The fourth of July is independence day in the U.S.  It is a time perhaps to remember our founding mothers and fathers.  They came to America to be free of tyranny and taxes.  Over several hundred years later what do we have?  More bureaucracy and taxes than ever before.  True , we have managed to create a very advanced society with many amenities but the humanity is often lacking between those in power and the general populace.

 Citizens have become somewhat complacent allowing their freedoms to diminish. Perhaps we are lulled into a kind of stupor by the media, television, or just our need to keep up with our endless obligations, causing us to have to work wall to wall just to pay our bills.

 So on this Independence Day let us think of how we can be an independent individual and try to carry on with our lives in our own creative way, not adhering to the average norm, but finding a way instead to be totally original in thought and deed.

 You need not follow blindly a belief system because you were born into it or someone told you you should.  Open your mind to your own independent choices and what is right for you.

 Know thyself is the term the ancient Egyptians used which was written over the entryways to the temples encouraging the populace to indulge in inner thought.

 Know thy soul, know thy heart and know thy purpose were other terms used to make certain its peoples were introspective and whole individuals.  Even though they were an orderly society they encouraged this type of independent thinking.  It was a way of life.

 I have a poster from the early nineteen hundreds that I adore.  The words on it are: protest against the rising tide of conformity.  There was a time in our country that this was a popular idea. but it has seemed to fade. as all concepts seem to come around again I believe we will be coming out of our stupor in this new age of Aquarius to be a society of higher consciousness.

 So remember to adhere to the person you really are, each of you a special human with your own gifts to offer and each of you able to stand up for your rights and privileges.

 Be strong and valiant when faced with those who would trample our goddess given right to freedom.

 baraka