MIND • BODY • SPIRIT • ECO RESOURCES IN THE MARYLAND - DC - VIRGINIA REGION PATH WAYS FALL 2025 • FREE NOW IN OUR 50th YEAR
We Are The Field: Shaping Collective Coherence • Literature, Tattoos And Resistance Green Burials • Climate Catastrophes As Teachable Moments • Mental Health & The Metal Element Grounding • Energy Healing For DC • Reclaiming Radiance For Women Over 45 … And Much More Fall 2025 Natural Living Expo - Sunday, September 28 — Preliminary Program Inside!
www.PathwaysProductions.com
VISIT KNOWLES APOTHECARY
We are more than just Pharmacy. Scan the QR code and receive access to current specials, online discounts and store events.
SCAN HERE
RECEIVE MONTHLY SPECIALS
COMPOUNDING SUPPLEMENTS CRYSTAL SHOP *Pain Creams *Hair restoration Formulas *Veterinary Formulas *Numbing Creams and more Minerals/Rock Specimens Crystals Pendants, Necklaces, Rings Smudge Kits
Vitamins Minerals Homeopathic Remedies Practitioner Lines Medicinal Herbal Teas Local Raw Honey Veterinary Supplements
Chakra Kits and more...
*Requires Prescription
10400 Connecticut Ave., Ste #100 Kensington, MD 20895
Contact us: 301-942-7979 info@knowleswellness.com
PATHWAYS—Fall 25—3
Discover Your Soul’s Purpose with a Soul Plan Reading! Unlock the mysteries of your life’s journey with a Soul Plan Reading—a transformative experience that combines numerology and astrology to reveal the unique path of your soul. Using birth details, this reading offers deep insights into your life’s purpose, lessons, and the questions we all ask: Why am I here? What am I meant to learn? Contact Uma at info@thelotusandthelight.com to book your session.
Embrace the wisdom of your soul and start your journey to self-discovery!
It’s Finally Here THE LOTUS CIRCLE
Monthly soul support membership for spiritual growth and community • Live Zoom session each month • Monthly spiritual guide with rituals & prompts • Weekly support in private FB group • Replays + exclusive member perks Your first month is just $1! Then $22.22/month – Cancel anytime https://bit.ly/Join-TheLotusCircle
Uma Alexandra Beepat CEO–The Lotus & The Light Metaphysical Ctr
The Lotus and The Light Metaphysical Center Manassas, VA www.thelotusandthelight.com www.linktr.ee/thelotusandthelight
4—PATHWAYS—Fall 25
Balancing the Art and Science of Massage Therapy since 1 976
Continuing Education & Community Workshops
Learn to be a Professional Massage Therapist PMTI offers 10-month and 20-month programs • Our Professional Massage Training Program is one of the most comprehensive and respected training programs in the US • Lowest Cost of Tuition Massage School in Maryland • PMTI graduates have a 93% average pass rate on the National Massage & Bodywork Licensing Exam (MBLEx) (vs. US avg 72%, MD avg 64% – source: FSMTB 2022) • We offer Continuing Education and Community Workshops to fulfill licensing requirements and help your practice grow! • Easy Metro access in Silver Spring, Maryland
PMTI is approved by the National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork (NCBTMB)
Decoding the Hip Puzzle 16/24 CEs Zero Balancing I 25 CEs Sept 25-28 Zero Balancing: Alchemy of Touch 25 CEs Nov 13-16 Practical IASTM 6 CEs Feb 28, 2026 Acupressure: The First Needle 6 CEs Mar 1, 2026 ANATOMY TRAINS Sept 10-11,12 A revolutionary map with practical results! Create lasting fascial change with your hands.
Abdomen, Chest & Breath 18 CEs Structure & Function 21 CEs Tensegrity Spine 18 CEs Shoulders & Arms 18 CEs Head, Neck & Jaw 18 CEs
Oct 10-12
Feb 27-Mar 1, 2026 Mar 28-29, 2026 July 18-19, 2026 Oct 24-25, 2026
CERTIFICATION COURSES Dr.Vodder Manual Lymph Drainage Lvl2 32 CEs Oct 14-18 Biodynamic Craniosacral Therapy (in progress) www.pmti.org/bcst-certification-series COUPLES MASSAGE Increase your connection and bring more touch into your relationship - No previous massage experience required! Final Offering for 2024! Oct 10
Events, dates, times, and cost subject to change.
“ Spa Services Without the Spend ” — Washingtonian Magazine, May 2023 “ 8 top self-care steals in the D.C. area ” — Washington Post, April 10, 2024 book your next massage: $ 45 student clinic / $ 65 graduate clinic appointments online: www.PMTI.org appointments by phone: (202) 686-7046 PMTI continues to maintain protocols and procedures for the health and safety of our clients and practitioners. Visit www.PMTI.org for more details. The PMTI Massage Clinics
8701 Georgia Ave., Suite 700 Silver Spring, MD 20910
(202)686-7046 www.PMTI.org
join our email list for specials and discounts
PATHWAYS—Fall 25—5
Erin Desabla Owner & Publisher; Events + Operations + Business Development Michelle Alonso
CELEBRATING 50 YEARS Mind • Body • Spirit • Eco Resources
Editor, Magazine & Web Content; Social Media + Marketing, Events Amaya Roberson Sales + Event Support Ann Silberlicht Graphic Design
What We Are About Pathways Productions is a full-service advertising, marketing, event and publishing company serving the mind, body, spirit community since 1979. From the start, we have been a small, family-run busi- ness. Today, we have a women-led team dedicated to helping all businesses — local, small & inde- pendent — succeed and thrive. Over the years, we have expanded our offerings to include live events, most notably the widely successful and always popular Natural Living Expo. The articles and resources offered by Pathways Magazine and its affiliated hosted events demon - strate a common belief on the part of local individuals, businesses and contributors that sharing ideas and expertise builds community and commerce in a spirit of unity, cooperation and under- standing while maintaining a high level of integrity, responsibility and service. Our content em- braces these ideals; we are a conduit — a pathway — for the most loving and dynamic insights and information that enable all of us to live more consciously. The views and opinions expressed in Pathways Magazine, and by vendor materials for our hosted events, are those of the contributing writers, editors and merchants, and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of Pathways ownership or any Pathways staff. Any content provided by our contributors is of their opinion and is not intended to malign any religious, ethnic, or cultur- al group, organization, company or individual. Furthermore, the products and services presented herein and at our hosted events do not necessarily constitute an endorsement of use or a recommen- dation on the part of Pathways and its staff, and are largely paid advertising and vending. Making Connections Join our Pathways Community! Through our quarterly and online publications, and our sched- uled hosted events, we are committed to providing the public with free or affordable access to local resources focused on holistic health and wellness practices, spirituality and personal growth, com- munity activism and outreach, and stewardship to the environment. We foster these opportunities through information, ideas, events, goods and services. Our goal is to provide a platform for businesses to reach the public in a comprehensive and cost-ef- fective way. Through advertising, packaged marketing, live events and retreats, and event planning support, we offer businesses opportunities to market themselves through a variety of channels, and use our expertise to facilitate this growing network. Pathways is your one-stop resource to make connections, nurture growth and achieve success. Finding Pathways Pathways Magazine print edition is distributed through dozens of outlets in Maryland, DC and Virginia. Visit our “Where To Find” page online for the nearest locations to pick up your print copy. More distribution outlets are being added with each issue. We also provide an online digital edition with interactive links to references, resources and businesses for each issue. Our website features our current issue, as well as a magazine archive, where you can view issues dating back to 2010. Subscriptions for Pathways Magazine are available for $20/year and direct-mailed. Order online at: www.PathwaysProductions.com/magazine/subscriptions. Advertising In Pathways Pathways advertising opportunities are available through all of our outreach channels: our free quarterly journal, Pathways Magazine, distributed in print and digitally; our hosted events; and our comprehensive website and growing social media presence. We offer ad rate discounts with custom packages for Expo exhibitors, and provide design services for low one-time fees. For more informa- tion, upcoming deadlines and our editorial calendar, visit us online.
MayaRose Creative LLC Magazine & Website, Design + Production Contributing Editors Kathy Jentz Cam MacQueen Contributing Writers Idowu Adekoya Khadijah Z. Ali-Coleman Helena Amos, M.A., L.AC. Carol Burbank Rory Duff Paul Rogat Loeb Taylor Logsdon Jill Mattson Sammy Noumbissi, DDS, MS Scott Thomas Outlar Ruslana Remennikova Carla Salteris K. Lynn Trice Jazmine Jenné Williams Laura Wright Michael Judd Misty Kuceris Annie Larson
Book Reviews Alyce Ortuzar On The Cover RITUAL By Xenia Gray Circulation 12K copies by Pathways Staff FALL 25 Volume 50, Number 3 Published quarterly with the season change by ERIN DESABLA PATHWAYS PRODUCTIONS, LLC 7407 Aspen Ave. Takoma Park, MD 20912 www.pathwaysproductions.com PH: 240-247-0393 (Mon. – Thurs. • 12 PM to 5 PM) ADVERTISING EMAIL: pathwaysads@gmail.com Ad Rates Available Online: www.pathwaysmagazineonline.com Deadline for Editorial and Advertising are 2/10, 5/10, 8/10 and 11/10. Publication is approximately four weeks after the deadlines. Please email all arti- cles as file attachments to the Editor at: pathwaysarticles@gmail.com © 2025 Pathways Productions, LLC
www.PathwaysProductions.com
6—PATHWAYS—Fall 25
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Fall 2025 — What’s Inside
MIND-BODY-SPIRIT We Are the Field: Shaping Collective Coherence ................................................................................9 By Ruslana Remennikova
z
CULTIVATING COMPASSION Literature, Tattoos and Resistance .....................................................................................................11 By Laura Wright; edited by Cam MacQueen What We Can Learn From Literary Giant, Toni Morrison: When An Award-Winning Writer of Fiction Takes On Fascism ..................................................................................................................36 By Cam MacQueen ASTROLOGICAL INSIGHTS Fall 2025: The Past Impacts Your Future .........................................................................................13 By Misty Kuceris TO YOUR HEALTH Get Connected with Grounding .........................................................................................................18 By Annie Larson GREEN NEWS & VIEWS Returning to the Orchard: A Regenerative Story of Life, Death and Renewal ................................21 By Michael Judd ON THE PATH Reclaiming Radiance: How Women Over 45 Can Reset, Realign, and Recreate Their Soul-Led Life .....27 By Carla Salteris BUILDING COMMUNITY Energy Healing for the Land and the People In Washington DC .....................................................31 By Rory Duff ENVIRONMENTAL & SOCIAL JUSTICE Beyond Thoughts and Prayers: Climate Catastrophes as Teachable Moments ...............................38 By Paul Rogat Loeb GREEN NEWS & VIEWS Planting a Nutty Future: How SilvoCulture Is Cultivating Resilience in the Mid-Atlantic .............60 By Taylor Logsdon WASHINGTON GARDENER Mulching Tips ....................................................................................................................................62 By Kathy Jentz HERB CORNER Aromatherapy Healing Wand for Calm and Well-Being ..................................................................64 By Khadijah Z. Ali-Coleman
According to the Five Element system, Autumn belongs to the Metal element. Metal is associated with grief and letting go, and the immune and elimination systems. For balance, holistic health practitioners adopt an East meets West approach to care. Page 24
Understanding auras can foster a deeper connection with the spiritual world, revealing hidden insights about ourselves and others. Learn how to interpret and embrace your aura and energy. Page 66
ON THE COVER: RITUAL, by Xenia Gray. Artist profile, page 77.
MORE RESOURCES FOR CREATIVE LIVING
• Power of Poetry: Here and Now (and After), by Scott Thomas Outlar - pg 23 • Raising Stars: How Your Child’s Birth Chart Can Guide Their School Year, by K. Lynn Trice - pg 68 • Rising from the Root: Finding Source in Resourcefulness, by Carol Burbank - pg 70 • Mind-Mouth-Body Connection: Can Tooth Loss Affect Your Memory?, by Sammy Noumbissi, DDS, MS - pg 73 • Sound: The Rosetta Stone of the Body, by Jill Mattson, pg 74 • Aligning With the Seasons, by Jazmine Jenné Williams - pg 75 • Pathways Fall Natural Living Expo
PATHWAYS MAGAZINE • CELEBRATING 50 YEARS IN PRINT! A MESSAGE FROM YOUR PATHWAYS TEAM Plus An Invitation To The Fall 2025 Natural Living Expo
In true Pathways hivemindedness, the concepts of collective consciousness, community building and resilience are recurring threads woven throughout this issue. There is a hunger for forging connec- tions, finding energy healing, and getting grounded so we can strengthen ourselves and others while we continue to navigate these tumultuous times. Use the resources gathered here to find what you might need for yourself and to find your people for this season and going forward. For our part, we will be gathering our people in community at the Fall Natural Living Expo in Mc - Lean, VA, and hope you’ll join us! We welcome everyone for this vibrant full day of learning, shopping and connecting, and have more new features planned as we continue to celebrate our magazine’s 50th year. We want to see you there for the last show of the year, and to usher in Fall with our full harvest for mind, body and spirit!
Preliminary Program - pg 40 • Fall Events Calendar - pg 53 • Advertiser Index - pg 78
PATHWAYS—Fall 25—7
8—PATHWAYS—Fall 25
MIND-BODY-SPIRIT
We Are the Field: Shaping Collective Coherence
ming together — can have a charged physiological effect. No training required, just rhythm. When people move or sound in time with one another, their bodies begin to align: heart rhythms synchronize, emo - tional states smooth out, and a deeper sense of connection unfolds (Ruiz-Blais et al., 2020; Gordon et al., 2020). In one striking study, participants in large-scale rituals — like coordinated marching in stadiums — were more likely to cluster together and cooperate when their movements and arousal levels were synchronized (Jackson et al., 2018). The body, it seems, knows how to harmonize, especially when we do it together. This phenomenon, often called social coherence , highlights a lasting reality: our bodies are relational by design. Under the right conditions, they respond to each other by tuning, mirroring, even harmonizing. Group coherence, it turns out, isn’t just poetic for feeling close; it’s physiological, a biological reality. And recognizing that might open
BY RUSLANA REMENNIKOVA
What really happens in the space between us? In a previous article, I looked at how something subtle yet powerful seems to emerge when two people come together with receptivity, intention, and emotional attunement ( New Dawn Magazine , July/August 2025). Using spe - cialized imaging, I observed a surprising phenomenon. The energy field around a person, the so-called human biofield , doesn’t stop at the skin. It can stretch into the relational space, forming a shared field that visibly shifts with empathy, connection, and resonance. Imagine the way a mother’s calm presence can soothe a crying baby, or how a quiet conversation with a close friend can bring comfort. I call this the interpersonal biofield , and it suggests something profound: human connection isn’t just emotional or symbolic — it may be energetic, tangible, and even measurable, like a joint pulse or rhythm that flows between us.
the door to a new kind of conversation about how we can relate, regulate, and perhaps, heal — literally together. At the same time, studies of large- scale group meditation have uncovered compelling outcomes. During moments of synchronized practice, especially during globally organized events, re- searchers observed measurable drops in crime rates, violence, and even emer- gency calls (Orme-Johnson et al., 1988). The causes are still debated, but the patterns are difficult to dismiss. Could focused collective intention have effects that ripple beyond the individuals par- ticipating? Some researchers think so. They suggest
Let’s take this one step further here with a bigger question: What if the en- ergetic connection between two people isn’t the end of the story, but just the beginning? Could groups of people, through communal meditation, ritu- al, or even compassion, create a field strong enough to ripple outward and support healing on a larger scale? Think of communities gathering for collective prayer, friends joining in a healing circle, or millions participating simultaneously in global meditation events like the International Day of Peace. Or consider a meal train orga- nized by neighbors and friends for a mom
that when thousands of people align their minds and hearts simulta- neously, a collective resonance begins to arise. One emerging theory is that synchronized nervous systems and coherent biofields might cre - ate a kind of collective energetic environment, with emergent prop- erties extending outward, like waves in a field (Bond, 2023 ; Chialvo, 2010 ; Muehsam et al., 2015). Outside the lab, collective coherence has been practiced for millen- nia, just under different names. In sacred rituals, healing circles, and communal chants, coherence isn’t measured; it’s made. It’s cultivated not for data, but for meaning. The synchrony of voices, movements, or silence helps form what many traditions call a container : a field of shared awareness strong enough to hold grief, transmute suffering, or invoke the sacred (Bourguignon, 1993 ). These practices, often dis - missed as symbolic, may in fact enact a sophisticated form of energetic alignment and regulation ( Winkelman, 2010). Science is only beginning to approach what ritual traditions have long enacted as living practices that create space for becoming. In rit - uals, healing circles, and communal chants, coherence is invited, nev- er forced, but allowed to emerge. The synchrony of movement, voice, or stillness creates what anthropologist Victor Turner called a limin- al space, a threshold where ordinary structures loosen, and break- throughs become possible. Coherence, as rituals remind us, is not something we engineer. It’s something we enter — together — when control gives way to a co-created being.
during pregnancy, each sharing a meal but also an act of care that cre- ates a tangible field of support around her. Similarly, neighborhood block parties and mutual aid networks quietly weave webs of connec- tion and intention, strengthening the social fabric. What started as a study of one-to-one resonance now opens the door to a more radical idea: human beings, when attuned together, might generate coherence across entire communities — even global networks of intention. Drawing from biofield science, systems theo - ry, and research on social entrainment, we explore a bold possibility where the space between us might not just connect, but become a cru- cible catalyzing evolution. Collective Coherence in Research and Ritual In recent years, science has begun to catch up with what many wisdom traditions have long sensed — that an energetic awaken- ing occurs when people come into sync, bridging the emotional and physiological in a unified rhythm. Studies from institutions like the HeartMath Institute show when groups meditate together or prac - tice steady, heart-focused breathing, their heart rhythms begin to align. This isn’t a metaphor — it’s measurable. Scientists track this alignment using a marker called heart rate variability (HRV), a sub - tle rhythm that reflects how well the body balances stress and calm. When HRV patterns begin to synchronize across people, it suggests a deeper process at work — something collective, rhythmic, and pro- foundly human (McCraty, 2010). And it’s not just meditation that brings us into sync. Research shows even simple group activities — like singing in unison or drum-
continued on page 30
PATHWAYS—Fall 25—9
Integrative Medicine for Optimal Health Leaders in Integrative & Functional Medicine, Holistic Dentistry and Healing Therapies – One Convenient Location –
Integrative & Functional Medical Care Treats the Root Cause, Not Just Your Symptoms Our doctors treat the whole person by blending integrative medical care with healing therapies. We address a wide range of medical conditions, including allergies, pain, fatigue, hormonal imbalances, gastrointestinal issues, and more.
• Natural, Alternative Pain Therapies
• Holistic & Biological Dental Services
• Chiropractic
• Acupuncture • IV Therapies
• Ketamine Therapy
National Integrated Health Associates 5225 Wisconsin Ave., NW, Suite 402 Washington, DC 20015 Friendship Heights Metro, Garage parking www.nihadc.com • Call (202) 237-7000 Dr. Kalva is board certified in Internal Medicine and Obesity Medicine. • Integrative Primary Care • Anti-aging/Dementia Prevention • Cardiometabolic Conditions • Men/Women’s Health • Weight Loss • Hypo/Hyperthyroidism
Girish Kalva, M.D.
10—PATHWAYS—Fall 25
CULTIVATING COMPASSION
Literature, Tattoos and Resistance
Fiction Again” were common. Interpreting the Ink Atwood’s novel seems all the more prescient in the present mo- ment of 2025, given the overturn - ing of Roe v. Wade in June 2022, the U.S.’s plummeting birth rate, and increasing environmental and social instability. The United Nation’s International Court of Justice issued its first ever opin - ion about climate change on July 23, 2025. According to an article in The New York Times , “The unanimous opinion said that the failure of nations to take action to protect the climate system may constitute ‘an internationally wrongful act.’ It also found that protection of the environment is ‘a precondition’ for ensuring hu-
BY LAURA WRIGHT; EDITED BY CAM MACQUEEN
According to the New Dictionary of the History of Ideas : The path of resistance has been neither straight nor narrow. First adopted by the political right, and then crossing the aisle to the left, resistance is sometimes considered a means and other times an end. Its mod - ern history traces the evolution of an idea and a trans- formation in politics. The English word resistance is a derivation of “resist,” stemming from the Latin — via the French — mean- ing “to stand.” Resistance has a technical scientific meaning, the opposition offered by one body to the pressure or movement of another, as well as a later psychoanalytic one, the unconscious opposition to re- pressed memories or desires. But the Oxford English Dictionar y’s primary definition: “To stop or hinder (a moving body); to succeed in standing against; to pre - vent (a weapon, etc.) from piercing or penetrating,” has a distinct political bent. In many ways, United States history can be read through the lens of resistance as a way of understanding various political and social move- ments, ideologies, and institutions. In the spring of 2017, I taught a contemporary literature course focused on the concept of “resistance,” in large part because I am interested in the way that literary fiction – an artistic mode credited with increasing readers’ level of empathy – engages with fraught historical realities as well as offers dystopian speculation about the future. I asked how literary fiction might help us navigate and resist the troubling realities like those I was seeing at the time. I had just returned from the first Women’s March in NYC, which took place January 21, 2017, the day after Donald Trump’s first pres - idential inauguration. The march, as you might remember, was the largest single-day protest in U.S. history (a title surpassed three years later by the protests against the killing of George Floyd). Marchers wore cat-eared hats, and many carried signs decrying the misogynist rhetoric and the then-potential policies of the first Trump administra - tion. During the march, many protestors carried signs that referenced Margaret Atwood’s 1985 novel, The Handmaid’s Tale , a speculative fictional narrative that imagines the east coast of the United States, called Gilead in the novel, as a Christian nationalist separatist state reeling from an environmental collapse that has led to mass infertility. Women who can bear children are forced into reproductive servitude for the wealthy elite class. The narrative’s protagonist, known only as Offred (her name after she is given to “Fred,” or Commander Water - ford, and his wife Serena Joy), navigates her limited paths to resist the injustices inflicted by the state. Atwood wrote The Handmaid’s Tale as a kind of response to the rise of the religious right in the U.S. during the 1980s, and the novel saw a resurgence of interest due to the Hulu channel’s 2017 original series based on the novel. According to Variety’s Elizabeth Wagmeister, at the time that a second season was announced, “The Handmaid’s Tale ha[d] been watched by more Hulu viewers than any other series pre- miere on the platform, considering both original and acquired series.” The narrative, written almost 40 years prior, had offered us a warning of where the U.S. could be heading. That we found ourselves increas- ingly in a space that looked shockingly similar to Atwood’s Gilead be- came a kind of uneasy reality. At the march, signs saying “Make Atwood
Tattoo & Photo By Joy Antonie, Owner, The Joy of Ink Tattoo Studio; on IG @joyofinktattoos
man rights and cited government support of fossil-fuel production as a potential violation of these principles.” Meanwhile, in the U.S., the Trump administration is doing its level best to eliminate environ- mental protections, and is rolling back the previous administration’s efforts to curb greenhouse gas emissions and incentivize clean energy production. In Atwood’s novel, infertility is the result of environmental degrada - tion and the ingestion of toxins, leaving women who can have children vulnerable to exploitation and sexual and reproductive slavery — with zero bodily autonomy. Despite her circumstances, Offred says of the rumored resistance, code named “Mayday,” that may or may not exist, “I believe in the resistance as I believe there can be no light without shadow; or, rather, no shadow unless there is also light.” She feels en- couraged after she finds a phrase carved into the floor of her closet in the room where she lives, a room that had previously held an earlier handmaid: “Nolite te bastardes carborundorum.” The words are fake Latin, a made-up phrase meant as a joke, but the intended meaning is clear: Don’t let the bastards get you down. That the phrase is a joke is also part of its strength. It’s insider code shared by women who are, in the world of the novel, not even allowed to read. But Offred can read because she lived in the before times of the novel when women were taught to read, could own property and make money, and could exist in public spaces. The women who will come after her won’t be able to read. They won’t have the comfort of the joke or the pep talk that it offers, even if resistance proves futile. They will no longer have access to the code. The novel ultimately leaves us in a place of not knowing whether Offred escapes or is sentenced to death. In the wake of the first Trump administration, women had that “No - lite te bastardes carborundorum” phrase tattooed on their bodies — Don’t let the bastards get you down. As Atwood notes in her poem “Spelling,” “A word after a word/after a word is power.” As a scholar and teacher of literature, I agree. It’s why books get banned, why au - thoritarian leaders target the press and the academics; it’s why they do things like dismantle the Department of Education. That women chose to tattoo “Nolite te bastardes carborundorum” on their bodies during this pivotal moment in history constituted an act of solidarity, resistance, and prescient cognition; much of Trump’s agenda has subsequently targeted women’s healthcare, particularly women’s access to abortion. Tattoos mark the body as text, readable
continued on page 34
PATHWAYS—Fall 25—11
Takoma Metaphysical Chapel
Sunday 11:00 Services now virtual at Zoom (81385184622) and Facebook Live. Other activities via conf. at 717-908-1636 (635833#) A Spiritual Community That Supports Your Individual Development
Imagine A Place Where…. Your beliefs are supported and embraced. Everyday events are explored from the physical, mental and spiritual perspective. Like-minded individuals support you in your spiritual journey. At the Takoma Metaphysical Chapel, you will find such a place. The Takoma Metaphysical Chapel is a growing community of people committed to spiritual growth and development resulting in transformation and emotional well-being. You’ll find uplifting services, you’ll feel the spirit of Love, and you’ll learn practical ways to put this energy to work for your greatest good. Relevant, Practical Themes. Teachings based on numerous “new thought” spiritual traditions that show you how to apply timeless spiritual principles in practical ways to navigate your life with more peace, joy and grace. Come As You Are Come experience uplifting music, meditation, prayer and messages designed to touch your heart and uplift your spirit. Experience wisdom from various spiritual traditions to heal your heart, mind and soul. The Takoma Metaphysical Chapel meets on Sundays at 11:00 a.m. on Zoom (Meeting Code 81385184622) and on Facebook Live.
Our Mailing Address Is: 1901 Powder Mill Road, Silver Spring, MD 20903
Classes and Workshops Include: SPIRIT SPEAKS ON MASTERING MANIFESTATION Mondays and Thursdays at 7:30 p.m. via Zoom See website www.takomametaphysicalchapel.org for other classes, online support and more details. Many classes available via conference call also.
OTHER EVENTS INCLUDE: Wednesday Evening Healing/ Meditation Circles 7:15 – 8:30 p.m. via conf. 717-908-1636 (635833#) 3rd Sunday Goddess Circle 7:30 p.m via conf. 717-908-1636 (635833#) A Course In Miracles Calls M-F 6:55 a.m. via conf Sunday 9:30 a.m. via conf 717-908-1636 (635833#)
(301) 587-7200 • takomachapel@netzero.com www.takomametaphysicalchapel.org
12—PATHWAYS—Fall 25
ASTROLOGICAL INSIGHTS
Fall 2025: The Past Impacts Your Future
some of the events that occurred when Neptune first entered the sign of Pisces. Neptune is quite the opposite of Saturn as it represents the need to dissolve boundaries and chase your dreams, espe- cially dreams of a better life. It often represents the disenfranchised of so- ciety, whether these are individuals society op- presses or individuals that believe their dreams for a better life aren’t being ad-
BY MISTY KUCERIS
Over the first several months of the year 2025, three major planets entered new signs: Neptune entered the sign of Aries on March 30, 2025; Saturn entered the sign of Aries on May 24, 2025; and Ura - nus entered the sign of Gemini on July 7, 2025. The entry of each one of these planets in a new sign indicated the beginning of major par- adigm shifts to occur over the upcoming several years. Their initial entry “hinted” at how these shifts will impact your life. Yes, the word “hinted” is used intentionally. There’s an interesting astronomical phenomenon that occurs with these slower moving planets: they enter a new sign for a few months, turn retrograde, and then re-enter their old sign for a few months before turning direct and finally entering the new sign for an extended period. Spiritually, as well as emotionally, the re-entry in retrograde mo- tion of outer planets into their old signs is very important, perhaps even critical. It gives you a chance to review the changes that occurred over the past several years and how those changes impacted your life. It also provides a little “breathing room” before the changes now in progress start to impact your life. While this is always important, this quarter is more critical than ever before because Saturn in retrograde motion will return to the sign of Pisces on September 1, 2025; Nep - tune in retrograde motion will return to the sign of Pisces on October 22, 2025; and Uranus in retrograde motion will return to the sign of Taurus on November 7, 2025. Saturn in Pisces – Generative AI Saturn entered the sign of Pisces on March 7, 2023, where it re - mained for close to 2.5 years before it entered the new sign of Aires on May 24, 2025. During the same time period, generative AI entered the mass consciousness in a big way. Technically, AI is not new. AI, short for “artificial intelligence”, entered the public vocabulary after Alan Turing published his paper, “Computer Machinery and Intelligence” in the October 1950 issue of the Mind journal. However, what gener- ative AI has brought to the masses over these last several years is the ability to create new content, either truthful or fraudulent, based on the information this software was trained to learn. Now that Saturn has re-entered the sign of Pisces, it’s time to review your relationship with AI, or with any systems where your boundaries have been compromised. While Saturn may represent the rules you want to establish in your life, Pisces seems to be just the opposite. Pi- sces is the sign of creativity, and also the sign of illusion. When Saturn is in Pisces, it’s almost like trying to hold a water balloon in your hand and finding your grip slipping. Your creativity can increase, which is good. However, you may also find yourself trusting situations where you don’t have all the information, which could cause a problem. As you move through this latest phase of Saturn in Pisces, you will find it easier to re-establish your priorities and assert your boundaries. As a matter of fact, once Saturn leaves Pisces and enters the sign of Aries on February 13, 2026, you’ll find it easier to define your bound - aries. Neptune in Pisces – Idealism, Disenfranchisement, Social Media and Influencers Neptune in retrograde motion re-enters the sign of Pisces on Octo- ber 22, 2025. It entered the sign of Pisces on April 4, 2011, and stayed there for a short time period until August 4, 2011, to give you a hint of the trends to come. It re-entered the sign of Pisces on February 3, 2012, and remained there for 14 years until March 30, 2025, when it entered the sign of Aries. Because Neptune stayed in a sign for 14 years, the list of critical events is too long to include here; but Arab Spring, Facebook going public, and the Black Lives Matter and #MeToo movement are
Image by George Chernilevsky from Pixabay
dressed. Perhaps for these reasons it’s also apt that Neptune represents escapism from harsh reality. This escapism can be the positive form of artistic expression, or the more negative of addictive behavior. It can also represent where you aren’t willing to see the reality of a situation but rather focus on what you want the situation to be. All of this is es- pecially true when Neptune is in its own sign of Pisces. When Neptune does re-enter the sign of Pisces — from October 22, 2025, until January 26, 2026 — and before it enters the new sign of Aries, you’ll find your focus is both on manifesting your dreams and improving your quality of life. While this may feel and sound nebulous (as things tend to with Neptune), this desire is real. This is a good time to look at those parts of your life where you’ve had dreams. Another aspect of Neptune in Pisces is that group interaction is important, and seeking support from your friends can be very useful during this time period. You’ll also start seeing changes in the area of social media during this time. In many ways social media has dissolved the boundaries of intimacy. You can say anything you want with little or no consequenc - es; there is no need to be responsible for your words. At the same time social media has also evolved into a way of sharing your private world with people you love as well as a greater world of people within their orbits. Social media has also evolved into a business where individuals, called influencers, in typical Neptunian fashion, present a world where everything — how they look and what they say — appears to be perfect. They sell you products based on their perceived, but not necessarily real, use of those products. Yet, as Neptune now re-enters the sign of Pisces, you and others are starting to question what social media pres- ents to you. Influencers are now labeling themselves as “creators”. Also, as Neptune retrograde re-enters Pisces, you realize just how important it is to create realistic approaches to your dreams as well as re-establish intimate relationships with people who are important in your life. Uranus in Taurus – Health, Economy, Societal Discourse Saturn represents boundaries. Neptune represents the dissolution of boundaries — polar oppositions. And then comes Uranus, a planet that represents unexpected change, often hinted at but not always known until manifested. Uranus will turn retrograde and re-enter its old sign of Taurus on November 7, 2025. It originally entered the sign of Taurus on May 15, 2018, and remained there for a short time until November 6, 2018. On March 6, 2019, it re-entered Taurus and stayed for close to seven years until July 7, 2025, when it entered its new sign, Gemini.
continued on page 15
PATHWAYS—Fall 25—13
ROL F I NG POOR POSTURE. IT’S WORSE THAN IT
®
LOOKS . ■ Poor posture is the result of poor structure. When the body’s parts are lined up improperly, maintaining good posture is impossible. ■ Poor structure often leads to inflexibility, pain in muscles and bones, less energy, more injuries, a less attractive appearance and lower self- esteem. ■ ROLFING ® im- proves structure in a gentle, safe and lasting way. The ten sessions of careful manipulation of muscle wrappings reorganize the structure so that it becomes more vertical and symmetrical.
CERTIFIED ROLFERS
■ JOY BELLUZZI
■ THOM SHENK Rockville & Bethesda, MD ... (301) 452-6630 ■ BILL SHORT Washington, DC ... (202) 328-3441 ■ MARY STARICH Silver Spring, MD ... (301) 437-2825
Chevy Chase, MD ... (301) 654-5025
■ KAT BURNETT
Herndon, VA ... (703) 863-7653
■ EMILY GORDON
Frederick, MD ... (240) 575-0454
■ YUICHI MIYOSHI
Bethesda, MD ... (240) 988-0927
Call now for an appointment or more information
14—PATHWAYS—Fall 25
ASTROLOGICAL INSIGHTS
Fall 2025 Astrology... ...continued from page 13
tablish boundaries that are important to realizing your dreams for the future. Other Important Astrological Occurrences During Fall 2025: • September 7: Total Lunar Eclipse (FM) with the Sun in Virgo and the Moon in Pisces. Also known as a Blood Moon, this eclipse won’t be seen here in the DMV, but you may still feel its effects. The emphasis is on finding a way to express your needs to others while still being empathetic to their needs. It’s knowing how to let go of past difficulties and finding a way to forgive, even if you can’t always forget. • September 21: Partial Solar Eclipse (NM) with the Sun and Moon in Virgo. Again, this eclipse is not visible in the DMV. It em - phasizes how boundaries can improve your mental health as you don’t always have to be responsible for others. • September 22: Fall Equinox with the Sun entering Libra. This occurs the day after the partial solar eclipse and represents some of the underlying energies for the next three months. A lot of changes will occur that disrupt the norm as defined by the past events. When it comes to information, listen but take time to verify before acting on that information. When it comes to changes you want to make in your life, apply caution rather than passion as you consider the conse- quences of those changes and their impact in your life. • October 6: Full Moon with Sun in Libra and Moon in Aries. Relationships improve in your life as you realize it’s more important to be yourself than to appease others. • October 21: New Moon with Sun and Moon in Libra. Con- sider your future goals and decide what works in your best interest as change is about to occur. You will still need more information before
For some people, Uranus represents the disruptors — situations or people who break old rules in order to create change. The old norms no longer work, and yet the new structures aren’t quite in place. For other people, Uranus represents opportunities — ways to break with the old in order to create a new system. When Uranus is in the sign of Taurus, you find yourself questioning your old values and financial security. The biggest disruptor during the time period when Uranus initially entered Taurus was the COVID-19 pandemic, which first showed itself in Wuhan, China in December 2019. The World Health Organization declared it a global pandemic, lasting from March 11, 2020, until May 5, 2023; the toll was devastating. Economically, it was a disaster with supply chain disruption. Personally, it created a sense of isolation. Uranus returns to the sign of Taurus from November 7, 2025, to April 25, 2026, until it finally enters the new sign of Gemini, when you’ll find yourself focusing on your work life balance. Some are still working at home, others in a hybrid home/office situation; but many are not returning to the office full time. You’ll also re-evaluate your shopping methods: On-line or in-person? But the biggest emphasis in your life will be your value system. Don’t be at all surprised if you ask questions, such as: Whose rules are you living by? Are they ones you developed as you matured? Are they rules taught to you by authority figures when you were a younger child? Do your rules support your well-being? Are any of the rules archaic…interfering with your hap- piness? While the re-entry of three planets, Saturn, Neptune, and Uranus, into their old signs may seem a bit intense, you’ll find an increased understanding of your personal needs. And, you’ll realize how to es -
continued on page 16
Past Life & Life Between Lives Regression ~ Spiritual Counseling ~ Soul School
What happens when we die? Is there more to our experience than this physical life? Through groundbreaking research, scientific studies and compelling evidence from spiritual hypnotherapy, out of body and near-death experiences, the answers to life’s greatest mysteries are finally within reach.
Joanne Selinske Author:Awakened Soul Co-Author Wisdom of Souls
Available to Preorder in October
Soul Source ~ discover your soul’s plan for this lifetime www.JoanneSelinske.com • 410.371.7950
PATHWAYS—Fall 25—15
ASTROLOGICAL INSIGHTS
Fall 2025 Astrology... ...continued from page 15
making that final decision. • November 5: Full Moon with Sun in Scorpio and Moon in Taurus. Understanding what’s important to you will increase your ability to heal from past wounds and let go of past traumas. • Mercury in Sagittarius turns retrograde on November 9; it re-enters the sign of Scorpio in retrograde motion on No- vember 18, and turns direct on November 29. When Mercury turns retrograde in the sign of Sagittarius, you consider what long- term goals are important. As Mercury moves into the sign of Scorpio, you realize there are things in your life you need to let go of before you can move on. • Jupiter in Cancer goes retrograde on November 11, and re- mains retrograde until March 3, 2026. During this time period, it’s important to move slowly as you make changes in your life. Include other people in your plans. Even if you don’t agree with them, you’ll find some of their input valuable. • November 20: New Moon with Sun and Moon in Scorpio. Take time to consider your dreams and how realistically you can man- ifest those dreams. © 2025 Misty Kuceris | Misty Kuceris is a Certified Astrological Pro - fessional, a Reiki Master, and Co-founder of the NOVA Astrology Group. She has contributed to Pathways for over 30 years. See her website for monthly astrological reflections: www.EnhanceOneself. com. Contact her at: misty@EnhanceOneself.com.
ANGELIC WISDOM 111 WITH CHERYL GANZER Accurate psychic intuitive readings and guidance on love...romance...family...career... nance and life path, etc. Develop a closer relationship to the Archangels and Angels of Divine love and light... to manifest and live the life of your dreams.... Angelicwisdom111.com Text: 703-932-5061
For Sale: Ideal Space for Wellness Practitioners 5547 & 5549 Langston Blvd – North Arlington, VA Unlock the potential of this 2,300 SF two-unit building in the heart of North Arlington along the revitalizing Langston Boulevard corridor. With a shared entrance and stairwell , this thoughtfully configured space is perfect for wellness professionals —from Yoga teachers and acupuncturists to therapists, nutritionists, and bodyworkers. Surrounded by a health-conscious, affluent community and minutes from DC, this is a rare opportunity to own your space, grow your practice, and invest in your future .
Zoned for flexible
commercial use
Bright, inviting interior
with natural light
Street and off-street
parking available
Walkable, high-visibility
neighborhood
Excellent opportunity for owner-occupants or investors
Asking Price: $860,000 (both units) For inquiries or a showing, contact: Kenny Robinson kenny@kennysvegetariankitchen.com or call/text 703-533-9158
16—PATHWAYS—Fall 25
PATHWAYS—Fall 25—17
TO YOUR HEALTH
Get Connected with Grounding
BY ANNIE LARSON
Every day, we need to reconnect with the earth for optimal health and well-being. Our vibration and Mother Earth’s vibration need to be in harmony, which happens the instant you put your bare feet on the earth. This is grounding, and we don’t do it often enough. Our bodies resonate at 7.83 Hz, the same vibration that Mother Earth emits in what is called the Schumann Resonance. Discovered and so-named by Winfried Otto Schumann, a German physicist, in 1952, Schumann resonances are extremely low frequencies that ex - ist in Earth’s ionosphere. Electromagnetic waves generated by light- ning discharges excite these resonances. They travel around the Earth, bouncing between the surface and the ionosphere, creating a fundamental frequency that is approximately 7.83 Hz. (A NASA-pro - duced animated visualization is available at https://svs.gsfc.nasa. gov/10891/.) Researchers believe the Schumann resonances, the “heartbeat” of the Earth, influence human brainwave activity and health. In a 2021 white paper from NASA, researchers report that electroencephalo- grams (EEGs) show human brain waves harmonize close to the same frequency, especially during alpha and theta brain wave activity. For optimum well-being, our vibration and Mother Earth’s vibration need to be in harmony, which happens the instant you put your bare skin on the ground. Grounding, often referred to as “earthing,” involves making direct skin contact with the Earth’s surface. Both anecdotal evidence and sci- entific studies suggest that maintaining continuous skin contact with the Earth, such as by walking barefoot, can yield lasting benefits by
Animation of Schumann resonance in Earth’s atmosphere. Visualization produced by NASA/God - dard Space Flight Center/Conceptual Image Lab. To view, see NASA link, left column.
reducing inflammation, pain, and stress; and improving blood flow, sleep, and vitality. The Earth naturally provides electrons, and when we disconnect from it, we build up a negative charge. This can lead to physiological imbalances, such as increased inflammation, which is a key factor in many health problems. The electrons are beneficial for health by neutralizing free radicals, which are unstable atoms that can harm cells. By directly contacting the Earth’s surface, the body ab- sorbs electrons, bringing us back to homeostasis, and thereby reduc- ing inflammation, neutralizing free radicals, and realizing a myriad of
“You are Soul. An eternal, creative, unique atom of God.” —Sri Harold Klemp, the Spiritual Leader of ECKANKAR Discover the Wonder of You!
♦ ♦ ♦
Join other like-hearted people who are exploring ways to establish and maintain a personal connection with the Life Source. Our in-person and online one-hour gatherings feature lively spiritual discussion and contemplative exercises. Explore the HU – an ancient, sacred sound that will stir the force of divine love within your heart. Explore Your Spirituality from a New Perspective
Join us for a Soul Travel Adventure in Virginia. For more information, visit eck-va.org
ECKANKAR, the Path of Spiritual Freedom
18—PATHWAYS—Fall 25
TO YOUR HEALTH
other benefits. Here is just some of what the research has shown:
Other research has shown the potential for mental health benefits associated with grounding practice. A UK study found Earth’s soil, particularly black soil rich in organic content, is an effective conduc - tor for grounding because of its high moisture and electrolyte levels, contributing to the ease in which the Earth can easily transfer elec- trons to your body. Soil contains the bacterium Mycobacterium vac- cae , which affects the brain similarly to antidepressants. Researchers found the bacterium raised serotonin levels in mice brains, changing their behavior similarly to antidepressants. Reported in a 2007 ar - ticle on MedicalNewsToday.com, lead author Dr. Chris Lowry from Bristol University remarked, “These studies help us understand the body’s communication with the brain and highlight the importance of a healthy immune system for mental health.” This might explain why an imbalanced immune system could predispose some individuals to mood disorders like depression. Dr. Lowry stated, “They also make us consider whether we should spend more time playing in the dirt.” The Disconnection Dilemma To understand why you are ungrounded, you only need to look down at your feet. In the 1970s, shoe manufacturers, specifically of athletic shoes, moved away from natural materials like leather, rubber, and canvas, to ones created from synthetic materials. Synthetic materials were lighter and more cushioned to absorb impacts, which increased athletic performance, and they were more durable and resistant to cracking, which quickly made them wildly popular. One such material is EVA, ethylene-vinyl acetate, a thermoplastic that has flexible properties much like rubber. It softens with heating and hardens by cooling, making it ideal for molding athletic running
● In 2004, the Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medi - cine published one of the first grounding studies that examined the effects of grounding on sleep and circadian cortisol profiles. Cortisol is an essential steroid hormone made by your adrenal glands that affects almost every organ and tissue in your body. It plays many other important roles, including regulating glu - cose, inflammation, blood pressure, and sleep cycles. The results of this early study showed that grounding normalized daytime cortisol levels, reduced nighttime cortisol levels, and improved sleep, pain, and stress over the course of eight weeks. ● A 2015 collaborative research study in the Journal of Inflamma - tion Research , findings showed grounding appeared to “improve sleep, normalize the day–night cortisol rhythm, reduce pain, re - duce stress, shift the autonomic nervous system from sympathet- ic toward parasympathetic activation, increase heart rate vari- ability, speed wound healing, and reduce blood viscosity.” The research explored the physiological effects of grounding, with significant implications for public health. ● A small study published in the April 2024 Journal of Health Science and Prevention suggests that grounding may speed up wound healing in individuals with type 2 diabetes mellitus. This research carried out earthing intervention for 1 hour every day for 30 days. It concluded that earthing/grounding therapy had a significant positive effect on accelerating diabetes mellitus wound healing for its participants.
Making Yr Best Choices
continued on page 20
Astrology and Tarot Consultations Available Via Whatsapp or Telephone Classes and Workshops Online or In Person
For more information, go to www.mistykuceris.com misty@EnhanceOneself.com 703.354.4076
Misty Kuceris, Reiki Master & Pathways Columnist
PATHWAYS—Fall 25—19
Page 1 Page 2 Page 3 Page 4 Page 5 Page 6 Page 7 Page 8 Page 9 Page 10 Page 11 Page 12 Page 13 Page 14 Page 15 Page 16 Page 17 Page 18 Page 19 Page 20 Page 21 Page 22 Page 23 Page 24 Page 25 Page 26 Page 27 Page 28 Page 29 Page 30 Page 31 Page 32 Page 33 Page 34 Page 35 Page 36 Page 37 Page 38 Page 39 Page 40 Page 41 Page 42 Page 43 Page 44 Page 45 Page 46 Page 47 Page 48 Page 49 Page 50 Page 51 Page 52 Page 53 Page 54 Page 55 Page 56 Page 57 Page 58 Page 59 Page 60 Page 61 Page 62 Page 63 Page 64 Page 65 Page 66 Page 67 Page 68 Page 69 Page 70 Page 71 Page 72 Page 73 Page 74 Page 75 Page 76 Page 77 Page 78 Page 79 Page 80www.pathwaysmagazineonline.com
Made with FlippingBook Digital Publishing Software