Danville’s New Public Labyrinth a Resource for Stress Reduction and Healing

Danville’s New Public Labyrinth a Resource for Stress Reduction and Healing

(Danville, IL) – A tool that has been used for centuries for stress reduction and healing is now freely available with the creation of Danville’s first public outdoor labyrinth. The labyrinth, located at Central Illinois Natural Health Clinic (CINHC) at 1012 W. Fairchild Street, is a pattern painted on the ground, forming a twisting path. People walk along this path as a form of “moving meditation,” to calm the mind and spirit.

A labyrinth differs from a maze in that it has a single path to follow from the edge to the center, and back out again; there are no branches or dead ends. In the center, people often choose to spend time in reflection, prayer, or contemplation before moving out. Walking the path of the labyrinth can symbolize many things: the twisting journey of life, the back-and-forth inner debate about a problem, or the constant chatter of the mind. Whatever the interpretation, the very act of navigating the labyrinth has a calming effect on the mind and spirit.

In the past, labyrinths were located in churches, cathedrals, and other sacred locations. Walking the labyrinth was an external symbol of a spiritual journey. Modern Americans have been rediscovering this ancient tool for personal and spiritual transformation in recent years. According to Dr. Lauren Artress, author of Walking a Sacred Path, the labyrinth can be used for different purposes. Some walkers have the same goal as seekers in the past—focusing on the soul. Others find that the reduction in stress is a valuable part of dealing with grief, pain, or physical health issues. Still others use it as a key to unlock their creativity and potential.

“I am very excited to be able to provide this tool freely to our community,” says Dr. Andrew R. Peters, chiropractor and naturopathic physician with CINHC. “I have walked other labyrinths in the past, and have always found it valuable for calming and centering the mind. I wished that Danville had a labyrinth, so we decided to make it a reality.” The next closest outdoor public labyrinth is located in Crystal Lake Park in Urbana.

“I think that having this labyrinth so close to Provena United Samaritans Medical Center is important,” Peters adds. “Dealing with serious illness is very stressful for staff and family members of patients. This is just one more means to help with coping day by day.”

Dr. Peters provided the space for this pattern, which was designed by Jim Griner of Hoopeston. He based the design upon the thirteenth-century labyrinth at the Chartres Cathedral in France. The circular outline, in the southwest corner of the clinic’s parking lot, measures about twenty-two feet in diameter. Following the path to the center and back out again takes about 30-40 minutes at an easy pace.

The labyrinth was created on May 31, 2007, by Griner, of Hoopeston, Peters, Susan Dancing Star of Danville, and Virginia Smith of Danville. CINHC has books and articles about the labyrinth, its meaning, and its use, available during regular office hours (Monday through Friday 8:30am-5:00pm; closed Thursday).

For more information:

Artress, Lauren. Walking a Sacred Path. New York: Riverhead Books, 1995.

Central Illinois Natural Health Clinic: www.illinoisnaturalhealth.com; info@illinoisnaturalhealth.com

Healing Comes Through Many Avenues

Been getting ready for this Saturday's Day of Tarot Readings. Spiffing up the shop a little, running business cards, you know, the usual kind of stuff.

Have also checked up on whether or not flyers were still up around town, continued to post info on the web and followed up with other folks who are helping promote this event.

In the process, it's been interesting to learn that a lot of folks are surprised I do readings. I explained that I tend to focus on assisting people with herbal consultations, hypnotherapy for behavior modification as well as past life regression and Reiki energy healing, but that tarot and intuitive guidance is also another avenue for healing.

Just like hypnotherapy can help someone overcome fears, blocks and obstacles in their life's path, tarot and intuitive guidance can aid someone in more clearly viewing where they are and where they are headed.

While a reading can indicate where one's path may lead, I truly believe that each of us can make changes to that path. Therefore, a reading is usually not a prediction of exactitude, but more an indication of where we may be headed.

One example of this in action happened last Winter. A young woman was considering a job change, but wasn't sure about a new position that she was offered.

The reading helped her to step forward with confidence and leave a job that had deadended for her. She had the confidence to ask for more money (and got it!) even though the recruiter discouraged her from doing so. She's now more confident, self-possessed and feeling more competent than she had felt in the last several years.

This woman could have ignored the reading and stayed in a dead-end situation. Instead, she used the reading to guide her and overcome her fears about dealing with a new situation.

That's what I mean about tarot and intuitive guidance being another avenue for healing.

Anything that helps us in a positive way can be a healing and transformative force in our lives.

More on Essential Oils for Honey Bee Mite Control

Here's a bit more about research into using essential oils to help bees.

Apparently the idea has been around for awhile as this article was last
updated in 1996. This particular article talks about wintergreen and
spearmint essential oils.

Read more at

Results of Research: Using Essential Oils for Honey Bee Mite Control

Essential Oils Used to Protect Bees

Thought this was a neat article. It seems essential oils can be used for almost anything nowadays!

Using Spearmint And Lemongrass To Protect Bees From Mites That Threaten Hives — Bees swarm through the smoke as Professor James Amrine attempts to hook a pollen trap to one of the 20 beehives used for research.

Read more at

Using Spearmint And Lemongrass To Protect Bees From Mites

To purchase lemongrass essential oil go here:

Lemongrass Grass Essential Oil

To purchase spearmint essential oil:
Spearmint Grass Essential Oil

Tarot Readings

Beads N Botanicals presents

A day to share the knowledge and insights of

an experienced and certified

Medicinal herbalist,

Hypnotherapist

and

Reiki practitioner

Catherine Novak

Bring your curiosity and questions and enjoy light refreshments

While being entertained with Tarot Readings

On Saturday, June 2, 2007

10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Readings will be available for walk-ins

Or

For an appointment, call

Beads N Botanicals

217-283-6380

located at:

227 S. Market St. (next to the Harris Agency)

Hoopeston, Il 60942

E-mail: BeadsNBotanicals@gmail.com

http://www.wiseweeds.net

Dreamcatcher workshop in JULY?

Hopefully we will be scheduling the dream catcher workshop in July (or August). Need to pin down the instructor as to her availability in July, PLUS my travel schedule. If you are interested, email us and we'll put you on a list to be notified when the date is set.

Beads N Botanicals Newsletter May/June/July 2007

Beads N Botanicals Newsletter

May/June 2007
227 South Market St. (Next to the Harris Agency) Hoopeston, IL 60942 217-283-6380
STORE HOURS: Tuesday-Friday 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturdays 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

UNIQUE GIFTS
Don’t have time for a class but want a unique piece of jewelry made

according to your specifications?
Come in, pick out your beads, and we’ll put your earrings, bracelet,

necklace or other design together for you.

Our store features books, handmade jewelry, handcrafted oil blends, incense, soaps, bath salts, candles, herbs for tea, medicinal and culinary use; beading and wire wrapping supplies: including sterling silver wire, seed beads, semi-precious stones, sterling silver beads, milfoil, seed beads, Swarovski ™ crystals and more.

Herbal Medicine Chest

on Tuesdays in June
Making a Dream Catcher

on Saturday in June
for more information, look below

Refreshing Herbal Teas for Summer
By Catherine Novak

Summertime with its mild temperatures and blooming flowers draws us to the outdoors.
Although it’s a great time for strolls down the street, it’s important to remain hydrated to avoid fatigue or even heat stroke.

Using homemade herbal teas can be a great way to encourage yourself, family and friends to drink enough healthy liquids. (Pop and ice cream floats don’t count!)
Simple herb teas can be made ahead of time, chilled in the refrigerator and drunk when
(continued on p. 2)

Early Summer Classes 2007

More Classes May Be Added to the Schedule.
Check at the Shop for Updates. Please note our earlier class start times.

Jewelry Making & Decorative Beadwork

Herbal & Aromatherapy Classes

Gardening & Origami Classes

Beading & Jewelry Making Workshops:

Tools for Wire Working classes are available for purchase at the shop. A limited amount of tools will be available for use at the classes. Bring round-nose pliers and flat nose pliers if you have them.

Basic Wire Working: How to Make Earrings:
This is a great starter class! You’ll learn the basic techniques involved in creating earrings with head pins, eye pins and ear wires. You’ll make two pairs of earrings, one with a dangle. A few other earring styles will be demonstrated as well. $20, 1 hour, materials included.
May 3, 6:30 p.m.-8:00 p.m. Thursday
June 7, 6:30 p.m.-8:00 p.m. Thursday

Basic Stringing: Bracelet Design:
Want to learn how to put together a bracelet, but not sure how to begin? Or, how to end it? In this class you’ll learn how to work with specialty beading threads, what a crimp bead is, and how to use it, jump rings, and clasps to finish off your bracelet. $15, 1 hour, materials included.
May 17, 6:30 p.m.-8:00 p.m. Thursday

Basic Stringing: Necklace Design:
Want to learn how to put together a necklace, but not sure how to begin? Or, how to end it? In this class you’ll learn how to work with specialty beading threads, what a crimp bead is, and how to use it, jump rings, and clasps to finish off your necklace. Learn about the differences between choker and other-sized necklaces. $18, 1 ½ hours, materials included.
June 28, 6:30 p.m.-8:00 p.m. Thursday


Herbal & Aromatherapy Workshops

Making Solid Perfumes:
Solid perfumes are spill proof and make great gifts, especially when they are made in nifty little containers. Learn how easy basic solid perfumes can be made, for personal use and for gift giving..
$20, 1 ½ hours, materials included.
May 15, 6:30 p.m.-8 p.m. Tuesday

Pain Management
Alternative approaches to dealing with pain without overusing pharmaceutical or over-the-counter drugs. $10, 1 ½ hours
June 12, 6:30 p.m.- 7:30 p.m. Tuesday

Healing Circle:
Take a break for yourself. No prior experience necessary. $5, 1 hour, Wednesday
June 27: 6:30 p.m.-7:30 p.m.

Herbal Medicine Chest: This four-part series offers an introduction to concepts of herbal medicine, herbal terms, a materia medica of healing herbs, identification of wild plants, uses of herbal teas and tinctures and more. $25 per class, $85 prepaid.
August 7, 14, 21, 28, 6 p.m.-8:30 p.m Tuesdays

Meditation For Relaxation:
Take a break for yourself. Learn how to quiet your mind, relax and release stress from your life. No prior experience necessary. $5, 1 hour, Wednesday
June 6: 6:30 p.m.-7:30 p.m.


Summer Teas: (continued from p. 1)
needed.
Zinger Delight
1 tablespoon Raspberry leaf
1 teaspoon Hibiscus flowers
1 teaspoon Peppermint Leaves
1 tablespoon German Chamomile flowers

Pour four cups of hot boiling water over the herbs in a teapot or fill a quart mason jar. Cover and steep for an hour. Stain off the tea into a pitcher. Add lemon slices or lemon juice (if you have lemon). Serve chilled and/or over ice.

—C.N.

Catherine Novak has served as an adjunct faculty member for Northampton Community College, Bethlehem, Pa., been a featured speaker at Barnes & Noble; and spoken about medicinal herbs on the Health Nuts NJ radio show. She appeared on the Judy Lewis show: Psychic World. Most recently she and her son appeared on ABC's Sunrise This Morning out of Champaign, IL.

Catherine is available for individual herbal and health consultations, hypnotherapy for behavior modification, relaxation and pain management, past life regression, Reiki energy balancing and classes at her office at Beads N Botanicals, and can be reached at at 217-283-6380 or beadsnbotanicals@gmail.com