Meaning of Dr. Marlowe's Logo
There are several symbols (archetypes) that represent my views of
life, growth, healing, and change. These same archetypes are great
examples of how the counseling process works and have become part
of the logo for my counseling practice. The symbols for the logo
originate from my country office at Sunlight Farm.
The Oak Tree
There is a mighty Oak tree that stands in the south side yard at
Sunlight Farm's counseling office.
The Oak is one of the strongest and most enduring of all trees.
Its sturdy branches invoke an
image of carefree life where a child is swinging in the breeze
on an old hemp rope swing.
The Oak tree is an archetype of history. It is likely that Native
Americans sat under this old Oak, having lived in the
Northeastern Ohio region long ago. I am amazed when I look at the
Oak, its strength—the way it has stood the test of time, enduring
high winds, winter snow storms, and the heat of a summer's day, yet
it remains, still producing acorns that provide nourishment for the
squirrels and the potential of reproducing its own life cycle.
The mighty Oak reminds me of the counseling process. People come
with their history; the story of what has been. There are often things
to be dealt with that come from deeply rooted experiences, wounds,
emotions, and old behaviors that no longer work. In order to
challenge outlived ways of thinking, feeling, and behaving, we need
to be grounded with roots as strong as the mighty Oak. Deep,
enduring roots are sometimes not our heritage from early life, but in
counseling, it is possible to develop strong roots that foster the
process of growth. It is also possible to develop greater strength to
stand the winds of discouragement, change, and loss, and at the
same time, be able to live life with the care freeness of a
summer's day as a child rides a swing in the shade of the Old
Oak.
The Sun
The century farmhouse at Sunlight Farm faces due east and
west so that one can see the sun rise and set each day. The sun
reminds me of the warmth and light that it takes to produce growth.
It is also a symbol of the cycle of life as it appears each morning and
gives way to the darkness at nightfall.
The sun reminds us of our life journey. Sometimes it’s all sunshine
and at other times the sunset gives way to darkness as we experience
loss, forced change, and general upset with lives that are stuck,
painful or not working well.
The sun is a wonderful reminder that life renews and regenerates
daily! The sun’s density, power, and far reaching gifts to us on Earth
provide an archetype for the counseling process. The sun is a symbol
of hope and trust in the process of life, that we can count on the
power of the light to nourish us, restore us, and light a pathway to
greater peace and possibilities. 