The Moon and the Hermit

The Moon card in tarot shows two dogs on land baying at the moon and a crayfish crawling out of the sea. The card number is 18 that reduces to 9 (1+8). Number nine in numerology often relates to karmic influences. 

The dogs represent animals - animal instincts - irrational emotions that are stirred in the presence of moonlight, a cosmic force beyond our comprehension or control. 

The crayfish does not belong in the dry land. It is a creature of the deeps. It lives in deep waters. Water is both scientifically and metaphysically the source or origin of life; here, it represents past lives. The water is pulled by the moon. The past lives are pulled into our unconscious. The moon triggers old memories, unconscious feelings, often strange, unrecognizable reactions that come not only from our present life but also from the many other lives we have lived. Often around full moon, many people experience uneasy, upsetting emotions that are not easily understood.  

Moonlight has a soul purpose in bringing these remnants from the past into the present. We may not comprehend or have conscious awareness of these links and pieces of the puzzle that we are. We can only remain receptive to the influence of the forces that guide or overwhelm us at different times.

This is a time of limited light or darkness. Sunlight is missing. The Sun represents our Soul, the constant force that powers us, the blazing brilliance that shines through us all. The Moon represents the ever changing Mind with its myriad forms, its rhythmic rising and falling. Both have a purpose. One rules the day, the other night. While the mind is affected by all kinds of influences, the Soul remains unaffected. The Moon has no light of its own. It shines by reflection, unlike the Sun which generates its own light through fusion, by drawing on the cosmic source of energy. The Soul directs; the mind only reflects. 

The Hermit card is given the number 9. It shows us a way through the darkness. The Moon card itself gives us a hint of this way - the narrow path originating from the sea where the crayfish is surfacing and through the land where the animals are howling, right up to the top of a mountain in the distance. We have to make a difficult journey, we have to rise from the depths of despair to the top of the mountain of wisdom.

So what does the Hermit tell us to do? It says, when the Sun is hidden, we can light a lamp. Knowledge is the light of the lamp. It will guide us in the dark. It will help us reach the top of the mountain. The Hermit also shows us that we need to make this journey alone and without any baggage. Just like a hermit gives up all material possessions on his solitary pursuit, we must leave behind the burdensome expectations, the unrealistic desires, the illusions of our chaotic life below and seek higher ground. All we need to carry in this journey is our inner strength (represented by the staff the Hermit carries) and knowledge (the lamp). 

This is the way through the moonlight, a time of darkness that we often cannot make any sense of. Remember, as they say, it is always darkest before dawn. We must hope for the dawn, keep our eyes focused on it. The Sun will never fail us. Trust the Sun to always enlighten our tomorrows, to not only shine the light but also make our burdens light.