Card IX, Major ArcanaThe Hermit tarot card meaning
Upright and reversedThe Hermit in shortIn short
The Hermit holds a lamp on a mountain. An old man in a grey cloak stands alone on a snowy peak, lantern raised. Step back, think it through alone, and let what you've learned light the way for someone else.
- Solitude
- Reflection
- Inner light
Piece oneThe peak
He stands on a snowy summit. Waite put him up high on purpose: the climb is done, and the card shows attainment.
"the figure is seen holding up his beacon on an eminence."Waite, 1911
Why it is hereThe height is the whole point. He's arrived, and the climb is behind him. Snow wipes out roads, towns and people, which leaves only the lamp. A beacon has to stand above the climbers to help them.
Piece twoThe hermit
An old man with a long white beard bows his head, eyes down, hand on his staff. Waite mixes two figures in him, the Ancient of Days and the Light of the World.
"who blends the idea of the Ancient of Days with the Light of the World"Waite, 1911
Why it is hereHe's old because this card is about what you know after the road. Eyes down, he looks inward, not at the view. But he holds the lamp, so his solitude serves others too: he went alone to learn, and now he shows it.
Piece threeThe staff
A long golden staff runs from above his head almost to the snow, his hand tight near the top. Waite reports that some called it a Magic Wand, and puts that on the level of fortune-telling. He reads attainment here: the climb is done, and the staff holds him up at the top.
"It is said also that his lantern contains the Light of Occult Science and that his staff is a Magic Wand."Waite, 1911
Why it is hereThe staff got him up here. One hand holds what carried him through the climb, the other holds what the climb was for. Waite waves off the magic-wand reading. Here it's something to lean on.
Piece fourThe lantern
He holds the lantern out where anyone below can see it. Waite reads it as arrival: the light tells everyone still climbing they can get there too. Waite's lamp holds a star. Ours just glows warm.
"His beacon intimates that "where I am, you also may be.""Waite, 1911
Why it is hereThe lantern is why he climbed. The peak raises it, the dark makes it show, and he holds it out instead of close. Waite gives its message to the climbers below: "where I am, you also may be." The lamp turns a loner into a guide.
Colour, and where else it appearsEchoes
-
The peak
Snow white, cold grey stone: clarity, and what lasts. Mountains sit in the distance all through the deck as goals. The Fool heads toward them from a cliff edge. The Hermit stands on top of one. Same mountains, other end of the road.
Also in -
The hermit
Brown-grey hood, white beard. Grey asks not to be seen, and the beard says years. He fades into the rock, and only the lamp stands out.
-
The staff
Warm gold on dusty grey, the one warm line down the figure, as if the lamp's light runs down it to the snow. The Fool sets out with his bundle on a staff. In the Eight of Cups a figure walks off at night, staff in hand, toward the mountains. The Hermit is where that walk can end.
Also in -
The lantern
Warm yellow inside black iron, the only bright spot on a cold card. A small light, but enough to see by. In Waite's deck a star shines in the lamp instead of a flame. Later, The Star card spreads that light across the whole sky.
Also in
Colour notes are ours, read from the picture; Waite does not explain the colours.
The HermitUpright
Step away and look inward. Waite's words are prudence and circumspection: think, look around, take your time. His list has a darker side too, treason, dissimulation, roguery, corruption, so watch whom you trust.
Waite calls it a card of attainment. The hermit isn't lost. He climbed, and he holds up the light so you can find the way. You can hand on what you learn alone.
The HermitReversed
The lamp gets covered. Waite's words: concealment, disguise, policy, fear, unreasoned caution. Solitude becomes hiding, and caution becomes fear.
You might be shutting out people who could help, keeping secrets, or being so careful you never act. Come down the mountain a little and let someone in.
Yes or noNot yet.
Not yet. Take time alone to think first. The answer comes slowly, from inside.
The Hermit in your lifeIn your life
Love
You need space. Single, get to know yourself first. In a couple, give each other room.
Work
Solo work, research, study. Plan now, network later. Ask someone with more experience.
Money
Be careful. Think before you spend, and walk away from deals that rush you.
Health
Rest and quiet help you recover. A card can't diagnose you; if something worries you, see a doctor.
Spirituality
Strong for inner work: retreat, meditation, study. You may meet a teacher, or become one.
Advice
Take time alone. Skip big decisions in a crowd, and trust the light you already have.
As a person
Wise, quiet, thoughtful. Prefers depth to company, and can seem distant.
Past, present, future
Past: time alone that taught you something. Present: step back and reflect. Future: solitude that brings clarity.
Written by us, from Waite's meanings and the picture.
Symbols and correspondencesAt a glance
- Number
- IX
- Hebrew letter
- Yod
- Astrology
- Virgo
- Element
- Earth
- Upright
- Prudence
- Reversed
- Concealment
QuestionsCommon questions
Yes, quietly. It means wisdom and reflection, and it asks you to slow down and spend time alone. Watch for hidden motives and fear.
You need space. Take the pause and work out what you want.
Not yet. Think first.
Waite put a star in it. Ours glows warm yellow. Waite calls it a beacon telling you that you can get where he is.
Virgo, an earth sign, in the Golden Dawn system. Its Hebrew letter is Yod.
Waite calls The Hermit attainment. From the top he holds up his light so the people below know they can get there too.
The Pictorial Key to the Tarot, 1911Card meanings and quotes: A. E. Waite, The Pictorial Key to the Tarot, 1911. Hebrew letter, sign and element: the Golden Dawn's Book T. Colours, life situations, yes or no and questions: written by us, from Waite's meanings and the picture.
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