Complete ‘Hermit’ Meanings (Rider Waite Smith Deck)
‘Key IX: The Hermit’, Rider Waite Smith tarot deck.
A.E Waite’s Hermit card depicts an old, cloaked man standing alone on a mountaintop, holding a lantern and a staff. The lantern contains a shining six-pointed star, the Seal of Solomon, symbolizing Divine Wisdom. His beard is long and gray, symbolizing earthly wisdom and experience. The staff represents his power and authority, while the snowy peak signifies the spiritual contemplation which has enabled him to act prudently in the world.
The RWS Hermit at a Glance
Keywords: Introspection, Solitude, Guidance, Soul-Searching, Wisdom, Withdrawal
Reversed Keywords: Isolation, Loneliness, Rejection of Guidance, Paranoia, Stubbornness
Element: Earth
Yes/No: No (it is a time for reflection, not action)
‘The Hermit’ Upright (modern Meanings)
In Life Areas
‘The Hermit’ Upright, Rider Waite Smith tarot deck.
Generally: This card relates to a period of introspection, soul-searching, and seeking guidance from within. Taking a break from social media, a solo holiday, a period of quiet reflection after a major life event, spending a weekend reading alone.
In a Love Context: This card can signify a period of being single for the purpose of self-discovery. Taking a break from dating to understand yourself better, a relationship where one or both partners need space, a wise and older partner.
In a Money/Career Context: This card points to a period of reassessment of your career path. Taking a sabbatical, leaving a busy job for a quieter role, a career as a researcher or a specialist expert, seeking guidance from a mentor.
In an Intellectual Context: The Hermit represents deep, solitary study and the pursuit of profound knowledge. A PhD student working alone on their thesis, a scholar in a library, a period of intense focus to solve a complex problem.
In a Spiritual Context: This card is about seeking spiritual wisdom through contemplation and self-reflection. A silent meditation retreat, a spiritual pilgrimage, seeking the guidance of your higher self.
In Common Spread Positions
As Advice: Withdraw from the world. Take time for introspection. Seek your own inner counsel.
As (Ultimate) Outcome: A period of solitude. A profound personal insight. Finding the answer within yourself.
As Obstacles: A forced isolation. A feeling of loneliness is blocking progress. A refusal to engage with the world.
As Hidden Energy: Unmanifest wisdom. Unrealized need for solitude.
As Resources/Alliances: Meditation. Guru. Contemplation.
‘The Hermit’ Reversed (modern Meanings)
In Life Areas
‘The Hermit’ Reversed, Rider Waite Smith tarot deck.
Generally: Reversed, The Hermit can point to unwanted isolation, loneliness, or a rejection of guidance. Feeling lonely and cut off from others, a stubborn refusal to listen to good advice, paranoia, becoming a recluse.
In a Love Context: This card often signifies loneliness within a relationship or a painful isolation after a breakup. Feeling emotionally distant from your partner, a fear of being alone that keeps you in a bad relationship, a bitter and lonely single life.
In a Money/Career Context: This can mean feeling isolated at work or a stubborn refusal to accept help. Being ostracised by colleagues, a "lone wolf" attitude that is harming your career, ignoring a mentor's advice and failing.
In an Intellectual Context: This points to a rejection of established knowledge or becoming lost in your own theories. A paranoid conspiracy theorist, a student who refuses to listen to their tutor, an intellectual echo chamber.
In a Spiritual Context: This can mean a spiritual path that has led to a feeling of disconnection. A "dark night of the soul," feeling abandoned by the Divine, a stubborn refusal to seek guidance from a spiritual tradition.
In Common Spread Positions
As Advice: A warning against becoming too isolated. It is time to re-join the world or to accept the help that is being offered.
As (Ultimate) Outcome: A period of painful loneliness. A decision made in isolation that leads to a poor result.
As Obstacles: A paranoid fear of others. A stubborn refusal to listen to advice. A crippling sense of loneliness is preventing you from moving forward.
As Hidden Energy: A hidden fear of being alone is driving your decisions. A secret paranoia is undermining a situation.
As Resources/Alliances: Help comes from ending a period of isolation. A difficult truth learned during a lonely time can now be used.
The RWS Hermit in Key Card Combinations
Combinations with Major Arcana
The Hermit & The High Priestess
The Hermit (↑) & The High Priestess (↑): A profound spiritual retreat. A period of silent meditation leading to a deep intuitive insight. Seeking and finding hidden knowledge.
The Hermit (↓) & The High Priestess (↑): A lonely person who is ignoring their intuition. A fear of solitude that prevents you from hearing your inner voice.
The Hermit (↑) & The High Priestess (↓): A period of study that is based on superficial information. A wise person who is being misled by gossip.
The Hermit (↓) & The High Priestess (↓): A toxic situation of paranoia and secrets. A lonely person who is spreading malicious rumours.
The Hermit & The Wheel of Fortune
The Hermit (↑) & The Wheel of Fortune (↑): A period of introspection that leads to a fateful turning point. A lucky break that comes after a long search.
The Hermit (↓) & The Wheel of Fortune (↑): A lonely person who is waiting for their luck to change, rather than taking action. A missed opportunity due to a fear of leaving isolation.
The Hermit (↑) & The Wheel of Fortune (↓): A period of bad luck that forces you into a period of soul-searching. A wise plan that is hit by unforeseen delays.
The Hermit (↓) & The Wheel of Fortune (↓): A prolonged period of isolation and bad luck. A feeling of being trapped in a cycle of loneliness.
Combinations with the Suit of Swords
The Hermit & The Nine of Swords
The Hermit (↑) & The Nine of Swords (↑): A period of solitude that leads to anxiety and dark thoughts. A "dark night of the soul." A wise person who is plagued by worry.
The Hermit (↓) & The Nine of Swords (↑): A fear of being alone that is causing mental anguish. A lonely person who is trapped in a cycle of negative thinking.
The Hermit (↑) & The Nine of Swords (↓): Using a period of introspection to overcome anxiety. Finding peace of mind through solitude.
The Hermit (↓) & The Nine of Swords (↓): A stubborn refusal to seek help for mental health issues. A paranoid and isolated state of mind.
Additional Notes On The Hermit
A.E Waite’s Original ‘Hermit’ Card Meanings:
Upright: "Prudence, circumspection; also and especially treason, dissimulation, roguery, corruption. Reversed: Concealment, disguise, policy, fear, unreasoned caution." Pictoral Key To The Tarot (1911).
Question: Is The Hermit a negative card?
No. While it can point to loneliness when reversed, the upright Hermit is a positive card of wisdom, introspection, and necessary solitude. It represents a mature and important stage of personal and spiritual development.
Journal Prompts For ‘The Hermit’ Card
Some journal prompts for this card are: Am I seeking necessary solitude, or am I running away from my issues? What inner wisdom do I need to hear right now? Is there a mentor figure that I can reach out to for guidance?
