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Free Daily Tarotscope — Nov 28, 2015 — The Priest

The Priest

The Priest

Today, as Chiron turns direct — after 5 months in retrograde motion — you may be thinking about all that you’ve gained through the trials and tribulations in your own life, and how you can pull from those experiences to help others.

You may be coming out of a period of soul searching and  personal reflection, which when filtered through the Chironian impulse to consider the welfare of others, can act as a powerful conduit to heal those who need healing and acceptance — now more than ever.

This is the Samurai Tarot’s version of the Hierophant card. It’s called the Priest in this deck, and as you can see from the imagery in this card, the focus is as much on helping those who need assistance as it is on spiritual enlightenment. But perhaps the message here is that these are one and the same.

Chiron is called the “wounded healer” — a reference to the ability to bring comfort and guidance to those who need it, even if you’re still struggling to heal your own wounds. And as you can see in this version of the card, the Priest must rely on his own walking stick to reach the stream he’s guiding the thirsty woodland creatures to.

In this respect they may be healing him as well. We all know how powerful the idea of being useful is, and we all know important it is to feel that we’re making a valuable contribution.

The Priest card comes as a reminder that there’s always something to learn and always something to teach. There’s also always something to give, knowing that what we get back in often far greater in the end. We just need to step outside of our own biases and preconceived notions, and be willing to lend a helping hand.

Free Daily Tarotscope — Apr 28, 2015 — The Priest

The Priest

The Priest

Today’s Mars / Chiron sextile could have you taking a deeper look at what you believe in, as well as how those beliefs translate to your interactions with others.

The Priest card — the Gill Tarot’s version of the Hierophant — speaks of pursuing knowledge, studying tradition, reflecting on Universal laws and principles and deciding where you stand.

There are definite religious undertones to this card, but it’s not only about religion. It’s about carrying the wisdom of the ancients forward. as a means of gaining a greater understanding for yourself. It’s also about using what you’ve learned to guide others.

This Priest stands just inside an archway between an expanse of water (instinct and emotions) and solid ground (earthly concerns). He holds a shepherd’s staff  in one hand and beckons you forward with the other.

There are repeating themes here of the need to balance contradictory energies. Apart from the water / land contrast referenced above, there’s also the prominent Sun and Moon symbols on his vestment and the lily and rose patterns on his stole. Notice also the black and white checkerboard tiles underfoot. These represent the union of polarities (both figuratively and literally).

The Mars / Chiron aspect encourages you to challenge your own belief systems and get rid of that which no longer serves you. It may be as simple as picking up a book that makes you question your pre-existing notions, and it can be as profound as a spiritual awakening that strengthens your beliefs and your relationship with a higher power.

Whatever role the Priest plays in your life — whether it’s a person (as in a spiritual leader) or a mindset (traditional ideals) — you can know that there’s a reason for questioning your values. It’s all about letting go of what is no longer useful to you (spiritually or philosophically) in order to make room for what does.