The Hermit: Power in the Inner Mysteries

Welcome back to The Alchemy of Tarot! This week we explore the 9th card of the deck, ruled by Virgo, and representing the Mysteries, spiritual leadership, and introspection. In our journey through the major arcana, we began with the innocent enthusiasm of The Fool, traveled through The Magician and High Priestess representing creativity and creation, to the mother and father archetypes of the Empress and Emporer, through The Hierophant's powerful knowledge and  structured authority, to relationships from The Lovers, and most recently the will power, resilience, and fortitude of Strength.

Rider-Waite Tarot

Our innocent Fool has now encountered The Hermit, a quiet, humble and reclusive figure representing the spiritual mysteries. Interestingly, up until this point in the deck we had only seen one figure (The Fool)  not centrally facing the viewer. All other figures were looking directly towards us, showcasing their personal attributes and abilities. The Hermit however is in profile, and the viewer's gaze is directed towards the starry light emanating from his lantern. His countenance is not easily seen, with eyes closed, face focused down, as he holds onto his staff with one hand, and lantern with the other. There is a quiet simplicity with this card, as the stoic figure stands surrounded by a cloudless sky.

When we encounter this card in a reading, it might suggest that we focus our attention inwards, and be a bit more reclusive in our habits. The humble Hermit's power and attention is introspective. Unlike the highly ceremonial and symbolic bravado encountered in some of the other cards representing the Mysteries, the Hermit stands in quiet and serious reflection. He does not boast, he does not proselytize, he does not look for external validation. His archetype reflects the wisdom that can only be realized by the Self.

 

Tarot of Transformation
Willow Arlenea & Jasmin Lee Cori

In the Tarot of Transformation, we see this archetype realized as The Crone. In this image, The Crone is depicted as an enveloping goddess like being, holding two silhouetted female figures within her expansive aura. Instead of holding a lantern, the light from The Crone's wisdom emanates and radiates from within and travels up to her crown chakra surrounding her like a halo. This card illuminates the process of mystery unfolding, as we turn inward and become more aware of the Self.

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