March 22nd is World Water Day. It is also the day that talks begin regarding an open pit mine that will destroy one of our beautiful lakes and all the species of fish that abound in it. This has already been approved by our Government and we need to stop it. Please sign a petition to stop this from happening - http://www.protectfishlake.ca/petition.php

I have been dealing with depression (possibly bipolar) for years. Is there anything you can recommend?

Rob M.

Hi Rob,

First, let me be clear that since I am not your physician, I cannot legally – nor ethically – give you specific recommendations without seeing you as a patient first. However, here are some general guidelines that may help point you in the right direction. Before self-prescribing anything, I would always recommend a consultation with your Naturopathic Doctor.

St. John’s wort has been extensively studied in Europe over the last two decades, with more recent research in the United States. Short-term studies (one to three months) suggest that St. John’s wort is more effective than placebo (sugar pill), and equally effective as tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs) in the treatment of mild-to-moderate depressive disorder. Comparisons to the more commonly prescribed selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) antidepressants, such as fluoxetine (Prozac) or sertraline (Zoloft), are more limited. However, other data suggest that St. John’s wort may be just as effective as SSRIs with fewer side effects. Since numerous adverse drug interactions are possible, caution is advised, when taking St. John’s wort.

Another one is 5-HTP, which may help balance serotonin in the body. Serotonin is the brain chemical associated with sleep, mood, movement, eating and nervousness. While cells outside the brain, such as platelets in the blood and some cells in the intestine, produce and utilize serotonin, all serotonin used by brain cells must be made within the neurons themselves. When serotonin is not properly constructed within the brain, the result can be irritability, aggression, impatience, anxiety and depression. The results of numerous studies in humans suggest that 5-HTP may aid in the treatment of depression. Again, numerous drug interations are possible, so exercise caution.

Music has been referred to as an ancient tool of healing. Many different forms of music intervention have been used to reduce depression and anxiety in a variety of medical conditions and medical procedures. There is evidence that music therapy may increase responsiveness to antidepressant medication. In elderly adults with depression, a home-based program of music therapy may have long-lasting effects for mood enhancement. In depressed adult women, music therapy may lead to reductions in heart rate, respiratory rate, blood pressure, and depressed mood. Music therapy is generally known to be safe.

While the above are geared to the depressive phase, for the manic phase, you can try things like GABA, which can be found alone or in products like Inno-Beauty Sleep. GABA is the main inhibitory neurotransmitter in the brain, and while it hasn’t been extensively studied for the manic phase of bipolar disorder, theoretically, it makes a lot of sense. It’s great for calming the mind without being a sedative, and therefore, used in cases of insomnia, stress, and even to assist in meditation.

Dr. Lee Know

Who is more open to the workings of spirit than young children?  They live their lives weaving between the real world and their world of make believe, often finding it hard to differentiate between one and the other. Because of this, we often dispel the stories they share, or tune out their garbled chatter with special friends unseen by our human eyes.

They say that children are especially receptive in the years prior to school age.  This is because they haven’t had too much outside influence to plant seeds of doubt, seeds that will take root and spread through their consciousness for years to come.

Our daughter, her spouse and their two children were renting a particular home for over two years.  When they decided to move closer into town our Grandson Owen was understandably upset, after all, he was just three and a half years old, so he had spent the major part of his life there.

On a daily basis Owen asked to go back to his other home, and whenever they drove past the place he would cry and cry, begging them to pull into the driveway. One particular day as they drove by his eyes welled up with tears, “I miss my other mommy”, he said.  When his mother asked him what he was talking about, Owen went on to tell her about his “other mommy”.  He said that she lived in their old home and she was there all the time.

Owens’ “other mommy” would sit on the edge of his bed, and she frequently told him stories about her two boys.  This was confirmed by Owens’ sister, who said that she had seen the woman as well.  Owen went on to say that he missed talking with his “other mommy”, and that she was nice to him, but she was sad too.

We could have sloughed this off as Owen having an imaginary friend, but what a loss that would have been. For an investigation has provided us with some interesting information.  Before our daughter moved into the home, a couple and their two boys had lived there. The mother had died about a year or so prior of an aneurism, it happened quickly and unexpectedly.

So who was this special friend of Owens’?  Was she imaginary, or was she spirit? There is no doubt in my mind.  Now my focus is to ensure the door stays open, so our grandchildren can continue to be receptors for spirit and other phenomena.  I can only imagine the wonders they’ll share.

Children and Spirit column is a forum for sharing our children’s experiences, to learn and grow from them, and yank out a few roots of doubt along the way.  To share your child’s story please e-mail publisher@truebluespirit.ca

I started to take a keen interest in spiritualism 16 years ago. I read every book I could find and took several courses. After taking these courses which were from very qualified people, during a period of three years, I just could not make the connection and was ready to give up.

Then I met a person who was giving a trance demonstration on healing. The spirit that was talking through this person told me how I could go out and heal. Ever since that time I have been able to heal people under any conditions and in any place.

The type of healing I do is referred to as spiritual healing. I work with those in spirit to channel energy to those being healed.

To help explain this, consider the ignition system of a car. There is the battery which leads to the distributor which has electrical wires that lead to the spark plugs. The spirit energy is the battery and I am the electrical wires or the conduit that connects to the spark plug.

I do healing on people, animals, and plants.  Basically I work on anything that needs healing.

Rather than use my own energy which can be very depleting I channel energy from the source. Not necessarily a divine source, but from an alternate source.

Alternative healing uses a channel and most often there is one person in spirit that works through them. I have several spirit workers, and I never know which person in spirit is going to work through me at any given time.

This type of work allows me to do distant healing for people around the world. One example of such healing was for a woman in Idaho who had brain cancer and was given less then a week to live.  Working with another healer we did spiritual healing for about 30 minutes.

We felt ourselves traveling all the way to Idaho and we could even see the hospital and the woman in her bed. We had never met this woman in person.

About a month or so later, I received a call from the woman.  After the fact, she was told about our healing, and decided to contact me with the good news. The day after the healing, they had done a brain scan and there was no more cancer. This is a wonderful feeling knowing that through spirit you have helped someone.

There are many ways to conduct healing. Just to name a few there are trance state, magnetic healing, distant or absent healing, crystal healing, native healing using smudging, drumming and a healing wand to pass energy, and of course prayer.

The principles of alternative healing are basically the same throughout the world and with all peoples. The one common thread throughout the various cultures is that they all know the power of healing comes from the creator.

James Henry Spencer

Wave Walker

I have 2 questions. 1) I read about #5 in the Volume 2 – 3rd issue. Though my character is very much like #5, my ruling # is 4. Is this like being on the cusp? 2) Does numerology apply to my dogs as well?

Delores W.

Hi Delores,

1.) Yes it is possible to reach for the freedom of the #5, but I feel it more likely that your “day” number is a 5, or the #5 figures prominently in your name analysis.  If you would like this information, you can connect with me via email for a proper profile.

2.) As far as dogs or any other domestic pets go, I feel they all have the same life purpose and that is to be our “teachers” in all fields relating to compassion, selflessness, patience, play and sensitivity; coming here to offer their love and companionship and we are blessed by their presence in our lives. Thank you for your question Delores and may God bless you and yours.

Namaste’

Shannon Wills

I have been a successful poet in the past. lately it seems my poetry is all not only rejected but somehow erased. I wonder if this is a sign to stop writing or just a sort of fallow time in my writing life.

Tanya K.

True  poetry is 90% inspiration and 10% perspiration. Relax and request direction from those in the realm of spirit that you were in touch with when your writing was at its’ best.
Ask that only the highest and the best qualified be your mentors.
Then, relax and pay attention as you tune in to the infinite poetry of the universe. Strive not to solve the great mysteries, just accept the fact that you play your role accordingly. With both dignity and humility. Always set a time that is convenient for you to spend with your mentors in spirit.
Then allow your soul to fly with the angels, unshackled by human critics.

The Wave Walker

My health is my concern. I was born May 5 1943. Can you enlighten me please.

Lorna M.

Hi Lorna,

I am sorry to hear that you are having health challenges and I wish I could be more help but I’m afraid numerology can only give us so much and the rest is up to us and the medicine ways we trust; in my experience, it is the medicine you trust that can do you the most good.

I can tell you that 2010 is a #4 year for you and that is all about physical structure, so you do need to be more careful to follow the common rules of good health at this time: fresh air, laughter, exercise and good clean food.  Best of luck to you!

Here is a good question…what do the numbers say for the towns and cities of Vancouver Island? Crystal Eagle

This is a very interesting question Crystal.  I took a while to think this through before answering. Cities like people go through nine year cycles of change, so I answered this question for three cities on the Island with that in mind:

Nanaimo: 2010 is her Personal Year # 7; a  year when it would be wise to step back and take stock of the direction it is going. It is a time to reflect on past errors in judgment and learn from these lessons. Take heart, Nanaimoites, if done well, we will be in a good position to take advantage of the #8, which is coming in 2011: the energy of independence (action vs. reaction) coupled with a growing understanding of who we are and want to be in the years ahead.

Victoria: This city is in a # 1 cycle which is highly energetic and brimming with the potential of great success!  New ideas and plans are meant to be put into action this year. It will be interesting to see what they do with it!

Courtenay: 2010 for this growing city is in its # 8 Personal Year, so it will be interesting to observe how they handle it. So again, independence, a clearer sense of their uniqueness as a city and what it has to offer that makes it attractive to outsiders and the people who call it home.

Namaste’

Sheila S. asked,

I know that this is an important year for me. I was born October 10, 1955……

I will be 55 this year of 2010 what does this year hold for me?

Hi Sheila,

You are most certainly right in that this is an important year for you; it is a Personal Year # 7.  Once every nine years this makes its way into our lives bringing a time of quiet reflection and inner growth that strengthens us and sets our feet on the right course for the upcoming two years.  It is the time when we re-set our sails, so to speak and get right with Spirit. Take time to go within, heal your un-healed woundedness and emerge from the ‘cave’ refreshed and certain of your path. Your birth number is a 22 and you have much important work ahead of you; important to do the work of each step.

Namaste’ dear lady!

Question Asked: February 9/2010

My birthday is 10July1952.

I am wanting to change to a career that involves my innate abilities and compassionate nature but also allows my authenticity to flourish. What do my numbers indicate Shannon?

Abigail T

Great question Abigail!

Your Life Path # is a 7; indicates a propensity toward higher learning, research, religious/spiritual studies, library science, law and teaching. I know that’s a whole lot but none of this can be a big surprise to you. From your name, altruism and humanistic ideals couples with a greatly developed sense of responsibility reflecting the urges of your indwelling soul. You will likely also exhibit a very nurturing / mothering nature which speaks of your compassion towards others. Only you can make choices for yourself, and if this information assists you to make a choice to build upon your present work experience or change completely, then I have done my part well. Good luck! If you want to learn more, send me an email and we can arrange a full reading.

Namaste’

Shannon Wills