Greetings <<First Name>>!

Welcome to the inaugural issue of All Things Alchemical.  I won’t bore you with how this newsletter came about.  Let’s just suffice to say that the Universe was very clear and persistent in the idea, including the name.
 
Alchemy originated in the sixth century and was influenced by the Taoist and Pythagorean philosophies.  The dictionary defines alchemy as:

1. a medieval chemical science and speculative philosophy aiming to achieve the transmutation of the base metals into gold, the discover of a universal cure for disease, and the discovery of a means of indefinitely prolonging life
2. a power or process of transforming something common into something special
3. an inexplicable or mysterious transmuting

Alchemy has made many contributions to chemistry such as the development of pharmacology.  It has also given us a mystical way of looking at the world.

I am fascinated by transformation and change, an alchemical process, from an ego-centered life to one of spiritual nature, driven by a Divine force.  Just having the fascination isn’t enough for me though.  I use a combination of tools to seek truth in all things; numerology, astrology, psychoanalysis (Jungian theory), intuition, and symbology are just a few.
 
Although there have been volumes written on alchemy, I am inspired to bring you, in All Things Alchemical, modern day alchemists who are fully vested in the elixir of life, the philosophers’ stone, our soul’s journey.   My hope is that you will find this newsletter a place to turn to for your own exploration of truth.  We promise to publish content that will keep you informed, connected, and inspired.  Consider All Things Alchemical to be your personal spiritual coach!
 
A thread connects us, and if you look at my logo, you will see that I believe it is golden.  This thread is woven through all experiences, through all thoughts, through all words, through all that is seen and unseen.  I welcome you to discover your golden thread of transformation in this month’s issue of All Things Alchemical.  It is a powerful month of balancing the masculine and feminine energies.  Please enjoy!
  Cited Work
“alchemy.”  Merriam-Webster.com.  Merriam-Webster, Incorporated, 2012.  Web.  12 June 2012.

Next month:  a Master Astrologer will join our team.  Also, July is the month of Patriotism; so, we will delight in the archetype of the Patriot.

THE FATHER ARCHETYPE

Symbolic Living Through the Lens of an Archetype
 
If we are to breakdown the work of viewing your life from a symbolic state, there are a few things to consider.  First, there is an energy body that surrounds you called chakras (for more definition in detail please visit http://www.kendragoheen.com/chakra.html).  This energy body contains all the data of your biology and your biography.  If you step away and view the body in this way, you will see that this energy manifests in patterns of archetypes that affect your life.
 
Archetypes are patterns of intelligence – dynamic living forms of energy that are shared in many people’s thoughts and emotions across cultures and countries.  These patterns, often ancient in origin, populate our minds and lives in ways that affect us deeply.
 
Each archetypal energy pattern is linked to a characteristic that shows up in crucial behaviors and relationships and often gives you clues to your life’s mission – a running theme, per se, in your life.
 
The study and teaching of these patterns have become a passion of mine, and I’ve realized that my Teacher archetype plays a significant role in bringing you one archetype a month to explore in your own lives.  It is befitting that we begin this month with the Father archetype, the one that started it all!
 
Father (Patriarch, Progenitor, Parent)
 
This archetype combines a talent for creating or initiating with the ability to oversee others, whether a biological family or a group of creative people.  Although the Father has taken on negative connotations associated historically with paternalism and male dominance, we shouldn’t lose sight of its primary characteristics of courage … and protectiveness.  A true Father guides and shields those under his care, sacrificing his own desires when that’s appropriate.  "The shadow Father emerges when that caring guidance and protection turns into dictatorial control or abuse of authority.” (Myss, 385).
 

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

IN MY EXPERIENCE

“…A True Father Guides and Shields…”
The Father Archetype in My Life .... by Kendra Goheen
 
I became very aware as a young girl of a Divine force that was guiding and protecting me.  My earliest recollection of this Divine force was when I was sixteen.  I would lie in bed and converse with who became known to me as my Father.   I would have conversations with Him, as I would with any trusted friend. 
 
My early years were not easy.  Living from one crisis to another became my normal.  The one quick and easy route to stop myself from spinning out of control with my thoughts was to pray.  My Father became the one constant in my life when nothing else made sense.  I cannot express the deep sense of security, peace, and love that I felt as a sixteen year old when the dialogue was occurring.  So, I continued to practice this dialogue on a daily basis; today, it is my way to meditate and pray.
 
I clearly remember one special conversation with my Father.  What I heard in this particular dialogue with my Father was that my experiences of chaos and dysfunction had a purpose.  They would shape who I am today.  All I had to do was trust my Father to guide and protect me during the process.  The pattern of the Father archetype presented itself early on for me.  Thank God, literally. 
 
As for my biological father, Dean, I am certain that he too, in my adolescent years, became quite friendly with the Divine Father!  “A true Father guides and shields…”  (Myss, 385).  It is hard to understand when you are young how someone is influencing your life.  For me, as a parent of grown children now, I am very clear about how my dad influenced me and continues to do so in my life, as well as the lives of my children as their grandfather.  My dad is a true father who guides and shields -  the Father archetype.  He always has been.
 
My dad’s dedication to support and provide for his family earned him respect, a successful career, and a devoted family.  He was driven to succeed, and like me, my dad found at an early age that nothing of great significance comes easy.  It is what it is.  Hard work, determination to see something come to fruition, being direct, perfectionism (although I have learned that perfectionism has holes!), organizational skills, family, and a tender and loving heart are just some of the “guiding” characteristics that I have so proudly inherited from my dad.  I don’t have the Father archetype myself, but my DNA screams the inheritance. 
 
Did I mention worrywart?  Oh, we’ll divulge that archetype another month!  The worrywart and the tender heart are the “shielding” aspects of the Father archetype.  My dad may not have verbalized much of his worry when I was young, but I knew in my heart, even during the chaos, that he wished he could have eased my suffering numerous times.  His blood pressure medication during that time was a dead give away!  And I can laugh at this now, because I believe with absolute certainty the statement, “All things happen for a reason.”
 
Dad, without your inner drive to keep going and to “get to the bottom of things” (one of your favorite sayings when I was young), I would not be doing the work I was put here on Earth to do – to guide people to discover the sacredness in our life’s patterns, while joyfully accepting IT IS WHAT IT IS.  I love you Dad!
 
In gratitude for my Father above, for my dad, for my grandfather Pappy, who has instilled in me the importance of serving others, and for all those with characteristics steeped in Guiding and Shielding.  HAPPY FATHER’S DAY!
 
Cited Work
Myss, Caroline.  Sacred Contracts:  Awakening Your Divine Potential.  New York:  Three Rivers Press, 2002, 2003, Print.

A FATHER ARCHETYPE TESTIMONIAL

by John McMahon

Choosing the Father archetype was an act of love and a bold decision, which has left an indelible mark on my life.  My earliest memories as a child are filled with the wonder of God the Father and the stark dichotomy of experience with my biological father.  As a young child I protected my twin brother from physical and emotional harm on a regular basis.  I would dim my own light so not to magnify my brother’s many struggles by being unfairly compared and criticized.  Father later appeared in my choice of education and years of work in child protection and family dysfunction. 

In school, I felt a strong need to befriend the marginalized students, those who were social misfits and the “special needs” kids.  I stuttered when I was younger and could relate to these kids who were ridiculed and rejected for not being “normal.”  The Father in me influenced me to include the special education students in our pick-up baseball games at recess, much to the dismay of my classmates. 

A crazy, impulsive act my senior year in high school was to run for and get elected as class president.  I recall wondering what inside me made my voice volunteer my name - what in the world was I doing?  Only later did I learn that our soul acts out when it’s disempowered.  Taking this path led me to many experiences of leading others: coaching a Little League baseball team, piloting new work initiatives, managing mergers, and leading a start-up company to protect the most vulnerable adults in our communities.  I have become Father to both the organization and symbolically to all the members we serve: poverty level, frail elderly and adults with physical or developmental disabilities. 

Being a father has been the most joyful experience in my life.  Sacrifice and service have been constant companions, a necessity to living.  I have always felt strangely confident leading people, and I have courage to lead a cause that serves others.

As I have embraced my Father I feel strength, courage, and strong purpose.  It’s my connection to serving God the Father’s will, a privilege and an honor and the unique joy of my heart.  I feel the Father in all my being and doing.  I am able to see the Father in others and have come full circle to see my biological father in a new and positive light.  Father is the “I am that I am.  Happy Father’s Day."

INSPIRED POETRY

WISDOM FROM ANIMALS

Key Concepts When Eagle Is Present:
• Broaden your sense of self beyond what is visible
• Reconnect with the element of air - the mental plane and higher mind
• Remember the freedom of the skies and follow your heart's joy
• Soar above the mundane

Eagle medicine gives the ability to live in the realm of spirit and still remain connected and balanced within the realm of Earth.  Within Native American tribes, a state of grace is achieved, with the help of Eagle, through hard work, understanding, and completing the tests of initiation that result in the claiming of one’s personal power.  The right to use the essence of Eagle medicine must be earned, which only happens through experiencing the lows in life as well as the highs and through finding and trusting a connection to the Great Spirit.

Eagle, as a skilled hunter, can be ruthless when she strikes.  However, she only kills out of necessity.  There may be times, in business or in our personal lives, when we feel it's necessary to be ruthless in order to survive.   What is the price of such action?  Eagle's wisdom tells us to consider carefully the effects of our actions and whether they are truly justified.  Using our power for malice or spite is not the way of the Eagle.  Karma is always in effect; taking what another possesses to increase our own wealth can create waves of consequences for others as well as ourselves.

When Eagle is present, she gives the power of vision well beyond our mundane world.  In fact, she is telling us to gather our courage for an opportunity to rise above the mundane levels of our lives.  We can use this insight to delve into the mysteries of other worlds, broadening our Self beyond what is currently visible, attacking our fear of the unknown, and always bringing the wisdom gained back to thisworld.  This takes discipline.  Use the power wisely, and we will benefit, as will the world, from deeper spirituality, creativity, and healing ability. Our karma and its outcome are in our hands.  With Eagle's guidance, we can take this great responsibility to heart and soar.

Resources
Sams, Jamie, and David Carson.  Medicine Cards  New York:  St. Martin’s Press, 1988, 1999.  Print.
Green, Susie.  Animal Wisdom:  Harness the Power of Animals to Liberate Your Spirit  London:  Cico      Books Ltd., 2005.  Print.                           

CONSCIOUS EATING

This month's recipe ...

Easy Chicken Enchiladas
from Alexandra Topp

Ingredients:

1 rotisserie chicken
1 small can corn (drained)
1 small can diced green chiles
1 small can diced black olives (drained)
2 cups shredded Mexican cheese
1 tbs pepper
1 tbs garlic salt
1 can red enchilada sauce
8 - 8 inch flour tortillas
1 cup salsa
1/2 cup lean sour cream

Instructions:

• Shred rotisserie chicken and place in a large bowl.
• Combine corn, chiles and black olives along with chicken, and mix well.
• Take 1 cup of the shredded cheese and add this to chicken mixture.
• Add pepper and garlic salt and mix well.
• Add 1/4 of the enchilada sauce into the chicken mixture.
• Take another 1/4 of the enchilada sauce and pour into the bottom of a 13x9 inch glass pan.
• Place 1/3 cup of mixture into a tortilla and roll.
• Place tortilla into glass pan.
• Repeat with additional tortillas until the chicken mixture is gone.
• Pour remaining enchilada sauce onto tortillas and top with the remaining 1 cup of cheese.
• Bake at 350 degrees for about 25 minutes or until cheese is melted on top and golden brown.
• Take out of oven and let sit for 5-10 minutes.
• Garnish with a dollop of sour cream and salsa. Indulge!

THIS MONTH'S PROMOTION

During the month of June, I am extending an invitation BOGO.  When you purchase any flaxseed you will receive one travel-size container of pre-ground Dash ‘O’ Flax free.  That is a $10 savings!

Click here to order Flaxseed – your delivery will include a free Dash ‘O’ Flax!

Click here to read Kendra's recent blog post about Flaxseed, The Most Amazing Whole Food ...

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS

Kendra Goheen is an Intuitive Guide, Spiritual Director and Certified Life Coach in the Twin Cities.  To learn more visit http://kendragoheen.com.
John McMahon, a resident of Wisconson, is our Guest Contributor for the Archetype Testimonial feature.
Yolaine Dunne, Award Winning Poet from Quebec, Canada can be reached at http://poetry.yolaunlimited.com.
John Morris, a Numerologist, Intuitive Mentor, and blogger about intuition, divides his time living in Maine and Shetland, UK.  To find out more about John’s work, go to www.johnmorris.info
Anne Barton, a California native currently living outside of San Francisco, has dedicated more than 30 years to her journey of personal growth and spiritual development.
Alexandra Topp, a Registered Nurse who lives in the Twin Cities, has a special interest in nutrition and healthy eating.

WORDS OF WISDOM