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The Hermit - Nine

Tarot of Marseilles
The number nine is revered in Hinduism and considered a complete, perfected and divine number because it represents the end of a cycle in the decimal system, which originated from the Indian subcontinent as early as 3000 BCE. In Buddhism, Gautama Buddha was believed to have nine virtues, 1. Accomplished Buddhahood, 2. Perfectly Self-Awakened, 3. Wise Conduct, 4. Well-spoken, 5. Understanding the Universe, 6. Skilled Trainer of the Untrained, 7. Universal Teacher, 8. Blessed with Enlightenment, 9. Fully Liberated. In Christianity, a Hermit is a type of monk who lives in solitude, to achieve something like Buddahood.

According to the Eleusinian Mysteries, nine is the number of spheres through whish consciousness passes on its way to rebirth. In Islamic cosmology the Universe is made from nine spheres—the traditional eight of Ptolemy, plus a ninth added by the Arab astronomer Thābit ibn Qurrah to explain the precession of the equinoxes. In Norse mythology, the Universe is also comprised of nine worlds.  The number nine was highly significant to the Anglo-Saxons. There are many folk sayings relating to the number nine, such as "a stitch in time saves nine", the bliss of being on "cloud nine", and a cat has "nine lives". The number nine is significant to all humans because it is the number of months that we require to develop in the womb. Therefore it symbolises self-development and the path to awakening.

In modern colloquial usage, "hermit" denotes anyone living apart from the rest of society. Christianity, Buddhism, Hinduism, Islam, and Taoism, all have hermits in the sense of individuals living an ascetic form of life. Seeking solitude is not a selfish act on the part of the hermit, but something done for the benefit of all humanity. By devoting time to becoming a better human being, one is able to better serve others and impart wisdom so that others may choose a better life for themselves. Buddhist monks strive to live a simple and meditative life. Their vows are intended to last for life, but they are free to renounce their vows and return to non-monastic life, and even return to their monastic vows later. As a monk, they live the life of a "beggar" without any personal posessions. They often make their own robes, using cloth that has been donated to them. This card is similar to the Fool, in that is speak of a liberated way of life, free of posessions. The Fool is the one who has achieved oneness with the Universe, whereas the Hermit is one who is striving toward self-improvement. The Hermit has decided to go in search of enlightenment, whereas the Fool is the enlightened one. This is what the ninth Tarot card means to me.


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