Thursday, March 5, 2015
Snake Oil Salesman
From the Revised New Art Tarot, the Hierophant; from the Viking Lenormand, the "Dog:"
The two monks groveling at the feet of the high priest make my skin crawl. The smug expression on his face doesn't help any either. Beside the priest is a pentagram; this symbol was said to have been used by followers of Pythagoras to make themselves known to each other. They called the sign hugieia, meaning 'health' or 'wholeness.' Is that what the high priest is peddling to them? I notice he has a veil behind him like the high priestess, but unlike her you have to play by his rules to have access. As with all groups, conformity is expected to some degree. The Dog in Lenormand represents loyalty, trust and guardianship. The Ten of Hearts indicates the motivation behind this faithfulness is great love. The high priest is on a pedestal, both literally and metaphorically. Does such heartfelt devotion make you blind to truth and reality? Okay boy, bark once for yes and twice for no...
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"Religion is the opium of the people" Sometimes I wonder if the clergy belief everything they teach for themselves.Too often it is all about power and being in control. I've read once the reason the Gnostic gospels were banned from the Bible is because Gnosticism has no need for hierarchy
ReplyDeleteI am concerned when I'm not allowed to have doubts or ask questions about a truth someone is presenting to me. I prefer not to leave my brain at the door. :)
DeleteI'm often astounded what people can and do believe. Believe because someone told them, not because they discovered it on their own.
ReplyDeleteI find many people accept what other people tell them to believe simply because they've been told to do so and are too afraid of the "consequences" of not doing so.
DeleteHmm, I see this quite differently. My relationship with the Hierophant has shifted considerably after he started following me around. His relationship with the HP is what drew me in. If she's the Oracle then he's the interpreter of the Oracle. An important guide for us as we navigate her wisdom which is so often oblique. With the dog forming the roots of the relationship between the supplicants and the Hierophant I would feel compelled to look to the dear and faithful body as the place of both mystery and meaning. In the words of the great American Sufi master, Samuel Lewis, "my house shall be a house of prayer for all people".
ReplyDeleteI normally don't have such a strong reaction; I think it may well have to do with the bowing and scraping of his followers. I agree that I need mentors and guides, but I've too often been fooled by those I held in such esteem. I'm more careful about the teachers I place my trust in these days. :)
DeleteYes, so important that healthy dose of skepticism/suspicion. The little dog sniffing out the baddies ;)
ReplyDeleteWoof!
ReplyDeleteWe are supposed to use our brains, and not behave like brainless vacuous non-entities! It is a sad thing to observe people drinking the cool-aid or being part of the hysteria of the masses. It's a good and smart thing to be a healthy skeptic.
In the past I know I have had issues with authority, but living in a world that seems full of those who abuse power and want control, particularly within the church, politics and other institutions, people should question and decide with their eyes wide open. This is an important post Bev. Thanks!
I used to wear a button that said "Question Authority." :D Not a bad idea, but I also need to make sure that I'm not being a rebel without a just cause. I still need to see if what the other person says is truth fits my experience instead of tossing it automatically.
DeleteThat would be a button I'd wear too!
ReplyDeleteMy father was a cop and a military man. Ex-abusive husband was also military. I was vulnerable and at the same time had a real disdain for authority. Better to be a rebel I say than a victim! But of course once again it's all about balance.