Natural Ways to Beat the Winter Blues

Medically speaking, seasonal blues are known as winter-onset seasonal affective disorder (SAD), a type of depression triggered by the change in seasons. According to the American Academy of Family Physicians, some 500,000 Americans have the full-blown condition; another 10% to 20% of us experience a milder form. It's more common in women and residents of northern states, where winters are longer and drearier. The checklist of symptoms includes:

• Change in appetite, especially a craving for sweets or starches
• Weight gain
• Fatigue
• Tendency to oversleep
• Difficulty in concentrating
• Irritability/anxiety
• Avoidance of social situations
• Increased sensitivity to social rejection (wonder how they measured that one?)

Standard treatments for SAD include light therapy, drugs, and psychotherapy.  Martha Howard, MD, medical director of Wellness Associates of Chicago, one of the country's earliest pioneers in the practice of integrative medicine, uses traditional Chinese medicine (she's a licensed acupuncturist), herbal medicine, and other natural approaches in her practice. Here is her advice:

Take the best preventive action in the fall—before winter begins. Between October 1 and October 15, go somewhere with a lot of sun and spend time outside four hours a day, four days in a row.

Get a light therapy desk lamp (like those from Northern Light Technologies). Put it right next to your computer and use it at least one hour a day, especially in the early evening. These high-intensity lamps are easier to fit into good old "real life" than using those expensive light boxes that you're supposed to bask in front of for 45 minutes in the morning, says Dr. Howard.

Exercise at least four to six times a week for 30 to 45 minutes. This can be a 2-mile-an-hour walk on the treadmill, or you can even walk through the halls and up and down the stairs of your house or building. Do something, anything.

Acupuncture and Chinese herbs work well for some people, but have to be tailored to the individual by a TCM practitioner.

Try SAM-e (S-Adenosyl-L-Methionine). This naturally occurring bodily compound helps produce and regulate hormones, including the neurotransmitters dopamine and norepinephrine; low levels of these are associated with depression. Dr. Howard recommends taking 400 to 800 milligrams daily.

Take a fish oil supplement with at least 600 milligrams of combined EPA/DHA daily.

Take 500 milligrams of vitamin C three to four times a day with plenty of water, and a B-complex vitamin.

Sara Altshul, Health.com

Looking for a Particular Publisher?

Ever wonder which publishers and manufacturers, Magus Books carries?


It's an impressive list....stop on by...


AJNA

Auric Blends

Avalonia

Azure Green

Benjamin Dykes - Astrologer

Conari Press

Dragon Rouge - Lodge Magan

Capall Bann Publishing

Edition Roter Drache

Eternal Ascent Publications

Fred Soll's

Fulgur Limited Publishing

Golden Hoard Press

Holmes Publishing Group

Incense from India

Inner Traditions - Bear and Company

iNSPiRALink Multimedia Press

Kabbalah Works

Llewellyn Worldwide, Inc.

Luxor Press, Inc.

Mandrake Press

Merkur Publishing

Nirvana Jewelry

Original Publications

Original Falcon Press

Puzzle Rings by Pepi

Ramakrishnananda Incense

Red Wheel Weiser

RUNA-Raven Press

Scarlet Imprint Talismanic Publishers

Starfire Publishing

Sterling Publishing

Swallow The Music

Teitan Press

Three Hands Press

U.S. Games, Inc.

Waning Moon Publications

Wholesale Displays

Top Five Books Every Wiccan Should Own

While many pieces of literature are just rehashing untruths that sell, this list outlines the top five best books that any Wiccan practitioner should own. However, most writings encompass modern interpretations of past ideas, rather than the foundation of Paganism and witchcraft.

Complete Book of Witchcraft
The focus of traditions is lost in this book, but the in-depth discussion on rituals and various tools put this guide on the top of the reading list. You will be led step by step through the process of becoming a true Wiccan.

Triumph of the Moon
Hutton, a non-Pagan professor, covers the progression of Pagan religions, especially in modern society. The fact that most traditions labeled “ancient” are actually from Victorian era authors is covered extensively. He provides a fresh, outside view on this uncertain religious practice.

Guide for the Solitary Practitioner
The beginners and those wishing to learn more about Wicca should immediately purchase this starting manual. The basic concepts and practices are covered well enough for anyone to learn correctly.

Witch Crafting: A Spiritual Guide to Making Magic
Learning to appreciate and understand the world is a huge part of the Pagan religion. With this little guide, you can start fully realizing the energy that can be collected from the common. This energy can then be utilized to perform rituals.

Evolutionary Witchcraft
A recent publication that many people hold very highly based on the in-depth coverage of Wiccan descendants. This is an interesting read that will surely improve understanding of Pagans.
With this collection of the five best books available on this mystic subject, you will learn everything necessary to start practicing.

Original Post: World Religion News

Growing the Backyard...

Do you have a garden related skill you would like to share with your neighbors? Want to host a SkillShare in your yard? Want to learn something new?

Topics may include (depending on interest):

• basics of urban farming
• aquaponics
• garden planning
• seed starting
• starting a garden
• garden maintenance
• growing food for personal use
• using sustainable growing methods
• harvesting
• markets and marketing
• food preparation
• food preservation
• seed saving
• food justice
• composting
• soil building
• season extension
• hoop houses
• developing value added products from the produce that is grown.

Tim Page, Urban Farmer and owner of Holistic Health Farms, makes his home in the Backyard neighborhood. He brings lots of experience in both urban farming and leading projects like “Growing the Backyard”. He has worked on the Emerge Streetwerks HomeGrown Garden Club, Frogtown Farm, We Win Institute Garden, North End Urban Farm, Community Food Justice Council. He has served on the board of Environmental Justice Advocates of Minnesota (EJAM) and the African American Aids Task Force, and he founded two 4H clubs. He has also been instrumental in starting a number of farmers markets in both Minneapolis and St Paul. The Growing the Backyard CHAT will benefit from Tim’s expertise in all areas of urban farming including, product development, markets, community outreach and education.

Immediately adjacent to the Cultural Wellness Center, Tim has transformed the backyard at 2020 Oakland into a Training Center and demonstration garden space. The emphasis at this site has been on growing in containers to demonstrate potential garden mobility. The site also features a high tunnel for season extension, a composting project, and worm composting, with plans to add an aquaponics system.

Tim and his partner Cherry Flowers operate two Twin Cities based consulting businesses called Holistic Health Farms and Page & Flowers. www.holistichealthfarms.com and www.pageandflowers.com.

AlleyNews.com

Winter in Minnesota

While the blizzards of the past week have passed by the land of 10,000 lakes, we remain, as ever, stalwart in our place of winter. One chilly, and downright cold, crisp days, take comfort in the coziness of the season and the hope of spring on the horizon.

Winter is the time for comfort, for good food and warmth, for the touch of a friendly hand and a talk beside the fire: it is the time for home. - Edith Sitwell (British poet and critic).

Stock up on your favorite, cozy teas at Magus Books.

Paganicon 2015

PAGANICON 5 - March 13-15, 2015

Paganicon is a Pagan conference offering workshops, panels, discussions, social space, music, a ball, vendors, and much more. In its fifth year, Paganicon is organized by Twin Cities Pagan Pride and a host of volunteers to provide an educational and social venue for Pagans, Wiccans, Heathens, Druids and people of other folk, craft, indigenous or magickal traditions. Discover programming items that challenge you to think in new ways, make new connections, and renew or inspire your religious and spiritual life. Come and get your mystic on! (We also add in some great food, lots of chances to hang out and talk, an art show, and much more.)


Check out the programs, sponsors, volunteer and registration info!

Readings by Cameron

I provide Chiromancy (Palmistry) and Tarot Card readings. (Other services may be offered at a later date.)

They both provide an intriguing route to the same destination, knowledge and enlightenment, but to those who may not be all that familiar, it could be a tricky decision. Here are a few factors to help you choose which one will suit your needs most:

Chiromancy: I view the hands as a roadmap, or blueprint, of their holder. Within your hands, I am able to view the inner aspects of your life via the lines and characteristic shapes of your hand. The Fate, Head, Heart, and Life lines are the major lines which most people contain. There are numerous amounts of lesser lines that are equally useful to deciphering one's life. If you are confused in your life and unsure of your own feelings, the hand is a great choice to give you clarity and to allow for better understanding of the self. It is also a great use to find out compatibility with another! Bring your friend or significant other and compare hands to see how you complement each other. 

Tarot: The tarot cards tell a story that everyone is familiar with: The story of our life's journey. In conjunction with numerology, the symbols that are revealed from the cards paint a picture of the issue at hand. There are a great number of spreads to use in order to capture a snapshot of the querent's current life and allow him or her to take a step back and see it from a fresh perspective. Tarot cards are great for when you're feeling stuck, as you can see all the options available. It's also a fantastic resource for taking a peak into issues that are not in our own lives. 

I offer both services separately, or at the same time. Longer sessions are required if both are desired.

CAMERON WILLIAMS