XIII – DEATH TAROT

Have you thought about what it means to live lately? Finding myself in a transitional point in my life, better known as a turning point, I can say that I have been. There have been some pretty interesting turns in my life as of late, most of which are too personal to post on a public domain. Ever since the passing of the Mercury retrograde, I have felt things pick up bit by bit. With the last few struggles of the retrograde, the transition into a balanced life has been nothing short of stressful.
 And then there are the more obvious reasons, the change of othe season and of fashion.

So what’s going on? What should you know about this season, and how does it tie into the Death card in tarot?


December is a time in which cycles are ending. The year, projects from that year, associations, and anything that concerns the past. A new year promises new friends, hopes, opportunities, cycles, events, and turning points. This is the best time in which image makeovers are carried out, as well as the notorious time for resolutions to be act on in the New Year. People tend to write resolutions that they seldom follow through to the end of the year, but it’s the start of the journey that makes a difference for them. 


OLD AND NEW.

The Old Year stands for moving away from ideas, lifestyles and people. This is a sign that things won’t be the same ever again, mostly because all stages pass — unless of course you’re really bad at a video game… The Old Year is best left forgotten with the past, but with the teachings held in high regard still.


The New Year stands for a new life. It is shiny, unexplored, exciting. There’s no NO in the New Year, just plans and dreams that have yet to be accomplished.

 Doesn't that sound really good? The Death card, like the Moon card, often has many associations to the Egyptian culture. They are, after all, the masters of death and the grand architects of the ancient world. When it comes to productivity, the ancient civilizations put us to shame! Regardless of how rudimentary their lifestyle seems to many, they were quite advanced in their knowledge and lifestyle.

In an Egyptian sense, the Death card speaks of what happens after a cycle ends; whether it is physical, emotional, mental, or a combination of the aforementioned. Many decks illustrate Death as a being made of bones, half in this world and half not, that comes to collect the souls of those whose time is up. While in some cases it is a very accurate portrayal, I hold the romanticized world of tarot in contempt thanks to this card.

The Death card has been abused for years in the media. Countless movies use it to scare people away from tarot, claiming that they will die in x or y amount of days. Oooh, spooky! I resent how negative they make the practice feel. It isn’t right to give a negative reputation to a practice that you don’t necessarily agree with. People are in no way forced to agree with the tarot and its practice, but it really bugs me that they try to ruin it for those that are interested and that do believe in it.

In the end, it is an individual choice whether or not to invest time and energy in tarot.



CARD MEANING:

The Death card is a card about transformation. Its meaning will depend on the cards that lie around it in a spread, but it generally speaks of ending cycles. Once you’re done with something, the point is to really let go of the situation and allow it to work out on its own. I see that a lot of people are very clingy to their materials, emotions, and lifestyle. In order to find peace of mind, sometimes it is required to let things flow freely. I must remind you that resistance generates pain.



The Death card is an assurance that things will never be the same. The good thing about changes like these is that there is a promise of starting over. However, the people involved need to be willing to sacrifice the past in order to make way for the present. As much as it hurts to let go, sometimes you just have to do it.

Do you have any personal impressions of the Death card that you would like to share with me? Please comment below with your thoughts!
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LE JEU DU DESTIN ANTIQUE

It's finally here! After days of a very seemingly endless wait, Le Jeu du Destin Antique has finally arrived! I felt strangely as if I was fretting a long lost old friend. Maybe I had been searching without finding the right companion until this point in time? The packaging appeals to me in color and illustration style, although it is irritatingly small. These cards are tiny, sized as traditional playing cards were. The illustrations are beautiful; I wish they were bigger so I could get lost in them!



As I look through the cards, I realize that Le Jeu du Destin Antique is not a standard Lenormand. Instead, it is a regular cartomancy deck. The cards have astrological references in them as will as some smaller illustrations featuring different types of mythological creatures or animals. I elf them in my hands for so long that I just want to break into them to better understand the system! Even if it isn't a Lenormand, I know that I can learn a lot from this form of cartomancy. Who says they can't go together?

I attempted a Lenormand style spread between lovers and found it to be very blunt. However, as honest as the reading was, I felt that the definitions of the book were definitely outdated. They weren't broad enough to make sense of! Le Jeu du Destin Antique speaks about marriage, marriage, marriage; nowadays, it's really more like relationships, relationships, relationships. Back then, people got married without knowing one another as the norm. Nowadays, while I am sure that still happens, people at least take more precaution in getting to know their significant others before they commit to a marriage — at least that's what I hope. I contemplated the notion further, then decided to put the book away and to pursue answers intuitively — after all, I'm a professional tarot reader!

The deck mostly concerns matters of money and romance amongst people. Thrilled with my new discovery, I jumped right back into the game and tried out a new spread. Shuffling around a few times, I was very pleased with the results, and at times even spooked! For such a small deck, witnessing its wise fortune telling was very impressive. I feel as if I have been igniting my passion for exploration once more! With the coming journeys in lenormand and oracles, I am going to be a very busy bee at the start of 2012! Envisioning a combination of all the types of cards is promising! I can feel the divine waters of inspiration flowing freely now, just wait until you see what's coming up!

PROS AND CONS:
♡ Fast and direct results. If you want to know about your relationships with others and where they stand, this is definitely an appropriate deck. You don't need to bother with otherworldly or otherwise introspective situations.

♥ The cards are way too small! You could barely appreciate the illustration's symbolic nature. Since there aren't very many of them, this makes the deck nearly impossible to shuffle unless you mix them up face down over the table. Not an  advocate of cardstravaganza myself!

♡ Packaging. The box is so pretty that it makes my day to see it on my workspace. The plus side to it being so small is that I don't feel the clutter. The bad side is that I really can't appreciate the details, which I am always so fond of! It's the little things that count.

♥ The definitions are outdated. The cards speak of marriage, marriage, marriage as if it's the law. They don't call this deck antique for nothing! Granted, you are going to give your own intuitive spin to it; however, I like it when I feel that I am interviewing a deck. It is a process of discovery with each  card, getting acquainted with the personality and tone of the deck. This is so important, too!

♡ It's an unexplored field. Even if it doesn't fit into the tarot or lenormand category, this deck is still an oracle for divination. I appreciate is as such.

Ever since I started blogging for the Psychic Bazaar, I realized just how much I enjoy collecting decks and sharing my opinion about them. I have compiled a wish list that I plan to cross out item by item. You can expect some lengthy introspection about elements of a deck that make it and break it for me! If you're curious to check out the decks that may be popping up soon, you may check the wish list.

When I evaluate a deck I focus not just on what the artwork is saying, but also the manner in which it says it. Everyone's got their own rules of criteria for what a divination deck should and shouldn't do. It would be really rockin' to hear what you guys have got to say about certain decks as well! Discussion, as always, is greatly encouraged!

I consider myself lucky to receive messages daily inquiring about metaphysics and deck recommendations. Although I don't like to admit it, over the year I have become the preferred oracle of many. That is both an honor and an issue! Thank you so much for reading. You are appreciated!
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PSYCHIC BAZAAR

My first impression of the Psychic Bazaar was very positive. I didn't even realize that they had started out this year! The brand is sleek and nicely translated in the layout of the web site. You can get a sense of mysticism, hidden knowledge, astrological influence, and the studious teachings of alchemy from it. Let's face it; I'm a nut for anything that is whimsical with darker undertones, particularly hidden knowledge. My initial reaction was I want to get involved! I left a comment on their blog and e-mailed them, only to wake up to a response the next day. I love a community that is tech savvy and backs the words up with actions! This is a huge plus for them because their customers will feel valued and cared for. They have Facebook and Twitter, and provide really fast e-mail responses. Check them out!




Psychic Bazaar was created because with a love for all things mind, soul and spirit. We live in a world where people are too focused on the material: money and the body, and don’t spend enough tending to their own mind, soul and spirit, or those of the people around them. Exploring these areas wonderful way to spend time. Many of the products are very special, beautiful, enchanting and powerful works of creativity that can touch us in places we forgot about, and provide a new perspective that can be illuminating and refreshing. The Psychic Bazaar wants to create the same experience for people online. Not everyone is within easy reach of a good mind, soul and spirit shop, and so not everyone gets to see, first hand, the wonderful selection of decks, crystals, pendula, books, music, etc. available.

As of 11/11/11, I have started guest blogging for Psychic Bazaar! It all came together sweetly. James Legett from the staff offered me a pick at any of the decks from their selection. Ecstatic, I jumped back into the site and browsed for a deck that would be fitting for me and the style of readings that I provide. I noticed a tendency to enjoy looking at dark themed cards more, but to read the colorful cards more clearly. After scanning through all of my options, I found that the Morgan Greer deck called to me. In less than two hours of communication, James e-mailed me to confirm that the deck was on its way! Yay!

The first thing I noticed about the Morgan Greer as I got acquainted with my cards that it is incredibly easy to read. It is also really beautiful to look at! The colors are really bright and vivid, and that is what makes it the most appealing to me. The fact that all the scenes are so close to the reader makes them very personal. Instead of whispering knowledge to you, they yell it. This is a great deck for quick and direct readings, it goes right to the point when you need it. I felt as if it had been waiting for me to pick it up all along! Don’t be fooled by the happy colors, though… this tarot deck can bite! I spent a few nights sleeping with it under my pillow, shuffling it at random, looking into the cards, and generally getting better acquainted. When the time felt right, I laid out the Annual Review spread and started working with it.



After two weeks of getting acquainted with the community and the dynamics of posting, I have met a lot of talented tarot enthusiasts. It has been exciting to have intellectual exchanges, however brief, with like minded individuals that seek hidden knowledge as well as their higher selves. The Psychic Bazaar fan base is steadily growing, show some support!
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11:11:11

WHAT IS IT ABOUT REPEATED DIGITS THAT CATCHES OUR ATTENTION?
In the world of metaphysics, double dates stand for portals opening and manifesting. These portals unblock and activate various types of energy, which in turn cause many turning points in the universe. These are times of action and opportunities to unblock the energy that you feel has been holding you back. Your life is witnessing significant changes that intensify in this important date. Most psychics have published broadcasts focusing on world events, particularly in the financial status of the economy. I respect said broadcasts, but prefer to focus on matters of emotions and social influences. By extension, I see 11:11 as a chance to turn things around for the better, and as an opportunity for advances in self-empowerment.

Since 11:11 falls under the Sun in Scorpio, there are physical manifestations of mystery and of underlying emotions. As such, situations without proper closure are those that resurface and come to your attention. It is a chance to close off some chapters that have not yet concluded. Scorpios are water signs, which makes them changeable as well as emotional. Scorpios have a tendency of keeping to extremes; extremely shy, outspoken, serious, charismatic (and attention-seeking,) pretentious, and brooding. The one suggestion I have in dealing with this Scorpio energy is to evade their wrath at all costs. A scorned Scorpio is worse than an enraged Aries (ram) or charging Taurus (bull).

Speaking of bulls, it is worth mentioning that the full moon in 18º 04  Taurus is on 11:11. This makes the enigmatic energy of Scorpio aggressive and headstrong as well as stable. It signifies a time to talk about matters that have been placed in secondary importance with your partners. Due to the nature of the energies flowing, those conversations might be heated and passionate, but the resolution that they bring is satisfying.They just might take a while to adjust to.

If you haven't already noticed, the Age of Aquarius brings with it free thinkers and clairvoyants in high numbers. All the changes of the past decades have been building up to the present moment. Metaphysics have gone from being totally obscure in the past few years to being widely accessible in bookstores as well as on the internet. While the practice isn't popular, it is more common to see teenagers and college students studying the teachings of the tarot and other fortune-telling mediums. Business men and women seek financial advice from tarot readers, and so do various other demographic groups. People are seeking knowledge and enlightenment, to spread out the truth, and to reach new bounds after sacrificing ideas from the past and deeming them as obsolete.

SO WHAT CAN YOU EXPECT AT 11|11|11 11:11 A.M. AND P.M.?
Keywords for this day include: foresight, speaking, divinity, healing, empowerment, dreams, sacrifices, and water energy. If you are looking to unblock the flow of energy, this will be the time to do it.
Wishmaking: It is ideal to have a candle lit adorned with pictures and petitions.
Sacrifices: Offer something in return for the benefits you seek. Make it count!

Changes don't come immediately. They take time to manifest and develop. Remember that!

IN THE DAY:
Attract. Use the warm energy of the sun in Scorpio to ask for meaningful changes at 11:11 A.M. Employ the use of a white candle, sweet spices, photos and a list of petitions. You may ask for energies to be unblocked, for stages to end and new cycles to commence. Ask for blessings, give blessings, and wish for your aspirations to come true quicker.

DURING THE NIGHT:
Distance. Use the cool full moon in Taurus to spring aggressive changes into effect on 11:11 P.M. This includes distancing toxic relationships and problematic people from your life. Employ the use of a black candle, tangy and bitter spices, photos and a list of petitions. Ask for people who are causing you difficulties, enemies, rivals, and other unwanted energies to leave your life in peace.

I recommend forgetting about financial endeavors on a day of such magnitude. Focus instead on the other areas of your life that are in need of a little attention. Friends, family, love, forgiveness, and the sense of belonging. In the end, we are all trying to define and reach our higher purpose. If you don't know where you're moving to next, now would be a good time to find which direction you are moving in. At a time in which everyone needs someone to talk to, it is best to consider what else can be done. If you're not happy with the way things have been going, then take this time of reflection to formulate on a new plan.

FOR THOSE OF YOU LEARNING THE TAROT...
11:11 is a physical manifestation of the X. Wheel of Fortune card. The Wheel of Fortune presents events of divine origin that bring with them erratic and yet wonderful changes. This is a massive turning point that will be witnessed and celebrated worldwide, which makes it of a very powerful magnitude. The wheel stands for the rise and fall of fortune, with one final conclusion: What goes around comes around. It's a change that happens without explanation or logic, but it brings with it great joy. Sometimes you have to accept that you don't have control over the situation, and that things will work out as they should on their own. The situation shows movement and changes, whether be good or bad.
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BEST OF SAMHAIN 2011

Much like last year's Best of Samhain 2010, I have scoped through Facebook and blogs in search of the best Halloween costumes. Here are the best looks that I found. Enjoy!

AND THE VISIONARIES ARE...
(1) Gala Darling Blogger and self-love revolutionary!
(2) Aless Cruz Graphic designer and loyal friend!
(3) Tsukuyi Ochida Frightful costume mastermind!

WIN A FREE TAROT READING!

I'm very excited to announce the launch of my independent tarot consultation business, Leelahel! It launches officially on October 31st, 2011. You may have spotted the new 'Fortune Telling' category on the far right navigation and in the Tarot section of this blog, which I am in the process of designing a custom 'Buy Now' button for. It's really exciting that I can finally take my tarot skills to a new level by making them readily available for my readers.

From now on, you will have the opportunity to hire me for a private tarot consultation through Skype, e-mail, or on the phone. You may choose time frames of 15 minutes, 30 minutes, or 01 hour. It depends on what you feel that you need. Please make sure you book an appointment with me beforehand. I like to plan my days at least a week prior, even though I am aware that things change a little.



I OFFER THE FOLLOWING SERVICES:
♡ Annual Review—A full and detailed look into your projections for the next 12 months, complete in information and projections. This is good if you want a general idea of how the next year will go for you, and so you can be aware of a few highlights and surprises coming along the way!
♡ Business Consultation Review—A detailed look into any new business projects that you have. I am very wise in the world of finance and investments and I have a clear way of finding business strategies and ideals. This reading is intended for helping your business grow, re-define itself or open itself to new demographics. You will be talked to about everything from brand experience to consumers. You will be surprised!
♡ Love Connections—A heart-shaped spread that sheds insight on how both people involved feel, and what the projections for that relationship are. This reading focuses on what you are bringing into the relationship, what you expect from it, and what you're actually going to be getting. What is neat about this reading is that it shows the results for each person side by side and can be compared.

Other than that, the next announcement is one that I am very excited about! After giving it some thought, I have decided to host a contest on Samhain Moon to honor its first anniversary. I also want to honor my readers, so I am offering 1 out of 3 chances to win a free tarot reading for yourself and a selected friend!

TO ENTER THE CONTEST, PLEASE DO THE FOLLOWING:
♡ Leave a comment on this entry to apply.
♡ Tweet/share this entry on Facebook/Reblog it on Tumblr.
♡ Repeat any of the above more than once over the next few weeks.

Winners will be announced on October 31st, the day of the Samhain Moon anniversary! I can't wait to find out who it will be!

WINNERS:
♡ The reading may be through Skype, e-mail, or on the phone.
♡ The reading will last anywhere from 15-25 minutes, depending on how immersed we get in the reading.
♡ May pick one other person to receive a free tarot reading with me at their own convenient date. (Appointment required previous to reading.)
♡ Will have any special talents or artwork featured on my Samhain Moon.
♡ Will have the chance to have their feedback/testimonial displayed on Samhain Moon.

TOXIC RELATIONSHIPS

LETTING GO OF MEDIOCRE FRIENDS:



The changes that have taken place in my life as of late have been pretty severe, just as the 12 month spread predicted. I've always known that I haven't made the best choices when it comes to letting people into my closest circle of friends. Often times I have focused on letting people in and giving them the best of me, without really putting thought into if the relationship will be healthy or toxic to me.



FRIENDSHIP:
♡ Is not just about you. Unconsciously, people forget that friends don't necessarily have all the time or the energy needed to invest in listening to your intricate details. Sometimes, a summary of the situation is enough, especially after a detailed introduction to the situation. Keeping it brief will give your friend the feeling that you're not just using them as your personal psychologist or walking diary.

♡ Requires maintenance. A similar event to the watering of a plant to keep it alive. Both sides must be willing to fill each other in on happenings without overwhelming each other. The nurturing should be mutual or neutral. This means an equal effort to see each other or keep in touch. It feels idealistic to a slight degree, but when a friendship is neglected, it wilts regardless of how solid the connection.

♡ Time changes things. Sometimes beautiful relationships blossom and stretch for long periods of time, but it is likely that after a long period of inactivity, those relationships change into something else. It's out of your control, and it just happens.

♡ People aren't accessories. It's not okay to keep someone around for how good you look with them, how much you can get out of them, or how much they're willing to give to you. It's easy to get lost in the idea that only the people that make sacrifices for you are worth it. If you're not willing to sacrifice anything for them in return, chances are that you should re-analyze the dynamics of those you hold closest to you.



THE TRUTH ABOUT TOXIC RELATIONSHIPS:
Sometimes you don't realize the burden of the emotional baggage that your friends load onto you until you're irritated. Many times it is unintentional, but I have found that many expect their friends to sacrifice time and effort for them. Additionally, once they are done, they are not willing to do the same. When you care for someone, you're not likely to want to believe that they are not as healthy for you to keep around as you think. Chances are that you don't even realize how bad they are for you until after you flush them out of your system. It's not okay for people to take advantage of others for the skills and benefits that they can reap from friendship and relationships. I find that this tendency steadily increases in popularity, and it worries me.

It's really annoying when someone doesn't bother to keep in touch with you for months, and is suddenly super buddy-buddy with you in exchange for a gain or benefit. Having a secret agenda of things that you want to get out of someone is not true friendship, that's taking advantage of someone. It's okay if that person is otherwise immersed in a life full of responsibilities, work, other friends, and spouses to look after, especially long distance. Still, don't tell me that you magically remember someone at the very moment when they can conveniently help you with something that you want. Memory isn't that selective, and even the must undisciplined friendships don't slip this long without at least a short text message. Friends aren't tools, and you can't stow them away and forget about them until they are convenient or useful again.



DEALING WITH A TOXIC RELATIONSHIP:
Burning bridges isn't wise. A more sensible way of dealing with your toxic friends is to make a conscious effort to remind them that they need to invest a little effort into keeping in touch. It doesn't matter how busy your working life or your social life is. If you care about someone, you should let them know. Even a silly little instant message, text message, or e-mail work wonders sometimes. It doesn't mean that you need to make it a chore of going down the list of friends to report back it, it's more of a conscious effort to let people know that even though you're busy, you still care about them.

If you're looking to cut loose from someone that is draining your energy, I don't suggest bluntly stating "you're using me" right off the bat. Sometimes the truth hurts and friends lash out when you tell them the uncomfortable truth. It's amazing how people expect you to digest everything down to borderline sugarcoating the message, but I've found that not everyone is capable of handling the truth. Even less when the unbalanced dynamic has been going on for years. Discrete hints should do the trick. If they don't pick up after a steady dose, they probably don't want to or are too oblivious to notice. That's not your responsibility, though.

Writing this article has brought me a lot of clarity on what I should continue to do, and I hope it does the same for my readers as well. My friends are my treasure.

Credit goes to Gala Darling and Nubby Twiglet for the pictures!
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MY TRIP TO JAPAN

Today marks one full year since my first trip to Tokyo, Japan. I didn't get the chance to blog about that trip on Samhain Moon because it hadn't launched yet, but I've been anticipating this post because I meant for it to evaluate the influence that this trip had in my life. In other words, I will look into how a journey to Tokyo changed my life.



A LOOK INTO MY MINDSET BEFORE:The trip to Tokyo came at a turning point in my life in which I was still reeling from a break-up that happened in August. Desperately trying to forget about it, but couldn't. Additionally, I was nervous about my career because Puerto Rico could not provide me with the same employment opportunities that I knew I could gain in the U.S.A. Having just graduated college, I was terrified of the thought that after 4 years of sacrifice, I wouldn't find a job to help me pay back my debts. One week before the trip, I landed a job as a graphic designer for Encuentros Mágicos. This job has kept me sane through the remainder of the year. Needless to say, I was a bit of an emotional wreck at the time! Usually,  an emotional crisis is a sheer indicative of the need for a change of scenery or a change in personality.



GETTING THERE:
Getting to Japan was a journey in itself. An unusual number of mishaps happened. I remember crying at least half of the plane ride to Tokyo Narita from LAX, Los Angeles. I was going to a foreign country by myself and I had no clue what to expect. I was so rattled by the fact that I knew there was a higher purpose to this trip, and calmed down when the excitement of this new adventure presented itself.

TOKYO, JAPAN:
That first day in Japan went by impossibly fast. I felt so small and so lost in a world that seem to operate by itself. When I got to my room, I was so tired that I didn't bother eating. Instead, I took a long bath and then wrote a massive diary entry before I went to sleep. The next day I woke up at 5 A.M. Tokyo time, did some research, and headed out to explore the streets at 9 A.M. Everything seemed to come alive as if by magic. My first visit was to the Meiji Temple in Shibuya, followed by exploring the Takeshita Dori, also known as "boxed street".



I'll always remember my very first metro train ride in Tokyo. I was on the way to Shibuya using the Yamanote JR from the Shimbashi Station, and the realization that I was living one of my wildest dreams dawned on me. I was in Japan for two weeks, the opportunity of a lifetime! Fate took a turn for the ironic when I heard the speaker say, "we are now approaching... Tamachi. Tamachi." There I was, miles from home and trying to forget about my x-boyfriend Tama[Shi] aka J, and the train mockingly announced that an alternate spelling of his name was my next destination. Seconds later, I started to cry in front of everyone else in the train. Not a day passed that I didn't think of him, because I took the same train ride every day.

In my visit to the Meiji Temple, I exercised prayer for the first time in years. I asked for changes in my life, for the grace of love, and for my grandmother's health. 15 minutes of silent prayer, and the whole rest of the day in contemplation—it isn't very hard when no one speaks your language!





The time away from home allowed me to find the clarity that I needed to battle out my obstacles. I immersed myself in Japanese culture and nothing but. Everything in sight was appealing to the senses, shopping was great, and so were the sights. At the very end of my voyage I met Almond. Born in Germany, attending college in Japan. We had a lot of fun, further exploring the streets together. Thanks to him, I was able to eat something substantial and share my experience in Japan with someone else, however brief. In reality, we just spent two days together. Thanks to this trip, I had a high sense of purpose and the motivation that I had previously lacked to pick up my life and move on! On the bus back to the airport I reflected on how much two weeks could impact a person, and I made a list of immediate things I could recognize about myself that had changed. I was humbled by how much I learned, just being by myself. I healed!



To this day, I still have dreams of Japan.
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IX. THE HERMIT

THE LIFE OF A HERMIT:

This entry could hardly be more appropriate to write, since I am doing so at 5 A.M. under candlelight in sheer darkness. The night was stormy, and it looks as if the grey tones of melancholy will stretch on during the day.

The life of a hermit isn’t the same compared to the life of a villain. It is, however, similar to the life of a “lone wolf” of sorts. I’ve noticed that in general, people like to travel/live their lives in groups. These units may exchange members regularly, but the common rule is that two is better than one. Sometimes it is unacceptable or even frowned upon in some groups if one person decides to move on through his or her own. Socially speaking, doing things by yourself is sometimes unacceptable. People shy away from the notion of being seen eating by themselves or running into acquaintances at the mall while being unattended. The state of being lonely is undesirable because of what others could think: You have no friends, or you’re a hard ass that no one can stand to be around.

And yet, there are a few that don’t mind going alone to have a beer; to breakfast, lunch or dinner; to run errands; and to watch a movie. These can be known as hermits.

The aspects of hermits that I am looking to focus on are: their comfort in solitude, their intellect and the secrets they have to show us. The lifestyle they lead. A hermit doesn't need a posse to back up his or her notions, and actions by extension. They don't allow themselves to be influenced too easily by others. In fact, the definition of hermit I'm trying to clarify generally describes a person that will listen to opinions and advice intently, and then will take it as simply an influence. They won't necessarily adopt it, but they may very well consider it. They stand against indoctrination in general. Joining the masses is not necessarily desired or frowned upon. In many aspects they remain impartial to those groups as long as they are not affiliated and directly associated.

[ While I agree with the notion of keeping a ‘social balance’, I can also admit that I am most comfortable when in solitude. As I have mentioned here and here, I can think more clearly when no one else is around. Outward influences in my life are important, “sticking to myself generates authenticity.” ]

In terms of tarot, the Hermit turns away from society to seek the enlightenment within. He cares little of what others think because he knows that he holds the truth, and that his secrets are meaningful to the world.
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