By stilling his mind, the Hermit can access his Higher Self and can hear the voice within. It is here that all knowledge is stored and the truth of ourselves known. He knows that this is a journey best taken alone. This suggests that it is a time for going out on your own. The Hermit’s lamp only lights up a short distance ahead so he must use the courage he discovered he had to find the right path for him; the path to personal fulfilment. He will need to take this risk alone. It is the Hermit who makes us realize our identity, our inner needs and purpose, that is if we stop long enough to listen. – Vivien Ní Dhuinn
As I reflect, it seems that one of the significant archetypes within the process of personal consciousness evolution and spiritual awakening is the Hermit. As many of us come “online” and awaken to the fact that there is much more than meets the eye, as our perception of reality fundamentally, deeply and irrevocably shifts when we ‘download’ and access more of our multidimensional selves, there can be a sort of isolation and withdrawal.
Many of us are finding that our perception of reality has shifted so fundamentally that it is impossible to return to old ways of being – there is a dissociation from the old, and a retreat into the self. When we activate our higher levels and our perception shifts so radically, we often feel the need to strike out on our own path – a path that truthfully reflects who we are becoming – rather than continue to participate in modalities which are no longer reflective of our inner state.
Typically all of this warrants a period of withdrawal and reflection, when we come to terms with what is revealing itself within our being. The opening of perception as a process in itself is often accompanied by a retreat as we recognize that the new ways of seeing that are unfolding within us are not necessarily taking place in others. We are now engaged in an intimate process of directly discovering an ‘invisible’ reality that is perhaps more ‘real’ than what physically takes place around us. We are figuring out and renegotiating our relationships – with friends, family, partners, places and jobs. This renegotiation is often a risk, but we find that we are compelled be true to ourselves and be in greater integrity.
If we explained in a completely honest way to others what we are coming to terms with inside ourselves, perhaps it would sound like this:
“I have a new perception of reality. I have experienced a change to my personal identity which is making me feel differently about my lifestyle, relationships, and career. I have changed. I have been experiencing adjustments to my way of thinking and being. I didn’t plan this consciously, it just happened. Now that I’m aware of what’s going on, I’m not quite sure how to put it in other terms except to say this: what is happening is that my soul intelligence frequency is starting to entrain and initiate its field into my personal energetic field, and I have begun to sense and perceive my reality much differently. I feel physically different. This was initially uncomfortable for me, but I am getting more used to the differences.
I have also been having direct experiences of learning to let go what I have been attached to and put my complete trust in a higher intelligence, in my higher intelligence. I have been learning to let go more and more of any resistance to the changes in my life. In truth, I have been experiencing a far more honest, improved relationship with myself. I know more clearly than ever that my task is to go within to follow my inner guidance and listen to my heart.”
Ring a bell? In what other ways can the tarot help us tune in to and make sense of our personal process of consciousness shift?
With love,
