2. The Seer

[Wanderer]

 

The Seer is to some extent an enigmatic character in the context of the Wildwood deck. The human story in the Wildwood community is practical, pragmatic and roles are well defined. Even where we have a mysterious character such as the Shaman, his role within the society is clear. The Seer, though, lives in her own world, on the fringes of society. What is her significance for the people of the Wildwood, and how is she seen by them? She is difficult to unravel, deeply mysterious, and gives little away.  Much as the High Priestess in RW decks, the Seer keeps her own counsel.

 

We should start with the image, perhaps. There is symbolism everywhere, and immense detail... she stands before a rough stone basin of clear water, among the ancient oaks. The book says this is the World Tree itself; it may be, but perhaps every tree is the World Tree, to her. She is dressed richly, with a cloak of feathers (owl, perhaps), the fabric woven with images of aurochs, reindeer and other animals. The cloak has a light hood that does not hide her, but perhaps helps to hide the world from her senses. The robe beneath is a rich orange, delicate and (in this society) probably very expensive.

 

Her long braids are weighted with stone tools and other artefacts, and another arrowhead dangles from her staff, together with a crane bag and runes; this, at least, hints at practical medicine and one role she might play. In spite of these rich belongings, her eyes are closed and she stares inward, one hand drawing power from the Earth. The water in the basin is still.

 

What does a Seer do? She sees things. Sees, and understands. Her vision extends beyond the mundane world, and can encompass premonitions (a Scottish seer was effectively a prophet), and true seeing of the past, giving clarity for the things that have happened, and how they have led to the present. Often, though, these gifts were unpredictable and erratic, and foreknowledge of major life events could be seen as a curse as much as a boon. Often their gifts were not accompanied by wisdom or deep emotional calm; they could be utterly eccentric and erratic, ragged vessels for the mystical Sight. Seers were as much feared as respected.

 

But this Seer is somehow different. The book's description of her is not so much as a seer, but as a wise woman with much wider skills, intense wisdom, and control of her emotions. Beyond that, she is said to be able to manifest real physical change by the exercise of will. This is more than a seer... it is a magician.

 

So how to resolve this? The book's description is of a figure I don't recognise from my imaginings of a seer, and the image is ambiguous; she keeps her secrets. Perhaps that, in the end, is the key. The meanings ascribed to her by the book may be a part of her glamour, with the reality needing our active engagement to discover her. What we can say is that this is a powerful, self-confident figure in the Wildwood, whose focus is inward. She differs from the Shaman only subtly in practice, but in appearance more dramatically: this is a being of mystery. The Shaman's craft is visible, if esoteric, drawing on all manner of aspects of the natural world in a chaos of discovery and spiritual mastery. The Seer's, though, is entirely internal, quiet and impenetrable. What she sees, none can know... but so serene is her manner, and so striking her insights, that she cannot but be admired... and feared.

 

The people of the tribe would visit the Shaman for help, and for practical intercession in the ways of the wild year; but they would come to the Seer in the long dark night of the soul. When the future is a dark and shrouded place, and what they need is clarity and certainty, she is the source of comfort. Her very remoteness helps with this role; her words are inviolate and unquestionable, for her gift is sacred. She is not quite of this world, but she offers calm and contentment, and a sense of perspective born of being able to see through time and space. If the Shaman is humanity reaching towards the unknowable, then the Seer is the Unknowable, reaching back.

[Wanderer]

I would be very interested to hear about examples of the Seer in readings; she's a shy one in my deck, only very rarely coming to the surface, and often yielding more than a hint of ambiguity.

[Wanderer]

As I did for the Shaman, I've asked the cards to help me to get to know the Seer a little better.

 

What are her strengths? Swan (Queen of Arrows)

What are her weaknesses? The Blasted Oak

What can she teach us? Fox (Knight of Bows)

 

From this, some things are confirmed for me. The Swan is a lonely figure of clear, untouchable beauty (mirrored by the sharpness of her insight) in the mist of the forest. She commands respect and adoration through being who she is, and this appearance marks her out as special. Part of her strength and the respect she has earned is circular; because she is recognised, she is respected still more. Her power is partly in her persona, rather than her person.

 

The Blasted Oak for weakness suggests that she is not as strong or unreachable as she appears. A bolt of lightning can tear down the mighty boughs, freeing her from her role and from the stories that have built up around her. More than anyone else in the Wildwood, she relies on the appearance of her role to maintain her role. As much as she has immense psychic power achieved through inner study or gifts, she is also able to maintain that power partly because it is bestowed on her. Much as people create gods to worship, so too they build up the Seer to be who they want her to be.

 

What can she teach us? The Fox. Now this is interesting. The fox is about new enterprises, cleverness, and finding our own paths amongst the tangled thickets. Often he is a rogue, on the edges of the law, exploiting the possibilities. This is not what I expected... and I think I need to meditate on this one a bit. My first impression is that this is suggesting the Seer has some of the skills of the charlatan, rather than just a pure wisdom; she can see clearly and calmly to where the opportunities lie, and can help us to see the same. There's a real sense of the practical and earthly involved here, and the trickster. Of course, having complete clarity of ones emotions would help us to see real patterns... but I think there's something deeper. I think the cards are hinting that the Seer is not really the Seer, but someone acting the role. Does she have the power ascribed to her, or is her role to be the one to which they are ascribed..?

 

I'm going to have to come back to her, because this is unexpected and slightly unsettling. 

[River]

Hey, I saw your other thread about the High Priestess and I thought I'd give my two cents on the Blasted Oak and the Fox. To me, the Blasted Oak is more of a symbol of the hardships one needs to go through to attain this higher knowledge. When you're studying the occult or simply looking inside for answers, many times your whole worldview is shattered after the revelations you may encounter. Lightnings of inspiration may be destructive at first but they are essential to the pursuit of wisdom. As for the Fox I'd say that he is a symbol of boldness and curiosity. The Seer teaches you to not be afraid to follow your mind into whatever path it takes you. I hope this helped. :)

[Wanderer]

Hey, I saw your other thread about the High Priestess and I thought I'd give my two cents on the Blasted Oak and the Fox. To me, the Blasted Oak is more of a symbol of the hardships one needs to go through to attain this higher knowledge. When you're studying the occult or simply looking inside for answers, many times your whole worldview is shattered after the revelations you may encounter. Lightnings of inspiration may be destructive at first but they are essential to the pursuit of wisdom. As for the Fox I'd say that he is a symbol of boldness and curiosity. The Seer teaches you to not be afraid to follow your mind into whatever path it takes you. I hope this helped. :)

 

Thanks, River[/member]!  :)

The Fox, yes - that's a part of what I was getting, certainly, and that certainly fits with her blessings in general: clear-sightedness, and an intuitive grasp of the right path. However, I always do have an 'edgy' sort of feel to him as well... for me, he definitely has a bit of a sense of moral borderlines and grey areas combined with the boldness. Do you not feel this too?

 

The Blasted Oak: I can see what you're saying, although it certainly wasn't the feeling that came across at the time... but it certainly is a useful perspective. For me, the critical part of this card, I think, is the breaking of bonds to go with the destruction. This indicates a change in direction and a loss of previous security. That would fit pretty well with your insight, although there is no change of overall  direction going on. But would this count as a weakness? Hardships that one grows through, to me, are strengths instead... whereas the feeling I had of unexpected vulnerability, in the house-of-cards sense, is definitely a weakness.

 

Good to be having a real discussion over here, so thank you!  :)

[River]

Thanks, River[/member]!  :)

 

The Fox, yes - that's a part of what I was getting, certainly, and that certainly fits with her blessings in general: clear-sightedness, and an intuitive grasp of the right path. However, I always do have an 'edgy' sort of feel to him as well... for me, he definitely has a bit of a sense of moral borderlines and grey areas combined with the boldness. Do you not feel this too?

 

The Blasted Oak: I can see what you're saying, although it certainly wasn't the feeling that came across at the time... but it certainly is a useful perspective. For me, the critical part of this card, I think, is the breaking of bonds to go with the destruction. This indicates a change in direction and a loss of previous security. That would fit pretty well with your insight, although there is no change of overall  direction going on. But would this count as a weakness? Hardships that one grows through, to me, are strengths instead... whereas the feeling I had of unexpected vulnerability, in the house-of-cards sense, is definitely a weakness.

 

Good to be having a real discussion over here, so thank you!  :)

 

 

Thanks too! :D

Yes, I get this feeling about the fox too, and in folklore usually it's associated with being more cunning than bold, but I am trying to follow the Wildwood definitions as it is based on a different folklore than I'm used to... For example in greek folklore the hare is a symbol for cowardice, so I was very puzzled when I saw the queen of bows, I was like wtf this looks like a very bold bunny, my mind couldn't process it. :P And, basically, because I don't think the Seer (or High Priestess) is a sham, for reasons I explained in the other thread, I was led to this conclusion. As for the Blasted Oak, I read in the book that it's something between the Tower and the Hanged Man, and that the destruction leads to illumination or something... I don't remember cause I don't have the book anymore, but I'm sure it wasn't meant to signify pure destruction or instability, after all oaks are meant to signify the opposite... it's a stable structure that's being hit, not a tower of cards.

[ilweran]

I have a lot on my mind right now, so don't know how coherent this will be...

 

But my feelings on reading your feelings on the Blasted Oak, is that this could be something about her position in her community as a woman and her role being reliant on continued support of men.

 

Ah, I can't quite get across exactly what I mean. If I think of a better way to phrase it I'll add it!

[Wanderer]

I have a lot on my mind right now, so don't know how coherent this will be...

 

But my feelings on reading your feelings on the Blasted Oak, is that this could be something about her position in her community as a woman and her role being reliant on continued support of men.

 

Ah, I can't quite get across exactly what I mean. If I think of a better way to phrase it I'll add it!

 

Who needs coherent, ilweran[/member] ?  ;)

 

Yes, that's the sort of thing I was trying to get across, although I'm not getting the feeling that she's dependent on the support of men more than women - I think it's people in general. Being a prophet or wise woman (or man, for that matter) is a fine balancing act, and recognition and support is very easily lost. She may not lose her powers and inner wisdom, but her role (rather than her nature) as the Seer is always in the balance. It's a delicate situation, being dependent on the approval of others...

[Wanderer]

Thanks too! :D

Yes, I get this feeling about the fox too, and in folklore usually it's associated with being more cunning than bold, but I am trying to follow the Wildwood definitions as it is based on a different folklore than I'm used to... For example in greek folklore the hare is a symbol for cowardice, so I was very puzzled when I saw the queen of bows, I was like wtf this looks like a very bold bunny, my mind couldn't process it. :P

That's quite funny, about the hare!  :))

In general, there is a small issue with the book, unfortunately - it was written for the Greenwood, and in some places hasn't been changed nearly enough, and in places it is clearly describing the wrong card! If the meanings were similar enough, this perhaps wouldn't matter, but I'm really finding that the meanings of the Greenwood and Wildwood are subtly but significantly different. In this case, I really think you're right to trust your cultural knowledge...

  ...but less so with the hare! ;)

 

And, basically, because I don't think the Seer (or High Priestess) is a sham, for reasons I explained in the other thread, I was led to this conclusion. As for the Blasted Oak, I read in the book that it's something between the Tower and the Hanged Man, and that the destruction leads to illumination or something... I don't remember cause I don't have the book anymore, but I'm sure it wasn't meant to signify pure destruction or instability, after all oaks are meant to signify the opposite... it's a stable structure that's being hit, not a tower of cards.

Yes, you're right about the destruction also including good things - specifically, emancipation and the freedom from bonds (hence the burning rope falling away). Of course, oak trees aren't as fragile as a tower of cards, but they can still be severely burned or killed by a bolt of lighting, just as a tower can be knocked down by an earthquake; everything has its vulnerability, especially if it is something that we have built up and taken for granted. There are many old folk songs containing lines about leaning against an oak, and then being disappointed when it bends and breaks.

    But, as you say, with the destruction comes freedom from an old life. As ilweran suggested, I'm seeing this specifically as freedom from her role as a Seer of the community. Something she might be expected to take for granted is more fragile than we think. Even if she would retain all her wisdom and insight, her position as a result of it can easily be lost.

 

    Of course, it's entirely possible that we simply have different understandings of this card, and that our readings will revolve around the understandings that we have, as they develop. I'm not even sure about what I think her secrets really are... hence asking for other opinions. I think we might just have to see how she behaves in practice; although, as I say, she seems very shy about coming forward for me...

 

[River]

Wanderer[/member] Well, I guess time and experience will say what this one means for you. :) Fun fact: I've never seen an big oak in my life. A few times I've seen small ones I think. I know how the leaves look like. :P I don't get this deck. Oaks everywheeeeere. XD

[Wanderer]

Wanderer[/member] Well, I guess time and experience will say what this one means for you. :) Fun fact: I've never seen an big oak in my life. A few times I've seen small ones I think. I know how the leaves look like. :P I don't get this deck. Oaks everywheeeeere. XD

 

No oaks? You poor thing! Here in the middle of Wales, we're surrounded by oak trees, forests of them...  and many that are centuries old. There are also lots of huge solitary oaks in fields, where they provide shade and shelter for sheep. They're wonderful trees, and so incredibly useful (acorns, tannin, wonderful wood, home for endless forms of wildlife), so it's no wonder that they figure so prominently in British folklore.

 

But then, you've got the Mediterranean climate, so perhaps we're even.  ;)

[ilweran]

I've been thinking about this a bit more (ok, I was supposed to be making bangles and was distracting myself from getting on with it...) and here's what I think I was trying to get at:

 

I see the GW as being set in an earlier time to the WW, and let's go with the idea of it containing a more matriarchal culture, (or at least more equal culture) that becomes more patriarchal in the WW. This is possibly because the WW does feel more masculine, especially with some female figures replaced with male.

 

So what your reading said to me was that the WW Seers authority and position is maintained because the men permit it. For now. But that could change.  The fox then, could be a cunning side to her - yes she does have her own power, knowledge and intelligence, and that with the cunning helps her manage and manipulate...

 

I may see this as well because the art always makes me think of the magician rather than the HP.

 

The Seer in the GW on the other hand...if anyone tried to stop her, I could imagine her shapeshifting into an owl and leaving. She also looks so much a part of the forest. I think I'd like to meet her next!

[DanielJUK]

I bought the book "A Year in the Wildwood" to help me with this deck and it's actually much more helpful with each card than the book that came with it.

 

For this card it makes the point about it's position as a card on the wheel. She is the symbol for Autumn and comes after Lammas on the wheel. If you layout all the cards she is opposite The Shaman, it's like a yin and yang idea! Also behind her is The World Tree from that card. She is also linked to the suit of Vessels.

 

The Shaman is the outer world but The Seer is going into your inner world. She has the tree behind her, the owl feathers (wisdom) on her costume and the water in the cauldron in front of her, but yet she ignores these and has her eyes closed. She ignores she has tools to cast a spell / magick or scry! The message comes as a whisper in the heart (from the book) that is the answer.

 

One interesting thing in this deck's card is that it repeats the tools of the elements the Shaman has, she has the staff she leans on, the arrowhead, the cup and the stone.

 

The next cards after her on the wheel is Woodward and the Blasted Oak.

 

I always find HP a difficult card (I know we discussed that elsewhere) and someone once told me in a reading that it's a shadow side of me. Ultimately the answer doesn't lie in reading tarot cards, scrying or hugging and talking to a tree. It comes from listening to your inner voice in whatever form you want to do it, maybe being quiet, maybe meditating, maybe being in the most beautiful place in the world for you, it's contemplation :)

[River]

Wanderer[/member] Well, I guess time and experience will say what this one means for you. :) Fun fact: I've never seen an big oak in my life. A few times I've seen small ones I think. I know how the leaves look like. :P I don't get this deck. Oaks everywheeeeere. XD

 

No oaks? You poor thing! Here in the middle of Wales, we're surrounded by oak trees, forests of them...  and many that are centuries old. There are also lots of huge solitary oaks in fields, where they provide shade and shelter for sheep. They're wonderful trees, and so incredibly useful (acorns, tannin, wonderful wood, home for endless forms of wildlife), so it's no wonder that they figure so prominently in British folklore.

 

But then, you've got the Mediterranean climate, so perhaps we're even.  ;)

 

We do have olive trees, orange trees, pines and fir trees on the mountains... :p This thread actually made me remember one big oak I saw once when I was little... it was in the yard of a monastery on a hill. Beautiful tree. Must be the only big oak I've seen in my life.

 

I stop spamming this topic with trees. :biggrin:

[ilweran]

Oh olive trees can be amazing, on holiday in mallorca I saw one that looked like an Ent striding along.

[WildWoman71]

Quote

What are her strengths? Swan (Queen of Arrows)

What are her weaknesses? The Blasted Oak

What can she teach us? Fox (Knight of Bows)

I love this spread in relation to the Seer.  If I may add some Animal spirit comments...

 

Swan spirit gives us the energy we need to awaken to our own true beauty and power within - their long neck is like a bridge between the head (higher realms) and the body (the lower realms). As we start to come into our true selves - this bridge unfolds naturally to new realms and new powers.  They like the cold and they are connected to the North.  Although Swans do have a voice - their strength lies in their silence

 

The Blasted Oak is a card of destruction reminding us that the only thing we truly own in this world is what we learned

 

Fox spirit - Fox gives us the energy to adapt quickly to things - they remind us that it is not always necessary to go thru our obstacles and that sometimes the better path is to go around.

[SilverLeaf]

1 hour ago, WildWoman71 said:

I love this spread in relation to the Seer.  If I may add some Animal spirit comments...

 

Swan spirit gives us the energy we need to awaken to our own true beauty and power within - their long neck is like a bridge between the head (higher realms) and the body (the lower realms). As we start to come into our true selves - this bridge unfolds naturally to new realms and new powers.  They like the cold and they are connected to the North.  Although Swans do have a voice - their strength lies in their silence

 

The Blasted Oak is a card of destruction reminding us that the only thing we truly own in this world is what we learned

 

Fox spirit - Fox gives us the energy to adapt quickly to things - they remind us that it is not always necessary to go thru our obstacles and that sometimes the better path is to go around.

@WildWoman71, I appreciate these perspectives a lot, thank you!