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MARCH 2010

The Hermit, KEY IX, Major Arcana

by Peggy Firth, Certified Tarot Master

The Hermit card of the Rider Waite Tarot (pictured above) depicts the image of a robed ancient holding a lantern and wooden walking stick. He stands upon snowy ground, possibly a mountain top as he gazes downwards. This image represents the meeting the requirements to enter into a true vision of the spiritual world. This figure has shunned all worldly goods to follow his path. We assign him all of the wisdom and knowledge we need to create for success and accomplishment. Having reached this height through his own efforts, he has earned the right to light the way for others.

The symbolism of the ancient hermit carrying a lamp during the daylight is associated with an esoteric belief called “the darkness of day.” A person experiencing the world and all of its manifestations actually sees an illusion. The true experience of a person is of the Self, a higher form of the self that is hidden or unmanifest. A person is convinced in the very vivacity and brilliantly lit detail that fools one into believing in the absolute reality of the physical world. The Bible describes this phenomenon as “now we see through a glass darkly."

An ancient Mediterranean cultural mystery around the time of Christ until the fourth century spoke of the initiation of the midnight sun. An initiate had to be able to see the sun at midnight representing angel consciousness. This ability proved that the perception of earthly three dimensional life could be made transparent for a time.

When we draw the upright Hermit card we consider ways that the querent can overcome involvement in the material world and find the truth of their spiritual nature and purpose. If such contemplation is not embraced or resisted the subconscious mind will eventually create experiences that will force its intentions. Such experiences could be painful or threatening to the ego mind but will ultimately result in contemplation of one’s true purpose. For example, if a person does not face the true purpose(s) of this life he or she may experience a tragic accident or life threatening disease in order to face life in a new way. Almost everyone who has experienced such an experience has received a greater understanding of life. An upright Hermit also speaks of acting a mentor to someone to share our own experience.

A reversed Hermit speaks of a hidden agenda or delayed answers that time will reveal. We may also suggest that unfinished business has to be completed before moving forward.

SUCCESSFUL READING OF THE TAROT:

Formulate the exact meaning from your first impression(s)

The function of SYMBOLS is to create a bridge between the subconscious and conscious mind.

Study all the symbols and overall meaning of each card and how they relate with each other.

Your subjective level is a feeling that coincides with a card’s imagery.

Remember that the individual meaning of a card changes according to: Placement in spread which indicates one particular question in the theme of the reading

Association of cards in the arrangement of spread (Dignities)

Overall question

Reversals or upright alignment

Listen to the querent whose question(s) have the beginning of answers. Confirmation is all that the querent needs and “knows.” Remember that 50% of the perceived issue/situation is relieved when shared. The querent wants to know if he/she will survive intact, or have some kind of positive outcome. Leave the querent empowered and smiling.

NO predictions – what you know may not be in the best interest of the querent. Ask questions in order to illicit the answers most appropriate to the reading. Remember, not to interfere/enable your querent’s KARMA. The reading may take you into a new direction that underlies the REAL issue.

NO predictions, just examine the possibilities. Choice and free will is a person’s divine birthright.

DESIGNING A SPREAD FOR EACH READING

DESIGN A SPREAD

Determine the underlying theme. Remember that the initial “situation or issue” is often the outer symptom of an inner dis-ease. (it’s all about the person, not what’s being done to him/her).

Determine, with your querent the types of questions assigned for each position in a spread. (The shape of the spread has nothing to do with the reading)

Shuffling/breaking the cards, whether you allow the querent to participate is not, is not important.

You can be as specific as you like, but hold back on judgement or interpretation until all cards are in place.

Simple Decisions can be a simple as assigning three single words for a three card spread; situation, task and decision.

Decision – 1. what’s already known, 2. contrasting views, 3. what needs to be changed, 4. outcome.

Decision – 1. Situation, 2. challenge, 3. resolve, 4. what you will learn, your goal.

Direction – 1. trend (of past), 2. present, 3. future possibilities, 4. suggestions that assist in overcoming negative outcome, 5. possible outcome.

Typical words, phrases, that can be used in spreads: Tasks, attitudes, situations, challenges, outcomes, fears, current situation, weaknesses, desires, what remains,Who supports, who is against, the past, future, present, obstacles, expectations, long term prospects, root cause(s), support, what surrounds, hopes and fears, what prospers, what opposes, Influences, months of the year, what weakens, what can I rely on?

Troublesome Unseen Things

Throughout the history of mankind we have been aware of and fascinated by altered states of mind. Seers, oracles, channelers, trance mediums and tarot card readers have been consulted for a variety of reasons from curiosity, a desire to know the future, a better understanding of the dynamics of existence and to receive messages from loved ones who have passed on.

The Tarot is a novelty and curiosity, especially to those whose knowledge of the Tarot is sketchy. Traditional scriptures and highly evolved sages have warned against attracting entities. They knew that the human mind is gullible and perhaps naive when it comes in contact with lower astral entities. Some entities may pose as spiritual sages and spout words of a spiritual nature but ultimately desire power or wish to experience their earthly addictions through mankind. There are also highly evolved beings from other worlds who wish to ‘drop in’ and see what they can stir up in their primitive earthlings.

These seeming authentic messages can also come from a charismatic entity who uses seduction and flattery to court its prey until its true nature is revealed. Scientific mind studies have been conducted that reveal that only a small percentage of channeled messages come from evolved beings. Are you aware of the tell-tail signs of deceit? I have consulted many books on channeling and have gathered some considerations upon allowing the invisible to invade our minds:

Feelings that do not represent our true nature
Messages of flattery that seem too good to be true
An obsession with a desire to channel frequently
Messages that become more and more demanding
Confusing or hurtful messages

You may be contacted by those who are open or subjective to such troublesome entities. Some personalities are gullible and can be lead into dangerous activities, even killing others. Mental health authorities say that one in ten people have such experiences and only drugs seem to be able to stop the ‘voices’. If you are faced with such individuals you can offer help in two ways, treat the immediate problem by spiritual healing thoughts and words and lifting the entity with the assistance of a Christ Being. Then you can ask your querent to imagine white light surrounding them and reminding them that they have the power to ask their entity(s) to go away. . . just as we readers allow our egos to conduct our lives. We can direct our thinking as easily as turning a page. A psychiatrist mentor of mine also recommends certain chemical treatments that lessen the ‘doorways’ from the invisible.

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Successful readings leave the querent empowered.