Tarot Meditation 10: The Hermit, Key 9

The Hermit is one of my favorite Keys in Tarot. He represents guidance, direction, and light. He stands on a snow-covered mountain, bearing in his right hand the Lamp of Truth, with Light shining within it in the form of the six-pointed Seal of Solomon, representing wisdom. The Seal also represents a balance of male and female energy. The Hermit holds in his left hand the staff of initiation for those who would but ask.

Numerologically, nine represents ultimate completion, the Trinity times three. In this Key, nine symbolizes both completion and a willingness to start a new cycle with the next Key.

This Key is about a search for truth, a thirst for knowledge, a willingness to put ourselves in the path of learning. The Hermit's lonely stance represents that, most often, knowledge comes in the silence of meditation, the stillness of listening.

In Mary Stewart's series on the Merlin legend Merlin's teacher says to him, "Never turn from knowing, no matter how the knowing comes." I suggest that, wherever you are along the path(s) to enlightenment, learn, learn, learn, and discern!

Be blessed,

Deb

Tarot Meditation 9: Strength, Key 8

A woman holds the mouth of a lion - is she opening or closing the lion's mouth? We don't know, but we do know that her actions require courage and trust!

She wears a garland of flowers, indicating a zest for life, coupled with her white gown of purity of thought and emotions. Around her waist is a belt of roses, symbolizing the union of desire and purity of thought. Over her head hangs the cosmic lemniscate of eternity (the same symbol above The Magician's head in Key 1), indicating that she is guided by Spirit.

Once again, Tarot urges us to find balance in our lives: balance of mind, body, spirit, balance of the profane and the sacred, balance of power and submission.

The Strength Key is about learning to trust in the Universal protection that is always given us, if we but ask. The Key also represents that, while dangerous obstacles are often in our path, the courage of our convictions, coupled with faith in the Eternal, we will be guided and cared for.

Be blessed,

Deb

Tarot Meditation 8: The Chariot, Key 7

The Chariot represents a turning point in The Fool's journey to enlightenment. There are 22 keys in the Major Arcana, with The Fool being numbered 0. The remaining 21 Keys are divided into three groups of seven, with each group representing a stage of The Fool's journey. The Chariot, Key 7, is highly mystical in its meaning for The Fool's journey. More on the numerology of these groups in a minute.

The Chariot embodies The Fool's journey (and growth) through conscious thought, as expressed by an awareness of the Self. On the canopy above The Chariot shine the stars of celestial influence that guide the journey. The Charioteer's diadem is crowned by an eight-pointed star, signifying dominion. The winged symbol on The Chariot's front represents inspiration. In the center is the Hindu symbol for the union of positive and negative forces in the natural world. As we see in almost every key thus far, the call for balance continues, here signified by the sphinexes, which, uncontrolled, could attempt to pull The Chariot in opposing directions. The Charioteer holds in his right (masculine) hand the wand of will, and on his shoulders rest the lunar crescents of the divine feminine.

Numerologically, seven represents mysticism. Seven in the number of the adept, who has learned the secrets of the Arcane and can impart that knowledge to others. A combination of three (balance) and four (steadfastness), Seven joins together mind, body and spirit. Seven also is a number of completion. In the case of The Chariot, seven represents both. The Fool has learned many lessons with a quick and agile mind. Now it is time to journey forward into the next stage of the journey.

Be blessed,

Deb

Tarot Meditation 7: The Lovers, Key 6

The man in Key 6, representing conscious thought, gazes at the woman, representing the unconscious mind, while she gazes upward at Archangel Raphael, the angel of air, representing the superconscious. This triangle of connection reminds us that Truth conveyed by the conscious mind cannot be manifested in the superconscious (and believed) unless it has passed first through the subconscious of true, deep knowing.

Behind the woman is the Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil, bearing fruit of the five senses. The serpent climbs the tree. Behind the man is the Tree of Trefoil Flames of the 12 signs of the zodiac. The nakedness of the couple indicate they have nothing to hide from each other, and from the world. In the background is a mountain of reason and thought, and the river of the unconscious flows below it.

This Key is deeply metaphysical in that The Lovers Key calls for constant connection among the subconscious, the conscious and the superconscious minds. However, I propose that the metaphysical meaning is even deeper and older than this.

For thousands of years before the Judeo-Christian concept of good and evil, here represented by the Tree of Knowledge climbed by the snake, the snake was a symbol of the Great Goddess, Mother and Giver of all life. Herein, perhaps, lies a deeper meaning of The Lovers Key. The snake is an ancient symbol of transformation, of shedding that which no longer serves us, and allows us to be connected to Mother Earth, just as the crawling snake is connected to Her.

The Lovers Key, which can be interpreted to represent divine love between two people, also can be interpreted to represent divine love of the parts of ourselves, as well as divine love of The Mother of us all.

Be blessed,

Deb