the Wizard and the Wastelands

the Wizard and the Wastelands

Gandalf, Dumbledore, Obi Wan Kenobi, Yoda, Merlin, Odin. There are all classic examples of the Jungian archetype of the Senex, otherwise known as a Sage, or Wise Old Man. A Father figure. A Wizard. The Hermit from the Tarot Cards can be seen as an example of this too.

There is a reason why this archetype resonates and appears so often in literature and mythology. In Jungian terms, he is an indication of the Self, and is late to emerge. In almost all fantasy references, he is the holder of wisdom and advises the heroes of the tales along their journey. Specific to the Hermit, perhaps, he is a lone wanderer, shunning human contact and a journeyman traveling not only miles outward, but inward. The wandering and the isolation is a form of meditation to find oneself through the wastelands of silence and solitude.

A little over two years ago I started to do a photographic series based on the Tarot Cards. I eventually abandoned it - the project was too big and too specific to be confined to for a series of 78 images, but I did manage to get the Hermit completed, arguably one of the most popular images of the Tarot. It was not very good. I am a better photographer and editor than I was three years ago.

It was fun to revisit this image, to pay service to the classic archetype of the Wizard or Hermit, and give him some updates as well. The Hermit is usually seen holding a lantern to light his way, but in this age of "the Lord of the Rings" and "Harry Potter" I thought a glowing, magical staff would be more fun and resonate a little more than the classic lantern.

I also got to use three locations from my recent trip to Southern California for the background: mountains near Palm Springs, rocks from Joshua Tree State Park, and a Mormon temple near San Diego served as my citadels in the distance.

Model: Andrew Graham

A Before and After version of this image will be available on my Facebook page and my website:

www.facebook.com/MichaelBilottaPhotography
www.michaelbilotta.com