The Hermit: Power in the Inner Mysteries

Welcome back to The Alchemy of Tarot! This week we explore the 9th card of the deck, ruled by Virgo, and representing the Mysteries, spiritual leadership, and introspection. In our journey through the major arcana, we began with the innocent enthusiasm of The Fool, traveled through The Magician and High Priestess representing creativity and creation, to the mother and father archetypes of the Empress and Emporer, through The Hierophant's powerful knowledge and  structured authority, to relationships from The Lovers, and most recently the will power, resilience, and fortitude of Strength.

Rider-Waite Tarot

Our innocent Fool has now encountered The Hermit, a quiet, humble and reclusive figure representing the spiritual mysteries. Interestingly, up until this point in the deck we had only seen one figure (The Fool)  not centrally facing the viewer. All other figures were looking directly towards us, showcasing their personal attributes and abilities. The Hermit however is in profile, and the viewer's gaze is directed towards the starry light emanating from his lantern. His countenance is not easily seen, with eyes closed, face focused down, as he holds onto his staff with one hand, and lantern with the other. There is a quiet simplicity with this card, as the stoic figure stands surrounded by a cloudless sky.

When we encounter this card in a reading, it might suggest that we focus our attention inwards, and be a bit more reclusive in our habits. The humble Hermit's power and attention is introspective. Unlike the highly ceremonial and symbolic bravado encountered in some of the other cards representing the Mysteries, the Hermit stands in quiet and serious reflection. He does not boast, he does not proselytize, he does not look for external validation. His archetype reflects the wisdom that can only be realized by the Self.

 

Tarot of Transformation
Willow Arlenea & Jasmin Lee Cori

In the Tarot of Transformation, we see this archetype realized as The Crone. In this image, The Crone is depicted as an enveloping goddess like being, holding two silhouetted female figures within her expansive aura. Instead of holding a lantern, the light from The Crone's wisdom emanates and radiates from within and travels up to her crown chakra surrounding her like a halo. This card illuminates the process of mystery unfolding, as we turn inward and become more aware of the Self.

If you would like to book a Tarot reading, Reiki or intuitive session, please email me: abraxasintuitivearts@icloud.com and make sure to visit me on FB and Twitter or visit my website www.abraxasintuitivearts.com.

Strength: Power of the Feminine

Welcome back to The Alchemy of Tarot! This week we explore a card of balance in both physical and spiritual energies. In certain decks, the Strength card is 11th in the series, coming after the Wheel of Fortune. In my Rider Waite deck, and in the majority of other contemporary decks, we find Strength in the 8th card position. In exploring the micro and macrocosmic life journeys of the major arcana, we can appreciate and recognize the significance of the Strength archetype wherever it might fall in our lives or tarot decks :-)

Rider Waite Tarot

In the Rider Waite version we see a young female dressed in a long white gown and garlands, crowned with a lemniscate halo, and accompanied by a lion. The two are placed in a landscape of rolling green meadows, and a distant mountain range. In viewing this card, my attention is immediately drawn to the interaction between the female figure and the lion. There is a reciprocity of gaze, a relationship, a sense of love and trust between the two. When we compare Strength to past cards explored in the Alchemy of Tarot series that illustrate relationality, we find an intimacy and relational urgency not previously seen (The Lovers or The Chariot). In those archetypes, two or more figures were placed within the same space, but there was little to no interaction between them. There was no sense of closeness or bonding, but rather a separateness. In Strength we see two figures who have no distractions in their shared environment. Their gazes are locked with one another, her hand rests lightly on the lion's head, as the lion looks up at her, tongue out, ears back, in a pose of trust, comfort, security.

How does this represent strength? Is strength in our ability to relate to others? Is strength in the balance of seemingly antithetical energies? The fierce, masculine, Leonine energy of the lion shares an intimate gaze with the feminine, gentle beauty of the girl. As the mom of several cats, I can see in this card the sign of a relaxed and trusting cat. His back is arched, tail between his legs, ears back and down, as they share not only the spiritual connection of the gaze, but the physical connection of touch. She is caressing his head, while he gently licks her other hand. They trust one another and together find a respite from any outside influences.

Here we encounter strength in gentleness, strength in relationality, strength in patience and trust, strength in a balance of the antithetical. We see strength as a sense of inner calm, and composure rather than a display of physical bravado. If we find this card appearing in a reading it might be time to gather our inner resources, appreciate our resilience, and demonstrate more control in our emotions, while finding respite from outside distractions.

Tarot of Transformation
Willow Arlenea & Jasmin Lee Cori 

In the Tarot of Transformation deck, the archetype of strength is illustrated through the beauty of a winged belly dancer performing before a blazing sun. As a dancer, I can attest to the challenges of this genre of dance. While we display the outer beauty of feminine power and grace, we must also have a mastery of control in movement and energy. Again we encounter this element of self- control (energetic, emotional, and physical) and balance. While illustrated very differently than in the Rider Waite deck, here we still see the yin and yang, a balance of energies in complementary and dynamic elements that inhabit this beautiful, fiery dancer.

If you would like to book a Tarot reading, Reiki or intuitive session, please email me: abraxasintuitivearts@icloud.com and make sure to visit me on FB and Twitter or visit my website www.abraxasintuitivearts.com.

The Chariot: Beauty in Paradox

Welcome back to The Alchemy of Tarot! I hope you had a wonderful, safe, and healing Samhain tide. In the Northern hemisphere, we have entered into the darkest time of the year, and can better explore our internal wisdom, find balance, and appreciate the messages of shadow. These messages are best received in the quiet spaces of meditation, ritual, and introspection.

Rider-Waite Tarot

 In our journey through the tarot we have explored the first 6 cards of the deck, allowing us to enter the archetypes of The Fool, The Magician, The High Priestess, The Empress and Emperor, The Hierophant, and The Lovers. We now approach the 7th card of The Chariot. Ironic that in my most recent tarot reading for myself, I pulled this card as my querent!

  The Chariot, associated with the zodiac sign of Cancer illustrates the archetype of finding our direction in life, while acknowledging internal and external conflicts that may sometimes threaten to serve as an obstacle along our path. Looking at the Rider Waite illustration, the charioteer is clearly well prepared for battle. He is covered by the finest armor, wearing a laurel wreath, with a star on his crown...even his lower arms are shielded! He is protected from the elements by his elaborate Chariot with stars overhead and an insignia beneath. While he is sheltered from the elements, he has clear view of his path. On his shoulders are two crescent moons, both waxing and waning.The black and white sphinxes lay in front of the chariot, in a seemingly paradoxical state of active rest. These mythical creatures, like the charioteer, are prepared to move at a moment's notice.  Throughout the card we see these antithetical elements representing challenge and friction, yet needing to work in harmony in order to be successful in battle or other pursuits.

How do we negotiate our own internal battles? How do we navigate through disparate voices, disparate desires pulling us in separate ways? The Chariot archetype reminds us that we are complex individuals and often must work through internal strife along our paths. If we maintain focus we can utilize the energy of this struggle in a constructive way. This archetype reminds us that part of being human is struggle, and that as well prepared as we are to progress along any given path, we will still encounter obstacles....often internal, that threaten to block our way. It also allows us to honor the beauty of paradox, of the uncertain, the unknown. So often we look to find control and certainty in every situation. The tenets put forth in Terror Management Theory underline this desire to prescribe order and control in order to assuage feelings of uncertainty and chaos inside us, or within our environment. But guess what? We don't control everything, don't know everything and that's ok. There is infinite beauty in mystery and shadow, as well as infinite possibility! The Chariot demonstrates that even though we may live with uncertainty, we can still stride confidently towards our goals and dreams.

If you would like to book a Tarot reading, Reiki or intuitive session, please email me: abraxasintuitivearts@icloud.com and make sure to visit me on FB, Twitter, and my new website www.abraxasintuitivearts.com!