The Magician, The High Priestess and The Hermit

Today’s post looks at three cards of the Tarot-Major Arcana and how they may be used to allow you to reach behind (what has past of the Solar Wheel) and to bring it into the darkened light of the Winter Solstice.

The Summer and Winter Solstices stand as cross currents of opposition on the Witch’s Wheel. Opposition, not in the sense of negativity, but rather that of exerting a healthy resistance that enables each to bring to fruition their directive and goals. The Summer Solstice is designated as the longest day of light during the year. The sun has reached its peak and in the final hours (literally) of it commanding day’s hold, the resistance and polarized opposition of the Winter Solstice gives the dynamic that allows for extension and reach.

The Magician- The Summer Solstice

I am the master of two worlds
I am the conduit of Divine Inspiration and physical Desire
I have passed through the veil of the Fool
and have emerged transformed.

The perfect synthesis of As Above So Below
I am that which is attained at the end of Desire.

The Summer Solstice is the space of commanding all that has reached its prime state of brilliance to flow as above, so below. This is the energy of the Key 1 of the Tarot-The Magician. All mastery of the alchemical elements, the nature of manifestation and the workings of non-corporeal laws flow through the conduit of one who has come to the peak of acknowledging his/her own power. The red over cloak of the magician indicates the passion of action and movement. It is precisely this will to action that becomes the driving force behind growth. And, after all, the Summer Solstice is the splendor of flowering bursting ripe and full and just about ready to be harvested and picked.

The High Priestess – The Autumnal Equinox

I am the Middle Pillar
I am the essence of the Moon
And all her mysteries
Are mine to command.

I know the secrets of the Soul
And the ease of balance.

I hold the key to questions yet unasked
And I am the Gate to your Higher Self.

We move now to the bounty of the Autumnal Equinox, the second of the 3/harvests and an opportunity to pause, reassess and bring into temporary balance what will serve to become the heavier offering as the equanimity of the Equinox moves forward. The Light of day is beginning to dwindle and the weather and chill call you inside to gather with friends, family and “yourself”. This is the primer for what will become the Hermit of Samhain that will grow and continue the introspective journey of seeking the light. The High Priestess sits on the throne of the Middle Pillar. She is flanked on either side by the polarities of light and dark and holds steady the current and stream of mystery that draws you in for a closer look.  She is the Moon in all of its phases which provides the balance of scale that is held at the Equinox and the subtleties of ebb and flow as the Moon moves from one energy to the other as each phase is expressed. In the image I have chosen the High Priestess holds a skull, the container for the mind of humankind. She is, as the Magician has mastery over the above and the below, the feminine force that holds mastery over the within and without. Together as a flow from one to the other, Summer Solstice to Autumnal Equinox, they provide the recipe for change that calls upon all of the nature’s forces, both corporeal and non.

And, finally the Light that shines in the lantern of our Soul…

The Hermit

It burns too brightly
And I want only
To move within the
Folds of shadow and dark.

Prisms of metal and glass
Light reflected from
The hand that carved
The beauty of silent
Eternity’s Tempest.

From Samhain’s gate, as mid point between the equinox and solstice,  we emerge, each step taken a summation of the Magician’s Will to Action and the High Priestess’ revealing of the deeper mysteries. The Hermit has turned within and seeks the Light that animates and provides the focus for the descent of Sprit into matter. The Lantern held is the container for that descent, a six-pointed star illuminated within the darkness the Hermit has sought and from the pure mastery of the Hermit’s introspective creations a light is birthed that transcends all that may be of challenge or barrier towards the birthing of an outer and much greater light; that of the Sun’s renewal at the Solstice itself. The objective now is maintaining what has become the Lamp of Wisdom and allowing the final surrender in the pull of opposition that will occur at the Winter Solstice in response to what was catalyzed at the Summer.

This is just a brief exploration in the synthesis of  intent that flows through each of the Sabbats of the Great Wheel, one to the other. You’ll learn more as we progress through these mini series counting down the Sabbats…

Tomorrow we’ll make use of a special Tarot spread that you can use to find the mysteries held within your own…

(The) Lantern of Truth

Tarot Spread

Image: Tarot Cards
Rider-Waite: The Magician and The Hermit
Andy Manthei: The High Priestess

Graphic Compilation: R.Fennelly