Note From Kendra

Dear Friends,

August 9^th - my daughter Allie’s wedding day. It was a spectacular day for me to witness “the beginning point of creation” (Myss).  The archetypal energies of the day were many, but the one that stood out for me was the Virgin. Throughout history that archetype has represented itself fairly well at weddings.
 
We had been preparing ourselves for this day for over a year. As I watched and observed Allie throughout this entire process, as well as on the actual day, I marveled at her sense of peace and calm. She has been together with her now husband, Pat, for seven and a half years. That itself lent to extra excitement. I know Pat, I love him like a son, and he has become an integral part of my family. I am proud indeed.
 
A wedding is a rite of passage, one of many that you may get to experience in your lifetime. Some of these beautiful rites of passage are not witnessed by all of your family and friends. But this one, the one when you profess your love and announce that this is the beginning point of the rest of your lives together, looking outward and into the future together, gets to be upheld in sacred space by all those who love you. It is an honor.
 
As I watched Allie and Pat dance around the floor that night together, I thought to myself that a great, great love story is a fairytale come true. They are living proof. 
 

 In gratitude,

Archetype

Virgin
(Monk/Nun) 

This archetype is associated with purity, applied primarily to young girls. The Vestal Virgins of ancient Rome lived in service to a goddess and were often severely punished if they lost their virginity. The Virgin Mother of Jesus represents the purity of motherhood, bringing forth the perfect form of male life, a god. Your identification with the Virgin needs to be explored symbolically as a pattern that represents as association with purity as well as the beginning point of creation. To bring forth virgin ideas is as much an aspect of this archetype as is its application to maintaining virginal aspects of Mother Nature, as in virgin forests.
 
The shadow side of the Virgin is the prudish disgust with or fear of genuine sensuality. Resisting sex not to save one’s energy for other endeavors, but because it seems inherently repellent, is not a virtue but a denial of an essential aspect of oneself. Celibate Monks or Nuns ideally learn to channel their sexual energy rather then merely repressing it.
 
Films:  Sean Connery in The Medicine Man; Kirstin Dunst et al. in The
    Virgin Suicides; Jennifer Jason Leigh in Fast Times at Ridgemont High. Religion/Myth:  Parthenos (Greek for “Virgin,” an epithet of the goddess
    Athena, who was the virgin mother of Ericthonius). Hestia/Vesta (the
    Greek/Roman virgin goddess of the hearth, and, by extension,
    domestic life).

Myss, Caroline.  Sacred Contracts: Awakening Your Divine Potential.  New York: Three Rivers Press, 2002, 2003. 421. Print.

Symbology

The Medicine and Wisdom of the Ant. Contributed by Anne Barton.

I am very fortunate to live in a place where I see many of my personal wisdom animals live, up close, and personal:  Coyote, Crow, Deer, Lizard.  Then on a drive I make frequently to my sister’s house, I see two more – Buffalo and Horse – in the form of statues on a neighbor’s front lawn.  But I believe the animal that has shown up most frequently for me, when I most need the message, is Ant.
 
This is an animal we have all had an experience with and is many times included in the category of ‘pest.’  Until I fully embraced the message of Ant, I considered an ant infestation a nuisance and inconvenience, for sure.  But now, when I see that telltale trail of marching black dots, I know exactly why they have shown up.  And as soon as I stop and take note, helping them to find a new marching course is fairly easy and doesn’t have to cause frustration, inconvenience, or harm.
 
The primary keyword I associate with Ant is Patience – it’s the message I can usually recognize as important and relevant almost immediately upon an encounter.  But I’ve learned more about these tiny creatures in the process of writing this article.  Read on…
 
ANT/Patience, Togetherness, Invention, Purpose
 
Key concepts when Ant is present:

• Trust in the Universe to provide
• Work for the good of the whole
• Patience has rewards
• Show patience and trust in a current life situation

Ants have populated the world for over 50 million years.  They occupy every type of terrain; from jungle, desert, forest, dune, to trees, underground burrows, houses and boats.  They have learned to adapt.  A deeper message in this history of adaptation is that we can be the architects of our own reality, the creator of our own dreams.  Rather than wait for opportunity, or something different to show up, Ant teaches us the value in working with what we have, persistently, and this will bring reward. 
 
Every ant in the anthill is part of a ‘group mind,’ working for the Queen and the hive.  Self-sacrifice is also part of Ant medicine.  An ant colony shows us the value of working in cooperation, for the good of the whole, and finding that when we do, our success, both emotionally and materially, is secured.
 
Another message when Ant shows up is that patience and trust are required.  Have you forgotten that you will always receive what you need at exactly the time you need it?  If you have, then Ant is there to help you step back and perhaps consider something you might do until what you want or need arrives.  Perhaps there is a new strategy to employ.  Ant is always working for the good of the whole.  How might you use your time to do the same?
 
Those who are community-minded, planners, and who look to the greater future needs of their town likely have Ant medicine.  They are content to see their dreams built one small step at a time.  Ant people are willing to wait for the sweet victory at the end of the line.  This is a rare trait in a world where ‘instant gratification’ is so predominantly sought.  They understand and trust that the Universe will provide.  From this inner knowing and confidence, patience is not a struggle.

Just a few days after writing this article I received this message, and felt it was worth sharing!

"On this day of your life, I believe God wants you to know...
...that life is rarely as difficult as you think it is, and
hardly ever as aggravating as humans are able to make it.

How much patience do you have with Life? Are you
willing to overcome minor obstacles as you move
through your day? Or does anything and everything 
that does not move in accordance with your wishes
cause you annoyance--if not outright frustration?

Consider the possibility that the little obstacles in
life are not obstacles at all, but stepping stones. Look 
to see what they offer you in terms of growth, and
you'll see their treasure."

- Neale Donald Walsch, from his daily "I believe God wants you to know" email message on 9/2/14

 
To learn more about my Animal Guide readings, as well as other readings I provide, visit http://tiny.cc/AnneBartonReadings.    

Works Cited & Resources
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.