La Tempérance (14)

The Hermit card depicts the classic image of the hermit, or sage, holding a lantern. The sage is an old man with a bushy white beard. He wears a gray, hooded shroud and holds a tall, golden colored staff. Below him the ground is covered in snow, and the sky is a greyish blue denoting winter. He is looking down and his head is bowed forward toward the light--perhaps he feels the warmth of the lantern on his face. This card is not belabored with symbols: there is the lantern, a staff, and the hermit, or sage.

The Hermit lives alone and has much time to contemplate the big existential questions in life: “who am i,” “what is the meaning of life” and “what is the meaning of death” for example. Because this card is not burdened by many symbols, because the Hermit is in such a quiet place without distractions, he is able to thoroughly meditate upon these great questions. Because it is winter, even the natural environment is conducive to his studiousness: there are no tweeting birds, proliferating bunnies, or wildly colored flowers to distract him.

The lamp he holds represents the light of knowledge. Inside of it is a six-pointed star; through the light of knowledge he will gain a cosmic understanding surpassing that of the everyday sensibility. The staff helps keep The Hermit grounded and steady while he delves deep into these intuitive, mental realms. Because of the richness and focus of his interior life, The Hermit is not bothered by the cold, winter wilderness surrounding him. His warmth comes from within and from having lived a full life up to this point. He does not seek connection with others, although he is not opposed to it. He will greet whoever comes along his path with kindness and curiosity.

Also, The Hermit is humble. He bows his head down to the light of knowledge because he knows that he will never have all the answers. However, this does not stop him from seeking wisdom; his study is sacred.