The Tarot Your Guide to Tarot Mastery
Edition 9 Spring 2012
This edition’s theme is based on
the card called The Hermit.
The Hermit is not the answer. But he can help
you discover the answer within yourself.
Over the past 25 years that I’ve been reading the cards I’ve seen the desire that people have for
enlightenment. And I’ve been saddened by how often
these people jump onto the next New-Age bandwagon that promises the fulfilment of their dreams. These
people are desperately searching and clinging to the
next guru, product, or book that offers all of the answers.
They tend to try the new concepts for a while,
but rarely get the results that were promised in the
advertising. Then they give up in despair until they are entranced by the next shiny object that promises easy
enlightenment. They chase the dream, but don’t bother
doing the work involved to change their inner and outer circumstances.
The Hermit card of the Tarot tells us that to
attain success, you must climb the steps of the mountain. You need to get your core skills in place,
take action, and do something to get you where you
want to be. The steps to spiritual awakening must be
learnt through experience. You have to find your own way to bliss. Chasing the gold at the end of the
rainbow is a hollow journey.
This card calls you to remember your personal power. You can’t always control your circumstances,
but you are always in charge of the thoughts, attitudes,
behaviour, and actions you choose to take.
The Hermit stands alone and holds his lantern up high to light the path for other seekers and
travellers. He doesn’t want, or need, their company.
The Hermit does not solicit them for their praise, nor does he beckon them in order to mentor their progress.
The star in his lantern is simply to encourage
persistence and diligence in the honourable task of self-discovery.
The Hermit reminds you to make the choices
that empower you, not the ones that enslave you.
Tarot blessings,
Page 1 - Editorial
Page 2 - Book Review
Page 3 - Insights from Tarot Gurus
Page 4 - Historical Interpretations
Page 5 - Workshops & Events
Page 6 - Top 10 Reasons for Using Tarot
www.MisterTarot.com
Book Review
The New Tarot Handbook
Edition 9 Spring 2012
There’s always a sense of anticipation when I order
the latest Rachel Pollack book on Tarot. She has a
knack of finding an interesting and unique perspective
to her writing on this subject, which is often sadly
lacking in many how-to guides on this subject.
The subheading on this one is ‘Master the Meanings of
the Cards’, which is perhaps a bit ambitious for this
book, as she’s not offering a new technique for
understanding the cards. Even though her
interpretations are succinct, easy to read, and more
relevant to each card’s image than some other Tarot
handbooks, I doubt that a beginner will feel they have
gained mastery over the cards simply from reading
this book from cover to cover, but it’s a damn fine
start! But as Rachel suggests, “The Tarot is the best
teacher. Period. Just looking at the pictures, especially
in a spread, will open your mind to new ideas and your
heart to depths of feeling, even spiritual awakening.”
As you might expect from Rachel (if you are familiar
with her other texts) this book is written in a narrative
manner. She teaches through stories and the reader is
entertained while learning their way through the layers
of meanings of the cards. She has attempted to distil
over forty years of study into this beginner’s guide,
and it works very well on that level. For more detailed
explanations of the cards, and Tarot in general, you
might be better off with her previous book “Tarot
Wisdom”.
What’s new about the New Tarot Handbook? Sadly,
it’s not a lot. But, the idea of using spreads to
understand the nature of each of the suits and Major
Arcana cards is innovative and exciting, and it is why
you must have this book. Rachel explains the process
in the following way, “Each major card really presents
its own unique view of the world, so that when we do
one of these readings (using the whole deck) it’s as if
we ourselves become the Magician or the Empress or
the Fool asking about magic or passion or foolishness
in our lives.”
This concept of using a layout of cards to explain
each of the Major Arcana cards is simple, and yet
mind-blowing in its results. The questions she
suggests you ask are relevant and truly insightful—
for this alone, the book is worth the asking price.
With its modern twist, Rachel has put together a
clever and concise explanation for the interpretation
of Tarot cards. The book is interesting enough to
engage the minds of even the most experienced users
of Tarot, and it will certainly satisfy the curiosity of
beginners. It covers the basics and then directs the
reader to discover more advanced Tarot options
when they are ready.
The author begins the book with the story of how she
became involved in Tarot, and in the final paragraph
she writes about how Tarot can be applied to our
lives... “Think of the Tarot as an endless series of
doorways—seventy-eight cards with infinite
combinations. Let them become the gates to your
own wisdom.” It’s a beautiful conclusion to yet
another thoughtful and well-written book by one of
Tarot’s shining lights.
Title: The New Tarot Handbook
Author: Rachel Pollack
Published by: Llewellyn Publications
Edition 9 Spring 2012
Insights from Tarot Gurus
“Like the six-pointed star within the Hermit’s lantern, the idea of the Hermit goes in two directions; one inner, one outer. Primarily, the card means a withdrawal from the outer world for the purpose of activating the unconscious mind... The Hermit signifies the idea that only by withdrawing from the outer world can we awaken the inner self.”
- from “Seventy-Eight Degrees of Wisdom” By Rachel Pollack
“Some clients perceive the Hermit as a period of loneliness when in fact the man in this card is at peace. Quiet reflection is necessary to deepen our understanding of life. The Hermit represents a period of deliberation, whether through meditation, consulting a counsellor, taking a walk amongst nature or keeping a diary.”
- from “Tarot Masterclass” By Paul Fenton-Smith
“From another viewpoint, the Hermit is the meditative, wandering monk, the ascetic. However far our progress along the path to higher consciousness and integrity, we must periodically cycle back to this stage. We must stop, take off the trappings of our present ego involvements and become the Hermit, wandering in the wilderness in search of balance and truth. ”
- from “Tarot Symbolism” By Robert V. O’Neill
Tarot Events
28 December 2012
Melbourne, Australia
Mysticism, Gnosis and Sacred Magic:
The Spiritual Path of Meditations on the Tarot
Special guest is: Robert Powell (translator of Meditations on the Tarot)
__________________________________
9 - 11 August 2013
International Tarot Conference,
Reflection, Celebration and Revisioning
The Tarot Guild of Australia are excited
and pleased to announce the International
Tarot Conference for August, 2013.
This is followed by several ONE DAY Post-
Conference Workshops to be held on 12 & 13 August
by the international speakers.
Australian Presenters Anne Shotter - TGA founding member
Evelynne Joffe - TGA founding member
Brian Clark - Astro*Synthesis
International Presenters Caitlin Matthews
Rachel Pollack
Mary Greer
Amber Jayanti
The venue is the Augustine Centre in Hawthorn (Melbourne), so the
maximum number attending the
conference will be 150. Early Bird rates will be available soon.
See the website of the Tarot Guild of Australia for updates:
www.TarotGuild.org.au
Global Spiritual Studies
Learning experiences to nourish your soul.
www.globalspiritualstudies.com
Historical Interpretations of
The Hermit Pratesi’s Cartomancer (1750): The Old Man De Mellet (1781): The sage in search of justice. Christian (1870): He personifies experience acquired in the labors of life. The lighted lantern signifies the light of the mind, which should illuminate the past, the present, and the future. Mathers (1888): Prudence, caution, deliberation. Golden Dawn (1886-96): Wisdom sought for and obtained from above. Grand Orient (1889): Safety, protection, detachment, sagacity, search after truth. Waite (1910): Prudence, circumspection.
Edition 9 Spring 2012
Tarot Trivia
Q: which cards do not show Pamela
Colman Smith’s full signature on the
bottom right corner of the card?
The answers are at the end of this newsletter.
“Each of you has a hermitage to go inside—a place to take refuge and breathe. But this does not
mean that you are cutting yourself off from the world.
It means that you are getting more in touch with yourself.”
From “A Pebble for Your Pocket”, by Thich Nhat Hanh
“Free yourself to yield to whatever happens to you. Rise and fall with it...Here
you may be simultaneously a common man and a sage.”
Ta-ning Tao-kuan
Available now.
$29.95
Free postage
within Australia.
Tarot Gatherings
New Venue!
The Tarot Guild of Australia is sponsoring workshops in Adelaide. They are held on the last Tuesday of each month and are
run by Martha Adams, a Professional member of the Tarot Guild.
Meet like-minded enthusiasts to share, practice and discuss your favourite
spreads, decks and authors. You don't need to be a Tarot expert—all are
welcome!
For more information on each monthly event, please contact Martha on 0403 276 319 or
email: [email protected]
New Venue: The Fountain Inn (in the ‘nook’ of the pool room)
142 Glen Osmond Road, Parkside.
The booking is under Tarot Guild Group. Start time is 7 p.m.
For a state-by-state listing of monthly Tarot gatherings around Australia, see the website
of the Tarot Guild Of Australia: www.tarotguild.org.au
Learn how to combine Tarot and Palmistry in an innovative, five week
course, held once a week at Hahndorf, South Australia. Only $190
Email Trevor: [email protected]
Edition 9 Spring 2012
Tarot Made Simple a workshop with Don McLeod
Sunday 10th February from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.
Held at Cosmic Pages Bookshop 338 - 340 King William Street, Adelaide
How Tarot Works Demystifying Tarot Basic Tarot Spreads
Learn Easy Interpretations Practical & Spiritual Uses
By the end of this workshop you will feel comfortable using Tarot cards and you will have a basic
understanding of their meanings.
Only $65
Requirements: Rider-Waite Tarot Deck Bookings essential: Phone 8231 9105
Tarot Spreads
If you have already attended a
“Tarot Made Simple” workshop, or if you feel you already have a grasp of the basic concepts
of Tarot, come along to an afternoon of Tarot fun.
Only $40
Requirements: Rider-Waite Tarot Deck
Date and venue to be announced soon.
Tarot Coaching
Available for one on one sessions. Email: MisterTarot yahoo.com.au
Top 10 Reasons for Using Tarot
1) To see the past more clearly.
2) To understand the present.
3) To work out best choices in the future.
4) To understand dreams.
5) To develop your intuition or psychic abilities.
6) For personal growth and exploration of self.
7) To enhance your spiritual knowledge.
8) To help you solve problems.
9) To clarify your goals.
10) To access the unconscious mind and discover what you really want and why you want it.
With Tarot - you can do all of these! Tarot brings clarity, insight and direction when we need it.
In a Tarot reading we can be reassured that difficult situations are temporary, and through the
cards we are supplied options or steps to follow in order to bring about changes if we feel stuck.
Tarot is a way of obtaining a more meaningful perspective for past experiences. It’s for gaining
a greater understanding of present circumstances, and to gain a glimpse of future possibilities.
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Copyright on all articles in this newsletter belong
to Don McLeod unless specifically stated otherwise.
wwww.MisterTarot.com
www.TarotSecretsBook.com www.MisterTarot.blogspot.com/
Edition 9 Spring 2012
“The Tarot grows and changes as we
grow and change. Let the Tarot
discover you so that you may
discover yourself in the cards.”
- Rachel Pollack
Tarot Trivia Answer:
Q: which cards do not show Pamela Colman Smith’s full signature
on the bottom right corner of the card?
A: 9 of Swords (middle of bed), 10 of Pentacles (top right),
Knight of Wands (bottom left), The Magician (most of the
signature is obscured by the name plate at the base of the card)
Further Interpretations for The Hermit
When this card appears in a spread, the
intention of the person is to withdraw from
the world. This may be done by physically
removing themselves, but more often it’s an
emotional withdrawal from people and
activities that used to seem important.