Early in my journey of discover  I found Builders of the Adytum and took a course in Tarot from them. It was very compelling. I was sent a deck of large cards of the major Arcana to color. The coloring–with specific colors- was to help one get in touch with the meaning of each symbol on the card as well as what the colors meant.

From that study I grew to love the Hermit Archetype.  In my first book, Remnants from the Fire, now out of print the Hermit was a central figure in my story.  This poem was written during the time when I was working with The Hermit card.

 

THE CALL

See the Mountain yonder?

The solitary figure at the top?

His lantern casts a light

Into my darkness

And I am left with nowhere to hide.

Now faced with a choice

Forever bound to abide

 

Alone, a bridge I cross over

A point of no return

For I have traversed the Bridge of Decision

A pilgrim I’ve become.

From the outside I travel inward

Mustering all the courage I contain

Toward a path of peril and adventure

Of fire and wind and rain

 

The cold chills my bones

Tears freeze upon my face

T’is a journey I do not embark on lightly

For the I who starts the climb

May vanish without a trace

 

The Figure holds the Light

He beckons to me from the top

I start the climb, a strange force compelling me

There is no way to stop

 

For I have crossed the Bridge of Decision

In answer to countless prayers

The Hermit has appeared to guide me

To the refuge beyond my tears

As on the Path His lantern sheds

The Light to reflect my fears.

 

From the Outside I travel Inward

A Pilgrim I’ve become

To the Self who dwells inside me

 

My journey Home has begun.