The Hermit Keywords: Introspection, Being Alone, Wisdom, Guidance

The Hermit Tarot Card Description

Wearing a long, grey, travelling cloak, The Hermit stands alone on a snowy mountain peak. In his right hand he holds up a lantern lit by a 6-pointed star and he holds a staff in his left. When we gaze upon him, we see a wise man who is at peace.

The Hermit has journeyed alone to the mountaintop. It takes perseverance, strength of character, and also physical and mental strength to reach a mountain peak. The sky around him is the colour of twilight and the lantern guides the way. Just as shepherds use staffs to guide their flocks and Catholic bishops carry them to symbolize their role as ‘shepherds’ of their congretations, the staff carried by The Hermit is a symbol of guidance and support.

What The Hermit Means In A Tarot Reading

The Hermit offers wisdom and guidance. I find that, most often, you’ll be the one receiving advice and guidance from someone wise. You should listen to this advice. It’s what you need to hear and it’s the right advice for you at this time. However, it may also be you that is guiding someone, sharing your wisdom and experience. The lantern in The Hermit’s hand shows the way through the darkness. He shines a light on the problem and lights your way forward. Notice also if any cards in the spread are being ‘lit’ by the light of the lantern. These may provide clues to your way forward and what is to come.

The Hermit embraces solitude. Like The Hermit, it may be important that you spend some time alone. Focusing on yourself will bring you self-awareness. Meditation, reflection, and quiet contemplation will bring you answers. The Hermit has withdrawn from society. You should also focus on your inner world. Minimizing distracting influences will help you to focus on what is important in your life. You may need this time to complete a project or to solve a problem that has been bothering you. Turn your attention inwards, to your thoughts and feelings. Explore your inner world for answers.

The Hermit Love and Relationships Tarot Meaning

This isn’t a good time to seek a new relationship. You need to focus on yourself and your emotions before giving to others.

If you’re already in a relationship, you may feel the need to spend some time alone to recharge your batteries. This doesn’t mean leaving your partner. It simply means that you may need to focus on your inner world. Take some time each day for self-care and reflection. This will bring you peace.

The Hermit Career Tarot Meaning

Listen to the advice of someone more experienced than yourself. This person is offering you assistance out of pure motives. There is no hidden agenda. If they’re willing to mentor, you should accept their help.

The Hermit Reversed Tarot Card Meanings

The Hermit Reversed Keywords: Isolation, Loneliness, Immaturity, Foolishness

What The Hermit Reversed Means in a Tarot Reading

The Hermit Reversed can indicate isolation or loneliness. You’re in a situation where you’re alone, but not out of choice. Loneliness and feeling isolated have become problematic for you. The appearance of The Hermit Reversed is your sign to try to remedy this situation. While we all need peace, quiet, and time to ourselves, you’ve come to a point where you need to take some steps towards spending more time with others. You might not find this easy to do, but The Hermit Reversed is making you aware of the issue because now is the time to take those first steps.

The Hermit Reversed can also be a sign of immaturity. Are you behaving immaturely over something? Or have you been refusing to step up and take responsibility perhaps? Take note of The Hermit Reversed in your reading and think about how you’re going to do what you know you should. Now is the time for action.

Quite often when you see The Hermit Reversed in a reading it indicates that you’ve been given good advice by someone, but you’re not heeding it. You’re ignoring wise counsel when it would be better to listen and take it on board. What’s happening to you now is in part caused by the fact that you’ve failed to listen to the good advice that you were given. Take heed of The Hermit Reversed and consider what you can do now to improve the situation you find yourself in.

The Hermit Reversed Love and Relationships Tarot Meanings

The Hermit Reversed indicates that there might be feelings of isolation creeping into your relationship. Perhaps something has come between you and your partner. For some reason you have grown apart. Before this situation worsens, you should take time to consider what you can do to help your relationship. The Hermit Reversed is your prompt to do this.

A lack of romance, intimacy, or love in your life may be causing feelings of isolation and loneliness. For now, it’s best to try to focus your attention and energies on activities you enjoy.

The Hermit Reversed Career Tarot Meanings

The same meanings apply in a career reading. You’re not heeding good advice; choosing instead to follow your own. This isn’t working out well for you and you would do well to reconsider your plans. The situation you find yourself in now is in part caused by your failure to listen to the advice you were given.

Another interpretation of The Hermit Reversed in a career reading is that you’re perhaps being forced to work alone – maybe working from home full-time, or alone on a project. This isn’t working out as well for you as you might have thought it would. You’re feeling isolated and probably crave some collaboration in your role. Small changes will make a big difference here and it would be worth making those changes now before this situation becomes unbearable for you.

The Hermit Correspondences & Attributions