The Hermit Tarot Card: Complete Guide to Meaning & Symbolism
BY NICOLE LAU
The Hermit stands alone on a mountain peak, holding his lantern high, seeking truth in solitude. He has withdrawn from the world not in fear, but in wisdom—knowing that some answers can only be found within. This is The Hermit: the card of inner wisdom, solitude, and the journey inward to find your own light. It represents the moment when you realize that the answers you seek aren't out there—they're within you.
Core Symbolism of The Hermit
Every element in The Hermit card carries profound meaning. It is numbered 9—the number of completion, wisdom, and the hermit's solitary journey. Where Strength (8) teaches inner courage, The Hermit (9) teaches inner wisdom and the power of solitude.
The Hermit Figure
An old man stands alone, cloaked and hooded. He is the wise elder, the seeker of truth, the one who has withdrawn to find wisdom. This is solitude chosen, not imposed.
The Lantern
The Hermit holds a lantern containing a six-pointed star. This is his inner light, his wisdom, the truth he has found within. He doesn't seek external light—he carries his own.
The Staff
He leans on a staff, representing support, wisdom, and the journey he has traveled. This is experience earned through solitary seeking.
The Mountain Peak
The Hermit stands on a mountain peak—the highest point, the place of perspective, the solitary summit where truth becomes clear.
The Gray Cloak
His gray cloak represents invisibility, withdrawal from the world, and the choice to step back from external noise to find internal truth.
Numerology: The Power of Nine
The Hermit is numbered 9—the number of completion, wisdom, and the hermit's solitary journey.
In numerology, 9 represents:
- Completion and endings
- Wisdom and understanding
- Solitude and introspection
- The hermit's journey
- Inner light and truth
- The final single digit before returning to 1
Where 8 (Strength) introduces inner power, 9 (The Hermit) introduces inner wisdom and the solitary journey to find truth.
Virgo Association: Analytical Wisdom
The Hermit is ruled by Virgo, the mutable earth sign of analysis, discernment, and practical wisdom. This connection infuses The Hermit with Virgo qualities:
- Analytical thinking and discernment
- Attention to detail and precision
- Service through wisdom
- Practical, grounded spirituality
- Perfectionism in seeking truth
- The virgin's purity of purpose
The Hermit doesn't seek wisdom for ego—he seeks it to serve, to understand, to find truth. Like Virgo's analytical nature, The Hermit examines everything carefully in his quest for understanding.
Upright Meaning: Inner Wisdom & Solitude
When The Hermit appears upright in a reading, it announces: "Withdraw and seek within. The answers you need are inside you. Embrace solitude to find your truth."
Key upright meanings:
- Inner wisdom: Truth found within, not without
- Solitude: Chosen withdrawal for reflection
- Soul searching: Deep introspection and self-examination
- Seeking truth: The quest for understanding
- Inner guidance: Following your own light
- Spiritual seeking: The journey inward
- Mentorship: Wisdom shared with those ready to receive
The Hermit doesn't avoid the world from fear—he withdraws from it to find truth. Through solitude, introspection, and inner seeking, The Hermit discovers the wisdom that can only be found within.
Reversed Meaning: Isolation & Lost in Darkness
Reversed, The Hermit's solitude becomes isolation, its wisdom becomes confusion, and its inner light becomes darkness.
Key reversed meanings:
- Loneliness: Isolation that hurts rather than heals
- Withdrawal: Hiding from the world from fear
- Refusing guidance: Rejecting wisdom offered
- Lost in darkness: Unable to find your light
- Excessive isolation: Withdrawing too much or too long
- Avoiding life: Using solitude as escape
- Stubbornness: Refusing to seek or accept help
The reversed Hermit asks: Are you alone by choice or by fear? Are you seeking wisdom or avoiding life? Have you lost your light in the darkness?
The Hermit's Journey: From Strength to Wisdom
In the Fool's Journey through the Major Arcana, The Hermit is the ninth teacher. Where Strength taught inner courage and gentle power, The Hermit teaches inner wisdom and the solitary journey to truth.
The Hermit teaches The Fool:
- Some answers can only be found within
- Solitude is necessary for wisdom
- You must withdraw to find your truth
- Your inner light is your guide
- Wisdom comes from introspection
- Sometimes you must walk alone
This is the transition from inner strength (Strength) to inner wisdom (The Hermit). The Fool learns that after finding courage, they must find truth—and truth requires solitude.
The Hermit in Your Reading
When The Hermit appears in your reading, pay attention to its position:
In the past: You've recently withdrawn or sought wisdom in solitude
In the present: It's time to withdraw, seek within, and find your own truth
In the future: A period of solitude and soul-searching approaches
As advice: Withdraw from external noise, seek your inner wisdom, embrace solitude
As an obstacle: Isolation, loneliness, or refusing guidance is creating difficulty
The Hermit asks you to examine your relationship with solitude. Are you avoiding it or embracing it? Are you seeking wisdom or hiding from life?
Working with The Hermit's Energy
To invoke The Hermit's energy in your life:
- Embrace solitude: Spend time alone for reflection
- Seek within: Look for answers inside yourself
- Withdraw when needed: Step back from external noise
- Follow your light: Trust your inner wisdom
- Practice introspection: Examine your thoughts and beliefs
- Be the mentor: Share wisdom when others are ready
- Trust the journey: Know that solitude serves a purpose
The Hermit's Shadow
Every archetype has a shadow, and The Hermit's includes:
The Isolated: Withdrawing from fear, not wisdom; loneliness masquerading as solitude.
The Stubborn: Refusing guidance, rejecting help, insisting on doing everything alone.
The Lost: Unable to find inner light, wandering in darkness, confused and directionless.
The Escapist: Using solitude to avoid life, relationships, and responsibilities.
Working with The Hermit means confronting these shadows. Are you alone by choice or by fear? Are you seeking wisdom or avoiding life?
The Hermit's Message
The Hermit's core message is this: The answers you seek are within you. Through solitude, introspection, and inner seeking, you will find your own light and your own truth.
The world is loud and full of voices telling you what to think, who to be, what to believe. The Hermit says: withdraw from that noise. Find a quiet place. Look within. Your inner wisdom knows the truth.
The Hermit stands alone on the mountain peak, holding his lantern high. He has found his light. He has discovered his truth. And now he waits—ready to guide those who are ready to seek their own.
You are The Hermit when you choose solitude over noise. You are the seeker when you look within for answers. You are the wise one when you trust your inner light.
The only question is: are you ready to withdraw and seek your truth?
