“He is not unknown to me, this traveler; many years ago he passed through here. His name was Zarathustra, but he was transformed.”
The name of this card is called “l’hermite” in French. It can be translated as “the hermit” in English. If you notice any translation errors in this article, please let us know for our entire community. You can leave your comment at the bottom of this page.
In the Marseille Tarot, the Hermit card depicts a lonely old man holding a lantern, walking with a staff in a wilderness. It is a card that evokes solitude, reflection, wisdom and inner knowing. The hermit is a symbol of the search for truth and inner wisdom. He is the wise man who withdrew from the world to concentrate on his own spiritual development. It represents the quest for knowledge and personal wisdom, as well as voluntary isolation to achieve this goal. The lantern held by the hermit symbolizes the light of knowledge and wisdom. He holds his own light.It also represents the ability to guide others in the darkness. The hermit can help you find your own path in life, and can also help others find theirs.
The hermit had spent many years in his cave, meditating on the meaning of life and seeking wisdom in solitude. But one day he decided it was time to go out and share his knowledge with the world. As he walked through the forest, he heard screams in the distance. He rushed to the place where the noise was coming from and saw a group of men being chased by a ferocious bear. The men were panicked and did not know what to do to escape their pursuer. The hermit, seeing the fear in the men’s eyes, understood that the bear was a symbol of their own fears and doubts. He walked towards them confidently, making face the bear without fear.
The bear stops in front of the hermit, and for a moment, there was a moment of silence.Then, the hermit speaks to the bear,in a soft voice and calming, as if he were talking to an old friend.He explained to the bear that men were not his enemies, but that theyneed help and guidance.The bear seemed to understand the hermit’s words, and slowly, he moved away, advocating for the free men to leave.The men, impressed by the hermit’s wisdom and his ability to speak to the bear, turned to him to receive his teaching. The hermit explained to them that the bear was a symbol of their fears and that they had to learn to face and overcome them if they wanted to move forward in life. The hermit explains that he made the bear his close friend following him in all his travels. He taught them to meditate and find inner peace, in order to better face the challenges and obstacles that arise. presented on their path.The men were amazed by the wisdom of the hermit, and they decided to stay with him to learn from him.
Thus, the hermit comes out of his cave to share his knowledge and help others overcome their fears. He taught them that the most terrifying symbols, like the bear, could be defeated by wisdom and courage. And thanks to him, men were able to find the strength to continue their journey on the path of life.However, not all men want to defeat the bear.The bear is the force of nature, the king of animals in the Middle Ages in the West and still in many Slavic countries. Fighting a bear involves a great desire for power that not all men want to face.
Now I love God; I don’t like men. In my eyes, man is too imperfect a thing. The love of man would kill me.”
Zarathustra replied, “What have I spoken of love! I will give a gift to men.
– Don’t give them anything, said the saint, rather relieve them of something and help them carry it. Nothing will be better for them: as long as it comforts you too!
“And if you want to give, give them no more than alms, and wait until they beg for it from you!
‑ No, replied Zarathustra, I do not give alms. I’m not poor enough for that.”
The saint laughed at Zarathustra and spoke thus: “Try to make them accept your treasures. They are wary of solitary people and do not believe that we come to satisfy them.
Our steps through the streets sound too lonely for them. And just as they worry when they lie in their beds at night and hear a man walking, long before the sun rises, they perhaps ask themselves: “What is this thief looking for?”
Don’t go among men, stay in the forest! Go instead to the animals! Why don’t you want to be like me, a bear among bears, A bird among birds?
-And what is the saint doing in the woods? ” Asked Zarathustra.
The saint replied: “I compose songs and I sing them, and when I make songs, I laugh, I cry and I grumble: this is how I praise God.
With songs, tears, laughter and grumbling, I give thanks to God who is my God. But what present do you bring us?”
When Zarathustra heard these words, he greeted the saint and said to him: “What could I give you? Just let me go quickly, so that I don’t take anything from you!”So they separated from each other, the old man and the man, laughing like two young boys.
But when Zarathustra was alone, he spoke thus to his heart; “Could it be possible? This old saint in his forest has not yet learned that God is dead!”
Le saint répondit : “Je compose des chants et je les chante, et quand je fais des chants, je ris, je pleure et je grogne : c’est ainsi que je loue Dieu.
Par des chants, des pleurs, des rires et des grommellements, je rends grâce à Dieu qui est mon Dieu. Mais quel présent nous apportes‑tu ?”
Lorsque Zarathoustra eut entendu ces paroles, il salua le saint et lui dit : « Que pourrais‑je vous donner? Laissez-moi seulement repartir en hâte, afin que je ne vous prenne rien!” Ainsi se séparèrent‑ils l’un de l’autre, le vieillard et l’homme, riant tels deux jeunes garçons.
Mais lorsque Zarathoustra fut seul, il parla ainsi à son cœur ; “Serait-ce possible? Ce vieux saint dans sa forêt n’a donc pas encore appris que Dieu est mort !”
Courage
Spiritual guide
Wisdom
Meditation
Willpower
Withdrawal from life
Hibernate
Patience
Folly
Lucidity
Introspection
Spirituality
Break
Connecting
Friendship
Perseverance
