The essential meanings of this Major Arcana card from the Rider-Waite-Smith deck.

Upright: The Hermit upright symbolizes introspection, solitude, and seeking inner guidance. It often appears when you need a break from the hustle to reflect on your life or a situation. This card encourages you to spend some quiet time alone, soul-searching and listening to your inner wisdom (the lantern) to find direction. The Hermit’s presence can also indicate seeking advice from a wise mentor or simply learning that the answers you seek lie within.

Reversed: The Hermit reversed can mean excessive isolation or reluctance to look inward. Perhaps you’ve been distancing yourself too much or ignoring the need for self-reflection. In a reversed position, The Hermit warns against loneliness and suggests rejoining the world when you’re ready. It might also imply that you are searching for guidance in all the wrong places, highlighting the importance of balancing introspection with external engagement and not getting lost in your own thoughts.

Three Possibilities

The secrets of this card for heart, mind and soul.

Love: The Hermit walks a quiet path of introspection in matters of the heart. He may signal a period of solitude or gentle self-reflection within a relationship, where both partners find wisdom in giving each other space and time to grow. By the light of his lantern, you discover deeper truths of love – showing that sometimes stepping back leads to greater clarity and a stronger, more authentic connection.

Career: In your career, The Hermit suggests a step back to seek wisdom. You might find yourself working independently or reevaluating your path in solitude, much like a sage atop a mountain considering the journey below. This introspective period allows you to refine your goals – perhaps guided by a mentor or your own inner voice – leading to a more purposeful and enlightened professional direction.

Spirituality: The Hermit is the wise guide within, leading you on a journey of self-discovery. In the stillness of solitude, you follow the light of your lantern-like intuition through the darkness, seeking truth and enlightenment. This card heralds a phase of deep meditation and soul-searching, where the answers you seek gradually glow from within.