In the Tarot Deck, the card representing Virgo is The Hermit. The Hermit is ruled by the Element of Earth and symbolizes aspects of fertility, creation and the ability to manifest ideas. It is indicative of determination...whatever needs to be done is not only accomplished, but accomplished with the highest degree of perfection possible. Determination, decisiveness and resoluteness are all qualities associated with The Hermit, but they are tempered with love, compassion and care. The Moon is the planetary ruler of The Hermit and this aligment emphasizes The Hermit at his best...when he is alone and solitary. It accents the mystery of this card since The Hermit is essentially the loner and the dreamer. He is the wayshower but, in order to accomplish his ends, must know the way himself and this inner search is, by necessity, a solitary goal. The numerological correspondent of The Hermit is nine...the number of completion and fulfillment. It is also the number indicative of service to mankind. Thus, having found his answers, The Hermit searches to give these answers to all who seek and offers a helping hand to anyone who will take it.
The Hermit is a member of the First Third of the Tarot's Major Arcana, representative of a temporary withdrawal from the world, usually as a retreat to find inner balance, as well as to analyze information and make decisions. Although committed to perfection, The Hermit is not consumed by it. Although this card signifies a wise individual, he is not particularly cherished or even well-respected. His ways are unorthodox and he is dissatisfied with the norms of society. Indeed, The Hermit makes no pretense of being either orthodox or satisfied. His ways are not for the many and because of this, he represents union at the deepest level with the seeker. If the seeker is unwilling to make this commitment, then The Hermit will just as willingly turn away and remain alone, preferring aloneness to superficial relationships. The Hermit is happy within himself...he has found his answers and the only relationship he truly needs is the one he shares through his own inner voice.
The lantern in the center of this card symbolizes the responsibility to show others the path. At the nucleus of the lantern is the sigil of the Ace of Wands, symbolic of the Hebrew letter Yod, which is the secret fire. The wheat shown in the background signifies Virgo, the symbol of fertility and abundance. The posture of The Hermit represents the shape of the letter Yod. In essence, this card is the secret fire...the fundamentals of which life is made created. The Orphic Egg and the spermatozoa are both indicative of fertility and creation...the spermatoza being symbolic of birth in the outer world and the Orphic Egg symbolizing spiritual rebirth. The three-headed dog portrayed on this card is Cerberus, Guardian of the Gates of Hell. This canine represents the ability to resist temptation...to do what is right. It is also symbolic of white magic gaining triumph over black magic.
In a Tarot reading, The Hermit denotes silent counsel coupled with the courage and maturity to do what is right. It is also indicative of the openmindedness to be willing to accept help when offered. In addition, it suggests that there should be careful planning and forethought prior to action being taken. Reversed, it indicates that the wisdom of others has been spurned...in short, the rejection of an individual's maturity. It may also suggest foolish vices and the refusal to learn or experience new things. In essence, it indicates the type of character who is a perpetual Peter Pan.
In the Kabbalah, this card is associated with the Ninth Path...the Path of Ingelligence of Will, so called because it is the means of preparation of all and each created being. It is by this intelligence that the existence of Primordial Wisdom becomes known. This path is also known as the Path of Purification. It unifies mercy with beauty, connecting the archetypical ideas of mercy and grace with the soul's point of healing sacrifice and incarnation...the code that regulates each incarnation of the soul and moulds its successive personalities. It indicates a guiding light within and enables humankind to become self-contained and self-sustaining...meaning introspection and inegrity, not isolation. It is concerned with being responsible and the act of personal freedom in order to liberate others...of truly helping without wanting to interfere or control. This path connects the Pillar of Expansion with the Central Pillar of Moderation. It stores the radiant Light of God which must be cherished until mankind as a whole decides to follow. This path demands dedication and cleansing...it calls out to an individual to find his or her center, avoid excess and function as a wise guide. This path is sometimes referred to as the Heart of Compassion, requiring a person to find inner wealth and share it with others. It symbolizes paying attention to small details, order and tideiness with the eventual goal of learning and teaching humility. The Hebrew letter is Yod, which means Sperm of God. It is the smallest of all the Hebrew letters and the only one suspended in midair, but its shape serves as the building block for all the others. In short, it is upon Yod that all other letters are formed. Yod also means "Hand," the same hand in which The Hermit holds the Light for everyone else, and is representative of service to others.
The associated Rune is Algiz...Rune of Protection and Opportunity. "Algiz" means "Sedge" and is associated with opportunity for growth, safe refuge and protection. It is representative of a successful quest, awareness, wisdom, vision and clarity. Thus, this Rune symbolizes the safe refuge of withdrawal and solitude which must be followed in order to successfully conclude an inner search for wisdom, vision and growth. Algiz illustrates both the antlers of the elk and the shape of the sedge-grass herb. It may also be suggestive of the spread fingers of a hand raised in a protective gesture. A powerful Rune of protection, in a spiritual sense, it is symbolic of reaching up to the divine. It is also indicative of success through endeavor in a search, quest or other enterprise. Algiz suggests that although the path ahead may be fraught with danger, there is no need to fear for the power of protection is within. Safety is assured provided recklessness can be kept at bay. It also indicates a favorable time for risky ventures...although all things must be built upon firm foundations. This Rune is a warning against complacency. The Runic Number of Algiz is 15. Its color is gold, its element is air and its polarity is male.
The Elk's-sedge has its home most oft in the fen.
It waxes in water, wounds grimly.
The blood burns of every man
Who makes any grasp at it.
The associated stone is the Desert Rose (sometimes referred to as Rosette), a stone usually pinkish in color with specks of silver. Other color varieties include brown, pale yellow, grey and buff. A member of the gypsum family (hydrated calcium sulfate) found in arid areas, the Desert Rose occurs in rose-shaped aggregates and often incorporates grains of sand into its make-up. It is a type of sedimentary rock known as an evaporite and is formed at the bottom of shallow bodies of saltwater containing calcium and sulfur. The Desert Rose "grows" by replacing carbonate sediment in soil overlying gypsum deposits. Although considered to be similar in properties to Rutilated Quartz, in the case of the Desert Rose, the hidden treasure is not to be found by charging ahead, but rather by seeking within. This stone is symbolic of inner worth and advises that events should be allowed to unfold in a gradual fashion without undue influence. The Desert Rose is a gentle grounding stone which clarifies thinking and mental vision. It is also believed to quiet worry, encourage practicality and bring peace to the mind, as well as being a valuable aid for such skin ailments as eczema and psoriasis.
In an anatomical sense, this care is said to rule the left upper back and sides of the body and the left lung. Other associated items include coltsfoot, camphor, walnut trees and crows, while the associated magical symbols are the lamp and the wand. The mystical art of invisibility is also associated with The Hermit. The colors of this card are greenish-yellow, greenish-grey, slate grey and plum. Some of the names by which this card is also known include Prophet of the Eternal, Magus of the Voice of Power, The Secret Seed, Way of the Keepers of Light and Law of Response. In tales of classical mythology and lore, this card is associated with Moses and his Staff, the Hand of God, the Last Supper and other mystical banquets, such as those associated with the Round Table of King Arthur in Camelot. It is also associated with the Deity Heimdall. The credo of The Hermit is "Wisdom Offered."
"I am a seeker...I seek self-knowledge and self-growth. I know when it is necessary to withdraw from the busy world around me. I know when it is important to re-enter the world so that I may interact with others. I am a guide...I am a teacher...I am a healer. I carry my lamp so that I may see the way and I hold it high so that others may follow me."
In the Tarot Deck, the card representing Mercury (the ruling planet of Virgo and one which it shares with Gemini) is The Magician. This card's Element is Gold, symbolic of the alchemist who is the original magician. It is representative of material success through perseverance, adaptability and determination. In short, The Magician is the symbol of achievement. Mercury was messenger to the Gods and is symbolic of communication. The numerological value of The Magician is one. This number is the manifestation of what was previously without form, symbolic of new beginnings, decisions and independence. It also represents the conscious mind focusing on ideas and intuitions and making them real. In short, it is representative of the energy of the initiator and leadership.
The Magician is a member of the First Third of the Tarot's Major Arcana. It is a card of creative power and duality, representing both the transformation and regeneration of life to death...and death to life. It also denotes the fine line which divides white magic from black magic. This is a power card...power whcih can be used in either a self-serving manner or in one service to the all. In order for The Magician to achieve his aims, there must be constant awareness and self-examination. This card indicates an individual who is able to discriminate between various realities and fantasies, between different points of view and yet still retain a sense of humor at life in general. The Magician represents the personal will in union with the divine will and the knowledge to create with the tools at hand. The lesson of The Magician is that there must be constant awareness and self-examination in order for an individual to achieve his or her goals.
The winged feet on this card are symbolic of Mercury and represent communication. The gold body of the figure is indicative of achievements and success, while the nakedness is representative of openness, confidence, sincerity and freedom. The smile upon the face of the figure indicates optimism and communication through humor. The crossed lines on the design of the card, being behind the figure, are symbols of freedom and liberation. The Eye of Horus at the top of the card is indicative of divine inspiration and the spreading of the divine message, while the monkey denotes flexibility and non-regulation of wisdom. The items being juggled represent the different realms of communication. The scroll indicates communication through the arts..the coins, communication through business...and fire, communication through and with the divine force. The arrow is indicative of directness in communication, while the winged egg signifies telepathy and mental communcation. The cup symbolizes sexual communication...emotions and relationships. The sword indicates logic, analysis and intellect.
In a Tarot reading, this card denotes an individual who can make the most of any opportunity that is offered...perhaps a builder of new houses or an originator of inventions or new art forms. The Magician is also symbolic of creativity within the home environment, representative of the ability to use power from above and direct it into manifestation. This card may also be indicative of organizational skills. Reversed, it indicates ineptitude and the use of power for destructive ends...perhaps even a trickster of some type. In addition, it may be indicative of failed projects and poorly constructed plans. In this reversed position, the card may also represent an individual with a learning disability or one who lacks physical coordination or some other communication-related disability.
In the Kabbalah, this card is associated with the First Path...the Path of the Trickster, also known as the Way of Magic. It is a path connecting the bright nothingness of the Crown with the materializing sphere of understanding. This path demands that personal will be manifested in addition to the will of others. The Magician is akin to a conjurer who pulls an item out of thin air. In short, it is the path of mind over matter and associated with the masters of alchemy. Those who put people or projects together and then collect a finder's fee are associated with this path...the writer, the negotiator and the orator, for example, are all associated with this road. It is here that logic rules supreme in the guise of a double-edged sword which can either destroy or hone anything to a greater clarity of understanding. Magic may be created along this path if the sword is employed in the service of the light. However, it suggests that words should be used wisely for they wield enormous power. The Hebrew letter is Beth (also known at Bet) which means House or Home. Beth denotes the transformation of what was once considered to be magic into the science of the modern day. It also represents the opposites of life and death...yet another symbol of metamorphosis and transformation. It suggests that a home or structure must be found for all personal thoughts. Words contain much creative power...a power which can be either good or bad. Thus, words must be used with reverance. The Torah begins with the letter Bet.
The associated Rune is Mannaz...Rune of Humanity. "Mannaz" means "Mankind," and "The Self" or "Inner Being." It is representative of the mind, the ego and the body. It also symbolizes devotion, kindness, consideration, charity and the willingness to change. In short, it represents the shared human nature within each individual, who in a collective sense are members of the human family and yet stand alone in life and the final journey into death. Thus, The Magician teaches that humankind possess the resources, creativity, intelligence and power to manifest personal desires. It also issues a challenge to claim birthright and destiny...and take responsibility for the choices made. Mannaz is representative of clarity of thought, tolerance and broad-mindedness. It suggests that destiny waits to be claimed but in order to achieve spirituality, an individual must balance body, mind and spirit. Everything must be embraced...good and bad alike...with total acceptance, secure in the knowledge that each new experience teaches more of life. Thus, by learning each lesson can an individual move onward and upward. The Runic Number of Mannaz is 20. Its color is deep red, its element is air and its polarity is both male and female.
A mirthful Man is to his kinsmen dear; The associated stone is Carnelian (also known as Sard), whose name comes from the Latin cornum, which means "cornel berry" or "cornelian cherry." This stone was a favorite of the Ancient Egyptians who often carved it into insignia seals because it would not stick to wax the way other materials were prone to do. Carnelian is representative of the message that love is there to be given and, in so doing, great things may be created. This stone is also said to stimulate curiosity and initiative, as well as offering protection against envy, fear and rage. It is also believed to banish emotional sorrow and possess connections to the spirit worlds. Once thought to show an individual how and where to find love, the Carnelian awakens inner passions and desires, allowing such emotions to be shared with others. In ancient times, this stone was thought to promote energy and is thus linked to the curing of fatigue. Also known as the Stone of Integrity, the Canelian was a symbol of strength and beauty to many Native American tribes, who also considered it a stone of blood ties and family unity.
Yet each one must from the others turn,
Because Odin desires by his decree
To deliver that frail flesh to Earth.
In an anatomical sense, this card is said to rule the right eye and the right ear. It is also associated with balance and sight in general. Other associated items include primroses, ash trees and monkeys, while the associated magical symbols are the wand and the caduceus. The colors of this card are yellow, purple, gray and indigo. Some of the names by which this card is also known include Magus of Power, The Messenger, Spirit of the Temple and Law of Attention. In tales of classical mythology and lore, this card is associated with Hanuman (the Hindu Ape God), Loki (of Norse folklore) and, of course, Mercury along with his Greek counterpart, Hermes. It is also associated with the Deities Heimdall, Odin and Frigg. The credo of The Magician is "Creative Power."
"I pay attention and have creative intelligence. I am master of all my tools. I am confident...I am charismatic...I am brilliant. I work miracles and I communicate. I am articulate...I am skillful...I am persuasive. I am dynamic and resourceful. I am self-reliant, focused and powerful. I am in control of my life."
As an Earth Sign, Virgo is also associated with the Tarot's Suit of Pentacles
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Much of the tarot information found on this page is taken from
"The Royal Road," a manual authored by Lady Shyra and used with
permission provided such credit is givenAll featured tarot card designs are from "The Book of Thoth" deck
designed by Aleister Crowley and painted by Lady Frieda Harris
