and abundant living. If you want abundance, then you have to get on the fast track of daily gratitude.

Society has bestowed the belief on us that we shouldn’t enjoy something that is worth it. We must hustle and grind to have a life we enjoy. I say, “Wrong!”

Anything worth having or doing is worth enjoying. Yes, we still must empty the dishwasher and take out the trash, but with gratitude this now becomes an experience and not just a chore.

Lastly, enjoy your practices, i.e. the things that inspire you and the day to day tasks, whatever they naturally are.

Let what you do be your prayer and let what you experience be your teacher.

This is the essence of consciousness and spiritual practice.

Misti Dian is the Director of Holistic Leadership for Radiant Health Institute.

She is an international speaker, author, Certified Holistic Coach and Intuitive Energy Healer. As a spiritual activist, Misti speaks with passion and insight through her spiritual sustainability program. Visit www.meetmisti.com.

WANTED Distribution Person…

…For Evanston and West Suburbs

847.966.1110

Info@ConsciousCommunityMagazine.com CONSCIOUSCOMMUNITYMAGAZINE.COM

|

25

BUTTERFLY

YIN YOGA

THE PERFECT PRACTICE FOR SUMMER

by Stefanie Arend

I cannot imagine my life without Yin Yoga. It is my personal anchor, and I do it every single day, rain or shine. As an avid year-round practitioner, I can attest that Yin Yoga is especially useful in the summer because it balances the Yang energy which is strongest in the hot season. Yin represents calm, while Yang is dynamism; Yin stands for coolness, Yang for heat. A Yin Yoga practice can cool us down during the hot summer months. Since we tend to be very active during the summer, it can also soothe our busy minds. When running and other more intense forms of exercise seem impossible in the heavy heat, or when my mind is wilting under stress, I turn to Yin Yoga as a gentle practice to help me soak in the season.

Here is a short sequence for you to try when temperatures are high. Stay in the poses as long as you feel comfortable.

26

| CONSCIOUS COMMUNITY MAGAZINE SEPTEMBER 2019

BUTTERFLY Sit on the mat, place the soles of your feet together, and pull the feet towards the pelvis. Let the knees drop gently outwards or, if this stretch is too intense for you, support the outsides of the legs with two blocks. You can also sit on a blanket or a cushion. Relax the back, let your upper body sink forward passively and place your arms where it is comfortable for you.

SLEEPING SWAN Come onto all fours and pull your right knee forward to the right wrist. Bend the leg in such a way that your foot points to the left side and you can place the outside of the leg on the floor. For a greater opening of the hips, bring the upper and lower leg into a 90-degree angle. If that feels difficult

place a yoga bolster or rolled-up blanket straight across the mat underneath your ribcage. For more of a backbend, prop yourself up on your hands and push up your upper body using your arms to come into Seal. Breathe out deeply and let yourself sink down into the spine as in a hanging bridge. You can leave your legs slightly open to release the lumbar spine.

SEAGRASS

SLEEPING SWAN

to you, make the angle smaller accordingly. If this position causes pain in the knees, or if possible lack of balance on either side of the body is uncomfortable, sit higher, perhaps with buttocks and knees on a yoga bolster positioned lengthwise. Your back leg remains long on the floor. Now place your upper body relaxed on the bent leg and rest your head in your hands or on a yoga bolster.

SEAGRASS

Place a yoga bolster or rolled-up blanket straight across the mat and lie on it. Place your upper body behind it to bring the pelvis into a raised position. Stretch the legs upwards, and find the point where you can hold it effortlessly. Take your arms back slowly and place them next to your head. During menstruation, you can also assume the position without raising the pelvis. For a more intensive version, let the legs drop back slightly more towards the floor. However, I do not recommend this version if you have issues in your cervical spine.

SPHINX/SEAL

SPHINX

Lie on your stomach, place your forearms on the floor and straighten your upper body. For a gentle version of the Sphinx, which supports you when releasing in this position, you can

If you like, you can start or end your practice with this breathing technique which balances the energies of Yin and Yang, https://youtu.be/Tt7rnfQAGgo. Stefanie Arend is a renowned Yin Yoga instructor, holistic health coach, nutritionist, and energy worker. As the first German author to focus exclusively on Yin Yoga, she is the author of six books, including the classic bestseller, Yin Yoga: The Gentle Path to the Inner Center (2011) and Surya Namaskar: The Sun Salutation (2014), both of which were named Best Yoga Book of the Year in German-speaking countries. Be Healthy with Yin Yoga is her first English language book. For more information about Stefanie or to watch her videos, visit www.yinyoga.de/en/ and www.youtube.com/user/ Stefanie1a/videos.

Excerpted from Be Healthy with Yin Yoga: The Gentle Way to Free Your Body of Everyday Ailments and Emotional Stresses by Stefanie Arend, She Writes Press, August 2019.

SEAL

Photos by Forster & Martin Fotografie, Munich, Germany CONSCIOUSCOMMUNITYMAGAZINE.COM

|

27

FULL MOON SEPTEMBER 13, 2019 HEALTH, LUCK AND EFFICIENT ENERGY

by Donna Stellhorn This Full Moon in Pisces brings us quite positive energy, especially for taking care of health, letting go of the past and making significant forward progress on a cherished goal. The Sun is sitting with Mars bringing lots of energy to the tasks at hand. Motivation is high as Jupiter squares the Full Moon forming a T-square and bringing luck and opportunity with it. Everyone will feel this energy and some will experience it intensely. This could be the most productive four weeks of the entire year.

There is positive health energy as the Sun, Mars, Venus and Mercury are all moving through Virgo. You may feel inspired to eat healthfully and exercise.

You may have indulged at the beginning of the month but now that the Full Moon is lighting up your path you see 28

| CONSCIOUS COMMUNITY MAGAZINE SEPTEMBER 2019

that taking care of your health is the way to go.

your destiny. You can feel compelled to work on your true goals.

Venus and Mercury sit at the last degree of Scorpio signaling a desire to end a bad habit, make a change, finish a project or let go of whatever clutter is in your way. It’s rare that these two line up together so perfectly. This also brings a strong interest in art, beauty and design, as well as the sensual side of people.

ARIES You are feeling good as you clear your desk of one project after the next. You are ready to tackle more. You may turn your sights to decluttering the garage or attic. You may be starting a new job later towards the beginning of October, or you may be getting a new supervisor at your current place. Your spirituality is strong now, and you can receive many messages through meditation and dreams. A secret admirer may reveal themselves to you, but you may have already moved on.

Saturn now walks hand-in-hand with the South Node as they travel in retrograde together. The South Node represents that place you go when you’re scared or sad, like trying to return to the womb. But Saturn, the authority figure, blocks this path. There is only moving forward now. There is no place to hide. Saturn gives you a curt pep talk and sends you forward towards

TAURUS Financially, this is a strong month with an investment or business starting to

take off. You may have some paperwork, contracts or other formalities to finish. A trip back home or to a place you’ve been before may be delayed or need to be rescheduled. Romance is highlighted this month, and if you’re looking for love, you can find interesting prospects at sporting events, races and festivals. The energy around children is very active. Your kids may need you now more than usual.

GEMINI There is a lot of activity around home and relationships. You may be bringing someone new into the home, getting engaged or there may be the addition of a new family member through birth or adoption—pets count too! A project at home comes to a satisfactory completion. Your ability to manifest is strong, and you can use it to bring a better situation at work. Picture what you want. There are good professionals available to you during this period to assist you with matters around health and wealth.

CANCER You may be really busy at work this month. If you own a business, you can expect an increase in profits.

Communication is strong. You may be getting a new phone or perhaps doing some writing or public speaking. It may be time to consider getting a new vehicle.

You are spiritually connected now. Your prayers and affirmations are manifesting before your eyes. A love relationship or close friendship lays down the law about how they want to be treated, but it should be a two-way discussion.

LEO Finances are good, and you may be paying off an old debt. Money can come in from several sources. It’s okay to take a risk—especially in love. If you’re looking for love, it’s good to post your profile online and accept an invitation for a coffee date or two. If you’re in a love relationship, fertility energy is very strong now. If you don’t want to add to the family, you may want to take precautions. You are pushing too hard at work; take a personal day and recharge your batteries.

VIRGO This is a very powerful period for Virgo natives. You can manifest what you want if you’re clear about your goals. A block that’s been in your life for some time now dissolves, freeing you to move forward. Homelife becomes peaceful, and there can be happy times with relatives. A child or younger relative comes to you for advice and may actually listen. You may want a new look. Start by decluttering your wardrobe and toss out what you no longer want to wear. A debt is paid to you and paid in full.

LIBRA You’re doing a lot behind the scenes and this may mean you’re not getting the recognition you think you deserve.

That said, you’re making great progress on projects that will pay off big in the future. There are a lot of opportunities for communication, such as writing, public speaking and connecting with important people. Take the time to get restful sleep, even if this means you need to redo the bedroom or your nighttime routine. A get-together involving family may be postponed.

SCORPIO Finances are strong even though a job or work project may be coming to an end. You may be finishing up a contract position but another is just around the corner. You are surrounded by friends and supportive people who can help you with whatever you ask. Romance is in the air and an opportunity for love is standing before you if you want it.

There may be challenges with a vehicle or means of transportation. Keep an eye on your cell phone as it may wander off.

SAGITTARIUS Your career energy is very positive. If you’re looking for a new job, you may have more than one opportunity. If you’re staying put, you may receive some award or recognition from management. Your own business can thrive now. That said, keep an eye on your finances and stay out of old, bad spending habits. Water issues at home may signal some unexpressed emotions building up. Time to have an open discussion. An antique you may be

thinking of acquiring will be more work than it’s worth.

CAPRICORN Education is strong and you may be completing a class or school project.

If you’re a teacher, you may receive some overdue recognition for your outstanding work. Travel is good at this time, especially trips that take you into nature. Positive thinking will really have a noticeable and beneficial effect now. A spirit guide may come to you in a dream or vision and light up your path. A miscommunication ends up working out just fine and a lost item is recovered.

AQUARIUS Finances are strong now. You can pay down debt or add to retirement savings. You can receive help with investments and find a way to make passive income in the future. Consider doing automatic deposits. You have lots of friends around you. Important people take notice of you and offer assistance.

You may be staying up too late at night or not sticking to your schedule. I f your sleep is disturbed by others, it’s good to take steps to remedy the situation.

A solution to a tech problem is found.

PISCES This is your Full Moon and can be one of the most significant months of the year. Relationships of all kinds figure prominently during these four weeks. If you’ve been dating, you may take the relationship to a new level. If you’ve been trying to let go of someone from the past, you are more successful in purging your mind of old patterns.

Career is going well, and you may receive an overdue raise, bonus or some other token of the company’s appreciation. If this isn’t to your liking, speak up. You will be heard.

Donna Stellhorn is an astrologer, Feng Shui expert and author of 15 books.

Her website is www.fengshuiform. com. You can follow her on Instagram @donnastellhorn or see her videos on YouTube at www.youtube.com/c/ DonnaStellhorn.

CONSCIOUSCOMMUNITYMAGAZINE.COM

|

29

[ H E A LT H Y E AT I N G ]

HOT TOMATO, COLD TOMATO

WHAT’S THE BEST WAY TO EAT THEM?

by Betsy Bruns Are you on the vine about tomatoes, or can you eat them one after another like potato chips? I’m a bit dicey. Not a zestful tomato connoisseur. I’ve pretty much always liked the dishes made with tomatoes, like pizza and pasta with sauce, but eating plain tomatoes or popping raw tomatoes in my mouth?

Not so much.

It turns out that that’s okay, and in some respects, it may be healthier to eat tomatoes cooked instead of raw. Sure, eating uncooked fruits and vegetables might be the best way to preserve many 30

| CONSCIOUS COMMUNITY MAGAZINE SEPTEMBER 2019

nutrients, but various studies have shown that heating tomatoes can increase the antioxidant lycopene by as much as 164%. More about lycopene in a bit.

Americans consume almost 17 pounds of fresh tomatoes per person every year making it a $1.4 billion industry. Did you know that tomatoes were legally defined as a vegetable by the American Supreme Court back in February 1887?

At the time of the court case, fruits and vegetables differed in that vegetables were slapped with a 10-percent tariff upon their arrival in the United States

and imported fruits were not. The Supreme Court ruled that people neither prepare nor eat tomatoes like fruits and that they should be taxed accordingly. Did you know the tomato was so controversial?

In the Midwest, tomatoes are in season from July to October. One of the world’s most popular vegetables, the tomato is botanically a fruit. True fruits are developed in the base of a flower and contain the seeds of the plant. Fruits and vegetables differ in one major way. A fruit is technically the

seed-bearing structure of a plant, while a vegetable can be virtually any part of the plant we eat.

There are over 10,000 varieties of tomatoes worldwide. They can be yellow, red, pink, black, purple and even white. Did you know that the more naturally colorful your food is, the more likely it is to have an abundance of cancer-fighting nutrients? Pigments that give fruits and vegetables their bright colors represent a variety of protective compounds.

Tomatoes are the major dietary source of the antioxidant lycopene, which has been linked to many health benefits, including reducing the risk of heart disease, lowering of blood pressure, reducing inflammation and protecting from multiple forms of cancer. They are also a great source of fiber, vitamin C, potassium, folate and vitamin K. Why are antioxidants important?

According to a report from the Physician Committee for Responsible Medicine, (PCRM) antioxidants from fruits and vegetables reduce the risk of premature death. Higher levels of antioxidants like lycopene and vitamin C can reduce the risk for all-cause mortality.

Whether you like to eat your tomatoes hot or cold, if you want to live better and longer, you just need to eat them!

How’s that for motivation to give these recipes a try?

RED LENTIL TOMATO SAUCE This sauce is chunky, hearty and packed with lots of antioxidants, fiber and protein. You can substitute the red lentils with quinoa. If you substitute, cooking times may need to be adjusted.

1 tablespoon minced garlic 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper 2 cups diced tomatoes, fresh or canned 1 jar low-sodium vegan marinara (check label for dairy) 2 cups low-sodium vegetable broth 1 cup red lentils 1/2 cup minced fresh parsley Directions In a large pot over medium heat, add the onions, peppers and cook, stirring occasionally, add water as needed, until soft, about 5 minutes. Add the garlic, Italian seasoning and pepper. Cook, stirring, for one more minute.

Add the tomatoes, marinara, vegetable broth and lentils. Stir to incorporate.

Heat until the mixture comes to a boil, then reduce the heat to medium-low.

Simmer sauce for about 25 minutes or until the lentils are tender.

parsley are digestive aids and used to soothe the stomach in many cultures.

Ingredients 1 pint cherry tomatoes, quartered 1 15-ounce can artichoke hearts packed in water, halved 1 tablespoon fresh parsley, chopped 3 tablespoons capers (less if watching salt intake) Directions Toss everything together. How easy is that?

Betsy Bruns is a plant-based health coach, “Food for Life” instructor with the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine, (PCRM) and EFT (Emotional Freedom Technique) tapping practitioner. When she isn’t making healing food taste like comfort food, or helping clients tap away stress and cravings with EFT, she’s cuddling her one-eared French bulldog, Van Gogh.

Visit her at Vegsetter.com.

Stir in parsley. Taste and add additional pepper, or salt, if desired.

Red Lentil Tomato Sauce Recipe by Betsy Bruns and photo by Betsy Bruns

Keeps refrigerated in an airtight container for three to four days or freeze for up to three months.

Artichoke and Tomato Salad Recipe by PCRM.org and photo by Betsy Bruns

ARTICHOKE AND TOMATO SALAD This is such a simple, yet flavorful recipe.

I love eating it as is, but it’s also great tossed with pasta or stuffed into wraps.

In addition to the health benefits the tomatoes provide, artichokes and

Whip up a more nourishing meal by serving it over a baked potato or spiralized veggies. This sauce also makes a great vegan pizza. Just spread on your favorite pizza dough or bread, sprinkle with nutritional yeast, add more veggies if you like and bake.

Ingredients 1 large onion, diced 1 green and 1 red bell pepper, seeded and diced CONSCIOUSCOMMUNITYMAGAZINE.COM

|

31

BUSINESS Directory

BOOK AND METAPHYSICAL STORES STYX AND STONZ, 1764 W. Algonquin Rd., Hoffman Estates, IL 60192. www.styxstonz.com 847-358-9975.

BUSINESS SERVICES MARMEL ACCOUNTING, LLC, accounting with heart provides QuickBooks accounting, tax research and business consulting for small businesses.100% of every invoice you pay is first loaned out on kiva.org as a microloan to people in developing countries.

Location: Chicago, IL. Phone: 773-456-9729, www.marmelaccounting.com.

FREELANCE SERVICES

ENERGY HEALING & MEDICINE

ANIMAL REIKI WITH AMBER SHANER - Reiki Master Teacher.

Through energetic healing, Amber helps to provide a restorative balance for your pet companion on a social, emotional, and physical level. Sessions, classes, workshops offered. All animals welcome.

Location: Naperville & Chicagoland surrounding areas.

Website: www.amberreiki.com 630-835-6727.

REV. LINDSAY BATES. Usui/Holy Fire® III Reiki Master, Offering private sessions, Distant Reiki, animal Reiki, and classes for all levels. We focus on life issues, including stress management, fertility, oncology. Location: 1211 Pershing Ave, Wheaton, IL 60189. Contact: www.lifewaysreiki.org or 630-464-1668.

SUSAN OFFERS GROUP MEDITATIONS with crystal singing bowls and Peruvian whistles. Contact for upcoming events. Also, individual sessions and workshops with the OXOY. Northwest Suburbs.

Dundee. Contact Website: www.multiDtherapies. com www.theOXOY.com Email: info@multiD therapies.com info@theOXOY,com Phone: 224-293-2373 32

CAROL SWANSON LLC. Medical Intuitive & Wellness Consultant, specializing in the release of chronic health issues.

Intuitive Health Analysis and Treatment Protocol. Deep Meridian Clearing releases the energetic blockages/trauma supporting your illness. Clients worldwide. Serving Humans and their companion animals. Email: carol.swanson@att.net or visit www.carol-swanson.com or 608-359-4720.

| CONSCIOUS COMMUNITY MAGAZINE SEPTEMBER 2019

NEED A PROFESSIONAL WRITER? Branding, website content, product and service descriptions, brochures, editorial features, events marketing. Email Bernadette at bdoran@industrialstrengthsoul.com.

HOLISTIC HEALING FOR ANIMALS

HOLISTIC HEALTH HEMAVEDA AYURVEDIC HEALING for a healthier and happy life. Swati Mhaske is a Certified Ayurveda Doctor and Clinical researcher and an Herbalist. Swati specializes in Gut health, Female health and nutrition, autoimmune disorders, allergies, anti-aging, joint health, skin disorders and hormonal imbalances. Location: Yoga Seva Studio, 407 E Terra Cotta Ave, Crystal Lake, IL 60014. Contact: www.hemaveda.com, Email: dr. swati.mhaske@gmail.com or 224-829-8185.

HYPNOSIS REROOT HYPNOSIS - “Stephanie is a Nationally Certified Hypnotist specializing in coaching people to higher consciousness, releasing limitations, and guiding people towards personal development and empowerment. She offers in person sessions in the Logan Square area, along with virtual sessions. Packages range from 3-12 sessions and are custom tailored to each person to guarantee success.” Website: www.ReRootHypnosis.com, 630-675-0794.

LIFE COACH HAPPINESS IS CHOICE, LLC- a Relationship & Life coaching boutique that provides strategies and solutions for life, dating and finding love. Location: Chicago, IL. Contact: Website: www.happinessischoice.com or 312-846-0061.

JULITA MACHALSKI. Intuitive Coach + EFT Practitioner - Helping you to release emotional pain and supporting you in the process of personal transformation.

Chicago area/worldwide via Skype or in person. Both English & Polish. julita.life@ gmail.com or http://www.julita.life. 773-844-0053.

PAST LIFE REGRESSION SUSAN WISEHART, LMFT, 25 years licensed therapist.

Past/Between Lives regressions.

Trained by Brian Weiss and Michael Newton. Des Plaines/ Mundelein. Contact: 847-438-7878 or www.susanwisehart.com

PROFESSIONAL SERVICES OFFICIATE: WEDDINGS & OTHER TRANSITIONAL EVENTS Ordained non-denominational minister officiates at transitional events (weddings, baptisms, funerals, birth rites, etc.). For further information on personally-tailored, magical and intimate experiences, contact Theresa Puskar. www.theresapuskar.com, 630-272-1805.

PSYCHICS DEETTE RANAE IS A CERTIFIED PSYCHIC MEDIUM through LWISSD. Private readings, parties, and galleries. Also offering classes on psychic/ medium development and mentorships. Contact: Http://www.deetteranaepsychicmedium.weebly. com or 608-352-5944.

PSYCHIC OF CHICAGO solves all problems! 5 Generation Psychic specializes in re-uniting loved ones, Palm, Tarot, Psychic Readings Chakra and Aura Cleansing. Open Daily 8 am -11 pm. Readings in person or on a phone. Walk-In! Free Parking.

Locations: 7936 W Ogden Ave. Lyons, IL 60534.

708-447-3152, 6429 W Irving Park Rd. Chicago, IL 60634. 773-664-3620.

SOUL ADVISOR LLC TRICIA RUITER was born with these gifts from God. I can connect you with anyone who has passed - and animals. Location: Plainfield, IL. Phone: 815-529-1887. Website: www.thesouladvisor.com

FOR RENT HOLISTIC OFFICE BUILDING SPACE available in prime St. Charles location. Ample parking, excellent energy, beautiful building with many options. Suites available for holistic medical, dental and energy practices. Brannick Clinic of Natural Medicine. Contact: 630-444-0066.

RETAIL STORE WILD RASPBERRY RESALE SHOP with gently used designer label clothing, jewelry, books, music, coffee bar, mini-workshops. Come and taste the Wild Raspberry experience! Location:

Arlington Club Commons, 9 Huntington Lane, Wheeling, IL 60090. Contact: 224-676-1125, or www.wildraspberry.store.

SCHOOLS AND LEARNING CENTERS THE SPIRITUAL LEARNING CENTER (SLC) is here to offer you the opportunity to study with like-minded people in an emotionally safe environment.

SLC strives to provide learning opportunities based on expansive concepts that challenge and amplify mainstream knowledge and experience. We offer the chance to learn about things that you may have always been curious about but haven’t known where to go for answers. To check our classes and receive location details please email: SpiritualLearning Center@gmail.com, visit www.SpiritualLearning Center.com

SPIRITUAL COUNSELING REBECCA ROCKWOOD SPIRITUAL COUNSELING FOR SPIRITUAL PEOPLE! Specializing in spiritual disconnection, lost life direction, energy overwhelm, spiritual depression, resonation changes, advanced spiritual evolution. Your future doesn’t have to be a replay of your past! 219 W. 55th St., Suite 105, Clarendon Hills, IL 60514, 407-575-7547, www.rebeccarockwood.com

TAROT SUSAN BRADY. Experience the wisdom of the Tarot in the relaxed atmosphere of your own home by phone or email.

Additionally, I am available for in person readings at Healing Arts Metaphysical Center in Batavia, and The Journey’s Path in West Chicago. Bring your questions and leave with answers. Website: www.thetarottruth. com. I’ll be happy to schedule your appointment with me by phone at 630-209-7678.

WEIGHT CONTROL WEIGHT OUT OF CONTROL? MEDICAL HYPNOTISM can help you renegotiate your relationship to food. Backed by outcomes research and a long history of success. Visit us at www.CSGiles.org for more information or call 630-668-1141.

CONSCIOUS COMMUNITY ADVERTISERS Tap into an open and aware community by advertising your events, services, products in the Conscious Community Magazine Calendar and Business Directory listings. Display ads are due by the 10th of every month. Call Conscious Community Magazine or see website for advertising information. Distributed in Illinois and Wisconsin. Reach your potential with Conscious Community Magazine! Please visit: www.ConsciousCommunityMagazine.com or call 847-966-1110.

HELP WANTED

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED! ARE YOU A MOVER AND A SHAKER? Are you an organized self-starter? Do you have a desire to help out, but you are not sure where your skills will be best suited? The Conscious Community family is looking for assistance in the following areas: Administration, Event Scheduling, Event Sponsorship, National Calendar Coordinator, IT Expertise or Conference Coordinator. Whether you can give one hour per month or 10 hours per month, we would love to have you join our team.

Please call 847-966-1110 or email Kasia at: Kasia@ConsciousCommunityMagazine.com

BUSINESS Directory

The Business Classified Directory provides listings of a wide variety of practitioners, products and services available to our readers.

Business listings are $1.00 per word with a 25 word minimum. Display ads are due by the 10th of every month. Copy may be submitted by email or regular mail. Check or credit card information must accompany your insertion unless you are submitting it by email. In that case, please call with your credit card information to finalize your listing

Please call: 847–966–1110 or send your listings to: Kasia@ ConsciousCommunity Magazine.com by the 10th of the month prior to publication.

CONSCIOUSCOMMUNITYMAGAZINE.COM

|

33

COSMIC DAILY WEATHER September 2019

by Bernadette Evans

Overview The month starts with you doing a lot of work. You may be craving stability, order and possibly some recognition, so you’re working your buns off. You have a lot of irons in the fire which is great but can also be exhausting. Try to remember to stop and come up for air once in a while. This Full Moon and New Moon are about being open and vulnerable with ourselves and others.

It’s the fall equinox in the Northern Hemisphere and the spring equinox in the Southern Hemisphere.

At the equinoxes, the Sun crosses the earth’s celestial equator giving us an equal amount of day and night everywhere on the earth. In years past, it typically was a time of celebration; when the harvest was gathered and everyone stored foodstuffs to get ready for the winter months. It is a reminder to us here in the north, that the winter solstice is just around the corner and that the days will become shorter. After all the fun and excitement and the go-go-go of summer, its now time to slow down and take it easy.

The Full Moon is in Pisces on Sept. 13 at 11:33 p.m. With this Full Moon, you might find that you’re feeling sensitive and picking up on others’ emotions more than usual. You may want to step away from everyone for a bit to ground yourself. There could be a decision you’ve been putting off which is causing you anxiety. Let go and trust that the Universe has your back. This show of faith will bring movement and possible rewards. Another facet of the Pisces Full Moon is around getting out and having some fun. All work and no play make for a dull life. You are here to celebrate and embrace all that the world has to offer!

The New Moon is in Libra on Sept. 28 at 1:26 p.m. It’s about relationships. The bigger question here is, “How is your relationship with yourself?” The New Moon opposes Chiron, the wounded healer, in Aries. How can you be yourself while still maintaining relationships with others? Are you sacrificing yourself in your relationships? Of course, the polar opposite of this is to focus solely on yourself with no thought for anyone else. There’s a middle ground where you can truly be yourself and say what you need without being unkind to others. Being in a healthy relationship means having healthy boundaries where each person is allowed to be themselves.

The times below are listed in Central Daylight Time.

34

| CONSCIOUS COMMUNITY MAGAZINE SEPTEMBER 2019

Sunday, September 1 When Mercury trines Uranus, you seem to be able to pull ideas out of thin air.

Your intuition will prove invaluable.

Someone may not see something quite the way you do and you could have some words. Look at the bigger picture instead of getting drawn into any arguments. Moon is in Libra.

Monday, September 2 You may feel energetic with the SunMars conjunction. There’s a desire to be recognized at the workplace while still wanting to do things your way. Be careful of getting into any arguments with co-workers today. Get some exercise to burn off any excess energy.

Pay attention today when driving and operating machinery. Moon VoC at 3:34 a.m. until 6:35 p.m. when it enters the sign of Scorpio.

Tuesday, September 3 You feel energized and excited about communicating your ideas when the Sun conjuncts Mercury–so much to say and so little time. You’re seen as a leader, as someone who can be counted on to get the job done.

Wednesday, September 4 When Venus opposes Neptune, you may be feeling romantic and idealistic about love and relationships. There’s a desire for connection whether it’s through a relationship or a spiritual connection.

As with all things, discernment is key to staying grounded at this time. Balance blissful feelings with pragmatism. Moon VoC at 5:58 a.m. until 10:08 p.m. when it enters the sign of Sagittarius.

Thursday, September 5 The Mercury-Saturn trine has the potential to help you focus on the task at hand. Concentration, discipline and putting all your skills to use can infuse you with a feeling of calm and stability.

Having a plan, executing it and checking it off your to-do list feels great.

Friday, September 6 When the Sun trines Saturn, discipline and organization will help you finish a project that you’re excited to get off the ground. You might also want to look at your health routines and see if they can be improved. Examine which areas of your life you’d like to see some positive, tangible results and go for it. Moon VoC at 11:03 a.m.

Saturday, September 7 There could be confusion and misunderstandings with the MercuryNeptune opposition. Be very clear when communicating with others. Make sure you’re listening to them and vice versa; otherwise you could end up having a disagreement that may not end well. Moon enters the sign of Capricorn at 5:37 a.m.

Sunday, September 8 The Moon-Sun trine emphasizes your need for connecting with friends or a lover. There’s an easier more harmonious “feel” to the day. You could feel extravagant and generous and overspend when the Sun squares Jupiter. The potential for taking on more than you can handle is present so be mindful of that.

Monday, September 9 The Moon is VoC for a good part of the day. Like any good chess player, you’ve been planning your next move. Now its time to sit back and reward yourself for your careful planning and industry. Enjoy

and celebrate your victories before you have to get back to work. Moon VoC at 3:30 a.m. until 4:24 p.m. when it enters the sign of Aquarius.

Tuesday, September 10 You may be feeling restless and want to move or try something different today when the Moon is in Aquarius. Maybe what you’ve been doing isn’t working for you anymore. There is also an air of confusion and possibly delusion when it comes to people or situations with the Sun-Neptune opposition. Be discerning about jumping into something without thinking it through.

Wednesday, September 11 The Moon is VoC in Aquarius all day. You crave independence and like dancing to your own tune. Being the consummate expert in your field gives you a sense of pride and accomplishment. Remember to take time to enjoy the fruits of your labor.

Moon VoC at 12:22 a.m. and void all day.

Thursday, September 12 What have you been dreaming of creating? The combination of the Piscean Moon and the Mars-Jupiter square can help you manifest your dream, but you’ll still have to put some effort in.

Don’t start celebrating before you’ve finished the work. You may be bursting with enthusiasm and want to take on a lot today; do not over-extend yourself.

Optimism tempered with planning will get you to the finish line. Moon enters the sign of Pisces at 4:52 a.m.

want to communicate fairly and diplomatically. Getting along with others feels right. Venus in Libra also values being charming, sociable and nice, so being friendly, fair and saying the right thing (without sacrificing your needs at the expense of what others need) are all of paramount importance. Moon enters the sign of Aries at 5:32 p.m.

Sunday, September 15 With the Moon in Aries all day, you may feel like starting a new project. What excites you? Find something you think is fun and get going. It might be fun to have a partner in crime to hang out with or compete against!

Monday, September 16 When the Moon is VoC in Aries all day, you may be feeling anxious and frustrated when things aren’t moving as fast as you’d like. There could be some defensiveness on your part if people aren’t responding as quickly to you as you want. Today’s energy can feel like, “hurry up and wait;” so just breathe. Moon VoC at 11:03 a.m.

Tuesday, September 17 You may be feeling restless when the Moon conjuncts Uranus, looking for something exciting and possibly behaving rashly. Are you looking for the next battle? Is your passion for drama going to override your underlying need for love and connection? Do not say something you may regret later. Moon enters the sign of Taurus at 5:31 a.m.

Friday, September 13

Wednesday, September 18

Sometimes you just want to let your hair down. With the Full Moon in Pisces at 11:33 p.m., you could be out having fun with friends tonight. Having the support of good friends and being able to be yourself and say what’s in your heart is a gift. There’s also the possibility of a business opportunity presenting itself when you’re out with friends. You never know where it could lead. Moon VoC at 11:33 p.m.

Saturn Stations Direct at 3:47 a.m. When Saturn turns direct after being retrograde for the past four and a half months, it asks us to reflect on the lessons we’ve learned around home, family and responsibilities. What lessons have you learned? Are you ready to move forward?

Saturn is known as the great teacher but is also known for rewarding you after you’ve done the work. You could be ready for a huge transformation to occur.

In the end, the results will be positive.

Saturday, September 14 Mercury enters the sign of Libra at 2:14 a.m. while Venus follows closely behind, moving into Libra at 8:43 a.m. When Mercury enters the sign of Libra, you

Thursday, September 19 In the morning, when the Moon trines the Sun, you feel in sync with the world.

You believe anything is possible if you CONSCIOUSCOMMUNITYMAGAZINE.COM

|

35

want it bad enough and have faith. When Mars trines Pluto, you have the energy to plan and go for it. Moon VoC at 8:57 a.m. until 3:58 p.m. when it enters the sign of Gemini.

Friday, September 20 It may be easier for you to express your feelings when the Moon trines Mercury.

Write a poem, draw, paint a picture or sing a song; whatever way you decide to express yourself is perfect. Getting together to socialize with friends may also be on the agenda today.

Saturday, September 21 Being generous with others comes easy when Jupiter squares Neptune. That’s all good, just remember to be discriminating as well, as some people could take advantage of your giving nature. Your optimism may blind you to a situation you’re reluctant to see. Remove the rose-colored glasses. Moon VoC at 9:41 p.m. until 11:50 p.m. when it enters the sign of Cancer.

Advertisers’ Index BUSINESS DIRECTORY................................32 CAMPBELL LONG..........................................7 CCM ADVERTISE WITH US...........................39 CCM DISTRIBUTION....................................25 CCM SALES PEOPLE WANTED.....................39 CCM SUBSCRIBE NOW................................39 DR. C. SCOT GILES......................................17 EARTHSONG.................................................7 FLOWERING HEART CENTER........................ 7 HEALTH FREEDOM EXP.................................3 HOLISTIC HEALTH & SPIRITUAL EXPO............2 INFINITY FOUNDATION................................19 LARRABEE HERBS.........................................7 LIGHT UNLTD/THE REJUVENIZER.................40 OXYGEN HEALTH SYSTEMS...........................2 PERENNIAL MUSIC & ART..............................7 RASHA........................................................37 REBECCA ROCKWOOD..................................2 STELLAR WOMEN TRIBE...............................3 THEOXOY.....................................................31 36

| CONSCIOUS COMMUNITY MAGAZINE SEPTEMBER 2019

Sunday, September 22

Friday, September 27

You may feel lonely when Mercury squares Saturn. It could be you’re looking at the glass as half-empty instead of half-full. There’s a feeling of not being able to communicate and you feel distant from others. If you can concentrate on a project you want to complete, instead of focusing on the glass halfempty energy, you’ll feel better and get a lot of work done.

In the morning, feelings of confusion, as well as not being sure of yourself and not sure what you’re feeling, may surface when the Moon opposes Neptune. In the afternoon, with the Moon-Pluto trine, your feelings have amplified and you might be obsessing about someone or something. You may want to leave someone or something behind. Moon VoC 10:58 p.m.

Monday, September 23 Happy Birthday, Dear Libra! It’s your month to shine. The Sun enters the sign of Libra at 2:50 a.m. Emotions can be heightened and intense when the Moon opposes Pluto. You may feel the need to walk away from someone or something and have some time alone. Examine your feelings to see what’s really going on. Be careful of making any big decisions right now that you may regret later.

Moon VoC at 5:05 p.m.

Tuesday, September 24 You could be irritable and impatient when the Moon squares Uranus, while the Mercury-Jupiter sextile could have you questioning where you want to go in life. You’re looking at the big picture to see how your plans fit into the big scheme and feeling optimistic about your future. There may also be something going on today related to the law.

Moon enters the sign of Leo at 4:19 a.m.

Wednesday, September 25 When Venus squares Saturn, you may feel alone and possibly depressed.

Spending time ruminating over your part or someone else’s part in a relationship is just causing more confusion, try to let it go for today. Venus also rules finances; either you need to curb your spending, or you’ve been holding on too tightly and need to allow the energy to flow. Moon VoC at 11:14 a.m.

Thursday, September 26 Expect the unexpected when the Moon trines Uranus. Expressing who you really are is important; the world needs you to shine your unique light for all to see. Pay attention to your intuition today and see where it leads you. Moon enters the sign of Virgo at 5:37 a.m.

Saturday, September 28 The New Moon’s in Libra at 1:26 p.m.

The focus is getting along with others while leaving space for yourself. You don’t want to lose yourself in relationships. Try and find the balance so you have room for yourself; doing this will strengthen your relationships. With the Venus-Jupiter sextile, there is definitely the opportunity for growth in your relationships. Moon enters the sign of Libra at 5:03 a.m.

Sunday, September 29 There may be some intense emotions that are brought to the surface when the Moon and Venus square Pluto. Feelings are laid bare and tears may be shed.

Having an honest conversation with your significant other or friend may help clear the air and allow you both to heal and move forward. Change is not always easy, but it’s inevitable and allows us to grow; that is the beauty of a Pluto transit. Moon VoC at 9:06 p.m.

Monday, September 30 Emotions run deep and are turbulent with today’s Moon in Scorpio opposing Uranus. You may not be seeing things clearly and could jump to conclusions, reacting impulsively. Are you trying to control a situation? Take a step back to get a better view of what’s happening. Moon enters the sign of Scorpio at 4:42 a.m.

Bernadette Evans is a counseling astrologer, hypnotherapist, Registered Professional Counsellor and writer.

She can be reached at 780-2897398 or Bbevans001@gmail.com to schedule a consultation. Her website is mindshiftcounselling.com.

NATURAL REMEDIES FOR A YOUTHFUL APPEARANCE

by Nicole Cavalea

Many beneficial attributes can come with aging. Aging brings positive changes in life such as knowledge and insight, greater self-esteem and feeling comfortable in one’s own skin.

Wouldn’t it be nice if it was possible to keep the skin from showing one’s age? Although there is no shame in aging, many people desire the ability to age gracefully. There are natural ways one can keep skin supple and slow down the aging process; such as feeding the skin proper nutrients, keeping it moist and minimizing sun exposure.

Minimizing sun exposure and using a natural sunscreen will help prevent wrinkles. The sun contains ultraviolet (UV) rays; exposure to UV rays can cause changes in the skin by releasing free radicals on the skin’s surface. Free radicals damage the skin by altering its fibers; causing wrinkles and increasing one’s risk for skin cancer. There are many natural sunscreens on the market these days. It is important to find a brand of sunscreen that contains ingredients which are easily recognizable and chemical-free. A safe sunscreen will contain nonnano zinc oxide as the main protector from the sun. Non-nano means that the particles are large and will not be absorbed into the skin. Non-nano zinc oxide protects against both UVA and UVB rays. A safe sunscreen will also contain some oils with a naturally occurring SPF such as coconut oil, shea butter, raspberry seed oil, carrot seed oil and/or pomegranate seed oil.

These natural oils provide extra protection from the sun and contain vitamins and minerals that nourish and repair the skin.

natural sebum. Apricot kernel oil is derived from the seeds of apricots. It is high in fatty acids and works to balance the pH of the skin, making the skin not too oily or dry. It also contains high contents of vitamins A and E, which are thought to slow down the aging process. These oils are a positive addition to a healthy skincare routine.

It is comforting to know that we are not powerless in our aging process. By limiting sun exposure, using a natural SPF and applying natural cold-pressed oils to the skin, it is possible to keep a more youthful appearance for many years to come.

Nicole Cavalea is the owner of Ivy Nicole Natural Remedies which features high-quality natural products for health and beauty. She is also a busy mom and wife as well as a certified hatha yoga instructor. Visit www.IvyNicoleNaturalRemedies. com. You may contact her via email at Info@IvyNicoleNatural Remedies.com or by phone at 708-707-6317.

The skin needs moisture to keep a youthful appearance. The skin on one’s face is constantly exposed to irritants such as the sun and pollutants in the air. For this reason, the skin is more prone to dryness and sensitivities. It is important to keep the skin properly nourished and hydrated. A good way to nourish and protect the skin is by using products that contain natural cold-pressed oils that are unrefined and full of nutrients. Some examples of these nutrient-rich oils are jojoba oil, apricot kernel oil and rosehip seed oil. One of the most nutrient-rich oils is rosehip seed oil. This oil is harvested from rosebush seeds and is full of antioxidants and vitamins that repair and nourish the skin and can even increase collagen production. Jojoba oil is soothing to dry skin and contains high amounts of vitamin E, antioxidants and nutrients. It is the perfect oil for moisture because it is light-bodied and has a similarity to the skin’s CONSCIOUSCOMMUNITYMAGAZINE.COM

|

37

[BOOK REVIEWS]

In Print Reviews by Kayla Hancock

Meditation

(A Start Here Guide),

by Patrick J. Harbula, DD, (St. Martin’s Publishing, $14.99, Paperback)

Meditation is known for its various effects, such as increased relaxation, better health, and a stronger connection with the Self.

Patrick Harbula provides a comprehensive history of both Eastern and Western meditation while making it seem less intimidating to readers. He shares simple ways for beginners to start their practice along with exercises for more seasoned meditators to deepen their experience. Harbula also gives readers helpful habits to increase the positive effects of meditation in their lives.

Reason and Beyond:

Knowledge, Belief, And Spiritual Transformation, by Darrell Morley Price (O-books, $21.95, Paperback)

In this book, Darrell Price asks readers to question what they already know about the universe so they can ultimately create a life with infinite possibilities. Using a mix of prose and poetry, he shares views on many broad, touching topics such as spirituality, modern civilization, love, fear and the mind. The uplifting tone and provocative questions inspire readers to find their life purpose and live more in the moment.

When Kids Rule the School: The Power and Promise of Democratic Education, by Jim Rietmulder (New Society Publishers, $19.99, Paperback)

Democratic schooling—where students experience a self-governed society—may sound foreign to most of us, but Jim Reitmulder believes it is an approach to education that we should feel hopeful about. He explains everything from democratic schooling philosophy and morality to model bylaws and the-day-to-day life of this type of system. Reitmulder feels strongly that the power of self-motivation will prove itself more effective in children’s education than coercive models that dominate most of the modern world’s schooling.

38

| CONSCIOUS COMMUNITY MAGAZINE SEPTEMBER 2019

The Great Within:

The Transformative Power and Psychology of the Spiritual Path, by Han F. de Wit, Ph.D. (Shambhala, $24.95, Paperback)

Using Buddhism as a template and drawing ideas from multiple religions, Han de Wit demonstrates how contemplative exercises can help us find our inner wisdom. He explores psychological concepts from older traditions so that we can better understand the mind of a spiritual practitioner and find more compassion.

Love on Every Breath:

Tonglen Meditation for Transforming Pain into Joy, by Lama Palden Drolma (New World Library, $16.95, Paperback)

For hundreds of years, peoples of the Himalayas have addressed issues such as grief, anxiety and anger with an eight-step meditation process known as Tonglen.

Lama Palden Drolma takes readers step by step through this heart-opening practice and helps them better deal with emotional turbulence by sharing easy versions for beginners.

The Rock Balancer’s Guide: Discover the Mindful Art of Balance,

by Travis Ruskus (Watkins Publishing, $21.95, Paperback)

Rock balancing has become increasingly popular over the last couple of years—and it offers much more than a pretty social media post. Travis Ruskus shares with readers how the practice of rock balancing can be meditative and even help them let go of limiting beliefs and find happiness. Ruskus also offers inspiring tips and quotes that support the healing energy connected with rock balancing.

Kayla Hancock is grateful to be a part of this community. She is a Licensed Massage Therapist, Reiki Practitioner and certified Deeksha giver who enjoys working alongside her angels and spirit guides to bring more love, joy and compassion into the world.

WE ARE LOOKING FOR YOU!

CONSCIOUS COMMUNITY D E D I C AT E D

T O

E L E V AT I N G

C O N S C I O U S N E S S

WANTED! EXPERIENCED SALES PEOPLE For more information call Conscious Community Magazine at 847.966.1110 or send your resume to info@consciouscommunitymagazine.com

ADVERTISE WITH US!

CONSCIOUS COMMUNITY D E D I C AT E D

T O

E L E V AT I N G

C O N S C I O U S N E S S

is a Vehicle to Transport Your Business to the Next Level!

DO YOU NEED A RIDE? Join Us in Our October Issue!

Our Advertising Deadline for the October Issue is September 10, 2019.

Communities that share together, grow together!

Call 847.966.1110 or Email Info@ConsciousCommunityMagazine.com

SUBSCRIBE

N O W!

Get 12 Issues for $36

Award Winning

CONSCIOUS COMMUNITY DE ED D II C CA AT TE ED D D

TO O T

E LL E EV VA AT T II N NG G E

™

CO ON NS SC C II O OU US SN NE ES SS S C

FINDING YOUR

Name:_________________________________________________________________________

HeART

THE THREE PARTS TO

Address:_______________________________________________________________________

RELATIONSHIP COMMITMENT

YOGA

City:______________________________________State:_______________ Zip:____________

BODY MIND WORKOUT CONNECTIONS TO

ALL THINGS

Phone:________________________________________________________________________

UNDERSTANDING INGREDIENTS

IN SKIN CARE PRODUCTS

E–Mail:________________________________________________________________________

AUGUST 2017

ConsciousCommunityMagazine.com

SUMMER ACTIVITIES AND EVENTS

FREE!

Method of Payment: q Check or Money Order q Credit Card q PayPal (online at ConsciousCommunityMagazine.com) Credit Card No.______________________________________Exp. Date:______________________________________________ Name on Card:_______________________________________ Signature:______________________________________________

Mail to: Conscious Community Magazine • 47 W. Polk St., Suite 153 • Chicago, IL 60605 To Subscribe Online: ConsciousCommunityMagazine.com or Call: 847–966–1110

THE REJUVENIZER Phyllis Light, Ph.D & Telepathic Healer

®

A LIFETIME OF HEALING AND PROTECTION

“Since getting the Personal Rejuvenizer, I’m much more mellow and can deal with life much better. I’m probably the happiest I’ve been in the longest time I can remember.”

C.W., Ann Arbor, Michigan

THE REJUVENIZER IS DESIGNED TO HELP :

• Protect you from EMFs and other damaging frequencies

(from computers, cell phones, microwaves, TVs, satellites, wireless internet, etc.)

BEFORE

• Clear negative subconscious programming

• Uplift you spiritually • Enhance intuition and spiritual awareness

• Protect you from This woman had only a few hours sleep the previous night and felt exhausted at the time this photo was taken.

other people’s negative energy. . .

and more!

AFTER

After wearing the Personal Rejuvenizer for only 20 minutes, she reported feeling more awake, energized and refreshed.

Look for our article in this issue:

The Life-Damaging Effects of Invisible Frequencies

by Phyllis Light, Ph.D.

Light Unlimited

(512) 301-2999

www.lighthealing.com