It reminds me of . . .
The Fey Hermit (figure) reminds me of the fool in his face and demeanor. There is wonderment, curiosity, light be directed to the subject and his immediate space, a sense that he is at a pause point --- not grasping the situation at all but still curious, mesmerized. While curiosity might indicate thinking, in the case of the Fool and the Hermit, it more a mental taking in of the situation, as if there is yet to be a sense of logic or a path of reason to put into motion.
If we look at these two cards as having similarities as well as their own uniqueness, the Fool might symbolize (in part) a pause of discovery, while the Hermit may also represent a pause but also a need to assess the situation and make a decision. Where there is no need to make a decision for the Fool, who is starting on his journey, there is a need for the Hermit to make a decision because his journey will lead nowhere unless he does something.
This begs the question, "What card will represent the next step of making a decision and then facing the consequences of moving forward? Are we dealing with a cycle here? Dave.
PS for caridwen; I still find your Scandinavian mythic spread (Caridwen's Web) fascination and highly useful. I thank you for sharing it.