The Archetype of America as Seen in the Presidents of Mt. Rushmore
How do Bush & Obama compare?
Mount Rushmore was created not only as a monument to the four men depicted, but also to the American ideals the four men represent. What were those ideals and does our current leader possess them? I thought it would be interesting to see what possible similarities each of these men had, as well as to see what those “American ideals” might be.
“Mount Rushmore is a memorial that symbolizes America.”
-Gerard Baker, Superintendent
“The purpose of the memorial is to communicate the founding, expansion, preservation, and unification of the United States with colossal statues of Washington, Jefferson, Lincoln, and Theodore Roosevelt.” -Gutzon Borglum
First, a couple of basics:
Phi, or sacred proportion, is present throughout the human body and in all of nature. The 2 drawn circles are in phi proportion; the outer circle is 1.6 times larger than the inner. When phi is present, there is balance and harmony.
Slant Guage for measuring handwriting
Slant of one’s letters is one of the most fundamental things looked at in handwriting as it represents one’s general orientation in life. Here in the west we write from left side of the page to the right, indicating
symbolically leaving the past and heading toward the future. Contrast this with Aramaic writing that goes from right to left, symbolically always going back to the past, the roots. There are many associations with left and right, including left being more self-involved and right being more other involved. One of the biggest factors in compatibility is this fundamental thing. Americans, and our copybook, have a rightward slant indicating our extraversion and concern for others
Handwriting offers unfiltered, uncontaminated information about the psyche of the writer.
The handwriting doesn’t lie.
When phi is present:
Core Motivation – Soul’s expression
Owns personal authority, personal responsibility, and greatest level of adaptation and flexibility in thinking. Highest amount of “free will” available.
When phi is not present:
Core Motivation: Ego
Misplaced authority onto titles, power, or others, “stuck” thinking patterns, and inadaptability. Little or no “free will” due to strong ego defenses.
While this is hardly a comprehensive evaluation, one is able to see immense information contained within size, slant, and proportion of someone’s handwriting. Please note that, though not posted here, I have made my measurements to establish “phi” circles from the bodies of writing from each of the six above president. Due to space limitations, the signature is only shown.
Not only does our writing go rightward across the page, we are also taught to form our letters with a slight rightward slant. The slant of one’s letters gives information as to the degree of one expression or restraint of emotions as well as sentiments towards the self, in relation to others. The more the right slant, the more there is a yielding to others, to society, and altruism.
This single quality is one of the most important aspect to look at, when evaluating compatibility. We are most compatible with those whose writing has the same slant as our own.
American school book, or copybook, teaches a rightward slant. Being that there is a bi-directional relationship between our hand and our brain means that, over time, the qualities associated with that formation, get wired into our neural network. The implication of this is something to be noted. How we use our hands, helps shape our brains. (The implications of increased computer use and the activity of “texting” in contributing to how the human brain is evolving. Some term this “self-directed neuroplasticity.”)
Different cultural archetypes, behaviors, have some roots within what was taught as copybook. For examples, German copybook contains many angles; associated meanings include a harshness, emotional coolness, and rigidity.
The meaning associated with the American, rightward slant is, among many things, an altruistic warmth and compassion. The farther right the slant, the more intense the meaning. This parallels body language of reaching out to someone else:
All four of the Mount Rushmore presidents, as well as G. W. Bush, have a forward slant, as well as the personality attributes associated with that type of stroke formation, while Obama’s has a more vertical one. Some meanings of this marked difference include: a coolness, egotistic tendencies, and calculation – often a lack of feeling, out of passion being suppressed (I’ve heard the saying: “no drama Obama”).
When writing is vertical or left-slanted, it is mirroring the writer’s pulling back of energies into self, putting a distance between self and others. While Obama’s writing would be considered vertical (not leftward), it is considerably different than just about every other US president. Upon checking every signature of the American presidents I only found two others that had this type of slant: Bill Clinton and Lyndon Johnson.
Most remarkable in the samples of the Mount Rushmore presidents are the following qualities that they all posses: honesty- desirous of clear communication (clear, very legible signatures), respect for authority (upper zone formations), and lack of arrogance (phi is present). These men all were confident without being driven by an ambitious ego.
Some comments on the other presidents I have listed:
G.W. Bush: Rightward slant that matches America’s archetype, illegible (this is considered a negative), fairly balanced. His “G” fits well within phi circles; the “B” is larger. This indicates his having more importance associated with the family name over that of him personally. Family is most important.
B. Obama: Slant doesn’t match that of American culture, illegible (negative), capital letters are extremely disproportionate indicating, as some put it, a “superiority complex covering an inferiority complex.” (negative) The “B” measured at 16mm high – almost double of what is considered the norm. The “O” is slightly smaller, indicating his importance is put on he individually, over that of the family name “Obama”. An interesting symbol is contained within the “O” – a dissecting line. Often there is imagery in one’s signature. Possibly, the fact that his has a mixed ethnicity, or somehow there was a “split” within his family of origin. These capitals, not only being extremely tall, are extremely wide. I have written about the meaning of this in my blog. Obama’s Handwriting . I also wrote about Washington and Lincoln within my blog: Washington & Lincoln Handwriting. (http://lisaschuetz.com/blog)
John F. Kennedy: Though his capitals extend far out of phi proportion, he isn’t subsumed with projections, the way B. Obama is. Also very different and of import is the fact that JFK’s capitals aren’t extremely wide, also. This indicates his ambitions are more adventuresome and expansive.
Examples of extreme imbalance – showing the carrying of others projections:
(Obama would fall within this category. All these people achieved success in the outer world. It is said though, that every victory for the ego, is a defeat for the soul)
Examples of Imbalance
Examples of balance:
Balanced Psyches
It is interesting to note in Mother Teresa’s writing the obvious greater importance she places on God. Note the much smaller “T” in her name compared to the “G”.
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Indeed, America is on the brink of change.
In keeping with the qualities of what the Mount Rushmore presidents valued, a couple of the qualities needed – in order to resonate with Archetypal America, are: balance and clear communication. (Note: being able to eloquently deliver speeches, rhetoric, is not what is meant by clear communication)
Again, balance/greatest adaptability is seen in leading a balanced life which is represented by phi being present and an important indicator of honesty (there are many indicators) is a very legible signature. When one doesn’t have balance, nor has a legible signature, there is cause for question about what is truly driving that person’s life…
