The Hermit card is just what you would expect from the name. It’s the card of solitude and introspection. When you see this card upright, it encourages you to look deep within yourself to find your personal truth; it’s all about gaining maturity and trusting yourself. Growth comes when we trust our capability, and The Hermit inspires you to look inward for strength and clarity, and warns that in order to trust yourself you have to get to know yourself.
When you see The Hermit card reversed, it can serve as a warning that you’re not taking enough time for introspection and personal reflection, or that you need to be more honest with yourself. Have been avoiding journaling or meditation, for instance, because you’re afraid of what you might discover? Doing the work to get to know ourselves can be scary, but if we ignore our inner thoughts and desires, we’re never going to understand who we really are or what we really want.
On the other hand, the reversed Hermit card can also stand for too much introspection – so much that perhaps it’s leading to isolation. This card warns against becoming too much like The Hermit. Have you been locking people out of your life to protect yourself or because you’re too focused on your own thoughts? Remember, it’s important to nurture healthy relationships to maintain balance in your life. It’s important to remember that your friends and family need your support and attention.
Withdrawing for a bit to gather your thoughts and feelings is critical, but don’t get lost in the darkness.
Reading this reversed card using the “blocked/restricted” meaning
Okay, so now let’s get into the different ways you can read your reversed Hermit card. First, you can use the “blocked/restricted” card meaning. When you read your tarot cards like this, you’re looking for an obstacle standing in the way of the upright meaning of the card. For The Hermit, this means something is standing in the way of your solitude, introspection, self-reflection, or your ability to know yourself.
Say you pull the reversed Hermit card when thinking about your family. If you’re the primary caregiver for your children, it’s likely you don’t get a lot of time to yourself. No matter how important family is to you, it’s necessary to prioritize your own peaceful downtime. Your family needs you for their growth and development, but if you’re not taking care of yourself, you can’t help anyone else.
Have you been spending so much time catering to everyone else’s needs, that you’re ignoring your own? The reversed Hermit card may be asking you to take time out and make space to be by yourself. This could be the perfect time to take a day off and go on a hike or even take a weekend trip by yourself. Take this opportunity to engage in deep self-reflection and think about personal goals that you’ve been ignoring.
Reading this reversed card using the “opposite” meaning
You can also read your reversed Hermit card using the “opposite” meaning. When you read reversed cards like this, you’re looking for the opposite of the upright meaning of the card. So, for The Hermit, the opposite of solitude and introspection could be social connections and togetherness. It could be asking you to take the time to nurture your social life and connect with people.
For example, what if you pull the reversed Hermit card when thinking about your love life? Maybe you’ve started dating again after a long break, but you haven’t connected with anyone. Are you avoiding sharing the details of your life with new people because you’re not used to letting someone in? Are you not making plans for a second date because you’re afraid of being hurt or disappointed?
It’s natural to want to protect yourself, and if you haven’t dated in a while, it can feel strange getting close to someone new. The reversed Hermit card can encourage you to open up and give someone a chance. You can’t find a fulfilling and nurturing relationship without making yourself vulnerable, and sometimes love is worth the risk. There are amazing people out there who might surprise you!
Reading this reversed card using the “worse” meaning
Another way to read your reversed tarot cards is using the “worse” reversed card meaning. When you read your cards like this, you take the upright meaning of the card and put it in a negative light. For The Hermit, this means you’ve been private and introspective, but it may be becoming a problem. You may be getting to the point where you’re becoming overly isolated and neglecting important people in your life.
Say you pull the reversed Hermit card when thinking about your friendships. If you have strong friendships, the people in your life understand when you need to take a step back and spend some time alone. It’s wonderful to have people who understand your needs, but don’t forget that friendships need to be nurtured to remain strong.
If you’ve been spending a lot of time on your own, maybe you’ve also been ignoring calls and texts, which can be painful for your friends. Here, the reversed Hermit card suggests it’s time to re-enter society and engage with your friends. Be honest about what you’ve been going through and invite them back into your life.
Getting out of your head and learning about your friend’s lives is a great way to make sure you’re not dwelling on your personal concerns too much. Make room for the people in your life and be sure to nurture your friendships to maintain a healthy balance.
Reading this reversed card using the “no/not” meaning
You can also read your reversed Hermit card using the “no/not” reversed card meeting. When you read your cards like this, you put a “no” or “not” in front of the upright meaning of the card. For The Hermit, this means “no introspection” or “no self-reflection.” Here, the reversed Hermit card can serve as a warning that now is not the time to get lost in your head and consider seeking outside help to make the best decision.
For example, if you pull the reversed Hermit card when thinking about your finances, maybe you spend a lot of money on luxuries and it’s hurting your bank account. Or maybe you’ve been making impulsive investments, and you’re not sure about the next steps.
If you’re struggling, it’s difficult and sometimes embarrassing to ask for help, but other people can offer valuable insight. The reversed Hermit card encourages you to reach out to a friend or family member for advice. You might also decide to meet with a professional financial planner to come up with a budget and investment strategy. Using your intuition is valuable, but seeking an outside perspective is often necessary when making smart financial decisions.