The Hermit's Journey

Understanding the Hermit Archetype

Exploring the Hermit Card in Tarot

The hermit card in tarot symbolises introspection and confronting discomfort, urging us to feel rather than suppress emotions. The hermit is standing on an icy precipice, reminding us that the fear of discomfort is a mask.  Thinking about the discomfort doesn’t really resolve the issue, but FEELING it does. That doesn’t mean going on facebook, drinking a bottle of wine or binging on Netflix to shut up your inner chatter. Avoidance keeps us anxious.  Allow yourself to FEEL that feeling and let that that feeling be your wise teacher.  Your inner-teacher will show you how resolve and release what is troubling you when you reflect on it.  If you find this tarot card boring with the grey wilderness, cloak and solitude, you are focusing on external distractions for escapism and entertainment and suppressing your emotions.  It’s about not being lonely when you are alone. If you dislike your own company, what is it about yourself you dislike?

Symbolism and Meaning

The Hermit embodies wisdom, solitude, and connection to nature, offering insights through self-reflection and inner illumination.  As an archetype, The Hermit is an intelligent sage and occasional sorcerer, representing creativity, knowledge, wisdom, intelligence, guidance, a connection to nature and mysticism. The hermit self-isolates and goes within to soul-search. He has been present in ancient mythology and continues in modern times.  He holds a lantern, a symbol for illuminating what is dark or hidden.  Like the philosopher reflecting at the lake, or the wise-woman hibernating in her wooden cabin in the forest, the hermit is a metaphor for withdrawing from the hustle and bustle to contemplate and process.  It could be time for a retreat, pilgrimage, study or quiet night in with no distractions.

The Lantern Symbolism

Embracing Solitude and Reflection

Personal Reflection and Guidance

Listening to Inner Wisdom

Utilising the Hermit’s guidance involves actively seeking mentors, counsellors, or philosophical teachings that deeply resonate with personal growth and spiritual development. The Hermit archetype encourages individuals to look beyond superficial knowledge and connect with sources of wisdom that offer profound insights into the human experience. This quest for a guru can take various forms, from seeking out spiritual teachers and life coaches to immersing into philosophical texts or attending workshops and retreats. By aligning with teachings that resonate authentically, it enhances an understanding of life’s purpose. The Hermit’s lantern metaphorically illuminates the path towards finding these mentors, emphasising the importance of learning from those who embody the wisdom and guidance needed to navigate life’s challenges and opportunities. By embracing the Hermit’s guidance, we embark on a journey of continuous learning, introspection, and personal transformation.

Overcoming Emotional Challenges

Reflecting on feelings of anxiety or numbness here isn’t about escaping into distractions but rather about diving deep into the currents of emotion that shape our existence. It’s about letting the Hermit’s wisdom guide the way, allowing insights to blossom like wildflowers in the clearing of the mind. In this enchanted realm of introspection, the Hermit’s lamp becomes not just a tool for seeing, but a catalyst for profound metamorphosis—a journey where anxiety gives way to peace, numbness to vitality, and where the seeker emerges, reborn under the gentle glow of their own inner light.