Major Arcana cards add an all-embracing spiritual or philosophical layer to any reading.
The Hermit card’s message is about retreating from the world so you can learn and create. Cut out distractions and settle into a solitary routine for personal growth. The illumination you find will be something you can share with the world.
To better understand the meaning of this card, let’s take note of the artistry involved:
This card is about taking time out from society to gain deeper knowledge. This can be about formal education or personal growth. Either way, this change of pace is good for the soul.
| Attribute | Description |
| Upright | Wisdom, soul searching, solitude, spiritual enlightenment, receiving or giving guidance |
| Reversed | Loneliness, isolation, paranoia, sadness, being overcome or paralyzed by fear |
| Yes or No | No |
| Numerology | 9 |
| Element | Earth |
| Planet | Mercury |
| Astrological Sign | Virgo |
The upright meaning of this card is the same as the core meaning: Solitude and contemplation for enlightenment.
This is a time to spend some time alone with your interests. It may not be apparent, but this retreat is key to your progress.
Here are the central themes:
| Upright Love Meaning | Upright Career Meaning | Upright Health Meaning |
| Taking time for introspection, leading to deep and meaningful connections in relationships | A period of self-reflection and inner wisdom guiding career choices | Focus on inner well-being and consider meditation or spiritual practices for overall health |
The Hermit in love wants you to step back from the world and get to know one another better. Outside influences may have too much impact on your personal relationship.
In romance, the comfort and security of your partnership is the most important thing. So it’s a problem when one of you seems more concerned about what others are doing.
To find your way back to the same page, the Hermit’s message is to take some time together, alone. A weekend getaway and some heart-to-heart conversations will help you get back on the same page.
Upright in a career reading, the Hermit’s message is about education. Create a quiet space in your day when you can learn something new.
This will add value to the work you already do. Or it could help you step into a new career with better prospects.
With continuing education, you can generate raises, promotions, and good opportunities for yourself. When you study, it shows you take yourself seriously.
In a question about health, the Hermit card encourages you to pull back from everyday habits. Take some time to reflect on what’s good for you. Adopt some new habits that will help you feel better.
It’s easy to fall into habits that aren’t helpful. They may seem small at first, but they subtract from your well-being, little by little.
Read up on what’s good for your mental and physical health. There may be some small changes you can make that add up positively.
Upright in a spirituality reading, the Hermit advises spiritual retreat. Deep reflection requires a quiet atmosphere with few distractions.
There is something you are called to learn or discover. It eludes you because your daily life is too busy.
Give yourself a time-out. A day to read, write, and reflect. The sense of connection you gain makes the day-to-day more meaningful.
When The Hermit comes out in reverse, it may feel like you’re on the outside looking in.
The Hermit is all about a necessary retreat for learning. In reverse, you may feel lonely or don’t fit in.
| Reversed Love Meaning | Reversed Career Meaning | Reversed Health Meaning |
| Feeling isolated or withdrawing from relationships | Difficulty in finding direction or purpose in the career | Pay attention to mental health and seek support for emotional challenges |
When the Hermit pops reversed in a question of love, it says someone feels lonely. A divide of some kind has opened up between the two of you.
It’s natural sometimes that two people grow in opposite directions. You may have been on the same page before, but you both want different things now.
Misunderstandings lead to distance. Have a heart-to-heart with your loved one, and see if you can find the way back.
If you’re looking for love, the Hermit in reverse says you need to open up to connection. Keeping a low profile isn’t working for you.
Reversed in a career spread, the Hermit says you feel disconnected from your work. You may find it boring or too isolating.
This is a sign you lack direction. The work you do is an expression of your sense of purpose. Choose a track that lets you shine.
It’s possible that you’re on the right track but avoiding collaborations. For your work to have a bigger impact, you almost always will need help. So, ask for some cooperation and receive material and creative input.
You may neglect self-care when the Hermit pops reversed in a wellness reading. Personal hygiene includes cleanliness, nutrition, activity and rest.
If you have been avoiding these things, this is your signal to get back on track.
Don’t ignore physical health symptoms. If you’re struggling, talk to a medical pro.
And don’t ignore mental health challenges. If you’re struggling with anxiety or melancholy, or if you’re struggling to pay attention, it’s time to seek help.
The Hermit, in reverse, says you may be neglecting your sense of spiritual connection. Feeling like you are part of something bigger than yourself is important. When you lose touch with that idea, you risk forgetting why you do what you do.
Take some time out from your day-to-day to meditate, journal, read, or simply rest. Open your mind to deeper understanding.
Are you curious about something spiritual that you’ve avoided learning about? Now may be the time to pick up that book or talk with someone who understands.
“Maybe. Take some time to reflect on the question. Ask again later.”
Like the Hanged Man, the Hermit is a neutral card in a “yes or no” reading. It recommends asking questions and learning more about what you propose. Think about how you’d like it to go and how it’s likely to go.
Then, if you don’t already have your answer, ask the cards again.
When you add Astrology to a Tarot reading, you get another layer of significance. In astrology, symbols for the Hermit card are the planet Mercury and the sign Virgo.
The retreat and reflection of The Hermit isn’t about hiding or self-isolation. Rather, it’s an opportunity to upgrade your understanding so you have more to give.
Numerology is about the symbolism of numbers. The Hermit’s number in Tarot is 9.
In this example, The Hermit card vibrates the number Nine.
In Tarot, Nine represents near completion. This is a time to persevere as you are nearing the end of a story.
Whether you have everything in hand or are ready to drop it all, the message is to stick it out. Your goal is within reach!
In a daily Tarot draw, the Hermit card suggests you pull back for learning and reflection.
Today is not the day to stand out or socialize. Give yourself some grace as you take time out for peaceful contemplation.
If there is an insight you need to get, it will probably come up today. So don’t worry about external progress. Instead, focus your attention on personal development.
To use this card in a reading, you must remember that it wants you to spend time alone to study and reflect.
As a Major Arcana card, The Hermit’s influence is stronger than a regular suit card. And whatever other cards turn up with it, it broadcasts a message of solitude and contemplation!
Here are some themes to pay attention to:
In love, The Hermit shows there is cause to step back and reconsider your relationship. When disagreements arise, take time out to ask questions and seek commonality.
Each of you may need time alone to reflect on your reasons for staying in this relationship. It doesn’t mean this is the end. But it does mean things may change.
When you come together, don’t avoid the challenging conversation. You need to know that you’re both on the same page. Listen closely to what they say, and ask yourself whether you can be aligned with what they want.
The Hermit in a career spread is about making progress with education. You can improve your current job performance or step into a new career.
So be patient with yourself and take the time to learn what you need to know. With the right training, your prospects will improve.
For any reading, it’s important to ask specific questions. Keep your job prospects in mind while you shuffle or mix the cards. Take a grounding breath. Trust what comes immediately to mind when you turn the card over.
In a health reading, The Hermit signals to learn something new for better health. Or it may invite you to remember what you know and apply it to your mental and physical well-being.
It promises that if you don’t feel well now, you must reflect on how to improve. You can make magnificent progress by being open to a new way of treating yourself.
The guidance for using it in a health reading is the same as any other reading. Compare and blend the story of this card with that of the others. The Hermit card wants you to embrace the wisdom that brings about healing. So, notice what the other cards have to say about that.
The Hermit card gives an energy of retreat and learning. Now is the time to pull back and gain a new perspective. But just what is this knowledge upgrade for? The answer may lie in the cards that surround it.
Here are some tips for comparing The Hermit with other cards:
The Hermit card is an important part of the overall story a reading tells. The key to a good reading is to blend its message with the messages of the other cards in the spread.
Some cards support The Hermit. They do this by spelling out a similar story or adding depth and dimension to the tale of solitude and learning. When it shows up with complementary cards, the reasons for the pause become clearer.
Here are some cards that complement the Hermit card:
Some cards contrast with the energy of The Hermit, signaling resistance to solitude and contemplation. These contrasting cards are a wake-up call when you lose touch with your goals.
Here are some examples of cards that contrast with the energy of the Hermit card:
So here we come to the end of our discussion about The Hermit in Tarot. It’s a message of retreat and reflection. One that predicts better understanding when you sit still to learn.
With these themes in your life, you can expect to emerge from your hermitage enlightened and ready to share. You’ll find deeper wisdom when you pull back from the day-to-day hustle. There is much to be learned by taking the time.
The Hermit card represents introspection, solitude, and inner guidance. It signifies a period of self-reflection and seeking wisdom from within.
When the Hermit card appears, it suggests a need for introspection and solitude. It advises seeking answers within oneself and relying on inner wisdom.
While the Hermit card can represent solitude, it does not necessarily imply loneliness or isolation. It encourages self-discovery and finding peace in one’s own company.
Yes, the Hermit card often signifies a need for spiritual guidance. It suggests seeking wisdom from spiritual teachers or engaging in practices that deepen one’s spiritual connection.
Embracing the energy of the Hermit card involves setting aside time for self-reflection, meditation, and seeking inner guidance. It encourages introspection and self-discovery.
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