Meaning of the Tarot card The Hermit

Description

Some frequent keywords are:

Introspection ----- Silence ----- Guindance ----- Reflection

Solitude ----- Looking inward ----- Reclusion ----- Being quiet

Inner search ----- Deep understanding ----- Isolation

Distance ----- Retreat ----- Philosophical attitude

Shows an old man carrying a staff in one hand and a lit lantern in the other. In the background is a wasteland. Just beyond the wasteland is a mountain range.

Interpretation

This section does not cite its references or sources. You can help Wikipedia by introducing appropriate citations. The hermit has internalised the lessons of life to the point that he is the lesson. There are two major ways this card can be interpreted: First; the need to withdraw from society to become comfortable with himself; Second, the need to come out of isolation to share his knowledge with others.

Mythopoetic Approach

There are several different cycles imbedded in the Major Arcana. One of them is 1-9, 10-19. The Magician to the Hermit; the Wheel of Fortune through The Sun. The Fool gains knowledge of the external world, meets the mysteries, finds the initial object of desire, finds mastery, finds knowledge, finds a new object of desire, leaves home, gains some strength, and withdraws for a time to integrate the lessons learned before starting on the next turn of the spiral, where the Wheel of Fortune spins us into a new adventure. Alternately, The Hermit may be the old man or woman, metaphorically, that we meet who gives us the insights or tools or training we need to confront the beasts of the forest, the sealed cave, the gated castle, the wormhole. The Hermit is related through a cross sum (the sum of the digits) to The Moon (Tarot card). While The Hermit, mostly, integrates the lessens of the sunlit world, the Moon stands at the threshold of light and dark and churns the waters of life. In both cases, treasures can be uncovered through contemplation of what is brought forth. In both cases, monsters may be found. Some say that The Hermit is a Threshold Guardian, representing an obstacle the Querant, the hero of the piece, must overcome to move on. A potentially dangerous aspect of The Hermit is his retreat, his isolation. We all need to retreat sometimes; retreat and renewal are necessary for growth. But The Hermit may be tempted to completely withdraw from the world, not because the journey is done, but because the dragons of the real are too daunting, or because the trivial pleasures of the cave are too intoxicating. Withdraw at the wrong time, stay withdrawn too long, and growth stops. The cowl The Hermit wears protects him and isolates him. Hopefully, at some point, he casts it off and rejoins the world. Some say that The Hermit represents the time we learn our true names; who we really are. The Greek philosopher Thales is reported to have been asked "what is the most difficult of all things?" To which he is said to have answered "To know yourself." The Hermit is given time to obey the Delphic Oracle's demand: know thyself.