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It is further a card which is understood quite incorrectly when it is connected with the idea of occult isolation, as the protection of personal magnetism against admixture. This is one of the frivolous renderings which we owe to Eliphas Levi. It has been adopted by the French Order of Martinism and some of us have heard a great deal of the Silent and Unknown Philosophy enveloped by his mantle from the knowledge of the profane. In true Martinism, the significance of the term Philosophe inconnu was of another order. It did not refer to the intended concealment of the Instituted Mysteries, much less of their substitutes, but--like the card itself--to the truth that the Divine Mysteries secure their own protection from those who are unprepared."
Given that I've a migraine going for the last week, this card has seemed a tad bit coincidental with wanting to simply get away from it all- yet as we know from Waite's rather obscure words and our text, there is certainly more the the hermit than someone who simply hides from the light! In fact, one might take it full circle and say the hermit is the light.Indeed, this hermit- this greyed pilgrim perhaps has travelled this road before, and might well again. Standing on top of a peak--shining down a light to what? Showing the trial for those coming up behind him, or lighting the path back down to once again enter the real world? Or this perhaps the light that all seek in their journeys?
Alone he stands- as we are all ultimately alone in this quest, while still part of the collective world. In this lesson alone is a chance for peace and serenity.
We see him in profile- the single eye of the spiritual side staring down from the snowy mountain of pure thought and experience. He holds a lantern with a six pointed star, Solomon's seal with its dual triangles of consciousness and/or a sign of Virgo- of "high mental attributes"... the two triangles showing perhaps the union of the 'godforce' with man's own higher self. He holds the lantern consciously, with is right hand, while in the left he holds a yelllow staff of divine will, of creativity.
The Hermit is hooded, the grey cloak shielding and also symbolizing the mystical work he does to find his way, to find the light that he then shines from the mountaintop.
Let's consider this in divination readings, shall we?
For a card that truly shows a tremendous amount of growth, it is very 'still' don't you think? The purposeful quietness indicates that much can happen when one simply stops..and goes within oneself for the answers, for the ability to learn from the life experiences that have played havoc on the emotions and daily lives-- that at some point this introversion is absolutely necessary for one to move past the immediate problems that create daily chaos and move into the real reasons of what lie behind those symptomatic clues.
One feels hurt and depressed over something that has happened, a friend has said something hurtful, our boss has become surly, a lover has shown neglect- these things create that irritation to our souls and emotions that make us crazy. The Hermit stands for that time when we stop looking outwardly at what others are doing..and see what we can do to address what has happened.
What is our part in the situation? Did we project onto the friend qualities that were not really theirs? Is the boss perhaps getting pressure from the corporation on budgets and just needs some quiet support and disregard for pissy days? Did we want our lover to be our all and everything, when we know that in truth that is impossible for any one person to do? As we work through these questions- be they for ourselves in a reading or a querant-- the Hermit is an indication that the solution and road to some peace is not without, but within.
Sometimes we need simpy to 'be'--to not create more chaos with questions, activities, and agitation. Sometimes we need to seek wise counsel-- a friend that will tell us not what we want to hear, but what we need to hear. Or perhaps a reader even. Sometimes we need to actively go inside ourselves and see the pattern we have created...and how we justify that pattern.
Do we find ourselves looking to the past for something or someone to blame for our present situation? Does that really do us any good? Well, perhaps it allows us to avoid the whole thing- but think about that Hermit- he is on top of the peak- he has done the hard work to make the journey up to find the fresh air (maybe even the cold slap of a sharp wind) and in doing so has left that path behind.
At some point we all note that it is time for us to live in the present. No regrets over the past, no planned expectations of the future... this seems to be a generally fleeting moment, alas, but in kindness to ourselves, that Hermit doesn't stay on the mountain top forever in this journey!
For some this is a card of finding help, assistance and wisdom. For me it has become a card of self responsibility- of knowing that ultimately I am alone, and I am the one who can stumble and miss the path, or I can take responsibility for myself and move on up. Change is scary- and this often means leaving behind those emotional crutches, the way one stays in the familiar patterns.
I liked this quote from The Spiritual Tarot: "...he stands on snow. It symbolizes solidified ideas and values that will periodically melt and become part of the waters of the collective unconscious."
This moves us onto the Wheel of Fortune, our next card... a reminder that change is constant, change comes and goes in the rythm of human life.
EXERCISE:
What issue from this past month in your life is something you need to Hermit on?
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