Me, My Shadow and the Hermit

A while back I wrote about the King of Swords, a card I use as a significator in a tarot reading. The energies/qualities of the King are very much aligned with the personality traits of Aquarius, my astrological sun sign. So, when he appears in a reading, I pay close attention to where he is and how he interacts with the other cards to see how it might affect me.

There’s another card in the deck I identify with, but in a different way; the Hermit.

Rider-Waite-Smith Tarot

When we think of a hermit, we usually picture an old man who lives alone on a mountainside somewhere isolated by choice from society and seeking inner wisdom. He sees beyond the trappings of society on both a material and spiritual level. Therefore, he is also sought out by others seeking his wisdom regarding the problems in their own lives.

When we look at the Hermit in the Rider-Waite-Smith deck-the “standard” deck by which other contemporary decks take their inspiration-we see an old man in gray robes with a staff and lantern walking along the top of a mountain. His is a simple card, uncluttered with other details, emphasizing his aloneness and simplicity of life. The staff helps him maintain balance and the lantern lights his way in the darkness while simultaneously lighting the way to him for anyone who seeks his guidance.

When I first began my tarot studies almost three years ago, I took a short six-week class from another reader. In the first session, we studied the Major Arcana, one of the two principal groups in the deck. The Hermit falls in this group. The King of Swords falls in the Minor Arcana, the other principal group of cards. It was during this class, I first encountered my connection to the Hermit.

Using a strategy from Mary K. Greer’s book, Who Are You in the Tarot?, (c)2011, Weiser Books, the instructor had us take our complete birthdate and add those numbers together. For example: 1958+02+11=1971. Then we added those individual digits; 1+9+7+1=18. If that sum was less than 23, we took the corresponding numbered card as our personality card which for me, is the Moon. We then added those digits to get a single digit number which would represent our soul card, in my case 1+8=9, the Hermit. So, the Hermit came to represent my soul.

Rider-Waite-Smith Tarot

(If the sum of the four digits was greater than or equal to 23, we just added both digits to get a single number, or if the four digit total equaled a single digit number, then the card in question represented both the personality and the soul of that individual.) 

But this is about me.

I felt the Hermit fit me on that deeper level; someone on a path of deep introspection, pulling away from society as he finds his values are somewhat different than the mainstream, someone seeking answers yet also willing to teach others.

Radiant Tarot

My second encounter with the Hermit was also on that same day. As we were studying just the Major Arcana that first session, the instructor had us take out only the Major cards from the deck, shuffle them and pull three to represent our life path. The first card I drew was the Hermit! I guess we’re linked now.

For the record, the second and third cards were the Wheel of Fortune and the High Priestess, suggesting that the path of the Hermit is part of my life’s destiny and I will find my Higher Self in the subconscious and assist others as well, like a High Priest(ess) would.

I recently read the book, Tarot for Troubled Times by Shaheen Miro and Theresa Reed, (c)2019, Weiser Books. While these are indeed troubling times, the intent of this book is to help people confront their Shadow self. The authors describe our Shadow as the place where we lock away our fears and insecurities, our monsters and our demons; where we feel lost, abandoned and confused. They also go on to say we are only capable of healing our past and overcoming those fears by confronting our Shadow head on. The purpose of this book was to learn to use the tarot as a means to that end.

Rider-Waite-Smith
Tarot

The authors recommend using the cards of the Major Arcana as archetypes to begin to confront our Shadow. Each Major Arcana card carries a message in its energy and using this energy and message can help assist anyone interested in facing their Shadow. Their suggested method of determining an archetype to begin working with was using the birthdate, which resulted in the Hermit for me. Quelle surprise! They go on to state we might not connect with the suggested archetype; therefore, we can choose any other archetype to work with if we choose, or even work with a couple at a time.

For every archetype, they offer specific ideas for working with each one; an affirmation, the positive aspects to strive for, the Shadow aspects to be aware of and confront, and suggested actions to take. For the Hermit, these are their suggestions:

• Affirmation:”I honor my need for introspection."
• Positive aspects: wise, in touch with inner wisdom, introspection;
• Shadow aspects: cannot be alone, out of touch with inner guidance, dependent on a guru, fearful of others, not learning from mistakes;
• Actions: Learn as much as possible about current events-seek knowledge, teach what you know.

I do see this as an appropriate archetype for me to work with in beginning to face my Shadow. I will say I love the affirmation and feel that I already embody some of the positive aspects of the Hermit. Yet, I see areas in my life where I could use some more inner guidance. I don’t see myself dependent on a guru nor am I fearful of others, at least not on a superficial level, some deeper fear of others might suggest another archetype to work with. Perhaps there are some mistakes I haven’t quite learned from, yet. I have never been much into politics as I feel it’s a personal choice and decision. Plus, I don’t argue discuss well. I think I addressed this in another post. Current events might be a bit easier, but again, with controversial topics, it becomes difficult. I try to employ a Buddhist teaching or two: what works for you, may not work for me and vice versa; and a non-attachment policy is hard to maintain. Especially when I believe I’m right and my views/opinions serve the greater good for all humanity and the planet and yours don't. Or, at least I don't see that they do. I guess I do have some work to do, though not all of the work I feel I need to do may fall under the archetype of the Hermit.

But, I feel he is a good place for me to start.

At the least, he could remind the King of Swords when to sheathe his Sword of Truth.

King of Swords,

Radiant Tarot

Saturn Conjunct Venus

As a teenager, I was interested in the odd, even that which bordered on the occult. The developing science around Extra Sensory Perception, or ESP, captured my attention. I devoured stories of the unusual, the odd, the bizarre. I’d studied a bit of astrology back then, but focused mainly on the meaning of the sun signs. I read Dracula by Bram Stoker and looooooved it. I was captivated by the '60s Gothic Soap Opera Dark Shadows and still enjoy it to this day. The old Universal Monster films were some of my favorites.

Yes, I was odd. 

With my current interest in the Tarot and the astrological connection with the cards, I’ve broadened my studies of astrology. While I have an understanding of the sun signs and a beginning understanding of the ascendant and moon signs, I’m just beginning to study the other components that make up the whole of astrology: charts, planets, houses, aspects and transits-both current and natal.

I wasn’t sure how all this could come together and what it could, or would, mean until I read a short astrological forecast report from Astro.com. I had input some basic data, then downloaded the report simply for the kicks and giggles of it. Or was it something else that prompted me to read it? 

(c)NASA

According to this report, Saturn is conjunct my natal Venus. Sounds kinky…but what does that mean? 

What this means is that Saturn, the planet, is currently crossing a point in the sky where Venus was at the moment of my birth.

But, let’s examine the energies of these two heavenly bodies before we get into what their entanglement means for me.

thoughtco.com

Venus, like the goddess, stands for all things relationship oriented; how we interact with others and approach love. She also likes the finer things in life and can be a bit materialistic, so she also looks over our money and our approach to it.

Saturn, the god, is believed to be the father of Jupiter, Neptune, Pluto, Juno, Ceres and Vesta. Like a father providing structure to his family, the planet Saturn is about restrictions, structure, constrictions and likes to remind us of our boundaries, limitations and commitments.

Mygodpictures.com 

These two will be dancing together through my life until January 2021. 

So what does this mean for me?

Well, since Saturn is about limitations, boundaries and structure and Venus is about relationships and money, I’ll be a bit more introspective and evaluating both areas. I’ll be reviewing those relationships in my life and reflecting on the limitations and boundaries within them I’ll need to strengthen. I should also be looking at structure in my relationships: what do I need from them? Do they meet my needs? Maybe any relationship no longer serving my greater good could even get the old heave-ho. In short, I’ll be facing some harsh realizations. Very harsh realizations about relationships and money.

(c)NASA

I find this very interesting as I’ve kind of been in this frame of mind already and looking at my connections to others and seeing who, if any, I should begin to weed out or attempt to strengthen my bond with by setting limitations and boundaries. What makes this even more intriguing to me is that these two planets first met up back in March of this year and that's about when I’d begun seriously looking at my finances and what extraneous spending needs to be whittled down. Just last month I began to refinance my mortgage which is giving me a fresh look at my budget and overall financial situation. Taking the intrigue factor one step further is the fact I hadn't even thought about refinancing until I had to take care of some other bank business and the Customer Service Representative noticed I had my mortgage with them and that current interest rates were lower than what I was already paying. One thing lead to another and the loan will be finalized this week.

The fact that I was already in this frame of mind when I read this report startled me. Is it more than a coincidence?? Or are the planetary energies truly influencing me?

And that was only the first paragraph of the report. I wonder what the other planets have in store for me?

Inquiring minds want to know.

Three Cheers for September

Rider Waite Smith Tarot

As we enter October, it's time to review last month's card which was the happy times of the Three of Cups.

And I must say I was a bit disappointed. But first, let’s look at the card.

Bianco Nero Tarot, Marco Proietto
(c)2018 US Games

The energy centers around three young women dressed in fine robes. In my head, they’re made of silk. But, I digress. The three are each raising a cup as in a toast or celebration. What those cups are filled with is anyone’s guess, but symbolically the suit of Cups is associated with water and our emotions, feelings, intuition and connections to others, i.e., relationships. Traditionally, this card is read as a celebration with friends, networking on a social level, gatherings, parties, friendships and happy times. 

Coming after the high energy of August's Queen of Wands, I was hoping for a continuation of that feeling and connecting or socializing more. But, if that didn’t happen, it isn’t the card’s fault. It’s mine. While my mood has been lighter lately, I certainly wouldn’t call it celebratory.

But, even with Covid restrictions in place here in Los Angeles, I did mingle more than I had been doing in the recent past. Just maybe not enough as I had hoped.

I returned to a group I felt I needed a hiatus from. It was nice seeing some friendly faces once again.

One of the hidden
staircases in Los Angeles

I stepped out for a self-guided themed walk with two other friends on a lovely early autumn day. The theme of this walk was hidden staircases in Los Angeles. Many of these hidden staircases were built when Los Angeles was connected more by streetcar and public transportation than miles of interstates and highways. These public staircases were necessary to help pedestrians get to and from their homes and the streetcar lines and were built as shortcuts from one level of a neighborhood to another in the hillier areas of the city. Often these staircases were built by the Public Works Administration in the 1930s and 40s. An additional aspect of this particular walk was a two block area of historic Victorian and Craftsman homes. One of the Victorians was even featured in a television show.

So, maybe the energy to do more was there in the cards, but maybe my energy was what was lacking. Or maybe it was just enough. It takes time to emerge from a cocoon during a transformation. Especially when one isn’t quite sure the transformation isn’t quite complete.

And yes, these last few years have felt like a transformation-stepping out of an old persona into a new one, shedding an outdated belief system for a different one. The images of a phoenix rising from the flames, a snake shedding its old skin or a caterpillar metamorphosing into a butterfly all come to mind.

Embarking on, or awakening to, a more spiritual path from a rather ordinary, regular one is not easy. I try to let go and let the Universe guide me. And trust in its guidance. I try very hard not to be judgmental of those with differing views, whether spiritual, religious, secular or political. These days, that last one is truly trying my patience, compassion and understanding.

My family life taught me to keep my mouth shut as my opinion was not respected as I was a bit more liberal than my parents. Perhaps, even then I was more concerned with humanity and the greater good for all than most people my age. Even now, I find it hard to speak up, even with an effort to simply explain my point of view and not persuade anyone to abandon their beliefs. I can only hope to enlighten them.

This brings the Serenity Prayer to mind with a few of my own realizations added:

Grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change,

(the opinions, beliefs and attitudes of others)

the courage to change the things I can

(only my own opinions, beliefs and attitudes)

and the wisdom to know the difference.

(and the strength to hold back.)

Maybe that's why I've remained withdrawn a bit lately, even with some baby steps forward.

On to October, and the often difficult Queen of Swords.

And she's reversed. This could be interesting.

Bianco Nero Tarot. Marco Proietto
(c)2018, US Games, Inc.

A gorgeous Victorian

This Victorian was featured in
"Charmed"
1998-2006