The Hierophant - Humility, Humanity, Humour

The images of the Tarot deck often depict figures that are half human, and half creature or have both a earthly and a divine nature. This I think is a good reminder of our human state. We are all deeply connected,  are no less, or no better than any other living beings on earth. We have a delicate relationship with nature and are all part of the animal and natural world.

The Hierophant is kind of a funny looking fellow being half horse and half human. If he actually existed people would either run the other way or there would probably be a lot of laughing going on. This spiritual representation of the Centaur with his beard and long hair, suggests the mature face of a priest and a wise teacher. This is Chiron embodied in this Major Arcana card. He is an inner spiritual teacher, an immortal educated by Apollo the sun-god and Artemis the moon-goddess. Chiron affirms the nature of the laws by which we must live in order to be in the right relationship with the divine.

Reflecting on the Hierophant, I'm reminded to use three important tools in life that help me to accept and understand my imperfection. The first one being humility, second to be mindful and appreciative of being a part of humanity, and lastly to avoid taking myself too seriously by maintaining my sense of humour.

Eight of Swords - Crazy Makers

This card looks pretty crazy I must say. There aren't really any pleasant images. On one side we see the threatening Furies with their wild creepy snake hair, and wacky bat wings. On the other side stands Apollo looking unimpressed and majorly pissed off at Orestes, who stands stuck in between the two.

Regardless of what's initially being presented in the cards we draw, as I've stated before, every card offers a positive beneath the surface of the negative imagery, and visa versa..

Having an awareness of the things we need to address and change, is what each Tarot card offers us and we are given the opportunity to live life to the fullest, based on the decisions and choices we make, no matter how big or small, and no matter how seemingly significant or insignificant.

Ultimately what is presented here in the Eight of Swords is a situation of being in bondage, created from our own fear. We can't or won't take action because we fear the consequences. The only solution to moving forward, is to make a decision to be honest with ourselves and no one can do this for us, it is completely our choice and we shouldn't ignore this, because there will be consequences that will cause us more trouble and grief.

The number eight is symbolic of change. The Eight of Swords reflects the feeling of being intellectually and even emotionally constrained, isolated and imprisoned. It's the opposite of how we feel when we experience the element of air that offers us energy, freedom to express ourselves, change our mind and to have the ability to act on our passions.

The Sun and Leonard Cohen

Synchronicity lifts my spirits today drawing the Major Arcana card, The Sun and listening to Leonard Cohen's Travelin' Light, from his new release You Want It Darker. I've followed Leonard from his early beginnings and I think this is the quintessential epic work ever, reflecting the kind of insight that is much like what is called "Apollo Longsight", seeing the purpose and reason for his life experiences through hope, faith and with far reaching vision.


 Apollo is a lord of prophecy, music and knowledge, the son of Zeus and Leto, the goddess of Night. Apollo is the image of the power of consciousness to dispel darkness and fear. He is the image of hope and faith.

The radiant sun-god is embodied in this mythic image of Apollo, with his classic, handsome looks, his golden wings, and cradling his lyre.

Music being the expression of the sun-god, it transforms darkness into light and meaning. The laurel wreath that crowns Apollo's head, symbolizes his artistic and athletic achievements, although Leonard aches in the places he used to play, because alas he is not the sun-god  but I sure do idolize him.

 Clarity, optimism and renewed trust, all enable our understanding of the pattern of life and arms us with  foresight, purpose, hope and faith in the striving human spirit,'travelin' light' toward the goal.

Eight of Swords - What is Your Value and Worth?

Orestes is once again being taunted and tormented by the Furies on one side and Apollo looks none to happy either. Orestes feels frozen, but he knows all too well what the consequences of his actions will be. He needs to make a decision, ask himself what he really wants, and needs to act once and for all.

Oh boy, some times there are certain cards, you will draw over and over in a short space of time. You could almost feel like your are being really bugged or stalked by a particular card that you keep drawing. Truth is, there is an important message needing to be heard. Much like in life, we will often keep making the same mistakes over and over, and we can't figure out why. It's because we haven't learned the lesson yet.

I really gave this card some thought today. Then it came to me, and I figured this one out. I know it directly relates to my own attitude and the part I play in shaping others attitudes toward me personally and professionally. Of course I acknowledge that there are some rotten tomatoes posing as well intended folks out there, but they also have to take responsibility for their own behaviours. I try hard to avoid those folks completely.

At the same time I also have to take responsibility for my own behaviour, happiness and success. If people don't like that, well I say tough tat-tats! I don't have to live life as a victim, nor allow myself to be taken advantage of personally or professionally.

This is often a hard and long lesson learned, especially for many women because we don't want to, God forbid, piss any one off, and we don't want to be seen as being not a 'nice' person. Too much of the time women are willing to settle for less, which is a big price just not worth paying for in the long run. We devalue ourselves and are left feeling less than, undeserving and unworthy. This is absolute BULL CRAP! We are more than, deserving and very worthy. It's been said, and I believe it to be true, that our value and worth is our sacred capital.

I always remember something Dr. Phil said many years ago when he first came on TV. " You teach people how to treat you. " This is not a blaming the victim kind of statement. I am not talking about the cycle of violence that is present in abusive situations. I am simply talking about talking responsibility for our own behaviour. It 's about taking charge of our own selves in order to elicit and enable real positive change. We don't have to take the path of least resistance. This is not the way to happiness.

We don't need to fear confrontation, we don't need to avoid, nor to be duplicitous or blind. What we need is to be honest with ourselves and with others, to take responsibility for our actions and get proactive.

The Sun - Is The Sun Indifferent?

I can't remember when I last drew The Sun for my daily draw. It's uplifting, hopeful, positive, and a very promising card, on this gray overcast day here in Nova Scotia.

Recently I've been feeling inundated with the media hype about Donald Trump. I'm really so sick of seeing his foolish face, and all of his negative racist pronouncements.

This morning I heard some one say, good people need to speak out against this racism and injustice. I agree. I took this point to heart, though many of us might be think if we ignore Trump, he'll just go away. I'm tempted to think the same myself. Then I remembered, and reflected on what Eli Weiss said about indifference.

"The opposite of love is not hate, it's indifference. The opposite of beauty is not ugliness, it's indifference. The opposite of faith is not heresy, it's indifference. And the opposite of life is not death, but indifference between life and death."         

                                               - Eli Weiss


The Sun is the antithesis of indifference. It's the life force, the power of consciousness to dispel darkness with affirming purpose, foresight, and a faith in the striving of the human spirit.

The Sun - Good Orderly Direction

I am always uplifted when I draw the Major Arcana card, The Sun, Apollo the Sun god, dispells fear, the enemy of darkness who is casting away shadow. Drawing this card, especially today for personal reasons, gives a deep sense of solace, strength,  the consciousness of a striving spirit, clarity of hope, and that all is right with the universe. The Sun card indicates growth, transformation, and the life giving force, for which all living things upon the earth depend.

Traversing through the journey of our lives with optimism, trust, purpose, and faith help us to lessen any burden, and can change our body chemistry. Thinking positively may lower our stress hormone cortisol, directly affecting our health.

I am a person who isn't so much of a worrier, but truth is, I am prone to panic and anxiety attacks on occasion. My stress levels can increase rapidly. I know this is somewhat normal for everyone, under certain circumstances.  I react like many who are experiencing stress or a crisis, whether real or imagined. I have to work at keeping worry and unhealthy stress at bay, and in check. Sometimes I am just not very good at actualizing this when the hammer comes down, but I continue .

It is a very positive activity studying the Tarot as a daily routine and habit. It reminds me to keep things in perspective, to remember to live in the present and not to project into the future or regret the past. These are the two crazy making attitudes.

The Sun urges and encourages me to not depend solely upon my own human resources and to direct my strong will in the right direction. I know I must honestly accept my own limitations, and turn to the Creator's guidance. Then my worst faults, become my greatest assets

Many things can upset us, and it is very easy to get off course. These situations are not a matter of weakness, or being weak-willed, but one of direction.

 I pray to see with a clarity of vision and discernment in order to steer a straight course, and accept good orderly direction in my life's journey, the direction that the Creator has for me.

The Sun Vs The Rain

Spring is favourite time of the year, and one of my favourite cards out of the 22 Arcana, is the Sun.

I can not think of a more hopeful positive card that speaks of the life force. I couldn't have drawn a better card today, as my dear friend, lost another dear friend. It is a big loss for her, and especially for her friend's family.

We would never survive without the rain, and the sun. They need one another, and this is why things grow.  Well that's obvious you might think, but my point is we also need them both, like we need light and dark, life and death. The Sun transforms our darkness into light.

In order for human beings to love, and appreciate life, and how we cherish those we love, death gives life meaning.  We are filled and left with precious memories of the essence of those we hold close, in the small of our of hearts. This closeness can't be taken from us, and stays with us always. Those we love, live deep within in our hearts, always, and the sunlight of the Creator shines upon them, and like the sun, they watch over us.

No one wants to see another hurt or suffer. Death is something we all experience, it causes us to be acutely aware of our own mortality, and we must let those we love, go. Even though we know death is a part of the cycle of life, it doesn't make it any easier when we go through this experience. I think most of us would agree, that death itself isn't so difficult as suffering.

I know it may seem strange to be talking about death when the Sun card is so life affirming, but there is always the another side to every milestone in life, and with every card. The celebration of life is what I take from the Sun, with the knowledge that I can also accept death as part of life, even though I don't much like it, I believe there are worse things than death.

The story in Clarissa Pinkola Estes book, Women Who Run With The Wolves called Skeleton Woman has helped me to better understand death. I can't say we are exactly friends, death and I, but we are not enemies either, so that's a good start I think. In the mean time, I can, and will enjoy the sun, and all that is has to offer and give.

Skeleton Woman - Egg Tempera, 2011, Catherine Meyers

Five of Swords - Dude, Don't Be Tellin' Me What To Do!

As much as I do greatly appreciate the historical and cultural value of my Mythic Tarot deck, some of these Greek gods not only have attitudes, they can bring out the attitude in me, knowing I have 'issues' with authority. Many of these Greek gods remind me of what John Bradshaw would call 'undisciplined disciplinarians. I think most of us have had experiences with these authority types, especially in school.

I love being my own boss, as an artist, and a Tarot reader, as it gives me freedom, to have the option to choose. You may have a certain amount of freedom working for someone else, but generally you do what you are told, or you risk getting the old sack-eroo, the heave-ho, the boot! YOU'RE FIRED!

It is easy for many of us to feel intimidated by, or maybe resentful toward authority. We can either respond,  react passively or aggressively. Many of us grow up in families were we don't learn how to resolve conflict. The fight or flight reaction is often the usual behaviour pattern we are accustom too. Assertiveness is not in our vocabulary, and we don't really know what it means. Either we are afraid to stand up for ourselves, or we might become verbally aggressive or abusive, even lash out with fisticuffs, as my father use to call it. He was good at fisticuffs!

Here we see Orestes, his body language is in a physical position of powerlessness, small and seated on the ground. He is being told in no uncertain terms by the towering Apollo, that he is obligated to avenge his father's death. Orestes dreads what he must do, though every part of his being wishes he could change his fate. The balance of power is not balanced at all in Orestes's favour.

Obligation has no redeeming qualities in my opinion. Choice rarely if ever, comes into the equation. It means we do things because we are being forced in one way or another. Having the will and want to do something is an entirely different situation. The old proverb or adage 'you catch more flies with honey than vinegar' comes to mind.

I always used to get my underwear in a big knot when I'd hear the word obedience, because I equated it with obligation. There was always going to be someone telling me, trying to guilt me into what I should or shouldn't do. Obedience had nothing to do with wanting to, or the willingness to, behave a certain way.

Today, understanding, and knowing the distinction between these two words, has made all the difference,  enabling me to strengthen my relationship with the God of my understanding, who is not the merciless authority and the balance of power has been shifted. It has allowed me to better accept, and to understand my own limitations and capacities.

Five of Swords - 'You're Not The Boss of Me!'

I have been, and still am to a degree, a person that does not like authority. I believe I am not alone, when I say, I don't like being bossed around, cause I say to myself, 'you're not the boss of me!'

Being a very independent person, when I look at this card, the Five of Swords, it immediately gets my bristles standing on end. The figure on the right impresses me as an authoritarian, aggressive, superimposing figure, waging his accusatory finger.

My question this morning was regarding an experience I had yesterday while visiting good friends. This person showed up at my friend's house shortly after I had arrived. They seemed full of resentment and on the offensive, because I had refused their business offer, I was not at all interested in. I was neither rude nor even impolite toward this individual. I simply made myself clear was not interested, and it certainly was not my intention to offend her, and walked away.

I did what I thought was the best thing, and withdrew from this conflict, though I did not feel peaceful. I did not create, nor did I add to an already tense atmosphere.
This morning I was looking to the cards to give me some direction, though I knew deep within myself, what the answer was, and drawing the Five of Swords gave me some very affirming clarification.

I do have to say I wondered why this situation was bothering me, and I found myself somewhat preoccupied with what had happened. I will say I am not used to this kind of reaction, and I know that this will happen from time to time when you come across reactionary individuals like this. It just takes me off guard completely, as I don't expect it. I kind of go into a bit of a state of shock, and it takes me time to process just what happened, in order to try and understand it. I am glad to have my blog, and Tarot cards to help me do this!

So in this card we see Orestes, seated on the ground looking vulnerable and a little afraid facing Apollo. The message to Orestes, is to face his own limitations and what is before him, whether fair or not. For me, it is also about accepting the limitations and imperfections of others, even if I don't like their faults, regardless of how they have treated me. I can't take this personally. I need to know and remember that I have a thick skin. We all have a dark side that we must accept, but also we must believe in our light, to over come the darkness. There is "perfection in life's messes" as Anne Lamott says.

The Moon - Hecate The Goddess of Enchantment

Drawing the Moon card gives me a very good feeling. I've always been in love with the Moon. I think it may have something to do with the fact my Moon is in Pisces, according to my astrological chart, which makes intuition my best friend when I am right, and my worst enemy when I am wrong. Oh how true it is!
My Gemini Sun sign causes me to perhaps appear as a little eccentric or what I call a little wiggy.
The faces of the Moon is associated with self-esteem or one's identity, but I am quite comfortable in my wigginess, and don't much care about what people think. My loyal friends accept me as I am.

Finally the full moon is coming up this first week of March, on the 5th. I don't know exactly why, but I feel relieved and am looking forward to it. It has to do with the unconscious and intuition, which I am feeling very connected with these days. I've been trusting both more, and with more trust, comes an increase in intuition.


There is nothing certain in this card as Hecete, the goddess of the Underworld, and Apollo’s twin sister as Artemis, embodies confusion, uncertainty, the changing faces of life involving past, present and future, even the dark night of the soul, which we all experience at some point in our lives. From out of our confusion, the crab of truth will emerge.

Hecete controls the hidden things of nature. The light over her head symbolizes how she illuminates and brings wisdom, through faith and hope.

The Moon




ND, like a dying lady lean and pale,

Who totters forth, wrapp'd in a gauzy veil,

Out of her chamber, led by the insane

And feeble wanderings of her fading brain,

The moon arose up in the murky east

A white and shapeless mass.

 

II.

 

Art thou pale for weariness

Of climbing heaven and gazing on the earth,

Wandering companionless

Among the stars that have a different birth,

And ever changing, like a joyless eye

That finds no object worth its constancy? 

 

- Percy Bysshe Shelly

The Hierophant - How Faith Can Inspire You To Expect Miracles

The Hierophant is both the teacher, healer, and the wise sage. He offers us a blessing, wisdom and healing. Educated by the Sun god Apollo, and Artemis the Moon god. Chiron is the King of the centaurs because of his great spiritual wisdom, and intuitive knowledge of the Creator's law.

Although Chiron is The Wounded Healer due to his own accidental injury, that he bares eternally because he is immortal, this has enabled him to have great compassion, and understanding for the pain, and suffering of others.

He teaches us to also have compassion  toward ourselves, and urges us to embrace both our humanity, and our divinity. This symbolic divinity is not about any particular religious system of belief, but  finding our own relationship with the God of our understanding, where we embark on our own philosophical and spiritual quest, as this life is not so much for the body, but for the soul.

When I reflect on the meaning of this card, that I have drawn today, what comes to mind, is the reminder of the Hierophant's blessing, I can expect healing miracles of change in my life daily, and in the lives of others, if  have faith.

Entering the world of the spirit or spiritual life, is not a theory, I have to live it. Having the goal of spiritual growth, means I'll never have spiritual perfection, but I can have spiritual progress, and living with an affirmative attitude, I can expect miracles.

The Secret of Happiness -The Sun

The Sun is definitely the card of happiness, warmth, love, growth, accomplishment and success.

I was very happy after a wonderful trip away to see good friends. Upon return, I was tired out, but am now starting to feel more rested and less stressed.
I went to see a life long friend's art installation of 5,000 paintings he was commissioned to create, for the newly built Halifax Public Library. Wow, was that inspiring! The whole experience left me very reflective and introspective, happy and sad simultaneously, for reasons I won't go into, but in considering this card, it helps me to understand on a deeper level. After all you can't have the light, without the darkness.

 The Sun card is very timely for me to draw, and it makes me feel happy, especially because it mirrors much of the way I am feeling at present, and it gives me a deep gratitude.

 The sun-god reflects the power of the consciousness to dispel darkness, and where the bright light casts away shadows in the dark places of the Moon. The sun-god Apollo dispels fear, bringing faith and hope. The Sun symbolizes clarity, optimism and a renewed trust of the human spirit, moving toward our goal.

The Sun and the Moon are so closely related and one without the other, we would be lost. I am so grateful for both, grateful for happiness, pain, rainbows, and the rain.

Five of Swords - Never Complain, Never Explain

Benjamin Disraeli said " Never complain, never explain." I don't know a lot about Disraeli, but what I do know of him, I'm not a fan. Perhaps this saying, he came by way of a hard lesson learned.

When we complain, whine, dodge, bob or weave with excuses, it is not only unseemly, it really turns a lot of people off. We all have problems, get annoyed by greater or lesser life events. Shit happens! That never changes. But the good news is, we can change, ourselves, and change our attitude, with an attitude of gratitude.

 We all have our limitations, as illustrated in the Five of Swords that portrays Orestes facing the god Apollo, who informs him of his fate, and his obligation toward his family inheritance, in spite of it's unfairness. I'm sure Orestes might be thinking to himself, " If I'd only been born a woman, I'd never have had to face this lot! Why me?

Blaming our sexuality, or whatever our life circumstances on our misery, unhappiness, or being hard done by, by life's messes, fact is, we decide ultimately what we make of our lives, in spite of or even because of our situation.

 I don't believe in a preordained, set in stone destiny, but I do believe I am in charge of my own destiny. If I spend all my energy, and time on complaints, and explanations, I am guaranteed some real good unhappiness. I'll be overwhelmed, and preoccupied with thoughts of 'if only' and 'what if' or why the hell did this happen to me?

Disraeli I figure, must have come up with this slogan for some reason. Perhaps he was getting sick of hearing himself complain and explain and it just wasn't workin' for him. Regardless of his reason, I've found it to be a good thing to remember, when I find myself complaining, and/or explaining.   

Five of Swords - Accepting Limitation

Portrayed here in the Five of Swords is Apollo, whom is revealing to Orestes his fate, and what obligations that lie ahead of him. Apollo sternly points to the five swords, regardless of how unfair it all may seem. He is expected to accept this allotment, without complaint or avoidance.

 All of us have to accept and come to terms with limitations, within ourselves, with others, and existing situations. At some juncture it is necessary, and positive to face reality, though it may not feel this way at the time, as it is not always easy for most of us, especially if we don't like the reality we are having to face. Hopefully in the long run, there will be a peace of mind, and we can learn to live with whatever circumstance we face and through acceptance, gain a new found happiness.

There are a myriad of actions we can take in order to accept our own personal limitations, and many of these are most helpful, whether it be meditation, counseling, some kind of self-help, or even a change in our relationships, living arrangement or location.


When thinking about the god Apollo, and consider Orestes allotment in life, I don't respond well to part of the idea conveyed. Yes, it is true, we all need to accept limitation in our lives, sometimes swallow our pride, but I am so I'm grateful I don't see the God of my understanding as stern, and merciless, as Apollo is toward Orestes, informing him that he must avenge his father's death, this is his fate, destiny and obligation, no questions asked. Orestes has no choice in the matter. I believe we make our own destinies, determined by our own choices made, and based on our own free will if so, I am not free.

 One thing that does not foster, or enable our ability to accept, and move beyond our limitations in life, is when another attempts to order us, through power and control, to behave in a particular way.  Nor is harshness, criticism and judgement from others, especially when in comes from ourselves, or from those we love. As well, it is of no earthly use to anyone, telling them they are stupid, lazy or hurling other threats and insults. Hurtful, and heavy handed words or actions usually increase, along a continuum, and result in abuse or a cycle of violence.

Obedience to me, has always had strong connotations of doing something out of fear or guilt, and control by outside forces. I have learned, the only way or reason I will "obey" God, and the laws of the Universe, is as a direct result of my own free will. I have chosen to obey, because I want to, and God has given me the ability to decide, and whatever choice I make, natural consequences will ensue, be they positive or negative.

Summer Solstise

 This quote from my Mythic Tarot sums up my thoughts regarding the Solstice. The Sun in this deck portrays Apollo the sun-god or ' Apollo Long sight ', representing that part of ourselves " which can see the purpose and reason for experiences long before we have emotionally processed them, and left them behind. "
He plays his lyre of love symbolizing the transforming power of music, having divine harmony, and being in tune with the self.

 The Sun dissipates the dark, and provides a clarity of vision, with positive energy and growth. Especially, the Sun brings love, joy, and happiness after peril. The bondage of darkness, the fear and the imperfection will give way to light, hope, faith, eventual perfection and freedom. We will triumph over tragedy, and loss will be no more.

I must express that today, June 21st was my wedding day in 1981 when I married my best friend, and soul mate. Leading up to this year's Summer Solstice I was thinking a lot about Bill.  We were only married for, four short months, when he died.

 I haven't thought so much about this day like I have today. Perhaps because Summer Solstice comes the same time as National Aboriginal People's Day. My later husband was Metis, and I feel a very close bond with First Nations. I experienced conflicting emotions today, a comforting sadness, and more than any of the past years, when Summer Solstice came round. I am certain I was having that  ' Long sight '.

When we experience these times of darkness, just before, and as the sun comes pouring in, the brightness of The Sun can be overwhelming emotionally, and even painful. But speaking for myself, I have learned the important lesson, not to run from these emotions. Tears heal. We love, and love always means loss; we can't have one without the other, we can't have the sun without the rain. But if I embrace the rain the sun is sure to shine again.

Blessings to you this Summer Solstice and National Aboriginal People's Day.

Five of Swords - Acceptance

I write and think about acceptance a lot. I expect because it is one of the aspects of life that I have to face, some times on a daily basis and generally speaking. Life is difficult but acceptance makes it much easier. Along with this having a grateful attitude direct output of this increased happiness.

 As of late my thoughts have been about family, as I have recently and over the past years been in touch with many relatives I never knew existed, due to family estrangements, distance and even secrets. I know this is a common issue in most families due to past events, many that are above and beyond our control. There is no such thing as a perfect family and life is far from perfect.

In the Mythic Tarot, the Five of Swords portrays Oretes facing the God Apollo, who has informed Oretes  he is obliged to accept his fate in having to avenge his father's death, at the hands of his mother. He is faced with having to accept overwhelming limitations of his family inheritance.

We cannot change our family history, and it can seem almost impossible for some of us to resign  ourselves to what has happened to our families, and how it has affected us, whether it be physically, emotionally or psychologically. Granted, it is not easy, and much of the time there is no resolution. We simply must accept that the only resolution is to accept that there is not going to be a resolution that we want.

We can not change anyone but ourselves. Acceptance of ourselves and circumstances is directly proportional to our happiness and peace of mind. However, we do have a choice to accept, not out of obligation, but because we want to and are willing. Even a willingness to be willing, makes all the difference.

Our burdens are much lighter and easier to bare, if we embrace them, but are heavy and overwhelming if we drag them; wearing the weight of the world, instead of wearing the world as a loose garment.

The Hermit - The Inner World

The Hermit is the ninth card in the Major Arcana. he was was once the Magician, is now the wise old man. He withdraws from the world, to find an inner world. His grey robe, a mix of black and white, represents consciousness and the unconscious. Scythe in left hand represents the nature of the life cycle and impermanence. He is often also seen carrying the patriarch’s staff, a symbol of the narrow path of initiation and an emblem of power and authority. It represents the Hermit’s ability to use his isolation and the knowledge he has gained as a tool upon his path to reach even higher levels of awareness.

The Hermit also is carrying a lantern in the other hand where a six-pointed star shines symbolic of the elements fire and, water, and of wisdom. The merging of opposites, both masculine and feminine are intertwined.
The Hermit retreats in solitude, into his inner world, and his will begins to unite with will of the Divine, in order to understand the self, and to seek spiritual wisdom, discernment and improvement of self.
The adage if you cannot live with yourself, and be comfortable in your own skin, it is very unlikely you will be able to live with or appreciate another.We must accept ourselves and the situation we find ourselves in, finding contentment and peace within our soul.

 Although there is power in creativity and skill, these do not lead to a spiritual awakening or enlightenment. Happiness is only found within, not in the material world. The Hermit asks us to meditate and to turn our attention inward, so as to find our own truth and understanding.
He is a solitary figure on top of the mountain, which symbolizes achievement, accomplishment and growth. The Hermit is now willing to share what he has learned with others, with love and compassion, with those who are open, who seek and honour the inner wisdom to be found within themselves.
 
On The Hermit shoulder sits a raven associated with Apollo, the god of prophecy, the symbol of good luck and were the god's messengers in the mortal world.

Dr. Carl Jung deemed raven symbolism to represent the shadow self, or the dark side of the psyche. By acknowledging this dark side, we can effectively communicate with both halves of ourselves. This offers liberating balance, and facilitates tremendous wisdom.