L'Hermite and his Lantern

[Diana]

If (this is a hypothetical "if"), the lantern that L'Hermite is holding was NOT a lantern... what could it be?

Any brainstorming would be appreciated. Even if it sounds a bit nutty.

Alain Bocher said to me once something like "have you ever tried to walk with a lantern in front of your eyes? You'll see it is impossible.".

I don't think he was implying that it was not a lantern, but today when I was looking at the card for a reading I did in the Reading Exchange, I remembered his words, and it crossed my mind suddenly that maybe it is NOT a lantern.

[Umbrae]

Early decks (visconti-sforza kinda early), it's an hourglass - later changed to the blazing star, then to a lantern.

[Diana]

Originally posted by Umbrae
Early decks (visconti-sforza kinda early), it's an hourglass - later changed to the blazing star, then to a lantern.

Blazing star? Where?

[spoonbender]

I think it kind of looks like a bell... No?

I'll think about it some more.

[Shalott]

Possible: an incense holder?

A bit nutty: carrier for his pet squirrel...

(Spoonbender: love your avatar!)

[ihcoyc]

It's not a squirrel --- it's an Intergalactic Giant Space Hamster!

I think it was originally meant to represent an hourglass, since the Hermit is a figure who represents Time.

On the other hand, he may also represent Diogenes of Sinope, who carried his lantern in daylight while he sought for a truly honest man. Carrying the lantern that way in daylight doesn't have the disadvantages of dazzling you.

[lark]

I often think that he is not holding the lantern to light his path, but he is like a light house, a guiding light for the people in the town below him.

[Astraea]

Originally posted by lark
I often think that he is not holding the lantern to light his path, but he is like a light house, a guiding light for the people in the town below him.

This is how I view him, too, Lark -- he draws all people unto him spiritually and thus lights their way, not his. He reminds me of someone who has done difficult spiritual work in solitude for the benefit of others who might not even know of his existence, save for the light of aspiration he holds aloft.

[Fulgour]

Many early lighthouses were simply lamps held in high windows
by monks and hermits. A lighthouse known as the Lanterna was
built at Genoa in 1543, replacing a medieval tower.

http://www.btinternet.com/~k.trethew...zing_facts.htm


*

[Fulgour]

I've often wondered if L'Hermite wouldn't be burning his hand
the way he holds his lantern, unless the flame were very small.

Lantern with Conical Glass 10" high (Complete with handle.)

Symbolically, there is a beautiful simplicity to the image, free of
much need for tortured iconography, but I also reflect upon the
half-concealed but emergent golden orb peeking from his cloak.

As the ninth letter, Teth, L'Hermite corresponds with the fifth
month, Leo ~ wherein the Sun doth rule. In the Tarot, Le Pape
has seized the powers of the Sun, exalting himself in Aries, He.

But perhaps we are getting ahead of our story...

The 9th Hebrew (Phoenician) Letter: Teth

Literal Meaning: Snake
Symbolic Meaning: (inner concealed) Good.

The letterform visually suggests the “flame” held aloft on the left
by a “bearded figure” on the right. Mark Filipas

Teth:
Gestation, Maturation, Wisdom. It is the interior Light, insulation
necessary to its evolution, outward journey inside oneself in order
to open with higher things. Teth is initiation, teaching, the wisdom
of the Old man, it is rich in lesson, it is the Crown, the symbol of
royalty, quality. Its ordinary Value is 9. Its numerical Value is 9.
Corresponds to the sign of the Lion.

"Isabel Artiste"