by Paul » Fri Oct 28, 2011 5:43 pm
Bonjour Shazade :
I’ll add my two cents.
Amongst the other possible meanings of L’Hermite in the context of one’s question, I like to imagine that L’Hermite “ripens” what he regards—imagine that he is like an oak barrel ripening wine, getting deeper and more complex in bouquet. Thus, he can be the “ripener” of the Tarot, which is why he can signify a “positive crisis,” in that he illuminates moments in our life where deeper, slower understanding is forced to come about, much the same way that wine is “forced” into a barrel to ferment, etc. So, now you have the visual.
So, what is he ripening? Le Pape, which can signify a relationship, especially of the conventional sort, a committed relationship that follows scruples, rules, conventions.
Where I am headed here is that this reading may be simply confirming your question, as if to say, “Indeed, you have been and are now within a situation wherein you are ripe {L’Hermite} for a conventional and committed relationship {Le Pape}”. And, because the cards are upright, it is confirming that there is no “problem,” per se, with this objective. It is in harmony with your higher self's objective (or whatever form of spirituality one might take). I find that readings sometimes (within the Past and Present columns) confirm the question. If they were reversed, the Tarot might be highlighting that your question/your objective/your inquiry is (for lack of a better word) flawed, and thus that is where to start. But, here the concept of being ripe for a relationship is upright.
So, the “problem” or challenge, I like to rather say, is represented by La Justice (reversed). As elucidated already, the solution is La Roue de Fortune.
I would draw one visual rhyme regarding La Justice and La Roue de Fortune. It’s helpful to look for visual rhymes in the reading when cards are adjacent, above and below, or at extremities—notice the two swords (one on La Justice; one on La Roue de Fortune in the hand of the sphinx). One sword is stiff and upright, the other sword is small and tilted. What does this metaphor mean for you? You mentioned you are “picky”? I wonder if this is a metaphor confirming the need to bend a bit, take a risk, let go of some stiff and picky core beliefs limiting you in some way.
Sincerely,
Paul