As the evenings get darker and the days get shorter, I notice that I want to slow down, light a candle and spend more time with my own thoughts. If you feel the same, there is a tarot card that speaks to exactly this mood: The Hermit. Today I want to walk you through what it shows, what it can mean in a reading, and a small ritual to try at home.
What you see on The Hermit card
The Hermit is card number IX in the Major Arcana. In most decks that follow the Rider Waite tradition, you see a single older figure in a long cloak, standing on a quiet mountain top. In one hand they hold a staff. In the other they hold a lantern, and inside the lantern there is a small star.
Notice what is missing: there is no crowd, no road full of people, no loud scene. The light is small, but it is enough to see the next step. That is the heart of this card. It is not about seeing the whole path. It is about trusting the little bit of light you already have.
The main meaning: going inward
When The Hermit appears, it often points to a time of reflection. It can invite you to step back from noise, opinions and busy schedules, and ask yourself what you really think and feel. Some readers see it as a card of solitude. I prefer to see it as a card of chosen quiet, the kind where you are not lonely, just focused.
Other keywords readers often connect with this card are:
- Reflection and self-understanding
- Patience and taking your time
- Seeking your own answers
- Learning from experience, or from a mentor
The number nine also shows up in numerology as a number of endings and closing a chapter, which fits the feeling of looking back before you move on.
The Hermit in different questions
Tarot is a tool for reflection, so I never treat a card as a fixed prediction. Here is how I like to think about this card in a few common areas.
Love and relationships: It may ask you to spend time with your own needs first, or to give yourself and your partner some space to think. It can also be a reminder to be honest about what you want.
Work and study: It can suggest deep focus, careful research, or finding a mentor who has walked a similar road.
Personal growth: This is where The Hermit feels most at home. Journaling, quiet walks and honest questions fit this card well.
When The Hermit is reversed
If the card comes up upside down, you might ask whether you are pulling away too much, or whether you are avoiding your own company. Reversed, it can be a nudge to ask: am I hiding, or am I resting? There is no single answer, and only you can feel which one fits. If reversed cards are new to you, I wrote a separate guide on how to read reversed tarot cards.
Meet The Hermit in the Dreamscapes Tarot
The Hermit is a great card to learn early, because its picture tells most of the story. In my Dreamscapes Tarot Deck, the lantern carrier walks through a dreamlike world, and the cards of each suit connect to form one large, poster-like image when you lay them together. It is a colorful 78-card deck with ice blue gilded edges that follows the journey of the Fool. All the artwork is my own illustration, and no AI was used.
If you are still looking for a first deck, you can also browse my Rider Waite beginner decks.
A small Hermit ritual for a quiet evening
Here is something simple you can do tonight. You do not need any special tools, just a few calm minutes.
- Turn off notifications and put your phone in another room.
- Light a candle or a small lamp. Let it be your lantern.
- Take a deep breath and ask one gentle question, such as: "What do I need to hear right now?"
- Shuffle and pull one card. If you have The Hermit in your deck, you can place it next to your card as a companion.
- Write down three things: what you see in the card, how it makes you feel, and one small step you could take this week.
If you like a cozy setup, a pretty cloth under your cards makes the moment feel special. You can find a few in my altar cloth collection.
Journal prompts to go deeper
- Where in my life do I need more quiet?
- What is my small lantern right now, the one thing I already know?
- Who has helped me find my way, and what did they teach me?
- What would I like to leave behind before the year ends?
A last thought
The Hermit does not ask you to disappear from the world. It simply reminds you that you are allowed to pause, look inward and walk at your own speed. I hope this card keeps you company this autumn. Tarot is meant for reflection and a bit of inspiration, so take what feels true for you and leave the rest.
With love,
Esra
Photo by Maxim Boldyrev on Unsplash