V the Shaman

2038-01-19T03:14:07Z

Description

V The Shaman is a man who is probably older than he looks. He is looking off to the right of the card, his red rimmed eyes match the color of the sky behind him. His hair and ears are decorated with bone and possibly feathers. His right hand is holding a large, bone or ivory charm perforated with a single hole. The look on his face is pensive, and his hair is kicked up as though the air is swirling about him.

Interpretation

There is a general sense of impending change around V The Shaman. He is looking off toward the horizon as if anticipating something's arrival. There is also the sense that there's some vibration coming through the talisman in his right hand. It has something of the feeling of a worry stone, but something more as well. The Shaman is nothing if not pensive; he's deciding something.

The Hierophant is nothing if not the bridge between god and man. He is a conduit. A big part of the spirit of card V is the Pope. The symbol of the first pope, Peter, is the crossed keys, as he is the one with the keys to heaven; his judgement is the conduit through which the righteous will pass. Here the symbolism and the drama has been ratched down a bit. Our shaman isn't judging anyone, but is certainly hearing something that not everyone is privy to; he knows something is coming, and if conditions are right will be able to articulate to the people around him. The phrase that comes to mind is "spiritual weathervane".

My last look at the card makes me appreciate the androgyny of this person. While my first intimation was that this person is a man, but that may not be the case. V The Shaman could just as easily be an old woman. That, for me, is one of the keys of those who work with metaphysical energy, their propensity towards androgyny, and if not androgyny at least a lack of attachment toward traditionally gendered attachments.

Application

This is the third of three Major Arcana that I've drawn in the last three days. On Saturday it was XIX the Sun, Sunday it was IV the Father and today V the Shaman. While Saturday and Sunday felt incredibly appropriate I didn't feel the Shaman in a direct way today. Today was a struggle to push through, like walking under water. Nothing was really wrong, but nothing felt right either. I felt leaden and sluggish, working hard to focus on my first sight, much less be aware of any second sight like the Shaman may have. In short, I did not feel as though I had access to the spiritual realm or any real nearness to God the way that the Shaman is supposed to have.

Traditional Meanings

Aeclectic Tarot - The Hierophant

ATA Tarot - The Hierophant

Ms. Midwest Midnight Check-out Queen

V the Shaman