Tarot Talk
This month, we will move back to the Major Arcana, and talk about The Hermit. Let’s quickly define and describe some terms.
There are 22 Major Arcana cards in a Tarot deck, with numbers from 0 to 21; the Majors usually deal with broader and more far-reaching life experience issues, archetypes that are easy for us to identify with and connect with at some point in our lives. An archetype (pronounced “ark eh type”) is a generic, idealized model of a person, an object, or a concept which can be copied, patterned, or imitated. The term archetype often refers to one of two concepts: a “stereotype,” a personality type observed multiple times, especially an oversimplification of a personality type; stereotypes can be positive or negative, or an “epitome,” which is the embodiment of a particular personality type, especially as the “greatest” or “best” example of the particular personality type; epitomes can also be positive or negative.
So archetypes present personality traits that are common enough to be known by us all, through images (rather than words) that contain symbolism that connects with our subconscious in a universal manner. Each of us can understand the symbolism of archetypes and connect with that symbolism because each of us has (or will) personally experienced these archetypes.
Each Major Arcana card corresponds to an archetype, an image, a number, an element, an astrological sign or planet, a Hebrew letter, and a Path on the Tree of Life joining two Sephiroth. Let’s start breaking this one down; we’ve got a lot of work to do!
The Hermit, the ninth of the Major Arcana cards, represents the archetype of the Wise Old Man, or the Senex. This archetype tells of a man who has lived long and learned a lot. Sometimes he is seen as a philosopher known for wisdom and sound judgment, but he can just as easily appear as an absent-minded professor who is out of touch with his day-to-day world because of his contemplative pursuits. Often, The Hermit is perceived as being foreign in some way, coming from a different culture or even a different time. Merlin is probably the most well-known archetype of The Hermit; he was considered a “cambion,” the son of a woman and an incubus.
The traditional image on The Hermit is of an old man with gray hair and a long beard, often also wearing a gray hooded robe, walking from the right (conscious) to the left (subconscious). If his features are visible, his face is usually lined and tired-looking, and his eyes are often closed. Sometimes his robe looks tattered, but more often, rather than appearing like a beggar, The Hermit appears like a friar or monk. His surroundings are usually harsh, often ice and snow or sharp rocks, and the sky is dark, as if twilight or even full night. The Hermit often carries a cane or a walking stick in one hand, and a lantern, usually lit by a six-pointed star, in the other hand.
The Hermit is numbered 9, the number that brings the integration of the previous eight cards. 9 is the number of initiation and completeness (360 degrees, 3, 6 and 0 add up to 9) which always reproduces itself (3 x 9 = 27, 2 + 7 = 9) or bears fruit. This number represents the concept of the full and material impact or manifestation of the effects of the element associated with the card, in this case the element of Earth.
Earth is represented by Pentacles, Coins, Disks, the suit of Diamonds in playing cards, the direction of north, and the color green. Earth is cold and it binds; it is dry, and it tends to shape the other elements. Earthly energy is material, practical and stable, and very slow to change. Earth tells of actual outcome of our efforts, or material manifestation, material things, the product of our labors. Earth can also represent fertility, prosperity, physical manifestation, and spiritual guidance in your practical, day-to-day life.
The element of Earth represents everything physical and everything we need to keep our physical self alive and vibrant. It also represents the wealth that can bring both physical shelter and mental and emotional pleasure. This element can represent diligence and an interest in quality rather than quantity; it can also represent greed and avarice, and the lack of the ability to be aware of resources or to access resources.
In astrology, The Hermit corresponds with the sign of Virgo. Virgo, the virgin, the sixth sun sign in the astrological zodiac, is a mutable or adoptive Earth sign. Virgo has a strong sense of service, and feels satisfied when helping others. They sometimes come off as cold or unemotional, but they are actually cautious, sizing things up. Virgos are meticulous, practical, intelligent, reliable, analytical and intelligent; of course, they are also over-critical, too conservative, and harsh. Virgos exist within the mind, appearing calm and collected on the outside, but lots going on inside. They are pure and honest, never malicious, and always trying to figure out how to improve things.
In the Hebrew alphabet, each letter is connected to the creative forces in the universe. They express themselves on three levels: one level is archetypical and runs from the first to the ninth letter; the second level is one of manifestation and runs from the tenth to the eighteenth letter, and the third is a cosmic level and runs from the nineteenth to the twenty-second letter. The Hermit corresponds with the Hebrew letter Yod, the tenth letter in the Hebrew alphabet; this letter corresponds with the active or grasping hand. Interesting that our hands have ten fingers, eh? Yod can also be seen as a closed fist, thus signifying the projective and, and a strike or blow.
On the Tree of Life, The Hermit represents Path 20, running between Tiphareth (the hub of the creation process where energies harmonize and focus to illuminate and clarify) and Chesed (the place where forms and structure are stabilized and nurtured). This Path brings us visionary guidance achieved through an acceptance of situations that enable us to abandon the ego. These kinds of situations are often uncomfortable, and they are usually best handled in a solitary manner, without distractions. The Hermit learns to find the spiritual within the physical world. He teaches us that through our own struggles and suffering, we can learn to have compassion for others.
The Hermit is a good listener; it is by listening to the world around him and understanding that world completely that he makes his way safely through his environment. He listens to the loud noises, but he also shuts out those loud noises so he can hear the softer and more subtle messages being offered. The Hermit is practical and determined, and he is able to prosper even when his surroundings are not hospitable. He can shut out the discomfort, or even learn from it.
The Hermit is a sage, a Wise Old man who is not simply searching for truth and justice, but also bringing them to others. He stands at a precipice like The Fool, but The Hermit knows when to stand still. He does not need bright light to illuminate his way, as the bright light blinds him to the messages he seeks. He does not let his ego light his way either; he has no illusions about the knowledge he carries in his brain or the wisdom he has gathered over the years. He is not The High Priestess, but rather a modest man who understands just how very much he does not know.
The Hermit and the concept of bearing discomfort in a solitary fashion are sometimes unsettling to most of us. His negative traits manifest when he loses his battle with his ego; he then can become conceited or quick-tempered. He can represent excess caution under the best of circumstances, and disguise, corruption and concealment in the worst.
The Hermit walks away from the comforts of civilization and the rules and beliefs of society; he would rather live within the intimacy of his own thoughts. His knowledge is profound because it is achieved through silence, chastity, isolation and austerity. But this does not mean he does not care for others; he is a humanitarian in the end, for the purpose of finding this hard-earned knowledge and wisdom is to share it with those around him. If you are willing to withdraw from the outside world for a time and contemplate in a peaceful and serene environment, The Hermit will assist you to find peace, clarity and balance.