THE HERMIT

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THE HERMIT--RULED BY VIRGO

KEYWORDS: Alone, travel, teacher, inner guidance, grandfather.

Spiritual Meaning: The master or the teacher must walk alone.

This is another card which has had much of its original symbology changed or omitted over a span of time. In the origianal cards the background is black and the light of the lantern is emanating from The Hermit himself.

The meaning of this is that he is lighting, or showing, the path for others to follow. He is the teacher, standing alone on the top of the mountain. In the Tarot, the mountains represent "the home of the Gods", or highest wisdom. He stands alone, for lighting the way for those who follow.

The Hermit holds "the staff of life" in his hand. The grey of his robe symbolizes wisdom and knowledge.

In Numerology the Number Nine, the number of this card, stands for humanity and learning, while the Astrological ruler, Virgo, means service to others.

As he is on the path himself, and showing the way to others, it means that he is travelling, not standing still. Therefore, this card represents travel.

Since the source of the light is The Hermit, it means that you, as The Hermit, must use your own knowledge to guide others. Therfore, you need to be the expert in your field and the path of imparting your knowledge to others must be travelled alone."

This can be exemplified by the keyword "grandfather", which means "the head of the family who has raised and guided his childeren with his own inner knowledge and wisdom".

(Updated 2006. All rights reserved.)