Two cards

The Empress Tarot Card Meaning

She stands tall and proud, her eyes filled with the wisdom of ages, her hands holding the moonlight in an eternal embrace. Her dress is adorned with ribbon, a reminder of the wrapped up gifts she offers. The forest behind her whispers of secrets to be revealed - if one listens closely enough. Crows fill the air as they have for centuries because she is the empress; she embodies nature, motherhood and all things creative. She is a reminder that life is precious and can be found in even the smallest of moments. By her side stands a guardian to protect and watch over us in our journeys ahead. Her aura is one of elegance, power, beauty and love - an invitation to explore the possibilities of life. She is the Empress and she stands ready to nurture us all.

The Empress represents mothering love, an authority figure that is looking out for you and is often a kind guardian. She is wise and has attained her place in the hierarchy of the older tarot through her own missteps and finding her way. She has learned her lessons and is now in a position to bestow her wisdom upon you. This is usually a motherly representation in one way or another indicating that you need to look out for someone around you or that someone is looking out for you. She can be represented as an older woman with authority in her own right that has come from wisdom and experience.

The Empress also represents a pure form of extroverted abundance. If you have received this card in your reading, you are going to be well taken care of. You will get everything that you desire and more. The Empress sits on her throne made of cushion and revels in luxury and her station in life. She is depicted in the tarot with a field of wheat outstretched before her which is sacred to the Egyptian Goddess Isis. She wears a crown of twelve stars with six points, illustrating her control over the cosmos.

The Empress card symbolizes the Land of Milk and Honey after a long journey of hard labor and introspection. She is the Universal Goddess: Isis Unveiled, fertile, strong and dynamic. She is also Venus, Goddess of love: plump and curvy, attracting wealth like a magnet. This woman is the epitome of female strength as well as a symbol of ultimate abundance. Your needs will be fulfilled with joy and satisfaction. There is no need to fear. Having the Empress on your side is like having a fierce mother, protecting you always. Receiving this card in your reading means that you are making the right decision, that you are supported, and that there is a vast array of possibility for abundance currently transiting around you. Many rewards are coming your way.

The Empress, governed by so many feminine energies is pure emotion and deep intuitive understanding. The lessons that you have learned in your life will now continue to benefit you. As apply what you learn, you will reap the benefits of emotional rewards. She encourages you to express unfiltered emotions because you have earned the right to do so.

The Empress In Love

When the Empress shows herself in a reading about Love, be prepared to go through a cycle of being worshipped. Love is in the air when you are the Empress; everyone wants to be close to you because you are The God/Goddess of Love. How can they resist you? It is practically impossible. This is your time to say what you want exactly the way that you want it and have others rush to your side to provide it. Take this time to be a little selfish; do not compromise your beliefs or your integrity for anyone that isn’t similar to you. Take this opportunity to attract someone fantastic, that matches your energy, and let it happen. Now is the time.

The Empress As Feelings

If someone feels the empress towards you they adore you. They are going in with an open heart and generous spirit, the Empress tarot card speaks to us of a connection that is deeply honest and honoring. She means to “feel adored” and accepted by another person on a soul level - as if they hold you thought dear, respect and care for each of your needs. Regardless of circumstances or external factors, this tarot card can serve as a powerful reminder to show respect for others. As long as we do not attach any strings, requirements, or conditions to our love, we become an incredible force for healing.

The Empress has meaning that extends beyond just pregnancy, but also the earth by extension and the act of lovemaking, too. In your enquiry of feelings, it points to clear and obvious physical attraction that pulls the person you ask after towards you like a moth to a flame. Tread carefully, lust clouds the head like fog – physical love doesn’t guarantee feelings beyond the surface level. If the attraction is shared, take small steps forward to see if you are also compatible in terms of opinion and lifestyle before going any further with the relationship. 

The Empress Love Reconciliation

Love burning as hot as a welder’s iron and shining as bright as a star, emotional satisfaction permeates your relationship so that your romantic bond is solid and unbreakable. Your life is flooded with the best elements of love: commitment, beauty, happiness, and, of course, the starting of a family. There’s a deepening of feelings, like a submarine sinking into the ocean – now is the time to move towards a new level of commitment, and - yes! - pregnancy. If you are single, a new romance is likely to blossom as beautiful and fresh as pink petals on an apple tree. Keep your eyes open and enjoy every minute, this next love may well be “the one” you’ve always waited for. Remember to stay in tune with the emotional side of any fledgeling relationships, it is not just the physical attraction that matters, but emotional compatibility, too.

The Empress in Health

When the Empress comes up with a reading where health is mentioned, she is telling you that you have been working too hard and it is time stop and smell the roses. You likely are in a place where you can enjoy the rewards of your hard efforts and look upon them from a comfy chair overlooking the ocean and be pleased with what you have been able to accomplish. The act of healing from a busy time is just as important as any other preventative measure one to protect their health.

When stress is allowed to eat at the body, it begins to disintegrate. The Empress informs you that you need to give yourself the time off that you deserve so that you can have the perspective of a job well done. The Empress also weighs in on reproductive health. If you are trying to get pregnant or are pregnant, this card bodes well for you because you have her support. If you are trying to increase circulation or need to focus on feminine issues, the Empress will help you.

The Empress in Work, Money, Business, Career, and Wealth

Now is the time to invest, to perpetuate stock, and to place a bet on a horse. Anything that brings you peace and relaxation where you can enjoy the fruit of your labor is going to coincide with the energies of the Empress. If your reading is work related and you are trying to figure out whether or not to take your business to another level, the Empress tells you to not make a decision now. In fact, this may be a time to step away from work. Take or plan a vacation and enjoy the moment rather than constantly trying to find ways to make more money.

Often this card will come up when you are at risk of spreading yourself too thin. Do not make large decisions regarding change of employment or financial issues. If you are seeking work, the Empress says that it is going to take time. Even in the most dire situations, there are solutions that can be found and likely others that are willing to help you get on your feet until a more productive air is around you. As the empress is connected to the earth element in work she brings with her a nurturing move on the part of an employer or employee. Something is delicate, almost born. It can mean that you might be aiming high but you need time to develop yourself. The empress also indicates that one must be guided firmly but surely if contemplating a new career path.

The Empress Advice

Arms outstretched, reaching for the stars – it seems starlight might just fall into your hands directly, because opportunities are about to shower down upon you. Womanhood, fertility, rebirth – these are the aspects of the feminine which are bound to come to the forefront of your life with the drawing of The Empress. Where does this beautiful card direct you? Towards the light, where life reigns like royalty – now is the right moment to foster a family, whether literally with your partner or metaphorically with your friends. On the tree of experience, your fruits swell with ripeness, ready to be plucked – it could be your career which is ready to take off or a new love or friendship. See how the empress keeps her eyes closed, these rich opportunities may not be obvious to the naked eye but you’ll be able to sense them with your intuition. Lean into the news aspects of your life and discover the adventures of a life full of prosperity; now is a time to sew your seeds - the harvest is likely to be plentiful. 

The Empress Yes Or No

The question on your lips, you wonder – is your answer yes or no? And this card looks towards the affirmative, just like a call with good news, it seems the answer is ‘yes’. The Empress abounds with positive outcomes and new beginnings which is why she dwells in this positive meaning, now is the time to act on your answer. In questions regarding fertility or pregnancy, this card carries extra conviction; your answer is steadfast, and there is very likely to be a baby in your future. 

The Empress Past

The Empress highlights a significant female figure from your past, she walked through the pages of your history like a leader, leaving her mark and paving the way for you. She might have been maternal, she might have been an equal – whatever the case, she shaped you with the confidence of a sculptor. Did she teach you lessons that you are now ignoring? This card may also appear in your past position when an opportunity you seized in the past has come good in the present. Seeds do not grow overnight but instead, they must be nurtured and watered in order to become something more. The card reminds you that hard work is worth it, even when the rewards lie further down the road than you’d like. 

The Empress Present 

A new start, as fresh as a daisy and as vitalising as the sun, comes your way. This life-changing opportunity, it is like the tide going in and out, gradual, but consistent – don’t doubt its existence in moments of speculation, have faith and hold out. Often when a different chapter in our life is just finishing, we don’t realise a new part of our life is on its way. Taking on a new direction in life is frequently challenging and even scary, considering the maternal strength of this card, now is the time to draw love from the strong female figures in your life and revel in your own feminine aspect; be both gentle and strong, like a beautiful oak tree. This manifestation of womanhood will provide you with the wisdom needed to take the right direction. Remember that variety is the spice of life, and discovering this new period is likely to shape your worldview and make you a better, more confident person in the long run. Welcome this change with open arms and you’re much more likely to get the best out of it. 

The Empress Future and Outcome

The harvest glows golden in the sun, abundance is the headline of the feast, prosperity and reward; your future is adorned with opportunities come to fruition. Just think, pregnancy and new life is linked with joy and self-discovery. Even when the card does not highlight literal pregnancy, it still carries the weight of those positive emotions. You will blossom into something much, much more; it could be a personal ambition about to take flight, a new relationship or stage of commitment with a loved one, or simply a change in location and lifestyle. Whatever the transformation, be happy that you have it all to come - the results will be as beautiful and distinct as a peach coloured sunset over a crystal blue sea.

The Empress As Friendship

Communication flows as freely and transparent as water, cleansing and nourishing – this is the foundation of all great friendships. If you are a woman, you may find you have become the mother of your group of friends, regularly dispensing advice and wisdom to others just like your mother did for you as a child. It can also indicate a sense of harmony within friendships, a delicate balance has been achieved - you and your companions are finding the dynamic emotionally rewarding and beneficial. Certainly, if you are seeing this card, you are an important part of that balance so keep on doing what you’re doing and the happiness within your friendships will continue to fill each of you with gratitude and joy. 

Reversed Empress In A Reading

The Empress in the reversed position is symbolic of infertility, inconclusiveness, lack of abundance and confusion as well as instability and sometimes financial issues. This happens when one is too caught up in attempting to make everything perfect and there is never any rest to gather perspective. This also means that you need to use caution in your spending habits so as to not flitter away financial resources.

Take care to set up a nest egg for yourself so that you might be prepared should something go wrong. Question your poverty mindset and your feelings toward money or abundance. Do you feel worthy of relaxation? Of reaping the benefits that you have sewn after hard work? Do you feel as though it is impossible to catch up? Ask the Empress to help heal your poverty mindset so that you can reap the benefits of the abundance that she has to offer you.

The Empress Reversed - Love and Romance

Aggression reigns, resentment brews, the smallest things tumble into chaotic battles – sound familiar? The Empress reversed carries warnings of a love sourced by hardness and lack of empathy. You and your partner may have been arguing or ignoring opportunities to be tender and loving with one another. This card has feminine energy, and it may be reversed when the delicate balance of masculine and feminine attributes have become unbalanced.  Have you forgotten you are partners, not enemies? You can each counter this by reconnecting with your patient, nurturing side (this applies to both man and woman, as every gender has these qualities within them). If you are single, this reversed card sees promiscuity and a lack of emotional attachment in the dating world - take the time to consider whether you lack emotional availability and how this might be impacting your prospective relationships. 

The Empress reversed - Family and Home

Home is where the heart is, but The Empress and her emotional sensibilities became inverted when reversed and she sings a warning lullaby; there is a loss of harmony and balance in your family, like a ship rocked in a stormy sea. A greater level of conflict than normal and a general sense of unease infects the family relations, this often happens when family members feel that they can’t be honest about their feelings (causing repressed emotions and subsequent anger to go with it, all bubbling up like an overheated pot). It also might occur when the maternal figure of the family has been too busy or occupied to take on her normal role as the carer and nurturer of the family. If this figure is usually you, then it is worth refocussing your attention and lending the other members of the family your ear so that they can work through any problems they are experiencing (via your guidance and advice). Remember that communication and affection are two of the most important things in any happy, healthy family – talking is the oil that keeps the machine working correctly. 

The Empress Reversed - Work and Finances

Your career has become dull and unfulfilling, it may not be terrible, but like bread without butter, it’s far from ideal. Perhaps the pay is good, but the emotional side of things are lacking and leave a hole in your life. The Empress asks if you have put money and status above what you’re truly passionate about? Or maybe you are working hard and enjoying your tasks but not feeling the benefit of appreciation from your colleagues or boss. Now is the time to reassess what you have and see if you can’t find some opportunities that may be hidden to the naked eye. See if there are small adjustments you can make before rushing to jump overboard! Sometimes we can improve things without making huge changes, we just need to look at things in a new light and keep an open mind to see the possibilities before us. 

The Empress Reversed - Health and Wellness

Your body is a temple, it needs an empress to rule it – but where is your monarch? The throne is dusty, the floor is cracked; it seems your health has fallen to the bottom of your to-do list. Remember that the best way to break out of a lull of energy is to force yourself to get more active and reignite your passion for life, through movement and the great outdoors. This card has a connection with nature, and when reversed it may highlight that a person is spending too much time indoors and away from the natural world – are the four walls closing in? For women trying to conceive, this card reversed often suggests complications or issues with infertility. Go to your doctor for a check-up to see what your situation is.  These complications may appear both for women who do want to conceive and for those who may unknowingly be pregnant and so it’s better to be safe than sorry.  

The Empress Reversed - Personal Spirituality

A fork in the road, a signpost which has been switched – The Empress reversed points to a divergence from your true spiritual path. You may have allowed yourself to disconnect from your spiritual journey, sometimes the daily bustle of life gets in the way of the deeper meaning that sits behind everything. This card reversed urges you not to get caught up in the mundane things in everyday life. When upright, this card speaks to the power of the world that surrounds us and is strongly associated with mother earth - you should consider using nature as a route to enlightenment so that you can recentre yourself on your spiritual journey.

The Empress Upright Meanings in Keywords

• Romance
• Pregnancy 
• Birth
• Growth
• Motherly

The Empress Reversed Meanings in Keywords

• Delay
• Domestic problems
• Family problems
• Stuck feminine energy 

The Hermit Tarot Card Meaning

The Hermit card is often very much underestimated. She is the underdog of the tarot that when viewed invokes a reaction from readers and querents alike. Often she is not welcome and that’s just sad.

The Hermit doesn’t hide from people; she merely likes to live life on his own terms. She has chosen to retreat into solitude above all of the madness of society. She beckons you to turn your view inward and allow yourself the time and space to think, feel, and meditate on what it is that you truly want in and from your life. By doing this you will be able to unlock your true desires and find complete happiness.

The Hermit looks to be standing on his own surrounded by nothing and holding only a lamp. Look more closely at the card and you will note that she is standing ready to move to the mountain. These are the very same mountains that symbolize monetary issues or stability in the Rider-Waite deck. His lantern is not to guide his own way, for he’s already where he wants to be. It is there to guide you to him or to his location. Now is a time to advance past trivialities in your life and focus on what really matters. It is not a damning card indicating seclusion, but rather a hopeful card showing you that there is a way to find solutions to your answers if you know the right questions to ask.

The Hermit card in your reading sometimes shows that there is a need for healing and understanding in your life. It is a very personal and spiritual card that shows you that you are not alone right now even if you feel that way. If you are going through a time of loss, feeling insecure or incomplete now is the time to embrace those feelings not as negative aspects but as empowering life-affirming experiences. It is easy to feel abandoned at certain times in one’s life as people can be let down by expectations placed on others, society, or the world. Consider who has let you down or disappointed you and left you feeling as you are.

Do not wallow in this feeling and do not allow it to eat at you. The Hermit has chosen to walk away from it all not for her disdain for mankind, but rather she was seeking answers and understanding through solitude and taking herself away from materialistic possessions. Now is a good time to pick up the book Walden by Ralph Waldo Emerson, grab a cup of tea, cozy up in your favorite chair and embrace the times that you have when you are on your own. Focus on the own inner quiet of your existence and check in on your true self.

The Hermit in Love

The Hermit may be alone standing on top of the mountain looking down at you, but this does not mean that you must do the same. In fact, the Hermit card is a sign for you to take stock in what you have going on in your life’s relationships that are good and revel in them. Rather than focusing on what you WANT now is a time to focus on what you need from love. Knowledge is power and you have the power to get what you want out of life through your relationships.

Since the Hermit card represents focusing on the positive aspects of your life, it may show up in your love reading as a suggestion to stop trying too hard. In a relationship that is rocky for example, the Hermit often advises to take a step back and allow arguments or disputes between two people to die down and to focus on what you brought you together in the first place. Allow yourself to go back to the basics of love and feel them again in retrospect. It is likely that you will find that the arguments in your relationship are not the root of the problem. Often there are outside issues that destroy our relationships such as work stress and finances. Put those issues aside for the time being and focus on the true connection between the two of you.

If you are looking for love and this card comes up it can have one of two meanings. The first is a representation of your lonely feeling by not being in a relationship. The other is a representation of needing to take a break from your search and focus on yourself for a while and allow for love to find its way to you. Maybe consider taking a break from dating and taking up a hobby. Find things in life that truly satisfy you and through those avenues, you will likely find what you are looking for.

The Hermit As Feelings

As feelings, The Hermit radiates emotions of warmth and companionship - but not passion. It can also suggest deeply buried feelings or emotional stuntedness. If you are asking in relation to romantic possibilities, now is probably not the best time to pursue this person in passion. They may think well of you, and maybe they are even attracted to you, but they are too lost in their own minds and perceptions to dedicate any real estate to that right now. Save yourself the heartache by keeping a safe emotional distance and time will handle the rest. 

The Hermit tarot card is one of the most iconic images in all of tarot readings. This symbolic figure harkens back to an old tradition: Every year at mid-winter, people dreamt of a Hermit, or “wise person” who could help guide them as they navigated their journey through the darkness.

In modern tarot readings, The Hermit card has come to represent the mystery of life and nature. It can suggest delving into our innermost depths and accepting our true selves on a spiritual level. When this card appears in the feelings position it is indicative that we should embark on a journey within ourselves - to look inside and find our own personal truth and wisdom.

By shining the light of insight on their feelings and life's direction, the hermit understands where their feelings lie. Rather than determining if they like you or love you, you need to figure out where the relationship is headed. For those embarking on new romances or single hearts looking for love, it can signal they feel they must grow first before taking that next step - a journey inward through contemplation and self-discovery. As his feelings for you, the Hermit card conveys he is feeling a sense of aloneness, of being alone to figure out what he wants. If you pulled this card for her feelings towards you then she clearly has her lantern in hand, seeking out knowledge to understand the future of love --- in order to reveal its possibilities. She is holding a lantern on my tarot cards, which makes sense since she is looking towards the light. She is simply shining that light to find out how she feels. 

The Hermit As Love Recognition

The Hermit tarot card for love recognition is a great card to pull, it is a symbol of being alone to figure out what you want from love. The Hermit, naturally, places emphasis on empowering and formative solitude that allows the individual to heal old wounds and develop new aspects of personality and skill. While a figure of seclusion may seem unfavourable in a love position, for those in strong romantic relationships it does not guarantee or even suggest the end of a partnership (though it can). Instead, it recommends space apart so that you can ultimately grow closer together. 

Codependency is all too common, sometimes we lose ourselves and our identity in a relationship like water disappearing down a plughole. This is counterintuitive as your partner loves you for the unique person you are, not for the way you reflect them. Focus on spending time rediscovering yourself, and if your relationship is on the rocks, now might be the time to move on.  If you’re single, this card suggests that now is not the best time to seek a new partner. You will benefit much more from a period of independence, in fact, it may be crucial to the success of your future relationships – to know another, you must first know yourself. Identify yourself thoroughly before trying to get to know someone else and it will be worth it in the long run. 

It calls to the heart, reminding us of the one person that has been there for you; though it may not always have been passionate kind of love, there was still an important connection. If you get bored with the  same old routine, re-downloading and rinsing and repeating the same mistakes in this relationship. 

The cherry on the cake (so to speak) of this relationship will have always been the unique ability to defy expectations. There'd be times when you both need space and feel entirely alone in your own sadness. Even if you have experienced ghosting, something metaphysical has told you to keep a distance until your lover finds their way back to you. The Hermit, to me, is a card of weeping in darkness and feeling frustrated by the difficult times in this connection, but still, here I am telling you (standing in a haze of three or four Jaffa cakes around me) that the Hermit is a sign that “space” is needed in this relationship.

The hermit tarot card represents being alone and understanding within oneself and allows us to move past any pain or conflict if it appears in a love reading. There are times when all we need to do is take a step back and look within for answers while we are away from them.  Love Reconciliation can be found in the Hermit tarot card, if only one can look closely enough. 

The Hermit in Health

For some true happiness is found simply by following the initial advice of the Hermit card. So many of us are busy day in and day out that worry and stress literally eat us from the inside out. It can be hard to find joy in the simple things as you drive your child to soccer practice after a long day in the office only to get home and cook dinner and finally plop down exhausted wondering where the day has gone. The card in your reading can be a sign that you are doing too much to the extent that you are at risk of health issues and concerns. Exceedingly high levels of stress and pressure can also cause health problems.

Consider taking time for yourself to find your own center and balance. You may want to invest in a low-level fitness program to rejuvenate your mind and body. Daily walks, time to meditate, and time to reflect is important to your mental health at this time. Do not take your own health for granted. You are not expendable.

The Hermit in Work, Money, Business, Career, and Wealth

You may find that you are at a point in your life where you question what everything means. Consider that perhaps you really ARE running in circles and getting nowhere and it is time to take a new direction in your life. The hermit is also searching for something and is connected to how we reflect "work"in life. This could be inner search for self-confidence or in taking a new step career-wise. In essence, this card often appears when we need to be alone to think. The hermit could in some cases represent unemployment or self-employment for a period of time - in order to reflect what you REALLY wish to do in life.

Money can certainly be the root of all evil if you let it. Consider if you are putting too much focus on money or work at this time. Often this card will come up when a person is feeling desperate to find a job. It’s easy to say that money is not important when you have it. When you are out of work and feeling the hurt employers will also see this in your when you go to interview. Focus on thinking about what kind of work you want and a reasonable income that will satisfy your lifestyle without being in excess. Take time daily to close your eyes and see what it is that you need in order to sustain your needs and to be comfortable. Create this image and hold on to it when thinking about money and finances in order to manifest this. As the hermit relates to Virgo which is the 5th house, this represents employment, it might be time to start a new business? But, you have to find your own way with the light.

The Hermit is so often misunderstood. To be introverted is to be comfortable in your own company and to be quiet is to be reflective – wisdom and decision-making – these are the two qualities that give this card its strength, like scaffolding behind an old building. The night may be dark and long, but like the woman on this card, you have the lantern to guide you through it. Trust in your own inner power, now is not a moment for consulting mentors or others for guidance, instead turn your energy inwards towards your own power and intelligence. 

The best way to learn to trust your own wisdom is to take a leap of faith and go for it. Depending on your situation, this may mean pushing forward - but it more often refers to taking time out. Remember the sturdiest homes are built on solid foundations. Lay the groundwork before acting, the results will be more fruitful and longer-lasting. A lantern is a very particular kind of light, it can lead groups, not just individuals. This is the card for the educator seeking enlightenment, and guiding others on their path. 

The Hermit As Action/Advice

The Hermit for questiojns on advice or action is about disconnecting from the noise of life and instead turning inward, to one's true path. You may not find answers in others or their words; but use the light of the lantern and look only within yourself can you seek out an understanding that will lead your journey towards spiritual growth. Let go of all negative energy inside--and whatever is outside too - so the good energy won't be wasted away. For advice the Hermit is about discovering faith and abiding by what’s right here and within your heart in order to get what you need in life. Actions towards you then the Hermit says the person is likely to remain quite for some time.

The Hermit Yes Or No

The Hermit does not deal in absolutes, it can be frustrating to draw a card like this here because it does not point with any certainty to one way or the other. However, just because this card is non-definitive, it doesn’t mean it lacks guidance. In fact, this card is a big signifier of intelligence and intuition – some intellect is innate, and this is the kind of skill this card illuminates. Reassess your question, perhaps you already have the true answer within you, trust your mind to be like a compass and guide you through it.

The Hermit As A Person

Hermits are complex and hidden people, often feeling conflicted and helpless when faced with inner problems. As a person they protect themselves from the unknown, preferring instead to revert inwardly, away from the troubles around them. Their internal reflections can become quite soporific at times, conjuring up an image of babbling brooks mumbling and musing. It is difficult for many people to gain clarity about anything when confronted with a Hermit, since these individuals tend to be lost in their own spiritual selves; only by offering patience to yourself and others can one ultimately escape any situation.

The Hermit In Past Position

A time from your past; a quiet point, away from the day-to-day bustle of life and instead meditative, reflective, full of contemplation and inner discovery. You learned many things about yourself in this period, perhaps you spent time studying for a new skill or qualification. It may simply have been a break in your career or your relationship that served as a buffer and breathing room between the usual madness of life. Either way, it was your solitude which helped to instil you with the strength and endurance you have today. Be thankful for this time, and remember that you know how to be on your own when the situation calls for it – just like a lone wolf, sometimes, everyone must spend time away from the pack. 

The Hermit In Present Position

The path is rugged, the road ahead unclear – but there’s a goal at the end of it, and you’re on a quest to get it. You’re seeking something, it may be to do with your own growth or your general position in life. Like the woman on this card, you look up to the moon and imagine your future. You will see that her dress is ethereal and cloudy, like the night sky, it symbolizes all the possibilities of your future and where it will take you. Remember, this card is all about the power of isolation and independence. Don’t let your self-doubt stop you from taking this journey of self-discovery on your own, and don’t be swayed by the naysayers out in the chaotic world. By the end of this voyage, you will know more about yourself and your own world view than you ever have before.

The Hermit In Future and Outcome Position

An epiphany lingers in your future, a moment of realisation is just around the corner. If you are experiencing difficulty in your present, you will find that in your future, you will finally muster the personal strength to change your situation, just like a superhero discovering their powers for the first time. Perhaps you have already been mulling over this situation, this card can sometimes refer to letting go of something that was once dear to you, but now is only causing you pain. Whatever the case, do not stress or resist this moment of enlightenment - when the time comes, you will be ready and you will accept it. Like day and night, change is inherent to life and brings good things in the long run.

The Hermit As Friendship Or Family

Here, The Hermit sees power and depth in relationships that can last a long time without being supplemented by continual attention. Like birds of a feather, sometimes we fly in groups and sometimes we fly alone; we all go through periods of extroversion and periods of introversion, right now you should trust that distance doesn’t mark the end of your companionship with others. Of course, do not neglect your duty as a friend, but don’t push for unnecessary or over-the-top interaction, either. Friendship is based on a foundation of genuine connection, not doing things for show. This card is a sign that either you, or one of your friends, is in need of some personal space - this person will want to know their friends are available without feeling obligated to reach out regularly. 

Reversed Hermit in a Reading

The reversed Hermit indicates a dire situation in the extreme; usually representing of someone so far gone off their path that they may be best just wiping their hands clean of a situation and starting over completely. The light of wisdom is snuffed out, the path obscured, and hope gone the Hermit is alone and doesn’t know where to turn. When this card shows in the reversed position it is very important to look to the other surrounding cards for cues as to which way to go to get out of the current situation. The reversed position can also indicate seeking outside counsel or turning your introspection to those around you.

The Hermit Reversed - Love and Romance

An old flame begins to flicker once more, could this be the time for rekindling? When reversed, The Hermit can actually suggest that you’re on the path to reconciling with an ex or old lover. Perhaps you are coming out of a period of personal solitude, you may have reconnected with your own wants and desires and now feel ready to have another go at a relationship you weren’t mature enough for before. Equally, it may be your previous partner who has undergone this transformation – like a sleepwalker coming to their senses. If the moment feels right, you could try extending an olive branch and see where the new connection takes you.

When the Hermit card appears in a love reading reversed, it typically means that we are seeking an answer to a messy situation --- but don’t know which way to choose. The Hermit can represent someone who is alone and feeling spiritually isolated from others. On my card, you will see she is holding a lantern, this means that the hermit is the “wise guide” or teacher, leading you towards answers while keeping some distance, I also want to add this card could be interpreted in our relationships when we feel that something isn’t quite right yet don’t want to let go of it completely.

It could also point to the need to avoid difficult conversations or potential truths. In most cases, I believe the reversed Hermit can mean we have a need for guidance through that old path (or road) that we have not walked on before. To draw this card in a love reading (reversed) it really invites reflection upon your more “lonelier thoughts” and asks if your emotions are stable; ask yourself if they have been fully expressed as well as listened to by both people involved. Maybe there are still unresolved issues and you just need “breathing space” both mentally and emotionally -- or a period of hiding away to make sense of all the craziness in relationships.

The Hermit reversed - Family and Home

There is beauty in solitude, but when taken too far it turns into isolation and can generate selfish emotions. Seeing The Hermit reversed regarding family and the home usually suggests you have taken your solitude too far. We all need time alone, but, especially within the family, there must be community and shared experience, as well. You have an important role to play in your family, you need to support your loved ones and show them your affection (just like they do for you). 

It is in these moments family really shines with the golden goodness of sunlight, not when you’re shut away from each other. Don’t retreat into yourself entirely, otherwise, when you do reemerge you may find that some of your most important relationships have suffered irreparable damage. This isn’t said to scare you, just to gently warn you that personal time must be dispersed with shared family time, too. Don’t take your family for granted, they have a lot to offer you – and just like sharing gifts, reciprocation is essential to that process. 

The Hermit Reversed - Work and Finances

Does it feel that your potential is being wasted? Like a plant growing without rain, you’re missing a vital ingredient to success: collaboration. If you’re struggling financially, look for guidance on budgeting to help you create structure and order. And if you feel stunted at work, talk to your superiors about a more constructive process for climbing the career ladder. While upright The Hermit is all about independence, reversed, it is about not being afraid to ask for help when you need it. There are few realms where guidance and mentorship are more beneficial than in work and finances, it is here that leaders can truly lead you to new exciting lands. Ask for help and you’ll reap the rewards, just like an autumn harvest after a warm summer.

When we reverse the Hermit tarot card, it almost always indicates more of a negative outcome, either that something will not happen or that further guidance needs to be found. It could represent the need for caution while taking risks related to your money or career. The reversed Hermit can also indicate inner blockages with regard to progress --- whether they be emotional, mental, or spiritual --- so reflection and introspection could prove necessary before undertaking any course of action.

The Hermit Reversed - Health and Wellness

Something has staled, turned bitter like sour grapes, what was once good is now unworkable. Have you fallen into bad habits, perhaps you’re not nourishing yourself like you once were. This card is rarely a sign of anything serious to worry about, instead, you should take it as an indication that you need to freshen things up. Try and find a balance between things that you enjoy and things that are good for you (don’t ever forget it’s possible to achieve both, balance lies at the heart of all life). You could try cooking with your partner or exercising with a friend - these things are bound to give both your health and wellness a welcome boost and the collaboration can improve the overall experience. Take the time to listen to your body, feel it fully and it will tell you what it needs to thrive. 

The Hermit Reversed - Personal Spirituality

Overindulgence is wreaking havoc with your quest of spirituality, its impact is resounding like a siren and causing other issues to boot. Yes, a personal spiritual journey often requires inner reflection, but this is not an excuse for being blinkered to the world around you. It’s good to expose yourself to the wisdom and experiences of others as this can be spiritually enriching too. Remember that our learning on this earth is never done, so keep your mind and heart open. Be confident, but not arrogant. When you learn to balance reflection and action, solitude, and collaboration, you will find yourself spiritually enlightened. 

The Hermit Upright Meanings in Keywords

• The need for alone time
• Turned away from the world
• Thinking deeply
• Deciding what to do
• Coming out of you shell
• Mysterious person
• Walking alone

The Hermit Reversed Meanings in Keywords

• Reflecting on inner conflict
• Feelings as oppose to actions
• Withdrawn
• Egotistical
• Self defining