An exploration of the inner homunculus
The Major Arcanum number 9 or IX is the Hermit, often depicted as an old man holding a bright lantern into the darkness.
This "old man" vibe is best seen in the Morgan Greer Tarot. The background is simplistic. Dark blue night seems to be falling down from the sky, while the man stands in a wanderers cape on a lonesome rock. He sports a long white beard, not something I could easily identify with. He supports his worn-out frame on a Wand (my birth suit!) And inside his lantern is an actual yellow star that shines brightly. The Hermit is usually associated with being wise and a recluse.
These characteristics are very apparent in the classic Rider-Waite-Smith (RWS) deck, and also in all of its many clones (including the Morgan Greer) and many other decks that follow the RWS tradition more or less closely. While the reclusive nature of the Hermit really appeals to me, the old man image never really left my mind. However, the Hermit ist neither old nor necessarily male:
The Deviant Moon deck, created by the marvelous creepy artist Patrick Valenza shows a creature huddled under what appears to be a bridge. The figure seems more Gollum than human; the sex is impossible to identify. The first image I got from this card was "madness" or "insanity". This person is not a recluse by choice: society would never accept this naked being into its bosom. The nakedness is a sign in itself: instead of understanding and applying the rules of society, this Hermit is naked. He (or she) blatantly broadcasts his (or her) insanity and flaws, making him an outcast.
Gollum (which I choose to call this particular Hermit) has more characteristics than just madness, though. His toenails are painted red, as are his lips. These I would understand as rebellious acts against the oppression Gollum faces. Next to Gollum lie a half-eaten skullfish and in the background we see a factory spilling harmfull substances up to the waning moon. The imagery is forceful, the solitude of the Hermit at the same time an exile and freedom from the toxicity of the life others lead. I really love the style Patrick used to create this card.
In the Romantic Tarot, illustrated and colored by Giulia Massaglia, the Hermit features more classic imagery. While the Hermit isn't old (more middle-aged) he is male, sports a beard, and holds a lantern. However, this is were the similarities end. Instead of standing on a lonesome rock, this Hermit is fully integrated into society. He has a house, his own study with pictures (of his family?) and wears normal clothes. He is only a reclus at twilight, when he has a few hours of contemplation to himself. He enjoys these hours spent only in his own mind, and can later rejoin his family and friends. This is a quieter, less bold and less defined interpretation of the Hermit card. While I do like the peaceful tone of this card, I still believe the Hermit was not entirely represented in this deck.
The Alice Tarot by Baba Studio, which is quirky, crazy and flawless, shows the Fake Turtle posing as the Hermit. In the original Alice books, the Fake Turtle is a lonesome, perpetually crying turtle with the head of a cow who unwillingly shares her life story to anyone willing to listen long enough. This Hermit is a Hermit by nature, by fate and by choice. Everything in the Fake Turtle is reclusive, even her head can be drawn back into her body! I really love this interpretation, because it gives a new, fresh light to the Hermit. This representation is nearly comic and quite interesting.
The Twin Peaks Tarot features the agoraphobic character of Harold Smith. In the show, he hasn't left his home in years and prefers to stay inside with his collection of flowers that he treats like family. He is quite mad and mentally unstable. This interpretation of the Hermit, while similar to that in the Deviant Moon tarot, puts a lot of emphasis on the "weakness" of someone pushed out of society. While the Deviant Moon Hermit could be violently crazy, Harold Smith is definitely more likely to self-harm than to attack someone else. Also, his mental instability is something tangible; he is not consistent in his madness, but rather shy and fluctuating, making him a less strong Hermit. That being said, this Hermit knows a lot; he has secret knowledge about the life and death of the series' protagonist, Laura Palmer. Also, he appears quite intelligent and might be an autistic savant, making this a unique twist on the Hermit.
The Hermit in the Prisma Visions Tarot is a remote figure crossing a moonlit bridge over a beautiful, sparkling river. Not much can be seen of the man (or woman) himself, however, much can be deduced by looking at the surroundings. Holding a stick, he is walking alone at night, through a forest, enjoying the quiet. he might be a traveller, or he might be in a state of trance or meditation. His knowledge is the grasping of the deep ties of humanity with nature, and his goal is complete unity. That makes him a wise being, that every student might hope for.
The Hermit as a Homunculus
A homunculus is usually defined as a fully formed miniature human, sometimes believed to reside inside our brains. What if, then, the brain was ruled by a little homunculile Hermit, residing on another level of our consciousness? The Hermit is the madness in us, the recluse, the social reject. But also the remote teacher we look up to, the certain knowledge that we can get out of the darkness, and into the light, all on our own. The idea of having a second, little "me" inside of my brain at first appears strange and frightening - but it also makes some sense. At least to me.What do you think?
Blessings and balance ~
Peachess
No comments:
Post a Comment