Archive for April, 2011

This Tarot card connects Chesed and Tiferet – two Sephirot on the Kabbalistic Tree of Life.

Considering the zodiac, the closest astrological sign to the Hermit is Virgo. We can almost say that by looking at this card one gets a brief insight into the nature of this sign. Therefore it can be rightfully considered a prototype of Virgo.

Amongst the 22 Major Arcanas, the Hermit is associated with the number 9. It has also been assigned the letter Yod from the Hebrew aleph-bet. The elemental power of the Hermit Tarot Card is expressed through the “earth” element.

Description of “The Hermit”

In almost all of the representations (decks) of Tarot, this card shows a Hermit with a lantern. The Rider-Waite deck depicts a hermit figure turned to the side, so that one cannot quite see the hermit’s face. His bearded head is slightly bent, as if showing a desire to leave the world of the senses and focus on the inner, psychic side. There are two dominant symbols – a long stick in one hand and a lantern in the other.

 

The light that comes out from the lantern originates from a six pointed star. This is the familiar Hebrew “Star of David” (read more on the symbolism of this star).

The staff symbol is a common accessory in the world of pilgrims and saints. It is a token of power and authority. It is also a symbol of hermit’s spiritual path towards the more spiritual levels of consciousness.

Some Possible Meanings

The meanings of Arcana nr. 9 are not always clear nor consistent amongst the greatest tarot authorities.

The light of the lantern is possibly the light of intuition. The earth element (clearly seen here as the mountains upon which the hermit is standing) denotes the material world of the senses, the high levels of achievements, and the necessary patience.

The Hermit is speechless. His task is to shine and illumine the dormant human hearts. The whole array of pains and difficulties are already beneath his feet. He stands above all that is human, holding his lantern high and showing the way to those willing to follow him. That is, if the person is positive and balanced.

In the negative aspect, this card might express loneliness, mystery and secrecy. Individuals where the expressions of The Hermite’s downside is dominant are usually kept apart and above the other people.

Commentary

The figure of the hermit is so positioned, as to resemble the Hebrew letter Yod (see bellow).

 

 

 

 

 

The hermit can be seen as the Jung’s Wise old man archetype.

The Hermit in Prognosis

Inner enlightenment, secret impulse from the inside, retreat from the everyday life. Seeking knowledge apart from the traditional places.

According to Richard Gardner it is a sign of wisdom, knowledge, caution, obstacles (the caution prevents things from happening), missed opportunities, withdrawal into oneself, etc.

Waite, on the other hand, disputes the understanding of this card as a wise man in search of truth, and instead emphasizes that the hermit is merely showing the way to those willing to follow.

In the reverse meaning, the hermit migh be seen as a hidden Persephone – the queen of the underworld

who carries into effect the curses of men upon the souls of the dead, along with her husband Hades.

The reverse the hermit might indicate crisis, overcaution, desertion by an authority, fear, imprudence, celibacy, etc.

In this article we have talked about the symbolism of Major Arcana number 9. If you are beginner in Tarot the best way to start your journey in this wondrous world is to buy tarot deck for beginners.

The Sun Tarot Card connects Hod and Yesod on the Tree of Life. Its metaphysical meaning is hidden in the alternative descriptive words: “The Master of the World Fire“.

Description of The Sun Card

Near the top, there is a large Sun with sun rays spreading around in all directions. The central position is dominated by a naked child on a white horse, holding a banner. There are also several sunflowers in the background sticking out behind a brick wall.

A.E. Waite (the author of the most famous Tarot Deck)  indicates in his book “The Pictorial Key to the Tarot“:

” …The card signifies, therefore, the transit from the manifest light of this world, represented by the glorious sun of earth, to the light of the world to come, which goes before aspiration and is typified by the heart of a child.”

The Sun in this card stands for the Master of life, light, love and freedom. It can also be understood as a symbol of wholeness, pure consciousness, or consciousness of the spirit. The wall can be seen as a means of protection. Alternatively, it is a token of the dawn of the New age that brings more freedom, but still a sense of control is maintained. The, banner depicted so vividly on the Sun Tarot Card, means victory in the restoration of the new age framework.

The sunflowers are gifts of radiant warmth. Their meanings include loyalty and longevity, energy in form of nourishment and vibration. They mirror the sun and the energy provided by its heat and light. More on the symbolism of sunflowers here.

The child is a symbol of innocence and simplicity, designating the next stage of development of the human soul. When this stage is reached, a new influx of subtle Sun energy will bring even more freedom and prosperity. The slavery to the old ideas will be abolished. Our collective psychic is a child’s land of innocence and undifferentiated consciousness.

Again we turn to the beautiful words of A.E. Waite:

“… When the self-knowing spirit has dawned in the consciousness above the natural mind, that mind in its renewal leads forth the animal nature in a state of perfect conformity.”

The Sun in divination

The Sun Tarot can mean several things: glory, gain, fortune, truth, immortality, great success, or, for instance, recovery from a complicated health condition. The Sun can bring rapid success to everything and everyone, provided that the meaning of the other tarot cards is favorable. In its reversed meanings, the Sun Card can indicate impudence, arrogance, vanity, or death.