Golden Tartot - The Hermit

Livia

A striking man stands in a deep forest surrounded by a cat and a deer, and a bird (Quail). Interesting, the sources for the figure are not St. Francis, but we know it must be him (not just from the book), but from his surroundings/situation. And…
Who else but St. Francis of Assisi? I think the Hermit is best seen as self-acceptance, as the book discusses, since it is only with self-acceptance that we can be comfortable being alone. No only did St. Francis symbolize the duality within the church, i.e. rich/poor excess/modesty, but this card seems different from the others as he is standing in a deep forest. There are other cards set outdoors, but this is different. He is standing in a deep enough forest he needs a lamp, but we cannot tell if it is night or day. We see no sky. He is closed in his own world. It is almost like a fairy tale setting. Again, how fitting since most fairy tales teach lessons of staying with the group, and not wondering into the forest, where terrible things happen. But he doesn’t seem like bad things are happening to him.

Sources
For the body and deer
http://gallery.euroweb.hu/html/m/memling/5late/37nogr5.html
this is the altarpiece where the figure is found
forest
http://www.kfki.hu/~arthp/html/l/lippi/filippo/1460/1forest.html
Head/face
http://gallery.euroweb.hu/html/m/master/xunk_bo/epitaph.html
information about St. Francis
http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/06221a.htm
 

Livia

Sorry it took me so long to post this next card, I have had to take another job, and have been a bit overworked... you know how it goes.
Livia
 

Grizabella

To me he seems so gentle and wise. Even the animals aren't afraid of him. He's adapted himself to the forest surroundings so completely that it's as if he couldn't belong anywhere else.

What deep wisdom he must have!
 

tarot4fun

Wise men have said, “You are not in the world; the world is in you.” ~if this is true, then we need to broaden our view. The Hermit seems to be the best path towards that goal.

Using some of Livia's thoughts as a springboard~
Livia said:
I think the Hermit is best seen as self-acceptance, as the book discusses, since it is only with self-acceptance that we can be comfortable being alone.
The Hermit helps our spiritual journey in that we have the opportunity to become quiet, go within; and as Livia said, become comfortable being alone. There is too much noise and activity in the world ~ we have to retreat from this in order to understand our true nature and to listen to a Higher Voice. Self-acceptance comes from confronting our entire being ~ this is done alone.
St. Francis gave up everything ~ what are we willing to give up in order to grow?

Livia said:
He is standing in a deep enough forest he needs a lamp, but we cannot tell if it is night or day. We see no sky. He is closed in his own world. It is almost like a fairy tale setting. Again, how fitting since most fairy tales teach lessons of staying with the group, and not wondering into the forest, where terrible things happen. But he doesn’t seem like bad things are happening to him.
In this journey into the dark forest, you have the opportunity to face your fears. A bright sun is not needed so much to light your path because, hopefully, you'll find your inner light. You might even find your totem animal.
It's not a journey for the faint of heart.

:heart: