VV january 2018 issue 110 web by Cowichan Valley Voice

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NOW. tomorrow JANUARY 2018 ISSUE 110 GEORGIA NICOLS 2018 ANNUAL FORECASTS ISSUE

January 2017 Issue 110 Published by Cowichan Valley Voice Magazine Publisher Richard Badman Editor Sheila Badman Contact us at: editor@cowichanvalleyvoice.com or by phone at 250 746 9319 Visit us online at www.cowichanvalleyvoice.com Distribution MIchael Andringa

Events Calendar Nejma Belarbi

For Print ads please contact Adrienne Richards 250 510 6596 e-mail adrienne@cowichanvalleyvoice.com Next Ad Deadline January 18 for February Issue 111 *Non Profit Community Ad Rates available please enquire. For free community events listings please email us at: events@cowichanvalleyvoice.com Events format: Date, Time, Location, Event Title and Cost Next DEADLINE January 15 for February 2018 Issue 111 Cowichan Valley Voice Magazine reserves the right to omit and/or edit submitted listings due to space limitations Special thanks to following Valley Voices: Pam Stiles, Bill Jones, Tina Foster, Violet Reynolds, Brian Siff, Rebecca Hazell, Heather Ferguson, David Yaeger, Heather Stannard, Debbie Wood, Lois Hellemond, Monica Dockerty, Sybille Webb, Jane Knight, Rick Dennis, Tracey Hanson, Chelsea Abbott, Leah Hayes, Nicolette Genier and The Wonderful Staff at The Community Farm Store and The Lovely Georgia Nicols. We welcome your story ideas & photo submissions, however CowichanValley Voice Magazine reserves the right to omit and/ or edit all submissions for space, clarity, content and style.The opinions expressed in Valley Voice Magazine do not necessarily reflect those of the editor, publishers or other contributors. Please send a query e-mail with your suggested topic prior to sending your article as space is limited and may not always be available. Valley Voice Magazine is distributed through 450 + select locations throughout the Cowichan Valley- Malahat, Mill Bay, Shawnigan Lake, Cherry Point, Duncan, Cowichan Bay, Crofton, Chemainus and Salt Spring Island and to Cowichan Lake, Ladysmith, Victoria, Tofino and Parksville.

Choose Valley Voice Magazine to be part of your 2018 marketing plan.

Contact Adrienne for details and a rate card

250 510 6596

adrienne@cowichanvalleyvoice.com

OUR COMMUNITY January Events 6-7 Hooked on Reely Great Fish! 8 DDBIA Pages 24-27 Looking for Work? 27 Freya Sophia Waldorf Store Pages 34-35 Community Farm Store Pages 44-45 The TIme Is Now To Switch To Glass Straws 54 New Year, New Hope 52 Annual Forecasts 56-68 Email, Faxes and Verbal Lint 68 January Horoscopes 69 Directory 70-72 LOCAL FOOD & DRINK Slow Cook Favourites 10 Wednesday is Prime Rib Night at The Farm Table Inn 11 2/2/2 at Teafarm 23 FARM & GARDEN Sowing Seeds 48 Improving Resilience Capture The Rain 49 Winter Beekeeping 53 LOCAL ARTS Pablo Cardenas Jazz To Crofton 22 Miniature Art Show at Excellent Frameworks 24 Sentinel A Collaborative Door 28 Creativity Is Contagious 29 Calling All Artists Cowichan Valley Fine Arts Show 30 Honest Heart, Honest Art 31 MS Office 41 CHILDREN & FAMILY Setting the Stage for Play to Find Us 32 Evergreen Open House 33 BODY, MIND & SOUL Smoothie Tips For A Healthy Start To The New Year 12 Its Time For A Clean-Out! 13 Have Your Happiest and Healthiest Year ever! 16 Start The New Year With A Clean Body 20 Yoga for Beginners 26 Homeopathy: Discover For Yourself 36 Reclaim your body through Somatics 38 Try Something New 39 Winter Workshops With Robin Round 40 Free Wellness 42 Yoga For Wellness 43 Emu Oil â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Snake Oil or Science Based Medicine 47 IBP 50 The Future Of Wellness Is Here 51 PETS, RECREATION & NATURE FreeRide at Mount Washington 38 Lucky Dogs Happy New Year 46 Would You Care For Some Plastic With Those Oysters? 54 Introduction To Forecasts 55

Valley Voice Magazine -Your Monthly Guide to Living in the Cowichan Valley

for industrial agriculture, polluting marine and freshwater ecosystems with nitrogen, plastics and pesticides from farmland and cities, expanding urban areas and employing ecologically destructive fishing practices such as drift nets and trawling all combine to produce species extinction on a scale not seen since the mega-extinction of dinosaurs 65 million years ago.

Don’t Blame God Or Nature. We’re The Culprits Traditionally, we’ve labelled events over which we have no influence or control “acts of God” or “natural disasters.” But what’s “natural” about climateinduced disasters today? Scientists call the interval since the Industrial Revolution the “Anthropocene,” a period when our species has become the major factor altering the biological, physical and chemical properties of the planet on a geological scale. Empowered by fossil fuel– driven technologies, a rapidly growing human population and an insatiable demand for constant growth in consumption and the global economy, our species is responsible for the calamitous consequences. We now know that the weight of water behind large dams and injecting pressurized water into the earth for fracking induce earthquakes. Clearing large swathes of forests, draining wetlands, depleting water

But we use language to deflect blame from ourselves. Not long ago, wolves, seals and basking sharks were called “pests” or “vermin,” regarded as nuisances to be killed for bounties. Insects are the most numerous, diverse and important group of animals in ecosystems, yet all are affected by insecticides applied to eliminate the handful that attack commercial crops. One egregious class of pesticide is neonicotinoids, nerve toxins to which bees — important pollinators — are especially sensitive. Ancient forests are called “wild” or “decadent” while plantations that replace them after clear cutting are termed “normal.” One of the rarest ecosystems on Earth is the temperate rainforest stretching between Alaska and northern California, pinched between the Pacific Ocean and coastal mountains. The huge trees there have been decimated in the U.S. Fewer than 10 per cent remain. Yet environmentalists who called for the entire remnant to be protected from logging were branded as “greedy.”

Former B.C. Premier Glen Clark famously labelled environmentalists like me “enemies of B.C.” Former federal Finance Minister Joe Oliver called us “foreignfunded radicals” while others said we were “eco-terrorists.” The real enemies, radicals and eco-terrorists are those who rush to destroy forests, watersheds or the atmosphere without regard to ecological consequences. Recently defeated B.C. Premier Christy Clark called opponents of pipelines or LNG plants “forces of no.” We who want to protect what we all need to survive would more accurately be called “forces of know” who say “yes” to a future of clean, renewable energy and a rich environment. We seem to have forgotten that the word economy, like ecology, is based on the Greek oikos, meaning “domain” or “household.” Because of our ability to find ways to exploit our surroundings, humans are not confined to a specific habitat or ecosystem. We’ve found ways to live almost everywhere — in deserts, the Arctic, jungles, wetlands and mountains. Ecologists seek the principles, rules and laws that enable species to flourish sustainably. Economists are charged with “managing” our activity within the biosphere, our domain. Former Prime Minister Stephen Harper decreed it was impossible to act to reduce greenhouse gas emissions to

avoid climate change because it would destroy the economy. To people like him, the economy is more important than the air that provides weather and climate and enables us to live. At the same time, many “fiscal conservatives” rail against an effective market solution to climate change — carbon pricing — ignoring the example of Sweden, which imposed a carbon tax of about $35 a tonne in 1991, grew its economy by 60 per cent by 2012 while reducing emissions by 25 per cent, then raised the tax to more than $160 in 2014. We know climate change is caused primarily by human use of fossil fuels. It’s influencing the frequency and intensity of such events as monstrous wildfires (Kelowna, Fort McMurray), floods (Calgary, Toronto), hurricanes (Katrina, Sandy), drought (California, Alberta), and loss of glaciers and ice sheets. There’s no longer anything “natural” about them. We must acknowledge the human imprint. If we’re the cause of the problems, then we must stop blaming “nature” or “God.” We have to take responsibility and tackle them with the urgency they require.

David Suzuki is a scientist, broadcaster, author and cofounder of the David Suzuki Foundation. Learn more at www.davidsuzuki.org.

Gift Baskets & Certificates Cocktail Supplies Meat & Cheese Platters Gourmet Foods Dine In & Take Out

VINOTECA AT ZANATTA

Honouring Resistance therapeutic art group for women survivors of sexualized assault 10-12pm 331 St. Julien St. 250-7108177 Drop-in FREE Also Jan 13/20/27

Chemainus Classical Concerts: “The Guitar Around the World” - David Sossa, guitar 2pm St. Michael’s Church $20/$5 Adv. $17 www.Chemainus ClassicalConcerts.ca

Join us for Lunch Wed - Sun. Dinner on the Weekends. Brunch on Sundays.

Event Shuttle Available through

vinoteca.ca

5039 Marshall Rd, Duncan I 250 709 2279

Island Artist Showcase Imagine That! 251 Craig St. runs through January

Community Acupuncture Wednesdays w/Frauke McCashin RAc 5-8pm 103-44 Queens Rd. 250-710-3581 $15-$45 also 10/17/24/31

Community Acupuncture Thursdays w/Frauke McCashin RAc 12-3 pm 103-44 Queens Rd. 250-7103581 $15-$45 also 11/18/25 Honouring Resistance Sexual Assault Counseling for male and female adults 1-4pm 331 St. Julien St. 250-710-8177 By Appt FREE Also Jan 11/18/25

Free Yoga Class to Welcome the New Year with Sadie Bartram 6:30-8p.m Rivendell Yurt 5215 Bills Rd. pre-rgstr 250-748-2089

Information Session concerning the Registered Disability Savings Plan and DTC Island Savings Centre, 7pm FREE

Weekly deadline to order Cowichan-grown food online at Cow-op Online Farmers’ Market www.cow-op. ca also Jan 16/23/30 Pick up Thurs.

Miniature Art Show opening 6-8pm Excellent Frameworks 28 Station St. 250 -746-7112 runs to 01/30 Free Kum Nye Tibetan Yoga Class with Don McGinnis 5pm

Collective Space 166 Sation St. FREE Support group for grandparents and others caring for a relative’s child. Call Parent Support Services BC for more info 1-250-468-9658

Duncan Welness Centre Open House 4:30-7pm #303-80 Station St. 250-7486600 Amplify Her Documentary Cowichan Premiere & Afterparty exploring the rise of female artists in the electronic music scene.6:30pm @ the Hub 2375 Koksilah Rd.

Blue Moon Marquee Live in the Chapel at Providence Farm 1843 Tzouhalem Rd. Doors: 7 Show: 7:30. Tickets $20 at Duncan Music, Providence Farm Store, and www.eventbrite.ca

Pablo Cardenas- Cuban Jazz Pianist 2pm Pat’s House of Jazz Osborne bay Pub 1534 Joan Ave. Crofton $15 14 Longevity Presentation by Dr. Nathan Gagné, Reiki Master-yogi-naturopath, 3-5pm Collective Space 161 Station St. $10 or by donation 250-246-2334

Cowichan Valley Naturalists monthly meeting -Sara Dudas “Plastics in Shellfish” 7:30 pm 1080 Wharncliffe Rd FREE

Wednesday night Prime Rib Buffet To book 250-932-3205 or info@ farmtableinn.ca also 24/31 Butter Chicken with Pam 5.30pm Scoops Natural Foods Whippletree Junction 778-4223310 $35

International Guitar Night (Ign) Featuring: Lulo Reinhardt, Calum Graham, Marek Pasieczny, Michael Chapdelaine Cowichan Performing Arts Center - 2687 James St., Duncan 7:30pm

Cowichan Watershed Board Rainwater Harvesting Workshop 10am-12 Island Savings Centre Mesachie Room $10, Register @ goo.gl/ jok2Qo Duncan Choral Society presents “An Afternoon of Music” 2pm Duncan United Church 246 Ingram St. A- $15/ St- $12/ > 12 free 20 Movement for a Pain-Free Body 11:15am or 12pm Somalila Sanctuary 1584 Stamps Rd. somaeosler@shaw. ca $18 Free Yin Yoga Class with Nadia 6-7:30 Harmony Yoga Centre #103-360 Duncan St. FREE An Afternoon of Music with the Duncan Choral Society 2pm Duncan United Church duncanchoralsociety.com A $15/ St$12 >12free Sol Centre Psychic Fair 1-4pm Sol Centre 5380 Trans Canada Highway - next

Your Doorway To Exotic Flavours and Aromas “Amazing food, great friendly service, beautiful atmosphere, we will deﬁnitely be eating there again!”

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Be sure to ask your server about Our Daily Lunch Features

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• Lunch & Dinner • Takeout/Catering • Gift Certiﬁcates • Local Wines & Craft Beers • Vegan & Gluten-Free Choices 148 Third St, Duncan 250-597-1483

Hours: Mon-Sat 11:30-2:30 | 5-Close | royaldar.ca

Valley Voice Magazine - Your Monthly Guide to Living in the Cowichan Valley

to the Community Farm Store cost per readings vary FREE Courtin-Devoin-McRae Trio, 2 pm Pat’s House of Jazz Osborne Bay Pub 1545 Joan Ave. Crofton $15

MakeFire Cider, Forget the Flu 7-9pm Botanical Bliss 6119 Lakeview Dr. 250-710-1276 $35 Spiralized Veggies with Julianne 6.30pm Scoops Natural Foods Whippletree Junction 778-422-3310 $25

Lentil Dahl with Pam 5.30pm Scoops Natural Foods Whippletree Junction 778-422-3310 $15

HUB Film Club Movie Night screening “A United Kingdom” Czech/UK/ USA 2016 PG 7pm The HUB @ Cowichan Station 2375 Koksilah Rd. hubfilmclub@ gmail.com member or by don.

Just One Drop - film on Homeopathy 10:30am12pm Caprice Cinema tckts https://fan-force.com/ screenings/just-one-dropcaprice-duncan-cinema-ca/ $15 Cowichan Pipes & Drums Robert Burns Dinner & Celebration 5pm Duncan Ramada TC Hwy Duncan Prgm @ 6:10 pm A-$45/>16 $25. Contact Bev Braithwaite at baldymtn@chaw.ca or any Band Member

1843 Tzouhalem Rd. Doors: 7 Show: 7:30. Tickets $15 (kids 13 and under free) at Duncan Music, Providence Farm Store, and www.eventbrite.ca

Sue Newman 2 p.m. Pat’s House of Jazz Osborne Bay Pub 1534 Joan Ave. Crofton $15 Evergreen School Open House 6-8pm 3515 Watson Ave. Also 01/30 10-12pm

29 Cherry Point Artists at PORTALS Island Savings Centre www.cowichanvalley artscouncil.ca runs through Jan FREE

Evergreen School Open House 10am-12pm 3515 Watson Ave. Paint Nite at the Farm Table Inn To book 250-932-3205 or info@farmtableinn.ca Pressure Cooking with Julianne 6.30pm Scoops Natural Foods Whippletree Junction 778-4223310 $20

Masala Sauce with Pam 5.30pm Scoops Natural Foods Whippletree Junction 778-422-3310 $30 31 Herbal Ointment and Tinctures class 7-9pm Botanical Bliss 6119 Lakeview Dr. 250-710-1276 $35 Out of Town One Tree Robert Bateman Center10am-5pm 470 Belleville Street, Victoria

Arbutus Roots Live in the Chapel at Providence Farm

JANUARY WORKSHOP

Movement for a Pain-Free Body with Somae Osler Saturday January 20 10-11:15am or 12-1:15 pm www.somalila.com TO REGISTER SOMAEOSLER@SHAW.CA I COST$18 SOMALILA SANCTUARY, 1584 STAMPS RD, DUNCAN

Fisherman Guy Johnson

Hooked on Reely Great Fish!

uy Johnston has been a fisherman all his life. Guy has been selling direct from his boat, the Michelle Rose, at the fishermanâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s wharf in Cowichan Bay for several decades now. But with dwindling numbers of people coming by the wharf, Guy recognized there had to be a more effective way to get his fresh, sustainably harvested seafood to customers.

After seeing success stories out of Halifax and the False Creek area about how a Community Supported Agriculture model could also be applied to fisheries, Guy decided to combine his social interest, environmental sustainability concern, and economic vision by creating a Community Supported Fishery. The Michelle Rose Community Supported

Valley Voice Magazine - Your Monthly Guide to Living in the Cowichan Valley

Pick ups from the dock in Cowichan Bay

Fishery (MRCSF) was launched in 2011. Under the CSF concept, members pay 4 months in advance, ensuring the fisherman has capital to start the season, and members are guaranteed an allotted catch of seasonal seafood throughout the harvest period, including less common items like octopus. The first year counted 50 members, and quickly increased to 150 members in the 2nd year! MRCSF fishes prawns and octopus with traps, which ensures the catch stays alive until hauled on the boat. Fish are caught by hook and line (trolling for salmon) and all by-catches are released. Though their fishery is recognized by Ocean Wise, Guy feels it is more meaningful to work on trust and sustainably directly with his customers. The MRCSF crew of 3 or 4 travels the whole coast to fish; while there used to be sufficient catches on the southern part of BC, climate changes have pushed the fishermen further north. Fish farms also greatly impact the small-scale fishing industry; for example, their use of sea lice insecticides affect the crustation process for wild

prawns, contributing to their disappearance and young wild salmon moving into fish farm enclosures are eaten by the Atlantic salmon! Currents are also changing, modifying the timing of different fishing activities and ever-changing weather patterns make fishing unpredictable despite 120 years of knowledge in this region. Running a CSF keeps Guy on his toes as he is responsible for all off–boat tasks such as marketing and bookkeeping, not his forte, but he believes this model has great potential for a new generation of savvy fishermen who can combine their computer skills and fishing knowledge to provide sustainable fish and seafood to their community.

COME OUT OF THE COLD! WE HAVE HOT DRINK ELIXIRS, SAVOURY WHOLESOME SNACKS, DELICIOUS SWEET TREATS AND WARM FRIENDLY PEOPLE.

You can find MRCSF’s seafood at the Sidney wharf, Cowichan Bay wharf, or, to sign up for his CSF, visit www.michellerosecsf. com. MRCSF’s fish are also available for order online with all your other Cowichangrown groceries at www.cow-op.ca. Gabrielle RondeauLeclaire is a student in Ecology and an Assistant with the Cow-op.ca Online Farmers’ Market.

Slow Cook Favourites Birds Eye Cove Farm Highland Beef Stew A hot stew on a cold winter day. Could there be anything better to warm you heart. (This is my mother’s recipe and it is so comforting) She always makes it the best. Ingredients 1 bay leaf 3 carrots chopped 2 large potatoes cut chunky 6 dashes of Lea & Perrings 1 cup frozen peas

1 lb Highland stew beef 1 large onion chopped 3 gloves garlic chopped 3 cups bone broth 1/2 teaspoon salt 1/2 teaspoon of pepper or to your taste

Directions:

Cook beef in a skillet until browned, then place in a slow cooker with all other ingredients. Add peas for the last 10 minutes of cooking time. Slow cook for 6 hours. Add flour to thicken. Recipe courtesy Sara Skoretz, Birds Eye Cove Farm

La Petite Auction House

Auction Sunday FEBRUARY 11 & 25 • 1pm Accepting goods throughout the week

Viewings

WEDNESDAY-FRIDAY 11am-4pm SATURDAY 1-4pm SAME DAY viewings 10am-1pm To consign email dawngeddie@gmail.com

9686 Chemainus Rd, 250-701-2902

Unsworth Symphony 2015 Braised Beef Cheeks Ingredients

400 g Beef cheeks (Ask butcher for cleaned cheeks) 1Tbls Peppercorns 1.5L Chicken or Beef Stock 400ml Unsworth Symphony 2015 Salt and Pepper Canola oil for frying

1 medium Onion 5 cloves Garlic 1 Leek 1 Bay leaf 2 sprigs Thyme 2 Carrots 2 Stalks Celery

Cooking temperature 90 Celsius / 195 Fahrenheit

Method

Season beef cheeks with salt and pepper. Heat frying pan with oil when just starting to smoke add beef cheeks and sear both sides till a nice golden crust ( careful not to burn) Remove cheeks from pan and add the red wine to the pan bring to the boil then turn off. Bring Chicken / Beef stock up to the boil then turn off. Peal and roughly chop the carrot, onion garlic ,leek, celery and wrap in a muslin cloth with the bay leaf, thyme and peppercorns ( if you don’t have a muslin cloth just add all ingredients to the slow cooker and strain after cooked) Add everything to the slow cooker set to 90 degrees Celsius (195 Fahrenheit) and leave for 3-4 hours or until the beef cheeks are tender. Once cheeks are ready remove from the liquid and set aside. Remove the Vegetables and reduce the stock in pot on high temp till reduced by half or until sauce consistency. Add beef cheeks to the reduced sauce, Serve with Mashed potatoes, Streamed broccoli, roasted Brussel sprouts and a glass of Unsworth Symphony 2015 Maartyn Hoogeveen, Unsworth Restaurant

Wednesday is Prime Rib Night at The Farm Table Inn

ednesday Prime Rib Buffet Nights at the Farm Savour the experience of local, organic and home made dishes including Quist Family Farm prime rib, Yorkshire pudding with all the fixings, produce from Code’s Corner Organics and home made desserts. Owner and Chef George Gates is a Red Seal chef with a passion for food. His partner, Owner, Hostess and Innkeeper, Evelyn Koops has a passion for hospitality.Together they decided to offer a unique Wednesday “themed” night which started out as a Paint Nite and then eventually grew to include the Prime Rib Buffet, something they both felt was needed in the area. It attracts locals from Lake Cowichan to Mill Bay and yes, it does have regulars. The Prime Rib Buffet is every Wednesday night now and Paint Nites have been moved to the last Tuesday of every month.

The Farm Table Inn also offers a variety of local wines, beer, ciders and cocktails but guests can bring their own wine for a small corkage fee. Some great local wine pairings with the Prime Rib include their House wine—Blue Grouse Winery’s Quill Red or the Merlot from Alderlea Vineyards. Wednesday night Prime Rib Buffets are every Wednesday 6pm seating however the first one of 2018 will be January 17 as the Inn will be closed from Jan 2 to the 16th. There is a minimum number of reservations needed in order to do the buffet so don’t hesitate to reserve—if not enough reservations are made, the menu will change to an a la carte menu. Please reserve not later than the Tuesday morning before by either calling or emailing 250-932-3205 or info@ farmtableinn.ca www.farmtableinn.ca.

For full design/build service, give us a call

p 250.746.5372 • coulsondesign@shaw.ca • www.davidcoulsondesign.com Eat, Drink and Support Local

Smoothie Tips For A Healthy Start To The New Year

cooking and indulging leaves me feeling heavy and guilty. A five day smoothie diet is my go to body reset. You can use your own creativity when it comes to making smoothies, most fruits and vegetables are acceptable as long as the overall nutrition of the smoothie meets your fibre and protein goals.

Pam Stiles is the owner of Scoops Natural Foods at Whippletree Junction. 778-422-3310

moothies aren’t just delicious and refreshing—if you use the right ingredients, they can also be incredibly good for you. They are a perfect way to jump start a healthy New Year’s diet plan. I love playing hostess during the holiday season, but all the

This is a great way to add more leafy greenness to your diet Add the following ingredients to food processor or blender until desired consistency. 2 cups packed spinach leaves 1 ripe pear unpeeled, cored and chopped 15 green grapes ¾ cup fat-free Greek yogurt 2 tablespoons chopped avocado 1-2 tablespoons fresh lime juice

Try and stick to these four categories Liquid base Protein Healthy Fat High-fibre carbohydrate

if preferred), Dairy Milk either fat free or 1%, non-dairy milk (such as almond, hemp, oat, rice or soy milk) Protein (choose one): Protein powder (brown rice, whey, casein, egg white), Tofu (regular or silken) or Fat free yogurt.

Liquid Base

OPEN Tuesday

High-fibre carbohydrate (choose one): Fruits. High-fibre fruits such as blackberries or raspberries are suitable on their own. However, if you use low fibre fruits, such as bananas or melons, be sure to add an additional fibre source like chia seeds (which also happen to be a healthy fat). Also be aware of the sugar content of certain fruits such as bananas, mangos, papaya which can cause your smoothie to be calorically dense. Perhaps only use a small amount of those fruits and substitute the rest for low sugar fruits like berries. Vegetables – again avoid high calorie veggies like too much avocado or olives (which are better served in the ‘Healthy Fat’ category).

look for our daily specials on

The best veggies for smoothies are leafy greens such as spinach and kale. Broccoli and cucumber are also great veggie additions to smoothies.

Healthy Fat (choose one): Avocado, Raw Nuts (almonds, cashews, walnuts), Raw Seeds (chia, flax, pumpkin, sunflower)

(choose one): Water (flavoured JOIN US FOR

LUNCH + DINNER

Happy Hour 3-5pm

to Saturday

40 Ingram Street

www.theoldﬁrehouse.ca

GREEN SMOOTHIE RECIPE

Downtown Duncan

(250) 597-3473

Don’t forget you can add other flavour accents such as cinnamon, ginger, lemon or vanilla.

Valley Voice Magazine - Your Monthly Guide to Living in the Cowichan Valley

Mushrooms as Medicine Bill Jones is a chef, author and food consultant based on Deerholme farm. Reach him at www.deerholme.com

ne of the emerging trends for 2018 is the rise in awareness of the power of certain mushrooms to have positive impacts on the body. Mushrooms are different than most plants and animals and some contain characteristics of both – particularly at the genetic (ie DNA) levels. Some mushroom compounds act as poisons, some chemicals interact strongly with brain function (for example the hallucinogens in magic mushrooms) - many more mushrooms have positive impacts on body functions and generally boost the immune systems (or help the body perform functions more efficiently). Keep in mind one of our most powerful antibiotics is based on the penicillium mold (a simple form of fungi). Medicinal mushrooms do not have to be complicated. One of the more common edible and beneficial mushrooms is the Shiitake. Available fresh or dried, these mushrooms have been used as a health tonic and immune system booster in China for several thousand years. In our local wild mushrooms, several edible varieties have been shown to have measurable effects on our bodies. Oyster mushrooms are indicated as having anti-cancer (slowing

tumor growth) activities, chanterelles are strongly antifungal and anti-bacterial and Cauliflower Fungus are linked to increased brain activity and have memory strengthening properties. Much research is now focusing on the effects of fungi on metabolism and you can now find a wide array of dietary supplements based on mushrooms, the most popular of these are the Reishi, Lion’s Mane, Turkey Tail and the Cordyceps. Each of these mushrooms has specific functions in the medicinal world – but they have been associated with affecting our body in positive ways. Even the common button mushroom has multiple benefits, providing health promoting nutrients and aiding in digestive processes. Everyone has a slightly different metabolism, so the dosage and effects might not be consistent for everyone. It also should be noted that a small percentage of people sometimes have allergic reactions to common mushrooms – with a wide range of symptoms from itching and hives to neurological effects like disorientation and tremors. Care should be taken if you add any new mushroom to your diet. Even so, edible mushrooms have proven to be a safe (and at least benign) way to add flavor and healthy benefits to your diet.

Upcoming EVENTS Annual Happiness Dinner February 17 Cooking Class Medicinal Mushrooms February 24

For full details visit www.deerholme.com BY RESERVATION ONLY

4830 Stelfox Rd, Duncan

For ReservationS 250 748 7450 Korean -style mushrooms

This is a fresh style of kim chee made to be mixed and eaten quickly. The spice level is low, so you can pump it up as much as you want. Great as a side dish with a variety of tapas or grilled beef.

Ingredients

Makes 6-8 servings 1 lb (mushrooms (chanterelle, cauliflower fungus, hedgehog, button, etc) 1 Tbsp grapeseed oil 1 tsp hot sauce 2 Tbsp rice vinegar 1 Tbsp garlic, minced 1 Tbsp Japanese soy sauce 1 tsp sesame oil 1 tsp miso or Salt and pepper to taste Korean miso-chilli paste

Method

Clean mushrooms and rip into pieces. Heat oil in a skillet until hot. Add the mushrooms and sauté until liquid is released. Saute until liquid is evaporated and add the vinegar, soy, miso, hot sauce, garlic and sesame oil. Heat through until seasoning are absorbed. Transfer to a serving bowl and serve warm or chilled. Recipe courtesy Bill Jones, Deerholme Farm

c n t s S s c a a

Its Time For A Clean-Out! Tina Foster, RHN is a registered holistic nutritionist in Duncan MineTheHarvest@ hotmail.com 2507488774

ow that its January, and a fresh new year, its time to give your body a fresh start including a dietary detoxification which will give you a boost and help your bodily functions work more efficiently! The level at which you wish to do so is your choice, for we can help our body detoxify gently and gradually, and then ranging to a more rapid hefty cleanse such as a juice fast consuming only freshpressed fruit and veggies juices, green powders, water, and herbal teas. If you want to detox via your diet here is how to do it. Too much, too soon? Pick one or two and implement, gradually incorporating what works for you to help keep clean all year.

It is ideal to fast overnight for 12-16 hours to give your body a digestive break so that it can put some energy into cleaning out those nooks and crannies. Stop eating after dinner and then in the morning consume lemon water and teas until just

before noon. This can be done daily and is not only good for daily detoxification but also lets the body use ketones instead of sugar which increases mitochondria or energy production in the brain helpful for memory, learning and cognition, and stress, while beneficially increasing antioxidant glutathione activity.

Lemon juice or raw apple cider vinegar and water upon arising helps kickstart the digestive juices and liver, alkanize the body, and flush out the system. Eat light and plant-based while cleansing, consuming plenty of antioxidant and vitamin rich veggies, especially greens. Sulfur rich foods like onion, garlic, and cruciferous veggies aid greatly in detoxification. Beets and radishes are also top picks. Raw (soaked) seeds provide protein, healthy fats, minerals and more fiber. Sprouts help digestion as they are loaded with enzymes along with a greater value of essential nutrients. Do not eat packaged processed food,

Valley Voice Magazine - Your Monthly Guide to Living in the Cowichan Valley

G g c o e m t u a t b n m

D w n c b t i a e b b v i g i F p

G a b

cut out sugar, and preferably no dairy while cleansing, as this can provoke mucus in the system for most individuals. Smoking and drinking alcohol should be avoided. Limit caffeine, preferably no coffee as is it acidic, and we want to alkalize our system. Great boosters to include are green powders like spirulina, chlorella, moringa, and/ or wheatgrass. These add extra clean protein, vitamins/ minerals, and aid in cleansing the blood. Herbs are very useful in your detox regimen and could include milk thistle, turmeric, parsley, dandelion, burdock, and ginger and nettle teas, and even Yerba mate and green teas. Drink also plenty of pure water to help incorporate nutrients into the blood and circulate throughout the body, and also to flush out toxins. Remember your liver is your body’s powerhouse, and now is the time to be extra good to it, giving it a break and allowing it to work better for you. Exercise is vital for all bodily functions, including circulation and getting everything moving, including toxins out. Fiber+water+peristalsis= proper elimination!

Get sufficient sleep, and practice long deep breathing(good for cleansing

and relaxation). Hopefully this new year will find you adopting cleaner eating practices, moving a little more, stressing a little less, and thus improving your quality of life. The health of the body, mind, and spirit are all together vital for your total well-being! Detox kits for beginners or just for someone who requires a more structured supplement plan, are available here at Lynn’s Vitamin Gallery located in Duncan. Some popular ones are the Wild Rose cleanse which includes set herbal supplements to take and a very simple and basic clean diet to follow with it. New and exciting is the Wild Rose 15 day Liver kit, to stimulate bile and improve digestion and great for those not wanting any laxatives. Renew life offers a 7 day rapid kit with herb supplements and fibre to aid detoxification of the kidneys, liver, and bowels. FlorEssence Herbal Cleanse liquid formula is a wonderful simple way to incorporate herbs daily to cleanse and detoxify your whole body. Come check out our very comprehensive selection of supplements to help you achieve your greater health and wellness goals. Our staff our happy to assist you with any questions you may have or provide recommendations. Wishing you a year ahead of feeling and being your excellent self!

CLEANSE AWAY THE PAST! CHANGE YOUR LIFE & HEALTH FOR 2018!

A VARIETY OF CLEANSES AVAILABLE • WHOLE BODY • • LIVER • • PARASITES • • CANDIDA • • SMOKER’S CLEANSE • RANGING FROM 7 DAYS AND UP

TURN YOUR BODY INTO A NATURAL FAT BURNING MACHINE • Learn the science of losing weight and, keeping it off • Improve your health and increase your energy. • Learn about cleansing step by step • Instructions on how to cleanse and detoxify

Did you know?

The 7 channels of elimination are Liver, Colon, Kidneys, Blood, Skin, Lungs, Lymphatic system. Cleansing stimulates these 7 channels of elimination and improves liver function and overall bowel function. Come into the store and find out more!

Lynn’s

VITAMIN GALLERY

Natural Health Product • Made in Canada

100% Natural

udreamherbal.com

HEALTH FOOD STORE Village Green Mall, 4-180 Central Avenue, Duncan

250 748 4421 www.lynnsvitamingallery.com

2018

is the year to have your Happiest and healthiest Year ever! 16

HARMONY YOGA & WELLNESS CENTRE

armony Yoga & Wellness Center is located in the core of downtown Duncan, just north of the Duncan Garage. It is a community minded business that is warm and welcoming, that caters to all levels of yoga experience. A variety of yoga classes are offered along with popular Workshops, Yoga Teacher Training and annual India Retreats. A wide variety of Yoga Apparel and Props are available in the retail section. Harmony’s classes range from active Ashtanga to Yin, and Gentle Flow to Meditation, even Kid’s Yoga. There is a class for everybody and every body! Gentle flow, is a wonderful class for those new to yoga, Yin and Yin/Yang classes have longer held postures, including a mindfulness

meditative aspect. Chair Yoga is incredible for those who benefit from the support of a chair, and Somatic Yoga for those working to realign patterns in the body. Entering the new year Harmony is offering more active and warm classes. We are here to assist you in your health goals. To support wellness, Harmony has two massage therapists, an acupuncturist and counsellors. Check out our website for practitioner’s contact information. Harmony Yoga & Wellness Center, 103 – 360 Duncan Street, Duncan, B 250-597-1919 harmonyyogaduncan@gmail.com FB: www.facebook.com/ harmonyyogacenter YouTube: www.youtube.com/ user/HarmonyYogaCenter www.harmonyyogaduncan.com

Valley Voice Magazine - Your Monthly Guide to Living in the Cowichan Valley

strength training class led by our experienced Instructor who keeps the choreography fresh and inspiring! Row ‘N’ Rip – a 75- minute class that give a full body aerobic training session with 35 min on the rowing machine, following by 35 min of choreographed strength training, led by an experienced competitive rower and strength trainer!

FITYOURWAY (FYW) FITNESS & WELLNESS CENTRE

A SOUND MIND AND A SOUND BODY

uncan has a new Indoor Cycling Fitness Studio in town – that offers simple targeted combination classes to get your body moving and your mind in peak condition. Our bodies are made to move, and we all have desire to be healthy and fit. We know you’re busy, and we have put together combination classes that efficiently focus on strength, flexibility, and resiliency for mind, body and spirit. The fact is, you can rewrite your future. The EPIC study that tracked 23,000 people over their life time revealed that having a Body Mass Index of less than 30, performing 3 hours of

physical activity per week, eating a mostly plant based diet, and stress reduction, flipped the switch on chronic disease. Most eye opening is that participants who had all four-health factors had a nearly 80 percent-reduced risk of developing any major chronic disease. Meditation is a hot topic in the media, and we help to demystify it. Most people don’t realise that the benefits of regular meditation and yoga practice can reverse the molecular reactions in our DNA that lead to depression, anxiety, cancer, and other health problems. We make it accessible and fun by combining yoga

and meditation following a session riding our indoor bikes. Our certified meditation teacher received her training from Deepak Chopra and Eckhart Tolle. At FitYourWay (FYW) we put together unique lifestyle as medicine classes that are fun, and for every body and mind. Our state of the art Matrix IC7 bikes and rowing machines give you immediate computer feedback and real time values Combo classes include: Ride ‘N’ Rip – a 75-minute class that begins with aerobic conditioning on the Matrix cycle and ends with a choreographed barbell

Ride-Yoga-Meditation – now this is the true soul ride – 45 min on our Matrix bikes followed by 15 min of full body stretch yoga, and a 15-minute stress busting aromatherapy-guided meditation. Pilates CORE, Pilates STABILITY and Pilates BURN classes round out our full body approach. Make sure to follow up a combination class at FitYourWay with a visit to our friends at the Community Farm Store and Glow Juicery– and you have combined fitness and wellness for a sound body and a sound mind. Come and try out a class at FitYourWay – tell us you read about us in The Voice and receive a 3-class pass for free. T 778 677-3749 Unit 102/103 5301 Chaster Road, Duncan www.fityourway.ca

“ Commit to be Fit!” Look great, Feel great, Your Way!

Our passion is Fitness, Our success is Helping You! Please sign in online for classes. Your first class is always FREE!

5301 CHASTER ROAD, DUNCAN I WWW.FITYOURWAY.CA I 778 677 3749 I INFO@FITYOURWAY.CA

VITASANA YOGA AND WELLNESS CO-OPERATIVE

itasana Yoga and Wellness Co-operative is expanding! We strive to support community through holistic wellness. Together we are creating a collaborative Yoga and Wellness centre to support holistic practitioners of yoga and holistic wellness modalities in the South Cowichan area. Why a co-operative? Co-ops are businesses that are owned and controlled by the people who use the services of the co-op. A Co-op is a highly democratic structure that is founded on a common idea that the members work together to meet common needs. What is the advantage of membership in the Vitasana Yoga and Wellness Co-op?

Members of the co-op are the practitioners who use the space. You will co-own the business and have a role and a vote in how the centre is organized. We offer an affordable, professional and comfortable space in which to provide the yoga classes or natural health modality you share with your clients. Yoga studio open 6 days a week and private practice space is open 7 days a week. Membership in the co-op offers an opportunity to collaborate with other practitioners, organize workshops and events. You will also enjoy promoting your business through cooperative marketing via print, website and social media. Contact Vitasana at vitasanayogaandwellness@ gmail.com

VITASANA YOGA & WELLNESS CO-OPERATIVE

We offer a variety of yoga classes with certified, caring instructors who are committed to helping you find your best yoga practice.

Currently offering: Yin Yoga • Hatha Flow • Morning Sun Salutations • Chair Yoga • For details contact: Merle 250-217-6255 Trudy 250-618-4415 I Rhonda-250-661-7309 Complete schedule can be found on fb@YES YogaMillBay

Valley Voice Magazine - Your Monthly Guide to Living in the Cowichan Valley

s c w b l s o m c a T t F o a a a f

training designed to maintain a target zone that stimulates metabolism, increases energy and delivers results. Whether you need a little help getting started, want to achieve the best body you’ve ever had or improve your athleticism for life (Playing sports, carrying groceries, & keeping up with your kids) we can help you achieve your goal. Our training team includes a Magnum Nutraceuticals sponsored athlete, a power lifting record holder, a functional specialist and a nutrition coach.

SNAP FITNESS DUNCAN

t Snap Fitness Duncan you will find a great selection of top of the line cardio, selectorized and free weight equipment in a clean, bright, air-conditioned, safe location, but what really sets us apart is the feeling of the gym. Snap fitness is more than just a gym; it’s a community of friendly faces and camaraderie of all ages. The staff are always ready to welcome you to the Snap Fitness Duncan family with open arms. Whether you are a beginner or an experienced athlete the inviting respectful atmosphere will make you feel at home.

To help you achieve your goals we have 5 certified personal trainers, a nutrition coach and carry a wide assortment of the most popular supplement brands including Magnum Nutraceuticals, Allmax and Perfect Sports just to name a few, at fantastic everyday prices. We even have tanning. Because we want to see every one of our members reach their goals we include several services other gyms charge for. Orientation session- Never been to a gym before? Need

a refresher? During your orientation we will show you where everything is and how the equipment will work best for you. Fitness assessment- Once you are familiar with the club we evaluate your fitness level and provide motivation to work at your highest potential. We’ll check back with you every 60 days to make sure you are on track. Circuit classes - You’ll get the energy of a group workout with the attention of an experienced personal coach. We use heart rate monitored

When you are ready to invest in your future self we have the program for you. Train one on one with one of our trainers, in a small group of friends or have a custom program designed just for you to follow on your own. Ready to join? Pay for 1-year get 2 months free! Still on the fence? Come see us for a free 7-day trial to see what you are missing. New members who workout 3 times per week for their first 4 weeks get one month free. Refer a new member and receive a $35 credit. 2-361 Trans Canada Highway Duncan, 250-748-0001 Facebook @ SnapFitnessDuncanBC www.snapfitness.com/gyms/ duncan-bc-v9l3r5/2002

A Beginner Juice Cleanse To Start The Year Clean and Healthy

All organic! Cold-Pressed Juices + Juice Cleanses + Smoothies + Elixirs + Raw Food + Bulletproof Coffee

Try A Glow Cleanse! Whether it’s to lose weight, get in shape, or to start eating healthy, an Organic Glow Juice Cleanse is a great way to accelerate your health goals.

am relatively new to cleansing. I love food, especially the delicious warm stews that are abundant in our winter lives. Indulging in good food and drink are one my justified pleasures. However being busy and overindulging over the last few months has left me feeling a bit sluggish. My brain feels slower, my body feels slower. Most of us accept these sluggish changes as part of the ageing process. But it’s not true!

Call, come in, or book online at www.glowjuicery.ca. 250 597 2595 3-5380 Trans Canada Hwy, Duncan

BEADS BEADS BEADS

Etc!

9752c Willow St

Chemainus

250 324 2227 Open 7 days a week

Best prices on the island • HUGE Selection • Workshops & Classes Beading I Kumihimo I Bead Weaving I Viking Knit I Herringbone and more!

Why Cleanse? Toxins accumulate in our daily lives from the environment and from the foods we eat. These toxins build up in our bodies, especially through the colder months and slow down the way our brain and body functions, impeding our ability to be the best that we can be. As we naturally slow down in the winter, January is an great month for a juice cleanse. Like yoga, beginner cleansing is achievable with great support. Many of us have done our favourite poses for decades, but how many of us practice them on our own at home? The support of our yoga instructor to pace us and guide us through a session is what ultimately enables our mind

and body to reap the benefits. $10 - $25 a class - we happily pay to be guided through these sessions. A supported cleanse works much in the same way. Glow Juicery has researched specific organic fruit and vegetable blends for each of their juices. A schedule is provided, calibrated with the juices based on what our bodies need from morning to night. Each blend contains no less than three to six pounds of 100% organic fruits and vegetables in every bottle. Juices throughout the day fill you up like eating healthy bowls of all organic fruit and veggies. A juice cleanse is a gentle way to treat your body to a clean and healthy start to the new year. Getting Started Visit the store or register online at www.glowjuicery.ca. Here you will find juice and cleanse packages. Each cleanse is made fresh to order for you and pick is the day before you begin so you are ready to start in the morning. No mess, no heaping bowls of compost to deal with - just all the nourishing tools you need to cleanse. A schedule is provided to help you through each cleanse day. I like to cleanse when I am busy working. The convenience of grabbing all my meals and snacks - all ready to go - helps me to stay focused on my tasks. Instead of feeling drained after a big deadline, when combined with a cleanse I feel energized and detoxified!

Your one stop shop for natural products for home and body • more • more • more • more • more

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healthy snacks natural bulk foods cleaning products vitamin selection household for YOU!

PRODUCE SECTION

9738 Willow St, Chemainus 250-246-9838 Hours Mon-Sat 930-530 • Sun 12-4 Closed Stat holidays

Valley Voice Magazine - Your Monthly Guide to Living in the Cowichan Valley

Day 1 - As per instructions I begin this day with apple cider vinegar and hot water. Very alkalizing, it helps get your stomach ready to breakdown and absorb all the nutrients from the fruit and vegetable juices you will consume in the next few days. Day 1 begins with a 7AM Ener-G Glow a dark green elixir of organic pears, spinach, cucumber, celery and chlorophyll. Chlorophyll is the green pigment found in plants used for photosynthesis - when light transfers into energy. Like all green vegetables it is a powerful source of vitamins A, C, E and K. and also has five major benefits: Helps fight cancer by binding to potential carcinogens and interfere with how they are absorbed within the gastrointestinal tract. Improves liver detoxification by increasing biotransformation enzymes and promoting optimal liver health and natural elimination. Speeds wound healing by slowing the rate at which harmful bacteria reproduce. Improves metabolism and digestion. Protects the skin with it’s antiviral effects. I’m impressed. It is also promotes healthy iron levels, effective for anemics, and is excellent for digestion by alleviating constipation, and helps control bodily odours. Bonus all before 9AM! Next juice Citrus Glow a tantalizing mouthful of organic oranges, lemons, ginger and coconut water. 11AM After Glow – an early lunchtime blend of leafy greens - organic spinach, kale, parsley, cucumber, celery

and apple. Off to a meeting I grab my 2 PM Vitamin G to take along. An afternoon blend of organic carrot, cucumber, orange, lemon and ginger. I shop for supper for the family and return home to my 4 PM juice - Glow Boost, a refreshing vegetable blend of organic spinach, kale, cucumber, broccoli, mint and pomegranate. Dinnertime is spent sipping Earthy Glow a beautiful garnet blend of organic beet, ginger, carrot, cucumber and apple. This is the last juice of the day. I end my evening with warm water and a spoonful of organic aloe stirred in. Remember to drink glasses of alkalizing water throughout the day. With the cold weather I choose to drink hot water in my favourite mugs. Your cleanse will be more effective if you consume the recommended 10 glasses of lemon or aloe water per day as your body will be able to flush more toxins. Pre cut lemon wedges as a reminder! Day 2 - Big elimination day. The morning begin with an increase of movement through my body. After a full day of juices and an evening of rest the body has some clear passages to move those toxins through. Today is a busy day of meetings and errands. I drink Ener-G Glow at home then grab the next three bottles to take with me throughout the day. By 9:30am Citrus Glow is a welcome burst of energy. It is usually on these busy work days that I crave savoury snacks and hot beverages to go. Not on Day 2. My senses are dulled to the pull of sugar and salt. I even pick up a box of baked goods ordered from Art to Eat and attend a birthday party with some of the treats. Not tempted at all. Instead I feel proud to be cleansing. Day 2 is a powerful day of energy and

strength. I haven’t eaten solid food for over 38 hours and I feel great. I return home after errands for a water and lemon and get my next two bottles ready. I contemplate today proud that both my mind and body were productive and efficient. Day 3 - I wake feeling lighter and cleaner. I spring out of bed, this is different than my usual reluctant saunter after spending an extra 10 minutes under covers. I am surprised at my energy. I prepare my morning’s hot water drink and don’t even think about the morning tea I am missing. Now familiar with the juice repertoire, I feel vigorous and strong like I could carry on for a week. It certainly wasn’t how I expect to feel on day three of a busy work week. I savour this last day of juices. After work I prepare a roast chicken for the family’s supper with no temptation to sample. It is as if my body has spoken to my brain. I get ready to go out to a concert, my last Earthy Glow in my handbag. Post Cleanse - I wake up with a great sense of accomplishment. Now in the habit of lemon water I again begin the day alkalizing. By giving my colon and intestine a well deserved break from digesting cooked and processed food, my body received a unique opportunity to absorb only beneficial enzymes and nutrients from each 3-6 lb organic blend along with the natural proteins, carbohydrates, fats, minerals and water. A kick starter to healing and restoration towards optimum

brain function and bodily health for the new year. On my first post cleanse trip to the grocery store I expect to be craving meat, dairy, carbs and starch- but winter greens and fresh vegetables call to me instead. Each specially designed juice blend in the cleanse was full of everything the body needs. I worked hard and maintained domestic duties without a glitch. My mind is clearer, less cluttered and lighter, my skin brighter and body more energetic. Priced much like an intensive weekend yoga session with similar beneficial results for your body and mind it is a great gift to give yourself for a happy and healthier new year. Some personal juice cleanse tips: Request your cleanse to come in glass bottles available for $1 refundable deposit per juice. Before you begin print out and read your instructions. Remove your juices from the fridge and set on the counter 30 minutes before consumption. This takes the chill off them better for winter cleansing. The Glow Beginner Cleanse is available online at www. glowjuicery.ca or by visiting the cafe at 5380 Trans Canada Hwy. For more info or to book your juices call 250 597 2595 or email duncan@glowjuicery.ca

Submitted by Sheila Badman

SUNDAY AFTERNOONS January 14 • 2PM Pablo Cardenas

One of the best Cuban pianists of his generation playing lively Latin jazz and fusion.

January 21• 2PM Courtin-Devoin-McRae Trio

Piano trio from Nanaimo playing classic standards and originals.

January 28 • 2PM Sue Newman

High energy jazz. Jazz standards, Broadway jazz and song and dance from Salt Spring Island

Osborne Bay Pub 1534 Joan Ave, Crofton All shows are $15 at the door.

ablo Cardenas has been called one of the best Cuban pianists of his generation. Equally at home in classical, jazz, fusion and Latin jazz, Cardenas brings his boundless energy, charisma and rhythms to the stage to Pat’s House of Jazz at the Osborne Bay Pub on Jan. 14. In demand at jazz festivals in Cuba, Canada, Spain and the U.S., Cardenas, who now makes Victoria his home, says he was “destined for a life in music after his hands first touched a piano at the age of five. “

In Cuba, the classically trained pianist performed classical recitals and taught music theory, classical and jazz piano at the National Conservatory of Music where he first began his studies. He also spent five years at the National School of Music in Havana.

Pianist Pablo Cardenas

Pablo Cardenas Brings His Lively Latin Jazz To Crofton In Cuba, he collaborated with such accomplished musicians as vocalist Leo Vera and groups like Mambo Club International Jazz Band. Since arriving in Canada in 2010, he has been teaching and performing with worldclass musicians such as Alexis Baro, Phil Dwyer, Ana Velinova and Adonis Puentes. He also has his own music projects here, including his Latin Jazz Combo and Project Fusion and has performed on CBC Radio, the Vancouver International Jazz Festival, Vancouver Cuban Music Festival, Roots and Blues Festival and the Victoria International Jazz Festival.

The show is part of a popular weekly jazz series at the pub in Crofton, Sundays at 2 p.m., organized by a group of dedicated volunteers whose aim is to keep all types of jazz alive in the valley. They showcase some of the Island’s best musicians playing a myriad of styles, including big band, show tunes, bop, Latin, New Orleans jazz and more — jazz for every taste. The group recently came under the umbrella of the Chemainus Valley Cultural Arts Society. Admission is $15. For information, phone 250-324-2245 or visit http://osbornebaypub.com.

Rock I Funk I Blues I Reggae I Latin I Metal

Paul Jutras

DRUM KIT AND HAND PERCUSSION LESSONS 35+ years experience- Private / One 2 One / Customized / Fun

Beginner to advanced - In your home or in my studio in Duncan

778-422-1034 I chopsdrumschool@gmail.com

Valley Voice Magazine - Your Monthly Guide to Living in the Cowichan Valley

Handbuilt ceramic pitchers by Margit Nellemann

Blemishes And Beauty Marks

very February second at 2pm, I invite people to come to my studio to select from the seconds I have produced throughout the previous year. Sometimes, the pieces I have worked on simply didn’t turn out the way I wanted them to and have been put aside during the year and are brought out for this annual event. Rather than destroying them they are sold at very reduced prices. Inspired by the Japanese concept of wabi-sabi, the wisdom and beauty of imperfection, I use the traditional method of handbuilding, and form and finish each piece individually. From carefully formed teapots and bowls, to asymmetrical yunomi cups, extra large mugs and diminutive sipping cups, the pieces are all crafted to enhance a daily ritual. Handbuilding often results in an inherent asymmetry. Pieces are literally built by hand and become true representations of the hand, bodies and souls that have built them. A cup may have an uneven edge, handles can be slightly different in size, round may be a more organic version of the circle and so forth. Handbuilding mirrors the irregular and slightly lopsided facets of life. Wabisabi honours and celebrates those very qualities. Wabisabi sees the beauty in a weathered piece of cedar, or

in a cup with a thick runny glaze. According to the wabisabi philosophy of life these elements simply display what life is about and it reminds us that there is an inherent beauty to the process called life. Selling and choosing pieces for a Seconds Sale of ceramics sometimes becomes a bit of a head-scratching process. Some pieces are obvious candidates while others are seconds only in the eyes of the person that created them. Many of the pieces that I put aside as seconds seem absolutely perfect to many people. And from a wabi-sabi perspective they also would be. For me to decide that a piece I have worked on for a while is a second I think is because I had something very particular in mind when I started working on the piece and if I don’t see that something any longer once the process is complete, it may end up in my annual seconds sale. There is nothing wrong with the piece. It is a perfect wabi-sabi yet it has now been labelled a second by who created it. This is definitely something that I mull over. Do you see a blemish or a beauty mark? I look forward to seeing you at Westholme Tea Farm February 2 at 2pm for our Annual Seconds Sale. 8350 Richards Trail, Westholme, www.westholmetea.com

Welcome to Winter

Take a break at Cedrick’s Tea & Coffee House

1610 Joan Avenue, Crofton BC Warm ambience, delicious food, in-house baking, special beverages, soothing music & wonderful people . . . What more could you ask for?

Holiday Greetings

Choose from our unique gift collection: silk scarves from Cambodia, Shea butter products, jewellery, books for all ages, teddy bears, specialty teas, pottery and paintings. All Proﬁts go to KIDS International Development Society ~ Charitable Registration # 86067 3235 RR001 Cedrick’s Cottage available for bookings, provides space for many activities: * Registered Massage Therapy * Relationship Seminars * Gentle Yoga & Meditation * Writers Groups * Parenting Seminars * Poetry Readings * Children’s Theatre * Music Lessons * Professional Counselling for Individuals, Couples & Families With Dr. Gerry and Judith Fewster

Miniature Art Show at Excellent Frameworks S. Kostiuck

xcellent Frameworks Gallery is proud to present their first “Miniature Art Show” January 8th to January 30th. Over 40 artists are participating this year! There will be over 50 miniature original works of art, varying in mediums from glass and printmaking, to photography and acrylic. “Miniature art is often referred to as “the little jewels of the art world” and enjoys continued growth in popularity worldwide.” Miniature art is not “small art”, it is a very meticulous and precise medium that requires just as

P.Dueck

much time and effort as a larger piece. Suzan Kostiuck, owner, realized that she had a lot of leftover frame mouldings and thought to herself, “what can we do with them?”. She cut down her first moulding to a 2” x 2” size and was instantly in love with the dimensions. “It felt absolutely precious, and something special had to go in this frame.” With an upcoming move of the business to their new location literally right next door, she knew space would be limited. “I love having new art in the gallery every month, and this will be a perfect show to have in January, when people are excited about the new year, the holidays are over, and small changes to a home are considered. A miniature work of art is not as big of a commitment as a standard size piece, so this will be a fun way to play and enjoy original works of art.”

8pm and everyone is welcome to attend. Partial proceeds of all sales will be donated to a local charity.

Show runs January 8 - 30 Excellent Frameworks, 28 Station St, Duncan. 250 746 7112

COLD OUTSIDE? WE’VE GOT YOU COVERED!

There will be an art opening on Thursday, January 11th, 6pm to

ALPACA WOOL, CASHMERE, MERINO WOOL, ORGANIC COTTON KNITS, SILK, BAMBOO

Prudence

163 Station Street, Downtown Duncan

Natural Skincare & Cosmetics • 155 Craig Street, Downtown Duncan

www.prudencenaturalbeauty.ca

Valley Voice Magazine - Your Monthly Guide to Living in the Cowichan Valley

T B A t t n i a o b t f D a c t T a t p w e c

“ m h o i s M v a c fi s w m i b

DDBIA Renewal The Downtown Duncan Business Improvement Area (DDBIA) is pleased to announce the renewal of the DDBIA’s funding for the next five years. The DDBIA is a non-profit society run by a dedicated volunteer Board of Directors comprised of business and property owners that share a collective vision for a thriving downtown. The DDBIA is funded through a special property levy on commercial properties within two areas in the downtown. To confirm the support of the affected property owners, the City conducted a petition against process, which resulted in a strong endorsement for the continuation of the DDBIA. “We are pleased that our membership demonstrated the highest support ever for our organization since its inception twenty years ago,” said DDBIA president Chris Manley. “I already love the vibe in Downtown Duncan and can’t wait to see what we can accomplish in the next five years! Our Board and staff are really encouraged with the confidence the members have shown us – it’s an exciting time to be in business downtown.”

City of Duncan Mayor Phil Kent concurs, “The City is pleased to see the DDBIA continue the outstanding work that they do. We look forward to the next five years of working with the DDBIA on initiatives to benefit the vibrant downtown and our business community, local residents and visitors.” The two City of Duncan bylaws enabling the special property tax levy for the DDBIA were formally adopted by Council a few months ago. The new bylaws come into effect on January 1, 2018 and remain in effect until December 31, 2022. This renewed five-year mandate enables the DDBIA to continue improving and promoting the Downtown Duncan business area through cohesive marketing, advocacy, events, and revitalization projects and programs.

Miniature Art Show Over 50 miniature original works of art

January 8 to 30 ARTIST OPENING Thursday, January 11 6-8 pm Excellent Frameworks Home of the EJ Hughes Gallery 28 Station St., Downtown Duncan www.excellentframeworks.ca 250 746 7112

Yoga for Beginners

beginning student of yoga, it is important to choose a suitable class to have a positive experience and prevent injury. For care of the physical body, when choosing a class, consider: current level of pain, history of injury and surgeries, and your current fitness ability. If you have acute pain (less than 6 months) or persistent pain (beyond 6 months) it will affect your ability to do some yoga poses as well as transition between yoga poses. Yoga poses (Asanas) may have contraindications therefore it is important to research the training and knowledge base of the instructor. Yoga Teacher Training programs vary from a few weekends up to a Yoga Therapist training program of 1000 hours. Students with pain or health concerns are advised to seek a more experienced Yoga Teacher. Yoga Classes that are labelled for beginners may be targeted to students that are new to yoga, without health concerns. Classes labelled as Gentle, are done at a slower pace and offer modifications to the Yoga poses. Classes that are offered at a slower pace and offer alternative movements will be more appropriate for new students especially students with limitations in flexibility and those with persistent pain. Chair yoga can be helpful for students with a lack of balance including those with altered sensation in their feet

that occurs in diseases such as MS, Diabetes and Lupus. Flowing type Yoga classes are suitable for individuals who are physically fit, havenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t had joint repairs, and donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t have medical concerns. While participating in class consider the Yogic principle of Ahimsa â&#x20AC;&#x201C; which means Non-Harming. When the body senses pain, the protective responses that prevent injury are activated. Your breath can be a guide to noticing if you are practicing within comfort. Try to be curious if your breathing is relaxed and smooth while you practice yoga. Yoga teachers will guide you into Pranayama/breathing practices that will help you to be more conscious of your breath. At Duncan Wellness Centre we offer Somatic Yoga, suitable for beginners and those in pain. It is a practice of inquiry and self-study that guides students to sense their body and stay within their comfort. Somatic Yoga focuses on smaller easier movements designed to relax the mind and body in preparation for Asanas. Somatics focuses on improving relaxation and function which makes it easier to move between Asanas and to hold the Asanas.

Duncan Wellness Centre #303-80 Station St, Duncan www.duncanwellnesscentre.com

Valley Voice Magazine - Your Monthly Guide to Living in the Cowichan Valley

Violet Reynolds RMT, Somatic Educator, RDYT500

#301- 394 Duncan Street Duncan, BC V9L 3W4 250 748-1426 Fax: 250 748 2805

Looking for Work?

re you looking for work in the Cowichan Valley? Are you an employer looking for support in finding qualified local candidates for positions with your company and are you interested in learning about programs such as a Wage Subsidy? Global Vocational Services is your local Employment Service Centre and our qualified staff can assist individuals in finding sustainable employment and employers across the valley in finding qualified employees. We have been a proud member of the Cowichan business community for over 21 years and currently have 25 staff members in the valley. Global Vocational Services, in coordination with community partners, delivers a range of employment services through Work BC Employment Services Centre storefront locations in Duncan, Ladysmith, and Lake Cowichan. Services are diverse and focused on meeting the needs of area job seekers and employers as well as the shifting labour market. Our mandate is to support

eligible British Columbians to gain sustainable employment. If you are unemployed or under employed (less than 20 hours/week), and you are legally entitled to work in Canada, we are here to help. Our services and programs range from job boards and computer access to employment counseling and possibly support for training, on-the-job training, or self employment if you meet the eligibility guidelines. We offer a variety of free group workshops to assist you with your employment needs with such topics as Computer Skills, Resume Writing, Cover Letters & References, Career Transitions, Interview Skills, and more. Individuals can use our self-serve resource rooms for assistance with their independent job search, or job seekers can choose to work with one of our Case Managers who are skilled in assisting people to develop plans for returning to work. Regardless of which path you choose in working with us, our staff have information regarding where

PO Box 1396 #101-626 First Avenue Ladysmith, BC V9G 1A9 250 245-1429 Fax: 250 245-1421 1-800-818-5703 www.palmerleslie.ca

jobs are, and we can help you to identify what is getting in the way of you being successful in being hired. Cowichan Valley employers are also encouraged to contact the team at Global for more information on the programs & services in place to support employers find qualified employees. We proudly host employer information sessions, hiring sessions, and we have access to programs such as the Wage Subsidy program which can support employers at various stages of their hiring. We invite you to come into one of our offices and to visit our website (www.gvsjobs. com) for more information and to learn how we can best support you in your search for sustainable employment. We at Global Vocational Services

commit to creating an ethical community that is responsive to change and is a catalyst for growth. Our offices are open daily, Monday to Friday, from 8:30AM to 4:30PM. WorkBC Employment Services Centre Global Vocational Services Inc., 301 - 80 Station Street Duncan, 250-748-9880 www.GVSJobs.com

Submitted by Brian Siff, WorkBC Employment Services Centre Global Vocational Services Inc

FREE LANGUAGE CLASSES, EMPLOYMENT AND SETTLEMENT SERVICES FOR ELIGIBLE NEWCOMERS

WHERE CULTURES CONNECT

www.cis-iwc.org

250-748-3112

Manor Bridge

Sentinel: A Collaborative Door

walnut tree that stood as a sentinel for over a century in Rockland will now become a sentinel to guard the entrance to a special home. This incredible door, entitled ‘Sentinel’, was designed and created in the Cowichan Valley by Andreas and Naomi Kunert and John Lore for the oneTree exhibit (a unique art exhibit that celebrates the life

of a single tree displayed at the Robert Bateman Centre). The frame of the door is made from solid walnut that has been hand carved in the ‘Adze’ style by Kurtis Maahs. The organically shaped, live edge of the inner wooden slabs were shaped and finished by Todd McAneely. Both incredibly talented woodworker/artisans at Live Edge Design. Once the frame was complete it was time for the rocks to be added so the now 300lb door was moved to the Ancient Art of Stone Studio.

Sentinel mosaic detail

Among many meaningful stones, the mosaic includes a 350 million year old ammonite and a snakeskin agate from a lava tube in Mount St Helens which once blanketed the walnut oneTree in ash. Andreas Kunert of Ancient Art of Stone patiently places the stones into ancient geometric patterns and his wife, Naomi adds crystals and rocks for their healing and psychological powers. The Red Avatar Jasper was placed because it creates a strong connection to the

Sentinel

earth and is known to be very helpful for emotional equilibrium and spiritual grounding. The back of the door features a full sized 50 millionyear-old, lake bed, rock full of fossilized fish. Shown here is one of the fossils; a Diplomystus Dentatus.

exhibit that can be viewed at the Robert Bateman Centre in Victoria until Jan 31st. Attend on Jan 6th or 20th to meet the artists, find out more about their process and inspiration and, receive 50% off admission.

The now 600lb, showstopping door is part of the oneTree

John Lore and Andreas Kunertr

Valley Voice Magazine - Your Monthly Guide to Living in the Cowichan Valley

Back of door

Creativity Is Contagious

Susan Down is a freelance writer and president of CVAC.

t’s flu season and no one wants to catch a bug. But at the Cowichan Valley Arts Council, we know that creativity is contagious as well (to quote Albert Einstein). And that’s a good thing. In order to incubate even more creativity, CVAC is expanding its gallery space in 2018. The Island Savings Centre Commission has offered to lease CVAC the Arbutus Gallery until 2019. The space is part of the Cowichan Suite on the ground floor across from the box office and right next to our current Portals space. The extra area means

we can host smaller shows and still have room to bring in some outside exhibits such as a World War I show from the Royal BC Museum, and photographs from the Newspaper Photographers of Canada. Already this year CVAC has tapped into the raging creativity epidemic in the valley. Our recent Art of Gingerbread show broke attendance records and generated funds to expand our kids’ programs. Teams create some astonishing entries from a ferris wheel and the Old Woman Who Lived in a Shoe to a Hudson’s on First replica with a shredded wheat roof and a Pioneer House restaurant with minions climbing on it. Earlier in the year, a show by local artist Shannon Peck on adoption was a popular and thought-provoking exhibit, followed by displays from

artists including Catherine Fraser, Chris Justice, and Angela Andersen. Here’s a New Year’s resolution: catch a case of creativity. Join CVAC, subscribe to the newsletter,

come to the monthly speakers series or show openings, and display your own art at the spring show. Fortunately, there is no cure! cowichanvalleyartscouncil.ca

ART X 2 WATCH FOR TWICE AS MUCH ART IN 2018 IN THE NEW ARBUTUS GALLERY AS WELL AS PORTALS. PLUS WORKSHOPS AND OUR POPULAR SPEAKER SERIES.

2687 James St, Duncan (250) 746-1633 I cowichanvalleyartscouncil.ca

Calling All Artists 48th Annual Cowichan Valley Fine Arts Show

rtists now is the time to get your creative juices flowing in preparation for the upcoming 48th annual Cowichan Valley Fine Arts Show. Grab your sketchbook, pull out your paints and canvases, ready your cameras… This year’s event will have 160 pieces of 2D and 3D art. This non juried show accepts works novice, intermediate and professional artists to show and sell.

MARGOT PAGE

Enamelling on Copper and Steel

The 2D category includes but is not limited to oil, acrylic, watercolour, drawing, and mixed media works. The 3D category includes but is not limited to jewelry, pottery, basketry, fibre art, metal, wood, glass leather, and stone. The digital photography category will be broken into manipulated and non-manipulated (cropping permitted).

Last year’s Fine Arts show had 140 quality works on display with a highest percentage of sales in the history of the show benefiting both the artist and CVAC, the Cowichan Valley Arts Council. The venue for the Fine Arts show (PORTALS and the Cowichan Suite) has remained the same for the last five years, allowing the show to get better each year with an improvement in lighting and the assurance of the best showing of each piece of art by the excellent hanging crew Interested artists have four months to complete original works for this show. Artists can register inperson or on-line. In-person registration will occur April 5th and 6th at PORTALS in the Island Savings Center (2687 James St., Duncan). On-line registration will start at 10 am April 5th and run until 8 pm on April 8th. Registration forms can be picked up at PORTALS or found on the Cowichan Valley Arts Council website. On-line registration and more information can be found on the website cowichanvalleyartscouncil.ca.

Studio Visits by Appointment 250-746-8446 7113 Osborne Bay Rd, Duncan I www.margotpage.com

Valley Voice Magazine - Your Monthly Guide to Living in the Cowichan Valley

a b i m m t r h p T o p t

Honest Heart, Honest Art Rebecca Hazell is an award winning author, artist and educator.

lthough Yuko Yamamoto enjoyed making art from an early age, she chose to become a clinical psychologist in Tokyo, Japan. But when she met with clients, she felt much more going on than the words they exchanged. She wanted to reach behind the words to help her clients, many of them young people suffering from psychosis. They felt they were missing ordinary life, and she felt their pain. She decided to try reaching them through art therapy.

She enrolled in the art therapy program at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago; one requirement was to take art classes, so Yuko chose performance art because it worked with connections between people just as therapy does. But she loved it so much that she switched to the fine arts program. She received her second Masters Degree, an MFA in Performance Art, in 2000. However, she didn’t leave her concern for others behind. Settling in Duncan, Yuko began volunteering at Providence Farm, where she used her love of art as well as her skills as a therapist to develop a self-expressive art

SOU L

series for the participants based on storytelling and drawing. She works with four other local artists, including a filmmaker who is documenting this project, and hopes others will join them.

her art. For her, honesty means vulnerability, which leads to happiness; honest art takes people on that journey. It also stimulates the imagination, which leads to empathy.

Yuko speaks of her volunteer work with passion. Even at its most difficult, her work as a therapist inspired her. Now she’s engaged with people who have been injured or face developmental challenges but who support and care for each other as artists and in daily life. She says that the diversity of their life challenges is reflected in their art pieces. It’s an antidote to the depression they often feel: their differences are often not visible, which makes them vulnerable to judgment outside their community. But Providence Farm is like a family. Yuko says she feels that her group of artist volunteers are slowly becoming part of that family.

So how did Yuko find Duncan? She and her husband like Yuko Yamamoto the diversity in North America as well as the artistic opportunities; they chose Canada because of the ease of entering into its culture and society. Her Japanese relatives wanted them as close to the West Coast as possible, and Vancouver Island offered a change from big city life. On a visit here, Yuko’s husband fell in love with Duncan. It took some convincing for her to agree to move here, she says. It was lonely at first, though they found a wonderful home and studio. But in 2012, Yuko connected with CVAC. She participated in its offerings and says she felt saved by the art community. Now she loves living here as her friendships grow and her life fills with inspiring projects and honest, heartfelt art.saved by the art community. Now she loves living here as her friendships grow and her life fills with inspiring projects and honest, heartfelt art.

As an immigrant, Yuko appreciates both differences and belonging. She knows what it’s like feeling different from others and expresses sympathy with Japanese-Canadians who are hurt by being treated as foreigners. She appreciates her continual learning process of becoming Canadian, but they already are Canadian. She says she’s always in a process of becoming honest in

creativity.

ESCAPE

ESTHETICS Est. Since 2006

This visually dynamic film weaves animated motion comics created by the characters to offer intimate access into the colourful worlds of emerging female artists. Rather than ask the expected: “why aren’t there more women in this male dominated scene?”, we wonder: “what is unique about feminine expression and how might we all benefit when it flourishes?”

Amplify Her Premiere

#4 -5777 Trans Canada Hwy, Duncan BC 250.748.2056 www.soulescape.ca

Music heals, right? Depends on the depths of the wounds. In Amplify Her, three Electronic Dance Music artists battle demons from their painful pasts to emerge as beacons in the global festival scene. Blondtron, Applecat and Lux Moderna overcome isolation, illness, and gender bias to give life to their

Amplify Her Cowichan Premiere + Afterparty January 12, 6:30pm Cowichan Hub, 2375 Koksilah Rd, Duncan Followed by an after party with Dance Temple Cowichan.

Setting the Stage for Play to Find Us

y childhood memories revolve around playing endless games of tag, hide and seek and running bases with my brothers. We also spent lots of time camping as a family, catching salamanders in culverts, fishing in remote rivers, and playing Marco Polo anywhere we went swimming. My father spent endless hours playing catch with us, and he and my brothers gave me 13 strikes in baseball, just to keep me in the game. All of these seem like purposeless, frivolous activities, and yet most of us know intuitively that play is an essential part of childhood— and most adults today can recount their own exploration and exploits through play. Why, then, is play an endangered activity, and what is the cost of a childhood—or a life—without play? Play offers a myriad of therapeutic and developmental benefits, yet because the fruit of that play is not immediately evident, and play itself can be messy and loud, we tend to dismiss it more and more in favour of work and productivity. Cleverly disguised, and very unassuming, play serves a crucial role in priming relationships and helping grow kids up. True play is characterized by 6 conditions, according to developmental psychologist Dr. Gordon Neufeld: 1.Play is not work (that is, play is not outcome based; we play for play’s sake). 2. Play is not for real (play is the world of pretend, of fantasy, of make-believe, and of imagination). 3. Play is expressive (we are expressing something of ourselves, from the inside out, and there is room for the emotions to come out). 4. Play must be emotionally safe (free from emotional wounding, and with a caring adult nearby).

5. Play must be freely entered (no one can be forced to play). 6. Play is engaging (play is often fun, but not always, as in a child re-playing a traumatic visit to the hospital). With the holiday season behind us, our kids are often loaded with toys but at the same time not engaged in much true play. True play satisfies and satiates, and provides a deep form of psychological rest—one of the primary conditions needed for development to unfold. Fortunately, children do not need any toys to play; some toys even interfere with playfulness! Thankfully it’s not about getting the right toy, or more toys. “Go play!” we holler in their direction, hoping for some selfdirected activity. Unfortunately, we can’t command play in our children—play has to find them. We do have a role, however, in preparing the ground for this to happen. Sometimes it is as simple as a wink of the eye, putting on a play face, engaging with silliness or laughter, donning a cape or a mask, singing, dancing or pretending. Our preeminent human need is relationship; children must be released from their relationship hunger, in order to venture forth and become mermaids, pirates and dragons. We must trump their needs for contact and closeness so that the brain’s gears can shift from working at keeping us close, to resting in play. We also need to create sufficient space for play to emerge, free of entertainment and distractions. It is also our job to provide the relational support that creates a bubble of safety in play. Play is not just for little kids. One of the most frequent questions I get asked is what teenagers can do for play. Adolescence is a time when we must safeguard some blank spaces in their lives for

Working to see families thrive. Supporting individuals to achieve their goals.

LIVE WITH AFFINITY

Florie Varga, MPA

ﬂorie@afﬁnitycoaching.ca I 250.709.7063

www.afﬁnitycoaching.ca them to fill up with themselves— their own ideas, their own music, their own poetry and artistic creations, rather than to fill up with entertainment and activities that come from the outside in. Childhood is meant to develop the emotional playgrounds that teens and adults can enjoy and benefit from for the rest of our lives. If you have the skills of playing piano, then certainly you can play piano, and express emotion and the heart’s longing through that. The art of the teenager, the music and writing, can sometimes take on a dark or violent or melancholy nature; this discharges the intensity of the associated feelings and gives room for otherwise challenging emotions to move and be transformed. As adults, one of the things that can dramatically renew our spirit, as well as our primary relationships, and bring back some joie de vivre, is playfulness. We usually find those who are playful more attractive, and according to play theorist Stuart Brown, partners who play together are more likely to stay together. Once romance turns to marriage, and marriage to parenting, there is so much work and problem solving to be done that it can squeeze out the play in the best of relationships. Infusing a relationship with play is an important investment that is often overlooked once the vows are spoken. Not unlike teenagers, however, one of the biggest challenges we face is carving out the time and space to play, pushing aside our work, our adult responsibilities, and, even for

us, the myriad temptations of entertainment, counterfeit play, and our need to perform and and be productive. It used to be that culture preserved some of this sacred play time for us—in the form of family dinners, the sabbath, Sunday family walks, or community dances, but in our modern world, many of us have lost the traditions that ensured the space for play to find us. It would foster the well-being of our families if we would create daily play rituals that provide an outlet for troublesome emotion, weekly play rituals that foster family connection (games night, family hikes or adventures, a dance night, puzzle time, craft time, music night) and monthly or seasonal play traditions we can count on to renew our spirit and togetherness. We need to set the stage, so that play has an opportunity to find us.

Heather Ferguson is a Registered Clinical Counsellor with a private practice in Duncan, and a Faculty member with the Neufeld Institute. The full version of this article can be found on her website, www. heatherfergusonconsulting.com

Valley Voice Magazine - Your Monthly Guide to Living in the Cowichan Valley

f J t O I O f t e s o e P f t a a e r w a e a s

Junior K - Grade 7

Plus Evergreen Explorers for 3 year olds

Evergreen Open House

ou are invited to join us on January 29 from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. and January 30 from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon for our annual Open House at Evergreen Independent School. The Open House is an opportunity for families to explore the unique educational environment provided to each student at Evergreen. Come onto the school grounds and enter our community! The Principal, teachers, staff, and families are all dedicated to making the experience at Evergreen successful academically and socially for every student. Quality, wellrounded education balanced with problem-solving and mutual respect is the emphasis of what is offered at EIS. There are many special events, field trips, and

even a camping trip to enjoy with your family annually. Please come and bring your questions about how EIS can be a fit for your child and family! On January 29 we will provide an interactive time with the early learning teachers, Principal, and Evergreen parents, as well as classroom tours.

250 743 2433

The January 30 event will also be interactive but will be held during school hours. This provides insight to the daily school environment and the small class sizes. We look forward to meeting you there!

omeopathy is a natural, sustainable, effective stimulus that evokes the human organism’s innate power to cure dis-ease. I have been studying Homeopathy since the moment the first remedy touched my tongue in 1997. Why? It’s simple. The day after I took a remedy, my physical symptoms and anxieties decreased dramatically. I welcomed the relief. I had been living with this dis-ease for 15 years already and nothing had ever liberated my suffering like that. I had to know more. I wanted to continue to be cured and I wanted everyone to know healing was possible. It was then, I joined the

Homeopathy: Discover It For Yourself mission to reawaken the power of Homeopathy in the minds of people everywhere. Well mainly people in Canada and the US. Homeopathy has been supported by the British National Health Service since it began in 1948,

Dynamic Pathways

Faye Stefan MA, RCC, DHHP Registered Clinical Counsellor and Certiﬁed Homeopathic Practitioner

250-815-5029 Path to Wellness: Combining counselling with homeopathy for your emotional, mental, physical, and spiritual needs utilizing Heilkunst Sequential Timeline Therapy.

Dynamicpathways.biz | fstefan59@gmail.com

Zak Stolk Violin Maker

25 Years Experience of Lutherie in the Italian Tradition.

Making, repair and restoration of Violins, Viola, Cello, Double Bass, Harp, and all manner of Stringed Instruments. 250-749-6563 zakviolins@shaw.ca www.zakviolins.com

Homeopathy is practiced in 40 out 42 European countries, in India 100 million people are depending solely on Homeopathy for medical care, Homeopathy has been used in Australia since the 1830s, even the World Health Organization recognizes Homeopathy as a valid form of Health Care. So the question is why are people in Canada and the US generally thinking this is new age medicine based on the placebo effect? Pharmaceuticals make money. They are synthetic chemicals, taken at frequent intervals, designed to control an outcome in the body and/or mind, causing side effects and loss of vitality over time. Consider this: we know that if a dam is built to control the flow of water it must come out somewhere, demanding more resources. We also know the dam must be maintained to continue forcing the water to redirect it’s natural flow. This also consumes energy and resources. Pharmaceuticals are like the dam and the resource used is human life force. I know they have a place in health care but it is not the only way. We need a

more integrative approach. Let’s include medicines designed to liberate physical symptoms, develop self awareness and increase vitality in our health care. Does this not sound like the medical results you want? Improving your quality of life? This is the genius of Homeopathy. Discover it for yourself. Attend the screening of Just One Drop and get informed. Come with questions. You will get answers. Afterwards receive a free gift to experience Homeopathy. Once you try it, you will want to know more. Just One Drop - film on Homeopathy Caprice Cinema, Duncan Saturday January 27th, 2018 10:30am - 12pm Tickets: https://fan-force.com/ screenings/just-one-dropcaprice-duncan-cinema-ca/ https://www.facebook.com/ events/512676515760647 Jennifer Shelley, DSHM Homeopathic Practitioner Medical Intuitive

Reclaim Your Body Through Somatics ( “Soma” translates as the “living body” from the Greek) Somae Osler MA is a clinical Somatics Educator in training.

n Somatics we notice and sense from the inside the means by which we move or hold onto ourselves, where we feel ease or constriction, and from this first person experience we are cued through a slow, smooth process to let go of constricted, habituated movement patterns and move free. The process we use is “Pandiculation”: to pandiculate is to contract and gently extend/ stretch in a yawn-like manner. 1) We slowly and smoothly contract muscles further than our usual habit. This novel, deliberate, exaggerated movement engages the brain. 2) We slowly, smoothly and consciously lengthen from our centre out through our contraction to our periphery. 3) We let go to what feels like neutral. 4) Then we deliberately pause, notice and sense changes: for instance, in sensations of length, lightness/ heaviness, pulsing or space.

a surprisingly pleasant and satisfying aspect. In all this, it is essential to ignite our natural curiosity, our interest in the process, without this the movement is mechanical and nonproductive. Motor sensory amnesia (MSA) is an important concept to grasp. It describes various degrees of chronic unconscious muscular contraction that over time can severely restrict mobility. Original and real causes of healthy stress reactions may disappear but our sensory motor system reacts in a learnt way to any further stresses that remotely reflect the original so that we find ourselves curled forward, or back or sideways in our postures. We find ourselves restricted in our ability to rise up and go forward to meet our needs. We cannot make ourselves change our posture or gait from the outside, it is an inside job and Somatics is a way to provide that. Come and explore Somatics in an Introductory Workshop open to all ability levels: January 20th, 10-11:15 or 12--1:15 pm. Place: Somalila Sanctuary, 1584 Stamps Road, Duncan. Cost $18 each session or $30 for both. To register or if you have questions: somaeosler@shaw.ca www.somalila.com

There is a sensual-yawn like quality to this movement,

FreeRide A Ski & Snowboard Development Program

reeRide is a safe and fun 10 week program that promotes the development of all-mountain skiing and riding by combining elements of freestyle, race and general improvement strategies. Offered on consecutive Saturdays or Sundays your little rider is grouped with the same instructor each week to allow for skill progression and fun. An all day program that begins at 10am and ends at 3pm- kids love it! There is a junior program for ages 5-6 years and a 7+ program for older kids. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We chose the FreeRide program for a few reasons. The continuity of instruction was appealing because with each new week they would build on last weekâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s skills and progress. The commitment that the program offers for all mountain style of riding is appealing - as opposed to race or freestyle disciplines. The all mountain discipline offers more practical skills. The boys were getting to a point in their skiing and boarding that was beginning to surpass our

speed and skills. They were hungry to learn more tricks, more routes, more skills and go faster. In our experience their instructor was amazing. Catherine, from the UK was a highly skilled skier who grew up skiing in Europe. The boys loved her teaching style which was always encouraging and positive. After the first few sessions the boys were showing us new runs on the mountain that I had never explored, even after over a decade of riding Mount Washington. Enrolling them in the program enabled us to have grown up time to ski on our own, have lunch or just have a coffee without having to worry about where our children were at. And the best partâ&#x20AC;Ś on their last ride of the day parents are welcome to join! Every weekend we would pack a lunch for them to take to the program however lunch options are also available to purchase as an option with rentals and tickets. Program cost $399 lunch, rentals and tickets extra. For more information visit www.mountwashington.ca.

Richard Badman loves sailing, kiting and snowboarding on Vancouver Island

•Release trapped emotions and find health and happiness •Take down your heart - wall and welcome in your hopes and dreams •Achieve self-confidencePioneering reflex inhibition and integration work

250-597-3686

First appointment free!

David Yaeger

Try Something New David Yaeger is a certified Emotion Code practitioner. He moved to the Cowichan Valley in 2013.

t’s a new year, 2018. Even in the slowly lengthening days of our Cowichan Valley winter, newness abounds. January is quiet, but February will bring fresh flowers – snowdrops and crocuses, and other signs of new life. People are part of nature. How are we going to renew ourselves this year? Do you sometimes find that you are living the “same old, same old”? Even if you are travelling, are you doing it the same old way? Seeing new places and people, but seeing them with old lenses and attitudes? The key to newness is curiosity. What would it be like if I … learned a new skill? Learned to jump rope, if you have never done it before? Learned to embroider or do cross-stitch? Learned to paint with water colours? In the Cowichan Valley many people are good at learning to ski or to kayak. But when was the last time you picked up and learned to play a musical instrument?

I can hear some of the doubters now: “I could never do that” (whatever it is). How long have you blocked yourself from doing something that you would really like to do? What obstacles are in your way? Was it a parent or teacher or a peer who told you that you would never be able to do something? And, unfortunately, you believed them, being under emotional pressure. “Well, I don’t care anyway” might have been your response. Maybe you simply weren’t given enough movement opportunities as an infant to acquire basic abilities and confidence in moving your body. Whatever it is that is holding you back, there is a way forward without having to re-live the pain of the first limiting experiences. The work of Dr. Bradley Nelson in the book, The Emotion Code, brings a simple and effective way to clear any obstacles that have been in your way. It will take some courage, of course, but I am sure that you have it. In 2018, try something new.

Certiﬁed Emotion Code Practitioner davidyaeger650@gmail.com https://www.healerslibrary.com/global-practitioner-map/ (ﬁnd me just north of Duncan)

Sands Funeral Chapel

Cremation & Reception Centre-Duncan by Arbor Memorial

Janice Winfrey Funeral Director

tel: 250-746-5212 • fax:250-746-7034 sandsfuneral.com/duncan email:sandsduncan@arbormemorial.com 187 Trunk Road, Duncan, British Columbia V9L 2P1

ISLAND HELLERWORK

HELLERWORK AND COUNSELLING

MELISSA BROWN www.islandhellerwork.com islandhellerwork@gmail.com 250-661-1687 50% off ﬁrst session for new clients ALIGN, CONNECT, EMBODY

Julia Allen R.C.C. MCP, IMHA, BA

Masters Counselling Psychology Registered Clinical Counsellor

Shamanic Practices, Therpeutic Altered States Therapy

250-709-9673 www.longboatcounselling.com info@longboatcounselling.com

Winter Workshops With Chartered Herbalist Robin Round

t’s January and a there is finally a bit of time to rest, reflect and explore some things that we just never have time for during the rest of the year. Why not take the time to explore the healing power of plants? On January 23, we will make a batch of Fire Cider, a simple herbal powerhouse that helps fight colds and flu. Fire Cider has been around for centuries and includes whatever fresh anti-viral, anti-bacterial, immune-stimulating, heatgenerating herbs you have on hand steeped in organic apple cider vinegar. Robin provides all the herbs and

vinegar and you make your own blend to keep yourself and your family strong this winter. 7-9pm $35 On January 31, we will meet some of Robin’s favorite healing plants and learn how to turn them into ointments and tinctures. - two of the most common ways herbalists like to capture and preserve the energy of the plants to use year-round. 7-9pm $35 Robin Round is a Chartered Herbalist with 25 years experience growing plants and making herbal remedies. Her Botanical Bliss products have been used all over the world from the Amazonian jungle to the Sochi Olympics. She grows or wild-harvests the herbs in her products. Register at www.botanicalbliss.ca or call 250-710-1276.

DOWNTOWN

DUNCAN

250 510 8700 40

• Skin Care Services • Esthetics Services • Natural Sugaring Hair Removal • Onsite Gel Nail Artist • Facial Bar

#105 80 Station Street - Please use Craig St entrance

Valley Voice Magazine - Your Monthly Guide to Living in the Cowichan Valley

Learn MS Office

ome learn how to use Microsoft Office with WestView Learning on Wednesda evenings in January. MS Office is a well known professional software package used by home users through to business, government, and school staff to organize, manage and present different forms of information. Many entry level office positions require familiarity with MS Office. The MS Office suite includes the programs Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, OneNote and several other data managing programs. Each program serves a different purpose. MS Word is a word processing program used to create text documents such as letters, newsletters, flyers, posters, and brochures. Excel is spreadsheet program used to record, calculate, analyze and graphically represent data. PowerPoint is used to combine graphic, text, and sound into slideshow presentations. Outlook manages emails, contacts and calendar. Key to the power of MS Office is the compatibility between the programs in the suite. Use the programs independently first, and then learn how to use them collaboratively to incorporate

the data collected and presented in Excel in Word and PowerPoint documents.. Westview Learning instructor Heather Stannard is offering a two part series of classes designed to introduce the novice computer and MS Office user to this powerful office suite. First students become familiar with the essential features in the 4 primary programs: Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook. Students will learn the elements common to each program including how to create, save, and edit documents, and the use and arrangement of the tools on the various ribbons. Then students continue to build skills in the individual programs as they learn how the programs work together. Students are also given an overview of how Microsoft Office’s OneDrive functions so they can access their documents from any computer. Microsoft Office is just one of several classes that WestView Learning is offering for adults and children starting January. Classes are held at Island Savings Centre and WestView Learning’s Somenos School classroom. Visit us at www. westviewlearning.ca to learn more about how your technology can work for you!

Valleyview

Centre

So much to oﬀer!

1400 Cowichan Bay Rd Fitness Valley Health and Fitness 250-743-0511 Full service gym/classes Spa and Wellness

Submitted by Heather Stannard

Reiki Wellness 250 743-8122 Reiki, Foot Detox, Infrared, Acupuncture, Reﬂexology Monet Spa 250-743-6114 Professional Spa services for parties, groups or individuals. Healthcare

Food Country Grocer 250 743-5639 Bakery, Meat, Seafood, Produce, Deli & Floral, Supplements Cure Artisan Meat & Cheese 250 929-2873 Charcuterie, Cheese House Made Pates Pizzeria Prima Strada Cobble Hill 250-929-4655 Wood-ﬁred pizza, meatball sandwiches, local wine & craft beer

Cobble Hill Dental 250-743-6698 Friendly, Family Practice

We Welcome New Patients!

FREE WELLNESS grow more fully into our purpose?

Free Yoga Class to Welcome the New Year with Sadie Bartram As we welcome a New Year, there is often a lot of talk about setting New Year’s resolutions. What does it really mean to set a resolution? One definition for resolution that I came across is “ a firm decision to do or not do something.” When I read this, I think of something static that does not bend and flow with the changes that can come as real life unfolds. What I prefer to think of in the New Year is ‘planting seeds of intention.’ When I look up the word intention, what stands out for me is the Latin root of ‘intentio: stretching or purpose.’ How can we stretch ourselves in this coming year? How can we

In light of these questions and in honor of the growth and change that can be inspired by the New Year, I invite you to join me on January 8th for a free Yoga class at Rivendell Yurt, a sacred space nestled in the forest in Glenora. My intention for this annual free class is to provide a space for people to ‘plant their seeds of intention’ for the coming year, whilst supported and guided through breath, movement, and sound. The class begins with a centering meditation and sacred sound, bringing awareness to our body and breath in the present moment, quieting our mind, and allowing space for our heart’s intention to arise. Sometimes people come to their practice with an intention already in mind; though often in the moment, something totally different may arise. For other people, an intention may show itself as we move through gentle postures and

connect movement with breath, settle into a guided relaxation, or close our practice with sacred sound. Sometimes, an intention needs time to gestate and comes forth at a later time. Whatever the case may be, the first step is taking the time for yourself to open to the wisdom within your heart. Happy New Year, Monday, January 8, 6:30-8:00p.m. Rivendell Yurt, 5215 Bills Rd Please pre-register as space is limited. 250-748-2089/ sdbartram@gmail.com

Free Kum Nye Tibetan Yoga Class with Don McGinnis Collective Space Kum Nye is a Tibetan yoga that relaxes and harmonizes us, and feels like a really great massage. Deceptively simple movements activate the subtle body, creating the space for deep meditation. Those new to the practice will be surprised by the depth of relaxation they feel after even one session. Kum Nye is a mindfulness practice of body and feeling, helping to move us into direct experience, integrating body and mind, inner and outer. Don McGinnis is a certified Kum Nye instructor and has taught yoga for over 10

years. Free Class at the Collective Space, January 11, 5 PM

Free Yin Yoga Class with Nadia Harmony Yoga

Come experience Yin Yoga: a quiet, inwardly-focused practice with the intention of nourishing and stimulating our deep connective tissues and bones, and bringing balance to our active lives. We rest in wisely-placed, fully-supported floor postures, each held in a relaxed way for between 3-6 minutes, allowing the body to slowly return to it’s full range of motion, heal past injuries, and maintain bone density, while giving the nervous system time to surrender into rest. Throughout our time together, Nadia weaves illuminating poetry and gentle heartcultivating practices into the Mindfulness-based Yin yoga practice that has been passed down to her over the last ten years. Join us at Harmony Yoga Centre on Saturday, January 20th, from 6:007:30pm for our monthly Free Yin Yoga Class guided by Nadia! Do you have a free class or session that you would like to share with your comununity? Please send 50 words or less about what you have to share to info@ cowichanvalleyvoice.com.

p w s s

L a a b b c a c e y y

T p e C i a a j b b c a A i y b

YOGA FOR WELLNESS

Paulina is a member of the Forest yogini collective. She teaches weekly corporate yoga classes in Duncan. For more class info please visit yogawithpaulina.com.

e know that world peace starts with inner peace and inner peace starts with self-awareness. And self-awareness starts with the spine. Let’s deepen our selfawareness by looking inward at our spines with attentive breathing. Our attentive breathing is very powerful. It can journey anywhere within and transform. It nourishes, cleanses, encourages, soothes, expands and awakens. I invite you to explore the power of your own attentive breathing. To start, find a quiet place to practice. Get comfortable, either lying down or sitting. Close your eyes and look inward at your spine. Take a few slow, deep breaths and relax your muscles and joints. Look at the connection between the tailbone, the base of the skull, and the crown of the head. Are they aligned? If not, align them. And then take a deep breath into your back and lengthen your tailbone away from the base of your skull. Exhale

and relax your spine. Breath in again and lengthen the base of the skull away from the tail bone. Exhale and relax. Continue to breathe. Lengthen your tailbone away once again and draw circles with it to the right and then the left to free tension in the low back. The circles can start small and get bigger gradually. Always be gentle. Greet any vulnerability or sensitivity you witness with sweet kindness and patience. And don’t worry if you find it difficult to articulate your tailbone - many people do. It gets easier with consistent practice. Be present each time, making choices that do no harm. Use this same technique on other areas of your body and with different postures, like cat and cow. Fill the constricted space on the inhale and relax on the exhale. Start gently and incrementally increase the intensity. Continue to use the attentive breathing to notice even more details. How deeply can you breathe and expand into your inner space, into the spaces between the vertebrae? What’s going on in that space and how will you treat it? More breath?

Gentler or more intense movement? With practice we begin to notice what movements or habits limit or expand the mobility of our spines, in turn noticing what habits limit or expand ourselves. With practice we expand our awareness to connect our bodies with our minds with our hearts. We expand it to the point of noticing when our thoughts, words, and actions are not aligned. We notice what habits bring us peace and what do not. Let’s start first with the spine and see where it takes us in 2018.

YOGA with Lilian Bianchi

Honouring

BODY, MIND & SPIRIT

Lilian Bianchi has been teaching Yoga since 1982, in Rio de Janeiro, Vancouver, and in the Cowichan Valley for the past 20 years.

WINTER SESSION

January 8 - March 29 • Beginners, Intermediate and Ongoing levels • Gentle Yoga • Restorative Yoga • Yoga on Chairs • Yoga Sutras of Patanjali • Partner Yoga Workshops Lilian is registered with the Canadian Yoga Alliance as a RYT Gold. She is also an honorary member of the International Federation of Yoga. Morning and Evening classes held at Namaste Yoga Studio and other locations in Duncan.

250-746-0327

www.namasteyoga.ca

Kum Nye Tibetan Yoga

A Vehicle for Deep Meditation The Collective Space 166 Station St., Duncan

Every Thursday at 5PM Drop-ins Welcome 250-897-5576 Email: info@movingpresence.center Web: movingpresence.center

Get out more with your dog. Daily walks are good for both of you and a longer more interesting walk every weekend keeps life enjoyable. The Cowichan Valley has loads of beautiful places to stroll or hike and sniff the breezes. The TransCanada trail goes for miles and the new dike surrounding Duncan is a lovely walk.

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hat fresh new calendar on your wall can have some things added to it to help your dog this year. Mark down to have those toe nails trimmed regularly. Every four to six weeks will keep them short, quiet, and easier on your dog’s body.

Looking to improve your dog’s health by switching to raw food? I’ll be speaking at a seminar February 4th at Dog & Suds in Nanaimo. Book your seat and learn how to do raw right. (250-751-2551) Put that on your new calendar. Groom your dog regularly. Dogs that need professional grooming that includes a haircut usually need a clip every eight weeks. Mark your calendar. Book your appointments. Comb out your dog regularly. Keep the matts at bay and your dog won’t need such a short cut when it’s time for grooming. Ask your groomer about methods and tools to make combing more enjoyable for both of you.

Mark down to fast your dog one meal a week. Fasting is the easiest, cheapest thing you can do for your pet’s health. Fasting rests the gut and allows for internal housekeeping.

Dogs that just need baths can be bathed every eight weeks as well. Drop your pooch off at Lucky Dog U-Bath for a full bath, blow dry, and nail trim or we can show you how to do it yourself.

Learn a new trick this year. It could be a fun parlour trick to impress your friends or it could be learning how to walk nicely on leash. There is plenty of information online to help you get some skills or hire a trainer and enjoy being with your dog even more.

Use your new calendar to keep on top of dog tasks. Time has a habit of flying by and the next thing you know it’s July and your dog looks and feels less than ideal. You can do this. I have faith in you.

Lucky Dogs... Happy New Year Debbie Wood is a certified Small Animal Naturopath and can be reached at 250-597-7DOG.

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Valley Voice Magazine - Your Monthly Guide to Living in the Cowichan Valley

Benefits Of Emu Oil FROM Mt. Sicker Family Farm

Emu Oil – Snake Oil or Science Based Medicine

ustralian indigenous people have relied on emu oil’s healing properties for 40 thousand years. However, until the rigors of science are applied, many modern consumers are hesitant to pass on their drugstore products and seek out alternative or complementary medicines for their ailments. Emu oil research is out there but it requires a little work as it won’t be found under mainstream medicine. In 2015 a comprehensive study paper was published, “Review on emu products for use as complementary and alternative medicine” and can be found by searching Google Scholar https:// www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/ pubmed/25441585 To get started, here is a condensed version and I hope it will encourage you to trust the science around emu oil. Laboratory analysis of emu oil informs that it contains health promoting ingredients: 50% monounsaturated Omega 9 (oleic acid), 10% polyunsaturated Omega 6 (linoleic acid), 1.0% polyunsaturated Omega 3 (linolenic) 33% saturated fatty acids antioxidants notably carotenoids (Vitamin A),

flavones and polyphenols Studies report emu oil demonstrates antiinflammatory properties in various diseases: possible alternative therapy for chemotherapy-induced mucositis (depletion of the mucous layer in the digestive tract) improvement of the symptoms of inflammatory bowel diseases, decreased severity of tissue damage and indication of ability to stimulate intestinal repair processes while maintaining normal intestinal function reports of inhibiting cancer chemotherapy-induced bone loss emu oil treatment on experimentally induced arthritis in rats showing anti-inflammatory effects comparable with orally administered ibuprofen Tests advise that emu oil has cholesterol-lowering effects: with significant reduction in total cholesterol and LDL (bad kind) and no effects on HDL also, significant anti-plaque activity observed Analysis shows emu oil as a transdermal (through skin) penetration enhancer: capable of increasing intake through the skin, improving shelf life of the formulation,

• contains omega 3,6,9 fatty acids • has anti-inflammatory properties • penetrates deeply

FOR BULK EMU OIL CONTACT BCEMUFARM.CA

preventing gastric irritation caused by drugs like aspirin, and can be applied directly to the area of pain on the body contains a natural antibacterial component delivers pain relief and enhanced healing for burn wounds Emu oil is proven to stimulate skin and hair growth: topical administration of emu oil stimulates the proliferation of skin hair growth, reduced skin wrinkles and rejuvenated aged and photo-damaged skin have been documented Aboriginal Australians finding success in using emu oil for 40 thousand years, is a pretty long clinical trial. However, their learning was passed

down in stories and song and doesn’t much count with the medical community. And in all fairness, farming emu has only taken place in the last 40 years so emu oil research isn’t really that far behind. More and more people are taking an active part in the management of their health and so will drive the need for studies in all sorts of natural health products. I hope you are inspired to do some additional study on the health benefits of emu oil. If you would like to buy our locally produced pure emu oil and emu based health and wellness products you can find them at www.e3naturals.com Submitted by Lois Hellemond

List of seed starting essentials: - seed starter soil mix - seed tray - seedling dome - heat mat - JumpStart grow light - automatic timer - misting hose nozzle - seed starting labels - 2 or 4 inch pots for transplanting seedlings - fish fertilizer for transplanting seedlings

here’s nothing quite like growing vegetables from seed. It is one of gardening’s most thrilling activities and very cost-effective. These incredible little vessels contain a small plant embryo within a protective covering. When conditions are just right a root will break through the seed coat and dig into the soil. The first leaves, not ‘true’ leaves, emerge and rely solely on the seed’s food reserves. The first set of true leaves follow, and it is these leaves that will look like the plant you are trying to grow. Seeds germinate only when conditions are just right, and it’s these conditions that gardeners should be most concerned with when starting their own seeds. Seed packs are great places to find these ideal germination conditions. Most seed packets include the ‘days to maturity’, telling gardeners how many days until first harvest. Combine ‘days to maturity’ with the average last frost date for your region, to decide when is best to start your seed. Seed packets also include the germination rate. If you are growing seed with a low germination rate it’s a good idea to sow extra seeds.

On seed packs you’ll also find the seed packing date and usual seed life, which is the company’s recommended shelf life. A very important piece of information is seed sowing depth. It is common for people to sow seeds too deep, in which case seeds will not germinate, or germinate very slowly. Other information to look for is whether seeds are Open Pollinated or F1 Hybrids. Open pollinated seeds, if properly isolated, will produce genetically ‘true to type’ seeds. For people interested in saving seed, these are the seeds that will produce more predictable offspring. When openpollinated seeds cross within the same species this results in a hybrid. F1 hybrid seeds have been bred to create a desired effect, and saving seed is not recommended. There are benefits to growing both open pollinated and F1 seeds, so be sure to educate yourself on which option is best for you.

vermiculite, and a low amount of added nutrients is ideal. Moisten your soil before sowing your seed, because the growing medium will lose volume once watered. Young seedlings are susceptible to a disease called damping off, which causes seedlings not to emerge from the soil or to collapse. It is essential to use clean seed trays and a sterile growing medium. Shallow containers with drainage holes are best for good root development, limiting fungal diseases, and preventing overwatering. Don’t forget to label your started seeds with the sow date and seed type.

Sowing Seeds

For seeds that have a longer maturity date or seedlings that need to be transplanted into the garden consider starting these seeds indoors. A pre-mixed soilless growing medium with peat, perlite,

Ideal germination temperature for vegetable seeds is 1822°C. If you’re starting seeds in a colder environment heat mats increase the root zone temperature to 10°C above the ambient temperature. Once seeds have sprouted heat mats need to be removed. Too much warmth can cause seedlings to become leggy. Supplemental light will also reduce stretching. Even the brightest spots indoors cannot provide a seedling with sufficient light in the early spring. To extend day length leave the light on for 18 hours, and off for 6 hours. LED lights should be 8-12 inches above seedlings, and

fluorescent lights should be 5-6 inches above seedlings. Water seedling with a misting hoze nozzle to avoid creating soggy, compacted soil. When the surface of the soil has lightened in colour the seedlings need water. Transplant seedlings once they have grown their first true leaves. It’s best to transplant seedlings to slightly larger containers more frequently rather than transplanting a seedling once to a large container. Once seedlings have developed their true leaves they can be fertilized, but be sure to not overfeed or seedlings will stretch and become leggy. Always harden seedlings off before planting them into the garden. Space becomes a premium when starting seeds indoors, so resist the urge to start seeds too early. West Coast Seeds has a Regional Planting Chart, which is a great way to plan your seed starting successions. Visit the website backyardgardener.ca for a great article on growing flowers, shrubs and trees from seed. Lastly don’t forget that your local garden centre is a great resource for regional advice. There are few tasks more rewarding that starting plants more seed and it is a great way to be introduced to great world of gardening.

Valley Voice Magazine - Your Monthly Guide to Living in the Cowichan Valley

Monica Dockerty, Dockerty Gardens horticulturist and Dinter Nursery employee.

Improving Resilience Capture The Rain Nora Arajs, Project Lead - Capture the Rain, Cowichan Watershed Board

t’s raining. The Cowichan River is brimming, the lawns are lush, and the trees are getting a deep soak. But imagine what it will be like in July or August, when the days are long and hot, it hasn’t rained in weeks, and we’re in Stage 3 watering restrictions. Hard to imagine on a wet January day.

up 15 times per month and will reduce your water consumption by 27,000 litres per growing season. You can also add additional barrels in series, connecting them with PVC piping to essentially create one holding tank from all of these barrels. Ensure your connections are secure, so there are no leaks. Larger cisterns from 4,500 up to 22,000 litres are available from local tank suppliers, and are more efficient – bigger is better! Rainwater is a valuable and free resource - what’s not to love about self-sufficiency?

The CVRD released a comprehensive report in 2017, Climate Projections for the Cowichan Valley, which provides climate projections for the region that illustrate the dramatic changes we can expect in years to come. The report predicts, “the amount of rain in summer is expected to decrease by 17%, and the duration of dry spells will be lengthened by about 20%.” You can read the report at www.cvrd.bc.ca To help you plan your own rain collection system the Cowichan Watershed Board is hosting a Rainwater Harvesting workshop on Saturday, January 20th at 10 am at the Island Savings Centre. Go to www. capturetherain.eventbrite.ca for information and registration details.

The Cowichan Watershed Board has launched its Capture the Rain campaign Improving resilience in the face of a changing to encourage residents of climate is an important adaptation strategy that each the Cowichan watershed to of us can play a role in. Use your brain and capture harvest rainwater in order to rain! decrease residential irrigation demands and to keep water conservation top of mind. ENVIRONMENTALLY BETTER THAN BURNING! Collecting rain can be very simple. A 227 litre (50 gallon) rain barrel is the most common and inexpensive collection vessel that you can place under a downspout from your roof. This barrel can potentially fill

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Choose Your Seeds

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full of tips on successful west coast gardening. We have everything you need to start your seeds! • Seed Starter Soil • Peat Pots • Cell Packs • Assorted Heat Domes and Trays • Specialty Lights and Heating Mats • Markers • Pop Up Greenhouses • Organic & Heritage Seeds • Bare Root Fruit Trees • Plus all gardeners tools and more!

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Helping you create personal transformation •Certified Council Trainer & Facilitator •Certified Heart-Centered Hypnotherapist® •Transpersonal Life Coach Individual Hypnotherapy, Coaching Sessions & Workshops to Create Healthy New Patterns For Your Life: • Improve Relationships • Resolve Anxiety • Increase Self-esteem

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Jane Knight 250 514 2223 www.skintasticmedispa.ca JODIE MCDONALD, MSW RSW 250-580-2252 jodie@livingandbreathing.ca

Embodiment and IBP

hat does it mean to be “embodied?” In the practice of Integrative Body Psychotherapy (IBP), we use this word a lot. Embodiment describes a state where we have access to information and sensation from the body, mind, and spirit, where we feel whole, present, and alive. The opposite state is one where we are “split off”: living largely in our heads, cut off from the sensation in the body, relying on our bodies to get us where we need to go, but not living from a place of alignment and authenticity. Why would anyone choose to live in the latter state? Our bodies are the containers for emotional memory and experiences. Whenever we experience something that feels too big for us, whether in childhood or as adults, splitting off from body sensation allows us to compartmentalize pain. This is an essential coping mechanism that allows us to survive trauma and emotional difficulty intact. The problem arises when being split off becomes habitual, even feels safe, and we become unfamiliar with embodiment. When we’re embodied, we can tune into the sensations of the body, and integrate them as they arise. When unexpressed emotion lives on in the body, it creates holding patterns over time, influencing our responses to current events through undigested experiences from the past. How does IBP help? As a “somatic approach,” IBP goes beyond traditional talk therapy, addressing body, mind and spirit. We teach boundary exercises and breath work that help you

IBP INTEGRATIVE BODY PSYCHOTHERAPISTS COUNSELLING AND HEALING BREATHWORK

re-attune to the sensations in your body. Whether in a chair or lying down, we guide you through profound practices of embodiment, witnessing anything that arises, staying present and connected. Issues like anxiety, depression, relationships, parenting, somatic illnesses, and more can all be addressed with this gentle and efficient approach, creating a more connected, resilient, and authentic Self. Three IBP therapists currently practicing In the Cowichan Valley offer sessions for individuals and couples: Jodie McDonald, MSW RSW, recently opened a new office in downtown Duncan, on Station St. You can reach her at: www. livingandbreathing.ca Shawna Hett is a registered professional counsellor with a Bachelors in music and art therapy, schooled in a Masters of Psychology Counselling. Email her at: shawnahett@gmail.com Sybille Webb, MEd has a private practice in Duncan and is offering expressive arts workshops, called “Dance & Paint Soul Journeys”. You can reach her at: www.sybillewebb. com Along with Margie Gayle from Vancouver, we have also come together to create a powerful seminar series for personal growth, Connected Living Seminars, coming soon: www. connectedlivingseminars.ca.

Submitted by Sybille Webb

SYBILLE WEBB, MEd 250-715-6957 sybillewebb@shaw.ca

actually project their own magnetic fields, and that all 70 trillion cells in the body communicate via electromagnetic frequencies. Nothing happens in the body without an electromagnetic exchange. When the electromagnetic activity of the body ceases, life ceases. Disruption of electromagnetic energy in cells causes impaired cell metabolism. This can happen anywhere during the disease process.

The Future Of Wellness Is Here

elcome to heath care in the 21st century. The root of a healthy life is having healthy cells. So it stands to reason that we are only as healthy as our cells. Active, regular tuning-up of our cells is not only feasible but also necessary, to slow aging and to reduce the risk of cell dysfunction. Imperceptible cell dysfunction that is not corrected early can lead to disease. Fine-tuning can be done daily in only minutes, using pulsed electromagnetic fields (PEMFs). Also, when there is a known imbalance (when symptoms are present) or there is a known disease or condition, PEMF treatments, used either alone or with other therapies, can often help cells rebalance the dysfunction faster. PEMFs work to: · Reduce pain, inflammation and the effects of stress on the body · Improve energy, circulation, blood and tissue oxygenation, sleep quality, blood pressure and cholesterol levels, absorption of nutrients, cellular detox and the ability to regenerate cells. · Balance the immune system and stimulate RNA and DNA. · Accelerate repair of bone and soft tissue. · Relax muscles. What are PEMFs and how do they work? Everything in life is energy. Energy is always dynamic and therefore, has a frequency. All energy is electromagnetic in nature. All atoms, chemicals and cells produce electromagnetic fields (EMFs). Every organ in the body produces its own bioelectromagnetic field. Science has proven that our bodies

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PEMFs address the function of cells – which in turn improves health. PEMFs deliver beneficial, health enhancing, pulsed EMFs and frequencies to the cells. Low frequency PEMFs pass through the body, penetrating every cell, tissue, organ and even bone without being absorbed or altered! As they pass through, they stimulate most of the electrical and chemical processes in the tissues. Therapeutic PEMFs are specifically designed to positively support cellular energy, resulting in better cellular health and function. PEMF devices help in varying degrees depending on the problem or condition, but selecting the wrong device may provide unsatisfactory results. Omnium1 by Swiss Bionic Solutions is a Class2, medical grade, therapeutic device. Certified by Health Canada, this device is available for treatments in studio, rentals and purchase, at Skintastic. Skintastic Spa & Wellness Studio,6015 Avondale Place Duncan, 250-514-2223

Submitted by Jane Knight, Skintastic Spa & Wellness Studio, 250-514-2223

New Year, New Hope

Green Living

250 715 6174

The beginning of another new year is often a time of reflection and evaluation bringing our awareness to things that may need shifting. Whether it’s the changing of the calendar year, the changing of the seasons, a birthday or anniversary, these landmark times provide a valuable opportunity to make changes. By taking advantage of the momentum from the external shifting we can use that energy to propel any necessary internal shifts. It’s a perfect time to explore that microcosm -macrocosm model of individual vs community or global environment and see how we can create a positive change in how we impact the world around us. We are so fortunate to live in the Cowichan Valley where so many people, businesses, and families are focused on making eco-friendly choices. It seems redundant to list the ways we can be more mindfully green, but there is always room for more growth especially after the holiday season where excess and waste can be so apparent. My suggestion is to pick something that you do on a regular basis, daily or weekly at a minimum, that you can change. Maybe it’s the amount you use your vehicle or reducing water or power consumption. Possibly it’s product choices in terms of ingredients or where and how they’re made that you can be more mindful. Making a small change in something you do regularly will have a huge impact over the long term and you’re more likely to implement it as a permanent change. Resolutions and promises are made this time of year with a big breath in, fingers crossed, maybe a lit candle filled with optimism and hope. Here’s to allowing the wave of the changing season be the force to propel changes for both our internal and external health. Tracey Hanson local mompreneur and owner/operator Clean Choice EcoFriendly Cleaning Services cleanchoicecleaners. com

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Winter Beekeeping Chelsea Abbott is the beekeeper of Lenora Bee Apiary. lenorabee@gmail. com www.lenorabee.ca

fter a long season of collecting nectar and pollen, raising brood, and tending their Queen, the honeybees are ready for winter. And frankly, as the beekeeper, so am I. I’ve had a lot of people ask me “ So, are your bees hibernating for the winter?”. And the answer is no, contrary to popular belief Honey Bees do not hibernate. Honey Bees have flight muscles that are activated through temperature. If it is 12 degrees or cooler, chances are the Honey Bees will be spending their time and energy inside the hive in a cluster. They will lightly vibrate while moving in and out of the cluster to keep the colony warm, while still very much awake and alert. On those few sunny winter days over 12 degrees, the bees will be flying. The bees fly to cleanse themselves of built up faeces ( no pooping in the hive), to clean out any dead

bees, or to collect propolis and early pollens. Winter for a Bee Hive lasts from about November- March depending on the season. It is best to leave your bees alone as much as possible in the winter. Ensure that the hives have plenty of airflow underneath, and that there’s no vermin who are taking advantage of their heat. A quick tip of the Hive can also tell you how much honey they approximately have, and if you need to supply them with emergency food stores or not. Monitor the bees from the outside of the hives as much as possible- does everything appear to be normal? What temperature is it, should they be flying now?

Opening up a Bee Hive in the middle of the winter breaks the cluster of bees and loses all of their heat. It takes the bees a lot of energy to gain that heat back, and what do bees use for energy production? Honey. Honey in the overwintering hive is a precious commodity. Without the ability to forage for more in the winter months, they need to be frugal with their stores. At Lenora Bee Apiary, one last organic mite treatment for the winter will be conducted,

and with that the hives should be entering into spring with very low parasitic mite levels. As for the Beekeeper, I will be keeping myself busy with the construction of new woodenware and Hive Supplies for the 2018 Beekeeping Season. Never a dull moment. Stay tuned to our website for information on upcoming Beekeeping Workshops. www.lenorabee.ca

The TIme Is Now To Switch To Glass Straws

ave you ever thought of how small acts of conservation can collectively help our environment? Do you ever wonder how just a tiny bit of plastic from a straw can be so harmful to our Oceans? These little pieces of plastic are too small to be recycled easily and add up to over 500 million plastic straw waste in North America every single day. This is a huge problem as most of these straws end up in our oceans. An estimated 71% of seabirds and 30% of sea turtles end up with plastics in their stomachs causing a 50% mortality rate. Plastics also break down into micro plastics, which we are learning is not only detrimental to sea life, but also to us humans, who seem to have an appetite for shellfish and seafood. So what can be done about it?

Ask your server the next time you are out to make your drink straw less. Instead, you can bring along your own reusable or compostable version of a straw. Straws are available now in many different materials to suit your needs! You can choose from bamboo, stainless steel, glass and in a pinch, compostable paper. We prefer glass as it adds no altered flavor to your beverage, feels nice on your lips, and are easy to clean. Glass drinking straws are made out of borosilicate glass, the strongest glass available and are safe for all ages to use daily. You can also find them locally hand made right here in the Cowichan Valley by Enviro Glass Straw. Small choices can add up to big changes for our planet and now is the time to take this leap. By Leah Hayes enviroglassstraw@yahoo.ca

Would You Care For Some Plastic With Those Oysters?

hen Sarah Dudas, shellfish biologist from Vancouver Island University and her students analyzed the contents of clams and oysters that they had planted at various locations along the BC coast three months earlier, they found an unexpected condiment: small plastic particles of various colours. The project had aimed to discover if plastic infrastructure used by the shellfish industry was contaminating the harvest. Most of the plastic particles recovered from Dudas’s shellfish were microfibres, rather than microbeads (common in toothpaste), or nurdles (hard resin pellets used as feedstock in the manufacture of plastic goods).

Scans of the plastic particles, obtained using infrared spectroscopy, were compared with a global database. Matches obtained included scans for fabrics made with nylon and polyester fibres. These fabrics tend to degrade over time, and while the exact source of the microfibres cannot be identified, their most likely source is washing machines. The microfibres are flushed out into the water system, and are consumed at the bottom of the ocean food chain. Scientists think that by 2050, plastics could outweigh fish in the ocean. Sara Dudas “Plastics in Shellfish” Cowichan Valley Naturalists monthly meeting, January 16 ,7:30 pm, 1080 Wharncliffe Rd FREE

its own sign Capricorn for the first time since 1989-90. This happens once every 29 years and is a sobering influence. It marks a return to conservatism. People will want to “fit in.” They will seek respect and approval. A focus on aging will increase; and there will be excessive materialism and greed.

Introduction To Forecasts by Georgia Nicols

wo planetary shifts tell the tale of major change for 2018. The first shift occurred in October when Jupiter entered the sign of Scorpio for the first time in 12 years. Jupiter always increases and magnifies! Meanwhile, the sign of Scorpio governs sex and secrets. Sure enough, that month, the New York Times revealed sexual allegations against Harvey Weinstein, the first of a kaleidoscope of charges against successful men misusing their influence. This expose of sexual secrets will continue, along with scandals about the media, universities, the church and foreign countries. (Russia springs to mind.) Jupiter will stay in Scorpio until November this year. The second planetary change is the shift of Saturn into

There will be a heightened demand for high quality. Saturn in Capricorn hates waste and values long-lasting durability and excellence. Fashion will be conservative, classy and elegant. This year will champion apple-pie, motherhood and the flag plus 2.5 kids, white picket fence, happy family with no cavities. But behind this Norman Rockwell façade is strict control and fear of scandal. Conceal a flaw and the world imagines the worst. Actually, I think most people can keep a secret. It’s the one they tell it to that can’t! Readers who are interested in longer forecasts can purchase extended versions from Georgia’s website www.georgianicols.com or directly from Kindle (Amazon.com) . The ones from her website will arrive as an email to those who buy them. All proceeds from the sales of extended forecasts raise money for a Tibetan school in Nepal.

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Hey you! Male or female – you’re Mama Bear. You nurture, you cook, you garden, you care. And you’re tenacious! (You don’t let go of anything – especially relationships.) You’re definitely funny. But you are not direct. Oh no. This is your Crab-ness. Every notice a crab does not approach anyone head on? It comes at you sideways. You don’t say, “Hey, do you want to go ice fishing?” You hedge your bets with, “What are you doing tonight?” Rejection sucks. Everybody’s Got a Past You were on top of your game around 1996-98. This was a time of harvest for you when the seeds you had planted in the previous eight years came to fruition. By 1999, you were looking even better and everyone admired you! However, at the beginning of the millennium, you began to give up people, places and possessions. This continued until around 2005, when you were able to benefit through real estate or improve your home in some way. Your family might have increased in numbers as well. Job opportunities looked good in 2007. However, from 2008 to 2011, you were changing jobs and residences. In 2014, lucky Jupiter was in your sign boosting your happiness and sense of contentment! Last year, you improved your real-estate holdings or did something that expanded your family or improved your home because it was a happy, family year. (You like to have a warm feeling in your tummy.) Welcome to 2018! Money, Job, Status This is a powerful, meaningful year for you with your career and your reputation among your peers! From virtually 2001 until 2018 (and this is a broad metaphor) – you have been “under the table” getting rid of what you didn’t need, trying to figure out who you were and then striving and working hard to prove what you could do. But this year – in 2018, you will suddenly jump on top of that table! That’s a mega shift! When you are on top of the table, you can take a bow for your past efforts. And because you will be more “high viz.” in the world, your efforts will be acknowledged! Many of you

CANCER (JUNE 21-JULY 22) ELEMENT: WATER SYMBOL: THE CRAB RULING PLANET: MOON “YIELD TO TEMPTATION. IT MAY NOT PASS YOUR WAY AGAIN.” ROBERT HEINLEIN (JULY 7, 1908- MAY 8, 1988) will get kudos, or praise, or a promotion because something will happen that empowers you! Furthermore, 2018 will be a turning point when your work on your “inner” world is finished. This year your focus will shift to your outer world and how you can begin to take power and gain success. From here on, you will work for a career peak, which is about seven years from now. Nevertheless, this year (2018) is the turning point. Real-estate speculation, the entertainment world, show business and the hospitality industry are excellent areas to explore. Unfortunately, for most of this year, disputes about shared property, inheritances and insurance issues might arise. But things will turn out in your favour because lucky Jupiter is in Scorpio now – and Scorpio is your fellow Water sign. This is actually an excellent year for financial speculation. Ka-ching! All Your Relationships Ooo la la! 2018 is one of the best years for romance and love affairs! You might encounter love at first sight. (Eyes across a crowded room and all that.) You might meet someone through work, travel, friends or even your kids. You might meet someone while you’re on vacation – because you will definitely take a vacation this year. Ongoing, current relationships will be more playful and lighthearted. However, having said this, Mars is going to hover opposite your sign in March, April, May, and then again in August and September. This will be challenging for committed relationships and partnerships because it makes you easily annoyed with others. So it’s a mixed bag. Romance is blessed.

All your relationships, including current partnerships will have lighthearted moments, especially on vacation. Nevertheless, you might be at loggerheads with someone in the spring and late summer. Because you are stronger and more empowered this year, the balance in your existing relationships will change. Your partner might be threatened by the “new you.” Be aware of this. However, fear not because strong relationships will endure. Home and Family Your relationships are strongly affected this year by Mars, Jupiter and Saturn. These influences will have a domino effect on your family and home situation. For example, you have to be patient with others this year, especially in the spring and then again in the late summer while Mars is opposite your sign. Just tell yourself you can either “Be right or be in a relationship.” The influence of Saturn opposite your sign is a combination of many things at this point in your life. But the end result is that you are taking your power! This subtle change in itself could create difficulties within your family dynamic. By becoming more powerful, you are upsetting the status quo of the last decade. This is a good time to focus clearly on what family relationships expect from each other. What do family members expect from you? What do you expect from them? Make sure that everyone knows whether or not they are on the same page. Never assume that someone “should” know. Clearly communicate your expectations. You can definitely use Jupiter’s influence because this happens

only once every 12 years. Jupiter wants you to take a vacation! Jupiter promotes fun, pleasure, entertaining and the enjoyment of playful activities with children. Fortunately, while Saturn and Mars might introduce some tension – Jupiter will greatly ameliorate this because Jupiter always improves relationships with others, especially children. This is a fabulous year for a family vacation! A Sneak Peek Beyond Next year in 2019, you will have wonderful opportunities to improve your job or get a better job. And your health will improve as well! In 2020, relationships will be blessed. In fact, this is the best year in over a decade for Cancers to get married. In 2021, you will benefit from the wealth and resources of others. Some of you you will receive an inheritance. People will give you gifts and do favours for you. Perhaps your partner will earn more or get a bonus that benefit you indirectly. By 2021-22, your reputation looks fabulous. You make a great impression on bosses, parents and VIPs because whatever you do makes you shine in the eyes of others. In 2025, lucky Jupiter enters your sign for the first time in 12 years bringing you good fortune and increased happiness. Looking good! My Cancer Mantra for 2018 “I deserve vacations, fun, pleasure and play!” Mercury Retrograde in 2018 Expect delays, lost items and confused communications! Best to finish things now, not begin them. These are poor times to buy cars, trucks, bikes, computers, printers and phones. * Mar. 23 – Apr. 15 (Buffer times: Mar. 16 - May 4) * Jul. 26 – Aug. 19 (Buffer times: July 15 – Sept.3) * Nov. 17 - Dec. 6 (Buffer times: Nov 9 - Dec. 25) Lucky Days for Cancer People in 2018: January 1, 2, 29, 30, February 25, 26, March 24, 25, April 20, 21, 22, May 18, 19, June 14, 15, July 12, 13, August 8, 9, September 4, 5, October 2, 3, 29, 30, November 25, 26, December 22, 23

Hey you! You’re easy to spot cuz, you have a distinctive, sporty style! People respect generosity; and they love your fun-loving, entertaining drama! You hate cheapskates. You love animal prints and eye-catching jewelry. You often wear your hair off your forehead like a lion’s mane. You’re a teacher and a leader. You enjoy movies, the theatre and sports. You adore romance! You’re honest, bossy and a bit naïve because you believe in the goodness of others, especially your friends. Everybody’s Got a Past Around 1991, Jupiter entered your sign and life became easier. (Whew!) You got recognition for your past efforts and that was cool. The early 90s were also positive for your family, which might have expanded through marriage, birth or adoption. You hit your stride around 1999, when you entered your time of harvest. By 2004, you began letting go of people, places, possessions and much of what you had created since 1993. This was because you were heading for a new sandbox, which began around 2005-06. In this new scene, you completely redefined yourself by 2012. (If you look at your life in 2012 and compare it to 2003 – quelle difference!) Many of you improved your job around 2008 and made a fabulous impression on others in 2009. Around 2011, travel was thrilling. You put your name up in lights in 2012! Lucky Jupiter returned to your sign in 2016, which brought contentment, happiness and opportunities. Last year, you faced increased responsibilities with children but remained positive and upbeat. In fact, your positive approach to life is one of your great strengths. Welcome to 2018! Money, Job, Status Everything to do with your job and your daily tasks will be productive in 2018. Why? Because you will be busting your buns! Simple. You will choose to give everything your

LEO (JULY 23-AUG. 22) ELEMENT:FIRE SYMBOL: THE LION RULING PLANET: SUN “IT’S SIMPLE, IF IT JIGGLES, IT’S FAT.” ARNOLD SCHWARZENEGGER (JULY 30, 1947) all, which means you will work hard for the results you want. You will be particularly hard working between May and November. In fact, you will work so hard you might become judgmental of coworkers and think they are slackers. It would be wise to rethink this before you judge them because they do not have the motivation to work hard this year like you do! It’s that simple. You will also take considerable pride in your work. Of course, you will want credit for what you do, which means this is not the year for you to be a team player. But you will delegate! (It’s as if you feel that your effectiveness as a human being is being tested.) Furthermore, you have that feeling that you’re preparing for your debut; and so you will do everything you can in order to get ready. At times, you might feel that the demands of your work are overwhelming. Fear not. You are up to this challenge! Nevertheless, treat your body like a tool that has to be well cared for. Those of you who are involved in real estate will do particularly well. All Your Relationships It’s hard to say what will transpire for relationships for your sign this year because you will be so focused on your work. There are certain tasks that you want to achieve and these will be time-consuming. However, singles might meet someone through work. Likewise, you could meet someone through a family member because your life does get a wonderful, positive boost! Take note: From May to November will be a testing time for you because Mars will

be opposite your sign for most of that time. This is unusual! Typically, Mars is opposite your sign for only 6-7 weeks once every two years. When Mars is opposite your sign, you get easily annoyed with others! You will resist compromise and you will complain. (Yes, you will.) However, you can also use the energy of Mars to consciously work on the relationship once you realize what is happening. It’s good to remind yourself what you would lose if that person were gone? Too often we focus on the faults of others and forget the wonderful things that attracted us to them in the first place. Home and Family Glory hallelujah! This is where Leos will shine this year! Lucky, moneybags Jupiter will travel across the part of your chart that affects home, family and your private life. Your relationships with family members will improve in a positive way! People will be friendly, grateful to each other and mutually generous! This is a fantastic year for real estate! It’s a great year for realestate speculation and also a profitable year to buy and sell, or buy for the first time because whatever you buy will not only please and delight you, it will be financial benefit for you now and into the future. If you do not buy, this is a great year to improve your home through renovations and expansions. This theme of expansion is so strong – your family might expand through marriage, birth or adoption. Some of you will improve your home by buying beautiful things that make you feel richer and more fortunate! Whatever the case, this is a fantastic year for home, family

and real estate for Leos – the best in over a decade! A Sneak Peek Beyond Lucky Leo! The year 2019 is the best year in over a decade to enjoy a fabulous vacation! If there ever was a time for you to go over the top, this is a year to do it! You will feel positive, upbeat and independent this year. It will be one of those times when you will be comfortable in your own skin – happy to be yourself and express yourself to the world without fear or apology. Your relations with your kids will improve; and your creative potential will abound! It’s a fantastic year for singles to meet new love. Existing relationships will become more romantic and rewarding than ever before. Your confidence will be such that you don’t feel the need to hide in any way. It will be one of the best years for Leo in ages! Your job and your health will improve in 2020; and by 2021 you will get recognition for something. By 2023, your reputation will shine because awards, kudos and promotions will be yours! (Start making plans for your fun travel next year!) My Leo Mantra for 2018 “This is the year for me to build my Leo castle!” Mercury Retrograde in 2018 Expect delays, lost items and confused communications! Best to finish things now, not begin them. These are poor times to buy cars, trucks, bikes, computers, printers and phones. * Mar. 23 – Apr. 15 (Buffer times: Mar. 16 - May 4) * Jul. 26 – Aug. 19 (Buffer times: July 15 – Sept.3) * Nov. 17 - Dec. 6 (Buffer times: Nov 9 - Dec. 25) Lucky Days for Leo People in 2018: January 3, 4, 31, February 1, 27, 28, March 26, 27, April 23, 24, May 20, 21, June 16, 17, July 14, 15, August 10, 11, September 6, 7, October 4, 5, 31, November 1, 27, 28, December 24, 25, 26

Hey you! You are impossibly clever and witty. You’re one of the brainiacs of the zodiac. And like Gemini – a clever wordsmith. You do accents, impersonations and entertaining impressions of others. And you know so much! Granted, much of it is useless trivia – but it’s so entertaining! You are a supportive, practical, giving friend. You’re there for someone when they need it. That’s because you know actions speak louder than words – even your dazzle talk! Everybody’s Got a Past The mid-90s were challenging for partnerships. (Those that had outlived their usefulness ended.) Although by 1998, existing partnerships improved; and new partnerships and friendships began that were solid and beneficial. At the turn-of-the-century, inheritances and advantages from others (financial and practical) came along. (Perhaps this allowed you to travel in 2000?) By 2001, you were looking swell! People admired your achievements and you were proud! By 2004, lucky Jupiter was back in your sign boosting your confidence, which was fortunate because by 2006, you entered a three-year window where you gave up much of what you had established since 1994. By 2008-09, you set off on a new path; and by 2015, you had changed much of your world! (Look at 2005 to 2015. That decade was a game changer!) Around 2013, your reputation once again was shining; however, something triggered residential moves and job changes in the next few years. Most recently, you have worked to solidify your home base and establish a secure refuge for yourself and your family. (Sounds good to me.) Welcome to 2018! Money, Job, Status There is one main reason why you can improve your job and your status in the community this year. It is that Jupiter, the planet of good fortune and expansion, will travel through your Third House. This means

VIRGO (AUG. 23-SEPT. 22) ELEMENT: EARTH SYMBOL: THE VIRGIN RULING PLANET: MERCURY “IT’S A JOY TO LABOUR FOR THOSE YOU LOVE.” ANONYMOUS (OCT. 20, 1904 – FEB. 24, 1986) your optimism will increase and you will be more hopeful about achieving whatever is important to you. You will be less inclined to sell yourself short. You’ll be more inclined to think “I can do that!” This confidence and optimism will also be enhanced by an ability to be more articulate in your communications. You will not be afraid to speak! Furthermore, you will educate yourself in every aspect of whatever interests you. Your confidence, your optimism, your increased knowledge and your willingness to speak up and go after what you might have hesitated to do before, will bring you success this year! Many of you will travel more this year probably shorter trips but frequent trips. In addition, daily associates and contacts plus siblings and relatives might be helpful enough to invest in what you’re doing or lend you money or materials to make your dreams come true. Your attitude to everything will be bigger, bolder and more visionary! Not only will your communications with others improve, your plans for the future will be more ambitious! This means you are the reason for your success this year. You are the magic! All Your Relationships Without question, your relationships will improve this year. All your relationships! Why? Because your ability to communicate with others will be more positive, more upbeat, more optimistic, more generous plus more intelligent and aware. Factoid. All these qualities in you will be more enhanced than they have been in over a decade! Hello? When you speak, you’ll you be Power Point on steroids!

This is because the planet Jupiter signifies many things – but among them are wisdom, joy, generosity and the ability to deal with groups. And Jupiter will be in the part of your chart that deals with your daily communications with everyone. Singles will attract people to them because optimistic confidence is sexy! Those of you in existing relationships will enjoy deeper, enriched relationships because you will have the courage to be more honest and the wisdom to know where to draw the line. You will meet new people this year – definitely! You will meet them through travel, through friends, through siblings and relatives and through casual, daily contacts. Furthermore, from May to November, Mars the planet connected with sexuality will be hovering in your House of Romance. Nudge, nudge, wink, wink. Need I say more? Home and Family Naturally, because your communication skills are so great this year, you will deal more skilfully with family members. That goes without saying. However, from May to November – when Mars hovers in your Fifth House, you will be playful! If you are parent, you will have more fun with your kids. However, Mars is also aggressive and daring, which means you might also have conflicts with your kids. In this respect, you will have to be patient. Ironically, this placement of Mars does not encourage self-discipline. So this will be your challenge this year! Use your ability to be positive, optimistic and encouraging with family members. One person can

make a huge difference by being either negative or positive in the family. You can choose to be that positive seed that lifts the morale of everyone. You can also teach siblings, relatives and kids because no one is a better teacher than an enthusiastic student. A Sneak Peek Beyond The year 2019 is your time to improve your home scene by renovating or moving. Many of you will move to bigger digs. This is also an excellent year to explore real-estate opportunities. You might also expand your family through birth, adoption or marriage. Family will also be more generous and loving to each other. Naturally, this will lead to exciting vacation plans in 2020 because romance, love affairs, sports and playful activities with children will be a strong focus. This is a fun year for you! By 2021 you will improve your job or get a better job. In this same year, you can improve your health as well. By 2022, relationships will look so wonderful – this is actually a fabulous year to get married! Finally, around 2024-25, your reputation will shine! This is when you will get kudos, promotions and opportunities to show the world what you can really do. Take a bow! My Virgo Mantra for 2018 “The more positive I am in life, the more life is positive to me!” Mercury Retrograde in 2018 Expect delays, lost items and confused communications! Best to finish things now, not begin them. These are poor times to buy cars, trucks, bikes, computers, printers and phones. * Mar. 23 – Apr. 15 (Buffer times: Mar. 16 - May 4) * Jul. 26 – Aug. 19 (Buffer times: July 15 – Sept.3) * Nov. 17 - Dec. 6 (Buffer times: Nov 9 - Dec. 25) Lucky Days for Virgo in 2018: January 5, 6, February 2, 3, March 1, 2, 28, 29, 30, April 25, 26, May 22, 23, June 18, 19, July 16, 17, August 12, 13, September 8, 9, October 6, 7, November 2, 3, 29, 30, December 27, 28

Hey you! You have refined tastes. You appreciate attractive rooms, fabrics, glassware, dishes, gorgeous carpets and furniture. You love stimulating conversations and a good table at a nice restaurant. Your fine mind can discern subtle relationships between events and people. You are articulate. You crave harmony in your surroundings so you can enjoy leisured coziness. You agree with fellow Libran Groucho Marx, “Time flies like an arrow. Fruit flies like a banana.” Everybody’s Got a Past Relationships were challenging in the mid-90s, and some ended. In 2002, you impressed others with what you could do; however, around 2004-05, you achieved a cherished dream! Whatever happened made you proud! Romance, vacations and opportunities for entertaining diversions flourished in 200910. Around that time, you also gave up something so that you could begin something entirely new around 2011-12. Looking back you will see that it was then that you began a process of redefining who you are. And this process is still in play! It will not be finished until next year. This means that whatever you are undergoing now is putting the final touches on the new you. Very recently, you might have had a change of jobs or change of residence or something that places you an entirely new milieu that forces you to hear things with fresh ears and see things with fresh eyes. It’s refreshing and stimulating! Welcome to 2018! Money, Job, Status For some signs, the impact of planetary changes is obvious; for others, it is subtle. One thing that is very obvious this year is for your sign -- and it’s good news! This is the year you can make more money! Factoid. You might get a raise, or make money on the side, or get a better paying job. Something will increase your assets and wealth. If you don’t see how this is at all possible – think again. I am a Leo with Libra rising so this Libra forecast applies to me. Frankly, I don’t see how I can boost my earnings. Everything

LIBRA (SEPT. 23-OCT. 22) ELEMENT:AIR SYMBOL: THE SCALES RULING PLANET: VENUS “COURAGE, MY FRIENDS; ‘TIS NOT TOO LATE TO BUILD A BETTER WORLD.” TOMMY DOUGLAS (OCT. 20, 1904 – FEB. 24, 1986) seems to be on a holding pattern – fingers crossed! However, let’s face it; if I use my ingenuity and imagination, there are ways that I can increase my income. You just have to think about the possibilities are available to you, and be confident and positive minded. Expect the best. Expect a miracle! (That’s key.) One area that will definitely get a boost is anything to do with the entertainment world, the hospitality industry, show business, professional sports or working with children. Another way to improve your earnings might be through work-related travel or dealing with foreign countries. Perhaps it involves importing/exporting in retail work? It might also relate to publishing, the media, higher education or anything to do with the law and medicine. Especially the law – because Libra is the sign that rules the legal system – hence the scales. (And look how well lawyers dress.) I believe that a daily appreciation of with who you are and what you have encourages a feeling of contentment. Ironically, your bank account has surprisingly little relationship to feeling content. All Your Relationships Relationships are important to you because you need the company of others. You like to have someone on the end of your teeter totter. In 2018, romance will be activated because Mars, which comes along every two years and stays for about six weeks in one sign, is going to be doing something very different this year! It will swing back and forth between Aquarius and Capricorn from May to

November; and this will activate your House of Romance and love affairs. Expect to encounter new love in a breathless, unexpected, sudden way! Someone will just blow into your life! (Gasp.) You might meet this person on a vacation, or through the entertainment world, the hospitality industry, or through children, or through your own creative expression in the arts. Whether you are active in sports or a spectator – you might meet this person in your sweats. (Hmmm.) Existing relationships will also get boost! This will enjoy more zest! More enthusiasm! This Martian influence is definitley fun-loving, romantic and a bit daring. One more point: As you explore ways to boost your income, this too, might lead to new relationships. Welcome whatever comes into your life! Home and Family In the next two years, you need to secure your home so that you feel you have a safe refuge in the world for yourself and your family. You might move. If you don’t move, you will do something basic like repairing a roof or the basement -- an important renovation or addition. Likewise, with your family members, you will have to address issues that you have avoided. These issues must be faced in the next two years. You might choose to benefit from counselling or psychotherapy. The reason for this emphasis on repairing and securing your physical home as well as solidifying family relationships is that in a 30-year window – now

is the time for you to lay your foundation for the next 30 years. For some, it could indicate increased responsibilities with a parent. Look at this as a time of beginnings, and the first thing you are doing is laying a solid foundation for the next few decades. Capisce? A Sneak Peek Beyond In 2020, you will do everything within your power to create your dream home! You might expand or renovate where you currently live. You might move to a bigger and better digs. Your family life will be happier and family members will be upbeat and mutually generous to each other. Furthermore, this is an excellent year to buy or invest in real estate. No surprise that the following year you will take a fabulous vacation – make a note of that – 2021. By 2022, you can improve your job or get a better job. In the following year, relationships are blessed in fact, 2023 is a fabulous year for Librans to get married! In 2024, you will benefit from the wealth and resources of others. This is also a great year to get a loan or mortgage. By 2025, you are off travelling or reaping the benefits of publishing and higher education. Small wonder that your reputation shines in 2026! Looking swell, kiddo! My Libra Mantra for 2018 “I am deeply appreciated and compensated!” Mercury Retrograde in 2018 Expect delays, lost items and confused communications! Best to finish things now, not begin them. These are poor times to buy cars, trucks, bikes, computers, printers and phones. * Mar. 23 – Apr. 15 (Buffer times: Mar. 16 - May 4) * Jul. 26 – Aug. 19 (Buffer times: July 15 – Sept.3) Lucky Days for Libra in 2018: January 7, 8, 9, February 4, 5, March 3, 4, 31, April 1, 27, 28, May 24, 25, June 20, 21, 22, July 18, 19, August 14, 15 September 10, 11, 12, October 8, 9, November 4, 5, December 1, 2, 3, 29, 30

Hey you! You go after what you want in life because you are passionate, intense and strong-willed! When riled, your power can scare others! Ironcially, you are often drawn to what is scary. And yet, you are playful, funny and lovable! And sexually, you’re hot! You are also private and oh so secretive. Others admire your desire to heal, cure, restore, resurrect, rebuild and save what is important. The world needs more Scorpios!

SCORPIO (OCT. 23-NOV. 21) ELEMENT:WATER SYMBOL:THE SCORPION RULING PLANET: PLUTO “IF YOU WANT TO BE SUCCESSFUL, IT’S JUST THAT SIMPLE. KNOW WHAT YOU ARE DOING. LOVE WHAT YOU ARE DOING. AND BELIEVE IN WHAT YOU ARE DOING.” WILL ROGERS NOV. 4, 1879 – AUG. 15, 1935

Everybody’s Got a Past Looking back, around 1998 was a fun-filled, romantic time. You improved your job and by 1999, relationships were a big focus. (Some of you split up; others entered a new relationship.) In 2002, your reputation was shining! And by 2006, lucky Jupiter in your sign boosted your confidence and attracted good fortune to you. Whatever transpired then made you proud because you achieved something noteworthy – perhaps a graduation, a special birth, marriage, a big promotion.

You will also be happier at work because Jupiter is associated with joy. (Jupiter is also called Jove, hence the word jovial.) Your confidence will increase and you will be more effective in your job and all your business dealings.

By 2008-09, you improved where you lived. Some of you expanded your family at that time. By 2011, you got a better job or improved your existing job – even your health improved! However, that was also the beginning of a time when you had to let go of people, places and possessions. This meant that around 201213, you set off on a new course in life! Once again in 2015, your reputation made you look good in the eyes of others. Since then, money has been tight, but you have been popular! Fortunately, you have much to look forward to in the coming year!

Meanwhile, Saturn indicates that in the next two to three years, you will have a job change or a residential move or both. Start planning for this so that you are not caught off guard.

Welcome to 2018! Money, Job, Status This is a marvellous year for Scorpio! Lucky Jupiter is now in your sign to stay until November 2018. This is a huge blessing that comes only once every 12 years. This means you will attract opportunities in work-related travel and dealing with foreign countries. You will also attract new chances to explore and expand avenues in medicine, the law, higher education, publishing and the media. You will definitely increase your sphere of influence!

In the broadest sense, Jupiter in your sign means you’re beginning a new 12-year cycle of learning. In this fortunate year, do not just kick back and relax, which is tempting. Use this blessing to advance your agenda and get ahead!

Mars makes this a strong year for those of you in sales and marketing; as well as teaching, acting, writing and editing. Mars will make you mentally alert, focused and articulate in all your communications! All Your Relationships All your relationships will improve this year simply because you are happier. Why are you happier? Because lucky Jupiter is in your sign for the first time in 12 years! It will be there for almost the entire year and will not return again until 2029. This is a singular blessing just for Scorpio people. It makes you happier, more content, more relaxed and yet, at the same time, more confident and eager to expand your horizons. All of these qualities make you more attractive in the eyes of others and definitely more approachable. This year there will be an increased honesty in all your

relationships. This is because fiery Mars will be in the part of your chart that governs your daily communications. This will make you forthright, strong, verbally aggressive and bossy! Oh yeah. Furthermore, with Jupiter in your sign, you will attract people to you! Jupiter both magnifies opportunities that come to you, and increases the amount of people who are drawn to you. This will be a busy year! Everyone wants to see your face. Just accept this and let the games begin! Home and Family In the same way that your relationships will improve this year, your relations with family members will also improve because you are more patient, more enthusiastic about life and more accepting and tolerant of whatever goes on around you. You are also more content and happier. Others will want to be in your company. These qualities promote a more harmonious relationship with family members. Admittedly, fiery Mars will make all your communications forthright and direct this year. You will say what you mean and mean what you say! Family members will find you more aggressive than usual. (Gulp.) You will stand up for your rights or the rights of others. You will also be more persuasive and convincing if there’s something that you want. In addition, take note: Within a 30-year cycle, you are now entering a two to three-year window that indicates there’s a strong chance you will have a residential move in the next two to three years. Start thinking

about this in case you have to do some planning. Even if you don’t think this is likely – there’s a strong chance it will happen! A Sneak Peek Beyond During 2019-2020, you will boost your earnings and increase your wealth and your assets. Many of you will buy beautiful things for yourself so that you will feel richer. And yes, the possibility of a residential move or a job change still exists until 2021. In fact, in 2021, your family life will improve and many of you will move to bigger, better digs or you will improve your existing home. This is also an excellent year for real-estate speculation. Do plan on a vacation in 2022! Love affairs, sports and fun times are on the menu that year! The year 2024 is also a wonderful time to get married because it blesses all partnerships. And by 2025, you will gain from the wealth, money and resources of others, especially your partner. However, children might be an increased responsibility as well in 2025. Make plans to travel extensively in 2026. Bon voyage! My Scorpio Mantra for 2018 “This is my lucky year! I must make the best use of this advantage!” Mercury Retrograde in 2018 Expect delays, lost items and confused communications! Best to finish things now, not begin them. These are poor times to buy cars, trucks, bikes, computers, printers and phones. * Mar. 23 – Apr. 15 (Buffer times: Mar. 16 - May 4) * Jul. 26 – Aug. 19 (Buffer times: July 15 – Sept.3) * Nov. 17 - Dec. 6 (Buffer times: Nov 9 - Dec. 25) Lucky Days for Scorpio in 2018: January 10, 11, February 6, 7, March 5, 6, 7, April 2, 3, 29, 30, May 26, 27, 28, June 23, 24, July 20, 21, August 16, 17, 18, September 13, 14, October 10, 11, November 6, 7, 8, December 4, 5, 31

Hey you! You are adventure personified! No one travels more than you. You love challenges, you take risks, you’re attracted to action and excitement and your quest is for truth. You keep your options open. Your lifestyle is simple: Work hard/ party hard! You hate being confined and you are outraged at cruelty to animals. The outdoors always beckons. People love your breezy, friendly style. You treasure your freedom.

SAGITTARIUS (NOV. 22-DEC. 21) ELEMENT: FIRE SYMBOL: THE CENTAUR RULING PLANET: JUPITER “DON’T WORRY ABOUT THE WORLD COMING TO AN END. IT’S ALREADY TOMORROW IN AUSTRALIA” CHARLES M. SCHULZ (NOV. 26, 1922 – FEB. 12, 2000)

Everybody’s Got a Past In the mid-90s, life was in flux with job changes, residential moves and opportunities that came your way, especially in 1993. By 1995, you were blessed with Jupiter in your sign, which brought you good fortune. However, your focus was to establish a stable home for yourself, which many of you did around1998.

again until 2030.)

By the turn of the century, job opportunities were positive and by 2002, you received recognition for your efforts. However, partnerships were becoming a strain. Some of you split from your partner, which meant that by 2004, you had to rely on yourself. By 2013, you entered a two to three-year time when you said goodbye to people, places and possessions. Conflict with a friend might have taken place then as well.

Saturn urges you to control your possessions and wealth this year, which is why it is wise to organize your finances as well as you can. You will work hard to earn money. You will also be intellectually and verbally aggressive about going after what you want because fiery Mars will hover between two houses in your chart: Money and Communications.

In 2015, travel opportunities were marvelous! This brought you joy. For many, these travels led to a new path that you began around 2016. Ultimately, this path will redefine who you are by 2024. This exciting process is still taking shape for you and it is something that occurs once every 30 years. Keep looking in the mirror to see what’s happening! (Is my nose growing?) Welcome to 2018! Money, Job, Status For most of this year, you are in a holding pattern. You are shaping things to prepare for the future. However, something powerful will occur in November when your ruler lucky Jupiter enters your sign to stay for a year! Extreme good fortune! (This will not occur

By autumn, your confidence will increase and others will be impressed with you. Many opportunities will begin to come your way. You will attract important people to you. This doesn’t happen just by magic. It means that you laid the groundwork for it ahead of time earlier this year (2018).

This means this is a year to take your plans and your goals seriously. Whatever you do now will have a domino effect that affects the latter part of 2018. Remember the advice of your fellow Sagittarian Bruce Lee who said, “If you think a thing is impossible, you’ll make it impossible.” Obviously, the reverse is true. All Your Relationships The biggest influence on your relationships this year is your desire to discover your true values. Who is best for you? Where should you put your efforts? What kind of job you should have? You want to know these answers so that you don’t end up being 90 years old thinking, “Wow – you blew it!” Like a karmic conspiracy, two major planets now force these questions on you. Saturn demands that you define your

values. Perhaps your desire for material wealth is keeping you from discovering something more important? Meanwhile Jupiter, the planet associated with wisdom and religion, will travel through your 12th house, which embraces hidden values and spirituality. This gives you the capacity to learn more about your inner world. These two different planets travelling through two different parts of your chart are working for the same goal. Curious! Therefore, you will be attracted to people who help you discover your values. Some of these relationships will show you what you don’t want to be. Some of these relationships will show you what you do want to be. It’s a time of learning and personal evolution. Home and Family Many issues regarding home and family have been confusing since Neptune entered your Fourth House in 2012. This influence makes you think a lot about what your perfect home life would be. What would be your ideal home? What country would it be in? Would it be urban or rural? Are you alone in this house or with a partner? These are things you think about. Ironically, many of you are also dealing with some confusion at home. A family member might be a burden or a challenge for you. Whatever the case, your journey to define your values will also apply to anything related to home, family and your personal life. Be reassured that when Jupiter enters your sign in November, your confidence will get a huge

boost! And suddenly, many of these wishy-washy issues will become crystal-clear. I think most of you will not be making a residential move for at least three years. (Of course, there are exceptions, especially if your rising sign dictates a move.) My Sagittarius Mantra for 2018 “Timing is everything. My personal good fortune arrives this year!” A Sneak Peek Beyond The year 2019 is most fortunate because your ruler lucky Jupiter is in your sign! It doesn’t get better than this! This influence will make you feel happier, more content and more comfortable in your own skin. At the same time, Jupiter will bring you good fortune and make life easier for you. Plus it will attract opportunities and open doors for you. By all means, make the most of this blessing because it will not return again until 2031. Look for ways to boost your income in 2020 because they definitely exist. From 2021 until 2024, job changes and residential moves are likely. Take note: 2023 is a fabulous year for a vacation! Relationships and partnerships are blessed in 2025. In fact, this is a wonderful year to get married. At this stage in your life, you are keen to solidify your home base and establish a safe refuge for yourself, which of course, you will do. Mercury Retrograde in 2018 Expect delays, lost items and confused communications! Best to finish things now, not begin them. These are poor times to buy cars, trucks, bikes, computers, printers and phones. * Mar. 23 – Apr. 15 (Buffer times: Mar. 16 - May 4) * Jul. 26 – Aug. 19 (Buffer times: July 15 – Sept.3) * Nov. 17 - Dec. 6 (Buffer times: Nov 9 - Dec. 25) Lucky Days for Sagittarius in 2018: January 12, 13, 14, February 8, 9, 10, March 8, 9, April 4, 5, 6, May 1, 2, 3, 29, 30, June 25, 26, July 22, 23, 24 August 19, 20, September 15, 16, October 12, 13, 14, November 9, 10, December 6, 7

Valley Voice Magazine - Your Monthly Guide to Living in the Cowichan Valley

Hey you! You are so on your game, we can take you anywhere. You’re well mannered, aware, punctual and you floss. Admittedly, you’re a sucker for labels because you like their implied status. And who doesn’t? Respect feels good! You don’t expect things to be handed to you on a platter. You work hard for what you want because you know – no pain, no gain. The funny thing is that despite your conventional demeanour, at times, you do the most bizarre things! Everybody’s Got a Past You are a long-lived sign, so let’s look at 1990 when you began a new path. By 1993, your reputation was tops! However, between 1993 and 1996, life was a roller coaster with changing jobs and residences; and by 1999, you finally moved to bigger digs or improved your home through renovations or purchases. At the turn of the century, you took a well-deserved vacation; and by 2004, you received acknowledgement for your hard work. Unfortunately, this was a time when partnerships were challenging, which is why many of you left a partnership in the next year or so. By 2008, lucky Jupiter in your sign restored your confidence and brought you good fortune, which led to another wonderful boost to your reputation in 2011. Things were looking up and you were proud of your achievements at that time! Travel plans in 2016 were enriching; but you also began to dismantle much of what you had created since around 2003. Last year, your reputation was stellar! People admired you and you gained prestige. (Success is so sexy!) Welcome to 2018! Money, Job, Status This is an important year for you because your ruler Saturn is now entering your sign for the first time in 30 years. The last time Saturn was in Capricorn was from Feb. 1988 to Feb. 1991. (And before that 1959-1961) These dates marked when you left a lot behind and moved forward to something new. This is what is happening

CAPRICORN (DEC. 22-JAN. 19) ELEMENT: EARTH SYMBOL: THE MOUNTAIN GOAT RULING PLANET: SATURN “NOTHING INTERFERES WITH MY CONCENTRATION. YOU COULD PUT ON AN ORGY IN MY OFFICE AND I WOULDN’T LOOK UP. WELL, MAYBE ONCE.” ISAAC ASIMOV (JAN. 2. 1920 – APRIL 6, 1992) again this year. You have completed what might be called the dark night of the soul. Now you are on a new path of growth -- a path where you will reinvent yourself in the next seven years. Do not be in a hurry! Your responsibilities will continue to be considerable and your accomplishments will be great. With surprisingly little effort, your life will flow more easily this year. Relations with bosses and VIPs will be successful and beneficial. This is an excellent year to advance your position. But do so slowly and carefully. You will find it easy to “think big;” and you might earn unexpected income because 2018 is a favourable year for you financially. Many will admire you! In particular, clubs, groups and organizations will turn to you for leadership and advice. You will have lots of energy to work to earn money; which is good because you will spend a lot of money in 2018! Ka-ching! All Your Relationships This year you will enjoy one of the most popular years you’ve had in over a decade! Others will vie for your attention. You will meet new friends. You will also join new clubs and organizations. You thrive well in clubs and organizations because you like to combine your desire to socialize with being civic minded in a helpful, supportive way. This means that while you’re out there having fun, you’re getting results for your efforts! One thing that is important to understand this year is that your increased popularity will, of course, be pleasant, even

ego gratifying. However, it’s important to know that all your interactions with others will benefit you this year. They might benefit you financially, physically, psychologically or emotionally – but they will benefit you. And you will benefit others! It’s a two-way street. Do not hold back because you will only shortchange yourself. This is not a year to go it alone. Enjoy the company of others. Seek out like-minded people to perhaps work for broad social reform. This year whatever you put out will come back to you multiplied. Remember this. Home and Family Stock the fridge because you will entertain more at home this year. Clubs and organizations will gather there because you are so popular! You will be strong in your role in the family – stronger than usual, probably a bit bossy. You will direct the efforts of others, perhaps because of renovations to where you live; and also because you will entertain more. You will also spend money more freely this year! You will buy special things for your home, especially items related to technology and modernizing your home. You might buy modern art or unusual purchases. You will work hard to repair and improve your home to secure it for the future. This is important to you. Saturn can encourage stress on your skeleton and your joints, so you might want to consider taking supplements. Add items to your wardrobe that make you feel comfortable while you entertain at home. (Isn’t it

a drag when you have fashion sense but no money to prove it?) A Sneak Peek Beyond In December 2019, lucky Jupiter will enter your sign for the first time since 2008. This is most fortunate for you! It will stay there for a year bringing you ease, comfort, contentment and good fortune. Do make the best use of this increased personal advantage because it will not occur again until 2032. By 2020, Saturn leaves your sign, which makes you feel lighter and more youthful! (You are a a long-lived sign who looks younger than your age as you grow older.) The promise of earning more money in 202021 gives you a lighter step as well! During 2023-2025, residential moves and job changes might occur. However, do note that in this same window of time, you will benefit through real-estate deals. In some manner, you will move to a bigger and better home or improve your existing home. This is also a time when your family life will be richer. Indeed it might expand through marriage, adoption or birth. Plan for a wonderful vacation in 2024, followed by fantastic opportunities to improve your job and your health in 2025. Yay! My Capricorn Mantra for 2018 “More than ever before - my future is an open book.” Mercury Retrograde in 2018 Expect delays, lost items and confused communications! Best to finish things now, not begin them. These are poor times to buy cars, trucks, bikes, computers, printers and phones. * Mar. 23 – Apr. 15 (Buffer times: Mar. 16 - May 4) * Jul. 26 – Aug. 19 (Buffer times: July 15 – Sept.3) * Nov. 17 - Dec. 6 (Buffer times: Nov 9 - Dec. 25) Lucky Days for Capricorn in 2018: January 15, 16, February 11, 12, March 10, 11, 12, April 7, 8, May 4, 5, 31, June 1, 2, 27, 28, 29, July 25, 26, August 21, 22, 23, September 17, 18, 19, October 15, 16, November 11, 12, December 8, 9, 10

Hey you! You were born 50 years ahead of your time! You’re modern and cutting edge. You love aviation, rocket technology, astronomy and astrology. (Many of you are pilots.) Most of you are wizards and geeks who love gadgets, new inventions, experimenting and pushing the edge. You don’t fit in and you’re fine with that. You lobby for social reform because you want to make the world a better place. What matters? The environment, world peace, free water, net neutrality, Star Trek and peanut butter! (Crunchy.) And hello? Genius guy? You are an Air sign! Don’t be fooled by your symbol the Water Carrier. Yeah, I knew you knew that. Everybody’s Got a Past In the early 90s, you took a new path; and by 1994-95, opportunities to boost your good name arrived. At the turn of the millennium, your primary focus was to solidify your home base. (This was an excellent time to invest in real estate.) Many of you expanded your family through marriage, birth or adoption at that time. Partnerships were supportive in 2003; however, during 200609, they were challenged! Once again, many of you improved your home and realestate scene around 2012. By 2013, you entered a three-year window, when you felt proud of your accomplishments. Partnerships were supportive in 2015, which incidentally, was an excellent year to get married. Last year, travel was rewarding. Many of you also expanded your world through further education. (You like to know stuff.) Welcome to 2018! Money, Job, Status This is one of the few years in your adult life when lucky Jupiter is at the top of your chart. The last time this happened was in 2006; and the next time it will happen will be in 2029-30. This blessing comes along only once every 12 years, so make the most of it! Jupiter will give you opportunities to move ahead in your profession. People will admire you! It’s a time of

AQUARIUS (JAN. 20-FEB. 18) ELEMENT: AIR SYMBOL: THE WATER CARRIER RULING PLANET: URANUS “YOU HAVE TO STAY IN SHAPE. MY GRANDMOTHER, SHE STARTED WALKING FIVE MILES A DAY WHEN SHE WAS 60. SHE’S 97 TODAY AND WE DON’T KNOW WHERE THE HELL SHE IS.” ELLEN DEGENERES (JAN 26, 1958) kudos, acknowledgements and promotions! Many will have more work-related travel and deal with foreign countries and people from other cultures. However, some will use this advantageous time to switch careers to medicine, healing, the law, higher education or travel. If so, then you can’t expect recognition or promotion. Basically, this is your year to put your name up in lights! Nevertheless, you are also beginning to downsize and dismantle much of what you created since 2005. This means that some will get such a stellar promotion, you will leave your home, your job and maybe even your country to go to something new and dazzling with greater opportunities. Be aware that at this time of success, you are also contemplating letting things go. A bit of a contradiction, isn’t it? All Your Relationships Relationships will be tricky this year. There will be a positive influence on all your relationships simply because you appear to be so successful. When others admire you, those who are close to you will also see you with eyes of admiration. However, fiery Mars will be in your sign for much of this year and this makes you overbearing in personal relationships. You may think everything is fine – but your partner won’t! Plus you will be more of a fighter for your rights than usual. Therefore, be self aware. If you want people to really hear you – whisper. You don’t have to yell. There is also the real consideration that you will start to let go of people, places, relationships, jobs and

possessions. This is inevitable. It will impact your closest friendships and partnerships. If you are planning to leave a partnership, the handwriting is on the wall. However, most of you will not leave your partnership and will have to work with the change of “letting go” together in conjunction with someone else. That’s why this is a tricky year. (Stop putting slinkies on escalators.) Home and Family Three main influences will impact your family this year. The first is obvious: You will be happy with your professional success this year! Since happiness is contagious, if you’re happy, family members will feel happier. All is well. The second influence is that Mars will be in your sign much more this year, helping you to direct and work on family projects, home repairs and physical activities. This is a blessing. However, some family members might feel you are too bossy! This means you have to be mindful of how you relate to others. The third influence is that you are entering a threeyear window of letting go of what is no longer relevant in your life. You will go through closets, garages and storage spaces getting rid of stuff. You will start to consider bigger decisions like a change of jobs, residence, city or maybe even your country! (This latter influence will occur over the next few years.) Sounds like it’s time to play that country song backwards: “My truck just started, my dog came back and my true love’s in my bed!”

A Sneak Peek Beyond In 2020, lucky Jupiter will be in your sign bringing you good fortune and opportunities to explore a new future. This is also a sign that you are beginning a new 12-year cycle of growth. (Time to let out another pleat in the shower curtain?) Meanwhile, your impetus to downsize and get rid of what you no longer need will continue until 2021; at which time you will be in an entirely new sandbox. Like wow! In fact, this sandbox might be so new and different that your daily wardrobe will change. By 2022, you will see ways to boost your income; and by 2024-25, you might explore real-estate opportunities. You might also buy a bigger or better home or rent something nicer or more spacious because you will definitely appreciate where you live more at this time. Even family life will be happier. Family members will be more generous to each other. The year 2025 is a fabulous year for a major vacation! Go someplace really exciting! (Then you can be one of those obnoxious returning vacationists.) My Aquarius Mantra for 2018 “I accept my success with modesty and gratitude.” Mercury Retrograde in 2018 Expect delays, lost items and confused communications! Best to finish things now, not begin them. These are poor times to buy cars, trucks, bikes, computers, printers and phones. * Mar. 23 – Apr. 15 (Buffer times: Mar. 16 - May 4) * Jul. 26 – Aug. 19 (Buffer times: July 15 – Sept.3) * Nov. 17 - Dec. 6 (Buffer times: Nov 9 - Dec. 25) Lucky Days for Aquarius People in 2018: January 17, 18, 19, February 13, 14, 15, March 13, 14, April 9, 10, 11, May 6, 7, 8, June 3, 4, 30, July 1, 2, 27, 28, 29, August 24, 25, September 20, 21, October 17, 18, 19, November 13, 14, 15, December 11, 12

Valley Voice Magazine - Your Monthly Guide to Living in the Cowichan Valley

Hey you! Come on! You’re too pretty to be true. It’s a Pisces thang – smoke and mirrors and faerie dust! (And that’s the Pisces spelling of fairy.) You dance! You love shoes! You understand illusion and the art of the costume. Your dreams are vivid. You embrace fantasy and you have a colourful imagination. You appreciate the perfection of beauty, which is why you keep adding layers to go for a perfect ten. You don’t like confrontation. You are gentle and compassionate. Your Spidey sense is wicked. You weep at beer commercials. Everybody’s Got a Past The year 1994 was dramatic because you set off on a new path. By 1995, you improved your job and your reputation. By the late 90s, you went through job changes and residential moves until in 2001, you established a better home scene. Around 2004, partnerships improved. In fact, this was an excellent year to marry. By 2006, travel and advances in publishing, the media, medicine and the law existed. Once again in 2007, you impressed others!

PISCES (FEB. 19-MARCH 20) ELEMENT: WATER SYMBOL: THE FISH RULING PLANET: NEPTUNE “IMAGINATION IS MORE IMPORTANT THAN KNOWLEDGE.” ALBERT EINSTEIN (MARCH 14, 1879 – APRIL 18, 1955) However, by 2009, you entered a three-year window that challenged partnerships. Some relationships ended then. The year 2014 promoted romance, love affairs, vacations and fun times! Following this, you had opportunities to improve your job; and in 2016, you entered your time of harvest. This was the peak of a 30-year cycle. You could now clearly see what was working and what was not. For some it meant graduation; for many it meant a job promotion. Last year, you benefited from the wealth and resources of others. A welcome thing!

(“Anyone who lives within their means suffers from a lack of imagination.” Oscar Wilde.) Welcome to 2018! Money, Job, Status This year is powerful in terms of job, career and your professional standing. You’re in a position to call the shots. Knowing, this, don’t hesitate to make your move! Even though you have responsibilities, you have opportunities! Ironically, since Neptune entered your sign in 2011, you have been unclear about who you are and what you want to do. However, you should know

that more than other sign, when you believe in your dreams – you manifest them! It’s almost magical. Continue to believe in yourself because this is your biggest asset. Neptune will be in your sign until 2025, never to return again in your lifetime. This year, you have the best chance in over a decade to explore opportunities in medicine, the law, healing plus publishing and the media. You might also explore higher education. Prepare yourself by getting further training or education. In 2019, you will suddenly boost your reputation! Therefore, this is your year to get performance ready! Some of you will increase your knowledge and sophistication through travel. You will be involved with groups and friends more than usual. Let travel and education inspire you to be the best you can be because beginning last year and for the next few years, you are in a position of power to change your life and become more successful.

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All Your Relationships It’s a curious thing about being in a powerful position. It’s a litmus test for friendships. You will be more inclined to trust old friends who had your back before you became this successful. This is why you might shy away from some relationships or make a complete break. After all, true friends and partners want what is best for you. They don’t resent your success. This year you will meet a wider variety of people than you normally do. You will make friends with people from other cultures and different countries. In part, this will happen because you will travel; but it will also happen because you will attract these people to you. Plus you will be more aggressive in your dealings with groups and friends, which catapults you into new contacts you might usually not meet. You can also make a difference in your immediate surroundings or in society because you will actively pursue your goals, and the goals of any group to which you belong. Your idealism is aroused this year, which means it will behoove you to hang out with people of like-minded values. Home and Family From most of you, major changes on the home front and within your family will not take place. However, because travel and education are two things that are highlighted for you in 2018, you might travel somewhere with your family this year. If so, it will be a major trip. Your efforts to get further education will also affect your relations with family members. You might educate them along with you or get them to join in your explorations of something new. You are particularly favoured this year because lucky Jupiter is in your fellow Water sign. (This happens twice every 12 years.) This makes life easy for you in 2018! You might be tempted to sit back and enjoy life and do nothing. But this would be a waste. Do whatever you can to broaden your understanding of the world around you and share this with family members.

You will also be more tolerant of family members, even tolerant of things that usually irritate you. Your sense of humour will be snappy this year. Basically, you will appreciate the dance of life in all its glory! A Sneak Peek Beyond You will truly shine in 2019! Something will happen that makes you proud of yourself. People will admire you. Expect a promotion, a new job, graduation – something that is memorable. Whatever happens will be the result of your own past efforts so relax – you deserve this! The year 2020 is a popular time for you, and by 2022, you are laughing because lucky Jupiter is back in your sign again for the first time since 2010. However, you are also in a three-year window from 2020 to 2023 where you will let go of the so-called deadweight in your life. You will divest yourself of anything that is no longer relevant. The point of this is to get ready to begin a new path in 2023 – a path so different that you might even change your daily wardrobe. Around 2025 is a fantastic time for real-estate speculation. It’s a good time to buy, sell or rent something nicer and larger. Your family life will improve then as well. You have an exciting future ahead! My Pisces Mantra for 2018 “I want to travel and educate myself this year!” Mercury Retrograde in 2018 Expect delays, lost items and confused communications! Best to finish things now, not begin them. These are poor times to buy cars, trucks, bikes, computers, printers and phones. * Mar. 23 – Apr. 15 (Buffer times: Mar. 16 - May 4) * Jul. 26 – Aug. 19 (Buffer times: July 15 – Sept.3) * Nov. 17 - Dec. 6 (Buffer times: Nov 9 - Dec. 25) Lucky days for Pisces in 2018: January 20, 21, February 16, 17, March15, 16, 17, April 12, 13, May 9, 10, June 5, 6, 7, July 3, 4, 30, 31, August 26, 27 28, September 22, 23, 24, October 20, 21, November 16, 17, December 13, 14, 15

WEBSITES, EMAILS AND VERBAL LINT By Rick Dennis TWO’S COMPANY: Crofton-based husband and wife duo “Shakey Reay” and Corry Suter have the best life. And they want everyone to know about it. In fact, “Best Life” is the title track of their new CD. Born in Winnipeg, Shakey spent the 80’s touring with various groups, playing in clubs and festivals across Canada before moving to Vancouver in late 1988, where he became active in the live music & studio scene (recording on jingles, demos and CDs by Colin James, Billy Cowsill, and many others.) Moving to the Island in 1993, Shakey formed his own band and guest-starred with Valley acts like Thor & The Thundercats and the Headhunters before forming Little Blue Planet with wife Corry and Victoria’s Blue Ray Luxembourg) and, later, Shake N’ Cor. Originally from Holland, Corry has been a singer (she has a four octave range ) and songwriter (she is credited with writing all the tracks on the CD) for over 20 years and a visual artist in mediums including oil & acrylic, watercolor, soapstone and clay sculpture and more. (That is her sculpture of the duo on the back of the CD.) The musical simpatico between the couple is the real deal. And speaking of real, all 13 tracks on the new CD were recorded live off the floor at Shakey’s home studio in Crofton. (Organic folk/blues/jazz. Who’d have thunk it?) For more info on the “best lives”of Shakey Reay and his talented wife, Corry and their musical friends, the Bonetones -Sandy Smith (Sandybone), Dave Webb, Keith “Poppy” Picot and Dave “Double D” Dykhuisen)log onto shakencor.com. In the meantime, I’ll be listening to “Pillows to Walk On” (with a sultry vocal by Corry) “Across the Street (with its New Orleans party vibe),”Best Life” (with its hook-laden chorus), shufflebeat instrumental “Shine It Up” (spotlighting Reay’s always-polished harmonica) to mention just a few tracks from the tasty new CD.

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Valley Voice Magazine - Your Monthly Guide to Living in the Cowichan Valley

Georgia Nicols M.A. is Canada’s most popular astrologer. A Buddhist, this Vancouver-based astrologer is featured in regional papers across Canada, the United States, and New Zealand. www.georgianicols.com

Aries (March 21-April 19) You have much to look forward to this month because the Sun will be in your fellow Fire sign. (The three Fire signs are: Aries, Leo and Sagittarius.) This supportive relationship occurs twice a year and gives increased balance and equilibrium to your life. It means you will encounter fewer obstacles; and your energy level will be high. You will find it easier to do what you want. It’s an excellent time to take a vacation! Taurus (April 20-May 20) This is an intense month! You have a greater focus on shared property, taxes, inheritances, debt, insurance issues and anything you own jointly with others. You are the financial wizard of the zodiac. You don’t like financial loose ends. During this same four-week window – you will be more reflective and willing to explore psychological self inquiry. (Who am I really? Will Google know?) Sex will be passionate as well! Gemini (May 21-June 20) This month the Sun will be in Sagittarius and Sagittarius is 180° opposite from Gemini. (This is why these two signs often get married.) (It’s also why they often get divorced.) This means that symbolically speaking, the Sun will now be as far away from your sign as it gets all year, which means you will have to go more than halfway – consciously – to connect with others. Also, because the Sun is your source of energy, you will be more tired than usual. Go to bed.

Cancer (June 21-July 22) This month, you have a strong desire to get better organized! You will make lists and chide yourself about procrastinating. You will strive to make your efforts count so that you can get the most bang for your buck. Since you’re setting higher standards for yourself, obviously, by extension, you will take a look at your health as well. You might resolve to go on a diet, or eat healthier and get more exercise. All very admirable!

days will accelerate with a jam-packed with short trips, conversations with others, errands, shopping, time spent with siblings and relatives plus reading, writing and studying. You’ll be the frantic white rabbit in Alice in Wonderland. Make a list every day. In the evening, go over that list and refine it for tomorrow. If you have focus, you can handle this busy pace. After all, you are an Air sign. You actually love talking to everyone!

Leo (July 23-Aug. 22) Life will be easier this month! Fewer obstacles will present themselves; and things will flow in your favour. You will play more! Vacations, sports events, the theatre, movies and social diversions and parties will appeal! (You like these things any day of the week but this month, you will really want to gratify your desires and urges!) Take a vacation if you can. Flirt a little! Romance and love affairs will flourish with style. Oh yeah, you’re no Queen of Denial!

Scorpio (Oct. 23-Nov. 21) “Show me the money!” This month you will focus on earnings, money, cash flow, possessions and assets. At a subtle level, you will think about your self-image because that is also something that you own. And at an even more subtle level, you will think about what really, really, really matters in life. I recently read an article about Alie McGraw; and she said what really matters in life are friendships. (I find that curious – not a word about the kind of car one drives.) Mind you, she is a double Aries with Taurus Rising.

Virgo (Aug. 23-Sept. 22) This month is about home, family and your private life. Many of you will want to cocoon at home more than usual. You want to hide and be comfy in familiar surroundings. The weather’s getting cold. Throw another log on the fire. Try some tumeric and ginger tea. (I love it.) Perhaps a Pinot Noir with some pate and red pepper jelly? Yes, relax at home! You might also be involved with a parent or a family member more than usual. Quite likely, you will attend to home repairs and have family discussions because your ruler Mercury is in the picture as well. Yada yada yada. Libra (Sept. 23-Oct. 22) Fasten your seatbelts because this is a fast-paced, energetic month! The rhythm of your

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Sagittarius (Nov. 22-Dec. 21) Lucky you! You host the Sun this month! This happens once every year and when it occurs, this boosts your energy and confidence! Not only that, the Sun attracts favourable situations and important people to you. (Yeah! You’re Reds at centre ice!) Mercury in your sign makes you talkative and eager to explore ideas with others. This is right up your alley because you are the philosopher of the zodiac. Use this blessing to recharge your batteries for the rest of the year because you’re on fire! Capricorn (Dec. 22-Jan. 19) This is a low-key month. Work alone or behind the scenes. (You’re not being antisocial.) You’re just going with the flow.

JANUARY FORECAST

Use this time wisely by thinking ahead and defining goals – with deadlines –for the coming year. Believe your goal is doable. Visualize what you want. Write down your goals and what their purpose is in your life. Tape your list of goals up where you can see them so that you will stay focused. Furthermore, you sense that you are about to embark on a whole new path. Aquarius (Jan. 20-Feb. 18). Friendships and relationships with groups are your lifeblood. After all, Aquarius is the energy in the world that gathers likeminded individuals to bond together to fight to make this world a better place. This notion will resonate with you this month because you are popular and more involved with clubs, groups and associations. You will present ideas as well as listen to others. You will be goal oriented and will hangout with younger people, who stimulate you with their enthusiasm for the future! Ain’t life grand? Pisces (Feb. 19-March 20) Once a year, the Sun slowly crosses the top of your chart. That time has arrived. Symbolically, this means that you are in a flattering spotlight, which makes everyone notice you. In particular, it makes bosses, parents and VIPs see you in flattering way! (You don’t even have to do anything special to look fabuous.) Obviously, this is the best time of the year for you to advance your agenda! Go after what you want. Meanwhile, higher education and a chance to learn anything new plus travel for pleasure still beckon! www.georgianicols.com

Rob’s Lighthouse Eatery & Art Gallery Fresh, friendly, affordable and pet-friendly! OpenED Daily 8am-6pm Heated patio or take out

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Dine In on our heated patio or Take Out! Cowichan Bay

DIRECTORY OF LOCAL SERVICES

Valley Voice Magazine readers directory a great way to discover local services and businesses. 2 sizes of ad space are available to suit every business message and budget. Affordable, stylish and straight to the point.

Directory Size A - 1 logo + 8-12 word listing Full Colour 1 X $63 6X $53 12X $43 Black & White 1 X $52 6X $42 12X $32

Contact Adrienne Richards for more info 250 510 6596 or by phone to adrienne@cowichanvalleyvoice.com

Deadline JANUARY 15 for FEBRUARY 2018 Issue 111 Ayurveda

Natural Beauty

Prudence

Ayurvedic Life Transformations

Uniquely Tailored Explorations Into The Self

Natural Skincare & Cosmetics

Coaching, Counselling, Yoga Therapies & Bodywork

• 155 Craig Street, Downtown Duncan

Asrael 250 597 3973 www.ayurvedicbliss.com

www.prudencenaturalbeauty.ca

Childcare Services

Growing Together Childcare

A home childcare program inspired by nature and the Waldorf philosophy for ages 3 to 5

FULL TIME Spaces Available Now

Ages 3-5 year olds 8:30am-3pm 1033 Nagle Street, Duncan 250-748-9754 or visit us via

250 710 4062 www.hhchildcare.com Computers

In-Home Computer Lessons

Organizing your computer Office Programs Business Office Assistance

Social Media Website Building PC’s and Mac’s

Call Nettie: 250-510-0408 Website: www.inhomecomputerlessons.com E-mail: nettekevw@gmail.com

Employment

Framing and Local Art 139 Station St. 250-748-3311 ssgfs@telus.net Professional Framing •Local Art •Unique Gifts Fitness

Photography

Raindog Camera Services Photos that help tell your stories. www.facebook.com/fotomatic5/

Fitness the Fun Way @cvzip 12 classes/week 3 different venues Nicolette EveryBODY Welcome 250-735-0770

Farms & Food

More than a Meat Shop

Gluten Free/Organic Pasta’s, Organic Meat, Homemade Sausage, International Foods. The Duncan Butcher 430 Trans Canada Hwy 250 748 -6377

Mt. Sicker Family Farm

We supply these local companies • e3 Naturals: Sensitive Skin Therapy • Buddies Natural Pet Food

www.buddiesnaturalpetfood.ca www.e3naturals.com

Valley Voice Magazine - Your Monthly Guide to Living in the Cowichan Valley

Health and Healing Acute or Chronic conditions • Substance dependency • Facial Rejuvenation • MSP & extended health coverage if applicable

Customizable Organic Mattresses, Pillows, Linens Locally made Platform Beds and Furniture

Wu Wei Acupuncture & Acupressure Clinic Frauke McCashin, R.Ac., Dipl.TCM 1 - (250) 710 3581 Mill Bay & Duncan www.worldwuwei.com

126 Station St. 250-597-REST (7378) www.resthouse.ca

REFLEXOLOGY

Indian Head Massage Enabling your body to heal itself, naturally.

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Call Helga 250-732-7988

Unwind and release the body’s own healing potential Cranialsacral Therapy RCST • Integrative Energy Healing Therapist • Kundalini Terri Bishop 1-778-288-7533 Yoga Classes

ISLAND ROLFING

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BRETT HOLLAND I 250.920.8818

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Bioenergetic Balancing with Magnets & Energy Healing

Join Brett Holland for Jingui Golden Shield Qi classes every Wednesday

* Boost the immune system * Prevent illness & fatigue * Feel healthier

50% oﬀ your ﬁrst month of Qi Gong!

Sol Centre, 5380 TCH, Duncan Ph: 250 920 8818

Kathryn Lowther Certified Biomagnetism Therapist & HUE Energy

WWW.GOLDENSHIELDQIGONG.CA

250-891-5138 www.biomagcanada.ca

WAKING WELLNESS NUTRITION

Tina Foster, RHN Registered Holistic Nutritionist

250 748 8774

MineTheHarvest@hotmail.com

In holistic nutrition, a complete approach of mind, body, and spirit is taken for improving your ailments. The state of these all play a part on the way to dis-ease, and so therefore must be considered important on the pathway to wellness. Contact Tina for guidance in achieving your greater health and wellness potential. Enjoy the journey!

Receive Relaxing Reﬂexology and Empathic Listening On a pay what you can basis! Relaxing your body to increase your bodies ability to heal itself! In My Studio or Your Home. Stephanie Cerins 250-732-4599 or happinessishealthy@gmail.com www.happinessishealthy.com

Pet Care Spacious suites, pickup and drop-off service, kitty cams

Cowichan’s Exclusive Boarding Resort for Cats

That Cat Hotel 250-749-3728 www.ThatCatHotel.ca

Reﬂexology Special 3-1 hour for $120

Magnetic Resonance Stimulation, 3-1 hour for $120

IMRS mat rentals Weekly - $200

December BONUS - 3x 1hour -7 day Reboot sessions for free! Call and ask about this special offer’!

TERRI LEWIS 250-701-8962 www.terriswellness.com Yoga

VITASANA YOGA & WELLNESS CO-OPERATIVE Classes in Mill Bay on Tue, Wed, Thurs Morning/Evening

Yin, Hatha Flow, Restorative, Chair Yoga... CALL FOR MORE INFORMATION:250-217-6255

Valley Voice Magazine - Your Monthly Guide to Living in the Cowichan Valley