Tarot is an excellent tool for meditation to enhance spiritual growth. With Tarot, in our readings we each have subtly different meanings for the different cards, meanings which work well for ourselves better than anyone else’s. Spiritual Tarot works the same way. We each have our own path and we each see subtly different things in the Major Arcana cards to help us along that path.

With this series I’m sharing my journey, in hopes that it might help to shine a little light on yours. I’m using the Rider/Waite/Smith Tarot on this spiritual journey.

The Hermit stands at the top of a mountain. He is clothed in a long gray robe, perhaps against the chill of the high altitude. He has a long beard, symbolizing experience and wisdom. In his left hand he holds a long wooden staff, a support for the long journey he has taken to get where he now stands. He looks down the path he has followed to get here and, in his right hand, he holds a lantern as if to light the way for those who would follow. He is following the tradition of those who travel the spiritual path; first he did the work to gain knowledge, wisdom and spirituality. Now he stands ready to be a light for others to follow.

On the spiritual path, it is our responsibility to share with others what we have gained for ourselves. At the higher level, we are all one. Consequently, in sharing our spiritual growth with others, we, in effect, add to our own steady soul growth. First we must learn to sit “in the silence,” to meditate. Then we need to read and study all the material we can find to help us grow in our spiritual knowledge and wisdom. Then, as we grow, we try to aid the growth of others; this brings about a slow but steady spiritual growth for the entire human race. And that is what it is all about, all of us growing closer to Universal Mind, the “God Consciousness.”

We are examples for others to follow. Like it or not, each of us is an example that others follow. Whoever we may be, there are those who look up to us and emulate our behavior. Scary, isn’t it! But, nevertheless, it is true. This being the case, it is a very good idea to watch our own behavior. Remember – someone is going to follow you! Try to keep your example one which you would like others to follow, one you’d like to see in the behavior of others. The actions of those around you will be a mirror to yourself. If you don’t like what you see – change yourself! The rest is automatic. You’ll like the world and those in it when you keep your own behavior the way you’d like others to behave.

When I meditate on the Hermit, I try to think about whatever I’m seeing in my world and how I’d like to see it change. Then I try to see how my own behavior is an echo of what I’m seeing. If I’m really honest with myself, I can find ways to change to make the world I experience a better place to be.

That’s what the Hermit means to me.