The Hermit tarot card is one of the most mysterious and thought-provoking cards in the tarot deck. Often depicted as an old man holding a lantern, this card represents wisdom, solitude, introspection, and soul-searching.
In this comprehensive guide, we will explore everything you need to know about the Hermit, from the Hermit card meaning in both upright and reversed positions to how it may relate to love, career, finances, health, spirituality, and more. We’ll also look at the Hermit’s numerology, astrology, card combinations, designs, and commonly asked questions.
By the end, you’ll have a deep understanding of what the Hermit tarot card means for all aspects of life, relationships, and personal growth. Let’s get started unraveling the mysteries of this wise and solitary figure!
Hermit Key Facts
| Upright Meaning | Reversed Meaning | Yes/No | Numerology | Element | Planet | Astrological Sign |
| – | – | – | – | – | – | – |
| Wisdom, solitude, introspection | Isolation, loneliness, withdrawal | Yes | 9 | Earth | Mercury | Virgo |
Hermit Tarot Card Description
The Hermit card shows an old man dressed in a cloak and holding a lantern as he walks through snowy mountains. The lantern illuminates the path ahead, representing inner wisdom and introspective searching. The mountains symbolize an isolated spiritual journey filled with challenges and discoveries.
The cloaked figure is detached from worldly concerns, focused entirely on soul-searching and transcendence. Sometimes the Hermit is shown with a staff, representing wisdom and experience. Overall, the imagery conveys a sense of guidance through unknown territory via wise contemplation and focus.
The Upright Hermit Tarot Card Meaning
When the Hermit appears upright in a tarot reading, it points to a need for solitude, soul-searching, and introspection. You may be seeking a deeper understanding of yourself, your life path, or greater truths. It’s a time to withdraw from the noise of life and look within.
Love Relationships
In romantic relationships, the upright Hermit can signify a need for space and alone time. Your partner may seem distant as they process thoughts and emotions. Or you yourself may crave solitude for self-reflection. While time apart could strengthen the bond, too much distance can create feelings of isolation. Find a balance between connection and personal space.
For singles, the Hermit can mean a period of being happily independent and withdrawn from dating. You may wish to focus on personal growth. When ready to socialize again, examining your needs and relationship patterns during this hermit period will be beneficial.
Career
Professionally, the upright Hermit card represents moving into a contemplative phase to think through career plans and decisions more deeply. You may take a sabbatical or hiatus to carefully weigh your current path versus other options and next steps. Research and heal before proceeding.
This card can also signify work involving research, analytics, scholarship, mentoring, or counseling roles where wisdom and introspection are needed. Any vocation requiring intense focus andAnalysis independent work in solitude is a good match when the Hermit appears.
Finances
Financially, the Hermit upright indicates a prudent approach to money matters. This is a time for budgeting wisely, avoiding unnecessary expenditures, and thinking through financial plans and strategies carefully before acting. Investments that involve thorough research are favored.
You or your financial advisor may need to withdraw temporarily to assess finances closely and determine the most secure, practical path ahead. But too much isolation around money decisions can lead to being uninformed; periodically seek wise counsel.
Health
For health, the upright Hermit signifies a need for rest, recovery and reflection. Your mind, body and spirit require a timeout. Avoid burnout by consciously taking a break from everyday demands. Retreat and recharge through relaxation, meditation, journaling, therapy, or other introspective practices. Reflect on health goals and make deliberate lifestyle choices.
This card can also represent a health professional who helps facilitate insight through counseling or alternative therapies. Seek a holistic healer who supports inner work. Overall, nurture body and soul through quiet contemplation.
Spirituality
Spiritually, the upright Hermit represents a powerful time for soul-searching through inner work, meditation, prayer, ritual, or other practices. This card signals a call from your inner voice to explore your deepest beliefs, truths and life purpose through solitary spiritual practices.
Your spiritual curiosity will be strongest when the Hermit appears. Follow your inner light through contemplation, study, and communion with nature. Retreat from external noise, go within, and illuminate your inner wisdom.
The Reversed Hermit Tarot Card Meaning
When the Hermit is reversed, his lantern light grows dim and the outlook turns darker. The reversed meaning can indicate isolation turning unhealthy, lost inner light, and refusal to seek outside input and guidance. If upright the Hermit withdraws for soul-searching, reversed he disconnects out of fear or denial.
Love Relationships
In romantic relationships, the reversed Hermit can point to destructive isolation and an unwillingness to share inner experiences with a partner. One person may withdraw completely or become emotionally distant. Too much time apart leads to a loss of intimacy and connection.
For singles, the card can mean isolation has gone on too long. You may be avoiding dating and emotional risks to an unhealthy degree. Hiding away will not lead to a fulfilling relationship. To move forward, you must open up and reconnect with others.
Career
Professionally, the reversed Hermit indicates career isolation taken too far. Your sabbatical may stretch on, cutting you off from colleagues and opportunities. Or an overly cautious approach may cause indecision and stalled progress. Fear of risk is limiting your growth.
This card can also represent misguided lone wolf approaches. Collaboration and mentorship from others are needed for success. Seek trusted advice to gain clarity and move forward with purpose.
Finances
Financially, the reversed Hermit warns against overly isolated or paranoid money management. Hoarding everything without investing or spending reasonably can ironically lead to further loss. Obsessive penny-pinching may cause you to miss opportunities.
Or you may be avoiding important financial decisions, paperwork, and conversations out of confusion or analysis paralysis. Denial solves nothing. To improve finances, strategize logically but stay open to counsel from experts.
Health
For health, the reversed Hermit indicates isolation taken too far, causing depression, anxiety and poor self-care. Your spiritual retreat has morphed into an unhealthy escape. Moving inward without balance worsens mental, emotional and physical health.
This card reminds you to care for the whole self – body, mind and spirit together. Seek outside support, connect with others, take small active steps, and take care of your physical body. Inner work paired with outer action leads to wellness.
Spirituality
Spiritually, the reversed Hermit points to a crisis of faith and loss of inner light. Your soul-searching has left you feeling lost, empty or demoralized. Inner work requires balance – solitude plus community, contemplation plus action. Isolate completely and your inner light dims.
To reignite spiritual curiosity, take small outward steps to help others or create positive change. Find kindred spirits who share your journey. Spiritual insight requires both looking within and engaging beyond yourself. Seek wise counsel to rediscover your path.
Hermit Tarot Card in Yes or No Questions
The Hermit reversed generally indicates “no” in yes/no questions, while upright it leans towards “yes” but with caution and care. Really reflect before acting.
For example:
- Upright: Should I take a solo vacation for self-reflection? Yes, but avoid isolating completely.
- Reversed: Should I withdraw from my relationship to work on myself? No, communicate your needs.
Consider surrounding cards for additional insight. The Hermit ultimately advises introspection before major decisions.
Hermit Tarot Card and Numerology
In numerology, the Hermit card reduces to the number 9 (1 + 8 = 9). Number 9 resonates with the Hermit’s solitary, wise and introspective qualities.
Nines represent deep inner awareness, humanitarianism, and lightworking. The shadow side includes isolation taken too far, disconnected idealism, and avoidance. Balance wisdom with grounded action.
Hermit Tarot Card and Astrology
The Hermit card is associated with the zodiac sign Virgo. Virgo is an earth sign ruled by Mercury, planet of communication and mental focus.
Virgos share the Hermit’s introspective, analytical nature. At their best, Virgos use their mental discernment for practical problem-solving and service. Negatively, overanalysis leads to perfectionism and isolation. Virgos flourish when balancing critical thinking with tangible efforts to help others.
Hermit Tarot Card Combinations
Hermit + The High Priestess: Deep soul wisdom, trusting your inner voice and higher self. Spiritual retreat.
Hermit + Strength: Patient inner strength. Calm focused poise during challenges. Solitary spiritual practices.
Hermit + Hanged Man: Radical shift in perspective after deep contemplation. Period of limbo for inner growth.
Hermit + Devil: Feeling stuck in isolation. Seeking enlightenment to overcome harmful patterns.
Hermit + Moon: Confusion and uncertainty prompting soul-searching. Exploring subconscious through dreams or creativity.
Hermit + Temperance: Finding balance through inner work and self-care practices. Holistic mind-body-spirit integration.
Hermit Tarot Card Designs
The Hermit appears in many distinctive tarot decks with varied artwork styles:
Rider-Waite: Wise old man in a cloak holding up a lantern. Snowy mountains in the background.
Marseille: Similar Rider-Waite imagery. Depicted as a bearded sage.
Thoth: Named “The Prophet”. Shows an ancient figure holding a lantern up to illuminate a spiral.
Wild Unknown: A rare depiction of the Hermit as a young figure holding up an illuminated stone.
Modern decks: Often shown as a feminine witch or spiritual guide lighting up a magical staff.
FAQs
Is the Hermit card positive or negative?
Upright the Hermit is largely positive, reflecting wisdom, soul-searching, and introspection. Reversed tends towards negativity – isolation, lost inner light, avoidance. Context matters, so analyze the surrounding cards.
What zodiac sign is the Hermit card?
The Hermit correlates with the zodiac sign Virgo. Both are analytical, introspective, and privately spiritual.
What does the Hermit card mean in a love reading?
In love readings, the Hermit reflects a need for solitude and inner reflection, especially upright. Reversed can indicate problematic isolation in relationships. Surrounding cards provide additional relationship insight.
Key Takeaways
- The Hermit card represents wisdom, introspection, solitude, and soul-searching. It points to going within through spiritual practices, research, or time alone in nature.
- Upright, the Hermit encourages a mindful retreat for inner growth. Reversed, too much isolation becomes unhealthy and limiting.
- In readings, the Hermit upright indicates independent insight needed before decisions. Reversed warns against avoidance and losing inner light.
- For love, the Hermit reflects need for personal space. For career, a sabbatical for careful planning. For finances, shrewd budgeting and solo strategizing.
- Numerologically, the Hermit resonates with the number 9 (humanitarian, lightworking). Astrologically, it’s linked to analytical Virgo.
- Thoughtful alone time balanced with outside input leads to wisdom. Use the Hermit’s light to illuminate your inner truth.
Conclusion
The Hermit tarot card represents the solitary quest for inner enlightenment. When this sage figure appears in a reading, you are called to withdraw from the noise of life and look within through practices like meditation, journaling, long walks in nature, and deeper spiritual study.
Be mindful not to isolate to an extreme. Balance introspection with outside perspective and social connections. Done with wisdom, the Hermit’s journey inward illuminates the truths and purpose that dwell in your soul. Integrate these insights through outward action.
By merging inner contemplation and external engagement, you master the profound life lessons of the Hermit. Follow your own lantern – the inner light leads the way.
