The Hermit
Light Bearer
The Hermit is Major Arcana number 9, who diverts The Fool from their journey long enough to impart subtle wisdom that will become crucial later on in their journey through the Arcana. It is the guide for of the Tarot deck, lighting the way for the cards to see where they are going, and directing them along their correct path during the shuffle so that the right cards are seen by the right person at the right time. The Tarot interpretation of the Hermit often involves seclusion, reflection, or a teacher.
The Hermit Card Meaning
The Hermit card is about the kind of wisdom that can only be unlocked only after a lot of experience or long periods of thought. It will often require a long journey or period of isolation in order to finally obtain this knowledge, but it is always well worth the time and effort spent. While the Hermit card is known to be alone, they are never lonely, as they have much to ponder within their own mind. It can represent a respite from a busy lifestyle or noisy community, in which you get a chance to think straight and settle down before diving back in. In a Dream Reading, the Hermit often indicates that there is a hidden gem of knowledge that you need to extract from the dream: Try a Dream Examination Reading Here.
Symbolism in the Hermit
The Hermit symbolizes lonely paths, large bodies of water, mountain tops, lanterns, and walking sticks. The Hermit is commonly associated with the zodiac sign Virgo in the context of Astrology, since both like working things out on their own. Like its number, 9, the Hermit is complete, and content to be alone.
The Lantern: Lighting the Way
The Hermit is showing you the way, like the lights along a path in the middle of a moonless night. The lantern glows brightly, illuminated by wisdom achieved through years of experience and contemplation. It is this wisdom the Hermit card wishes to impart upon you, whether that is through a mentor or guide, or through delving deep into your own thoughts and memories. Either way, seclusion or distance from the everyday and mundane will likely be required for this breakthrough to happen.
The Walking Staff: No Man is an Island
Even though the Hermit is content to be alone, he still requires help, symbolized by the walking staff he carries. No one can truly do it all alone, but sometimes we already have gotten everything from the outside, and can head off on our own to contemplate, synthesize, integrate, and then return changed. In other words, just because you’re not receiving help right now doesn’t mean you’re not making use of help you’ve received in the past; the Hermit is a reminder that you always immersed in your own history and community, whether or not those elements are physically present in the now.
The Mountains: Distant and Small
Far behind the Hermit there is a range of mountains. While they might be towering, they are so far away they appear tiny on the card. The Hermit represents a literal or metaphorical journey to the mountaintop, but how small this terrain element appears on the card is a reminder of how little the physical environment matters. The Hermit is focused inward, meditating and ruminating on the matters they see as most important, and almost completely ignoring their surroundings. The mountain can be important for getting distance from society, the hustle and bustle of daily life, and distractions, but the mountain is more of a means to an end than an end itself; this card is more about the light, the mind, and the magic that happens when the two combine.
The Hermit Card Reversed Meaning
The Hermit reversed can mean wandering until you are lost, being tricked into believing a false truth, getting distracted or pulled in unhelpful directions, or enjoying being alone a little too much. It could also indicate a teacher or mentor who is leading you astray, either with ill intention or out of ignorance of your true situation.
Previous card: Strength
Next card: The Wheel of Fortune
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What does the Hermit represent in a Love or Relationship reading?
Sometimes a relationship can be so engulfing that we lose ourselves a bit in the other person. The Hermit is asking you to take a step back when you can and check in with yourself as an independent being, even if only for a moment. Stepping back and looking at your relationship from a small distance can be clarifying, even if only to re-affirm that it is indeed exactly what you want. The Hermit does not want you to be alone, but just to always remember what it’s like to being alone, and to find comfort in it from time to time; if it’s not comforting, it may be a sign you should do it more often.
What does the Hermit symbolize in Career and Finances?
The Hermit can indicate that you are surrounded by too many people or distractions. It may be difficult to get the work done that you need to, or you may be continually directed toward work that is not the most pressing or important for your personal trajectory and future. The Hermit wants you to take a step back, take stock of where you are, and figure out what needs to get done; and then to carve out the time and space necessary to do it.
What guidance does the Hermit have for everyday life?
Solitude can teach us many things, from having time to reflect on our lives, to realizing what we miss when others are not around. The Hermit is a reminder to occasionally seek out these moments of solitude, even if only very brief. You also don’t have to actually be alone, what the Hermit represents is more of a mindset than a physical state of being. Do not be afraid to spend some time with your thoughts, and keep whatever insights you have during this time with you when you return to the world of connectivity and engagement.
Does the Hermit represent you right now?
Click to reveal the card below – if it’s the Hermit, then this card’s energy is strongly influencing your right now! If not, it may be a message the Hermit wants you to hear…
Look for the Hermit in your Personal Growth readings: Start your Self Analysis Reading Here.
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