The Hermit tarot card from the Simply Tarot deck

The Hermit Tarot Card Meaning

The Lantern Bearer

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Reflection • Solitude • Patience

Advises or represents a period of introspection, possibly withdrawal, and reflective thinking. Usually at the point of facing some external limitation. There is something that you cannot change or have. It is important to know that some things will only heal, become clear or resolve with the passing of time.

The Subject feels they have little control over a situation and may have chosen to withdraw from it and people around them. As this is a Major Arcana card, this card indicates the situation is of particular significance or importance to the Subject and they may feel lonely or disconnected. Perhaps they are facing a situation alone because it is very personal to them (such as illness) or it could be something they are not willing to share with others.

The Subject is probably anxious to know when this situation will change or move forward, but only time will tell in this case, The Subject should wait and see how things develop, as impatience is likely to make things worse. If the Subject pushes too hard for what they want they are likely to lose out altogether, or at least create additional setbacks. Reflective thinking, and allowing this situation to unfold, will bring enlightenment, and sometimes we have to accept that things will not happen until the time is right. nor should we totally isolate ourselves from those that care about us.

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Love & Relationships

Distance does not always mean absence of feeling. Someone may need solitude, reflection or emotional space in order to understand what their heart is truly asking for. Love becomes gentler when people stop demanding constant reassurance to quiet their own loneliness.

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Material Life

Solitude shifts priorities around money, work and security. Someone may be simplifying their life intentionally now, choosing peace, meaning or independence over endless external validation. Stability feels different once silence becomes more valuable than constant noise.

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Notes from the Artist

The Hermit is dressed in a heavy gown and cloak for warmth, and sits at the entrance to the cave. The long beard indicates he has little or no luxuries for his personal needs and has chosen to be there in isolation to focus on his own thoughts and reflection. The image reminds us of the advantages of taking time out for introspection, to process what has happened in life and understand lessons learned, or to concentrate on particular problems that are giving us trouble.

The Hermit holds a staff and lantern which he uses to help guide travellers who are lost and to prevent them taking the dangerous route into the dark cave. This demonstrates the times when we need help from others, especially when we can't see our way through a problem, it is better to share than walk into the dark unknown, alone.

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From the archive

The Original Artwork, Reimagined

Before The Hermit became part of the Simply Tarot collection you see today, it was drawn and painted by hand for the original 2011 Tarot House Deck. The style has evolved, but the meaning and character of the card remain at its heart.

Original hand-painted The Hermit tarot card by Patricia House from the 2011 Tarot House Deck — 2011 **Original 2011 artwork The Hermit** Hand-painted by Patricia House

An old man with a long white beard sits at the entrance of a dark cave in his heavy cloak and hood. He lives like a Hermit with few possessions, he has a wooden staff at his side and he holds up a shining lantern. — Today **The Hermit reimagined** The current Simply Tarot artwork

The original first edition

Buy the Original 2011 Deck

The card shown above is part of the original 78-card Tarot House Deck. Every image was drawn and painted by Patricia House before the deck was professionally printed by Cartamundi in the UK. A limited number from the original print run are still available.