Unfortunately it's gone a little too far the other way of late - these days nothing is predictable! So we've tried in this, our birthday issue for the start of our 17th year, to fathom some of the mystery for you and hopefully give you a laugh as well.

We delve into the Celtic world, explore the Universe, search for the secret to happiness, undergo some mind expansion of the yogic kind, dwell with death in that compassionate Buddhist way, even entertain the notion that mermaids really existed! And we ask the greatest poser of all - where does a day go? How often do we ask ourselves just that?

As well, of course, we bring you all our usual natural health features to encourage us all to take responsibility for our own health and not leave it in the hands of an over stretched medical system or, even worse, a "one size fits all" pill. Our medical professionals are invariably caring and well meaning, the purveyors of pills rather less so I think.

Peter Dingle, a passionate supporter of taking that personal responsibility, provides yet another thoroughly researched and thought provoking article to follow on from his recent pieces on cholesterol and Vitamin D. This month, he's looking at multiple sclerosis, another disease that's increasing at a frightening rate in our own country. And, yet again, he suggests woeful Western diets are contributing, together with inadequate Vitamin D.

Regular readers will know that eating fresh, natural, seasonal, preferably organic wholefoods is one of NOVA's consistent messages over the years. Surely, by now, no one could argue against the wealth of evidence stacking up to support the role of a great diet in maintaining our health and vigour. It's just such a joy to eat nourishing, delicious, brightly coloured fruit and vegies with all their lifeforce boosting our flagging energy levels.

How disturbing then to find out so much of our produce is coming from countries where environmental controls are a meaningless concept. We've heard recently that imports of fruit and veg from China have more than doubled in just four years to a value of $110m in 2008-9. Any day now, Chinese apples will land on our shores. Of course, they're cheaper but what's the real cost?

Spare a thought for those local suppliers, and our friends across the Tasman whose produce is synonymous with quality, who see their markets being eaten away. Just like a big juicy bite into an apple. Choice and quality in the future depends on where we choose to spend our money now. Please, give it a second thought when you opt for cheap in your shopping basket.

Anyway back to Mystery. And as a Piscean, I'm lapping up Daniel Sowelu's predictions for this month of Pisces, with benevolent Jupiter striding through my sign this year. Thank you Daniel, sounds fabulous!

And just to remind you it's NOVA's birthday as well. We're setting out on the planetary journey of our 17th year as Australia's longest running free holistic publication. We love having you on board. And if you can't grab your hardcopy NOVA any month, you'll always find it at www.novaholisticjournal.com

Happy birthday to Pisceans everywhere!

Margaret Evans
NOVA Editor
March 2010