Hermit - Searching, but finding?

Thread originally posted on the Aeclectic Tarot Forum on 20 Apr 2005, and now archived in the Forum Library.

vix	20 Apr 2005
In a daily reading I did for my self today I got the Hermit. I understand what the card means for the most part. Searching and solitude seem to be the two biggys that I pull out of the card. I have a question though. When the Hermit is searching, wandering, trying to find something be it an answer to a question or for personal growth, does he always have to find what he's looking for? Is it possible that the hermit may end up searching and never finding anything? Also, I'm assuming the hemit can never get lost on his journey because the light he carries always guides him in such a way that he could never get lost in a dark forest. Am I correct in this assumption? Thanks, Vix

temperlyne	20 Apr 2005
I've always thought of the hermit as a soul searcher, and the hanged man as the one who actually finds himself. The hermit tries to discover his true self, what makes him who he is when he is stripped of all outside influences. Maybe on his quest he discovers that by seeking solitude he actually leaves a part of himself that is just as difining behind. What he actually discovers might be just that as an individual he is not whole, he needs his surroundings to interact with. Like nietsches zarathoestra who decides to come down from the mountain to share his knowledge with the world. As for getting lost, I think it is very possible to get lost on a soul search. You can get lost inside yourself, loose perspective and your connection to the real world. This can ofcourse be the intention, but in the end you will need to return in order to share what you have found. Unless ofcourse you want to become a true hermit. hope this makes some sense...

Sinner	20 Apr 2005
Nothing lasts forever. The same can be said about journeys, they will always have an end. The difference I think is that the hermit will find his answers if he searches long enough, if he gives up on his search, he may regress to the fool, if he discovers himself, the world will reveal itself to him. To me, the hermit has always meant wisdom. Through the need for knowledge, he searches for what many overlook. With the light of wisdom, eventually he finds it, eventually... and then a new search will begin. ?????

Cascade	20 Apr 2005
I don't understand how the hermit could get 'lost'. What is he lost from? I thought searching meant looking everywhere, so there's no real direction,right?

Fudugazi	20 Apr 2005
The Hermit will search and find answers that will generate more questions, so he'll search and find again, until one day he will find out that there are no answers and stability, only questions and change. And thus he reaches Wisdom - and rides the Wheel.

Cascade	20 Apr 2005
So, no matter what path he takes, it generates more questions, but relating to that path? How does he know that his direction is the one he's looking for? Where does the Hermit get his spiritual MapQuest?

tarotbear	20 Apr 2005
The other side of the Hermit card is that he has already (or at last) 'found it,' and is now looking for the correct person to share this knowledge with. The appearance of this card can indicate that you are a teacher to others, if only in subtle ways. They look to you for inspiration and help.

Enchanted	20 Apr 2005
Helvetica wrote: The Hermit will search and find answers that will generate more questions, so he'll search and find again, until one day he will find out that there are no answers and stability, only questions and change. And thus he reaches Wisdom - and rides the Wheel. Well said Helvetica, this has been my personal experience with the Hermit. Lesson 545411 How to ride the wheel! :D

Fudugazi	20 Apr 2005
Cascade wrote: So, no matter what path he takes, it generates more questions, but relating to that path? How does he know that his direction is the one he's looking for? Where does the Hermit get his spiritual MapQuest? Relating to all paths. Because in the endgame, he finds out that all paths are one path, and that there is no One Path, but many. And all of these paths bring him to more questions, which are simply ways of delaying death. It is when he finds acceptance in that that he finds his answer - and can draw his map.

Cascade	20 Apr 2005
The hermit is my year card so I'm trying to learn more. I think he's an outsider looking at people who won't shine their own lights and he moves on in disgust. Once I heard the words "intellectually arrogant" for reversed. Many times I'v thought I was the alien outsider watching human behavior. The hermit has learned many things during his night forages and I think it is this very knowledge that makes him the Hermit. He knows things that no one else will listen to and so he keeps going out seeking souls who will listen, like minds. These are few and far between and so thus, he keeps searching

Skydancer	20 Apr 2005
I think of the Hermit is carrying a light to illuminate his inner self. His journey, his soul, his purpose, his mission. To see himself in a better light. Or rather, to better see himself. I see 'him' as learned; much tried along the way, curious, clever, a true Seeker. He won't sherk his duties, his task, his vision. No matter what dark places he uncovers, he will view them with detachment and love, and understanding. Am I reading too much into this?? Oh - as for finding what he is looking for, I think he is not searching for any one thing, but information/understanding in general. And like what was said, when one thing is found, it always leads to looking for something else. S:OL

Fudugazi	20 Apr 2005
Cascade wrote: Many times I'v thought I was the alien outsider watching human behavior. The hermit has learned many things during his night forages and I think it is this very knowledge that makes him the Hermit. He knows things that no one else will listen to and so he keeps going out seeking souls who will listen, like minds. These are few and far between and so thus, he keeps searching The High Priestess Knows. The Hermit Seeks. Both take turns on The Wheel activated by The Fool. And thus they make The World go round...:cool:

vix	20 Apr 2005
Lots of awesome posts. Everyone has help cleared up the question really. I had only slightly considered the fact that the reason the Hermit doesn't get is is because the questions that come to him and lead him on always lead him in some direction and not no direction. When I was first reading the card, I did feel the Hermit was wise and smart and already knew many things, but I saw him in a way, just like a normal person once you look deep enough. I thought, "Even the most enlightened person can get lost if their thoughts or desires cloud the direction too much." Maybe my err was in seeing the hermit as being normal :P. Again, thanks for all the wonderful posts, its always helpful reading about what others see in a card. Sometimes you uncover new things through the insight of many :) -Vix

Skydancer	21 Apr 2005
"Even the most enlightened person can get lost." I like that. So true. S:OL

Moonbow*	21 Apr 2005
I don't always think of the Hermit as searching or finding, but at times he can be lighting the way for others and not himself. He could represent safety, (as in a lighthouse) or could be a beacon for wisdom, guidance, knowledge or inspiration. Just another way of thinking of him. :)

The Hermit - Searching, but finding? thread was originally posted on 20 Apr 2005 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.