SEARCHING
GUIDANCE
SOLITUDE
The traditional hermit is a crusty, bearded character who has withdrawn from the company of men to live a life of seclusion and hardship. Card 9 supports this understanding. The Hermit represents the desire to turn away from the getting and spending of society to focus on the inner world.
He seeks answers within and knows that they will come only with quiet and solitude.
There comes a point in life when we begin to question the obvious. We sense that there is a deeper reality and begin to search for it. This is mainly a solitary quest because answers do not lie in the external world but in ourselves.
The hermit on Card 9 reminds us of Diogenes, the Greek ascetic who is said to have gone out with a lantern in hand to search for an honest man. Diogenes is a symbol of the search for truth that the Hermit hopes to uncover by stripping away all diversions
In readings, the Hermit often suggests a need for time alone – a period of reflection when distractions are limited. In times of action and high energy, he stands for the still center that must be created for balance. He can also indicate that withdrawal or retreat is advised for the moment. In addition, the Hermit can represent seeking of all kinds, especially for deeper understanding or the truth of a situation. “Seek, and ye shall find,” we have been told, and so the Hermit stands for guidance as well. We can receive help from wise teachers, and, in turn, help others as we progress.
being introspective
- thinking things over
- focusing inward
- concentrating less on the senses
- quieting yourself
- looking for answers within
- needing to understand
searching
- seeking greater understanding
- looking for something
- wanting the truth at all costs
- going on a personal quest
- needing more
- desiring a new direction
receiving/giving guidance
- going to/being a mentor
- accepting/offering wise counsel
- learning from/being a guru
- turning to/being a trusted teacher
- being helped/helping
seeking solitude
- needing to be alone
- desiring stillness
- withdrawing from the world
- experiencing seclusion
- giving up distractions
- retreating into a private world
Some possibilities
- Lovers – being in a relationship, sexuality
- World – involvement with the world
- Two of Cups – making connections, partnerships
- Three of Cups – being in a group, being with others
- Nine of Cups – sensual pleasure
Some possibilities
- High Priestess – looking inward, withdrawing
- Four of Cups – withdrawing, being introverted
- Eight of Cups – searching for deeper meaning
- Four of Swords – contemplating, being quiet
- Seven of Swords – being alone, staying away from others
There are no separate explanations for reversed cards. The meaning of a reversed card depends on what the card would mean if upright. A reversed card shows that a card’s energy is present but at a lower level. For some reason, the energy cannot be expressed freely, normally, or completely. It may be:
- still in its early stages
- losing force and power
- blocked or restricted
- incomplete
- inappropriate
- being denied
- only present in appearance
See Lesson 17 for more information on reversed cards.