The Tarot Card The Hermit is printed within the magical container of The Seed of Life on top, The Flower of Life beneath, a hexagram at the left, and a pentagram on the right. Together these symbols create a magical amulet to help manifest the powers and meaning of the Tarot Card it contains. In this case, The Hermit.
Meaning of the Symbols:
The Seed of Life at the top: The Seed represents the sparking of all life, the beginning of creation, and the source of all matter and intention. It is there to remind you that in your evolution, you must pull from a higher power, not just your own mind and the experiences that are known to you. The Seed of Life represents the masculine force in creation - the place of single-pointed consciousness, overflowing love, focus, stillness, consistency, and intention.
The Flower of Life at the Bottom: The Flower represents matter and the quantum world where intention shapes that matter. In the Western Mystery traditions, this place is referred to as the Prima Materia - the Primal Matter. It is there to remind you that in the process of creation, you must allow the energy of intention to flow through your physical body unfettered, to shape the quantum world. It is also symbolic of The Fool - as the circle is the number zero and the entire journey of the Tarot is the journey of the individual (the Fool / The self) through evolution. The Flower of Life represents the feminine force in creation - the place of infinite expression, interaction, relationship, evolution, change, and the dance of life and death.
The Hexagram: Represents the higher mind and consciousness - our natural psychic interplay with all creation. It is the macrocosm of creation.
The Pentagram: Represents the physical body, the 5 senses, the emotional sense, and the microcosm of creation.
Together these symbols focus the power of the Tarot Card depicted in the center. In this case, The Hermit:
The Hermit Tarot Card: An older man with a white beard stands atop white stones or snow. He is cloaked with a gray robe and carries a golden staff and a black lantern with a 6 pointed star shining its light from within.
The hermit is one of the most visually simple cards of the tarot. The simplicity itself is a clue as to what this card represents. The blue-gray background, the downward gaze, the name of the card, as well as its simplicity, all imply a time of stillness, silence, and contemplating the wisdom deep within oneself. A time of deep connection to the source of light within.
In the Western mystery traditions, there is a Latin saying related to this card: Visita Interiora Terrae, rectificando Invenies Occultum Lapidem (acronym: VITRIOL). It translates as: Visit the interior of the Earth, through rectification you will find the Hidden Light. The Hermit card represents this profound journey. So while the card itself is simple, and the message is simple, the journey itself can be complex. And that which you discover within yourself that requires rectification could be deeply disturbing and difficult to deal with.
Luckily, the Hermit has a lantern lit with a symbol of the higher self (the 6-pointed star) to guide him. You might think that the light of the lantern is the inner light he is seeking. In fact, it’s not! The Hermit himself does not shine from within or have a golden halo like some other character in the tarot. This card tells the story of taking time to seek and be in the dark womb of the Earth rather than a time of illumination and insight. But it is in this darkness that another ancient principle is applied. “And the light shineth in the darkness, but the darkness comprehended it not.”
The light of the lantern is the light of the higher self guiding the Hermit on his journey inward. It is a light that is always there for us even when we don’t know it. Or don’t comprehend it. It is not always easy to feel the closeness of this light, especially when surrounded by the constant stimulation of family, friends, work, and busy cities. That is why hermit time in life is so important. It creates the space you need to discern the voice of the higher light of spirit in your mind from the voices of fear, the voices of others, and the voices of habit and conditioned shame. Once you find it, the external light of spirit provides reassurance, nourishment, and comfort. It provides direct and precise guidance to the best of your ability to comprehend it.
The light of spirit provides support in the same way an encouraging parent pushes their child to jump into the pool, try something new, and make new friends. It doesn’t always feel like what spirit asks us to do and where it asks us to go is the most pleasurable thing, but always in the end, when we follow our higher guidance, we get closer to the rectification and purification of our inner being. We get one step closer to uncovering the hidden light buried deep within us.
Association with Virgo: The Hermit tarot card is associated with the sign of Virgo and represents the seeking after knowledge and wisdom. The kind of knowledge we connect with only through deep contemplation and silence. It reminds us that the experience of all things being in divine order is waiting to be uncovered deep inside.
When to use the Hermit Card: When too many voices battle for control in your mind, it is clearly the time to contemplate The Hermit. As well as take some hermit time for yourself. But the focus during these times should always be on the lantern and staff held by the hermit. The lantern being the guidance of the higher self and the golden staff representing the stability and eternal comfort of the Divine presence. Together they are the Divine Masculine (the rod) and the Divine Feminine (the lantern). In your hermit time, seek the marriage of the rod and lantern within you. That is where you’ll find the hidden light.
Altar Cloth / Tapestry details:
~ 100% microfiber Polyester
~ Hemmed edges for extra durability to ensure years of use
~ Advanced tapestry and altar cloth printing techniques guarantee crisp image detail
~ Multiple sizes (26x36 in, 50x60 in, 68x80 in, 88x104 in)
