The hermit is the wise spirit within. He, like the Fool, stands at the edge of a precipice on the peak of a barren mountain. But unlike the innocent, naive Fool who carelessly steps over the edge, the Hermit holds the staff of wisdom in one hand and a light in the other to give direction to those who do not know the way. The Hermit is the ancient spirit which lives within us through the existence of the Collective Unconscious, the universal mind which guides us through the darkness with its clear light. The Hermit represents the deepest part of ourselves, that part which knows what to do in times of decision, knows the right way to respond to the world and its challenges. The Hermit is the seer who guides us during difficult times, the prophet who speaks the voice of conscience to us when we lose our way. When we encounter the Hermit in a reading, we should take it as an indication that the answers we seek can be found within our own hearts. How does the Wise Man speak to you as you encounter his visage?
