The Hermit

Major Arcana IX
Path 20 – Yod – Chesed to Tiphareth

Walking with The Hermit

The Hermit has always been more than just a tarot card to me. They’re a companion, a guide, and sometimes, a mirror. I keep several versions of this card on display—one a cloaked man on a snow-covered mountaintop, another a fairy overlooking the land around her. Each holds a lantern. Each walks alone. And yet, neither are truly solitary.

Pictured on the left: The Hermit from the Crystal Visions Tarot Deck is portrayed sitting alone on a mountaintop, gazing down at the world below to gain a greater perspective and deeper understanding of the universe.

Pictured on the right: The Hermit from the Witches Tarot is an old, wise wizard on a vision quest, putting himself to the test to uncover the mysteries of the world.

Pictured above: The Hermit Tarot Card from The Thoth Deck symbolizes the Creator of Life. It depicts a hand (Yod) holding the Hermit’s lamp, which contains the Sun, and a serpent coiled around an egg, which represents the Universe.

The Hermit teaches us that sacred withdrawal isn’t about escaping the world—it’s about creating the space to hear what the world can’t say aloud. The quiet between steps, the soft glow of the lantern, the breath before the breakthrough. These are the gifts of the path of the Hermit.

In this article, we’ll explore The Hermit through the lens of Qabalah, witchcraft, and lived experience. We’ll walk the twentieth path on the Tree of Life, meditate on the spark of Yod, and gather practical ways to invoke its wisdom in readings, rituals, and real life.

Whether your Hermit is a wise woman, a silent monk, or a reflection of yourself, their lantern lights the way through silence, solitude, and spiritual seeking. Whether you’re standing at a crossroads, yearning for clarity, or simply feeling the pull of quiet magic, the Hermit offers you the light.

The question is: Are you ready to follow?

The Hermit as a Witch’s Archetype

The Hermit is more than a card or an image of solitude—he (or she, or they) is an embodiment of the witch who walks the winding path between the worlds. This archetype holds immense power, not through spectacle or performance, but through presence, wisdom, and the inner light that comes from truly knowing oneself.

Witches are often solitary by nature—not because they don’t love community, but because they require time apart to tune in, to listen, to remember. In this way, the Hermit is the Witch in their purest form: a seeker who trusts their own insight above the noise of the outside world, who retreats not to escape but to return with medicine, truth, and vision.

A Keeper of the Lantern

The Hermit carries a lantern not to blind others with brilliance, but to illuminate just enough of the path ahead—for themselves and for those who seek their guidance. In magical terms, the lantern represents our inner knowing, our spirit guides, our connection to the divine spark that lives within us. It’s the witchlight that flickers quietly in the dark, guiding us through the mist.

The Hermit reminds us that it’s okay to not always have answers. It’s okay to pause, to say no, to walk away for a while. That stillness is not stagnation—it’s sacred space. It is in this quiet pause that clarity emerges.

Shadow and Integration

The Hermit archetype also calls us into shadow work. When we pull away from the world, we inevitably face the parts of ourselves we’ve avoided: the grief we haven’t grieved, the truths we’ve been too afraid to speak aloud, the old wounds that still shape our decisions. In the Hermit’s cave, the witch becomes a witness to her own becoming.

It is here, in that sacred inner terrain, that integration happens—not perfection, but wholeness. The Hermit does not cast out the shadow; instead, they make a home for it, learning to carry both the wound and the wisdom.

The Dreamwalker and the Hedge Rider

In some traditions, The Hermit is a dreamwalker—one who moves between worlds, slipping past the veil into the realm of spirits and ancestors. The Hermit Witch may be a hedge rider, one who crosses the threshold in trance, in meditation, in dream. They are the psychopomp, the wayfinder, the seer. They don’t just read the cards or cast the spell—they become the bridge between seen and unseen.

This archetype teaches us that the answers we seek are rarely outside of us. They rise from deep within—the well of memory, of past life echoes, of ancestral knowing. The Hermit helps us remember what we already know.

In Modern Witchcraft

In a world that prizes productivity and performance, the Hermit is a revolutionary. They whisper: Rest. Wait. Watch. Listen. The modern witch, so often burned out, scattered, or overwhelmed, finds refuge in The Hermit’s presence.

To walk with this archetype is to reclaim your time, your energy, and your intuition. You may spend time journaling, meditating, weaving spells in solitude, or simply allowing yourself to do nothing at all. The Hermit reminds you that your magic doesn’t always need to be loud. It is powerful in its silence. Potent in its pause.

“The Hermit is not lonely. They are in good company—with memory, mystery, and moonlight.”

The Hermit in Esoteric Systems

To truly understand The Hermit, we look beyond the surface and into the deeper esoteric systems that shape its meaning. From the Tree of Life to astrology and elemental correspondences, this section reveals how The Hermit functions as a key in the mystical framework.

The Hermit on the Tree of Life

On the Tree of Life, the Hermit travels the twentieth path, moving between Chesed (Mercy) and Tiphareth (Beauty), walking a narrow bridge from expansive divine love to radiant spiritual harmony.

• Chesed, ruled by Jupiter, is the seat of generosity and grace.
• Tiphareth, ruled by the Sun, is the heart of the Tree—the place where spirit and self align.

The Hermit carries the light of Chesed into the very center of the soul. But this light must be protected, nurtured, and understood. That is the Hermit’s sacred task—and ours, when we follow this path.

This path invites solitude, not for its own sake, but to refine the soul. The Hermit does not escape the world; he or she withdraws with the intention to return with wisdom.

Yod: The Spark of Illumination

The Hermit’s path is associated with the Hebrew letter Yod (י)—the smallest letter, yet the source of all others. It represents the divine spark within all things, the primal seed of creation.

Yod is the flicker of insight that lights the Hermit’s lamp. It is the silence before speech, the idea before form. It teaches us to honor what is small, sacred, and unseen.

Meditation:
Picture Yod as a single glowing ember suspended in the dark. That ember is your inner light, no matter how dim it seems. Sit in stillness and breathe into it.

Esoteric Correspondence Table

The Hermit is more than a figure of solitude—he or she is a living archetype that can be worked with in spellcraft, ritual, and pathworking. The correspondences below blend traditional witchcraft elements with mystical associations drawn from Qabalah, astrology, and numerology. Use them to deepen your understanding of this card or support magical workings that call on their energy.

Understanding The Hermit’s Meanings

Before we step fully into ritual or pathworking, it helps to pause and reflect on the meanings that emerge through tarot interpretation. This section gives structure to The Hermit’s message, both upright and reversed, and offers key insights for divination.

When the Hermit appears in a reading:

• Upright: Solitude, inner guidance, soul searching, spiritual retreat, deep wisdom, intuition, reflection, pathworking, seeking truth, gaining enlightenment
• Reversed: Isolation, avoidance, disconnection, ignoring your inner voice, burnout from withdrawal. loneliness

In your readings, this card might mean it’s time to turn inward—not out of fear, but in devotion. It may signal a need to slow down, disconnect, and listen. Not just to yourself, but to the deeper voice that echoes in silence.

“When I pull The Hermit, I often ask: what am I avoiding that I need to befriend in the quiet?”

Correspondence Table: Keywords & Meanings

The Hermit is a card rich with symbolic meaning, and its many layers can reveal different truths depending on your current path. To help you unlock these meanings more clearly, the following table offers a breakdown of common keywords associated with The Hermit and their deeper interpretations. Use this as a tool for journaling, meditation, or tarot study as you reflect on where its lantern is guiding you.

Optional: Reversed Hermit Meanings

When the card appears reversed, its wisdom can become distorted—pointing to imbalance, avoidance, or the darker side of solitude. This second table explores those reversed meanings, helping you identify when introspection has turned into isolation, or when your inner voice has been drowned out by fear or stagnation. These insights can serve as guideposts for bringing yourself back into alignment.

Rituals and Magical Practice

The Hermit’s magic is quiet but powerful. In this section, you’ll find practical ways to bring The Hermit into your craft—through invocation, spellwork, and journeying—so his lantern can light the way in your own spiritual workings.

Invocation of The Hermit

Call upon The Hermit as a spiritual guide, teacher, and protector of inner truth. This invocation opens a sacred channel for working with The Hermit’s archetypal energy.

“Lamp bearer of the heights, I see your light from afar. You walk in silence, but your footsteps echo in my soul. Guide me across the narrowing bridge between mercy and beauty. Let your lantern awaken the divine spark within.”

Spell: Light of the Hidden One

This spell calls upon The Hermit to reveal hidden truths, illuminate your path, and strengthen your inner guidance. Use it when seeking clarity during times of solitude or uncertainty.

A simple spell for clarity and inner guidance

You’ll need:

• A white or indigo candle
• A sprig of thyme or mugwort
• A small mirror or smooth stone
• A quiet, undisturbed place

Steps:

1. Create sacred space in your usual way or by simply lighting the candle with intention.
2. Place the herb near the flame, the mirror before you.
3. Whisper:
   “I call to the Hidden One, Keeper of the Path. Light my way. Show me truth in silence.”
4. Sit in stillness. Let the flicker of the flame reflect in the mirror. Do not seek answers—receive them.
5. Journal or record any thoughts that arise, no matter how small.

End with:
“I carry the spark. I walk with the light.”

Pathworking with The Hermit

This pathworking journey is designed to help you walk the twentieth path of the Tree of Life—the narrow bridge between Chesed (Mercy) and Tiphareth (Beauty)—in the company of The Hermit. You may use this as a meditation, a journaling prompt, or a visionary experience.

Preparation:

• Choose a quiet space where you won’t be disturbed.
• Light a single candle to represent The Hermit’s lantern.
• Optional: hold a stone like amethyst or labradorite, or place mugwort nearby to enhance inner vision.
• Close your eyes and take three deep breaths. Begin.

The Journey:

You find yourself standing on a narrow path between two hills—one is lush and expansive, the other golden and radiant. Between them stretches a quiet road lined with ancient stones.

In the distance, a solitary figure approaches. Hooded, cloaked, and carrying a softly glowing lantern. They do not speak. Instead, they raise the lantern toward you, and in its glow, you see your own face reflected—older, wiser, and full of knowing.

The Hermit turns and begins walking the path between the hills. You follow.

With each step, the noise of the outer world fades. You notice the texture of the ground beneath your feet, the way the light flickers against the stones. You begin to feel the pull of something ancient and internal—your own hidden wisdom rising to meet the journey.

Eventually, the Hermit stops beside a smooth pool of water. They gesture for you to look into it.

What do you see?

A memory? A truth? A path you’ve been avoiding?

Sit with it. Listen.

When you are ready, the Hermit nods. The lantern flickers once more, and the vision begins to fade.

You return slowly, carrying the light inside you.

Journal your experience.

• What did you see in the water?
• What part of yourself is calling for solitude, clarity, or healing?

Embodying The Hermit

It’s one thing to draw this card in a reading—it’s another to live with his energy. These practices invite you to embody his wisdom through daily ritual, journaling, and quiet reflection over time.

Practice: A Week with The Hermit

The Hermit’s energy is best integrated slowly, like candlelight growing in darkness. This seven-day practice mirrors the Hermit’s deliberate pace and supports a gradual unfolding of inner clarity. Each day invites quiet observation, soul listening, and sacred solitude.

Day 1: Build the Lantern
Create a Hermit altar. Include tarot cards, sacred stones, candles, and natural objects that speak to solitude and wisdom. Let this become your anchor for the week.

Day 2: Walk the Path
Take a silent walk without music or distractions. Let your breath and footsteps guide you. Notice what emerges in stillness.

Day 3: Dream the Message
Journal your dreams from the night before or nap during the day. Look for symbols of light, keys, mountains, or doorways.

Day 4: Sit with the Light
Draw a single card and sit in stillness with it for ten minutes. Let insight arise without forcing interpretation. Let the Hermit’s lantern light what has been hidden.

Day 5: Tend the Cave
Cleanse your physical and energetic space. As you do, reflect on what you are clearing within yourself.

Day 6: Choose Solitude
Say no to something today—not out of avoidance, but as an intentional act of self-sovereignty. Create space for silence or soul-nourishment.

Day 7: Speak with the Guide
Write a letter from your inner guide or future self to your present self. What wisdom have you gained? What is the next step on your path?

Journal Prompts

These prompts help you reflect on The Hermit’s message in your own life—where you seek solitude, what wisdom you hold, and how your inner light is asking to be seen.

• What does silence reveal to me?
• Where in my life am I being called to withdraw in order to grow?
• How do I carry light for others without burning out my own flame?

My Witch’s Path with The Hermit

I keep multiple Hermit cards from different decks on display in my space. Their lanterns feel like sentinels.

I don’t always feel like the Hermit, but I recognize the part of me that needs quiet—moonlight and candlelight over conversation. Silence, not as avoidance, but as medicine.

In my dreams and paintings, I see the Hermit walking the watery bridge between sefirah. Sometimes I follow. Sometimes I am the one holding the lantern.

This card reminds me that withdrawal is not weakness—it’s a sacred act of remembering who I am.

I Am the Hermit: Walking the Inner Path in a World on Fire

Retreating Without Turning Away

This week, I am the Hermit. Or maybe even this year.

I’ve always been drawn to this card. I’ve written about the Hermit before, and about the Moon. But this time feels different.

This week, when I look at the Hermit card, I don’t see a cloaked stranger on a distant path or a solitary figure in some ancient wood. I see me.

I’ve chosen to step back—not to escape, but to listen. To root. To remember.

I’m walking the inner path with intention, even as the outer world roars with injustice. And it does. Families are being torn apart. People are being caged—literally caged. There are internment camps guarded by alligators in my own country to detain and ultimately deport people without due process for simply being … brown.

And still, I light a candle and turn inward.
And still, I choose solitude.

Not because I’ve turned away. But because I need to stay rooted in who I am if I want to keep showing up with purpose—for my family, for my community, for the world I still believe can change.

Solitude is a privilege. I know that.
But it’s also a responsibility.

I am the matriarch of my family.
I carry our stories. Our grief. Our strength. Our prayers.
I am not the savior of the world.
But I am a light in mine.

And maybe, in this strange, connected web of readers and seekers, I’m a light for others, too.
Not because I have answers—but because I share what I see when I hold the lantern up to the dark.
Not because I lead—but because I walk.

The Hermit teaches that silence is not absence. That retreat is not abandonment.
She pauses not to vanish—but to see more clearly.

So this week, I’ll turn inward.
I’ll be still.
Not to hide.
But to become more honest.
More whole.
More prepared to return—not with solutions, but with presence.

I am the Hermit.
I am the matriarch.
And I am a quiet light on the trail—for my family, for my readers, for any seeker who might glimpse the flame and feel a little less alone.

Walk with Me

If you too are feeling the call to withdraw—not in apathy, but in search of clarity—you’re not alone. Whether you’re the matriarch of your family, a solitary practitioner, or simply someone holding quiet space in a loud world, you are welcome here.

This week, I invite you to join me in Hermit work.
Step back. Light a candle. Ask yourself:

• What am I really carrying?
• What light do I need to tend right now?
• Who might need that light, softly shining, when I return?

Share your reflections in the comments, or simply hold them close. Your path matters. Your quiet matters. And your light—however small it may feel—is seen.

Final Reflection

The Hermit teaches us that not all wisdom comes through study or speech.
Sometimes it arrives like a whisper behind the heart, a glint of truth in the dark.
This archetype reminds us that the path to truth is not lit by certainty, but by intention.

We do not follow the Hermit to get away.
We follow her to come home.

Grandma

For as long as I can remember, I always wanted to be a Grandma. I was fortunate to have two wonderful grandmothers while I was growing up and I have many happy memories of each of them. Today, I live in a “Grandmother’s House” where my husband and I enjoy lots of time with our family. In addition to my role as Grandma to nine grandchildren, I am a daughter, a wife, a mother of three grown children, a sister, an aunt, a friend, a writer, an artist … and a witch.

✨Grandma’s Grimoire✨ is a collection of family wisdom interwoven with a touch of magick. Our goal is to create a living and lasting legacy that we hope will inspire our future generations as well as anyone who is drawn to it.