TAROT TUESDAY~ THE HERMIT

The Hermit (IX)  is the ninth trump or Major Arcana card in most traditional Tarot decks.  It is used in game playing as well as in divination. The card shows an old man carrying a staff in one hand and a lit lantern containing a six-pointed star in the other. In the background is a wasteland. Just beyond the wasteland is a mountain range. 

Represented by Virgo, the Hermit is a card of introspection, analysis and, well, virginity. This is not a time for socializing; the card indicates, instead, a desire for peace and solitude. Nor is it a time for action, discussion or decisions. It is a time to think, organize, ruminate, and take stock. There may be feelings of frustration and discontent during this time of withdrawal. But such times lead to enlightenment, illumination, clarity.

In regards to people, the Hermit can represents a wise, inspirational person, friend, teacher or therapist, someone the querent usually sees alone, someone the rest of the querent's friends and family may not know about. This is a person who can shine a light on things that were previously mysterious and confusing. They will help the querent understand themselves or find what it is they are seeking.

The Hermit represents retirement from the outside world, introversion into the inner self, listening to the inner voice and caring for the inner self. He requires retreat from any 'high life' and loud company, and stands for a time of self-reflection and self-realization. 

  For most people, the silent loneliness of the Hermit appears unattractive, but behind the Hermit is the wisdom of the High Priestess. You cannot listen to your inner voices while having a party..   In its negative aspect, the Hermit could mean being afraid of others or of life. When the retreat turns out to be a runaway, the loneliness can turn into a jail. 

  Drive: Retiring from life, retreat from the masses, looking into one's self, introversion   

Light: Wisdom, realization, mental maturity, the inner light  

 Shadow: Numbness, loneliness, bitterness

TAROT TUESDAY

(photo courtesy~ alice smeets)

Nine of Cups is a card used in Latin suited playing cards which include tarot decks. It is part of what tarot card readers call the "Minor Arcana"

In Nine of Cups, a middle-aged man sits upon a wooden bench with his arms crossed in contentment. He is dressed smartly and wears an expression of true satisfaction on his face and his red head-dress symbolises an active mind. Behind him is a wall with nine golden cups arranged in a structured, well-organized arch. The man enjoys success both materially and spiritually and represents the fulfillment realized realized after the accomplishment of our deepest desires.

Having your wish fulfilled. 

Achieving what you desire. 

Obtaining your goal. 

Getting what you think you want. 

Having your dream come true.

Feeling satisfied.

 Indulging in a little smugness.

 Enjoying the situation just as it is.

 Feeling pleased as punch. 

Getting the results you hoped for.

 Feeling all's well with the world. 

Being contented.

Enjoying sensual pleasure. 

Experiencing luxury. 

Savoring a delicious meal. 

Appreciating the arts. 

Making love.

TAROT TUESDAY~ THE LOVERS

the Lovers represent relationships and choices. Its appearance in a spread indicates some decision about an existing relationship, a temptation of the heart, or a choice of potential partners. Often an aspect of the Querent's life will have to be sacrificed; a bachelor's lifestyle may be sacrificed and a relationship gained (or vice versa), or one potential partner may be chosen while another is turned down. Whatever the choice, it should not be made lightly, as the ramifications will be lasting.

The Lovers is associated with the star sign Gemini, and indeed is also known as The Twins in some decks. Other associations are with Air, Mercury.

Some frequent keywords used by tarot readers include:

Love relationship — Union — Passion — Sexuality

Pleasure — Humanism — Desire — Personal beliefs

Individual values — Physical attraction — Connection

Affinity — Bonding — Romance — Heart

TAROT TUESDAY~ LUST

 Venus in Leo - the creative development of passion leads to enjoyment and fulfilnessZodiac: Leo
Tree of life: The connection between Chesedand Geburah
Element: Fire 

The Passion  AKA LUST is the step into the second decade of the Major Arcana, the point where the journey into the inner depth begins. In other decks, this trump is called 'The Power', a symbol for the mastery of our own animal side. Crowley named the card 'Lust' - and most people don't really think of mastering their inner animal, but enjoy it full tilt... 

In a combination of both, the animal side shouldn't be 'mastered' in the meaning of 'surpressed', nor should it be let out to 'romp around'. It should not be ignored, but accepted as a natural part of oneself. In that manner, one will not only be able to profit from its instinctive natural power, but also to save the power needed to 'master' it.

The Passion implies vitality, energy and power. The card tells us to use these riches. In most aspects of life, an endeavor will have much more success when passion is put into it.

Drive: Energy, passion, charisma, joy of life

Light: Power, vitality, unconditional devotion

Shadow: Weakness, insatisfaction, depression

TAROT TUESDAY~ THE SUN

 this card is associated with attained knowledge. An infant rides a white horse under the anthropomorphized sun, with sunflowers in the background. The child of life holds a red flag, representing the blood of renewal while a smiling sun shines down on him, representing accomplishment. The conscious mind prevails over the fears and illusions of the unconscious. Innocence is renewed through discovery, bringing hope for the future.

the sun symbolizes~

• Optimism—Expansion—Being radiant—Positive feelings
• Enlightenment—Vitality—Innocence—Non-criticism
• Assurance—Energy—Personal power—Happiness
• Splendor—Brilliance—Joy —Enthusiasm

This card is generally considered positive. It is said to reflect happiness and contentment, vitality, self-confidence and success. Sometimes referred to as the best card in Tarot, it represents good things and positive outcomes to current struggles.

TAROT TUESDAY

The Aeon (or Judgement, Last Judgement, Atonement, Resurrection) is numbered twenty and often shows figures arising from graves in answer to the clarion call of an angel. 

The Thoth deck veers away from the Christian overtones and instead we see the goddess Nuit, a primal sky goddess from the beginning of creation. Her body is arched above our heads and curves to imply the ankh cross, a symbol of immortality and life. A child-like male figure stands within the ankh's loop with his finger to his lips in the traditional mystical gesture of silence. A seated regal figure is behind him. Both figures are said to represent Horus, first as child and then as ruler.

Horus was the son of Osiris and Isis. When his father was murdered by his brother Set, Horus was protected and raised by Isis. Horus' ascension to manhood triggered a series of battles with Set, culminating in his assumption to the throne of Egypt. Set was sent away defeated and thus Horus is seen as a god of redemption.

The Aeon forces us to acknowledge that our actions set up a chain of cause-and-effect for which we are solely responsible. Here we pass through the fire of purification, shedding dead and dying wood as we go. We judge ourselves frankly, forgive, and leave the past behind. And then we are free to step into the light.

Some frequent keywords include:

• Judgement — Rebirth — Inner calling — Absolution
• Restart — Accepting past mistakes/actions — Release
• Forgiveness — End of repression — Reconciliation — Renewal
• Decision — Salvation — New beginning — Hope — Redemption

When Judgment appears in a reading, it is usually interpreted as a signal of an impending judgment, such as of postponed decisions. As the card symbolizes resurrection, it can also be interpreted to herald the return of individuals from the past. The card also represents the Christian God's promise of life after death. In a reading, especially near the Six of Cups, it may represent a preoccupation with the past, while also suggesting a new beginning and clearing out of the past.

TAROT TUESDAY~ THE CHARIOT

The Chariot (VII) 

is the seventh trump or Major Arcana card in most traditional Tarot decks. 

A powerful, princely figure sits in a swift chariot, pulled usually by two sphinxes or horses. There is often a black and white motif, for example one of the steeds may be black and the other white. The figure may be crowned or helmeted, and is winged in some representations. He or she may hold a sword or wand, or other masculine symbol. The Thoth Tarot deck has the figure controlling four different animals, representing the four elements.

Some frequent keywords include:

• Conquest — Honor — Victory — Energy
• Egocentrism — Self—confidence — Conviction — Anxiety
• Willpower — Self—assertion — Hard control — Discipline
• Inflexibility — Success — Wealth — Recognition
• Impulsivity — Command — Bravery — Pride

TAROT TUESDAY~ ACE OF CUPS

Ace of Cups  In Tarot, it is part of what card readers call the "Minor Arcana", and as the first in the suit of Cups, signifies beginnings in the area of the social and emotional in life.

The Ace of Cups Tarot card's meaning is of joy and inner peace from friends and family. The five streams pouring out of the cup represent the five senses: sight, smell, hearing, taste' and touch.

As a symbol of possibility in the area of deep feelings, intimacy, attunement, compassion and love, in divination, it shows that a seed of emotional awareness has been planted in your life although you may not yet recognize it. When the seed sprouts, it could take almost any form. It might be an attraction, strong feeling, intuitive knowing, or sympathetic reaction. On the outside, it could be an offer, gift, opportunity, encounter or synchronistic event.

This Ace requires the diviner to examine their life to see how love works there. This card often means that love is the essence of the situation. It may or may not be romantic love depending on the cards around it. The inquirer may be guided to look for ways to connect with others at this level: is there someone to forgive, or is forgiveness needed? Can anger be replaced with peace? Is it necessary to let feelings show? The Ace of Cups also indicates "your time" is coming.

This card also suggests inner attunement and spirituality. Cups are the suit of the heart, and the Ace stands for the direct knowing that comes from the heart. Trust what your feelings are telling you. Seek out ways to explore your consciousness and your connections with Spirit. Allow the power of your emotions to guide you in a new direction. Embrace the love that is the Ace of Cups.

 key meanings associated with the Ace of Cups:

• Abundance
• Creativity
• Intense relationship
• Satisfaction
• Success

Some people see the Holy Grail in it.

TAROT TUESDAY~ THE MOON

THE MOON

 the card represents life of the imagination apart from life of the spirit. The dog and wolf are the fears of the natural mind in the presence of that place of exit, when there is only reflected light to guide it. This reference is a key to another form of symbolism. The intellectual light is a mere reflection and beyond it is the unknown mystery which it cannot reveal. It illuminates our animal nature, types of which are represented below—the dog, the wolf, and that which comes up out of the deeps, the nameless and hideous tendency which is lower even than the savage beast. It strives to attain manifestation, symbolized by crawling from the abyss of water to the land, but as a rule it sinks back whence it came. The face of the mind directs a calm gaze upon the unrest below, and the dew of thought falls. The message is: "Peace, be still," and it may be that there shall come a calm upon the animal nature, while the abyss beneath shall cease from giving up form.

• Very clearly, the figure in the moon is frowning, reflecting displeasure.
• The waxing moon has 16 chief rays and 16 secondary rays.
• The beasts are a dog and a wolf, which represent "the fears of the natural mind".
• The crayfish crawls from the water onto the land, a symbol of conscious awakening in its infancy. 
• There is a pathway into the mountainous distance, representing man's onward and upward progress

Some frequent keywords include:

• Lack of clarity — Tension — Doubt — Fantasy
• Deception — Psychological conflict — Obscured vision
• Confusion — Illusion — Fear — Imagination — Worry
• Romanticism — Anxiety — Apprehension — Unrealistic ideas
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TAROT TUESDAY~ THE HERMIT

The Hermit has internalized the lessons of life to the point that he is the lesson. The Hermit, as a kind of shamanistic hero, has made the complete journey – both the withdrawal and the return. As Joseph Campbell said, “A hero ventures forth from the world of common day into a region of supernatural wonder: fabulous forces are there encountered and a decisive victory is won: the hero comes back from this mysterious adventure with the power to bestow boons on his fellow man.” (The Hero with a Thousand Faces)

There are two possible ways this card can be interpreted:

• First, the need to withdraw from society to become comfortable with himself.
• Second, the return from isolation to share his knowledge with others.
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