| While many cards in the tarot, especially the trump | | | | Most people would place this card either at the very |
| cards, have undergone serious redesign over the | | | | top or the very bottom of the trumps to designate |
| centuries, The Hermit card remains almost exactly | | | | its power, and in ancient decks, The Hermit was |
| the same as it did 500 years ago. | | | | much closer to the top of the deck. The common |
| Almost all Hermit cards show a very old man in a | | | | perception of why the card was moved down was |
| long, monk-like robe, holding a wooden staff and a | | | | that other trumps, like love, are more of a fixture of |
| lantern. The lantern is just about the only part of the | | | | the younger days of life, but as your life progresses |
| card that has gotten a redesign over the years, as | | | | and you begin to get close to death, the Hermit card |
| the inside of the lantern now usually shows a glowing | | | | becomes much more of a reality to your daily life. |
| star or some kind of shape inside the lantern that is | | | | But while many people may find this interpretation |
| giving off light. | | | | downright depressing, they should realize that with |
| With the original Hermit cards, the lantern was usually | | | | advancing age, you also become wiser and more |
| empty. | | | | respected by those around you, and it is this fact |
| So, who is this strange hermit; a man who has made | | | | that has kept the Hermit card as a positively |
| a choice to live apart from the rest of the world | | | | interpreted card over the years. |
| either by choice to seek solace or for possible | | | | While there is a definite old age and impending death |
| religious study and enlightenment or has he been | | | | aspect to it, the fact that the subject has lived as |
| exiled due to unspeakable behavior? | | | | long as they have and has acquired the knowledge |
| That question in never really answered, but in most | | | | and the strength to pass on to younger generations |
| modern interpretations of The Hermit, the card has a | | | | far exceeds any negatives that old age might bring. |
| positive connotation, with the meaning usually | | | | There is also a duel interpretation with The Hermit |
| skewing towards a search for knowledge, truth or a | | | | card, depending on the context in which the card |
| quest for enlightenment. | | | | appears. |
| The common illustrations of The Hermit may make | | | | The Hermit card can be interpreted as a need for |
| most people think of an ancient wizard like Merlin or a | | | | the subject to separate themselves from their |
| character out of the Lord of the Rings series like | | | | current social circles so they can preserve |
| Gandalf. But while The Hermit card is looked upon | | | | themselves and gain additional knowledge on their |
| with reverence and respect, there is no real | | | | own, or it can be a call to action of sorts for those |
| supernatural or wish-granting aspect associated with | | | | that have previously isolated themselves to come |
| the card. | | | | back into the fold of society and share the wisdom |
| When the history of The Hermit card is traced back | | | | they have collected. |
| to its origins, it is believed that the figure represents | | | | The Hermit card is often one of the most |
| Father Time and the endless march that will | | | | misunderstood cards since the depiction shows a |
| eventually claim us all. But even with this bleak | | | | subject so clearly close to death. But the history of |
| assessment, the card was never a negative when it | | | | the card and association with wisdom and the urgent |
| came up during a reading, it was simply treated as a | | | | desire to share, teach and spread that wisdom is |
| truth and an inevitability. | | | | truly the overriding meaning behind the Hermit card. |
| The Hermit card is, in most decks, the ninth trump | | | | Depending on the question asked before the reading, |
| card. But, as is the case with many of the trumps, | | | | a Hermit card can be a sign that teaching would be a |
| the position has changed over the years. Most | | | | positive career choice or, if the card is reversed, that |
| experts have been a little bewildered by the fact | | | | a serious change in life choices needs to be made to |
| that the card representing the most powerful force | | | | ensure a continuation of the subjects life and health |
| in the universe, time, would be situated at the ninth | | | | into the immediate future. |
| spot. | | | | |