The Hermit
Major Arcana · IX
- solitude
- reflection
- inner guidance
- searching
- isolation
- loneliness
- withdrawal
- refusing advice
In the picture
An old man in a grey cloak stands alone on a snowy peak, holding up a lantern with a six-pointed star inside. In his other hand is a long staff.
Upright meaning
The Hermit steps back from the crowd to look for answers inside. The card suggests a time of reflection, study or solitude, when quiet thinking matters more than activity. It can also point to a wise guide who lights the way a step at a time.
Reversed meaning
Reversed, healthy solitude becomes isolation. You may be cutting yourself off, or avoiding the reflection you need by staying busy. It can be time to come down the mountain and share what you have learned.
About the Major Arcana
The 22 Major Arcana are the trump cards of the deck, numbered 0 to 21 from The Fool to The World. Read in order they tell the story of a journey, and in a reading they tend to point to big themes and turning points rather than day-to-day events.
