L'Eremita: The Hermit
Verse
“Sometimes
we need
some distance
to reflect
on icy mountains
and dazzling auroras,
to cradle ourselves
in the egg of the cosmos
until we can be reborn
in the light of wisdom.”
Keywords
Upright: Gazing inward. Soul searching. Retreating from the material. Introspection. Being a guiding light.
Reversed: Isolation. Overthinking. Withdrawal. Disconnection.Taking time for yourself.
Correspondences
Sign: Virgo
Aroma: Myrrh, Mountain Savory, and Spruce
Description
Inspired by the strength they found within, the Fool decides to retreat from the outside world in order to seek a higher understanding within themselves. Key IX, The Hermit is the ultimate embodiment of the lessons learned from the nines of the minor arcana. Once you reach a certain point of attainment, in order to reach total fulfillment you must reflect on all you have learned and find the clarity necessary to move forward. In the Hermetic Tarot this card is known as the “Magus of the Voice of Light.”
The Hermit floats above a harsh, snowy landscape—a manifestation of their spiritual growth. They assume the fetal position to fully withdraw into their own inner world. The cosmic egg around them serves as a barrier of protection. It is a symbol of creation and rebirth, as well as the duality between chaos and cosmos. It is full of potential. From within it they nurture and guard the light of wisdom, as represented by the six-pointed star, until they are ready to be reborn. An aurora forms a serpentine shape around them, symbolic of the snake that traditionally encircles and incubates the cosmic egg.
In a reading, the Hermit may appear as an invitation to take a step back from the material world to look inward. Seek solitude to connect with what your soul is searching for and ask questions that no one can answer for you. Introspection is also important for self-awareness. Check in, realign, and refocus. It may also suggest that you should strive to be a guiding light for others who need a little help finding their way.
The reversed may reflect an imbalance within your interior world. Are you spending too much time alone and overthinking? You may feel isolated and alone. Are you withdrawing for the right reasons or are you trying to run away? Conversely, are you not taking enough time away from the stress of day to day life to reconnect with yourself? Strive for balance.
Design
For this card, I wanted to convey the feeling of being alone but also completely content. It’s a cold landscape but it feels warm and comforting by the light of the aurora. The figure rests safely and peacefully within the cosmic egg, gently cradling the light of wisdom. If you’ve ever been in the wilderness surrounded by heavy snow you know how quiet and still it is. It’s an ethereal experience and I tried to capture that here.
Key Symbols
Cosmic Egg: The cosmic egg is a mythological trope that appears in various forms throughout many cultures. It often represents the birth of a new world, universe, or all-powerful being. I chose to use it to visually represent the energy of the Hermit card because of the themes of retreating, looking inward, and being reborn.
Aurora: Light and Magic
Mountains: Spiritual Growth
Star: Light of wisdom
Color Theory
Green: Green: Love. Compassion. Emotion.
Blue: Truth. Clarity. Communication. Wisdom.
Purple: Intuition. Spirituality. Psychic energy. Enlightenment
Tarot Spread
