The Hermit - The Way to Wisdom

Normally when I draw a card each day I don't usually ask a question. I do pay attention to how the card relates to my life and perhaps to what is going on around me. Tonight I asked a closed question, which really doesn't lead to a very clear answer and opposed to an open ended question. What I think my psyche was really asking, was how to find the way to wisdom, and this is what my answer directly related to.

Often when it comes to reading the Tarot we might not like the answers revealed relating to our question. We want a happily ever after scenario, which is magical thinking and not realistic.

This was the case today when I pulled The Hermit in hopes I'd get an answer that I wanted to hear as opposed to what I actually needed to hear. This card is the image of The Fool's last moral lesson. Here is the mythic image of Cronos, who's name means time, carries the lamp of insight and understanding that has come from loneliness and patient waiting, which The Hermit card implies.

The lesson and the gift of patience with the limitations of our mortal life and with solitude, comes self-discovery and then comes acceptance. This is the way to wisdom.

There is no crystal ball into the future, and I'm sure as heck not a psychic. I think often times we know the answers to many of our questions before we even ask, but we often need to see a kind of tangible clarity that lies within the archetypal meaning of the cards, reflecting our present situation, and what's going on within our psyche.

We can't always get what we want, but I do believe we get what we need, and this will help us to find the way to wisdom. The Hermit's lamp is the beacon of light in the dark, pointing us in the right direction along our path.





Then flash the wings returning summer calls
Through the deep arches of her forest halls.
–Oliver Wendell Holmes (1841–1935)

The Hermit - Solitude and Silence

The Hermit is the last of the moral lessons the Fool must learn. The lesson of time and the limitations of mortality, and to know and accept that human beings are all ultimately alone. It might sound cynical to say, but there is no 'happily ever after', and there is no one to rescue us to 'make it all better.'

Living in a very rural, coastal and rather isolated place lends itself to really getting in touch with my 'inner hermit'. If I didn't know and accept, deep within myself that this was true, I would've never decided to live here. The silence would be deafening, and the solitude would feel like a kind of confinement. and I'd have to leave.
 It's a conscious decision to self-impose solitude and silence, no matter where we are. If a person isn't comfortable in their own skin, such a psychological introspective location of the mind will never do.

The Hermit is a card I rarely draw, but I am reminded that for me today, it's arrived at just the right time. Regardless if one is alone or in a relationship, it's essential be comfortable, and to even want to spend time alone. It is during this alone time when and where we renew ourselves, and can be quiet enough to hear that quiet voice that has important things to say to us, gives insight, wisdom and discernment in making decisions. 

Taking the time to make solitude and silence a priority in our busy lives enriches our relationship with spirit, with others, and with the God of our own understanding.

The Hermit - Who's In Charge of Your Attitude?

Generally my attitude toward life is to know I am blessed, especially because I see how much I have to be grateful for. Don't get me wrong, there are days when I can feel like, well what my late husband use to describe feeling like re-fried shit, and needless to say, on those days my positive attitude can be lacking, if not non-existent.You get the picture.

There are also many days when I feel really blessed, especially when I know the universe and the God of my understanding provides a day of synchronicity and where I get the clear message that whispers to me, "you are blessed." I love those days!

This is the kind of day I had today.  My day started with learning about Charles Swindoll. Actually with Marie Forleo, who told me about Charles Swindoll.  He said this. 

"Life is 10 percent what happens to me and 90 percent how I react to it."


" The longer I live, the more I realize the impact of attitude on life. Attitude to me is more important than facts. It is more important than the past, than education, than money, than circumstances, than failures, than success, than what other people think or say or do. It is more important than appearance, gift, or skill. It will make or break a company...a church...a home. The remarkable thing is we have a choice every day regarding the attitude we will embrace for that day. We cannot change our past...we cannot change the fact that people will act in a certain way. We cannot change the inevitable. The only thing we can do is play on the string we have, and that is our attitude. I am convinced that life is 10 percent what happens to me and 90 percent how I react to it. And so it is with you... we are in charge of our attitudes. 

Charles Swindoll 

Next thing that happened was I got to do my laundry. I know I must sound like I've gone completely doolally, but no I haven't. Why doing my laundry made me feel so blessed was because for many months I have had some serious plumbing issues, and I haven't been able to get fixed for one reason or another. My sweet neighbour friend Tex that I'd blogged about, who had been on the program Canada's Worst Handyman,  and who had magnificently fixed my plumbing problem. 

I have had a washing machine for some time now, that was very generously given to me. But because of my plumbing issues, I haven't been able to do any laundry, unless at someone else's house. 

Today my friend Tex once again arrived to install more pipes, and to hook up my washing machine! I was never so happy and excited to do laundry in my life! I wasn't able to pay him, but he was thrilled to be given one of my horse portrait oil paintings, an old bike I no longer used, that he was going to give his wife, and a brand new sweet kitty for his little daughter. It made me feel so good, twice blessed really.

So what does this have to do with Tarot? Drawing The Hermit this evening was a confirmation, and an affirmation. The lamp that Cronos, the ancient god, whose name means time, carries the lamp of insight and understanding, gleaned from being alone and having a willingness to patiently wait. With this, comes a wisdom, a developed mind and heart, a firm sense of identity, and a deep respect for one's own limitations. And for the blessing of being in charge of my attitude today, I'm very grateful.

The Hermit - My Default Setting

The Hermit is a great example of how, and where to find a resource for serenity, peace of mind, and inner strength. I had a sleep deprived past four days, late nights with very early mornings and was having some real anxiety about a few things. This is not a good combination and makes me think of the old acronym and tool for self-care, and are often indicators of what is bothering us and why. I heard it many years ago. H.A.L.T. stands for being too hungry, angry, lonely and tired. I could describe myself as being three out of these four states this past week up until today.

I've always had an aversion toward dentists and considering the expense, I just could not afford to go and get my teeth looked after. It was easy to procrastinate, which only complicates matters.. This caused me a lot of negative feelings surrounding my self-esteem and sometimes a low level depression.  I would even have frequent dreams about loosing my teeth, and so it weighed heavily on my mind.

This month I had to finally give in and find the courage within myself to address some serious dental problems and go for an appointment. This circumstance all added to my anxiety and stress. Before my appointment I practiced breathing, positive self-talk, prayer, and talking to a close friend about my dentist aversion, and phobia. I had to draw upon what I'll call my "Inner Hermit" for strength. It paid off, and I got through the ordeal. I admit my nerves were a little frayed afterward, due to the combination of being hungry, lonely, tired and just to top it off, to make my condition complete, I met up with someone I don't much like, who insulted me, and filled that angry space, left in the acronym, by making a tactless comment about my "buck teeth". I laugh about it now, but I could have easily lashed back with a remark reflecting resentment. Resentment is not a luxury I can afford., and what would be the point. I prefer to draw on my inner hermit, which I think has mostly become my default setting.

Tonight I'm 100 % improved. I had a good supper, I reached out to talk to a good friend, and plan on having a restful sleep. Oh, and I'll be flossing and brushing!

The Hierophant - The Hermit - The Way To Wisdom

In many decks the Hierophant is interpreted as the old order of traditional religious institutions often based on dogma and doctrine. This is not how the Hierophant is seen in the Mythic Tarot.
I relate this mythic figure to ancient wisdom and applying the spiritual teachings of those that can share these teachings with others, who are also searching for guidance.

The Hierophant and The Hermit I see in combination, as they both point the way to wisdom, that of the elder and to the cycle of life, passing on spiritual knowledge and inner wisdom, found through endurance, patience, grace and humility.

Having mentors, both philosophical and spiritual advisors, whether official or not, is so vital to us, especially in our world today where the family unit has been scaled down so much, it is practically non-existent. We have more people single, than married  in addition to an aging population.

Those coupled are having fewer and fewer children, if any at all. Baby Boomers, myself included, are single and childless. They are now endangered of becoming what has been referred to as, "Orphaned Elders" meaning, that, there is no one to advocate or look out for them when they are in need of help or care because they are living longer, without family, and alone. We all need to help one another regardless of our age and need to be prepared for this circumstance and situation.

Our western culture has lost it's sense of continuity, that once was basic to family life, that affirmed values, reflected in the care, concern and respect for our children and for our elders. Many ancient cultures understood this inherently. Unfortunately western society seems to have lost touch with these values. The young, elders and those marginalized, are  to often not regarded as valuable, or seem to be just another part of our  'disposable society.' perception and mentality

 I believe if this situation is not addressed individually or within our society, our culture is in serious jeopardy of losing it's identity, history and even humanity. However all is not hopeless. I believe in the power of the individual to make a difference by reaching out to one another in compassion, if not through immediate family, then through extended family. As human beings we are social creatures and we all have an interdependent relationship with one another and with all living things. We have so much to learn from history, and from those who have gone before, especially from our elders.

Elder - Graphite Pencil - Catherine Meyers

The Hermit - The Way To Wisdom

I love the Hermit card, as I have always had a thirst to understand spiritual matters. This is a card of strong healing, as a result of solitude, loneliness, patience, and from which comes, insight and understanding.

 Who is this Hermit? He is the ancient God Cronos, who's name means time. The Fool, the first Major Arcana card of the Tarot deck, has four moral lessons to learn, and the last of these, is the lesson of time within the cycle of life, and the lesson of mortality.

Deciding to move to the countryside, being in close contact with nature, has allowed me to focus my mind and heart. Through quite reflection, and the solitude of living alone has provided me with serenity amidst the storms of life.

Spending my childhood and early youth, and early adulthood in the city, I understand all that it has to offer. As an adult I came to the realization I was unhappy, and that I was the only person responsible for my own happiness. After asking myself, when was I the happiest in life, the answer came to me immediately. It was when I spent hours in the country. I am so grateful to have had the opportunity to now live in rural Nova Scotia for twenty years.

Some folks don't understand why someone would want to live in the country. I understand why folks want to live in more urban city locations, but I know I would be very unhappy, and out of touch with that serenity and solace, that I had longed for since I was a child.

There is a deep part of my soul that has become the Hermit, and believe this is why I identify with this card so much.

 I think of the wise words that the late Robin Williams echos my thoughts and feelings about the Hermit.

  " I used to think the worst thing in life is to end up all alone. It's not. The worst thing in life is to end up with people who make you feel all alone." 

Canada Geese - The View From My Studio - Catherine Meyers Photography

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.

The Magician - The Inner Guide

A great card the Magician  is,who appears to possess all the tools needed.  The first card following the Fool in the Major Arcana, it is a masculine card suggesting powerful energy.
There is a great will and determination to see ideas or projects through to their completion. God knows procrastination is something many of us struggle with, and can cause all manner of trouble, chaos, and difficulty. So there is much to learn, and benefit from the Magician's tools. Powers of concentration and control along with desires that are fulfilled by a strong will, and the ability to utilize one's innate faculties to their fullest advantage with originality and invention.

The Magician is the inner guide, and a spiritual teacher for the Fool., and that unconscious power that looks after us.

 The Magician is seen often standing at a table with the four emblems of the Minor Arcana: wand (fire), cup (water), sword (air) and pentacle (earth). The four elements are at his disposal and always readily available to him to be used to their fullest extent.

Note: The Magician needs also his own inner guide as he is in danger of becoming preoccupied with the world of material things. I will discuss this in relation to The Hermit in my next post.