Card for Monday, October 11th, 2021
The Hermit (IX in the Major Arcana) paired with Licorice Root (Gyycyrrhiza glabra)
The Hermit, gazing into an uplifted orb, is a card of contemplation, inviting us to withdraw, or create some distance from, the busy outer world so as to enter the quiet place within ourselves. It can be helpful to allow our minds to empty and our thoughts to clear, from time to time. Rest and solitude are imperative to recharging our batteries.
The Hermit is a lone Seeker, reflecting quietly on the long journey of Life. The Hermit has learned that the answers they seek can only be found within, not in the distracting busyness of the outer world. Being able to accept what is, exercising patience as time takes its inevitable course, and following the path of inner understanding are the gifts The Hermit brings to us today.
Licorice Root has a long history as a supportive herb. Referred to as “the Grandfather of Chinese herbs”, Licorice Root is commonly used in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) to build chi and harmonize formulations.
This cooling, soothing, sweet, demulcent, nutrient-rich herb moistens the lungs and tissues, calms emotions, fortifies bones and muscles, and supports the organs that cleanse and detoxify our blood. As an herbal essence, Licorice Root is calmative, and can help us to gain compassionate detachment, especially during turbulent or difficult times.
Today’s card is a wonderful one upon which to meditate. It can be increasingly challenging to find any sort of inner peace and balance, of late; or to know what to say to others experiencing their own challenges and fears. We are being reminded here that we are in this for the long haul and the risk of burnout is high. Sitting quietly with ourselves, letting all our thoughts churn up then dissipate, can energize us and bring us a deeper sense of our true self.
Solitude, for we are each alone here together after all, allows us to reunite the scattered pieces of self into a harmonious whole again. All paths lead back to the One. Finding ours will ease the burden of the journey. We can best do this by becoming still and shining our light upon ourselves for a bit. Today’s Hermit encourages us to embrace our inner self and tend to our roots and foundations for soul searching is very necessary self care.
A WORD OF CAUTION; Licorice root is contraindicated in people with hypertension (high blood pressure), hyperglycemic conditions (elevated blood sugar, such as is found in diabetes mellitus), severe liver dysfunction (such as cirrhosis), conditions that involve water retention (such as kidney or heart disease), and should be avoided in pregnancy and during breastfeeding.
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*Information shared on herbs and their historical or traditional uses is meant for point-of-interest only. None of the above is meant to diagnosis, treat, or cure any health imbalances.*
Tarot deck : The Herbal Tarot by Michael Tierra LaC, and Candis Cantin Interpretation : Teri “Cricket” Heinichen Owens, RN, BSN, MS