Contemplative Tarot - 5 of Pentacles, Queen of Cups, and The Hermit

A proud stance veils delusion; in truth, cold, injured, and alone.
Immersed in illusions, trusting dreams to unfold.
Endure an arduous pilgrimage... become a watchtower in the night.

This morning, sought insight into my mental state. Before shuffling my tarot deck, I asked for clarity to ensure that I am perceiving reality accurately. As I pulled three cards, a common theme emerged: delusion and the importance of attending to reality.

The first card, the Five of Pentacles, portrays an alley behind a church, where two homeless people struggle to keep warm on a gray and snowy afternoon. One figure is huddled under a patched blanked, her hand out in forlorn hope for charity from a passerby. Nearby, a veteran who has lost a leg and an eye stands proudly, his once-grand uniform now in tatters. With a fashionable mustache and relying on a makeshift crutch, he appears ready to depart. There are no passersby to offer help, leaving them alone to face the cold and death. Can the standing man find meaning or purpose in his hardships? And if he knows where help may be available, will he have the courage to ask for it?

The second card is altogether different. The Queen of Cups dwells in a fantasy, crowned with an ornate tiara and enthroned upon a majestic shell, resembling the one in Botticelli’s Birth of Venus. The pink glow inside the shell mirrors the ethereal hue of the setting sun. The scene is alive with bright clouds, crashing waves, a sandy beach strewn with starfish and other treasures, ghostly seals singing like children waiting to be born, and the cry of seagulls. Wrapped in luxurious robes, one hand touching her own heart, the queen is absorbed in gazing at a veiled cup that glows with untold visions and promises. Yet she does not remove the veil, choosing hopeful anticipation over the potential disappointment of reality. The queen of this card is the mirror image of the hopeless woman in the first card, neither one able to take action.

Lastly, The Hermit beckons me to action and self awareness. A gray figure with a long white beard and wearing a tattered robe stands at the summit of the Mountain of Knowledge under the starless sky of a moonlit night. His staff now bears a red feather that emphasizes his crimson footwear. Holding a lantern high, he gazes down at the city he came from. What do the red feather and red shoes signify? Has the arduous trek up the mountain reshaped his character? Does he now have practical wisdom to impart to others? Can he forge a meaningful life for himself?

These cards deliver a clear message, urging me to confront reality, take action in response to adversity, and embark on arduous but rewarding journey. May the Holy One of Blessing guide me as I navigate the labyrinthine passages of life, trusting that she will bestow blessings and wisdom along the way.