Greetings <<First Name>>!

It’s hard to believe that we are already halfway through summer.  For our family, this is always marked by the 4th of July.  It is a traditional gathering time for our friends and family to come to our lake home in Siren, Wisconsin.  We do the traditional things a lot of us grew up with: fireworks complete with sparklers, yard games, and lots of food.  For each of us, lasting stories and memories are created every 4th of July.  

“We have to,” as my nephew Nick expressed to his parents, “celebrate the 4th in no other way than being at the lake!”  So, it just wasn’t an option this summer for Nick’s parents to not make the 18-hour drive from Maryland, after having gotten back just a week earlier from Yellowstone.  It’s tradition!

When I think of this one day and what it represents for me personally, two thoughts come to me right away: tradition and my love for the country I was born in.  Tradition is steeped in my bones.  I love it!  And I love that my children and niece and nephew love tradition as well.  

My love for the country I was born in is not necessarily something I overtly display.  We have an American flag always flying, I have American flag coffee mugs, and eagles are abundant on our lake, but I don’t tend to strike up conversations about my feelings for my beloved country.  What is displayed though is my freedom ~ my freedom to believe, speak, and choose to do what aligns with who I am and what brings me joy ~ empowering liberties that allow me to do the work I do.

I do not let a day pass without acknowledging how blessed I am to have been born in a country where I can make choices that feed my spirit and nurture my soul, free to be me.

THE PATRIOT ARCHETYPE

Symbolic Living Through the Lens of an Archetype

IN MY EXPERIENCE

"One who loves her country ..."
The Patriot Archetype in My Life ... by Kendra Goheen

When I think about the month of July and the energy of the month, what comes up, and naturally so, is patriotism, heroism, tradition, service, and the 4th of July.  

The 4th of July, as we know, is an American federal holiday commemorating the adoption of the Declaration of Independence on July 4th, 1776, when we declared independence from Great Britain.  

This day is commonly associated with picnics, barbecues, fireworks, friends and family.  It is the tradition of these things that makes me think of why we get together.  It is Patriotism.  Patriotism, for purpose of archetype discussion, will reflect in the archetype Patriot.

In my experience with this archetype, the friends I have in other countries, although they do not celebrate July 4th as their holiday, are Patriots of their own countries. Their roots run deep and loyal.  Some have moved here to experience the American dream, but have an intimate conversation with them, and you will learn that they, at their core, are Patriots of their birthland.  They may appreciate, are grateful for, and are congruent with the values of this country, but their DNA is still in the dirt of their birthplace.  I moved to Minnesota in 1976 from the East Coast.  I have lived in Minnesota most of my life, but I’m still drawn to the energy of my birthplace, Maryland and the East Coast, my sweet spot for sure.  

We are Patriots whether we serve our country in the military or inspire others to be better citizens.  As Patriots, we are called to action this month to serve well and with the intention of being better today than we were yesterday.  Let’s ask ourselves, “How can I contribute today in a way that will allow me to leave this place a better place for all?”  Grateful, I am free to choose.

A PATRIOT TESTIMONIAL

by Sherry Hoult

The Patriot archetype in my life is my father, Robert Wine.  As the WWII machine began to pull our country into war, young men were called to duty. These young men, my father one of them, had just begun to form how they were going to live their lives.  So many influences, good and bad, presented themselves.  Many times just trying to stay alive was the focus.  As the fighting and bloodshed surrounded him, my father discovered what he was fighting for.
 
Dad joined the Army and became a member of the 32^nd Division known as the Red Arrow Division.  Consequently, he became part of the war in the Pacific.  April 1942 marked the fall of Bataan.  The Japanese were threatening Australia, and the 32^nd was sent there to protect the civilians and stop the Japanese invasion.  The American soldiers were sent to preserve a country they knew little about, yet these men defended Australia as if it were the United States.  They had begun to understand what Australia needed to win, and they fought side by side with the Australians for the same values. 
 
Fighting the battle of their lives, the soldiers helped each other learn the most effective ways to win.  My dad used the skills he learned growing up on a farm in Indiana to win little skirmishes.  He provided food for his comrades and showed them survival skills so important to stay alive.  They never asked where he got the food, and he never told them the risks he took to obtain it from enemy lines.  He taught these skills to the soldiers and took on a leadership role to protect them as well as the civilians in the towns.  To the soldiers, my dad was a hero who had helped them win battles.  Many people later wrote to him and told him that, without his teachings and wisdom, they would not be alive today.
 
Later, my father was sent to New Guinea to help set up camps in the jungle.  The training he provided there also saved many lives.  Even after he had contracted malaria and was sent stateside to receive medical treatment, he put his health in jeopardy to continue his teaching in jungle survival.   Dad suffered outbreaks many years later.  However, for my dad, the risks were well worth it as his student soldiers carried on his techniques and taught others these skills.
 
I believe my dad’s wisdom showed throughout his military career and touched and saved many lives.  No matter what the hardships were, he never lost sight of what he was fighting for.  He was honorable, willing to share his knowledge, and had the unique ability to think outside the box. His selfless execution during battle was wise patriotism.
 
These qualities were evident in how my father lived his life outside of the Army.  I have always felt my dad was wise and a patriot in every aspect of his life.  He never told me of his patriotism; other soldiers did.  Dad didn’t like the spotlight; he just worked quietly to support his country.  He loved his country and was proud to be a patriot.  Dad never lost sight of his values and ethics.  He lived them every day of his life, and his values are instilled in me.  His dedication to what is right governed every aspect of his life.

As we celebrate July 4^th and its importance comes to the forefront, I would like to think my dad is looking down on all of us.  He is proud of what we have done and become as individuals and as a country.  Dad’s contributions and how he lived make him the ultimate wise patriot.   I am proud to have my father guide my life!

INSPIRED POETRY

The Patriot and Freedom
by John Morris
 
In July, we are celebrating Independence Day in the United States.  One image that comes to mind is the patriot, who on the surface exhibits love of country, but on a deeper level represents pure freedom.  For insight from numerology about freedom, look no further than the universal number for 2012 – the number five.
 
“Five” energy represents the essence of freedom.  Those of you who have prominent fives in your numerology chart will feel a strong desire to be free of any ties that might possibly bind you, whether physical, mental, or spiritual. You may have no idea what freedom looks like, but you have a strong drive to find it!
 
Five is also the number of the explorer, the one who wants to know what is around the next corner.  However, the energy of the patriot is more focused on finding freedom and remaining uncontrolled, regardless of what is waiting beyond the horizon.
 
This drive for freedom can be a powerful motivator or a huge distraction!  As with any of the single digits in numerology, the number five can have a positive or a negative influence on your life. The desire to be free can lead you to develop a unique business all your own, break free of negative or controlling influences, or dig deep inside to set free the real you.
 
On the other hand, the restless, frustrated side of that powerful five energy can make it difficult for you to focus deeply on any one thing. You may find yourself living a life on the road, resisting any commitment as you go on your freedom-seeking way. You may revolt at even the hint of being controlled, whether the threat is real or imagined. You may become the classic “Jack of all trades, master of none.”
 
If you are driven by freedom, a powerful question to ask yourself is, “What does a life of freedom really mean to me?”
 
Does freedom mean that you need to be your own boss?  Does it mean that you are not controlled by your own thoughts and fears?  Perhaps for you it means that you think for yourself and make your own choices. You don’t take other people’s word for it without consulting your own wisdom, nor do you blindly reject the advice of others without seeing whether it aligns with your own sense of what is good for you.
 
Any attempt to answer this question may feel like a struggle at first, especially if you are unused to paying attention in a calm, detached way to your own deepest desires. You may have been too busy in the past breaking free of everything around you or giving up your freedom altogether!
 
We can see this same internal struggle of the patriot playing out on a much larger scale right now in the United States.  As Americans struggle to understand and re-define patriotism, they push and pull the patriot image in many different directions.  The result is great instability, a classic characteristic of five energy when used in a negative, rather than positive, way.
 
So in this election year, The United States is experiencing heightened tension and struggle around the issue of freedom.  Indeed, the whole world is experiencing a similar struggle.  The good news is that instability can be transformed on both an individual and a global level.  Unstable five energy can be converted into a vibrant, dynamic, stable force that creates positive change and creative solutions to problems.
 
What can you do?  How can you as an individual make a difference on a global level? First and foremost, you can reflect on the powerful question I suggested earlier.  Get clear for yourself on what freedom means to you.  How are you using the energy of the patriot in your own life, and how are you defining freedom with your own thoughts, words, and actions?
 
The world needs wise patriots now more than ever - passionate yes, but informed, conscious patriots, uncontrolled by their hidden fears and beliefs. The world needs patriots who are willing to take responsibility for their own behavior even as they advocate freedom for all.
 
It all starts with you.  I invite you this month to explore your own motivation, boundaries, and limitations. Find and embrace your own definition of freedom. Ultimately, the innerpatriot is perhaps the most powerful of all.

WISDOM FROM ANIMALS

• Use your energy in prayer.
• Reconnect to the meaning of life and the value of peace.
• Nothing is achieved without the aid of Great Spirit; ask for assistance.
• Be grateful for all that you receive.
• Recognize the sacredness of every walk of life, albeit different from yours.
• Abundance is not about materialism that depletes Earth of irreplaceable resources just to provide disposable “things” for our fleeting needs.

• Am I connecting to a higher power, or am I getting caught up in the busy-ness of the physical world and forgetting my connection to the Sacred?
• Do I honor the ways of others with respect, as I would hope to receive in kind?
• Do I feel my life is being used for the highest good?
• Do I express gratitude for the gifts in my life - my talents, my possessions, my health, my family and friends?
• Am I in balance, or do I need to resolve an inner conflict in order to restore peace within?

• Dyer, Wayne.  “Wayne Dyer Newsletter June 2012.”  www.drwaynedyer.com.  Hay House, 15 June 2012.  Web.  15 June 2012.
• Green, Susie.  Animal Wisdom:  Harness the Power of Animals to Liberate Your Spirit.  London: Cico Books Ltd., 2005.  Print.
• Sams, Jamie, and David Carson.  Medicine Cards.  New York: St. Martin’s Press, 1988, 1999.  Print.                

WISDOM FROM ASTROLOGY

By Vidya Dasi

Each month I look forward to sharing with you the most significant influences occurring now and in upcoming months from the perspective of Vedic, or Eastern, Astrology.  First, let me explain the difference between Eastern and Western Astrology, which is likely the system with which you are more familiar.

Vedic, or Eastern, astrology is the original astrology and is particularly adept at predicting future events in a person’s life.  Western astrology was basically developed by deductive reasoning; astrologers studied people of a particular sign and then delineated the qualities of that sign.  Vedic astrology is based on inductive reasoning where the qualities of the ruling planet delineate the qualities of the sign.  Vedic astrologers also understood that the entire solar system is moving through space; so, every year the calculations for the first day of spring vary slightly.  This explains the differences in the calculations of the two systems.  Every 72 years, the first day of spring changes one degree in Vedic astrology.

Western astrology believes that a person’s sun sign is the most significant planet as it describes a person’s outer personality, career, and relationship with authorities and his father.  The system of Western astrology sees the center of the universe as the sun, while Eastern (Vedic) astrology sees the individual soul as the center of his universe. Therefore, the moon is the most significant planet in Vedic astrology.  Second most important is the rising sign, or how others see you and simultaneously how you come out into the world.  The third most important planet is the sun.
 
Vedic astrology also sees each person as passing through various periods during her life, and this greatly empowers this particular astrological system with predictive abilities.
 
The present time is a very important time astrologically, which coincides with 2012 predictions, the rare conjunction of Sun and Venus, and a time when there are uncommonly many dramatic sun and moon eclipses taking place.  Starting at the end of May 2011, Rahu, the planet of obstacles, became debilitated in the sign of Scorpio.  This means that people’s fears and areas where they feel victimized became very apparent, particularly to themselves.  As it is a victimized syndrome, people felt un-empowered to find any solutions to their apparent difficulties.
 
In November 2011, Saturn, the planet of introspection, responsibility for oneself and one’s decisions and actions, determination, and working hard, became exalted.  This exaltation only takes place every 27 years; so, basically we only experience this great opportunity perhaps twice in our lives.  The possibility provided by this exalted Saturn was for each individual to solve the mystery of his victimization and places of fearfulness.  However, the tendency was for us to put band-aids on our difficult places and hope that was good enough.
 
Luckily, in later March of 2012, Saturn, the planet that could potentially enable us to unravel our most intimate and intense difficulties, went retrograde (began to move backwards).  So, the hope of finding solutions began to disappear, and the places where we were victimized became amazingly apparent again.  Saturn eventually went back into Virgo where it created mental-ness in all of us and reiterated the importance of solving the places in our lives where we are victimized and fearful.  Just now, June 25^th, Saturn began its forward direction and is now shedding some hope for finding solutions to our places of difficulty.
 
On August 4^th, Saturn (the taskmaster) will again pass into its exaltation in Libra.  From August 4^th until January 14^th, when Rahu goes out of debilitation, we have a window of opportunity to significantly change our lives, attitudes, and situations to resolve problems that have plagued us perhaps for lifetimes.
 
It would be a very good time right now to sit with ourselves and actually think deeply about the victimizations that we have felt throughout our lifetime and then write them down.  Then after August 4^th and before January 14^th, we can contemplate and discuss with intimate associates the victimizations that we have noted.  As we cannot change others and rarely, if at all, change the circumstances, we can only change ourselves, our attitudes, and the way that we feel about these situations.  By adhering strictly to truthfulness with ourselves, by being determined, by taking time and effort to look deeply into our emotional and psychological makeup, we can perhaps discover with deep introspection and intelligence the answer to our life’s puzzles and blockages.
 
After January 14^th, Saturn will still be exalted for almost another 2 years.  I will write more about the possibilities this gives us in a later issue.
 
I hope that you will be able to apply this process in your lives, as it will make this period of history very profound and productive for our ultimate advancement and purification.  In a later issue I will also offer you a chance to have your Vedic charts calculated so that you can follow more closely the information that will be given in these articles and know how it directly applies to you.  It will also help you to apply any other information you may read or gather about Vedic astrology, the oldest form of astrology based on 27 nakshatras.

CONSCIOUS EATING

This month's recipe ...

Marinated Grilled Shrimp
from Alexandra Topp

Ingredients

• 1/4 cup olive oil
• 1/2 cup fresh lime juice
• 1 Tbs minced garlic
• 1/3 cup finely chopped fresh basil
• 1/2 tsp cayenne
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1 lb large peeled and de-veined shrimp (not cooked)

Instructions

• Whisk first 6 ingredients together in a bowl to create marinade.
• Place shrimp in a large ziploc bag.
• Pour marinade into the ziploc bag over the shrimp.
• Securely close bag and shake contents to ensure marinade is well dispersed over shrimp. Place in fridge and let sit for at least 1 hour.
• After this time take wooden or metal skewers and place 4-5 shrimp on each skewer.
• Once grill is heated to 350-400 degrees place skewers on it.
• Grill each side for 4-5 minutes and take off grill once done.
• Serve with brown rice or quinoa along with grilled mixed vegetables.