The Hermit card ends one subcycle within the Major Arcana. The Fool begins his voyage, enters the external world, finds secrets, gains abundance, finds discipline, gains knowledge, is pushed by desire into the fall, starts to battle his way back, gains the strength to do so, and finally takes some time in solitude and seclusion to integrate the lessons before he embarks on a new upward spiral of coming back home. This card is the beginning of the actualization of spiritual life: The Hermit gains inner knowledge through inspiration and introspection. Self-realization and self-reflection are the main leitmotifs of this card. Silent solitude may not be as popular as other, more mundane things, but you cannot listen to your inner voice while hearing the noise of the outer world. The Hermit is at a stage when no other human being can help him; he must rely on his own inner voice. He is still a long way from completeness, but the lessons of the first nine cards are starting to take root. He takes it one step further and even guides aspirants like a beacon with the light he holds. The Hermit's solitude has its purpose and meaning: it is the pursuit of knowledge and wisdom that took him high up the mountain, otherwise it would just be running away. For the solitude to have meaning, The Hermit had to learn the lessons of the previous cards of the Major Arcana. The letter for this card is Yod (open hand), and the card can be interpreted as an invitation to the next stage of our development.
On the card
This is the first time we see a human source of light, the hermit's lantern. Until now the Sun and the stars were the symbols of divine guidance. Now we have a card in which a human being is in a position to pass on knowledge and advice. It is the end of a subcycle that began with The Fool. In a sense, it is time to go back home. The Hermit stands high on the icy peaks that were already portrayed in The Fool, The Lovers and Strength. It is the same mountain. He looks downwards while holding the lantern in his hand. Obviously he is not holding the lantern for himself, since he is already at the top of the mountain, but to light the way for others to where he already is. He is a very clear symbol of a teacher, but not one like The Hierophant, who is a representative of a religious structure: he is the spiritual voice inside oneself. For this to become real in our lives we need time, so it is no wonder that The Hermit is depicted as ancient. The Star of David is in the lantern. We can divide this symbol into two triangles, one pointing upwards, indicating the spirit, and the other pointing downwards, indicating the world. As above, so below. Two triangles hold 360 degrees.
This is a symbol of all four directions and of creation itself. The cross sum of 360 is nine, the number of The Hermit. The astrological sign of Virgo is linked with The Hermit, so virginity and solitude are labels of this card. His hood is shaped like the Hebrew letter Yod. Yod is the first letter of God's name, YHVH. The Yod, symbol of the divine creative and controlling intelligence, shows where The Hermit stands on the spiritual ladder: still on the material plane as a mortal man, but in touch with the mind of God. This indicates lessons already learned, but also warns that he is far from the end. Again there is a staff in the picture, a clear symbol of the spirit already seen in the earlier cards of the Major Arcana.
Upright
This card can indicate a need for solitude, a time to reconsider things and listen to one's own inner voice. Silent contemplation can reveal the solution to a problem. Illumination and self-knowledge come a step closer with this card. The Hermit serves the attainment of spiritual consciousness. If there is a great deal of activity in a situation, The Hermit can stand for a point of balance in the midst of chaos. Do not make hasty decisions, and listen only to the advice of wise people. The Hermit indicates a time of convalescence and rest. The card also stands for seeking of all kinds.
Reversed
This card can indicate disconnection from oneself, arrogance and obstinacy, and also the refusal of good advice. Do not be impatient.