I pulled this one this morning (December 5th, 2023), after shuffling the full deck of Aleister Crowley's infamous Thoth Tarot cards. Which if one is aware of the late English occultist very detailed and relatively complex occultism theory, that is a combination of medieval Hermeticism, Jewish Quabbala, esoteric Taoism and Egyptian mythology. Crowley's Thoth Tarot is very unique, with incredibly rich and detailed art by Lady Frieda Harris (d1962) in 1940's surrealistic, geometrical and cubist styles. So, the meaning for each card are a clever mix between the said occultist themes. And the above card, "Knight of Wands" if I was to summarize from the explanation for the card, represents the impulsiveness of the male, particularly in war as a brutal warrior, with cruel and bigoted intentions. The actual Tarot cards were developed at the onset of World War Two, so some of the meanings may be indicative of the global events that were transpiring at the time. I would read this card as a warning to rash decisions, and be careful with fire, lean to cultivate its ferocity and tame it or be engulfed by it.
The Knight of Wands card, maybe indicative of our current times. Since nations are now resulting to Total War theory and 'forever' wars. We never learn. Do we?
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"IX. The Hermit" is one of Aleister Crowley's better Thoth Tarot cards, and one of the most intriguing, obviously devised by the superior 'Rider–Waite Tarot' cards, Cowley's esoterical mishmash has added extra layers to the card, with Lady Frieda Harris (d1962) geometric art, offering the card's cryptic meaning a beautifully aligned presence. That being of the Hermit, as a guide within the Universe, obviously of the mind, settling confusion with meditation and holding the lamp as a light bearer in the darkness. The hebrew letter Yod, is the primary letter attributed to the card, representing 'hand', note the middle of the card of the Hermit's hand holding the lamp and it geometric shards of light, yet Crowley has also infused his desire for female virgins and fertility (also note the wheat in the background), probably attuned to his more Gnostic Christian beliefs, of female purity, and the male's conquest to impregnate. As on the left corner is a single sperm, to which he decreed from his own interpretation as "poison" that comes up from the lower depths, which is to corrupt 'Crowley's' virgin (?). In the upper right is the cosmic egg, the snake wrapped around an greenish colored egg, apparently representing Mercury. One of the redeeming aspects of the "The Hermit" is Cerberus, the Three Headed hound of Hell, which has been tamed by the Hermit, following him behind. Most likely meaning, that you must tame your fears.
Reading:
Hold in your Left Hand, light. Even in metaphor, yet the Left Hand Path is the path of darkness, as it shows the darkness of nature, is to tame the human fear, otherwise it becomes a folly. To know fear, is clearing confusion. Tibetan Tantric yogis call this meditation, 'the fear that destroys fear'. Can you meditate alone in the dark? Within a graveyard? A charnel ground? Can you endure? The Hermit, is the master of all that is solidary, for he is in all of us, both the male and the female, it teaches you that you are indeed your own light bearer. Master the Hound of Hell, know Hell. And it will protect you. Live for life, but know death. Justice, and peace are born of awareness of the self, tread where no person goes, be in places know person dares to go. Redeem oneself with no thoughts, allow the memories to dissipated, yet you will know this place by instincts alone, as I have forged my own footsteps, I have empowered my being. When the Hermit disappears back into the darkness, let it be known, that all must fade too.
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(A.Glass 2023, 2024, 2025)
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