Maia Szalavitz, Substance
Waking Times

Editor’s Note: This article was originally featured at Substance.com and reprinted here with permission.

Last week’s midterm elections prove that support for legalizing weed continues to grow. But progress has been rolled back before—it’s important to remember how we got here if we’re to keep moving forward.

When I first started writing about drugs in the mid-’80s—before I got into recovery in 1988—it was almost impossible to imagine an America where four states and DC have legalized recreational marijuana use, 58% of Florida midterm voters just cast their ballots in favor of legalizing medical use (the measure needed 60% to pass), and California passed a ballot initiative to lower drug and other nonviolent crime sentences. (Nineteen other states have legalized medical marijuana.)

by Era Denmark, Contributor

“The essential thing is the life of the individual. This alone makes history, here alone do the great transformations take place, and the whole future, the whole history of the world, ultimately springs as a gigantic summation from this hidden source in individuals.”
― C.G. Jung

 “To treat everyone equally is offensive, because it fails to recognize anyone as an individual.”
― Jarod Kintz, This Book Has No Title

Enemy # 1

In 52 BC the Empire, clothed temporarily in Roman robes, launched a campaign to desolate what they perceived to be the greatest threat to their dominance.

For the next two thousand years, an insidious spirit of cunning and assimilation targeted the cultures of the European continent and the isles of the Celts. Interspersed with periods of overt brutality, their campaign steadily eradicated the rich and dangerous (to the Empire) traditions of the people. Organic human culture and thought were replaced with the draconian, inverted culture of the Empire.

Photo credit: Public radio WVTF

George Washington National Forest is a mecca for hikers, fishers and bird watchers.

Anastasia Pantsios, EcoWatch
Waking Times

Despite strong opposition from both elected officials in the affected areas and environmental groups, the U.S. Forest Service (USFS) has approved fracking in George Washington Forest. Objections to the plan came from members of Congress from Maryland, Virginia and Washington, D.C., Virginia Governor Terry McAuliffe and Washington D.C. city council, which passed a resolution opposing it in March. McAuliffe reiterated his opposition before a meeting of the state’s Climate Change and Resilience Commission in September.

By Dr. Michelle Kmiec

Contributing Writer for Wake Up World

Natural and alternative health advocates have long known that artificial (synthetic) food additives have had a negative effect on human health.

Currently, although links have been made between consumption of food additives and increased hyperactivity (as well as cancer, chromosomal damage and other adverse affects), the FDA continues to drag its feet by still maintaining its stance that the results of such findings are “inconclusive” and continuing to recommend the use of ADHD drugs, while allowing the use of these dangerous additives.

By Nanice Ellis

Did you know that there is a direct correlation between spiritual awakening and inner power?

When I was a kid, people were often screaming at each other, spouses publicly arguing, parents scolding their children and kids bullying kids. As I grew up and moved away from the scolding, arguing and bullying, I became aware of personally reaching a higher state of consciousness where people respected each other and communicated in ways that were honoring of one another.

It makes sense that as we evolve and wake up, we become more and more honoring to the world outside of us, but there is really something very simple yet profound that happens under the surface, and when we understand it and apply it to our awakening, we can evolve much quicker.