The Hermit
Symbolic Attributes
- Element:Virgo
- Arcana:Major Arcana
- Suit:Trump
- Archetype:The Holy Man
- Numerology:9 (fullness, readiness, ripeness)
- Hebrew Alphabet:Yod/Hand/10
Keywords
Description
The variation from the conventional models in this card is only that the lamp is not enveloped partially in the mantle of its bearer, who blends the idea of the Ancient of Days with the Light of the World It is a star which shines in the lantern. I have said that this is a card of attainment, and to extend this conception the figure is seen holding up his beacon on an eminence. Therefore the Hermit is not, as Court de Gebelin explained, a wise man in search of truth and justice; nor is he, as a later explanation proposes, an especial example of experience. His beacon intimates that 'where I am, you also may be'. It is further a card which is understood quite incorrectly when it is connected with the idea of occult isolation, as the protection of personal magnetism against admixture. This is one of the frivolous renderings which we owe to Eliphas Levi. It has been adopted by the French Order of Martinism and some of us have heard a great deal of the Silent and Unknown Philosophy enveloped by his mantle from the knowledge of the profane. In true Martinism, the significance of the term Philosophe inconnu was of another order. It did not refer to the intended concealment of the Instituted Mysteries, much less of their substitutes, but--like the card itself--to the truth that the Divine Mysteries secure their own protection from those who are unprepared.
Light Meaning
- Becoming or seeking out a guru
- Going on a retreat
- Recharging spiritual or creative batteries
- Lighting the way for those with less experience
- Stepping back to gain perspective
Shadow Meaning
- Being a loner
- Fearing contact with others
- Becoming a know-it-all
- Inflating claims of expertise
- Hiding your skills and talents out of fear of unworthiness
Questions to Ask Yourself
- •What would happen if I simply withdrew and took no action?
- •How can I get some perspective on the situation?
- •Who has walked this path before me? How can I enlist his or her help?
Personal Meaning
Seek time alone in order to regenerate or to get in touch with your inner guide. Seek to balance the action or frenzy in your life with periods of quiet contemplation. Connect with the stillness within for your answers lie there.
Quiet time alone in order to regenerate or to get in touch with your inner guide. Quiet contemplation. Connection with the stillness within.
Seek time alone in order to regenerate or to get in touch with your inner guide. Seek to balance the action or frenzy in your life with periods of quiet contemplation. Connect with the stillness within for your answers lie there.
Personal Reversed Meaning
Avoid going into hiding. Remain actively involved with life.Alternatively, you might have tremendous difficulty finding solitude. Make sure you indulge this need for alone time, or you will lose a whole lot more than a few minutes out of your day.
A time when you might have been in hiding, or refrained from being actively involved with life. Alternatively, you might have had tremendous difficulty finding solitude.
You have been hiding long enough. It is time to get back on the horse and become more actively involved with life. Alternatively, you might have tremendous difficulty finding solitude. You might be making excuses about not having time to slow down. Get over it, or you will lose a whole lot more than a few minutes out of your day.
Fortune Telling
- •A period of loneliness begins
- •One partner in a relationship departs
- •A search for love or money proves fruitless
Mythical / Spiritual Context
The Christ, while fasting 40 days in the wilderness. Chronos, the god of time. Father Time. Hermes.
How to Interpret This Card in a Reading
A guide to deepening your understanding of Tarot symbolism.
Context is Key
No Tarot card exists in a vacuum. While the meanings above provide a foundation, the true significance of this card depends on where it lands in your spread. Is it in the past position, indicating a phase you are moving away from? Or is it in the outcome position, suggesting a potential future? Always consider the neighboring cards — they often tell a story that modifies or amplifies the message.
Trust Your Intuition
Traditional meanings are the starting point, but your intuition is the compass. When you look at the card imagery, what draws your eye first? A specific color, a symbol, or a facial expression might trigger a personal memory or feeling. That immediate reaction is often the most relevant message for your current situation, even if it differs from the standard definition.
Understanding Reversals
If this card appears reversed (upside down), don't fear it. Reversals often suggest an internalizing of the card's energy, a delay, or a need to revisit the lesson before moving forward. It can also indicate that the "shadow" aspects described above are currently more active, inviting you to bring them into the light for healing.
Connecting with the Element
Remember the suit this card belongs to. Wands speak to passion and action (Fire). Cups dive into emotions and relationships (Water). Swords navigate the mind and conflicts (Air). Pentacles ground us in the material world and resources (Earth). The Major Arcana represents larger life themes and soul lessons. Filtering the card's meaning through its elemental lens will give you a grounded, practical way to apply its wisdom to your life.