In this chapter of the tarot course we will see The Hermit and its meanings. The hidden details for its interpretation in the tarot, its correspondence with numerology, the elements and kabbalistics.
What does The Hermit mean in the Tarot? What does the card of The Hermit mean in love, work, money or health? What is its spiritual meaning and what does it reveal to us? What does the card of The Hermit mean upside down or inverted?
The Hermit in the tarot
The Hermit is the tarot card bearing the number 9. The Hermit is also one of the cards considered to be not very mobile, but has a very clear and precise meaning. The Hermit delves into our spiritual being and whether in natural or reversed position, its message is profound and important.
Correspondences of the card
- Kabbalistics associates this arcane with the Moon, the letter Teth and with the number 9.
- Esoterically it is associated with the astrological sign of Virgo, with the element Earth and with the autumn season.
- In numerology it represents the number 9: The culmination of time and of all numbers, it admits 10 possible combinations, which added together give 9 and also signifies realization, wisdom, achievement of goals, as well as the search for truth.
Graphic description of the card
- The Hermit shows us an old man, standing alone on top of a mountain with a lighted lantern in his hand. Mountains usually symbolize achievement, growth and attainment of goals.
- The Hermit has reached his pinnacle, his highest peak on a spiritual level and is willing to share his knowledge with others and also continues on his chosen path, committed to his ultimate goal of consciousness.
- The star inside the lantern he carries has six points, representing one of the Seals of Solomon and being a symbol of wisdom.
- The staff, or long staff carried by the Hermit, is the representation of the patriarch, a symbol of the narrow path of initiation and an emblem of power and authority. It also represents the hermit’s ability to use his isolation and the knowledge he has acquired as a tool on his path to reach the higher levels of consciousness.
- The staff is in the hermit’s left hand, which is the hand associated with the subconscious mind. Snow represents the heights of spiritual attainment.
- He wears a gray cloak symbolizing invisibility. His secrets are not for everyone, only for those who sincerely seek them and who are willing to ascend to the heights of wisdom.
What does The Hermit mean in the Tarot?
The Hermit to the right, General meaning: Represents The Hermit, self-examination, introspection, solitude as self-knowledge, inner guidance, ascetic life, guidance, study, scholarship, seeking, reflection.
This is a deeply spiritual card, beyond your beliefs or whether you have them or not. It is about you finally taking a spiritual turn inward, becoming aware that you need to seek the truth of life.
This truth, you now understand, is to be found in the spiritual, emotional side of things, and not in material gratifications, money or superfluous pleasures.
The Hermit has to do with a relentless pursuit of knowledge, either general or your own truth. It is related to studies and wisdom.
It is a time when you need to isolate yourself, even when surrounded by people. This so-called solitude is not definitive, just a necessary time in which you will also only look for people who are in similar terms of search and inner recollection.
They are the spiritual achievements, the detachment, the help to others with disinterestedness. The Hermit asks you to honor the wisdom that you have within that you may not yet realize or believe you do not have.
Therein lie the true answers you need now, not on the outside and the worldly noise. It is time to find in you the star, the essential light, the knowledge. You pass now a strong state of introspection, a desire to get away from things, of silence.
It may in some cases mean interest in greater causes, humanitarian causes, the desire for religious belief, the desire to make a better world from truth and knowledge.
You begin to look at your personal goals and life projects from a different angle, perhaps never before contemplated. There is much of spiritual achievement associated with this card.
If this card appears in the context of a final outcome, it will be good, especially if it is about a subject of study or spiritual and intellectual advancement.
Although it indicates that there is loneliness in front of the problem or issue that arises, the result is always positive, although it is necessary to be patient. The results are not quick, it is necessary to reflect and analyze everything well.
If The Hermit speaks of you or another person, we will find that the Hermit defines her as someone who is mature, possibly an older person, somewhat solitary and withdrawn, deep in her reflections, with a taste for study and knowledge.
In a negative assessment, it can be a selfish person who tries everything alone for personal gain of any kind.
If this card appears portraying a situation for which you have asked, it means that the situation is moving forward, but very slowly. The person is alone with the circumstances to resolve, assimilate or deal with them.
It is a situation in which it is necessary to look for knowledge to come to light, hidden things that must be revealed. It suggests prudence, analysis and detailed study.
What does the Hermit card mean for work?
As in all other areas, there is an inward withdrawal. Possibly labor relations, the social part, are stagnant or are not a priority or necessary now.
It is not a good time to change jobs and activities, since any obstacle will have to be overcome alone, without any help.
It is a good time, on the other hand, to develop more knowledge, further studies, training or specialization. Everything that contributes to more knowledge is favored by this card.
Doing the right thing is the right thing to do, even if no one knows it or is watching. Recognition will come. Doing your best, being organized, will pay off and progress in your work will certainly come.
What does the Hermit card mean in love?
A love from the past may reappear or an old passion may be rekindled. Is that really what you want? It seems that love relationships are not currently a priority for you at this time.
Rather there is a deep desire now to be alone. If there is a budding romance proceed with caution, perhaps the other is not what he or she appears to be, nor can he or she substantiate with feelings what he or she says.
If you are in a relationship, perhaps you have been moving in different directions for some time. Lack of communication may be the main reason and you have a desire to move away. This does not mean a definite breakup, but you need space and time to realign values and feelings.
In some extreme cases it may symbolize a breakup but this is due more to desires and need for solitude, rather than incompatibility between the two, lack of feelings or the appearance of a third party.
What does the Hermit chart mean for money and finances?
This is a time to be conservative when it comes to financial transactions and decisions, although money does not seem to be your highest priority when the Hermit appears.
If you are investing, you may want to put your money in the conservative stock and bond market, with very good track records. This is not a time for gambling, nor for risk, although in general The Hermit is not a negative card.
There is a balance of money, with no needs but also no flourishes or stridencies. Clearly you are more concerned with other matters than with how your numbers and bank account are doing at the moment.
What does the Hermit card mean for health?
This card usually portrays an older person, so it warns of caution and care. As it is a deeply spiritual card, any illness should be seen from that point of view.
For example, a pain in the back may mean that “you are carrying too much emotional weight”. Psychiatrist Carl Jung maintained that bodily illnesses are internal manifestations of the unconscious, and with this card this has never been more true.
Every ailment must be taken to its spiritual equivalent in order to attend to it and understand it. Time to take care of yourself.
What does The Hermit mean spiritually?
It is very likely that at this time a person is going to come into your life as a mentor or teacher, even if he/she does not “teach” directly. You still need to learn from him/her on several levels.
Honor the need you have now to withdraw a bit from ordinary life. It will not last forever.
You are soon going to be feeling much more social, so don’t demand now to be around a lot of people unless absolutely necessary. You are likely to come out of this feeling more refreshed and renewed, especially on a spiritual level.
What does the Hermit card upside down or reversed mean?
The Hermit in reverse, General Meaning: Inverted, this card represents isolation, loneliness, withdrawal, detachment from people or social.
Its meaning can indicate two opposite things: Perhaps you need to spend some time in solitude because you are contaminated and absorbed in the real world, preoccupied with daily life, money, work, the realization of things and this has caused you to neglect your inner self.
Or on the contrary, you have fallen into such deep isolation and loneliness that it is becoming harmful and detrimental to you.
In the first case, you must pause and find yourself again.
The biggest problem seems to be that you are living without even realizing it, you pass everything by, without perhaps enjoying and savoring it.
Your things may be going well in every way, but you don’t seem to reflect on it, thrown into a mindless and thoughtless race.
In the second case, you have become too isolated, you have become a literal hermit, and although you may not feel that way, it is hurting not only you, but everything around you.
It is necessary to reconnect with the outside world and with people, mainly those closest to us who give us support and affection.
What does the Hermit card reversed at work mean?
You may finally be able to get to the heart of some work issues that have been troubling you and/or have been unclear.
Don’t hesitate to ask questions not only of yourself, but also of others to understand more about the way things are going at work and the way they should be going.
At some point, if there are annoying or unsatisfactory situations at work, ask yourself how much responsibility you have for it.
Your solitary, introspective attitude may not be helping the task or the whole. Lack of concentration and disinterest may be a problem now. You are scattered, inattentive, and need to focus on what you are doing.
You also need to deepen your knowledge or studies, take new trainings or take new courses to evolve from the situation you are in.
What does the Hermit card reversed in love mean?
The Hermit is a rather negative card in this aspect. It can symbolize breakups because dialogue is not possible or does not even exist. The isolation of one or both of you seriously complicates things.
If you are lonely, it will not be easy to find a partner in your current hermit status. You must relate to others, their experiences and problems, their events and joys, there is no other way to empathize.
A reconnection with the other is necessary, whether you are alone or accompanied. Try by all means dialogue and understanding so that the results are not negative, because they will be, even if you do not want it that way.
What does the Hermit card reversed in money and finances mean?
When the Hermit appears in reverse, it is a good time to seek proper advice and a good analysis of your financial endeavors. This is not a time to “fly blind” and assume that everything will work out in the end.
You cannot leave it to chance, and the best way is to know and know, by your means or by advice, how your money and your economy works. This is an excellent and important time to educate yourself in this regard.
Apart from this important advice, money is now going through a negative period. You should not risk or expect big gains, you must do your best not to make things worse and stop the bleeding of expenses and money that now occurs.
Do not apply for loans or get into debt. All superfluous spending should be suspended. Do not try with chance because it is not favorable now. Financial quietness and recollection. Pay what you owe as you can and do not contract new debts.
What does the Hermit card reversed in health mean?
It is important here everything related to the intellect, the care of memory, mental exercise. You are scattered and without much attention, so you should beware of small reckless accidents that could easily be avoided.
What does the Hermit card reversed mean spiritually?
When The Hermit appears reversed, you may have been spending too much “on your own” for your spiritual benefit. Yes, personal, private contemplation is important, however, communing with like-minded people is also important.
Try to reconnect with others. There will be some people who are waiting and will be glad of your approach, as well as your letting your spiritual self vent, opening up, trusting.
