Sacred Solitude

From the Herbcrafter's Tarot, the Hermit (Usnea); from the Green Wheel Oracle, Deer:

It’s said that if we want to learn about our past, we should look at our present circumstances, for they are the result of our past actions. If we want to learn about our future, we should look at what we’re doing now. —Pema Chodron

The Hermit is illustrated with Usnea, a beard lichen that gets water and food straight from the air but dies off in areas with heavy air pollution. When we begin to notice that we are suffering from tainted thoughts and motives, the Hermit invites us into sacred solitude. As Khyentse Norbu explains, we easily become captivated by our "teacups" (outer trappings of culture and society) and forget to drink the "tea" (the essence of spiritual teachings). It's time to take an honest inventory, trace our path to discover how we got to this place, and make some new choices. Deer encourages us to stay alert to distractions and deflections: blame, excuses, and rationalizations. This assessment has nothing to do with guilt or worth but is simply about gaining clarity so we can get back on track.

Dangerous Luxury

From the Alchemical Renewed Tarot, the Hermit; from the Oracle of the Radiant Sun, Moon in Taurus:

A point of view can be a dangerous luxury when substituted for insight and understanding. 

–Marshall McLuhan

The Hermit represents the alchemical process of exaltation, the final operation that elevates a purified substance into its highest state. He's gained a lot of knowledge but also formed a lot of opinions; now he must look within to see how he got to this point. He uses meditation, first concentrating on something to calm his mind, then uses that clarity to gain insight at what is happening internally. He observes that his stream of experience constantly changes. He notices that the internal (mind) and external (outer phenomena) condition each other, shaping how he views his world. Yet this world is constantly shifting too, and he realizes those opinions and assumptions that appear in the moment may not be useful to keep. The Moon in Taurus is a cushy placement that sends us seeking emotional comfort in physical pleasure, security and consistency. This seems to be a pretty human response, yet the Hermit warns of change coming. Enjoy fully what is, he says, without tightly gripping it, whether it's internal or external.

Insight from Inquiry

From the Songs for the Journey Home, the Hermit; from the Magic Neko Deck, the Seven of Clubs:

The student is inside you. The teacher is also inside you.

—Sayadaw U Tejaniya

In an effort to understand who he is beyond what he sees in the mirror, the Hermit finds a place of solitude and peace. Rather than being driven by unconscious beliefs, the Hermit seeks self-awareness - knowledge of his character, feelings, motives and desires. He understands that insight comes with inquiry, questions that allow him to see the truth of what lies behind what his thoughts, words and actions. The Seven of Clubs represents training. It's not easy to see our self with clarity and honesty, but we get better at it if we practice diligently. Then we can act mindfully, without some hidden impulse pulling our strings.

The Process

This week I'll be using the Sheridan-Douglas Tarot, created by David Sheridan and Alfred Douglas and published by Sheridan Douglas Press. The oracle deck I'll be using is Pages of Shustah, created by Ann Manser and Cecil North and published by Shustah Inc. Today's draws are the Hermit and the Gnomes:

In the long run, we shape our lives, and we shape ourselves. The process never ends until we die. And the choices we make are ultimately our own responsibility. 

—Eleanor Roosevelt

The Hermit suggests seeking solitude for reflection, exploration and examination. When there is a great upheaval in our lives, whether it is change for the good or something awful, we need time to process things once the dust settles. With compassion, we ask ourselves what our spirit needs to replenish itself. We look to see how we handled things, and if there were moments when we might have made a better choice. Then we consider what would be the most beneficial ways to adapt to this new normal. Gnomes represent hard work and being tenacious in the face of challenges. Contemplation is just the first step of adjustment; we must follow that up with action. 

Subject to Change

 From the Middle Way Arcana, the Hermit; from the Vertical Oracle, Death:

Possibly driving some of the misunderstanding of retreat is a deep-seated fear of being alone without distraction, without entertainment, without ‘work,’ without other people around to constantly confirm our sense of self. —Reginald Ray

In all the noise and busyness of our lives, it's easy to forget that we are more than our roles and beliefs. The Hermit takes a break from the daily swirl to find quiet and stillness. He knows that we are not the identities our ego chooses to face the world with; we all have a luminous buddha nature within. We don't have to earn it, as it is ever-present. We just have to let go of our obsessive attachments (that we think define us) for it to appear. Death shows a door flying through a cyclone, symbolizing the constant change and transitions we undergo. If we lose the abilities, things, or people who define us, who will we be? The Dhammapada says, “All conditioned* things are not-self. When one sees this with wisdom, one turns away from suffering.”

[*Conditioned things are created when certain causes and conditions come together; their nature is to be impermanent because causes and conditions are always changing.]

Accept Responsibility

This week I'll be using the Hoi Polloi Tarot published by Hoi Polloi Inc. The oracle I'll also use is the I Ching Pack created by Richard Gill and Anthony Clark and published by Thorsons. Today's cards are the Hermit and Striving Upwards (Hexagram 46):

No one can accept responsibility for the spiritual life of someone else.

―John Beckett

It is telling that this Hermit has very little color in a brightly colored deck. I was talking to a friend the other day about how churches must entertain rather than teach these days. People seem to want only fun and excitement on their spiritual path, not the hard work of looking inward or doing service for others. Hexagram 46 reflects the seed's effort of pushing up through the earth. Effort and perseverance are required for any path. Beckett (a pagan) offers "Five Reasons You Can't Find the Right Spiritual Path," which may not sound like a vacation checklist but is definitely worth a read. Here are the bullet points:

• You don’t know your core values. 
• You’re so busy running away from something you can’t run toward anything.
• You’re looking for perfection. 
• You’re looking for external confirmation.
• You aren’t sticking with something long enough to see if it works for you.

Quiet Reflection

From the Sasuraibito Tarot, the Hermit; from the Soul Cards, Mind, Body and Heart:

Follow effective action with quiet reflection. From the quiet reflection will come even more effective action. –Peter Drucker

After going through an ordeal or major life event, we need rest, but we also solitude and reflection. Looking back at the path we walked is not meant to shame or praise ourselves, but to learn what helped and what hindered or harmed us. The Mind, Body and Spirit card is a reminder that there is wisdom in each part of us if we are quiet and still enough to pay attention. Together, rather than separately, they can help us forge a way forward that is both compassionate and prudent. 

Tread With Care

From the Tarot of the Absurd, the Hermit; from the Post-psychedelic Cyberpunk Oracle, the Forest:

[Buddha's] very last words, spoken to his closest followers who surrounded his deathbed, were these: Things fall apart; tread the path with care. 

―Winton Higgins

It's a shame that most of us don't develop wisdom until we enter the latter part of our lives. This Hermit holds up the lamp of wisdom while trying to stop the sands of time. He knows that there is little time to reflect on what we've valued and where our focus has been. As the apostle James wrote, "You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes." The Forest brings to mind the words of Henry David Thoreau and parallels the advice of the Hermit: "I went to the woods because I wished to live deliberately, to front only the essential facts of life, and see if I could not learn what it had to teach, and not, when I came to die, discover that I had not lived."

In Reflection

This week I'll be using the Out of Hand Tarot created and self-published by Jamie Sawyer along with her digital guidebook. I'll also be using the Seashells of the Seashore Playing Cards, published by OnPoint Specialty; the meanings assigned are my own based on research. Today's draws are the Hermit and Spiny Oyster:

It was funny how some things could be seen more clearly in a reflection than in reality.

― Eddy Boudel Tan

Sawyer writes, "There is much to be absorbed in the stillness of chosen solitude." Diving deep into our history and into our personal psychology, we see what we've inherited and how conditions have shaped us. In the light of this knowledge, is this the path we want to stay on? Has it helped us or just been a means of spiritual bypass? The Spiny Oyster is not a true oyster; the spines on its shell have resulted in it also being called 'thorny oyster.' Sometimes we uncover and bring to light things that make us resistive and defensive. This is likely a reaction to being afraid of criticism and judgment. Yet having that feeling does not mean we can't also be responsible for our behavior, especially if we seek to change that which has not been beneficial.

The Unpredictable Path

This week I'll be using the Victorian Romantic Tarot, created by Alex Ukolov and Karen Mahony with Magic Realist Press as publisher. I will also be drawing from Dreaming in Color: the Luman Deck, created and self-published by Mindy Hope Sommers. Today's draws are the Hermit and Journey:

People will choose unhappiness over uncertainty.

― Timothy Ferriss

The Hermit represents a time of withdrawal in order to do some inner searching. It is a time of questioning: Do I react or respond to life? Am I mostly content, or do I constantly try to fill my life with people, possessions or busyness? What motivates me? Does my mind rarely stay in the present, instead dwelling in the past or future? Such an assessment helps us see our patterns and shows us how we got to where we are. We can then choose to continue our path or make some changes. While the water is visible in the Journey card, the path forward is a bit murky. Such is the way of the spiritual traveler - there is no certainty because the unpredictable path is the practice. Yet we can take Thich Nhat Hanh's advice to heart: “At any moment, you have a choice, that either leads you closer to your spirit or further away from it.”

What to Do with a Lit Match

From the Somnia Tarot, the Hermit; from the Spirits of Nature Oracle, River (Flow):

Never make a permanent decision based on a temporary emotion.

―Justin Bariso

Bruno describes the solitude of this Hermit as allowing him unencumbered self-reflection. He stands on a rock, lantern in hand, while icy waters crash around him. It makes me think of examining our feelings rather than letting them direct our choices and actions. Emotions are just reactive energies that color life but also cloud our clarity. If we pause and observe them without commentary (shine our lantern on them), they tend to dissipate. River (Flow) suggests that we immerse ourselves in the moment with mindfulness. We pay attention without judgment, without grasping or pushing away what shows up. We can't control our emotions, but we can choose what to do with them. Like a struck match, we can either fuel them with thoughts or let them burn out without adding any tender.

The Thoughtful Soul

From the Shadowscapes Tarot, the Hermit; from the Cedar Runes, Laguz:

The thoughtful soul to solitude retires.

~Omar Khayyam

If we want to untangle our mind and perceive how our behaviors have created unskillful patterns, we need solitude. Away from the noise of people, the ping of smartphones, and blaring televisions, we find the space needed for reflection, contemplation and a wider perspective. Philosopher Martin Buber called solitude the "place of purification," and Anne M. Lindbergh wrote that it was the only place where she could find her own core. Yet the circular stone in this card is a reminder that solitude is not meant to be permanent; we must return to transform our daily lives with what we have discovered. Laguz means 'water,' and can be both a blessing and a challenge. It provides travel and sustenance, yet as the Old English poem states, "the brine stallion does not mind it's bridle." Flooding and stormy seas are beyond human control, just as much of life is as well. It helps, however, if we take time to see what pushes our buttons or motivates us, so that we can influence our own thoughts, attitudes and actions.

Humility, Not Bravado

From the Classic Tarot, the Hermit; from the Constellation Cards, Sagitta:

Looking at the Hermit's simple staff and clothes, it's hard not to contrast his simplicity and humility with the pomp and power of the pope/Hierophant. In Renaissance Europe, hermits rejected society's values to lead a solitary and spiritual life. A hermit was often seen as a symbol of virtue; as such, this deck assigns the keyword 'prudence' to him. The Hermit reminds me of an elderly grandfather who takes you fishing: though he doesn't say much as you watch the corks bob up and down, when he does, it is wise and golden. A constellation in the northern sky, Sagitta (Latin for 'arrow') represents Heracles’ arrow in Greek mythology. Heracles was a hero and divine protector of mankind. This pair of cards reminds of a quote by Bill Wilson: "Prudence is a workable middle ground, a channel of clear sailing between the obstacles of fear on the one side and of recklessness on the other." Such awareness cultivates "the kind of courage which is born of humility, rather than of bravado."

One and the Same

From the Anima Mundi Tarot, the Hermit; from the Nature's Pharmacy deck, Myrrh:

The mundane and the sacred are one and the same.

~Alan Watts

This Hermit is illustrated with a common octopus, a highly intelligent invertebrate that spends much of its life alone living in the crevices of rocks and coral. With dark ink that hides its form and smell from predators and the ability to change its color and texture to blend in with its surroundings, the octopus is a fitting symbol of the hermit. Hermits were spiritual individuals who sought temporary or permanent solitude in wild places. Cutting ties with the material world, their goal was to experience life rather than accumulate things in an effort to receive wisdom and insight. Myrrh is a resin extracted from the thorny, shrubby trees of the the genus Commiphora. It's been used for centuries for a variety of sacred purposes: to embalm mummies, as a key ingredient in anointing oil, and as a special incense. Its humble appearance is a reminder that spiritual understanding can be found in the most common surroundings if we aren't intent on seeking the phenomenal.

Unpacking

From the Dark Mansion Tarot, the Hermit; from Miss Mai's Victorian Oracle, Corset:

The older I get, the less I know. It's wonderful - it makes the world so spacious.

― Swami Chetanananda

When I was in my teens and twenties, I thought I knew everything and rarely listened to advice. Fast forward to being in my sixties, and I now realize just how little I know. But that realization means I'm more willing to listen and learn with an open mind. The Hermit is the same way; his wisdom is hard-won from the knocks of life (though with a few pleasures too). When he is frustrated at the world, he recognizes it is a signal that self-reflection and contemplation are needed. Progress can be made when he stops focusing so much on what needs to be changed in the world and concentrates on his attitude and what needs to be changed in him. Corset represents suppression, and in this case suggests something we try to hide when we present ourselves to others. But there's only so much that can be stuffed in before it starts leaking out. The Hermit invites us to take a timeout for some mental and emotional unpacking.

Lighthouses

This week I'll be using the Hoi Polloi Tarot published by Hoi Polloi Inc. The oracle I'll also use is the I Ching Pack created by Richard Gill and Anthony Clark, and published by Thorsons. Today's cards are the Hermit and Mountain Over Wind (hexagram 18):

It's not a person's mistakes which define them - it's the way they make amends.

― Freya North

Standing atop a cliff with a lantern in his hand, the Hermit reminds me of a lighthouse. The NOAA states that the purposes of these towers are "to warn mariners of dangerous shallows and perilous rocky coasts and help guide vessels safely into and out of harbors." The Hermit's years of spiritual self-reflection can allow him to do the same. Yet it's not that he's lived a near-perfect life. As the Titanic 'de-motivational poster' advises with its tongue-in-cheek phrase: "It could be that the purpose of your life is only to serve as a warning to others." However Hexagram 18 suggests that we can repair the damage our actions caused and resolve not to make the same choices as before. Then we could not only warn others away from such paths, but we could also teach them how to sail a different route. 

Getting Off the Repeat Cycle

From the Gill Tarot, the Hermit; from The Circle, Partnership:

There's a huge difference between experiences like silent meditation retreats and vision quests as opposed to self-help seminars. In the first two, there is the spiritual purpose of contemplation that involves insight, decluttering the mind and letting go of old patterns. The seminars are all about adding more ideas (or products) to make us a happier or more successful person. Someone tells us what we need to do or think to be 'better' (self-reflection is rarely involved other than whether we can put all this on our credit card). But it makes more sense to clean out a dirty, crusty pot before adding anything new that might get contaminated by the old. Partnership brings this into the realm of relationships, suggesting that if we don't take the time to contemplate our choices and their results, we'll just continue to repeat them.

A Lighter Load

This week the tarot I'll be using is the Ellis Deck, created and self-published by Taylor Ellis. Paired with it will be the Brownies Oracle, created and self-published by Doug Thornsjo. Today's draws are the Hermit and Burdens:

To live is to be wounded – it is how we tend to the wounds we suffer and inflict that mark the quality of our journey. ―Ralph Benmergui

Ellis suggests the Hermit is a study of the self, which would include all the ways we've been conditioned by our experiences and the patterns of behavior that have resulted. We look for what is hidden and shine a light on what is found. Such a contemplation and investigation will require some solitude, courage and patience (as indicated by the tortoise and snail). The Brownies are in a panic because the river is rising; they attempt to carry all they can to safety. Like them, we too carry burdens, yet much of this weight arises from the mind - our cherished opinions and conclusions. These in turn often trigger emotions like fear, sadness and resentment. Isn't it time to see them for what they are and lighten some of our load? 

Straight in the Eye

From the Tarot of the Absurd, the Hermit; from the Post Psychedelic Cyberpunk deck, the Monk:

Only when we stop our busyness and step back from distractions can we realize how quickly so many days of our life have been squeezed dry. We may discover the truth in William Penn's words: "Time is what we want most but what we use worst." Such a revelation can inspire us to stop obsessing about things that don't really matter and instead begin to enjoy life and be of service. The Monk card suggests a time of deep inner reflection away from interruptions (much like the Hermit). We can't make better use of our time if we keep repeating the same patterns, thus a personal inventory can help us become aware of them. As Bhante Henepola Gunaratana said, ""The very fact that you have looked at the problem straight in the eye means that you are on your way up and out of it."

Personal Almanac

From the World Spirit Tarot, the Hermit; from the Mystic Glyphs, Moon Phases:

The Hermit reminds me that, rather than making new year's resolutions, it might be a good idea to reflect on how I responded to the past 365 days. Can I observe my patterns and determine whether they were beneficial or kept me stuck in an unskillful rut? What did I do that was constructive and useful? How did I relate to the people whose path also crossed my own? Now, acknowledging what I've found, I can decide what I want to do less of and what to do more. The Moon Phases are a reminder that nothing is set in stone. Even if external circumstances change very little, I can change how I react to them.

We don’t have to view ourselves as victims of an external world or as victims of our conditioning. We receive the fruit of seeds of the past as our experience right now, and we can choose to do what is helpful right now: to plant beneficial seeds.

—Ben Connelly