Really need help with Hermit reversed

Thread originally posted on the Aeclectic Tarot Forum on 23 Jun 2003, and now archived in the Forum Library.

Lianne	23 Jun 2003
I'd really be grateful if anyone could clear this up for me. I've been thinking of leaving my current job and have been exploring other possibilities. I've done different career spreads. In two of them, both general career Celtic Crosses, the Hermit reversed appeared in the "beneath you" (foundation) position. In a more specific spread I did, the first position was "What kind of job would suit me best?" and the Hermit reversed appeared again. These readings were spread out over a period of weeks. Since I've only gotten the Hermit upright before, I'm a little lost. Upright, it's always meant to me a retreat from others, usually physical. So the best I can come up with for the Hermit reversed is that I would do best in a job interacting with people? It's a little confusing, because I usually work better alone, but I've read many, many book interpretations and none of them seem to fit. Usually when a card keeps appearing, I understand it after a few weeks, but this is the first time it's happened with a Major Arcana, and I was hoping to change jobs soon. It's pretty obvious that the cards are trying to get a point across with the Hermit reversed, but I just don't know what it is. If anyone could shed some light on this, I'd appreciate it. Thanks, Lianne

magpie9	23 Jun 2003
I don't know that i can shed any light on the Hermit (R) in your spreads, but the following layout is real helpful to me when I am really "stuck" on a cards' meaning. 4 cards, first one is the card in question. (Hermit (R)) card 2 is: This card does NOT mean this. Card 3 is: This card means THIS, Card 4 is: And This. Hope it helps :)

emily2otters	23 Jun 2003
hi lianne, i read reversals as a blockage, or a malfunction of some normally healthy energy. in these contexts, i might see the hermit Rx as indicating that you're having trouble either getting enough quiet, uninturrupted work time, or that you're having trouble coping with the loneliness of a quiet, uninturrupted desk job. hermit also can stand for the inner wisdom that carries you through tough times, so Rx he could also show some problem in that area. in a position of "what kind of job would suit me best", a reversal is too ... hmm, ornery an answer for me to easily understand. it's a question that calls for an answer in the positive, not the negative. i would read the card upright, or draw clarifying cards. have you looked at the "your readings" section of this site? you might find it helpful to post the whole readings there (all cards, and a depiction of the spread) with your own interpretations, and see what other folks think. (good luck to you in your job hunt... i'm in the middle of one myself...)

lunalafey	23 Jun 2003
maybe you should be looking where other's do not..... some sort of non-traditional or unexpected type of job.....

HOLMES	24 Jun 2003
in a spiritual reading as avoiding going inward or upwards to seek your answers. but in a pratical situation i say also that the hermit reversed says it is time to stop being alone, and going out in the world. (yes i sometimes use reversals given by my feelings to totally reverse the card) in this case i feel it is the latter and that while you work good alone, you need now personal interaction , perhaps in a consulation field of your chosen profession. and if you are looking for a job, and you like to work alone, it is time to be the trouble shooter consulation who offers services to help out other business in trouble or working to be more efficent and effective. for example. (that way you just have to walk in consult give your advice and walk out, you will be working alone most of the time while you gather your information needed to asses) however it would help more to know what area you work in , and looking to work in, :O)

Astra	24 Jun 2003
In general, if I don't get a fast take on a reversal, I look at it upright and then put a "NOT" in front of the interpretation. Sometimes works, sometimes doesn't. But I read the Hermit mostly as somebody who goes out and looks for things on their own. A reversal here could mean either that you want a job you don't have to go looking for, or that you should'nt be trying to find one all by yourself. Check with friends and contacts, even try (oh, gasp!) agencies rather than doing a solitary hunt. Even with all the job sites out there, the majority of good jobs are more likely to be taken by someone with a recommendation from a known source than by someone who just sends a resume in.

lili	24 Jun 2003
Going by the positions on the Celtic cross you did first the position of the card was the foundation and in the other reading was in the cover you position the message of the hermit reversed in the readings is that you are or have been i searching for a new job but feel afraid of a change because of fear of adapting and working with others, meaning at the same time that you are resisting changes, self reliance become a problem, have you decline a job offer? are you afraid of leaving your old job and are clinging to it . You need to look inward.

sagitarian	24 Jun 2003
Wow, talk about an array of view points, which is WHY I love this site so much. This is awesome, ok, now for my two cents. I read reversals as work that needs to be focused internally vs. externally. I feel this is an indication that you haven't really researched WHAT you want to do, or where you want to work. You need to internally research out what it is you want to do, or what work you want to be in, and then change jobs. In this particular case, I think that you are confused, unhappy, and looking for that source of unhappiness. Realizing that the source is within where you work, so you decide to change jobs, however, are you really sure this is where the void lays? in your job? If so, I think it's great, but there could be a hint of internal insecurity creating a void and it's being mistaken as being unhappy at your job. I just wanted to point this out before you go change jobs and you're still unhappy. Peace to you hon! Hope this helped.

firemaiden	24 Jun 2003
Being a regular hermit type myself, when I see the hermit reversed, I see it as a sign of being ready to embrace the outside world once again, or a recommendation to do so. I've seen it as a nudge "hey, you need to get out more!", or "isn't it time to crawl out of your cave, and get some sun?"

quan_yin	24 Jun 2003
I tend to agree with Sagitarius. I think the Hermit is telling you that you do not quite know what you want yet. I think it means you have to do more inner exploration before knowing what sort of job is right for you. To me, I don't get the feeling here that the Hermit is indicating that you need more/less time alone on the job as much as it is saying you need to do some more inner exploration. "What calls to you?" exploration. Hope that helps.

Diana	24 Jun 2003
The Hermit reversed is probably telling you you need to take up some studies again. Preferably in the field of nursing, or the medical field, or homeopathy, or other healing methods. Nursing keeps on coming back in my head.... You see, the Hermit is a teacher. But when he is reversed he can be a student. And he is also often a healer (his stick which is a reminder of the snake that is the symbol of the pharmacist).

Belladonna	24 Jun 2003
I immediately clicked in to what Sagitarian was saying. I'd like to add that the Hermit is about closure and tying up loose ends, too. Because it is reversed, I wonder if you are having trouble figuring out what it is about the job that is making you unhappy and why you are having trouble drawing it to a close. Is it because of relationship ties? Guilt? Doubt? Inability to focus on the practical details of how to approach quitting your job? I would think a little bit more attention needs to paid to your current job. Analyze it, and the time you've spent there until you are able to bring it to a close internally, and then externally. Maybe you'll find that only then will you really be able to focus on what comes next.

Lianne	25 Jun 2003
Thank you so much to everyone for your replies! Many of them did illuminate certain truths. The job I'm in now is in health insurance, and is pretty much menial work and unfulfilling, but I took it because I was unemployed and needed the money. But I have no interest in the health field, and especially not in this company. I have been thinking of going into proofreading, which would be more in line with my English major, but I'm ambivalent about it. I've read reversals from the beginning, simply because my spreads seem to make more sense with them, but this has had me stumped. Some very good points have been raised, though, and you all have given me a lot to think about. I'll post the complete spread in the Your Readings section to see if anyone has thoughts on it. Thank you again for your help. Lianne

The Really need help with Hermit reversed thread was originally posted on 23 Jun 2003 in the Using Tarot Cards board, and is now archived in the Forum Library. Read the active threads in Using Tarot Cards, or read more archived threads.