Happy Venus Day, Reader!
In the world of tarot, Key V of the Major Arcana, is known as The Hierophant. In some decks you’ll find other names like The Pope, but for the purposes of this writing I’m going to use The Hierophant. The meaning of the card is one related to higher guidance, a spiritual guide of some variety. Giving and / or receiving wisdom teachings from a higher source, and / or keys to unlocking said teachings. It’s also the card that corresponds to the sign of Taurus in the zodiac, the bull. Taurus is fixed earth, grounded, sensual, and resourceful. Some could say a lower frequency characteristic of Taurus would be stubbornness. This sign is ruled by Venus and exalts the Moon. These are very common connections that can be made simply by pulling one card. Interpretations vary tremendously, depending on the reader. Any one of these things can send a reader down a multi-layered path of extremely detailed insight. This is one of the many reasons why tarot is so special. The magic lies in the dynamic between the reader, the querent, and the cards. Each entity it’s own iteration of source material, with different backgrounds and lineages, but working together they produce magic. (For the familiar: Very much channelling The Lovers and Three of Pentacles as I type.)
In the esoteric mystery tradition, each of the 22 major arcana of the tarot, corresponds to a letter of the Hebrew Alef-Beit (alphabet, in case you didn’t catch the similarity and context). The Hierophant, corresponds to the letter Vav. Each letter of the Hebrew Alef-Beit, corresponds to a number and has a meaning of its own. Vav corresponds to the number six and the word nail. This can illuminate yet another avenue for exploration, but that’s not exactly what I’m here for today. I’m here for something a little more personal that I wish to share with you.
I was chatting with a friend the other day about the holiday season coming up. It can be very triggering, as we all know. I personally find the holidays to be a time of pleasure and wonder. Yes, it’s stressful. Yes, people can exhibit some of the most unhinged, out-of-pocket shenanigan’s that ever did shenanigan, but it doesn’t take away the joy of it all for me. I go somewhere else. The conversation with my friend had drifted to the more stressful side of what their plans were and I replied, somewhat tongue in cheek, “Go with God,” which felt so entirely off, I immediately knew I had to tell them the real message I wanted to share. It definitely wasn’t an earnest, “Go with God,” I meant something else. This friend doesn’t study esoteric systems of magic, which is why I used the “God” language to start with. But this friend *is* very open minded and curious, so I wanted to share the true intent. I was compelled to correct myself.
[Exact transcription from our messages, grammar errors and all. See image.]
“So in tarot, The Hierophant card, is associated with the Hebrew letter vav. Vav means nail. Nails correlate to connection. This is all to explain that in my more woo woo circles I say, “go with Vav,” and I now share this little inside quip with you because the concept of god can get weird.”
[next message]
“But connection, not so much.”
This phrase, Go with Vav, is something I have been using for quite some time now. It came to me after a months-long magical working. The woking illuminated for me that connection - of all kinds - is vital. Sure, we are here to mind our business and alchemize ourselves, but in order to do so, connection is required. I need the counterpoint to see the point. I am reminded of the phrase, “Without the bitter there can be no sweet”. To wish something that vital for a friend, is a gesture of grace and abundance. When I say it, I am wishing them comfort, in themselves. I hope to offer a permanently at-the-ready warm blanket that reminds them that they are beautiful and whole, and they can wrap themselves in that comfort, as needed.
As the holidays approach this sentiment is so fitting and useful. I know that so many of my fiends and family go through horrifying holiday experiences year after year. I want to wish them solace and a feeling of being held during such times. Saying something like, “:go with god”, or, “sending you love”, doesn’t cut it for me. But, “go with Vav,” hits all the right notes: Concise, meaningful, personal, and honest. If it also feels right to you, please feel free to make it your own
Indeed, friends and lovers; Go with Vav. If you ever hear me say it, now you’ll know what I mean. I wish you so much more than a mythological, (or not, depending on your worldview), companion to be your sidekick for the day. I’m wishing you true connection, most importantly to yourself, but secondarily, to those around you who deserve your presence.
- She Said With Love
P.S. Always remember, you get to choose who deserves your presence, whether it be physically, emotionally, mentally, or a mix thereof.