Letter from Publisher

Welcome to the crisp and colorful ambiance of October!

Last evening, I was watching the crescent moon setting on one of the last nights of summer. After a week or more of fall-like temperatures and rainy days, we were suddenly back into summer again. As a result, the moon had a poetic cast to it, with a yellow-orange color glowing through the foggy mist of clouds and humidity. Cicadas, crickets and other night insects were chorusing loudly, instinctively responding to the warmth and humidity, as if serenading the late summer moon as we approached the fall equinox. As I sat for a few minutes taking in the scene, I began to wonder about how many people throughout the ages have watched a late summer moon and pondered the transition of seasons.

This month in our Natural Awakenings Chicago magazine, we’re exploring the enriching wisdom of traditional medicine and healing, the meditative practices of qigong and tai chi, the nurturing path of the modern macrobiotic diet, the inspiration of finding wonder and awe in nature and the ways in which we can support pets, too, with traditional healing practices.

This issue offers a tribute to the wisdom of ages and an introduction to some of the healing traditions that have endured and thrived. In our feature article, we dive deeply into the heart of Traditional World Medicine. It’s a journey that reminds us that the roots of health and well-being are deeply entwined with nature and the practices of our collective ancestors. As we explore some of the age-old remedies and holistic approaches, may you find inspiration in their enduring effectiveness.

This month, we also take a modern approach to the macrobiotic diet, as writer Veronica Hinke explores ways that we can adapt this healthful, seasonal lifestyle to our busy lives. As a side note, shortly before I began publishing Natural Awakenings Chicago in October 2010, I had the good fortune to participate in a three-day cooking intensive in Philadelphia with author and PBS host Christina Pirello (who is interviewed in our macrobiotics article), where I learned about traditional and more modern macrobiotic approaches to preparing foods.

She stressed the importance of eating seasonally, not just for environmental reasons, but also to bring our own bodies in to the rhythm and harmony of the year by eating what she described as “whole, unprocessed, seasonal food, cooked in accordance with your own conditions and lifestyle.” Through seasonal food and preparation choices, macrobiotic approaches can help us strengthen our internal systems, replenish our energy and maintain balance in life.

As always, I encourage you to step outside every day and take in the wonder and awe of the month. Take a hike or paddle a local river to enjoy the early autumn warmth, visit one of the great spots in Sheryl DeVore’s Natural Chicago article to view the fall colors, linger over your garden, watch for late migrations of birds, look up at the October moon and try to allow yourself to get into the rhythm and balance of the season.

Throughout the pages of this October issue, may you find a world of inspiration, knowledge and a renewed sense of wonder. Consider the possibilities of  the traditions, the nourishment, the creativity and the wisdom that are included these pages. May they add meaning and positivity to your path. As we begin our 14th year of publishing, thank you for allowing us to be a part of your journey.

 

Happy October!