Skip to content

Tarot Card Meanings:
The Hermit

The Hermit: Overview and Symbols

The Hermit is card number nine in the Major Arcana. It represents  introspection, solitude, and the search for inner wisdom. This card signifies a journey of self-discovery, contemplation, and spiritual guidance.

Some Specific Symbols and Their Meanings in the Rider Waite Smith Tarot:

  • Figure holding a lantern: Symbolizes seeking inner wisdom, guidance, and enlightenment.

  • Six-pointed star in the lantern: Represents knowledge, divine wisdom, and illumination.

  • Staff: Indicates support, stability, and spiritual guidance on the path.

  • Gray cloak: Reflects humility, introspection, and a retreat from distractions.

  • Mountain beneath feet: Suggests accomplishment, spiritual journey, and the challenge of self-discovery.
the hermit from the rider waite smith tarot
The Sun as depicted in the Rider-Waite Smith Tarot by A.E. White, illustrated by Pamela Colman Smith

The Hermit: Card Meanings

Keywords/Phrases: Introspection, solitude, inner wisdom, guidance, self-discovery, contemplation, spiritual journey, enlightenment.

The Hermit in the tarot signifies a period of introspection and the search for inner wisdom, where solitude provides the space to gain clarity and understanding. This card represents a journey of self-discovery and personal growth, encouraging you to seek answers within rather than in the external world. It highlights the value of contemplation and spiritual insight, suggesting that inner guidance can light the way forward. The Hermit invites you to embrace this time of solitude, trusting that it will bring enlightenment and the wisdom needed to move forward on your path.

The Hermit: Reversed Card Meanings

Keywords/Phrases: Isolation, loneliness, avoidance, inner conflict, withdrawal, disconnected, fear of introspection.

When the Hermit appears reversed in a tarot reading, it signifies isolation or a sense of loneliness, where withdrawal has become an obstacle rather than a source of insight. This card suggests an avoidance of self-reflection or an inner conflict that feels difficult to confront, leading to feelings of disconnection. It reflects a need to re-engage with others or to face inner truths rather than retreating further. The Hermit reversed urges you to find balance, address any fears of introspection, and seek meaningful connections that can help guide your journey forward.

Gallery: The Hermit in Various Decks

The Hermit card from the Fountain Tarot
The Hermit from The Fountain Tarot by Jason Gruhl, Jonathan Saiz, and Andi Todaro