The Hermit Tarot Card Meaning: Upright, Reversed, Love & Yes/No

By The Mystica Editorial Team · Checked against our editorial standards · Updated 20 September 2026 · 6 min read

Some answers only come in silence. Give yourself space to think without distractions; clarity is closer than it seems.

Arcana	Major Arcana
Number	9 (IX)
Element	Earth
Astrology	Virgo
Hebrew letter	Yod (Golden Dawn attribution)
Yes or no	Maybe
Upright	reflection, solitude, inner guidance, wisdom
Reversed	isolation, loneliness, avoiding others

Pamela Colman Smith · Rider–Waite–Smith (1909)

The Hermit symbolism

An old man in a grey cloak stands alone on a snowy mountain peak at night. He holds a lantern containing a six-pointed star in one hand and a tall staff in the other. His head is bowed as if he is looking inward rather than outward. He has climbed high to be alone, and the light he carries is meant as much for himself as for anyone who follows.

The descriptions on this site refer to the Rider-Waite-Smith deck (1909), illustrated by Pamela Colman Smith and designed with Arthur Edward Waite, which is the reference for most modern tarot. Other decks may show different imagery with a similar meaning.

Upright meaning

• reflection
• solitude
• inner guidance
• wisdom

The Hermit is the card of introspection and inner guidance. It appears when you need to step back from the noise, spend time alone and look for answers within rather than in other people's advice.

This is not loneliness but chosen solitude. The Hermit favours study, reflection, spiritual practice and taking a break from social pressure to reconnect with what you actually want. His number is nine, a number of completion and wisdom gained through experience.

Reversed meaning

• isolation
• loneliness
• avoiding others

Reversed, The Hermit can point to isolation that has gone too far: withdrawing from people out of fear or sadness rather than choice. It can also show the opposite, avoiding solitude because you are afraid of what you might find when things get quiet.

Ask whether you need more time alone or more connection. Balance is the goal.

New to reversals? Our guide to reading reversed tarot cards explains the different ways readers interpret an upside-down card.

The Hermit in love and relationships

The Hermit as feelings

As feelings, The Hermit means someone is thinking deeply about you but may be keeping their distance or processing things privately.

Career and work

At work, The Hermit favours research, specialised expertise, working independently and reflecting on your long-term direction before making a move.

Money and finances

With money, The Hermit suggests a careful, frugal approach and taking time to review your finances before big decisions.

Is The Hermit a yes or no card?

Number, element and astrology

The Hermit is card 9 (IX) of the Major Arcana, the 22 trump cards that describe life's big lessons and turning points. In the Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn's system, which shaped the Rider-Waite-Smith deck, it is attributed to the Hebrew letter Yod and to Virgo, giving it the element of earth.

Advice from The Hermit

Give yourself quiet time before deciding. The clarity you need will come from within, not from the next opinion you ask for.

Example reading

This example is written by our editors to show how the card is read in context. It is not a real client's reading. See our tarot spreads for how positions change a card's meaning.

The Hermit in question readings

What The Hermit says when it lands in a specific position. These are the interpretations our free readings by question show for this card.

• As their feelings (Does my ex still love me?): This person has withdrawn inward. Their feelings for you are being examined in solitude, and they are reflecting deeply on what happened. They may think of you often, but they need distance to understand.
• As what they are not showing (Does he like me?): They are hiding how much they think about you. This person may prefer solitude and fear being misunderstood. Their silence often reflects a careful inner process, not indifference. Give them room to come forward.
• As the outcome in a reconciliation reading (Will he come back?): This leans toward a period of separation and reflection. A quick reunion is unlikely. What comes is understanding, and in time, clarity about whether reconnecting truly serves either of you.
• As what is coming in love (Will I find love?): What is coming first is clarity, and then a connection with someone thoughtful and wise. Love may arrive later rather than sooner, but it will be deeper for your patience.
• As the outcome for work (Will I get the job?): This leans toward a slow, thoughtful outcome. Change may take time. The result favors careful study, specialized knowledge, and choices aligned with your deeper purpose rather than quick wins. Depth will outlast speed here.
• As advice (What should I do?): Take time alone before deciding. Walk, reflect, meditate, or seek one trusted, wise person. The Hermit's lantern lights only the next step, and that is enough. Trust your inner guidance.
• Reversed in a love reading (Will we get back together?): Reversed, the Hermit suggests isolation turning into loneliness, or refusal to reflect. This person may be avoiding the conversation. It can also show you withdrawing too much. Healthy solitude heals; hiding does not.

Pulled The Hermit next to another card? See what they mean together with the tarot card combinations tool.

Popular combinations with The Hermit: The Hermit + Eight of Cups, The Hermit + Four of Swords.

The Hermit as a birth card or year card

In the birth card system of Mary K. Greer, The Hermit belongs to constellation 9, together with The Moon. Find out whether it is one of your cards with the tarot birth card calculator, or whether it rules your year with the tarot year card calculator.

Related cards

Dream symbols linked to this card

Stairs. Our dream dictionary explains how the same symbolism appears in dreams.