The Hermit tarot card explained
What does The Hermit mean in tarot?
When was the last time you spent some proper time alone? Not scrolling through Instagram or watching Netflix, but actually sitting with your own thoughts?
The Hermit is card IX (9) in the Major Arcana, and it's all about introspection, solitude, and finding answers within yourself. We're constantly surrounded by noise. Messages from friends, emails from work, and everyone seems to have an opinion about what we should be doing with our lives—that makes it hard to hear our own voice.
That's where The Hermit comes in. It's about taking some time away from everything and giving yourself space to think. Maybe you've been feeling a little lost lately, or you're facing a decision and can't quite figure out what to do. The Hermit encourages you to slow down and listen to yourself.
Start a free tarot readingThe symbolism behind The Hermit
Scan by Saskia Jansen · Wikimedia Commons
In the classic Rider-Waite-Smith tarot deck, The Hermit is illustrated as an older man standing alone on top of a mountain. He's wearing a gray cloak and holding a lantern in one hand and a staff in the other.
Inside the lantern is a six-pointed star, often called the Seal of Solomon, representing wisdom and spiritual knowledge. The mountain symbolizes the journey towards understanding, while the staff represents support and guidance along the way.
But the lantern is probably the most important part of the illustration. It doesn't illuminate the entire mountain. It only lights up a small area around The Hermit, just enough for him to see his next steps. And that's a nice way to think about the card: You don't always need to have your entire life figured out. Sometimes, knowing what to do next is enough.
The Hermit in a love reading
Drawing The Hermit in a love reading might seem a little disappointing at first. You're asking about romance, and the cards give you an old man standing alone on a mountain. Great.
But there's actually quite a lot to unpack here. If you're single, The Hermit might suggest that spending some time on your own could be good for you. Maybe you've been jumping from one relationship to another without really thinking about what you want.
Or perhaps you're perfectly happy being single, but people around you keep insisting that you should be dating someone. There's nothing wrong with enjoying your own company.
And if you're in a relationship, The Hermit could be about maintaining your independence. Being with someone doesn't mean you have to do absolutely everything together. Having your own interests and spending time apart can be healthy.
Let's look at an example with the Two of Cups, a Minor Arcana card associated with mutual attraction, connection, and partnership. Imagine drawing The Hermit as where you are now and the Two of Cups as what to focus on. Maybe you've been keeping to yourself after a difficult breakup. You've had time to reflect, and you're starting to feel comfortable being alone again.
The Two of Cups could encourage you to open yourself up to connecting with someone new. Not because you need a relationship, but because you might actually be ready for one.
On the other hand, if The Hermit appears as what to avoid, perhaps you've been isolating yourself a little too much.
Start a free tarot readingWhat The Hermit can tell you about your career
Ever feel like you're just going through the motions at work? Same day every day, for years? The Hermit might encourage you to ask yourself whether you're actually happy with your career.
It's also a card associated with independent work, research, and developing expertise. Not everyone thrives in a busy office surrounded by colleagues all day. Some people do their best work when they have time and space to concentrate.
Now, imagine drawing The Hermit as what to focus on and the Eight of Pentacles as where you are now. The Eight of Pentacles represents dedication and improving your skills through hard work. Perhaps you've spent years getting really good at your job. You've learned the tools, developed your expertise, and become someone your colleagues rely on. But The Hermit could be asking you to think about what all that effort is for. And are you happy? Or do you need a break?
And if The Hermit appears as what to avoid, maybe you've been overthinking a decision for too long, being in your head, on your own. At some point, you have to come back down from that mountain and actually do something.
A little time to yourself with Turbo Tarot
We don't always need someone else to tell us what to do. Sometimes, we just need a quiet moment to organize our thoughts. That's the idea behind Turbo Tarot. You can do a free tarot reading online, without signing up or paying anything.
Choose love or work, draw three cards, and see what comes up. The cards explore where you are now, what to focus on, and what to avoid.
Maybe you'll draw The Hermit and realize you've been neglecting your own needs. Or perhaps another card will make you think about something you hadn't considered before. Whatever you draw, there's no pressure to find some big, life-changing answer. Sometimes, a little clarity is more than enough.
Start a free tarot reading