NOVA Magazine

Regular readers will probably have deciphered by now NOVA's main focus for this year of great transitions. It's twofold really: a recognition of the great changes underway in every area of our lives - in climate, technology, health challenges, financial security, even the world's power balance - and, to help us all cope with these rapid fire changes, an encouragement to grow into our own inner power.

We hear a lot about becoming conscious and really there's no other way. It's only through our own greater awareness, both of the world outside and our own individual capacities (and weaknesses) that we can gain a sure footing for our life's journey. It's hugely empowering to realise so many other people feel the same way and together we are building a strong, resilient, compassionate and inclusive community.

Think how far we've come already. Once upon a time, to be labelled "alternative" or "new age" was to be dismissed as a dreadlocked, spaced out, mung bean eating hippie. Remember all that? Now to be "holistic" or "organic" or "vegetarian" or "Buddhist" is to have moved in from the lunatic fringe of society to a position of grudging acceptance, even, almost, respectability. After all, organic farming is now one of the top two growth industries in Australia and Farmers' Markets are booming! As a society, we've found out what it means to be green - or at least a little bit greener - and it can only be to our good.

But we have long, long way to go - and that's the thrust of this month's Footprints issue.

While we go shopping at the weekend at a local market for our organic greens and free range eggs carried in our green enviro bags, chances are we're driving there in our 4WD. Sorry SUV. It was staggering recently to find Suburban Utility Vehicles are now blitzing any other sort of private vehicle sales in Australia and in March rose 44%. Of course, they come in all sizes and I direct my ire at the giant cruisers we see in our more affluent suburbs. It's a smart bit of marketing isn't it - what can possibly be deemed "suburban" about such a space invading, intimidating, fuel guzzling monster with rarely a trace of gravel dust on its tractor tyres? What's conscious about that choice?

Another unpalatable reality, and one we must become more aware of in this country, is the threat of Big Pharma, and its unholy consort Big Food, in restricting our right to nature's pharmacy, herbs. It's sobering but very enlightening to read Dr Kitty Campion's expose ("Waging War on Herbs") on the deliberate policy of stamping out centuries of herbal wisdom in Europe and the UK, prompting her relocation to Australia after 30 years of practice. The UK's loss is our country's gain and let's acknowledge the gift of experience she brings us.

At the same time, we're delighted to be able to acknowledge the profound wisdom of our own Aboriginal people in guiding us towards a deeper connection with the land. Our ancient continent is a country of extremes and fragile balances - we need this guidance to harness our precious resources of water and fertile soils for a sustainable future.

Footprints come in all shapes and sizes. I hope you find some to match your own personal journey this month.

Margaret Evans
NOVA Editor
June 2010