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.
![The Hermit Tarot Card Reversed]()
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
