January’s New Moon in Aquarius

by Heather B.

January 21, 2023
New Moon Newsletter
Information | Spiritual Healing | Wellness

January 21st, 2023

The first new moon of the new year is ripe with fresh opportunities, dripping with inspiration and exploding forth like a shotgun filled with stars across the galaxy – electric and twinkling orbs of pure magic filled with our wildest dreams and our most free and untamed thoughts – ready to be unleashed into the new year.

Hasn’t exactly felt that way? You and us all, dear friend! With both Mercury AND Mars having been spinning around in retrograde, the energy has really sucked the motivation out from under our wings.

If you have been down on yourself asking, “Isn’t January supposed to be all about bright new beginnings, jotting down exciting plans and aspirations and charging headfirst into our New Year’s goals and resolutions?” only to be left feeling a bit… lacking?

Well, you are not alone! For most of us, it’s definitely been a bit of a slow start, BUT, the energy that culminates within this next new moon is going to make things a lot more interesting.

The unapologetic nature of Aquarius serves to let loose our rebellious energy, prompting us to:

Whether you are so bold as to be breaking a few outdated rules, saying screw you to a level of conformity that no longer serves you or giving the middle finger (metaphorically of course) to the man, the patriarchy, etc… or whether you are shaking things up more quietly by shifting your role at home, asking for that raise at work or presenting yourself to the World in a different way, now is the time to be fully unafraid to make your voice heard.

Now is the time to stop worrying about what other people think and break out of those self-imposed chains that society, or you yourself, has shackled upon you.

Once you realize that other people’s opinions are actually none of your business, you can be fully free to be your one-of-a-kind-Self!

With the planet Venus (with its focus on love) and the planet Jupiter (with its focus on commitment) orbiting around the perimeter, you may find yourself immersing yourself more deeply into your romantic relationships and furthering your commitments.

Although these kinds of deep dives into relationships can surface our shadow sides and patterning, this energy also brings the gifts of strengthening connection and unified support.

True partnership allows us to work with these parts of ourselves that aren’t always the easiest to look at, and recognize that our partners not only fully accept us, but at their best they champion our highest learning and growth on all levels – personally, and within partnership.

NEXT NEW MOON: FEB 19TH

Exciting Clinic Updates!

Clinic Renovation and Expansion planned for the Summer of 2023!

You heard that right, Folks! Plans are now underway to begin preparations for an expansion/ renovation to build out two new treatment rooms into our workshop space in the Spring/ Summer of 2023!

We are so grateful for all the wonderful workshops and community opportunities that our beautiful workshop space provided, but as our little garden continues to grow, so does our need for more treatment room space!

We will also be looking to welcome on new members to our team, including:

  • Registered Psychologist
  • Naturopath with a focus on Women’s Health
  • Registered Massage Therapist
  • Registered Acupuncturist

Well Wishes to our Registered Kinesiologist Emely Cook

As she embarks on her Maternity Leave and Motherhood Journey!

This past year, we have been so truly honored to have had Emely do her practicum hours with us at The Garden, and then begin her career in working with us as a Registered Kinesiologist specializing in Emotions and Metaphysical Kinesiology!

As Emely prepares to take her Maternity Leave come mid-February to welcome her son with her husband this March, we want to send Emely a heartfelt thank you for having shared her beautiful energy and her educational skills with all of us at The Garden, practitioners and patients alike!

Wishing you and your sweet family ALL THE LOVE, Emely!

New Training

We are excited to announce that our Registered Massage Therapist Samantha will be beginning her Manual Osteopathic Therapist (MOT) Course with The Manual Osteopath College of Canada (MOCC) starting in March of 2023!

Heather Bracken, H.H.P., R. Ac.

Heather it the owner of The Garden Holistic as well as Acupuncturist, Holistic Health & Reiki Practitioner. Specializing in mental health, women’s health & chakra-based Acupuncture and Reiki exploration.

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Makenna Vignal

About:

"I believe that my purpose is rooted in guiding people home to who they are through compassion, authentic presence, and gentle touch. My work invites each person to come home to themselves, awakening the innate wisdom within the body that already knows how to heal. I believe that anything is possible when we attune to the wisdom within - balance, harmony, and deep restoration become not just ideas, but lived experiences."

Graduated from the Grant Macewan Acupuncture program, Makenna comes from a background in earth-based living, spiritual exploration, and embodied wellness. She holds space for transformational healing that honours the whole self: body, mind, and spirit. Her sessions invite clients to slow down, reconnect, and access the inner wisdom within them that is innately theirs, and which already knows how to heal.

She considers herself a life time student who is constantly seeking a deeper understanding of the world and all its wonders. It is her intention to continue expanding her tool belt of healing modalities so that she can curate a unique blend of medicine that works with clients, wherever they are in their journey.

Outside the clinic, you can find her immersed in arts of all kinds, writing, sketching, playing instruments, and singing in choir with her sister. She also enjoys being outside exploring nature (anywhere by a river, lake, or ocean is her favourite), cozying up with a good book, and spending time with her parents Bernese mountain dogs, Odin and Ayla.

Areas she is especially fascinated by include mental health, nervous system regulation, women's health, cosmetic acupuncture, and energy work. Makenna is there to guide you to a place of calm, balance and serenity, no matter where you’ve come from or where you are in your journey. She is committed to addressing the root cause of physical symptoms while simultaneously balancing that of the mind and spirit.

Sydney Stanicky

About:

"My purpose is to restore balance, relieve pain, and promote holistic well-being through compassionate, individualized acupuncture care. Rooted in Traditional Chinese Medicine, I empower patients to take an active role in their healing journey; nurturing harmony between body, mind, and spirit."

Sydney’s journey into the world of healing began behind the chair as a hairstylist, where she first discovered the joy of connection — listening deeply, holding space, and helping people feel their best. Over time, she felt a quiet calling within her heart, one that guided her toward acupuncture and the timeless wisdom of Traditional Chinese Medicine.
Her path was shaped both by her own healing and the story of her family. After years of living with chronic headaches, Sydney found that acupuncture was the only thing that truly brought her relief. At the same time, watching her father navigate ongoing health challenges stirred in her a deep desire to help others find comfort, balance, and hope through natural medicine. These experiences together became the roots of her calling, inspiring her to devote her life to holistic healing.
Sydney believes that true wellness comes from tending to the whole person — mind, body, and spirit. She sees mental health as the foundation of physical well-being, and her work is guided by a love of spirituality, natural healing, and the human connections that make life meaningful. With a gentle and compassionate approach, she is especially passionate about supporting women’s health, mental wellness, digestive issues, and headaches, always seeking to bring balance by treating the root rather than only the symptoms.
Beyond her practice, Sydney finds nourishment in nature. Whether she’s camping under the stars, fishing by the water, or rollerblading in the warmth of the sun, she feels most alive under open skies — connected to the world around her and renewed by its beauty.
For Sydney, healing is not just about easing pain, but about rediscovering balance, resilience, and connection — both within ourselves and with the world around us.

Geena Fistric

About:

"I believe in compassionate and personalized care to empower individuals to achieve peak health-physically, emotionally and energetically."

Geena Fistric is a registered acupuncturist who graduated from Macewan University with distinction. She also holds a Bachelor of Education from the University of Alberta and she loves to use this experience to educate individuals on how to utilize Traditional Chinese Medicine to take control of their wellness.

Geena has continued her acupuncture journey by taking additional training in treating injuries and pain and facial rejuvenation.

Geena utilizes acupuncture, electroacupuncture, cupping, gua sha and auricular therapy in her treatments. She treats a range of conditions including musculoskeletal concerns, mental health, digestive issues, women’s health and general wellness treatments.

Steven Wong R.Ac

About:

Hi, I’m Steve!

I’m a graduate of the Acupuncture program at MacEwan University, and my journey into acupuncture has been both professional and deeply personal. With a background in biomedical engineering, I’ve spent years working in clinical and laboratory settings. However, acupuncture has been a part of my life long before it became my career. Having received treatments since childhood, I’ve experienced firsthand the profound effects of this form of medicine in managing stress, sports injuries, and overall well-being. These early experiences sparked my deep respect for holistic healing and ignited my lifelong interest in Eastern medicine.

I combine my healthcare experience with a genuine appreciation for Eastern medicine to offer a balanced, patient-centered approach to care. I would be honored to work with you on your healing journey.

Outside of the clinic, I enjoy spending time on the North Saskatchewan River and exploring the trails around Edmonton!

Cristine Leibel RMT

About:

"My mission is to support the holistic well-being of each client through their wellness journey by providing personalized, therapeutic massage. With a commitment to trauma-informed care, I strive to create a respectful therapeutic relationship that empowers individuals from all walks of life to feel safe and respected communicating their unique treatment goals. "

-Cris

Cris completed her 2200 hour Massage Therapy diploma here in Edmonton, graduating from M.H. Vicars School of Massage Therapy in June of 2022. Cris is passionate about offering thoughtful care to all of her clients. She has a deep respect for the mind-body connection, how energy and trauma present anatomically and affect soft tissue. Cris strives to ensure the treatment room is a safe, welcoming, therapeutic space for all to receive the many physical and emotional health benefits of Massage Therapy. Outside of work, Cris is passionate about her rescue greyhounds.