That is an interesting thought, that the Traveler is the Gardener. One of the grimiore cards makes note of it cultivating many planets, so it definitely could be argued it is the Gardener. However, there are theories listed in the cards that state perhaps the Traveler knew the Darkness was coming, and that we died as the result. [spoiler][quote]"Certain positions...imply that the Traveler itself triggered the Collapse, or that it knew the Darkness was coming for it and hoped to use the Solar System as a sacrifice or a proxy army. The Binary Star cult is one notable example." [/quote][/spoiler] [spoiler]Ghost Fragment: The Traveler [quote]"Now, your flight is rapid, your vast mind infected with such dread and toxic doubt that you find yourself afraid of the simple act of thought. And it is your children you must turn to now, in time of need.[/quote][/spoiler] Both these things sound like the Traveler needed humanity to fight for it, that the Collapse was known by the Traveler. That, perhaps the Collapse itself was due to the Traveler "shrugging its shoulders." There's also the Legend: The Black Garden Card, which speaks about how the Traveler and its followers are unwelcome to the Black Garden, how it's a place of life, and all the Guardians will ever do is kill.