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The Hermit is the card of retreat and turning into ourselves. It depicts an introverted phase of life, separating ourselves from foreign influences, so that we find ourselves again in peace and out of our zealous activity and, above all, ourselves. Thus, The Hermit refers to significant experiences in recognizing who we are, what we want and how we can achieve it. It combines two valuable extremes: the depth of experience and the high level of recognition. Many people are unfounded about this card. Fear of loneliness and abandonment only appears when they are misunderstood. Anyone who follows the call of The Hermit voluntarily enriches with light, strength and the happy experience that she can be alone.

IX. THE HERMIT

This card is attributed to the letter Yod, which means the Hand. Hence, the hand, which is the tool or instrument par excellence, is in the centre of the picture. The letter Yod is the foundation of all the other letters of the Hebrew alphabet, which are merely combinations of it in various ways.

The letter Yod is the first letter of the name Tetragrammaton, and this symbolizes the Father, who is Wisdom; he is the highest form of Mercury, and the Logos, the Creator of all worlds. Accordingly, his representative in physical life is the spermatozoon; this is why the card is called The Hermit.

The figure of the Hermit himself recalls the shape of the letter Yod, and the colour of his cloak is the colour of Binah, in whom he gestates. In his hand he holds a Lamp whose centre is the Sun, portrayed in the likeness of the Sigil of the great King of Fire (Yod is the secret Fire). It seems that he is contemplating — in a certain sense, adoring — the Orphic egg (greenish in colour) because it is conterminous with the Universe, while the snake which surrounds it is many-coloured to signify the iridescence of Mercury. For he is not only creative, but is the fluidic essence of Light, which is the life of the Universe.

The highest symbolism of this card is, therefore, Fertility in its most exalted sense, and this is reflected in the attribution of the card to the sign of Virgo, which is another aspect of the same quality. Virgo is an earthy sign, and is referred especially to Corn, so that the background of the card is a field of wheat.

Virgo represents the lowest, most receptive, most feminine form of earth, and forms the crust over Hades. Yet not only is Virgo ruled by Mercury, but Mercury is exalted therein. Compare the Ten of Disks, and the general doctrine that the climax of the Descent into Matter is the signal for the reintegration by Spirit. It is the Formula of the Princess, the mode of fulfillment of the Great Work.

This card recalls the Legend of Persephone, and herein is a dogma. Concealed within Mercury is a light which pervades all parts of the Universe equally; one of his titles is Psychopompos, the guide of the soul through the lower regions. These symbols are indicated by his Serpent Wand, which is actually growing out of the Abyss, and is the spermatozoon developed as a poison, and manifesting the foetus. Following him is Cerberus, the three-headed Hound of Hell whom he has tamed. In this Trump is shewn the entire mystery of Life in its most secret workings. Yod Phallus Spermatozoon Hand Logos Virgin. There is perfect Identity, not merely Equivalence, of the Extremes, the Manifestation, and the Method.

IX. THE HERMIT

Saturn as the keeper of the gate, or Saturn in Aquarius, standing for the search of wisdom and the keeping of independence Zodiac: Virgin Tree of life: From Chesed to Tiphareth Element: Earth Number: 9 as the number going back into itself (3 x 3)

The Hermit represents retirement from the outside world, introversion into the inner self, listening to the inner voice and caring for the inner self. He requires retreat from any 'high life' and loud company, and stands for a time of self-reflection and self-realization. 

For most people, the silent loneliness of the Hermit appears unattractive, but behind the Hermit is the wisdom of the High Priestess. You cannot listen to your inner voices while having a party... 

In its negative aspect, the Hermit could mean being afraid of others or of life. When the retreat turns out to be a runaway, the loneliness can turn into a jail.

Drive: Retiring from life, retreat from the masses, looking into one's self, introversion 

Light: Wisdom, realization, mental maturity, the inner light 

Shadow: Numbness, loneliness, bitterness

IX. THE HERMIT- Saturn - Aquarius - Wisdom

Keywords: Virgo, finding our own inner light, moving inward, fertility, perfection, finishing, harvesting, being at peace in our inner center, wise leader

Advice: Accept your privacy! Don't worry about those who don't understand, who would rather you were part of the crowd. If you meet a wise leader or teacher, join him.

Question: Are there any open situations or relationships in your life?

Suggestion: Make a list of the situations you want to solve now or somehow end. Whoever starts out in search of inner light should not be burdened with unresolved conflicts. The profits must be lasting.

Revelation: I enjoy solitude. Whenever I want to end my loneliness, I relax.

Analogies:

Ji-Ching: 52. Ken (Keeping Still, Mountain)

Mythology: The Hermit (Nestor)

Keywords: wisdom, independence, retreat, turning inward, calm

Through his own power, one can take on a terrible figure as if he had an angelic vision.

IX. THE HERMIT

The challenge of The Hermit card is to be able to recognize a teacher in a humble disguise. This font of mysterious knowledge will not make it easy for the student to acquire his wisdom, as it takes time and long contemplation to fathom what he knows. He often speaks wordlessly, or in ancient and barbaric tongues, communicating with the elements, animals, and nature herself.

While an hourglass was an identifying feature on the earliest Hermit Tarot cards, more modern cards have shifted the metaphor, showing more or less light released from his lantern. In either case, the Hermit card reminds us of the value of time away from the hubbub of civic life, to relax the ego in communion with nature.

In the Reversed Position

When the Hermit card is reversed, you may be resisting the process of evolving towards a level of wisdom that sets you apart. Fear of the path is haunting you; it could be a fear of loneliness.

Try to remember that the shamanic method for facing fears is to relax and open. Let them in and allow them to have their way for a while. This way you know them fully and will see them pass of their own accord. When there are no more surprises, you can move into a place of empowered action.

In the Advice Positon

The Hermit advises that you think things through carefully. The demands on you have been high, giving you scant time for reflection. While you have a gift for understanding the larger implications involved, you need some private time to consider the steps to take in the future. You can't just lock yourself in your room for fifteen minutes and expect to come up with profound solutions. You need more seclusion and time to assimilate and process.

Now may be the moment for you to tell everyone to leave you alone. When you are fully ready, you will be able and willing to give others what they need.

Read more:

• » The Book of Thoth - A Short Essay on the Tarot of the Egyptians by Aleister Crowley.
• » Liber LXXVIII - On the Tarot - A complete treatise on the Tarot giving the correct designs of the cards with their attributions and symbolic meanings on all planes. - A description of the Cards of the Tarot, with their attributions, including a method of divination by their use.
• » Manuscript N - The Tarot - A Golden Dawn Manuscript - A Theoricus Adeptus Minor Paper.