This is a great day to take the leap and do something different. It might seem crazy and you have no idea how it’s going to turn out, or maybe even how you got on this path in the first place, but here you are. It’s time to make your move and do so without fear.
The Fool card isn’t telling you to be an idiot, but rather to stop double thinking yourself all the time and worrying that every single thing is in order before you can make a move.
Life isn’t really that logical. There’s no way to prepare for all eventualities, no matter how smart you are. Do what you can and let the universe take care of the bigger story.
The trailer below for the documentary My Reincarnation by Jennifer Fox, got me thinking about the Hierophant.
The movie is about the high Tibetan Buddhist Master, Chögyal Namkhai Norbu, and his western-born son, Yeshi.
It traces Namkhai Norbu’s rise to notoriety in the West, and his son’s break from tradition to follow a modern path.
Though Yeshi was recognized at birth as the reincarnation of a great spiritual master, he chose not to follow the call.
It’s a fascinating story, and a classic Hierophant situation played out quite literally in real life.
Rinpoche Norbu is a celebrated spiritual leader respected by many thousands of people. He’s an expert on Tibetan history and culture, and is largely responsible for the spread of Dzogchen throughout the West.
The Hierophant
In Tarot, the Hierophant is a spiritual master, pictured in the Rider Waite Smith deck with two acolytes below him. They come to him for answers, the key to all their questions.
He is the final word on tradition, and the spiritual mediator with the divine. It’s the Hierophant who sets the rules. And if he chooses to break them, it’s because he knows best.
The Hierophant’s authority is rarely questioned, at least not by his followers. His son, on the hand, is another story.
The Lovers
Yeshi is being asked to make a choice, not unlike the Lover in the old Marseille Tarot. Follow tradition, or move on to the what’s new.
In the last segment of the trailer, Yeshi says his father doesn’t understand the concept of being father and son. He says Namkhai Norbu sees him instead as the son of a master.
That’s just how I’d expect the Hierophant to see things. As great as Namkhai Norbu is, having a living archetype for a father must be tough sometimes.
This is a great day to even things out. Balance and temperance are the energies surrounding you now. Can you bring your physical world into harmony with your emotional state?
Temperance is about that perfect mix, neither too much nor too little. It’s about becoming conscious of what you want to be both inside and out, and courageous enough to try.
You are responsible for any healing you might need. The first step is to acknowledge what might be out of balance and then start readjusting.
Sometimes it’s about finding a new way to meld your internal opposites; sometimes it’s about casting out what no longer works. In all cases though, it’s about being true to your self and connecting to the grander universe.
Try asking an angel for some help today. You might be surprised at the result.
Talk about a vacation designed in Tarot heaven, this is it – the 2nd Tarot Tour through northern Italy with Arnell Ando, Michael McAteer, and Mary K Greer. Two full weeks of Tarot in the beautiful country of its birth.
It all starts in Milan at the Castello Sforzesco (Visconti Castle) where legend has it that the cards were first ‘found’ in an abandoned well.
There will be visits with Italian artists, publishers and scholars, and a special stop at the shop of Osvaldo Menegazzi – Il Meneghello. His shop looks like it’s worth the trip alone.
Then it’s on to the Renaissance village of Fererra, and then three days in Bologna led by Museo dei Tarocchi’s own Morena Poltronieri.
Next stop will be the Tuscany region, with a stay at an ancient castle. Then on to Florence, Pienza, and the Medieval city of Siena.
A Tarot tour of Italy wouldn’t be complete without a visit to the magical Tarot Garden of Niki De Saint Phalle, and this tour doesn’t disappoint.
If it weren’t amazing enough to get a chance to see these incredible Tarot sculptures, being there in such great Tarot company will only make it that much more exciting.
In fact the whole holiday is almost too great to believe. I would just love to be there!
If you think you’re interested in going, contact Arnell Ando for more details.
The Moon moves into Pisces today, and stays there until Sunday.
Described in Tarot cards, this transit would be like the High Priestess is dressed as the Moon.
She’s lost her material body and has disappeared into the celestial body that usually rests at her feet.
The Moon in Pisces, or High Priestess dressed as the Moon, is a time of increased perception, ill-defined understanding and what might be described as night vision.
During this time you could find your dreams feel more real than your daylight hours and what’s not said is louder than what is.
Fears might grow like a boogieman under the bed, but if you just take a peek, they’re as likely to be dust bunnies as demons or ghosts.
Be still, aware and fearless. It might be dark outside, but if there was ever a time you can navigate the unknown, this is it. Listen, breathe, flow.
Thursday, December 1, 2011
#2 – The High Priestess
She was just here on Tuesday! The High Priestess must really want us to listen ….
This is a good day to give your spirit some serious attention. Take a little time by yourself to think about what it is that you believe. What do you think of the world and your place in it? What ultimately gives your life meaning?
It’s also a good time right now to pay attention to the messages other people have been sending you. Let yourself absorb the world around you without feeling the need to jump in right away and take action. This is a better time to sit and receive than to act.
Observe, listen and think about what it is you’re doing. Through reflection you’ll start to see all sides. Through this wider perspective you’ll find the priorities and direction that can help you on your path.
