THE HERMIT
Journey of the Hero
CORRESPONDENCES:
Number: IX
Element: Earth
Astrology: Mercury
Zodiac: Virgo
Mythology: Phorphet, Diogenes of Sinope
Letter: Teth ט
I Ching: Hexagram 20 "Contemplation", Hexagram 52 "Keeping Still"
THE HERMIT TAROT CARD MEANING
The Hermit is the ninth card in a Tarot deck. It comes after Strength or Justice (depending on the Tarot school) and signifies the period of internal pause, self-reflection and voluntary exile.
The Hero has now had a chance to learn life lessons and realize that the journey is not always what it seems to be. He now becomes smarter, wiser and more focused.
We often talk about the period of withdrawal and solitude at this time but its important to distinguish the periods of loneliness from a voluntary need to seek solitude to turn inwards.
The Hermit is associated with obtaining wisdom and enlightenment. You are no longer able to look at the world around you and stay neutral because now you see a deeper meaning.
The Hermit Tarot Numerology - The Number 9: The number 9 represents completion, wisdom, and spiritual growth. It signifies the culmination of a cycle and the attainment of a deeper understanding.
Important Pictorial Elements of the Hermit Tarot Card (Based on the Rider-Waite Tarot Deck):
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An Old Man: a central figure is an elderly bearded man dressed in long robes. He represents the archetype of the wise hermit, embodying wisdom, experience, and introspection.
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The Lantern: the lantern is what represents wisdom and enlightenment obtained by the Hermit. It signifies the search for inner truth and the guidance that comes from within.
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Staff: a staff symbolizes his authority, support, and guidance of others through the prism of his own experiences.
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Hooded Cloak: The cloak symbolizes the need for solitude and withdrawal from the outside world. It represents the Hermit's detachment from material concerns and his focus on inner growth.
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Mountains: mountains symbolize the challenges and obstacles that one must overcome on the path of self-discovery.
What does the Hermit card mean in a tarot reading?
The Hermit encourages you to trust your intuition and seek answers through self-reflection. It suggests that you may need to seek spiritual guidance or engage in practices such as meditation, contemplation, or study to gain clarity and find your own answers.
The Hermit can also represent a wise mentor or teacher who guides you on your journey. It symbolizes the importance of seeking guidance from those who have walked the path before you and who can offer valuable insights and advice.
The Hermit suggests the need for patience and reflection. It advises you to take your time in making decisions, to observe and analyze situations before taking action. This card reminds you that sometimes it is necessary to step back and gain a broader perspective before moving forward.
Reversed the Hermit Card in a Tarot Reading Meaning:
The reversed Hermit card can be difficult to interpret on its own as it is very deep spiritually and pertains to the level of development of a particular person at the moment.
However, most often it points to a lack of direction and clarity in life. You may be feeling lost or confused and struggling to find purpose and meaning.
You may be avoiding believing in yourself and trust your inner wisdom, relying on the external validation and opinion of others. Here also comes into play another side of the reversed Hermit: lack of guidance from a wise advisor. If you require the opinion of others, turn to a person that can support you through the prism of their inner wisdom and life experience rather than assessing and judging your life.
THE HERMIT- CONSCIOUSNESS (PERSONALITY)
A person described by this card can be perceived as "difficult" by their surrounding. The reason for that is they are deeper and further ahead on the path of enlightenment and spirituality than others. They tend to be wise and knowledgeable, ready to give an advice and share their perspective.
Some may perceive them rather slow as they tend to be very patient and take their time to consider their actions and decisions, weighing the pros and cons before moving forward.
They tend to be very good and reliable friends, however when it comes to love life, they can be perceived as cold and distant from their partner. It may be difficult for them to express emotions and show passion.
THE HERMIT TAROT MEANING IN WORK AND CAREER
In the context of work and career, the Hermit represents a period of re-evaluation and reflection. It suggests that it is a time for you to step back and take a closer look at your goals, values, and the direction of your career. This card encourages you to assess whether your current path aligns with your true purpose and aspirations.
Additionally, the Hermit may indicate the presence of a wise advisor who can offer valuable guidance and support in your career journey.
The reversed Hermit Tarot card in work & career
The reversed Hermit card in career may imply a lack of direction or clarity in your professional life, feeling lost or unsure of your path. Listen to your inner voice and if you need, seek support and guidance. You are not alone.
THE HERMIT TAROT CARD MEANING IN FINANCES
With regards to money, the Hermit point to the need to better plan financially. You may need to acquire knowledge and seek expert advice. It urges you to be mindful of your spending habits, avoid unnecessary expenses, and prioritize your financial goals.
The Hermit card may also indicate a focus on long-term financial planning, including savings and investments.
The reversed Hermit Tarot card meaning in finances
The reversed Hermit in finances suggests the lack of financial discipline and planning. It may indicate a tendency to overlook or ignore important financial matters, leading to potential setbacks or missed opportunities.
THE HERMIT TAROT CARD MEANING IN RELATIONSHIPS AND LOVE LIFE
The Hermit is a difficult card for love life as it is not so full of feeling and emotions. In this case, it is important to look at the surrounding cards.
Often it points to the need to take a time-out, re-evaluate your future together.
The Hermit card invites you to accept and embrace imperfections, both in yourself and in your partner. It emphasizes the importance of unconditional love and understanding, recognizing that growth and healing can occur through acceptance and compassion.
The reversed Hermit Tarot card meaning in love and relationship
The reversed Hermit card in love life is often a bad sign. It talks about withdrawal, break up or distancing between partners. The reversed Hermit card may indicate feelings of loneliness or isolation within the relationship.
It can also indicate seeking advice from trusted friends, family, or professionals to gain a fresh perspective on the dynamics of the relationship and find ways to improve communication and connection.
THE HERMIT TAROT YES OR NO QUESTIONS
On its own, the Hermit is a "NO" card.
THE HERMIT TAROT CARD MEANING IN HEALTH QUESTIONS
The appearance of the Hermit card in health related questions points to the need to take a closer look at your health situation. Often it encourages seeking guidance from healthcare professionals.
The healing will rake time and you will need to exercise patience. The solution to the problem often involves a complex treatment with different approaches.
The reversed Hermit Tarot card meaning in health questions
The reversed Hermit suggests that you are ignoring your health and any troublesome signals. The reversed Hermit can indicate a reluctance to reach out for support and assistance when it comes to your health. It may suggest a tendency to isolate yourself or keep health concerns to yourself, preventing you from accessing the necessary help and resources.