Solas's Main Card: The World Disguised as The Hermit

Introduction

Solas is one of the required companions in Dragon Age Inquisition (along with Cassandra and Varric). He first presents as a humble apostate who happens to appear at the right time, conveniently an expert in spirits and the Fade. In fact, he seems to know everything because of his experience in the Fade. He comes off as wise, arrogant, reserved, and passionate. Eventually, in the epilogue of the game, you find out he is Fen'Harel, the elven trickster god. 

This first card, which I call Solas's main card, is representative of his image and state during most of the game and combines imagery from two tarot Major Arcana cards. Superficially he appears as the Hermit, but layered on are symbols from The World, which better match his actual identity and situation during most of Dragon Age Inquisition.

Solas has three different cards associated with him. This card, Solas's main card, is used through most of Dragon Age Inquisition. One of the other two cards may appear depending on your choices. The romance card appears after your romance is complete (and he dumps you) and the other card appears after the main game ends and he leaves your party (and you have not romanced him). 

Traditional Interpretation & Description of The World

This card shows a figure of a naked dancing woman wrapped with a cloth floating in the sky surrounded by a green wreath. Sometimes this figure also has a penis and the figure is presented as being inter-sex which represents the integration of both female and male qualities, a sign of maturity within the Tarot. The wreath symbolizes victory, achievement, and accomplishment and is wrapped with red cloth in an infinity symbol. The infinity symbol represents the cyclical nature of time. 

The figure holds a wand in each hand, symbolizing balance and evolution. In the four corners of the card are pure white clouds which typically symbolize clarity of thought. In each cloud is a figure, a lion, an eagle, a cherub, and a bull, which represent the four fixed signs of the zodiac: Leo (air), Scorpio (fire), Aquarius (water), and Taurus (earth). The four fixed signs represent the four elements, seasons, compass points, and the four corners of the universe, basically the entire of creation. The figure's gaze is outward and he/she is able to see all four corners of the universe from their position.

The World card is the final Major Arcana card and the ultimate achievement in the journey of the Tarot. It represents an integration of various dichotomies (male/female, internal/external, active/passive, fire/water, earth/air) and maturity. The figure sees all and is one with the world, naked and open to the universe. As one has achieved their goals in one major life cycle, another is about to begin. The figure can see the big picture along with the details clearly from their current vantage point. While it is achievement and fulfillment that the card represents, it is not static. The figure is ready for another turn of the wheel. This card represents when a person's inner and outer worlds are unified, like enlightenment or nirvana. Because of one's understanding, one also desires to make the world a better place and now has the ability to do so.

Description of the Dragon Age Solas Card: Solas appears to be at a high vantage point, possibly from a mountain top. Behind and below him is a body of water, a forest, and a mountain, then an open black sky. Behind Solas's head is a blue halo which could possibly represent the moon. Superimposed on his image and around the halo is a circle that intertwines with four smaller circles in an ornate pattern. Inside each of these smaller circles is a symbol: moon, sun, three wavy lines, and four dots. Outside of this pattern are dots that further enclose the pattern. Solas is dressed in his hobo apostate outfit with a hood and a scarf that covers his head and part of his face. In his left hand he holds a staff that is angled across his body. The staff looks as if it naturally branches at the end, like an actual bran. His right hand is palm up in front of his body conjuring a small flame.

The Image of the Hermit
So, let's get this out of the way. Solas's card, does, in fact have a lot in common with the Hermit. They are both at the peak of a mountain, a high vantage point, and they are dressed similarly. Both are wearing a cape with a hood, holding a staff, and are in possession of a flame. Solas is conjuring his small flame in his hand while the Hermit has it contained (symbolizing contained passion/desire or a passsion/desire held apart from oneself). This flame, the fire element, is in contrast to the airy aspects of the card in his hight, the mountain, and even the colors. If you recall, air is associated with wisdom, thoughts and knowledge. So why is this not Solas?

Well, its not Solas yet. Solas's end game card, if you do not romance him, is probably more representative of the Hermit, as it matches his inner state at that time better than it does at the beginning of Dragon Age Inquisition. He may wish to present as the Hermit who has recently left his solitude to join a greater cause, but he has this card the entire game, not just the beginning. He would not be much of a Hermit joining up with an organization to save the world. The Hermit symbolizes internal exploration, and searching for answers within one's self. Solas is not searching for answers during the game, he is trying to fix the effects of his mistake by joining with others and learning about modern Thedas as he does so.

Also, notice the significant difference in posture. The Hermit looks away from the viewer, a symbol of his disconnectedness, while Solas is looking at the viewer, looking out, not down. Solas holds his staff across his body, in rest, while The Hermit holds his staff like a walking staff because he is on a journey. The Hermit is about introspection and internal questing, so these posture changes are  significant. One is not the Hermit if they are static and focused on that which is outside one's self. The halo of enlightenment around Solas's head suggests that he does not need to do much introspection. He has already reached a state of enlightenment. If he ever was the Hermit, that stage would now be over because he has already found what he was looking for. Solas's image is duplicitous while this card is used, so I interpret it as him "dressing up" as the Hermit, hiding his godhood. This matches nicely with his duplicity during Dragon Age Inquisition.

Solas & The World
Visually there are similarities between Solas's Main Card and The World. Both figures are up in the sky looking out, seeing all. They are both encircled (although only Solas's head is encircled) and have four symbols on the outside of the circle. These four symbols, for both cards, encompass all that is. Solas, however, is lacking a wreath or any sign of victory.

In The World, the figure is naked, open and one with the universe, but Solas is clothed with only the upper portion of his face, ears, and hands exposed. Since Solas's head is exposed, and only his head is encircled this may indicate how his thoughts and dreams are connected to the rest of the universe, but he is not fully connected. Solas is a dreamer and existed in uthenera for millennia. Mentally he was connected to the world, exploring and living history, and connecting to others this way, but he was not actually living in the world. Even during Dragon Age Inquisition he does not seem to fully engage with the other companions, or with society at large although he clearly thinks about Thedas and its inner workings.

Additionally, The World is a sign of completeness and achievement. It is the closest thing to godhood in the Tarot. Solas is a god, or was so masterful a mage that he was considered a god. He understands many phenomenon in the world with subtlety and sharp intelligence. There is not much that he has not thought about and while he is passionate, his passion does not determine his actions. He is in many ways a balanced and complete individual, in the values of Tarot.

My Interpretation of the Main Solas Dragon Age Tarot Card: Solas is in an elevated state of enlightenment as represented by his position high among the stars and halo behind his head. This halo may also be the moon, which is associated with water, the unconscious, and emotions. The Fade is very much engaged with the unconscious mind in dreams and it is effected by the unconscious and conscious thoughts and feelings of people. This halo perfectly symbolizes the Fade as source of his profound understanding of the World. His stature and halo both signify his godhood. He looks out to the viewer, one with the universe, seeing all.

Solas's environment, the elements behind him, the water (water), the forest (earth), the mountain (air), are balanced and made complete by the fire he holds in his hand. A balanced state such as this, with all the elements in sync, suggest maturity, and Solas is very old and wise (although not wise enough, apparently). The ornate circle that is superimposed above his image contains symbols which also signify his completeness. The sun (Elgar'nan, fire), the moon (Mythal, water), the wavy lines (air), and the flower (earth), are the four elements. In the World card this circle is a wreath, a sign of achievement, but this circle merely contains his achievement in knowledge (as it encircles his head) and is not quite the celebration or victory that a wreath would symbolize.

Solas covers his head and face, hiding his identity and his staff crosses his body in a protective manner. He is duplicitous and guarded.

Coming soon... Solas's Romance Card