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Here are the two cards I pulled this morning from Todd Alcott’s Pulp Tarot.

The Hanged Man here depicts a person who’s suspended himself upside-down, hanging by one foot. The calm, even impish expression on his face suggests that he has chosen to put himself in this position and knows exactly what he’s doing. He consciously sets himself apart from the rest of the people around him, grabbing their attention, sending a specific message with his actions, and cloaking himself in saintly color symbols (red = passion; blue = calm; yellow = intellect).

The Hermit depicts a man alone on the mountain, secluded and unfettered by outside influence and groupthink. A lantern of wisdom in one hand and a staff of self-control in the other guide him through the dark night of the soul. He’s in the midst of an introspective quest deep into the mysteries of reality.

I see these as two of the most individuated cards in the deck, representing an interesting polarity. The Hermit meditates in seclusion, away from the noise of the world, while The Hanged Man puts himself in an uncomfortable position in public, unabashedly making his original statement.

But just as The Hanged Man can’t stay suspended over the crowd for long without causing physical and psychological harm to himself, The Hermit’s deep spiritual insights will be meaningless if he stays in isolation and doesn’t practice his values amongst others in the world. They both risk becoming solipsistic and close-minded if they choose never to engage in good faith with the people around them and understand other perspectives. The Hanged Man needs to replenish his energy and contemplate the message behind his actions just as The Hermit needs to practice the philosophy he’s developed in solitude to see if it holds up.

Maybe neither of these guys likes being around other people very much. They’re both standing apart and living their personal values, albeit in pretty extreme ways. Perhaps there’s a less severe, more sustainable and balanced Middle Way to practice standing apart as well.