AUTUMN - SEASON OF THE MIND

KEY FOCUS: FINDING YOUR PATH IN LIFE - TACKLING THE OUTSIDE WORLD

SECONDARY FOCUS: STRENGTHENING YOUR BODY

TASKS: ASSESSING YOUR CAREER; SOOTHING YOUR MIND; FINETUNING YOUR ENVIRONMENT; BECOMING ORGANIZED; MANAGING STRESS

QUESTIONS: WHAT DO I WANT FROM LIFE? AM I WILLING TO CHANGE MY LIFE FOR THE BETTER? DO I HANDLE STRESS? AM I HIDING FROM ANYTHING IN LIFE?

CHALLENGES: DARE TO MAKE CHANGES IN YOUR LIFE; START TO TRUST YOUR INTUITION; DARE TO SAY NO - BECOME ASSERTIVE

FESTIVALS AND CELEBRATIONS: AUTUMN EQUINOX, SAMHAIN

You know the instant autumn has arrived. It's almost imperceptible but one morning you wake up and walk outside and it's there - not quite a scent, more of a feeling. A slight chill, a definite shift: the "roundedness" of summer has been sharpened. Autumn is on its way. We may regret the passing of summer, the warmth and laziness of the days but still there is something exhilarating about autumn. The nip in the air, the frost on the lawn, the cool wind on your face may all be harbingers of the cold winter to come but nonetheless they are welcome. For a few months nature puts on another of her extravaganzas - an artist's palette of colour falls over the trees; ruby-red berries sparkle in the hedgerows and on urban hedges. Mists hang low over the fields and there is a freshness about the world again.

Autumn shouts "wake-up" to the psyche - it's time to dust yourself off after the languor of summer and take life head on once again. After spring this is the most dynamic season of the year - another case of blowing away the cobwebs and kicking yourself into action. In spring you started to ask yourself lots of questions about your life, your path and your desires. Now is the time to get them going, to take action, to shift your external world. Autumn is the season of the mind but it also concerns our relationship with the environment, with the world outside, the bigger picture.

Autumn is a perfect time to decide what you want to make of your life; what you want to achieve; where you want to be; how you want to work. It is the key time for deciding on your life path or making moves towards it. That may sound frightening, even offputting, but it needn't be. Often we automatically find ourselves making changes, shifts, in the autumn. We may not be totally instinctual beings any more but deep within we are still moved by the rhythms of the year. Our hearts and souls still beat to the ancient drum. It is no real surprise that schools and colleges use the beginning of autumn as their starting point for the academic year. What better time to make a fresh intellectual start than at the beginning of the season of the mind?

This is the perfect time to get your life in order. It's the time to start looking for answers to the questions you posed yourself back in spring. If you need to shake your life around a bit, this is the time to do it. Don't feel you have to change for the sake of it - it's more a case that if you have been looking for a change, this is a good time to think about putting things into motion. You should be in good shape to do so. You will, by now, hopefully be feeling connected in your body and clearer in your emotions. You should be feeling more able to make choices and changes from a position of clarity and strength, rather than being panicked into change. As always, if the time doesn't feel right, don't do anything. I'm certainly not suggesting that everyone should go out and get a new job or a new relationship or move house or emigrate on September 1st! Simply that if you feel there are changes in your life (however small) you might want to make, the energy at this time of year will help you make those changes. It's like a car being given a dose of high-octane fuel or a horse being given a feed of oats - you should be feeling frisky and full of energy.

But let's look at the basics first. As with all the seasons there are shifts and changes to make in your basic lifestyle. After all, you need to be in good shape if you are going to keep all this life-force energy moving healthily.

INDIAN SUMMER - THE HARBINGER OF AUTUMN

Before we launch into autumn proper we need to look briefly at the inbetween time that often occurs - the "Indian" summer that can last into the first weeks of autumn. In the ancient systems this is considered a separate season of its own - the Chinese say this is the fulcrum of the year, a time of perfect balance when the fire energy of summer burns down and begins to mellow and transform into the balanced energy of earth. Neither yin nor yang can hold power at this time of the year - the year is held like scales in perfect balance. The colour associated with this time of year is yellow -the colour of sun and earth combined. In the human system it is connected with the stomach, the spleen and the pancreas. If earth is unbalanced in your system you will probably have problems with digestion.

This is a transitional time when you need to keep balanced and centred, just like the year itself. But it is also a time when the powers of creation are coming up again - from the clear energy of fire comes the manifestation implied by earth - not just the harvesting of the fields but all kinds of creation, new beginnings, the start of something different. Earth energy allows us to form views, thoughts and opinions. It can kickstart you onto new directions and differing ways of living life.

However be careful that your thoughts don't become obsessive - unbalanced earth can lead to obsession, stubbornness, obstinacy, a refusal to see any other view than your own. And while imbalances in earth can cause havoc with your digestion they can also give difficulties with the menstrual cycle and the spleen. The spleen is said to govern the memory, our ability to form opinions and our willpower so any trouble in the spleen may cause anxiety, lack of decision-making powers and forgetfulness.

In the early part of autumn you should begin a building and toning diet to prepare you for the cooler weather to come. This involves adding a little more fat than in spring and summer and more protein-rich foods. Generally you can add a little more dairy to your diet (unless your prakruti forbids it). If you eat meat you can increase your consumption of fish and poultry and add a little red meat. Plenty of grains will help to fortify the system without making you feel full and heavy.

The ayurvedic physicians say that this is a pivotal time when all the energies of the body can be disturbed. They advise eating a diet of cooked foods rather than raw and making sure your diet is well-balanced. They also recommend you shift to wearing light but warm clothes and take oil baths and massages to gently begin to warm the body.

AUTUMN - SEASON OF METAL, AIR AND THE DRY EVIL

The Chinese see autumn proper as a time when the energy of earth transforms into metal, a time when energy once again begins to withdraw and pull back. They describe it as condensing, as contracting inward so it can begin to accumulate its powers and store them for the lean times to come. Metal energy governs the lungs, the organ that takes vital energy from the air and gets rid of the waste products from our blood. It also governs the large intestine which takes vital nutrients and water from our food while eliminating the toxins and unnecessary matter.

So, not surprisingly, to the Chinese view, autumn is a time for storing what is necessary and getting rid of what is no longer needed. It's a time of clarity - of dumping the dross, of getting rid of things both physical and emotional which no longer have a place in your life. It's time for a second big clear-out, an "autumn-clean" if you like (see the SEPTEMBER chapter of The Natural Year for details; also check out The Detox Plan). The colour of metal and autumn is clear white, the colour of clarity and purity. According to the Chinese philosophy, if you cling sentimentally to old attachments and desires you will end up feeling anxiety, grief and a profound feeling of melancholy. These feelings, in turn, will affect your body - predominantly your lungs and large intestine. The result will be flu, colds and a general case of low resistance, of feeling under par. If the problem goes deeper it might bring breathing difficulties, chest pains, skin conditions and other unpleasant results. Better to shed the old emotions and attachments!

The "evil" of autumn is dryness. Caused by insufficient moisture in the air it can be particularly damaging to the lungs. When combined with cold, dryness can bring on headaches and a blocked-up nose. When combined with heat, dryness will cause excessive thirst and profuse sweat, a sore throat and dry nose. Both forms of dry evil will make your skin feel hard and dry, your lips become chapped and will generally cause constipation. Avoiding dry evil however is particularly tricky -it is caused generally by air conditioning and central heating. Smoking is also a major cause of dry evil. Counteract it by keeping some fresh air circulating even when it's really cold. An ionizer will help and so will bowls of water to increase humidity.

The native Americans talk of air as being associated with self-sufficiency, with a gathering of strength from within and a chance to prepare for the future. They see Autumn as the season of gathering in information and knowledge - a time to organize your life once again.

Metal is very similar to the element air in the Indian Ayurvedic tradition. The association of air with autumn is quite obvious. Air produces the wind that blows the leaves from the trees - it is the governing element of the ayurvedic dosha vata. The ayurvedic tradition also associates autumn and air/metal with the colour white and talks of it being expressed in the inner workings and activities of the mind. They say it directly governs all aspects of the mind - particularly those connected with developing ideas, writing and speaking. They also echo the Chinese by saying that air imbalances often give rise to coughing and problems with breathing and agree that autumn and air/metal governs the lungs, large intestine and also the skin and body hair. Breathing is considered very important to good health by the ayurvedic sages -hence the emphasis in yoga on pranayama or correct breathing. They see the breath as not only our physical means of taking in new air and expelling waste products but on an energetic level of taking in new energy and breathing out the spent and also emotionally - taking in hope and expansive spirit and breathing out everything that is stagnant and repugnant for the soul. On a symbolic level this tradition sees coughing as the body trying to expel anything it doesn't want - not just mucous and phlegm but old emotions or an unwelcome change. The lungs are the organ which most closely puts us in touch with the world outside - they are the great mediator. No wonder this is the season when we examine our wider relationships.

THE AUTUMN DIET

The autumn diet regime aims to reduce any accumulation of fire energy from the summer and to prepare the body gently for the colder harsher season of winter. In ayurvedic terms the diet should consist of warm, moist, well-lubricated foods with a greater emphasis on foods which are sweet and sour in taste. Take advantage of the wonderful crop of autumn berries - the late raspberries and luscious blackberries. Fresh figs start to come into the shops and are utterly delicious and very healthy. If you have problems with constipation try figs (sweetcorn is also very helpful). Soaked prunes are another bowel-mover. If however your bowels move in the opposite direction obviously it's better to steer clear of figs and prunes. Also, if you are trying to lose weight, bear in mind that both are quite high in calories so don't overdo them. Continuing the fruit theme, this is a good time of year to start introducing gently cooked fruits - stewed apples and rhubarb, peaches and plums are all perfect for autumn. Add a handful of blackberries for piquancy.

Vegetables at this time of year benefit from being gently cooked -steamed or stir-fried or added to soups and light autumn casseroles. The choice is large: plenty of lightly cooked spinach, peas, leeks, cauliflower and cabbage, beetroot (try cooking it as a vegetable rather than always consigning it to the salad bowl - totally delicious although be warned it can take a fair while to cook) and the perennial flavour enhancers and immune boosters onion and garlic. Seasonal crops include green beans, parsnips and carrots and tomatoes. Pumpkins are always associated with Hallowe'en but don't throw away the innards - use them for smooth creamy soups or in the traditional pumpkin pie. Other squashes are becoming popular now as well and available from most supermarkets - experiment with these unusual fruits of autumn.

Foods can be slightly sweeter now but always choose natural sweeteners and don't overdo them - fruit juices, honey, molasses and maple syrup can be taken in small amounts but go easy if you are keeping an eye on your weight. In general you can take a little more dairy produce at this time of year. However many people find they are intolerant of cow's milk and, if you feel this is the case, try sheep's or goat's milk produce. You can continue to eat a little more meat, if you eat meat, adding seasonal game (which is low in cholesterol), duck, and darker meats. However, as always, don't allow meat to dominate your diet. Vegetarians can enjoy warming stews and bakes with lentils, any of the dal family (mung dal, tur dal and urad dal), and soya products. Tofu works well and vegetarians and non-vegetarians alike should check out Quorn, a vegetable protein which has a satisfyingly chewy texture and will take on the flavour of whatever is cooked with it.

Autumn is the season for nuts and these too will boost the vegetarian diet and give variation for meat eaters. Fresh walnuts, filberts, hazelnuts and chestnuts appear in the shops. Followed by the more exotic brazils, pistachios, macadamias and cashews. They are all delicious and nutritious but be warned: firstly some people are highly allergic to nuts and secondly all nuts are high in fat and calories. So watch them if you are trying to lose weight and always check with guests that they or their children do not have allergies to nuts.

SPICING UP AUTUMN

Autumn is also a great time to start to spice up your food in preparation for the cold weather ahead. Most of us use spices without thinking, obediently following recipes or enjoying the odd curry takeaway. Yet the huge range of spices all have remarkable health-giving benefits and you can help to warm and fortify your body by incorporating them into your everyday cooking. You don't have to make every meal into a vindaloo - most of them are very subtle and delicate and can be used as effectively in sweet dishes as in savoury. Here is a run-down of the most useful, effective and delicious. Use them particularly towards the end of autumn as the colder weather approaches.

CARDAMUM: Ayurveda prizes cardamum very highly and rates it as a superlative spice for autumn as it is sweet and warm in its nature and tends to gently stimulate our energy. The volatile oils in cardamum can help stimulate the digestion and relieve wind (often very useful in the windy vata season of autumn!). It can also be used to ease indigestion. Cardamum is the delicious scent and taste in many Indian sweets as well as a classic ingredient in curry.

CINNAMON: Cinnamon is one of the most widely used spices - and with good reason. It is pungent and warming and so excellent at this time of year - it will ward off colds and flus, help stomach chills and soothe arthritis and rheumatism. The Chinese consider cinnamon a strong yang tonic which can help the chi to circulate freely. It is famed as a strengthener and also a sexual tonic!

Cinnamon is also used specifically to calm the nerves, to warm the internal organs and to treat headaches and fever. It is said to relieve tension in the neck and shoulders by dispersing energy blocks in that area. In Chinese medicine they even go as far as to say that cinnamon will clear the skin of blemishes and give you a more youthful complexion. So add cinnamon into your cooking and also pop it in warming drinks - it is lovely added to night-time milky drinks (so is cardamum) and is a staple ingredient (with cloves) in mulled wine.

You don't have to limit cinnamon to your cooking either - use the essential oil too. Put 5 drops of pure essential oil in a bowl of just-boiled water and inhale the steam (put a towel over your head and the bowl) to relieve coughs and respiratory problems. Dilute 10ml of cinnamon oil in 25ml of almond oil and use as a massage oil for stomach chills, diarrhoea and colicky pains. A couple of drops in the bath will warm the whole body if you feel chilled.

WARNING: cinnamon can act as a uterine stimulant so do not take large amounts during pregnancy. Do not use it if you are over-heated or feverish.

CAYENNE: Cayenne, the red-hot chilli, is another supreme warmer, a stimulant and tonic which is wonderful in the run-up to winter. It is very hot, very pungent and it affects the whole body - increasing blood flow, tonifying the nervous system, increasing the appetite and easing indigestion. Once again it is a yang tonic. Cayenne (its botanical name is Capsicum frutescens) has been used to treat headaches, to soothe the pain of rheumatism and arthritis and to reduce fat in the blood. Some people believe that cayenne can also trigger the release of endorphins, the brain chemicals that relieve pain and produce a feeling of mild euphoria and wellbeing. So add a pinch (no more) of fiery cayenne to dishes when the weather starts getting cold - it can also keep colds and flus at bay and seems to have a beneficial effect on sore throats as well. However although cayenne can be used medically for a host of problems - for migraine, shingles, tonsillitis, ulcers, rheumatic pains and even depression - it is best to consult a qualified herbalist as cayenne is very powerful.

WARNING: Cayenne should not be used in therapeutic doses during pregnancy or breastfeeding and excessive consumption could lead to gastro-enteritis, kidney and liver damage. The seeds can be toxic so avoid them.

FENUGREEK: We may not be as familiar with fenugreek as with coriander, cayenne or cardamum but it is one of the oldest therapeutic spices known. It was used in Ancient Egypt to ease childbirth and increase milk flow and is still used today in Egypt as a remedy for period pains and for stomach cramps caused by the dreaded "traveller's tummy". The Chinese agree and have used it for centuries for all kinds of abdominal pain.

Again, it is a very warming spice which is pungent and bitter in its taste. It has a generally anti-inflammatory action; it acts as a digestive tonic, a uterine stimulant and is said to be an aphrodisiac. It also reduces blood sugar levels. In China fenugreek is used to treat male impotence, period pains, menopausal problems and diabetes. It is also used externally for skin inflammations. You will find small amounts of fenugreek in many Chinese and Indian recipes but don't overdo the amounts as it is very bitter.

WARNING: Avoid during pregnancy because of fenugreek's uterine stimulating effects. Consult a medical herbalist for serious conditions and for using fenugreek medicinally - particularly in cases of diabetes.

GARLIC: If you use no other herb or spice then at the very least try garlic. It is absolutely wonderful for your health and will add a great kick to your cooking. Garlic is hot and dry in its nature and pungent in taste. It is rich in B vitamins, minerals and flavonoids and has volatile oils with a variety of beneficial effects. Garlic is known to be an antibiotic, an expectorant, an anticoagulant, an antihistaminic and antiparasitic. It promotes sweating and reduces blood pressure, blood cholesterol levels and blood sugar levels. It tonifies and boosts the immune system. Medical herbalists use it widely for chest infections and problems, for digestive disorders and fungal problems like thrush. It is useful in cases of late-onset diabetes and can help skin infections and acne. Even orthodox doctors will admit that it can reduce the likelihood of heart attacks and other cardio-vascular problems.

So, if it is so wonderful, why aren't we eating more? Mainly because of the smell, I suspect. There's no denying that garlic's pungency will creep out of even the pores of your skin and without doubt float on your breath. The best defense is to make sure the whole family eats it (you don't notice it when you've had it as well) and that you eat fresh parsley afterwards (it tends to diminish or eliminate the smell).

Don't limit garlic to your cooking either. In fact, the fresher the garlic, the better the effects. Rub the fresh cloves on acne, mash the cloves and put on verrucas or warts or corns. A couple of crushed cloves added to a morning drink of fresh juice will ward off colds and coughs and all kinds of infections. See a medical herbalist if you feel you need garlic for serious heart problems, diabetes and severe digestive problems.

WARNING: although using garlic in food should be quite safe, be careful of overdosing on garlic when you are pregnant or breast-feeding. Like many adults, some babies dislike the taste of garlic and it will undoubtedly be tasted in breast-milk!

GINGER: Ginger is another spice we are so familiar with that we overlook its amazing healing properties. Ginger has been used therapeutically for thousands of years - in China, India and in the West as well. Another winter warmer, ginger is pungent, hot and dry in its nature and acts as a stimulant to the circulation, an expectorant, antiseptic and antispasmodic. It promotes sweating and prevents vomiting. Ginger increases blood flow to an area and so has been used a superb circulatory stimulant. The fresh root can now easily be bought in most supermarkets and is delicious in stir-fries, stews and all kinds of curries. It will help ward off colds and chills and is superlative for indigestion, nausea and flatulence. Ginger will also ease travel sickness (buy the capsules and take one or two before you travel).

The Chinese see it as another yang tonic and use it to warm and stimulate the stomach and lungs (useful at this time of year when as I have already explained these areas are at their most sensitive). Recent trials have also found it very useful for morning sickness (take no more than 1g a day).

The essential oil is a useful friend as well. Add up to 10 drops of pure ginger essential oil to around 25ml of almond oil and use as a massage oil for rheumatic conditions. It can also help with stomach upsets and menstrual cramps - massage into the stomach. And again, if you have been out and got very cold or chilled, add a few drops of ginger oil to your bath to help your circulation start to move again and to prevent chills and colds setting in.

WARNING: it is not advisable to use ginger if you suffer from conditions such as peptic ulcers or other hot conditions in the stomach. Do not use excessive amounts of ginger in early pregnancy (the amount given for morning sickness is safe).

NUTMEG: A sprinkle of nutmeg on rice pudding is how most of us use nutmeg but it's a powerful and useful spice - although one that needs to be treated with great respect. Nutmeg can stimulate the appetite and the digestion in general; it is also very useful for diarrhoea. The essential oil is used for rheumatic pain and even to help toothache. The outer part of the fruit, known as mace, has been used as an ointment for rheumatism. Another pungent, warming spice, nutmeg can be used in many recipes to add a subtle kick.

WARNING: large doses of nutmeg are very dangerous. It can be a hallucinogen, and produce palpitations and convulsions.

TURMERIC: Bright yellow turmeric brightens up curries but did you realise that it is a potent antibacterial spice? Ayurvedic physicians have used turmeric for thousands of years as a treatment for obesity and it now appears that the spice can have a strengthening and tonifying effect on the liver, stimulating the flow of bile and breaking down fats. It was also used for menstrual problems and stomach disorders. Modern research seems to agree on turmeric's powers - it appears it can help the strengthen and tonify the gall bladder and prevent disease. It helps to prevent blood clots and because of its anti-inflammatory properties, it also helps in cases of arthritis. So keep adding it to the pot!

KICHADI - DELICIOUS MEDICINE IN A POT

In ayurveda there is one dish that surpasses all others - a simple kichadi (or kitcheri or any number of variations of spelling but basically a stew) of rice and mung dhal with spices and vegetables is used to balance all the doshas and to ease almost every problem. Kichadi is used extensively in ayurvedic cooking and can be particularly useful at this time of year to soothe all the doshas and to prepare your body for the cooler weather. The best news is that this meal in a pot is also delicious.

The prime ingredients are simple: basmati rice and split mung dal which you will usually find in Indian supermarkets and health shops. Spices such as the ones we have already discussed are used freely and often vegetables are added. The other staple ingredient is ghee, the clarified butter used in Indian cooking. Many supermarkets now sell it but it's easy to prepare yourself. Simply heat unsalted butter in a heavy saucepan over a medium heat. It will begin to bubble and allow it to bubble over a medium heat for around 15 to 20 minutes. Just before it is ready milk solids will start to collect at the bottom of the pan. Wait and watch carefully until the liquid suddenly becomes clear and stops bubbling - quickly take it off the heat now. Allow it to cool slightly and pour through a metal strainer into a glass or plastic container. Keep at room temperature rather than in the fridge - if it has been prepared properly it will keep well.

A BASIC RECIPE FOR KHICADI: Mix the rice and mung beans together (use around 30g of rice and 15g of beans per person as a rough guide) and wash in cold water. Melt a tablespoon of ghee in a pan and add half a teaspoon each of fennel, cumin and coriander seeds. Cook for a minute or two. Then add half a teaspoon each of powdered ginger and turmeric plus the drained rice and beans. Allow them to become well coated with the ghee and then add enough water to cover the ingredients well with a few inches to spare and bring to the boil. Then cover and simmer gently, stirring occasionally, making sure the mixture does not dry out or stick. It should take about one hour to cook. If you like you can add vegetables. Root vegetables should be cooked from the beginning, leafy vegetables should be added towards the end of the cooking time.

Variations: you can adapt khicadi to suit almost any condition and taste. A warming variation which is good for this time of year uses the following combination of spices: 1 teaspoon each of cardamom seeds, cumin seeds and coriander seeds; 1 teaspoon of black peppercorns; three-quarters of a teaspoon of cinnamon, half a teaspoon of ground cumin, one teaspoon of turmeric, quarter of a teaspoon of ground cloves, one tablespoon of fresh grated ginger, 2 cloves of garlic, 1 bay leaf.

As before, wash the rice and mung beans and heat a tablespoon of ghee. Add the cumin seeds and lightly brown. Then add the rice, mung beans and water and bring to the boil. Simmer for around 45 minutes. Meanwhile, warm two tablespoons of ghee in another saucepan and add the coriander, cardamum, peppercorns and bay leaf - saute for a few minutes and then stir in the rest of the spices and the garlic plus a chopped onion. Transfer these all to a blender with a little water and grind well. Then pour the mixture into the pot with the rice and mung bean mixture. Add vegetables (carrots, beans, courgettes, cabbage or whatever is fresh and available) and allow to cook for a further 20 minutes. This is wonderful for the digestion and circulation.

EXERCISE FOR AUTUMN

Autumn brings a fresh influx of energy and it can be a wonderful time to try a new sport or move your workouts up a notch. However, equally, you might find that, as the weather starts to get colder and the nights draw in that you have less natural inclination to get out and do something. Autumn is a good time therefore to investigate team sports or to persuade a friend to join you in your training or exercise program. It's much easier to stay curled up by the fire or in front of the television when it's only yourself you're letting down - if you know there is a partner waiting for a workout or a team waiting for you to play, there's far less chance for excuses. Also team sports can be brilliant fun and a great way to get to know people. The list is endless and you will find most represented at your local sports centre. It's well worth trying sports you played at school - netball can be a revelation; five-a-side football is wildly energetic and other sports like hockey, lacrosse and volleyball can be exhilarating too. You'll be surprised how your view of such sports changes when you are doing them out of choice rather than being bullied by a draconian sports teacher. However balance these energetic forms with quieter kinds of exercise too. Yoga, tai chi, chi kung are all excellent.

Whatever kind of exercise you do make sure you warm up properly before launching yourself into hearty exercise and that you stretch fully both before and after exertion. Many of the injuries people get from exercise are caused because they hurl cold muscles into intense exercise. If you have been to a good aerobics class you will know the score: you start off with movements designed to warm up the muscles without straining them and then have a period of stretching before the pace hots up. At the end you gently slow down again and stretch fully before stopping. Whatever your sport you should follow a similar routine. If you aren't sure about stretching it's worth going to a class to learn how to do it properly and thoroughly - it will save you a lot of grief.

 

To discover more about adapting your body, mind and soul to the energy of autumn, read The Natural Year. In it you will discover:

· how to find your ideal work; the job that makes your soul sing.

· More about feng shui - esoteric interior design

· how to make time your ally - with simple time management techniques

· how to communicate better - with NLP (neuro-linguistic programming)

· cleansing your body, clearing your mind - safe detoxing for autumn

· pulling back the veils - how divination can help your life purpose

· working with, rather than against, stress - stressbusting

· discovering your inner artist with art therapy

· working with your dreams to uncover the mysteries of the psyche