Picking up where we left off, Welcome to stage 2 of the Fool's journey. In the previous stage we were focused on the social self, a time of experiment with the identity (the Fool), our power (The Magician), our intuition(The High Priestess), our sensuality and nurturing (the Empress). It was a time of learning about the pros and cons of structure (the Emperor), holding the values and traditions (the Hierophant), exploring relationships (the Lovers) and the power of determination, and holding one's ground(the Chariot). Therethe Fool answered the questions of "who am I?" and "how do I fit into the world?".
So how does the journey continue?
Last time we left off with The Fool meeting the Chariot, where he learned how to be victorious over his enemies and gain confidence. You are probably wondering what more can he possibly need he now can have everything right?!
The answer is yes, he does, or at least he thinks he does, but he becomes arrogant. He becomes self-indulgent and this has him spiraling with intense and wicked emotions and passions he can't contain, he doesn't see a reason to. Thus, he meets a maiden with a lion. She looks like she is struggling, so the Fool ushers in to help, only to see how she is completely able to control a beast that seemed so powerful and wild. He meets the Strength.
Number 8 in the deck and not by coincidence having the infinity symbol on top of her head (number eight is the symbol of infinity itself), we see the Strength depicted by a woman gently and lovingly petting a lion. She wears a white robe to signify her purity of spirit and a belt of flowers representing nature. The infinity symbol shows her infinite potential and wisdom. This woman has completely tamed this ferocious wild beast, who is a symbol of our raw passions and desires, but not by force, as the Chariot would, but by patience and by being gentle and firm. This is where the Fool understands that raw power and coercion are not always the answer. Sometimes the forceful approach needs patience and tolerance. The woman of this card teaches him that our passions are not necessarily bad when they are applied with measure and from the soul and not the ego. She teaches the Fool balance between the wild and the celestial realm.
This is why when this card shows itself in a tarot reading you know it's time to channel our inner strength and determination, but by being patient and consistent. It signifies that its time to use your skills of persuasion to call the shots and not by brutal force. You have power within yourself you just need to remember it and use it. It is time to tame your raw emotions and use strategy. It is advising you to approach your life from forgiveness, love and compassion instead of hatred, sadness, anger and frustration.
Leaving the woman and the lion The Fool continues his journey with more wisdom and knowledge than before and he continues to lead a busy life filled with building, loving, hating, failing, succeeding and so on. But at some point he feels exhausted, he feels the need to retreat and so he does. And no, he doesn't meet a Hermit who teaches him wisdom. He becomes the Hermit.
The ninth card of the deck, where the number symbolizes a closure, only for it to birth a new beginning. And this is what this card basically stands for. The Fool has chosen the path of self-discovery and finding a deeper truth and as a result he has reached a higher state of awareness and this in a way makes him feel like he is back to stage 0 and can start again.
Looking at the symbolism depicted on the card we see him standing on top of a snow covered mountain, which represents his spiritual growth. In his right hand he holds a lantern with a six-pointed star inside (The Seal of Solomon). As he walks he lights the way, step by step he uncovers new truths which is why he feels like the The Fool again - curious, on an adventure, not knowing fully whats ahead and it is exciting in a way, but this time on his journey he is alone, he finds knowledge by himself for himself, knowledge that can only be found within, in the quiet, by himself. In his left hand he holds a staff that helps him balance and guide himself on the journey in the dark. The darkness surrounding him symbolizes the unknown. And this is what he is doing venturing into the unknown to shed light on new wisdom and receive enlightenment.
When this card comes up in a reading it signifies you are at a turning point in your life and considering a new direction. So, its advising you to take a break from everyday life and look inward. It shows you that the truths and way you are seeking out you already know deep in yourself, you just have to find it. This card shows you it's time to retreat from the outside world and spend time with yourself, contemplate, soul-search, reevaluate and reassess your values, morals, and beliefs.
The Hermit can also signify your desire or need to turn away from the materialistic to focus on the spiritual world.
Finally, this card may appear in your life to show you to a need of a spiritual mentor here will help you raise your vibration.
After much soul searching and wandering in the depths of his mind The Fool comes to the realization that everything is connected. He has a vision of the world's design represented by the Wheel of Fortune and suddenly everything makes sense.
The Fool recognizes his fate in this vision, he senses his purpose restored - what goes up has to fall, what falls has to go up, that is the natural order of things. And just like that by losing his purpose he finds it.
The card is under the number 10, which signifies the beginning of a new cycle in one's life.
On the image of the card we see a wheel with three figures on the outer edges (snake, Anubis and the Sphinx), four Hebrew letters (the unpronounceable name of God) and letters forming TORA ("law" or "wheel").
The snake on the left side is the Egyptian god of evil - Typhon, he is descending. The snake could also represent life force plunging into the material world. On the right side we see Anubis (god of the dead) ascending. And on top of the wheel sits the sphinx, representing wisdom and strength.
In the four corners of the card we see four winged creatures, each associated with the four fixed signs of the Zodiac: the angel is Aquarius, the eagle is Scorpio, the lion is Leo, and the bull is Taurus. Their wings signify stability in times of movement and change, and each holds the Torah, representing wisdom.
In a reading The Wheel of Fortune reminds you that the only constant thing in life is change. If you are having difficulties it shows that things will get better. The opposite is also very much possible, nothing lasts forever with this card, cherish the good times while you have them.
This card is the epitome of "what goes around, comes around" so be careful what you give out to the world and the people in it.
Rest assured though, even if it seems illogical and hard the Universe has your back. If the Wheel shows up it could also mean it's time to let go of the constant need of control and trust the process.
Having this vision the Fool now decides to reevaluate his actions and relationships in order to take the needed responsibility and wipe the slate clean. This happens when he comes across a woman (Justice) standing and listening to two brother fighting about who should get an inheritance. She decides to split it in two, which is the most logical thing a person can do, but the brothers are unsettled. When The Fool asks the woman about the situation the woman tells him that by splitting it in two the poor brother can have what he needs and his rich brother will stop spending his money carelessly. Thus, the Fool reaches the understanding that he has spent his life achieving worldly ambitions and physical goods while leaving his spiritual self to starve. He has to make a choice whether to go back to his way or begin to balance the scales.
This card falls under the number 11, which is a spiritual number. Eleven reduces to 2, which is about balancing the polarities in a given situation.Looking at the card we see a woman sitting between two pillars, similar to those of the High Priestess and the Hierophant , which signifies balance, law and structure. She sits in front of a purple veil, symbolizing compassion. She holds a sword in one hand, showing the logical and detached approach needed to instill justice. In her left hand she holds scales that shows the need for balance between logic and intuition. Justice wears a crown with a small square on it representing well-ordered thoughts.
In a tarot reading this card represents justice, fairness, truth, and the law. It depends on your past actions and thought what this card will mean for you, but you can be sure it signifies that there will be justice. If you have acted righteously you will be rewarded and if you have been dishonest you will receive what you deserve.
If you are in a situation where you seek justice or in a legal case, this card is a good indicator.
Justice may also pop up if you are in a situation where you need to make an important choice that will have consequences and you need to think about your actions very carefully and whatever choice you make you'll need to stand by it.
By meeting Justice, The Fool ventures on trying to find the inner balance he lacks and settles beneath a tree, where he stays for nine days without eating or moving feeling like he has lost everything. On the ninth day without knowing himself why, he climbs on the tree and hangs from a branch upside down and becomes the Hanged Man. At this point he surrenders everything that he is, wants or cares about as he dangles between the material and spiritual wolds. It would appear that this change of position also changes his view on things and everything becomes crystal clear and he senses an odd feeling of freedom.
On the card we see the same thing - a man hanging upside down from a tree, he looks martyred but in reality as seen by the halo around his head he is actually serene and in peace, having let go of control. The upside down position shows his switch of perspective and how in the midst of the feeling like his whole world has been turned and crashed he finds clarity. The Hanged Man is the card of ultimate surrender to the Universe. The number under which this card falls under represents is 12, which is associated with the astrological sign of Pisces. Pisces is symbolized by two fish swimming in opposing directions, which suggests the inner conflict between the material and spiritual plane, as well as the conflict between control and letting go.
When The Hanged Man pops up in a reading it signifies that sometimes you need to let go of control or that it's time to stop and look at the problem from an entirely different perspective. This card is a call to release old models and patterns.
It can also suggest that your projects and activities may be abruptly stopped. Pushing forward won't help, sometimes stops are good and you need to surrender, maybe something better awaits. It is a chance for re-evaluation.
Leaving the tree The Fool start his spiritual journey, but he senses a feeling of loss and sadness. This is when he encounters Death. Did the Fool die? Yes, in a way he did, he has come to the moment of his life where his old idea of the world and himself are striped away of him as trees in autumn shed their leaves before winter. Death teaches him that mourning is natural, but you must deal with your feelings of grief and loss before you can continue and start something new. Even the coldest winters end and the trees grow new green leaves.
This card is a symbol of transformation, it is the phoenix burning in the fire in order to be reborn again.
The Fool now begins to see the need to eliminate old habits and patterns to make room for new, better ones. Eventually, he discovers that death is not permanent or final, It is a transition.
This significance can be seen in the image on the card. There we can see the Messenger of Death - a skeleton in black armor riding a white horse. The skeleton represents the only thing that is preserved after life has left the body. The armor symbolizes the inevitability and invincibility of death and the black color is a symbol of mourning and the unknown darkness that follows. The white horse is a sign of purity strength and power. The flag Death carries is black with a white five-petal rose, reflecting the beauty immortality and purification of the process, while the number five symbolizes change. The figures at death's feet begging for their lives show that Death is not a negotiator. The boat that floats on the river in the background represents the boat escorting the death to the afterlife. And on the horizon the sun sets between two towers, as in to signify the death and birth of the sun and death birthing new life in general.
With that being said, now we know that when this card comes up it does not necessarily mean death in the literal sense of the word. Death card symbolizes the end of a major aspect of your life that you realize is no longer serving you, which opens up the space for something better to come in. It shows you that it's time to put the past behind you and get ready to embrace new opportunities. Finally, Death is a sign that you need to learn to let go of unhealthy attachments in your life this is a perfect card to break a bad habit or pattern. Purge the old and embrace the new.
Meeting Death, The Fool comes to the realization that up until now he has been dealing with opposing differences: the scales (Justice), the material and spiritual (The Hanged Man) and death and birth (Death). So he starts to wonder will one always have to decide between them. Then, he encounters a winged figure pouring fire from one flask and water from the other and the two blend together completely and form a third substance. The angel bestows him the knowledge that with the right vessels and the right proportions any two polar opposites can be mixed together to form a third one. Thus, The Fool learns Temperance
Even by looking at the card we can see this symbolism right on. On it there is a winged angel that is neither male or female to signify the unification of gender. The angel balances on one foot in the water, to be in the flow of life and one on a rock, to stay grounded. The pouring between the cups shows the flow and alchemy of life. In the background the path in the mountain shows the journey through life and the golden crown on top is the finding of the meaning and purpose on top.
Similarly to what The Fool learned, when this card shows itself in a reading it serves as a reminder to bring more peace and balance in our lives. It is a card that advises you to be calm and maintain our emotions. This is not the time to be over emotional or forceful with anything, but a time to be a peacemaker and include others, find common ground and mix and combine diverse elements to create something new and better. Last, but not least this card signifies learning and taking things slowly, but surely with patience and dedication.
This is how stage two of the journey ends. This stage was all about the inner world and the morals we need to develop as every action we take has a consequence on us and other people. This is the part of the journey where ideals and values are put to the test and many old patterns and habit are stripped away. Here self-control (Strength), solitude (Hermit), careful consideration (Justice), release of control (The Hanged Man), transformation (Death) and patience (Temperance) and their importance are learned. Here the Fool answered the questions of "What do I believe in?" and "What kind of person do I want to be in this world?"
See you at stage three (the final stage)
Blessed be witches!
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