In this article, you will learn everything you need to know about The Hermit Tarot Archetype.
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The Hermit Tarot Card Meaning
Part of the tarot archetypes, The Hermit is the ninth trump card in most traditional Tarot decks.
Checkout this detailed breakdown of the meaning of The Hermit tarot card.
Upright Meanings
The Hermit indicates an imminent period of self-reflection and spiritual enlightenment, with a need for time alone to develop greater understanding of oneself, the meaning of one’s existence and one’s true values and direction.
The recipient may be withdrawing into themselves to recover from problems, going through an anti-social period where they seek to interact with others less.
The card represents wisdom, maturity and knowledge as well as the need to seek the services of someone like a psychiatrist or therapist.
Generally the recipient needs to spend time focusing on their own needs.
The Hermit’s overall theme is spiritual enlightenment, with now the perfect time to be involved in spiritual activities like meditation and psychic development as the recipient comes towards a time of spiritual growth.
They may seek solitude and isolation in some form but this time should be used to develop spiritually and listen to one’s own internal guidance.
For single people the card means the end of a period of loneliness is imminent, but that period was needed to recover from heartbreak.
The recipient will soon be ready to begin again.
It can also represent celibacy and chastity. In a relationship the card can indicate an older, wiser partner and that more effort needs to be made by the recipient to connect with their partner as they are too focused on other things.
The Hermit indicates too great a focus on materialism, career and money over more fulfilling pursuits. It may also suggest the recipient is unsure if their career is right for them, and they may seek a more fulfilling career and life path.
Financially it is time to take amore mature view of money.
The Hermit indicates the recipient is overdoing things and this is damaging their health.
They need to relax and recuperate, taking time to meditate or reconnect with how their body feels to ensure their health does not suffer irreparably.
Reversed Meanings
The Hermit reversed indicates the recipient has become too withdrawn and reclusive.
Whilst solitude might have once been needed, now is time to rejoin society, with the period for self-reflection over.
The recipient may be shy and nervous about social situations but should not be afraid of these. Alternatively, the card can indicate an avoidance of self-reflection in fear of what may be discovered, becoming too rigid in one’s values or opinions and/or becoming fixated with something.
Spiritually the card indicates too much alone time, with group time or activities more likely to aid spiritual development at this point e.g. meditation classes, reading circles or yoga classes.
In love the card strongly indicates loneliness, suggesting feeling rejection or lack of connection in a relationship. For single people it indicates fear of never finding a partner and having missed that opportunity.
It can also mean now is the time to find love after a period of being single, setting aside any fears to do so, or the desire to reunite with an ex.
The Hermit reversed can mean now is a good time to make career and business connections. The recipient may benefit from team working or consultancy rather than working alone.
Financially, they may benefit from seeking advice from an experienced individual rather than going it alone.
Health wise, the Hermit reversed can suggest mental health problems e.g.agoraphobia, schizophrenia, paranoia. It can also warn of the need to relax and rest.
The Hermit Keywords
- Spiritual enlightenment
- Soul searching
- Self-reflection
- Introspection
- Contemplation
- Inner guidance
- Solitude
- Loneliness
- Paranoia
- Isolation
- Bring reclusive
- Withdrawal
- Anti-social
- Restrictive
- Paralysed by fear
Learn About the Other Tarot Card Archetypes
The Major Arcana is made up of 22 cards (or trumps). Explore the other tarot archetypes here:
- The Fool
- The Magician
- The High Priestess
- The Empress
- The Emperor
- The Hierophant
- The Lovers
- The Chariot
- Strength
- The Hermit
- The Wheel of Fortune
- Justice
- The Hanged Man
- Death
- Temperance
- The Devil
- The Tower
- The Star
- The Moon
- The Sun
- Judgment
- The World