Sage Leaves, October 1, 2024

Welcome to Sage Leaves, a compendium of wisdom for those seeking to heal ancestral wounds using Tarot as an assistant. In this issue, we will explore the archetype of The Hermit and relate it to the Heroine’s Journey, as well as explore how it is read when it appears in a reading conducted for transgenerational healing.

Table of Contents

1. Spotlight on a Jungian Archetype: The Hermit

2. The Hermit & The Heroine’s Journey

3. The Hermit in a Reading for Transgenerational Heal …

4. Energetic Influences This Week 10/1

Spotlight on a Jungian Archetype: The Hermit

In Jungian psychology, The Hermit represents the archetype of the Wise Old Man or the Sage, symbolizing introspection, wisdom, and the search for deeper understanding. This archetype is deeply connected to the process of individuation, a central concept in Jung’s work, where one strives to integrate the conscious and unconscious aspects of the self to achieve wholeness.

The Hermit is often depicted as an old man carrying a lantern, which symbolizes the light of inner wisdom and enlightenment that guides the seeker through the darkness of ignorance and confusion. In Jungian terms, this represents the quest for self-knowledge and truth. The Hermit’s journey is an inward one, focused on solitude and reflection, necessary steps for personal growth and transformation.

Jung believed that individuation involves a retreat from the external world to explore the unconscious mind and gain insight into one’s true self. The Hermit embodies this process, withdrawing from society to seek the wisdom that lies within. This card encourages the querent to look inward, engage in deep reflection, and confront the unconscious material that often remains hidden in everyday life.

Furthermore, the Hermit archetype is associated with spiritual maturity. In the Tarot, this card reflects a time in life when external accomplishments take a back seat to inner development. It’s about embracing the wisdom that comes from life experiences and understanding their deeper meaning.

In a Jungian context, the Hermit also aligns with the archetype of the Self—the totality of the psyche. It suggests that through introspection and the pursuit of inner knowledge, one can move closer to understanding the Self and integrating all aspects of the psyche.

Ultimately, The Hermit symbolizes the solitary path toward enlightenment, self-discovery, and the wisdom gained through introspection and personal growth.

The Hermit & The Heroine’s Journey

In the Heroine’s Journey, the Hermit card plays a significant role in guiding the heroine through a period of introspection, self-discovery, and personal transformation. Unlike the Hero’s Journey, which often focuses on external challenges and conquest, the Heroine’s Journey delves deeply into emotional and spiritual realms. The Hermit represents the crucial stage where the heroine must turn inward, retreat from the outside world, and seek the wisdom necessary for her growth.

1. Turning Inward for Reflection:

In the Heroine’s Journey, there comes a point where external validation, social roles, and relationships no longer serve the heroine’s deeper needs. The Hermit signifies this stage of withdrawal from the world, where she seeks solitude to reflect on her inner self. This time of isolation allows her to connect with her deeper emotions, uncover hidden truths, and reevaluate her path. In this space, she gains clarity about her desires, needs, and purpose, which is vital for her transformation.

2. Spiritual Wisdom and Inner Guidance:

The Hermit archetype is that of a spiritual guide or inner mentor. In the Heroine’s Journey, the heroine often faces challenges that require more than physical or intellectual strength—they require spiritual insight and emotional maturity. The Hermit offers her the light of wisdom and intuition, helping her navigate the complex emotional terrain of her journey. This stage represents the heroine’s connection to her inner wisdom, symbolized by the Hermit’s lantern, which illuminates the path forward.

3. Healing and Transformation:

The Hermit phase is also one of deep healing. In the Heroine’s Journey, the protagonist must often face her own wounds—emotional traumas, shadow aspects, or unresolved past experiences. The Hermit’s retreat allows the heroine to engage in this healing work, bringing unconscious wounds to the surface where they can be addressed. This period of introspection is essential for her to process these deeper layers of pain and begin transforming them into sources of wisdom and strength.

4. Preparation for Rebirth:

The Heroine’s Journey is cyclical, and after the period of introspection represented by the Hermit, the heroine prepares for her rebirth into a new phase of her life. She emerges from her solitude with a renewed sense of purpose, inner strength, and self-awareness. The Hermit card is a pivotal step in this cycle, as it symbolizes the heroine’s ability to draw from her inner resources, find her truth, and prepare to re-engage with the world in a more authentic and empowered way.

Conclusion:

In the Heroine’s Journey, The Hermit represents a profound phase of self-exploration and spiritual awakening. The card signifies the heroine’s withdrawal from external influences to seek inner wisdom and clarity, allowing her to confront her emotional and spiritual challenges. Through this introspective process, the heroine heals, transforms, and prepares to re-enter the world with a deeper understanding of herself and her purpose, embodying the journey’s core theme of inner empowerment and self-realization.

The Hermit in a Reading for Transgenerational Healing

The Hermit card plays a profound role in Tarot readings focused on transgenerational healing, symbolizing introspection, wisdom, and the guidance necessary for unraveling deep ancestral wounds. In such readings, the Hermit embodies the process of looking within to understand inherited traumas, patterns, and behaviors that have been passed down through generations. Its influence can have a significant impact on the querent's journey toward personal and familial healing.

1. Introspection and Solitude:

The Hermit card calls for a period of introspection and solitude, which is essential when dealing with transgenerational trauma. This stage asks the querent to take a step back from external distractions and look within to uncover the hidden emotional and psychological burdens inherited from their ancestors. In a reading, the Hermit signals that the path to healing requires deep self-reflection and the willingness to face difficult truths. This may involve examining family patterns, understanding past traumas, and recognizing how these influences shape current behaviors and emotions.

The Hermit suggests that the querent must spend time alone to process these revelations, integrating this knowledge into their own personal healing journey. This period of solitude is not one of isolation, but rather a necessary retreat to connect with the wisdom of their inner self and ancestors.

2. Accessing Ancestral Wisdom:

One of the key impacts of the Hermit card in transgenerational healing is its role in connecting the querent to ancestral wisdom. The Hermit holds a lantern, symbolizing the light of knowledge and guidance. This suggests that within the darkness of trauma and confusion lies the wisdom of past generations, waiting to be uncovered. The Hermit encourages the querent to seek out this wisdom, whether through meditation, spiritual practices, or exploring family history.

In a reading, the Hermit may indicate that the querent has the inner strength and insight necessary to tap into this ancestral knowledge. It could also suggest the importance of connecting with older family members, traditions, or cultural practices to better understand the family’s emotional and psychological inheritance.

3. Healing Through Self-Knowledge:

The Hermit promotes healing through self-knowledge and personal insight. In transgenerational trauma, many emotional and behavioral patterns are passed down unconsciously. The Hermit helps bring these unconscious patterns to light, allowing the querent to break cycles of inherited trauma. By fostering a deeper understanding of the family’s emotional history, the querent can begin to heal themselves and future generations. The card suggests that healing is not instantaneous but requires a slow, deliberate process of integration and understanding.

The Hermit can also indicate the need for the querent to be a guiding light for their family. Just as the Hermit holds a lantern, the querent may be called to lead their family through the healing process, using their personal insights to initiate broader transgenerational healing.

4. Inner Guidance and Spiritual Growth:

On a spiritual level, the Hermit card signifies the role of inner guidance in the healing process. It suggests that the querent may already have the intuitive wisdom necessary to navigate the complexities of transgenerational trauma. The Hermit encourages them to trust this inner voice and lean into spiritual practices that foster healing, such as meditation, journaling, or ancestral rituals.

In a transgenerational healing reading, the Hermit reminds the querent that this healing process is also a journey of spiritual growth. As they uncover and heal ancestral wounds, they grow not only emotionally but also spiritually, gaining a deeper understanding of themselves and their place within their family’s lineage.

Conclusion:

In a Tarot reading focused on transgenerational healing, the Hermit card has a powerful and transformative influence. It calls for deep introspection, the uncovering of ancestral wisdom, and the slow, steady process of healing inherited wounds. Through solitude, self-knowledge, and spiritual growth, the Hermit guides the querent toward breaking destructive patterns and healing both themselves and future generations. Its impact is one of profound inner transformation, urging the querent to become a light of healing within their family’s lineage.

Energetic Influences This Week 10/1

This is a reading for the energetic influences at play for the week of October 1-7, 2024. We begin another transformative week, influenced by both celestial and earthly energies. A rare annular solar eclipse during a new moon in Libra symbolizes powerful new beginnings in relationships, balance, and justice. The new moon initiates fresh starts, while the eclipse intensifies transformative energy, revealing hidden truths and prompting sudden shifts, especially in partnerships. Libra, ruled by Venus, emphasizes harmony, fairness, and cooperation.

This eclipse encourages reevaluation of personal and external relationships, pushing you to restore balance and address imbalances in give-and-take dynamics. Karmic rebalancing is at play, bringing to light unresolved issues or conflicts, and urging you to align your life with fairness, peace, and mutual understanding. With this energetic background, I drew The Hanged Man, the Page of Swords, the 7 of Cups, the Page of Cups, 10 of Swords, the 2 of Wands, and Justice. The 7 of Cups and the Page of Cups are both recurring cards from last week’s reading; recurring cards indicate areas where we need to pay attention.

As the week begins with the Hanged Man on Tuesday, we’re called to surrender and let go of our usual ways of thinking. This is not a time for immediate action, but rather for reflection and gaining a new perspective. With the annual solar eclipse and Libra new moon amplifying this energy, the cosmos is nudging us to pause, reflect, and reevaluate our current path. We may feel stuck or suspended, but this is an essential phase of spiritual growth. Allow yourself to be in this liminal space without resistance.

On Wednesday, the Page of Swords signals a fresh mental clarity. We’ve been in a holding pattern, but now our minds are buzzing with ideas and possibilities. Curiosity is sparked, and we feel the need to gather information, ask questions, and challenge old assumptions. The energy of the solar eclipse pushes us to rethink your approach, while the Libra new moon encourages us to balance our thoughts. Be mindful, though—this card often carries the message of acting with integrity when communicating our newfound insights.

As Thursday arrives, we again encounter the 7 of Cups, a card that appeared in our reading last week. We’re faced with a multitude of options and possibilities, but the lesson from last time remains: not everything is as it seems. There are illusions or temptations in front of us, but only one true path that aligns with our higher purpose. The 7 of Cups reminds us to ground ourselves in reality and make choices with clarity rather than fantasy. The recurring presence of this card suggests that we’re still grappling with discernment, struggling to separate wishful thinking from tangible goals.

On Friday, the Page of Cups, another card from last week’s reading, reappears. This card continues to offer us emotional growth and creative inspiration. There’s a sense that something new is budding within us—perhaps a fresh emotional connection or a creative idea that’s ready to flourish. The Page’s recurring energy asks us to open our hearts and allow our intuition to guide us. The solar eclipse may be stirring deep emotions, and the Libra new moon invites us to harmonize our inner world with our outer actions. Emotional messages could surface, possibly relating to the choices we were presented with in the 7 of Cups.

Saturday brings the difficult energy of the 10 of Swords—a clear indication that something must end. We may feel the weight of a painful closure, but remember that this card signals a necessary release. Whatever has been holding us back—whether it’s old beliefs, relationships, or emotional baggage—must be let go to make way for renewal. Though challenging, this is a moment of liberation.

By Sunday, we’re ready to look ahead with the 2 of Wands. After releasing the old, we now stand at a crossroads, ready to take the next step in our journey. This card encourages us to plan for the future, making decisions that align with our deeper aspirations. The Libra new moon energy is still strong, urging us to balance our personal ambitions with the needs of those around us.

Finally, Monday’s Justice card brings a sense of balance and karmic resolution. It’s a fitting conclusion to our week, as Justice asks us to weigh your actions and choices carefully. The eclipse energy will have revealed truths, and now it’s time to act with fairness and integrity. Justice suggests that any decisions made will have long-term consequences, reinforcing the importance of acting in alignment with our higher self.

This week’s spread, with the recurring 7 of Cups and Page of Cups, suggests that we are still working through emotional and intuitive lessons. We’re being asked to make grounded decisions and trust in our emotional wisdom as we navigate endings, new beginnings, and the search for balance.