"Be intentional about your rest; reclaim and ritualize it." Anonymous
TAROT: Hermit (IX) / LENORMAND: Fish, Whip, Garden / ADINKRA: Okuafo Pa
It’s been a week, has it not? And, aren’t they all? So, that’s that on that. I am taking Tarot’s suggestion today, and moving to a quiet space for a bit. I am happy to take you with me.
We are given the Hermit (IX) today. In this version, from Nyasha Williams’ Black Tarot, the Hermit is neither standing, nor carrying a staff, as he is in the traditional rendition. Here they are side by side:
In the Waite-Smith version on the left, our Hermit seems weary. Certainly he is a person of some age, as we see from his white beard. He holds his lantern aloft, lighting the way for others as much as for himself, yet his eyes are downcast, so how much can he really see? Must he really take the next step now? And the step after that? And how many more?
In the Black Tarot version, our Hermit has given himself permission to sit down right in the middle of his journey. He knows that there is as much value to the journey inward as the journey outward, so he has set his lantern on the ground next to him, folded his legs and his hands, and closed his eyes. He is aligned with the elements and the moon phases. His work is his rest. He knows that concept will be perceived as revolutionary. He’s good with that, as he is the Way Shower, the Illuminator. Often what he brings us will feel like revelation, and often, revelation is resisted. This Hermit is patient. He will travel inward while we readjust out perception.
A YouTube viewer asked me something interesting today. She asked if I would do a video showing how I encourage Tarot, Lenormand, and Adinkra to converse companionably together. As human beings, we love to have things translated for us, explained to us, presented to us in manageable morsels. I am, at heart, a teacher who has spent decades explaining, showing, lighting the path. I have learned, however, that some of the very best lessons are not the ones taught us by someone else helping us metabolize information, but rather the ones we must grapple with, daydream over, allow to wash over us, punch us in the gut, come to us from our own sense of knowingness. For me to do a video about my process here would be like trying to tell you how the scene in a painting smells, or how a cup of coffee sounds. There are things that cannot be explained, but rather experienced and felt.
Our Black Tarot Hermit is making time and space to feel and experience his inner landscape, so as to be a better guide to others. I encourage all of us this week to assume the crosslegged posture of the Black Tarot Hermit for a bit. To cease asking questions such as “how much longer will this last?” and “why are we experiencing these troubled times?” If it is true (I believe it is) that “perfect peace passeth all understanding,” then let us sit in perfect peace. Just for a little while.
Soon enough it will be time for us to look back to the Smith-Waite Hermit, take up our lantern and our staff, and trudge forward. Lenormand tells us so, with Fish, Whip, Garden. We are entering a highly charged time, what with July 17th coming a week from tomorrow. Fish speak to emotion, Whip to the fraught nature of that emotion, and Garden suggesting the widespread nature of the unrest that is on the horizon. Each of us will be involved as we see fit, and I again encourage my Black readers to be judicious in the ways that they spend time ‘out in these streets.’ Which is to say, STAY HOME. It is not that we do not care. It is about strategy and agency. We should not be shamed by people who are not us but think the display of our bodies is necessary to their cause. Each to their own, of course. But you know what I mean. To paraphrase: ‘They also serve who stay inside.’
Adinkra gives us Okuafo Pa, the symbol for the Good Farmer. A tender of soil would not plant in arid ground, or unfertilized soil. For this week, tend to yourselves. There is a time to every season. Next week, a new season will be marked on July 17th. Make your plan.
Amen and Ase,
Erika
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Thank you Erika! Yes to all of the above. Thank you for my mantra of the week, “peace that passeth all understanding.” Peace and Love. 🤎🤎
I am a regular listener or viewer. When you are in your teaching mode I take what I need and leave the rest. Sometimes only 5-9 words stick out to me. No matter the card presented. I feel I need those words. Context - of our lives in these times - means we will all take your lessons in different light. And I love that. Plus your vocab lessons are spectacular. Keep on keeping on. As my mother would say.