Hmmmm … did you ever notice that with just a quick change of robes, the Hermit look suspiciously like good Ole St. Nick?
A Christmas Hermit
December 19th, 2013 § 0 comments § permalink
Art in the Hermetic Tradition – some photos
June 29th, 2012 § 0 comments § permalink
It’s taken me a few a weeks to get these pictures posted, but here are some shots from the Art in the Hermetic Tradition show presented by the Hermit’s Lamp.
It was a really fun opening night with good people, excellent art, magical discussions, and strawberries. We couldn’t have asked for more.
And of course Ivan Minsloff’s and my Hermit made his debut. He was well received and felt right at home in a shop dedicated to his light.
Opening night is long gone now, but the show is still hanging until July 28th.
If you’re in Toronto, get on over to 398 Vaughn Road to see it. And you can stock up on all your magic supplies while you’re there.
You might even want to get a limited edition print of the Hermit for yourself.
Art in the Hermetic Tradition – opens tonight!!!
June 14th, 2012 § 0 comments § permalink
Tonight’s the night our Hermit makes his debut!
From 7 to 9 pm, The Hermit’s Lamp is hosting the opening night celebrations for Art in the Hermetic Tradition.
The show features artwork by artists and Hermeticists from across Ontario and beyond.
My own Hermit was of course illustrated by Los Angeles artist Ivan Minsloff. I wish he could be here for the show but he’s cheering us on from a far.
But if you’re in Toronto, come join us all in person and see the show for yourself.
If tonight’s no good, not to fear. Art in the Hermetic Tradition runs until July 28th.
The Hermit’s Lamp is located at 398 Vaughn Road, Toronto.
The Self-Reflecting Number Nine
April 26th, 2012 § 4 comments § permalink
I’ve just come across Jordan Hoggard’s Youtube channel. It’s great! He’s got a whole host of short, upbeat videos featuring various cards from his Tarot in the Land of Mystereum.
The deck itself looks gorgeous, and I’ve just put it on my Tarot wish list.
But even if you’re using another deck, the videos are fun to watch and very informative, especially for such short clips.
The video below is Hoggard’s take on the 9 of Pentacles and the number nine itself.
I love what he has to say about how nine mirrors itself through the multiplication tables.
Given that self-reflection is a main theme for the Hermit, it makes a lot of sense that he’s Tarot’s number nine.
Dreaming With the Tarot
May 24th, 2011 § 0 comments § permalink
Tarot readings are a lot like dreams. They both arise from our unconscious and bring forward issues important for our conscious selves to examine.
We could say that a Tarot reading is a consciously induced dream, meant to organize our thoughts, recognize our shadows, and motivate us to action.
Thinking about this got me to thinking about how the Tarot itself illustrates dreaming. What are the ‘dream’ cards?
The first card to come to mind was the Star. She might be described as a process of renewal through the night.
Pouring water into the pool, she brings motion to our unconscious, gently stirring the dark waters.
The Star is ‘wish fulfillment’, the type of dream we don’t want to wake from. She reflects back our soul’s beauty like a mirror.
But dreams aren’t always so pleasant. From the Star we move on to the Moon. This is where the intense work begins.
The Moon represents the deepest part of our unconscious coming up into awareness, like the crab in the card rising out of the sea.
There’s fear here. Exploring the dream landscape can be a frightening journey. It’s scary to face our deepest selves. We keep them hidden for a reason.
Like the Star, this is a major card, one that forces us to take notice. It’s connected numerologically with #9, the Hermit.
And as the Hermit reminds us, finding the courage to face our shadows is part of the path to inner wisdom.
The 9 of Swords is another dream card. But it points directly to nightmares, or the inability to sleep due to anxiety gone wild. There’s no escape because it’s all in the mind.
This card is also connected to the Hermit through the number 9.
Once again we’re presented with the idea that facing our unconscious self, our unacknowledged shadows, is part of dream-work and the pursuit of wisdom. It’s just not always fun.
And then there’s the Hermit himself. He’s not sleeping or dreaming, but wandering around in the dark with a lantern and a walking stick.
Is he the Sand Man, leading the way to our dreams, to the deepest parts of our unconscious?
The 4 of Swords also suggests dreaming. An armoured figure lays on a stone slab, as if in perpetual sleep.
Other than the slab and the figure, the stained glass window is the only real colour in the scene. I’ve often thought of it as the dreams of the sleeping man.
It’s his connection to the spirit, or the world beneath his armour and beyond the three swords that hang above him. Through dreaming he’s able to release sorrow and prepare to move forward.
The 2 of Swords might also be a dream card. You can imagine the woman pictured to be lucid dreaming, or in deep meditation.
She sits at night, blindfolded before the sea. Safe on the beach between earth and ocean.
Like the swords she’s holding, her mind is balanced. The dream state and waking state are working in tandem.
And finally there’s the High Priestess, with the moon at her feet and a dress that trails off like a stream. She’s like a dream herself, flowing and not quite tangible.
She guards the secrets of life and death, wakefulness and sleep, and passes easily between the realms.
If anyone understands dreaming, it’s her. She can lead us through it all.
Induce a dream for yourself now using the Tarot dream cards as your guide:
1) The Star – What do you wish your dreams would tell you?
2) The Moon – What do you hope they’ll keep hidden?
3) 9 of Swords – What’s keeping you up at night? Is it really that scary?
4) The Hermit – Where can you find your guide?
5) 4 of Swords – How might you come to a truce with yourself? How can you connect to your spirit?
6) 2 of Swords – How can you rebalance your consciousness with your unconscious?
7) The High Priestess – What lesson have you been given now?
Beyond Tarot Intensive – Episode #6
February 27th, 2011 § 0 comments § permalink
Join all four Beyond Worlds cohosts tonight for the 6th in our series of Beyond Tarot Intensive Classes.
Tonight’s cards are Strength (or Lust in the Thoth deck) and the Hermit.
We’ll be talking about unbridled power and the wisdom of the elders. Very different energies that’s for sure.
Visit us live in the chatroom or call in (646) 200-0765.
Beyond Tarot Intensive #6
Sunday, February 27, 2011
7:00 pm EST (4 pm PST)
Go to -> Beyond Tarot Intensive Classes for links to all the classes so far.
Toronto Votes
October 25th, 2010 § 0 comments § permalink
Today is election day here in Toronto, so I’m interested, and maybe even heartened, by the appearance of the Hermit as the Card of the Day.
I’m hoping it reflects how our City’s population will consider the vote for School Trustees, City Councillors and Mayor.
Wisdom, knowledge through experience, considered thinking, and respect for the welfare of others are all gifts of the Hermit. His approach is serious and reflective. Glitz and showy manoeuvres are not his style, though bringing light to the dark is a primary aspiration.
I’m hoping too that those elected will take the energy of the Hermit to heart. They will be charged with a serious obligation, one that influences the lives of millions of people within and beyond our city limits. Whoever wins, may wisdom and humility rule their time in office.
Good luck and fair play to all.
And to any Torontonians that haven’t yet voted …. get out and do it now! Everyone’s voice matters. Let’s hear yours.
Tarot Card of the Day – 10/25/10
October 25th, 2010 § 0 comments § permalink
Monday, October 25, 2010
#9 – The Hermit
You might find yourself wanting to spend some time alone today. It’s probably a good idea. Take time to look within and see what’s up inside your soul.
Have things been moving pretty fast lately? Don’t worry, it’s finally going to slow down a bit, giving you a moment to clean house and tie up loose ends.
Trust your own experience through this period. It’s through an examination of your own personal journey that you’ll discover your inner wisdom. You probably know a lot more than you give yourself credit for. But you might need some silence to notice.
Give yourself permission to be quiet. You won’t be missing anything by taking a break. It’ll only make things more fun when you finally re-emerge from your cave.