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tarot of the old path- key 9- the wise one
The Thoth Tarot Hermit-ATU 9, is called key 9-The Wise One in the Tarot of the Old Path. As you can see there are many similarities to these cards and both the Artists -Lady Freda Harris of the Thoth Tarot Deck and Sylvia P. Gainsford, artist of the Tarot of the Old Path, filled their cards with Arcane wisdom. The zodiacal attribution to this card is the sign of Virgo. Virgo is an earthly sign that represents the most receptive feminine form of earth. Virgo is ruled by Mercury and Mercury is exalted in Virgo as well. One might say that the most receptive form of Earth forms a crust over Hades, Mercury, a form of Hades, is also the Fiery messenger of Spirit, has descended into matter, signaling the reintegration by Spirit (a phallic symbol). This is known as the "Formula of the Princess", the mode of fulfillment of the Great Work. Thus, the fertility generated by this event and that of Virgo itself, is shown in both sets of cards. The dark green wheat background of the Thoth Card and the green robe of The Wise One.
thoth- ATU 9-the hermit
The Hermit is a solitary figure, often displaying great aptitude for meditation and contemplation, and this is implied by the Snowy Mountain retreat shown on the Tarot of the Old Path card or the lone hermit figure of the Thoth Tarot Card. Both Decks show and elderly man symbolizing the wisdom of the ages.
The Tarot of the Old Path, Wise One, displays a book of Knowledge in the crook of his arm, and a lantern on a staff, implying enlightenment and intuitive knowledge.
The Thoth Tarot- Hermit also carries a lantern, implying the same intuitive knowledge; however, in the center of the Hermits lantern is the sigil of the Great King of Fire. The Hebrew word Yod, which is the Letter of this Thoth Deck card, is the Secret Fire. and the Word itself means Hand. Hence, the Hand of the Hermit is displayed as the center of the card, The image of the Thoth Deck Hermit is also bent into the shape of the letter Yod while being cloaked in the red robes of Binah, the Great Mother in whom he gestates. The Tarot of the Old Path shows both stream and rabbit, commonly used symbols of the Great Mother.
The Tarot of the Old Path, The Wise One, has a rabbit at the foot of his staff, this implies in the language of animals, one inexperienced in life and willing to learn. He wears an anchor emblem at his neck, representing hope and salvation that is given by the Wise One's guidance. The garment of dignity is the cloak, which is also a veil between the self and the world of man. Here he has raised his right arm displaying the Four Elements of Alchemy, earth, water, fire and air: air being shown as a Brimstone butterfly...a very subtle way of bringing Hades into the picture. The Fire has melted the snow, revealing mossy stones and trefoil clover which in the language of plants means divine knowledge gained by hard endeavor. The stream that is manifesting beneath the raised robe, splits into ten, symbolizing the ten planets, Uranus, Mercury, the Moon, Venus, Jupiter, Neptune, Mars, the Sun, Pluto, and Saturn.
As I have said, the Thoth Deck Hermit symbolizes the Hebrew Letter Yod, meaning hand, and all letters of the Hebrew alphabet are combinations of this foundational letter. Yod is the first letter of the name Tetragrammaton symbolizing the Farther who is Wisdom, and the highest form of Mercury. Thus, he is the Logos; the Creator of all worlds, accordingly his representative in the physical world is the spermatozoon which is illustrated on the Thoth Tarot card. The figure of the Hermit seems to be staring at the Orphic egg which is conterminous with the Universe, and is wrapped in the iridescent many colored serpentine energy of Mercury.
The Thoth Deck card, with its domesticated three headed dog Cerberus that guards the gates of Hell brings to mind The Greek Legend of Persephone, and I would suggest that the student read this legend to further understand this card. In this case, the dog Cerberus has one head looking back to the past and two heads pointed toward the present and future. In this Trump, is illustrated the secret of life and all its workings. For instance, Yod=Phallus=Spermatozoon-Hand=Logos=Virgin. Crowley says in his book of Thoth, "There is perfect identity, not merely Equivalence, of the Extremes, the Manifestation, and the Method."
As you may note, in both Decks, Key 9 , is about the solitary person who walks the path that leads to the Higher Self and perfection of the soul. It is the image of the Adept-Magus and his detachment from the material world of man. He's often so far advanced in open- psyche, that most people find him/her difficult to comprehend. However, this does not deter his willingness to light the path for those who sincerely wish to know the depths of self.
WHEN THE WISE ONE IS THROWN DURING A DIVINATION, IT IMPLIES:
- A search for wisdom and truth.
- Counsel and sound judgment.
- Knowledge
- A solitary soul
- Meditation
- A time of re-evaluation and soul searching
- Discretionary caution.
- Inner wisdom often called enlightenment.
- Spiritual inspiration pointing the way on life's journey.
If reversed-Old Path- or if ill defined by surrounding cards-Thoth, it implies:
- Stubbornness to the point of foolishness.
- A closed mind,
- Bad advice.
- Isolation.
- Only looking at the surface value.
WHEN THE THOTH TAROT , THE HERMIT IS THROWN DURING A DIVINATION, IT IMPLIES:
- Contemplation, introspection and space.
- Needing more knowledge that can only be attained by listening closely to the inner self.
- The Divine Marriage within.
- Completing karma through service.
- A stage in life where wisdom it sought through introspection and isolation.
- Using your work in the world and uniting it with the Spiritual realms to attain the Highest state of Mind.
- Being yourself by pursuing the "above all things, know thyself" , deep inner philosophy.
Thank you for your interest and comments. May you live long and prosper. And for all you patrons out there, Thank you and many blessings.
