Spirit of the Nursery

Spirit of the Nursery
by Jane Alexander

Spirit of the Nursery shows you how to create a sacred space to nurture your child. A baby is psychically delicate and needs a soothing sanctuary. All too often we focus purely on a baby's physical needs and ignore its spiritual wellbeing. This book will help you make your child's nursery a place of warm, loving, peaceful energy.

* How to bring out the potential of the room; considering its history, mythology and psychology.
* How to use colour, sound, scent and light in the room.
* Furnishings and decoration, creative storage and finishing touches.
* Simple rituals and blessings for the room - space clearing, cleansing, rituals and altars.

INTRODUCTION

WHY A NURSERY?

A baby spends the first nine months of its life in the perfect environment, safe, protected, warm, secure. Soothed by the heartbeat of its mother, cushioned amongst soft layers of tissue; the womb is the safest place in the world to be. Then he or she is born, into a environment which is harsh, dangerous and often frightening. It's no wonder that, above all else, every parent wants to create a safe, secure environment for his or her new born baby or young child. This is why high on almost every prospective parent's “to-do” list is the planning and decoration of the nursery.

Why do we do it? In actual fact a newborn baby doesn't really need a special room and certainly won't grumble if you have chosen Peter Rabbit when she'd rather have been surrounded by Winnie the Pooh!

Let's be honest – we furnish nurseries first and foremost for ourselves. A very young baby probably won't even spend that much time in this lovingly prepared cocoon. A nursery, however, is a room of hope, of dreams, of nurturing and inspiration. It gives us the chance to replay our own childhood, to nurture the child within and allow its imagination free rein. A nursery is a small world of its own; a retreat from the sophisticated tastes and breakneck speed of the outside world; it is a timeless fantasy realm of slumber and lullabies, of fairy tales and nursery rhymes.

Planning and decorating the nursery is also a profound psychological statement. “It's a rite of passage,” says psychologist Sarah Dening, “it's a symbol that you are changing your house (and yourself) to accommodate a new person. It gives the child-to-come status.”

So indulge yourself. Allow your imagination free rein. Let your inner child loose to play with a nursery. Allow all your hopes and dreams and wishes for your child to suffuse this special place. Just as in the fairy tales, charms and spells were muttered over newborn babies, you can weave your own protective magic as you prepare this new cocoon. For this reason we'll be looking, not just at the physical decoration and adornments of a nursery (which is, of course, vitally important), but at its energetic and spiritual reality too.

A baby is psychically very delicate and needs a soothing sanctuary. All too often we focus purely on a baby's physical needs and ignore its spiritual well being. Hopefully this section of the website will give you food for thought and help you make your baby's nursery a place of warm, loving, peaceful energy. If it inspires you, you may be interested in my book, Spirit of the Nursery, which goes further into this important and fascinating topic. It also has gorgeous photographs (not my doing!) to give added inspiration. It was the kind of book I wanted when I was pregnant and planning my son's nursery – and I hope it will help you or any friends who are expecting a baby.

Spirit Of Space

Where should your baby sleep? It need not be an entire room. In fact, for the first six months, your baby should always sleep in the same room as you (research shows it can reduce the incidence of cot death).

However a nursery is not based on purely practical considerations and inevitably you will want to set aside a room (if possible) to be considered your baby's own.

Ideally a nursery should be close to your own room (closer for the mid-night dashes which may well last into childhood). But there are also more esoteric considerations. So, before you choose the room, stop for a few moments (at least) and consider feng shui, the Chinese art and science of placement which teaches that there are auspicious places for each room.

Feng shui evolved around five thousand years ago in China. The ancient Chinese believed that invisible life energy (called qi) flowed through everything in life. Centuries of observation showed that different areas of the house and different parts of each room attracted specific energies. Furthermore they discovered that certain configurations (the layout of rooms or even the position of furniture or features) could either help or hinder the free, smooth flowing of energy. If the energy was blocked or allowed to flow swiftly it would cause corresponding blockages and problems in life. Clutter can “catch” energy, stopping its free circulation and turning it dull and stagnant. Sharp corners can send energy shooting out, in too harsh a concentration. A series of open doors send energy racing through, too fast and too frenzied. A blank wall will stop the energy dead in its tracks. However, fortunately, they also realized that very small but specific changes (known as “cures”) such as hanging wind chimes or crystals in certain places or using certain colors would correct such disharmony.

To find the best place for your nursery we need to look at the ba-gua. This is an octagonal template which divides any space (your entire home or simply a room within it) into eight areas. These eight areas (or corners) represent wealth, fame, marriage, children, helpful people, career, knowledge and the family.

To work out the ba-gua, the position of the main door is important. If you live in an apartment or a single room you will need to take the door into your space as the main door, rather than the door that leads into the building as a whole. Now imagine yourself standing with your back to the door: depending on the position of the main door you will be standing in either the Knowledge, Career or Helpful People corner of the ba-gua. Now envisage the ba-gua laid over your space. The Wealth corner will be off in the far-left hand corner, the Marriage corner in the far right-hand corner. The area we are most interested in, Children, will lie in the middle of the right-hand side, above Helpful People.

This position is where your nursery should ideally be situated. If this is impossible, don't worry too much. But do ensure that the Children area of your house is kept clear, fresh and uncluttered – whatever room it may fall in.

Positioning The Cot, Geopathic Stress

You can also apply the ba-gua to individual rooms. Lay it over your baby's nursery and see where each corner lies. If possible, you should place the cot or crib in the Children area of the room. If you cannot site the cot there, make sure this area is kept clean and place something white there (a pot of white flowers or a fluffy toy perhaps). Add a (safe) lamp to illuminate that area and energize it.

If you are sharing a room with your baby (or if your baby is sharing a room with an older sibling) you can use the ba-gua to discover the ideal spot for his or her cot.

GEOPATHIC STRESS

Geopathic stress is believed to be caused by abnormal energy fields generated by deep underground streams, large mineral deposits or faults in the substrata of the earth. It has been blamed as a major contributing factor in everything from migraines to cancer, from nightmares to divorce. Experiments have shown that bacteria grow abnormally when grown over underground currents of water while mice inoculated with disease will fall ill far more rapidly when kept over a subterranean vein of water.

Obviously you want to be sure your nursery is free of geopathic stress. But don't panic. Geopathic stress moves in quite focused lines - most likely you would just need to move the cot. To have your home tested you should find a dowser (one who has no interest in selling you anything) - professional dowsing societies may be able to put you in touch with someone local and reputable.

In the meantime, you can do some DIY detection.

Dowsers say that typical signs of GS are feeling permanently tired and below par. Babies are fractious and difficult to settle. Children become disruptive and badly behaved (although there could be plenty of other reasons for that kind of behavior!).

Babies are very sensitive to GS. If your baby constantly rolls over to one corner of the cot he or she may be attempting to escape GS. Move the cot to another part of the room and see whether the baby stays put.

You could also try putting cork tiles under the cot for a few weeks and see whether your baby starts to sleep better. The cork seems to neutralize the rays for a limited period. If they do start to feel better, try moving their bed.

Space Cleansing

So you have picked your room. Before you jump in with a paintbrush; before you even start to dream up colour schemes and wild murals for your nursery, you should spend some time cleansing the space on an energetic level.

It may sound silly, but every home and every room, however large or however small, is far more than walls, roof, floor and furniture. These factors generally stay put but there is another element to the home which is permanently shifting, moving, changing. This is the subtle energy of the home. Everything around us, whether it's a tree, a dog or the kitchen table, is made up of vibrating energy fields. While the science remains mind-bogglingly baffling for most of us, we can all understand the theory in practice. If you've had a terrible argument, the room seems heavy and tense. We use the phrase "you could cut the air with a knife". The mood during a lively party is different again.

Image you hadn't physically cleaned a room for ten years. No dusting, no vacuuming, no window cleaning - nothing. Imagine what it would look and feel like. It's a pretty unpleasant thought, isn't it? Now think about one of the major rooms in your home. What has gone on in that room over the last ten years? You may have had good times there but equally you might have had rows, sat sobbing your heart out, felt depressed, or angry or hopeless. Other people might have brought their negative feelings into that room. What about the people who lived there before you? How do you know what energy they left behind them? Now realize that you've covered only the last ten years. If you are living in an old building you could have decades, even centuries of hate, fear, loathing, malice, sadness, jealousy, resentment and so forth built up like layers of grime. Of course you might be lucky and have happy, joyous feelings sticking to the walls. But, even so, you really don't want your baby living in someone else's atmosphere: far better to start afresh.

There is not space in this little book to go into space cleansing in great detail. If this interests you I would suggest you read Spirit of the Home. But here is a basic space cleansing ceremony for your nursery. Just one note of caution – it is not advised to perform space cleansing while you are pregnant so if you are preparing your nursery before your baby is born you will need to enlist the help of a friend to do the cleansing.

1. Take a bath or shower. Add a couple of drops of rosemary oil (it helps to purify your aura.) Dress in clean, comfortable clothes but keep your feet bare and remove all jewelry and your watch.

2. Go to the center of the nursery and just stand here for a few moments with your eyes shut, quietly breathing and centering yourself. If you have any spiritual or religious beliefs you may like to say a prayer or ask your guardian angels or spirit animals for help.

3. Light a smudge stick or oil burner (add seven drops of lavender essential oil). Mentally or out loud, state your intention to purify and cleanse this space for your child. Use whatever words feel natural.

4. Now go around the whole space, sending smoke or the aromatherapy fumes into every room and corner of the home.

5. Next you will need to "clap out" the nursery. Move slowly and steadily around the room, clapping in every corner. Clap your hands together, starting at the bottom of the wall and swiftly clapping on up towards the ceiling, as high as you can. You may need to repeat several times in each spot - until the sound of your clapping becomes clear. As you clap, visualize your clapping dispersing all the stagnant old energy.

6. When you have finished wash your hands.

7. Now you can go around the room balancing the energy with either a bell or a rattle. Imagine the sound clearing any last vestiges of old energy.

8. Return to the center of your space and once more close your eyes and breathe. How does the room feel now? Can you detect the difference?

9. Stamp your feet to ground yourself and have a good shake and stretch. It's a good idea to have something to eat and drink after this ritual.

You can repeat this ceremony whenever you feel the need. It's particularly useful after illness or any form of upset or argument. Babies are incredibly sensitive to atmospheres and so a quick space cleansing can make a huge difference. However when using smudge sticks, incense or oils make sure your baby is not in the room and stays out of it for several hours afterwards.

Spirit Of Safety

Is your nursery a safe space for your delicate child? It's ironic that many parents, acting out of purely the best intentions, may unwittingly be preparing a toxic nightmare for their baby.

Recent reports indicate that we are exposed to up to 300 volatile organic (carbon-based) compounds within the home. It is thought that tens of thousands of cancer deaths annually are brought about by indoor air pollutants — the hoard of chemicals which may be quietly seeping into our homes. Sadly the greatest threat is from new materials — paint, curtains, carpets, furniture, wallpaper (exactly what you may well be planning for that gorgeous new nursery).

It's a very real concern as babies are far more vulnerable than adults to toxins. They are smaller and have faster respiratory and metabolic rates, so they can ingest pollutants far more easily and swiftly and the build-up in the body is more concentrated.

Don't panic: you can make the nursery both look good and be safe. Here's how….

BEST BASICS

FLOOR COVERINGS

Keep away from synthetic foam-backed carpets: Washable floors of recycled wood or untreated lino or cork are ideal as they are non-toxic and hygienic. They look great and are easily cleaned (and trust me, that is important!) — pure white carpet may look gorgeous but think ahead and imagine its pure gorgeousness with a liberal splattering of baby goo and slime! Linoleum is now very fashionable and incredibly hygienic — and it comes in a host of colours and patterns. If you feel it may be a bit cold and hard, you could add a cheerful rug (see below) for colour and warmth.

Natural floor coverings such as sisal, coir, seagrass and jute look good and are non-toxic but can be harsh on tender knees and are horrors to clean (you try picking out play-dough from seagrass: I have and I don't recommend it). 100% wool or cotton/wool mix carpets and rugs are an option, but don't expect to keep them looking pristine. Many companies now produce stunning natural fabric rugs for children (some come looking like squashed but friendly dogs, cats and cows) or you could choose a zebra print for early visual stimulation, or fake cowhide for a western look. Note: patterns are a highly good idea (spills and stains aren't so noticeable).

PAINTS

Look out for paints which are water-, milk-, plant- and mineral-based. The days when you could only find variations on magnolia or sludge-green are long gone and many of them have a lovely powdery matt finish as a bonus. The downside is that they aren't as mark-resistant as your average vinyl matt (but you can usually mix in a water-based varnish for a tougher finish). If you want vibrant colours use powdered pigments which you simply mix yourself. Old-fashioned milk paints are long-lasting, safe and come in a huge range of fashionable and traditional colours. Pick natural thinners such as linseed oil, pine resin turpentine and choose natural varnishes which allow the wood to breathe (they combine resins with scented turpentine and pigments). The added benefit is that they smell lovely.

Furniture and Fabrics

FURNITURE

When buying new furniture you really do need to be careful. Check which materials are used in the stuffing, base and fabric of chairs. Be very wary of treated materials - they may save stains but could be nasty to your health (think instead about loose covers which can easily be washed).

Recycled wood is a great option for nursery furniture – if you can track down someone who works with it. Or try to find craftspeople who use untreated wood from sustainable sources. Check out local carpenters and crafts guilds – it probably won’t work out more expensive and you will have totally unique furniture.

Second-hand cots are a great idea. If you have a family heirloom so much the better (but do check it for safety: older models may not meet current standards). It needs to be sturdy enough that it won’t fall over when your baby is old enough to stand up. Also check that the bars aren’t too far apart so your baby could get stuck. If the sides come down they need to be able to be locked so the baby can’t undo them.

Don’t be sniffy about buying your cot second-hand. We naturally want the best for our babies and in most people’s mind that means new – and not somebody’s cast-off. But in the case of nursery furniture leave aside your prejudices and scour the small ads!

Of course it goes without saying that you should clean any second-hand cot very thoroughly (with non-toxic cleaners). I would also give it a lovely fresh new coat of paint (using natural healthy paints of course - see above) so it looks fresh and inviting.

If you really can’t bear not to have a new cot try to buy one which hasn’t been varnished or treated (a tall order). If this isn’t possible, buy it way in advance and, if possible, leave outdoors or in a garage until you need it.

FABRICS

Pick 100% natural fibres for curtains, covers and, particularly, bedlinen. This can be a tough one as every baby store and catalogue is packed to the gills with vibrant tempting fabrics, curtains and linen. But what’s most important – design or safety? OK, trendy designer mothers out there – don’t answer that one!

Some people feel that curtains can attract dust and so aren’t great news for babies. Certainly it’s a good idea to keep your window treatments on the unfussy side – rather than yards upon yards of flounces and frills. An alternative is to eschew curtains altogether and opt for blinds. I chose simple wooden slatted louvre blinds for my son’s bedroom – they look fabulous, can easily be wiped clean and also have various options – full black-out, lifted up for total daylight or with the slats open for a soft twilight effect (ideal for daytime naps). One word of warning – ensure that you hook any strings way out of reach of babies and toddlers.

Organic unbleached cotton makes the most wonderful sheets and duvet covers (for older children) as it gets softer and softer the more you wash it. In hot weather cool linen sheets are about the most inviting fabric you could put on your baby’s bed. Cotton cellular blankets (buy a few so you can layer if it’s cold) are fine but wash them before use. However tempting it may be, do avoid using fabric conditioners – they aren’t necessary and may cause allergies.

BOX: GENERAL HINTS FOR A SAFE NURSERY

• Keep the nursery as well aired and ventilated as possible. Open the windows and let the air in - for at least fifteen minutes twice a day. This also helps to prevent excess humidity and stops the air from getting stale.
• Avoid air conditioning if you can: install window and ceiling fans to keep the air cool.
• Always use natural cleaning products.
• Get rid of any fluorescent lights and replace lightbulbs where possible with full spectrum light.
• If you live in an area with radon, do have your home checked and take advice if radon is found – it can be a killer.
• Fit safety covers over all electrical sockets or have them repositioned high on the walls.
• If your nursery does have some toxic threats, fill it with healing plants before your baby takes up residence. Choose from: Peace lilies; Dwarf banana plants; Goldon Pothos; Peperomias; Spider Plants; Mother-in-Law’s Tongue (Sanseviera); Chinese evergreens (Agloanema) and Goosefoot plants (Syngonium Podophyllum).

Spirit Of Nature

Nowadays virtually everything you buy for your baby will be constructed from man-made substances – particularly plastic. It’s easy to see why: plastic is hygienic, cheap, comes in bright colours and can be moulded easily into a thousand and one shapes. But does it nurture a baby’s soul? I’m no purist and you’ll find plenty of plastic in my house but I also think it’s important to introduce our children to the natural world – and what better place to start than in the nursery?

Hopefully you will already have chosen natural wood for your furniture and pure cotton or wool for your furnishings. In this chapter we’re going to look a little deeper into how to introduce the spirit of nature into your baby’s cocoon.

THE ELEMENTS

Think about the four elements as you design your nursery. Wood is a natural for furniture but think about how you can include the other elements too:

• Large pebbles and stones (too big for a baby to swallow) are wonderful for a baby to explore and look lovely too. A small cairn in a corner of the baby’s room is grounding as well as looking and feeling good.

• Crystals are a wonderful way to introduce Earth – see below.

• Pieces of driftwood are sculptural and again, fascinating for little fingers. Remember that babies will try to put everything in their mouths so sterilise any outdoor finds in Milton or similar before letting them loose in the nursery and, again, make sure they are too big to swallow – and that bits won’t break off or splinter.

• We have fresh flowers all over the house but often not in the nursery. Why ever not? Choose nursery flowers for their bright colours, gorgeous scents and interesting shapes. Make sure they are out of reach – or they could become lunch.

• Think also about little posies of wild flowers – or vases filled with branches in bud or blossom (catkins are sublime). Or simply branches of leaves. Hawthorn blossom was traditionally attached to a baby’s crib for healing and protection.

• We’ve already talked about water features and fountains (ensure they are out of reach) but, if that isn’t possible, have a bowl of water in your nursery. Choose a beautiful bowl and fill it with fresh water every day. You might want to float petals on it.

• Babies find fire fascinating and a candle (if safe) is a wonderful way to bring fire energy to your nursery (few of us now have the luxury of an open fire in the nursery and, even if we did, it isn’t such a good idea as woodsmoke can hurt small lungs). A really safe option is to float water candles in your bowl.

• Plants can become a jungle or a forest for babies – they will be fascinated if you bring in your cheeseplant or weeping fig for a daily outing and let it wave its fronds over the cot. Take it out at night though.

• Air is a tricky one as the traditional ways of introducing it are through incense and aromatherapy oils which have to be used with great care (see Scent chapter). However you can and should throw open the windows every day – if only for five minutes – to let in the fresh open air.

Nursery Tree Wisdom: Plants And Herbs

Tree lore is fascinating. We’ve already talked a little about it with regard to cots but here are some more ideas. Oak supposedly has the power to give strength to growing children. Jacqueline Memory Paterson, author of Tree Wisdom (Thorsons), a fascinating book which is well worth reading (though not really about nurseries!), says that at the Spring Equinox people would call upon the oak to encourage the sun to shine brightly and warmly for the healthy growth of their young children. Acorns were considered magical fruit, with powers to give protection, luck and a healthy life. Maybe gather acorns and plant them in little pots. The strongest seedling could be dedicated to your baby and planted as his or her own tree.

Added protection comes from Rowan which was thought of by the ancients as the Tree of Life. It is said to guard the integrity of the home and, if you can, it’s lovely to have a rowan watching over your house. We don’t take any chances and have several around our abode! Rowan is said also to life the emotions and to allow relaxation – you could say it’s the original stress-buster. A Rowan Cross is made of two twigs of rowan tied into a cross with red ribbon. Originally it was carried at Hallowe’en for protection against evil spirits but nowadays it is used for protection at any time and makes a lovely addition to a nursery.

Pine is another protective tree – and for many people will be the easiest wood to introduce into the nursery. Try to avoid the brashly varnished pine that seems to be everywhere and look out for old pine which is a lovely soft colour (and not packed with nasty chemical varnishes).

Yet another folkloric protective tree is the Elder. In England and Wales tricksy fairies were always stealing away babies (and leaving fairy changelings like cuckoos in the nest). Superstition had it that the fairies would be foiled if the babies were wearing necklaces fashioned from elder tied with red thread. I’m not sure I’d want to string a necklace around a baby’s neck but you could tie it to the crib or hang above the crib (maybe make a mobile of several rowan and elder crosses).

PLANTS AND HERBS

Plants and herbs have specific magical properties too – and could be used in a nursery in various ways.

Basil is said to protect from fears – it’s an easy herb to grow so add to window boxes or plant in pots and keep on the window-ledge.

Catnip is a wonderful children’s herb: herbalists use it to soothe colic, stabilise upset stomachs and calm jangled nerves. It’s considered a friendship and love totem, drawing love, beauty and joy to the house. Again, it’s a simple herb to grow so add to your window box or put a pot on your nursery altar (see page ??).

Lavender attracts love, joy and a long life. It is said to open the heart, clear the mind and bestow loving blessings. Another one for your window box but also use dried lavender in bags gently to scent your nursery drawers – or put a bowl of dried lavender in your nursery.

Animal Totems

Animal images and nurseries go hand in glove – when you look a little deeper at the symbolism, it's easy to see why. Particular animals have always been imagined to have particular qualities and powers. If you like this idea, you could unearth soft toys of the animals you like – or find pictures of them, or stencil or paint them on walls or furniture. Folkloric or naïve images work well. However as babies get older they also like "real" pictures of animals and can swiftly become adept in recognising different species of bird or various breeds of dog, for example!

Here are a few correspondences to get you started:

Wren – a tiny bird which is a symbol of luck and love of home. It also signifies pregnancy. Often used as a charm.

Swallow - ushers in joy, freedom and playfulness. It could be lovely to have a flock of swallows swooping around your walls – or on strings from the ceiling.

Stork – the archetypal symbol of fertility, birth, courtship and home building. Most people find it a bit too hackneyed nowadays yet the stork is a beautiful bird.

Fox - a good totem for children as they get older. Fox (and coyote) helps you make smart decisions and adapt to difficult situations. Fox is also a great believer in sheer good fun.

Bear – as we've already discussed, bears are protective figures and so ideal for nurseries.

Dolphin - you may be surprised to hear that dolphins are also considered archetypal "good" mothers and protective.

Dog – dogs are also considered protectors. They are sociable, faithful and possess endurance. A big dog can be very comforting to a small child (and can be summoned in dreams too as a protector).

Crystals

I think it's a lovely idea to have a crystal dedicated for your child's bedroom. For many years before I had my baby, I had a large piece of polished rose quartz which I adored. When we were sorting out James' nursery I had a sudden feeling that this was actually "his" crystal. So it was duly cleansed and dedicated and has sat in his room ever since, keeping a loving and slightly beady eye on him.

Rose quartz is a good safe choice for babies and young children – it is a warm and protective stone, very gentle and loving. Rose quartz is connected with the heart chakra and is associated with unconditional love, peace, comfort and reassurance. It is also often used in crystal healing for soothing sleeplessness. Do you need any more reasons to have one in your nursery?

However rose quartz is not the only choice: here are some other crystals to consider:

Pink agate: said to promote love between parent and child. It's a soothing, grounding stone.

Coral: traditionally considered good for children, it provides safety and wards off danger and fear.

Carnelian: useful if your baby had a rocky start to life (maybe premature or sickly or just low in life-force). It has the power to anchor babies in the physical world being strongly linked to the Earth. It is also said to align you with your life's purpose which might sound strange for a baby – but many say we bring our life's purpose with us from birth.

Amber: a useful stone if you feel your baby or child needs protection from negative energy. It is also a good choice if you live in a polluted area as it is said to help clear toxins.

Emerald: a lovely stone which harmonises heart energy and is said to bestow joy and vitality.

Topaz: another life-affirming, joyful stone which gives energy and warmth. It opens up possibilities and can usher in abundance.

Hermatite: a glossy black stone which traditionally was believed to confer invincibility on the owner – it's certainly very protective. It also fosters self-worth and confidence – some of the most vital gifts for a child.

Tiger's Eye: said to draw helpful people to the owner – it also is traditionally associated with abundance and wealth (but in a natural, balanced way).

Chalcedony: useful for older babies and toddlers who may suffer from night terrors, bad dreams and nightmares. Also fear of the dark. This stone is said to drive away nightmares and ease fear.

You may also want to let your intuition guide you. Go into a crystal shop and browse around until a stone or stones "calls" to you. It may sound silly but, trust me, you will find some stones are almost irresistible. Just check that you're focusing on your baby, rather than yourself!

About the Author

Jane Alexander is well-trusted as an expert in natural medicine, holistic living and contemporary spirituality. Her aim is to simplify the often arcane concepts behind alternative health and spirituality and make them accessible and meaningful to everybody. She is the author of sixteen books on holistic living, including Spirit of the Home, Live Well (a western guide to ayurveda), The Detox Plan, The Five Minute Healer and The Weekend Healer. Her website was recently given 5 star top rating by The Good Web Guide who said "If she didn't exist, you'd have to invent her and the Mind Body Spirit movement probably owes her a great debt of gratitude..her books are all worth buying." Visit JaneAlexander.org and find out why.