Sitting here looking back over the year, I am amazed at how eventful it has been, and how fast it has passed. So much has happened on so many levels - and now Christmas just around the corner. For me, this winter time is a time to draw in, enjoy the company of friends, snuggle down with a hot chocolate in front of the fire. A time to regenerate, to contemplate, to consolidate. This used to be the time for telling stories, drinking and eating the harvest - taking an in-breath. There is an Irish Blessing which I would like to quote: ‘May the lines of love meet in your heart’.

First, get your own life in order. Ground yourself in the single principle so that your behaviour is wholesome and effective. If you do that, you will earn respect and be a powerful influence.

Your behaviour influences others through a ripple effect. A ripple effect works because everyone influences everyone else. Powerful people are powerful influences.

Remember that your influence begins with you and ripples outward. So be sure that your influence is both potent and wholesome.

Heart of Peace was created at this time, to inspire us to recognise where the Heart of Peace lies, both in our own heart and consciousness, and in the realisation of peace in the world. It can be used personally to bring a deep sense of peace, happiness, reassurance and safety.

Since the 11th September 2001 much panic, fear and anxiety has arisen in the world. Many who have made a decision not to engage in fear have found nonetheless, that they are subconsciously picking up on the energy of deep levels of stress at this time and have felt more than usually anxious or stressed about their own work, health, finances, the well-being of family or friends, or their own personal safety and security.

One of the core essences in Heart of Peace is Red Clover, which addresses mass panic, fear, anxiety, dread and fear of abandonment in extremes. It is deeply comforting, grounding and relaxing, bringing the realisation that, whatever is happening, we are innately invulnerable and safe, never alone, always partnered in spirit - that all is well and all will be well. It helps to restore a sense of proportion, happiness, peace, laughter and safety which is a gift to the world and the greatest contribution we can make towards peace at this time.

The other essences in this combination relate to the healing of long term conflict, to the development of understanding and compassion, to peaceful assertion and positive action, to infinite love and abundance, expansion of consciousness, divine awareness and partnership with spirit.

For a brochure or further information on the essences or the book New Vibrational Flower Essences of Britain and Ireland please contact me.

Regular talks and workshops are available to schools, associations and groups by a variety of therapists on a variety of therapies on request.

Earth Balancing and Self-Healing course- a transformational experience, connecting, balancing, healing, sharing, enjoying manifesting our life purpose.

Meditation and spiritual workshops - explore your own mind power using techniques to relax, balance and create the life you want.

Dr John Upledger, founder of the Upledger Foundation - .....says. "I still hear the occasional ‘Where’s the research?’ ..."

Aseries of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) research programs sponsored by the Upledger Foundation is now complete. The protocol was co-designed along with the West Palm Beach Veteran’s Administration medical centre to present a statistically sound representation of how CranioSacral Therapy and SomatoEmotional Release® help ease the often devastating symptoms of PTSD in Vietnam veterans.

The veterans who have completed the programs held at The Upledger Institute clinic experienced fewer symptoms, plus a reduction in the severity of symptoms. Indeed, a report provided by an independent licensed psychologist noted more than a 95% correlation between their improvement and the treatments they received at the clinic.

"Most of these veterans were having a very tough time just functioning in society," says the clinic Chief of Staff. "At the end of 10 days of treatment here they demonstrated far healthier profiles.

Statistically significant improvement was noted in all 13 PTSD variables tested. In the world of science, it just doesn’t get any more clear-cut than this. CranioSacral Therapy and SomatoEmotional Release® have proven their effectiveness."

Begins life 4 weeks after conception as 3 beautifully formed and functioning gill slits. The upper one begins to change by week 5 and ossify soon after into the mandible.

The mandible and clavicle (collar bone) are the earliest bones in the body to ossify. These two bones provide bony anchorages and levers for two of the most vital requirements at birth, suckling and holding.

The mandible is more open to psychological input than any other bone in the head, whether from unexpressed aggression, determination or fear of speaking out. This can cause changes in mandibular motion that range from the subtle to the dramatic. Mandibular motion is affected by what the feet are doing and there is a connection between the feet, the mandible and the eyes.

The whole body responds to cranioSacral balancing of the mandible i.e. neck tension, osteoarthritis, respiratory problems (such as asthma) and low back pain may be relieved.

The mandible is frequently traumatised. How many dental visits left a mark (physically or emotionally)? Emotional stress traumatises the mandible most. The TMJ (tempromandibular joint, where the mandible fits into the upper jaw) usually floats loosely within their capsules. Under stress it is tightly compressed into the TMJ, eventually leading to deterioration of the joint, cervical arthritis and muscle contraction headache. If a tooth is replaced or crowned too high it will compress the opposite tooth’s periodontal ligaments and upset the TMJ which may bring on headaches or visual disturbances.

The mandible is a principal player in most types of headaches and acts as a strong controller and pattern-setter for the neck, upper chest, pelvic girdle and feet. The position and motility (motion) of the mandible is affected by all of the midline structures of the body - the hyoid (bone in the front of the neck), sternum (breast bone), pubic bone.

The energies held in this bone are aggression, determination, tenacity, sexuality, sensuality, suppression of tender emotions.

In English, French, Italian, Latin and Greek the moon is feminine; but in all the Teutonic languages the Moon is masculine. In Sanskrit, the word for the Moon is mas, which is masculine.

Novem was the nineth month in the oldest Roman calendar. In the Celtic tradition this was the beginning of the new year. The Celtic year ended on the eve before Samhain and began again on the day after. They considered it a Moon-month of beginnings and endings.

Snow moon, Owl moon, Moon of Storms - 15 Nov. to 14 Dec. Celebrate the Festival of the Kitchen this moon-month. Everyone who works in a kitchen, especially those at home, need to be appreciated and honoured for their work, done day in and day out, usually without thanks. Honour your household cook by taking him/her out to dinner or preparing a nice meal yourself. Be sure that you do all the cleaning up afterwards! Time to take root, prepare, transformation.

Cold Moon, Oak Moon, Wolf Moon - 14 Dec. to 15 Jan. In the old Tibetan calendar 1st December was the beginning of a new year. Winter Solstice (21st Dec). Celtic Festival of the Stars, a time when the sun turns from its fall into darkness back into gaining light, was and is celebrated around the world. The first full moon after the Winter Solstice is considered to be the most powerful one of the whole year. This is a month for contemplating the coming new year and what one plans to do with it. Ideas are formed and allowed to germinate until the new year has started, but one must begin thinking about it.

Anna was carried to term and her birth was uneventful. It was discovered however that she had a serious heart problem (transposition of the great arteries). She left the hospital with her parents 9 hours after she was born for the Connecticut Children’s Hospital. At 4 days old Anna had open-heart surgery. The surgery was successful and 29 days later she went home. Anna had a few setbacks. One was withdrawal symptoms from morphine. When she was discharged she was on several medications, including paregoric to help with the withdrawal. Anna was calm for about 2 weeks until some of her medications were stopped.

Her parents tried everything they knew to soothe the constantly screaming Anna. The only thing they could do was hug, kiss and love her.

At 4 months Anna started to have CranioSacral Therapy. Anna had cried constantly for 2 months and her parents were thankful just to try this method. After the first treatment Anna was, for the first time in her little life, calm for more than 5 minutes. After the second session she was relaxed for 3 to 4 hours. Her parents couldn’t wait for her third treatment.

After 4 treatments Anna was a new baby. "She looked at me with love and happiness instead of liking for help" said her mother. After 7 or 8 treatments she was a perfectly happy, energised little person.

Without CranioSacral Therapy, who knows what Anna would be doing today? She used to keep her thumbs clenching in her hands too tightly that her doctors were worried she wouldn’t use them if she didn’t start to relax them. Now, she not only lets her thumbs go, she sucks them!

~ On the 22 November along with staff of Ancells Farm Wholistic Dental Clinic I attended a lecture at the North Hampshire Hospital on bone and joint disorders which impact on General Dental Practitioners and their patients.