What is your favorite tarot card? Not your top ten or top five, but your absolute favorite. And more importantly, what does this card say about you? As a reader? As a client? As a human being?
Remember, this is not a multiple choice all-of-the-above type question. There can only be one favorite of anything. Ready, set, choose.
Remember, this is not a multiple choice all-of-the-above type question. There can only be one favorite of anything. Ready, set, choose.
But if you feel you can't make a choice, stop and think. Imagine yourself doing your own tarot card reading or someone else reading for you. Which card makes you smile? Always. Whenever you pull it? Whatever the question?
For me, it's the Hermit. Yes, there is more than one tie for number two but this is the card that most signifies who I am or who I would like to be. What my best possible life is about, has been about, really, ever since I can remember. Whenever I draw it I know that I am on the right track.
For me, it's the Hermit. Yes, there is more than one tie for number two but this is the card that most signifies who I am or who I would like to be. What my best possible life is about, has been about, really, ever since I can remember. Whenever I draw it I know that I am on the right track.
The Hermit is an unusual card, one of only eight cards in the entire 78 card Rider-Waite-Smith deck that clearly shows a radiating light source. Of these eight, five (The Fool, Moon, Sun, Lovers and Ten of Cups) show rays of light radiating out from a natural source. Two of the the remaining three cards show light radiating from 1. A floating crown that seems clearly metaphysical (Temperance) and 2. From a figure (The Hanged Man). Arguably, both of these last are halos.
Only the Hermit displays light radiating from what is clearly a man made light source: the Hermit's lantern. Except that what is inside the Hermit's lantern is not man made - it is a star. The only visibly shining star in the entire deck. This has a significance that may vary from reading to reading, but is always worth noting.
Only the Hermit displays light radiating from what is clearly a man made light source: the Hermit's lantern. Except that what is inside the Hermit's lantern is not man made - it is a star. The only visibly shining star in the entire deck. This has a significance that may vary from reading to reading, but is always worth noting.
This six-pointed star is the Star of David, which is a topic onto itself. From my perspective, the star in the lantern represents our personal star or inner spark. But the Hermit is not only a card of light, it is a card of mystery as well. And like any good mystery, it poses a number of different questions.
The Hermit stands on a mountain top, or so it appears, illuminating the area around his lantern as well as (presumably) the valley beneath him. It isn't clear whether he is lighting the way for others or seeking something below. We may ask if he has found enlightenment? If he is trying to share his light? Show others the way? Or merely contemplating that which lies before him?
We cannot possibly answer all of these questions. But we can make a few fairly logical assumptions.
The Hermit holds the light of spirit high for all to see. He is solitary, but he is a beacon for others, too. He has traveled far, climbed the icy mountain alone, and that climb has not been easy. Caught in the stillness of the card, he stands, rests his head upon his staff, and gathers his strength.
We cannot possibly answer all of these questions. But we can make a few fairly logical assumptions.
The Hermit holds the light of spirit high for all to see. He is solitary, but he is a beacon for others, too. He has traveled far, climbed the icy mountain alone, and that climb has not been easy. Caught in the stillness of the card, he stands, rests his head upon his staff, and gathers his strength.
But this is only a snapshot in time. Something comes after.
The mountains are endless and his journey is ongoing.
___________
I thought long and hard about republishing this post. But I think it shows a version of tarot and a way of interacting with the symbolic that is worth sharing.
Post a Comment
Please share your thoughts!