WHY are both Spirituality and Alternative Healing grouped in with Astrology?

[eShirl]

WTF?

They're three unrelated or minimally-related subjects.

[MorningGlow]

1. From what I understand

It was created because spiritual thinkers/seekers were ganged-up on when they tried to discuss spiritual topics in what was the precursor to the Lounge. So anyone who wanted to talk astrology and/or spirituality and/or alternative healing was given this group. I hesitate to call it a "quick fix", but perhaps it was--and now it sounds like a catch-all. But I think we've integrated all sorts of alternative spirituality-type things here since then.

[tanyev]

6. I'll add just a bit of clarification from what I remember.

I think the original impetus to form a group came from all the flak that astrology threads got in a main forum. As the people who wanted to form the group got together to work out the mission statement they decided they didn't want to limit it to astrology but for people to feel welcome to post on other topics they were interested in like alternative healing, etc. The name may be convoluted, but I love the interesting mix of topics this group covers.

I don't post in here much, but I'm a regular reader.

[BanzaiBonnie]

2. Yes, they are seperate subjects, but I've found they combine well in one group

You don't need to practice or have any particular belief in any or all of those in order to participate. It's a matter of respect and sharing of ideas and beliefs.

[LiberalAndProud]

3. Legacy, mostly.

Years ago there was a group called the Meeting Room. These three topics (among others) most often were discussed there, so when Groups were expanded, the Meeting Room turned into this Topic Forum, and it's been that way ever since.

[BlueIris]

4. I think we've dealt successfully with all of those topics in this group.

And I find them to be harmoniously blended topics in my own life.

[Lucinda]

8. As do I.

The combination reflects my interests very well.

[Remember Me]

5. I had posted elsewhere that I thought Alt Health ought to go in the Health forum

and I believe that for a number of reasons.

First and foremost, alt health is MAINSTREAM. It's a multi-billion dollar industry. You see it everywhere on TV these days from Dr. Oz to the syndicated Doctors program that comes on in my area right before The View. You'll find herb-drug interaction charts and information on many of the very well-respected medical sites. In fact, you find some actually GREAT herbal information on some of the very well-respected medical sites. Here's one: University of Maryland http://www.umm.edu/altmed/ Drugstores and WalMart even carry a number of herbal supplements. Herbs aren't all there is to "alt med," but they're a big part of it. And get a load of this!! -- the line of supplements for which I'm an independent distributor -- Nature's Sunshine Products -- has just introduced a handful of FLOWER ESSENCE REMEDIES! Can you believe it?

Second, anyone new to alt health and curious could very, very easily be turned off and turned away by lumping it in with Astrology and Spirituality. Now, we all know that EVERYTHING has to do with Spirituality (since we ARE Spirit having a physical experience), but not everybody gets that (hah! often not even me!!), so it's just an unfortunate grouping, frankly.

I just feel really strongly about it, especially since there seems to be ZERO discussion of alt health issues here.

[tanyev]

7. Maybe there hasn't been much discussion of alt health lately,

but if you go through the archives at DU2, there used to be quite a bit. This group is where I first heard about flower essences, digestive enzymes, and Reiki. Maybe things have changed in the health forum, but I don't think those topics would have gotten a very good reception there in earlier times. The people interested in this group are very open to these topics. Duplicate posts can be made in both groups to reach different audiences.

[Remember Me]

13. Flower essences and Reiki are still a little "out there" for

the alt health niche. And within DU, there are plenty of people who don't even "believe in" supplements.

[Lucinda]

9. I see no reason why it can't be discussed in both places.

There is an entire area of Astrology dealing with heath issues, and many of us interested in energy healing are quite comfortable discussing that here.

[get the red out]

11. Some people are on the attack

I wasn't around at the beginning but I notice that whenver anything like alternative health comes up anywhere else on DU that people just jump all over the "it is wrong, it is killing people" theme and they will NOT accept any argument. I have only ever posted in a thread dealing with alternative health type topics outside of ASAH a few times and I went at it from a personal freedom angle so I didn't get attacked. I have been helped trememdously by particular herbal treatments, but I can't imagine saying that outside of ASAH and not being told I was absolutely wrong and crazy in my interpretation of going from horrible pain to zero pain after beginning a supplement.

[kimmerspixelated]

14. Exactly, I've had the same experience.

This place is a safe haven for all ideas, really. It surely is wonderful to know you can say what you think or theorize about, without feeling like your post might be dungeoned or thrown to the lions. They used to love to gang up on me.

[BlueToTheBone]

12. Well, you can always post to the Health

forum what you don't want to post here. You might want to double post for awhile to see who resonates with your thoughts.
Just a suggestion.

I love our forum, and I do get some interesting alternative health info from our family.

[Celebration]

16. you can post alternative health stuff in health

Just be prepared. Every once in awhile I post something there about acupuncture, just to stir things up a bit.

There is some alternative health discussion here, but not as much as I would like. We have had a few recent discussions about pH issues here, if I recall correctly.

Right now I am really liking Emergen C! Love that stuff.

[Lucinda]

10. There are other spirituality related groups as well, such as

Ancient Wisdom and Pagan Spirituality. People seem to have been finding the groups that fit them in this system for a while.

[kimmerspixelated]

15. For anyone that really knows and loves these subjects,

They can absolutely be connected. Likewise, most people that are interested in any of those, happen to like the others. Just like the universe, there's a real connection there.

[Celebration]

17. alternative healing

I came here for alternative healing and ended up getting interested in astrology, at least a little bit.

Apparently early on a bunch of astrologers kind of left this group in a huff because they were lumped together with a bunch of "unscientific" stuff.



Some here might know the history of that.

I have to say that the eclectic nature of this group makes it a bit interesting. And a few of us (me included) may try to start a conversation on something and get a kind of deafening silence in response.

[RainbowSuperfund]

18. Me too Celebration.

"I came here for alternative healing and ended up getting interested in astrology, at least a little bit. "

I like the combination, and the conversation. I have found your PH posts very helpful.