DESCRIPTION

The Hermit is acutely conscious of his solitary perch. His gaze points downward, in the direction of his path from Chesed to Tiphareth. A six-pointed golden star, the emblem of Tiphareth and symbol for the sun, blazes rays through his lantern. The lamp that the Hermit is holding is a universal symbol of light in the darkness. It’s shining the light for us to find our way through the darkness, and represents beliefs that bring light to our lives, signifying the light of wisdom and truth. This star signifies the Hermit’s dedication to illuminate even the smallest details and darkest corners of existence, and in principle represents the union of above and below, fire and water, masculine and feminine, or spirit and body. This union is what creates the light of beauty that can guide us in our life. The solar lamp and golden staff underscore his mercurial connection to, reliance on, and responsibility for the sun, ultimately showcasing him as the guardian of the life force. His message conveys, “where I am, you also may be,” serving as both an encouragement to seek truth and saying that this state of being is not just for the special chosen few. The way is being opened for all who follow the light of his lamp, the spirit that burns bright.

Upon the Hermit’s head is a grey hat, which extends into a grey robe. The grey coloring within his robes, which results from the blending of the opposites (black and white), represents wisdom. The Hermit’s wisdom arises through deep introspection. This journey involves solitude, where a personal environment is necessary to establish a profound internal connection. The Hermit stands up on a mountain peak in the darkness because what’s behind our personifications of Supreme Reality is dark and incomprehensible. There are unknown parts of our greater self that are necessary for us to explore. Before the experience of wholeness can be actualized, it is necessary to incorporate all these hidden aspects of our Self. The Hermit stands at the peak of the mountain and that means that he’s climbed the mountain of the great work and come to an understanding of the laws of the cosmos. He holds the lantern so that it casts away the darkness of the unknown and shines more light upon our consciousness. As we follow that light and climb that mountain ourselves, we will find ourselves at the heights to which we aspire.

The Hermit archetype helps us realize that there’s always illumination for us. There’s always a higher level that we can reach. It’s about asking the right questions so that the answers can be revealed. In times past, the Hermit would have been the wise sage or the teacher of initiates. They’d become the Hermit during their operations of transformation and transmutation, going into isolation in order to immerse themselves in the great work without any interference from the outside world. As for more contemporary examples, the Hermit archetype is expressed by monks, spiritual counselors, philosophers of esoteric teachings, guides of the mystery school tradition, or behind-the-scenes advisers. Hermits have a deep regard for order and harmony in life, as well as a love of solitude and quiet. Hermit people also have a high degree of integrity; they’re meticulous, and therefore they’re also well-respected. Other people might put them into leadership positions whether they want to be in those positions or not, and they wind up leading by example since their life is a testament of doing the great work of self-improvement.