The Hermit
The Hermit (IX) is the ninth trump or Major Arcana card in most traditional Tarot decks. It is used in game playing as well as in divination.
Description
A. E. Waite was a key figure in the development of modern Tarot interpretations. However, not all interpretations follow his theology.
Some frequent keywords are:
- Introspection ----- Silence ----- Guidance ----- Reflection
- Solitude ----- Looking inward ----- Reclusion ----- Being quiet
- Inner search ----- Deep understanding ----- Isolation
- Distance ----- Retreat ----- Philosophical attitude
The Waite version of the card shows an old man carrying a staff in one hand and a lit lantern in the other. In the background is a wasteland. Just beyond the wasteland is a mountain range.
Interpretation
The Hermit has internalized the lessons of life to the point that he is the lesson. The Hermit, as a kind of shamanistic hero, has made the complete journey – both the withdrawal and the return. As Joseph Campbell said, “A hero ventures forth from the world of common day into a region of supernatural wonder: fabulous forces are there encountered and a decisive victory is won: the hero comes back from this mysterious adventure with the power to bestow boons on his fellow man.” (The Hero with a Thousand Faces)
There are two possible ways this card can be interpreted:
- First, the need to withdraw from society to become comfortable with himself.
- Second, the return from isolation to share his knowledge with others.
Mythopoetic approach
An old hermit walked around the village and the area day and night, and even in daylight still carried a lit lantern. One day the villagers had enough curiosity to ask him "Sir, why do you carry your lantern lit in daylight?" He said, "Because I'm searching for an honest man."[citation needed]
This is a story most often attributed to Diogenes of Sinope, one major contributor to the Cynic school of philosophy.
There are several different cycles embedded in the Major Arcana. One of them is 1-9, 10-19. The Magician to the Hermit; the Wheel of Fortune through The Sun. The Fool gains knowledge of the external world, meets the mysteries, finds the initial object of desire, finds mastery, finds knowledge, finds a new object of desire, leaves home, gains some strength, and withdraws for a time to integrate the lessons learned before starting on the next turn of the spiral, where the Wheel of Fortune spins us into a new adventure.
Alternatively, The Hermit may be the old man or woman, metaphorically, that we meet who gives us the insights or tools or training we need to confront the beasts of the forest, the sealed cave, the gated castle, the wormhole.
The Hermit is related through a cross sum (the sum of the digits) to The Moon. While The Hermit mostly integrates the lessons of the sunlit world, the Moon stands at the threshold of light and dark and churns the waters of life. In both cases, treasures can be uncovered through contemplation of what is brought forth. In both cases, monsters may be found.
Some say that The Hermit is a Threshold Guardian, representing an obstacle the Querent, the hero of the piece, must overcome to move on.
A potentially dangerous aspect of The Hermit is his retreat, his isolation. We all need to retreat sometimes; retreat and renewal are necessary for growth. But The Hermit may be tempted to completely withdraw from the world, not because the journey is done, but because the dragons of the real are too daunting, or because the trivial pleasures of the cave are too intoxicating. Withdraw at the wrong time, stay withdrawn too long, and growth stops.
The cowl The Hermit wears protects him and isolates him. Hopefully, at some point, he casts it off and rejoins the world[citation needed] .
Some say that The Hermit represents the time we learn our true names, who we really are. The Greek philosopher Thales is reported to have been asked, “What is the most difficult of all things?” To which he is said to have answered “To know yourself.”[citation needed] The Hermit is given time to obey the Delphic Oracle’s demand: know thyself.[citation needed]
Alternative decks
In some decks it is also called Le Moine ("The Monk") or Time.
In the Vikings Tarot, the Hermit is Heimdall living at the edge of Asgard, standing ready with Gjallarhorn watching for the signs of the coming of Ragnarok.
In the X/1999 Tarot version made by CLAMP, The Hermit is Satsuki Yatouji.
In the Mythic Tarot deck, the Hermit is depicted by Cronus.
In the Sacred Circle Tarot, the Hermit is the Shaman.
In popular culture
- A stylised version of the Hermit can be seen in the illustration on the inside sleeve of the album Led Zeppelin IV (aka "Four Symbols") by English hard-rock band Led Zeppelin. The illustration is credited to a "Barrington Colby", of whom little is known. It has been speculated that the artist was Jimmy Page himself.
- In the 1976 film The Song Remains the Same, Jimmy Page portrays the Hermit in a fantasy sequence during the song "Dazed and Confused". In the sequence, Page climbs a rock face towards the figure of the Hermit, whose face is that of an aged version of himself. The sequence was supposed to have been filmed behind Boleskine House, a property two miles east of the Village of Foyers near Loch Ness in Scotland. The house, which was owned by Page at the time, had been owned by the author and occultist Aleister Crowley.
- In Jojo's Bizarre Adventure: Stardust Crusaders, Joseph Joestar's stand (Hermit Purple) is named after The Hermit
References
External links
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