The Hermit
The Hermit is the ninth card in the Major Arcana in most traditional Tarot decks.
Depiction
In the Rider-Waite Tarot, artist Pamela Colman Smith depicted The Hermit as an old man, standing on a mountain peak, carrying a staff in one hand and a lit lantern containing a six-pointed star in the other. In the background is a mountain range. According to some interpretations, his lantern is the Lamp of Truth, used to guide the unknowing, his patriarch's staff helps him navigate narrow paths as he seeks enlightenment and his cloak is a form of discretion.
In the Tarot of Marseilles, the hermit's lantern is partially concealed by his cloak, suggesting the hidden mysteries of the Tarot that are only open to initiates.
Other names
The earliest decks called this card The Capuchin or Time and showed him carrying an hourglass rather than a lantern.
In the Hieronymus Bosch Tarot, this card is called "Illumination," and depicts a large lantern with many people struggling to get inside.
Divinatory meaning
In divination, this card usually indicates treason, dissimulation, roguery, and corruption. Prudence, consideration of all consequences.
In reversed position, it means: Concealment, disguise, and fear.
| Tarot Topics | ||
|---|---|---|
| Major Arcana | The Fool • The Magician • The High Priestess • The Empress • The Emperor • The Hierophant • The Lovers • The Chariot • Strength • The Hermit • Wheel of Fortune • Justice • The Hanged Man • Death • Temperance • The Devil • The Tower • The Star • The Moon • The Sun • Judgement • The World | |
| Minor Arcana | Pentacles | Ace • Two • Three • Four • Five • Six • Seven • Eight • Nine • Ten • Page • Knight • Queen • King |
| Wands | Ace • Two • Three • Four • Five • Six • Seven • Eight • Nine • Ten • Page • Knight • Queen • King | |
| Cups | Ace • Two • Three • Four • Five • Six • Seven • Eight • Nine • Ten • Page • Knight • Queen • King | |
| Swords | Ace • Two • Three • Four • Five • Six • Seven • Eight • Nine • Ten • Page • Knight • Queen • King | |
| Decks | Visconti-Sforza Tarot • Tarot of Marseilles • Rider-Waite Tarot • Thoth Tarot • Occult Tarot • Angel Tarot • Vlad Dracula Tarot • Hieronymus Bosch Tarot | |