Hermit - Tyldwick

[Bodhiseed]

Hermit

What I notice in the Hermit card:

lots of RED

lantern-like hanging lamp

fountain statuary (man) in wall niche

 

If you were to collect all the major arcana cards in this deck and fan them out, this one would stand out immediately because it is infused with the color red. Usually I associate red with passion, energy and the life force, but this doesn't seem to fit. In my former employment, I was a bookkeeper, so it wasn't surprising that the phrase "in the red or in the black" passed through my head. Being in the black means you are making enough money to pay bills and have some left over. Being in the red means you are operating with a deficit. So this card indicates the need for some spiritual accounting - not to find what is creating a hole in your wallet, but in your soul.

The lantern-type lamp obviously represents illumination. The man seeks clarity, and there are some dark places that he's going to have to shine the light on. Like the accountant, he's hoping to discover why he is spiritually overdrawn. Hopefully he'll find some answers, and one day he can hold out the lantern for others on the same quest.

The man and the stone piece he stands on appear to be a fountain statuary in a garden wall niche. He looks upward, almost as if he is seeing the stars for the first time. Now that he is alone and far from the hustle and bustle, there are less distractions and he glimpses things he hasn't noticed before. If this is a fountain, there is no water flowing, indicating the ability to detach and look at what is with objectivity rather than emotion. He is nearly naked (baring his soul), except for some sort of wrap around his waist. I am reminded of the phrase "girding your loins" that originated from a biblical expression that meant to tie up loose clothes so that you could work or travel more efficiently. In his case, it means he must prepare himself mentally for some difficult work ahead.

 

[fire cat pickles]

[fire cat pickles]

(I've posted the image in a separate post so I can more easily scroll up and view it while I post.)

 

Great observations. This card is minimal compared to the others I've drawn so far. Advice for the day, and for this card in the future should I draw it again. Keep stuff today stripped down, as the character is. No superfluous activities. The background wall is also bare. It is also backlit and highlighted, reflecting on the past, perhaps. We can take stock of what has happened to us and where we come from without dwelling there. Looking up bible verses for "gird your loins" shows a more specific one from Luke, " Keep your loins girded and your lamps burning." I'm wondering if this is no accident. Looking at Luke chapter 12 further, this is perhaps one of the more "preachy" chapters, which I don't want to dwell on here. But it does remind us to meditate on what we have, be satisfied, and to eschew attainment. It's practically a crossover into an Eastern philosophy, in my opinion, if you can stomach the fire and brimstone stuff... It's apt for the Hermit card.