9 THE HERMIT IX

KEYWORDS:
Solitariness, wisdom, guidance, intelligence, patience, faith and trust, independence, values, inner-search, withdrawal, answers and solutions, prudence, solitude, discrimination and discernment, self-awareness, lighting the way for others, spiritual awakening and enlightenment, shedding light, the "key" to a situation, crisis, isolation.

ASTROLOGY:

Virgo

Aquarius

NUMBER:

9    

GNOTHOLOGY:

Universalism



CORRESPONDING RUNE:
Jera            



CORRESPONDING I CHING:
Grounding



DIVINTORY MEANING:
The Hermit tells of a time for withdrawal, silent meditation and solitude. Patience is needed to confront one’s inner world.



SYMBOL:
Three triangles within one another



ANIMAL:
Eagle 
Snake 
(Spiritual Animal Symbology) 



ASSOCIATED COLOUR:
Magenta



MASTER:
The Master who rules The Hermit is the Master Jesus Christs - The Illuminated One - also known as Sananda within the spiritual realms.



The Master Jesus continues to awaken and strengthen inner devotion with the hearts of mankind. The Master Jesus helps to stimulate one’s inner need to express love, so that such love may be shared freely with all.



The Master Jesus attempts to inspire us to seek attainment of a goal which was set in motion during an earlier life experiences. Through unconditional love and service to humanity we are able to achieve the measure of growth necessary to free ourselves from the bones of matter.



The powerful energies exuding from the Master Jesus (Sananda) are with those who are attracted to the practices of natural healing, in which we attempt to find the correct balance of spiritual and physical well-being.



The Master Jesus works on the 6th Ray, and gives his energy to the numbers 9, 18 and 27, and those born in September.



TREE OF LIFE:
Pathway 9 on the Tree of Life connects sephira CHESED (4) keyword: beauty, with TIPHARETH (6) keyword: mercy



The energy of The Hermit combines mercy and beauty to achieve an inner awareness that comes about only through meditation and quiet time alone.



HERB:  Licorice
Licorice is a demulcent, a tonic, an anti-poison and an aperient. Licorice is called the ‘Peacemaker’ herb as it has a calming effect on the mind. Licorice can be used for ulcers, indigestion and food poisoning. Licorice can also be used for argumentative or quarrelsome people, and for nervousness and irritability. 



Symbolically, Licorice is used for difficulty feeling at peace within.



The Divinitory meaning of Licorice tells of a ‘light bearer’ for others, by enlightenment and teaching by example. It also tells of inner-attainment and humility.



THE MESSAGE:
As one of the cards resembling old age, it also represents bearing the light of wisdom, looking into the unconscious, and observing dreams. There is an emphasis on peace and patience, by which maturity is reached, and a striving to connect to the higher spiritual self.


A mature person, the Hermit symbolizes deliberation about which path to follow, reassessment of achievements and goals, and taking the time to reflect and plan. In a negative environment this card can resemble excessive isolation, lack of communication, intolerance, crisis and doubt.



The Hermit also depicts the spiritual leader, the taskmaster who leads with purpose, consciousness and wisdom.



The message of The Hermit is one of self-acceptance and self-confidence. He asks you to radiate a higher spiritual force and help ‘light’ the way for others. You can become a lantern for fellow souls in distress.



The Hermit depicts a person who shows the way for others in a quiet, gentle manner.  He is a way-shower, a lightbearer and lightworker, illuminating the way for others. He assists with his wisdom, guidance and all of his higher learning and intellectual knowledge. The Hermit tells of someone with a powerfully analytical mind. The Hermit teaches by example.



The Hermit depicts someone who is of pure intent and who is a seeker of truth and wisdom, and speaks the truth, always. 
 
The energy of The Hermit combines mercy with beauty to achieve an inner-awareness that comes about only through meditation and inner-reflection. The image of The Hermit is sombre.


The Hermit tells us that when solitude is confronted and in turn accepted, it is no longer so frightening.  It releases us to make decisions which need not be based on the fear of isolation.



The Hermit tends to be a perfectionist and is very loyal to any cause they feel passionate about. The Hermit depicts a person who cannot be bound by ties that would limit the person’s ability to give to all humanity and life forms (eg. birds, animals, reptiles, fish etc). The Hermit tells of a person who is always ready to help others, particularly those who are ready to seek ‘the light’.



Part of the message of The Hermit is that of accepting the limitations of time and old age. Whether we like it or not, we must all grow old. We may attempt to deny or disguise the aging process, but time has no regard for falsehoods. If we do not accept the limits imposed by time, a worse fate will befall us.



Among the lessons which The Hermit has to teach us are those of acceptance and patience. The Hermit asks one to look inwards for courage and insight in order to discover our own deepest levels.


The Hermit can also teach us about solitude. One of man’s greatest fears is that of being alone. However, having submitted yourself to that test, you can discover the resources that solitude can offer.


The Hermit also brings the message that in order to be able to truly join another, you must first be truly alone yourself. Otherwise the union is born out of fear of solitude. 


The vibration of The Hermit is of a ‘free spirit’. He is though, often a solitary figure. The barren environment behind the figure of The Hermit signifies isolation.



The staff held by The Hermit is the ‘Patriarchal Staff’ and is used on the path of initiation. Some view it as the ‘scythe of time’ or the ‘Staff of Experience’.



Holding up his lamp/lantern lit with wisdom and higher knowledge, and leaning upon the ‘staff of experience’, The Hermit represents wisdom and learning gained through living.



The lantern/lamp held aloft by The Hermit contains a 6 pointed star, and this star is the ‘Seal of Solomon’. It indicates that every soul is on the pathway of life  -  a state of being conscious rather than being Universal. It also depicts that the lamp symbolizes the gaining of insight and understanding from the solitary period of waiting to which one has been subjected. The shining star in the lantern also represents the blending of the idea of the ‘Ancient of Days with the Light of the World’. The bright light of The Hermits lantern symbolizes the illumination of the inner world when the outer one seems dark. 


The beacon that The Hermit holds intimates ‘where I am, you may also be’.



The cloak he wears is the ‘mantle of discretion’ and is indicative of wisdom.



The darkness shown around The Hermit indicates the ‘hidden interior’ which is the subconscious field of Divine operation.



Being ruled by Virgo, The Hermit is concerned with the maintenance and purification of the body, and this energy needs to eliminate any impurities of the body and mind, and to adjust and refine the personality.



The Hermit, relating to Aquarius, brings in the energy of mental functions and are represented by the ‘higher mind’.  Aquarius gives The Hermit the energy to be future-thinkers and inventors. The Hermit is a trail-blazer for others.



The Hermit relates to the energies of the number 9, which indicates the need for completion so that new beginnings may start. One must look at the need to finish all things, large and small, and to not leave anything undone or unfinished. The number 9 indicates the need for completion in order that new beginnings may start and so that one is able to go forth into the future with courage and conviction.
Number 9 is the number of the humanitarian, and The Hermit is one who is out there helping humanity in any way they can; even on a Universal scale. The number 9 indicates Universalism and the completion of a cycle. 9's in a reading indicate the completion of events.



The message of The Hermit is that ALL darkness cannot blot out the light, as light is always there to follow.



MEANING:
The Hermit tarot card symbolizes meditation, reflection and solitude.



The Hermit card infers that you may be about to progress on to a new stage of life, but may need to first remove any difficulties from a current situation in order to be able to make positive progress. It implies that you may have recently experienced difficulties that resulted in loneliness and isolation.



When The Hermit appears in a reading, it may be indicating that someone has completed an important part of their life’s journey, and/or indicating that goals have been attained.



The Hermit in a reading implies that you should strive to divest yourself of thoughts of distrust and reservation.



The Hermit in a reading asks you to be more self-reliant and in control of events. This is especially true during times of worry or crisis. Help and assistance from others is available if needed, however, it is only through contemplation of one’s own self that progress can be made.



When The Hermit appears in a reading, it brings a message that guidance and assistance are available to you. You must though, keep in mind that your actions are your responsibility. Use this time wisely to reflect upon your actions.



The Hermit in a reading asks you to be a seeker of knowledge. The message of The Hermit is ‘seek and ye shall find’. With excellent forethought, proper planning and a willingness to study, you will achieve your goals with ease.  Trust your abilities on all levels.


The Hermit asks that you learn to tune into ‘the self’. The Hermit asks you to listen to your inner-voice and tells you to retreat from the world for a while to enable you to renew creativity.



The Hermit appearing in a reading may be telling you that a material object or a spiritual desire may come to fruition.






REVERSED MEANING:
Keywords:
Exclusion, self-pity, foolish behaviour, narrow-mindedness, isolation, sadness, loneliness, delays, postponements, cancellations, deceit, fraud, lies, dishonesty.



Appearing reversed, The Hermit indicates loneliness and self-pity. Instead of living in the past, The Hermit urges you to look forward and seek solutions to problems.



When The Hermit appears reversed in a spread, it is warning you to stop your present activities to enable you to resolve some current issues, and to prevent mistakes happening due to faulty plans. Re-assess your position.



The Hermit, when reversed, may be implying that you feel isolated, rejected, lonely and unloved. An attitude adjustment will turn this around, so look to the positives and all will seem much brighter. 


The reversed Hermit may also be warning of lost or stolen objects.



The Hermit appearing reversed may be telling of giving and/or receiving bad counsel or advice, or refusing valid offers of help. It may be implying that you are behaving in a narrow-minded and inflexible manner. It may indicate that someone is refusing to listen to sage advice and wisdom, to their own detriment. You are asked to not allow the ego to stand between you and common sense.


The Hermit reversed represents a lack of faith and a closed heart and mind. It tells that you may be feeling a desire to be detached from those close, but the motivation is wrong and the action is cold-hearted.



The Hermit reversed indicates the need to face up to imperfections. It is necessary to come to terms with and accept these in order to allow development. 



Reversed The Hermit tells of not taking enough time to reflect on your actions and their possible consequences.



When The Hermit appears reversed it suggests that introversion, fraud and deceit will cast there shadows. It may also be an indication that it is time to change the course of your life, or that a move to a new location may be necessary.



The Hermit reversed may be telling of the inability to admit that there is such a thing as ‘wrong timing’ and the inability to face reality. It may even be implying a situation where you are not owning up to being in the wrong, even when you know that you are.



The Hermit appearing in a reading reversed may be warning of delays, postponements and cancellations.



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Joanne WalmsleySacred Scribes
NUMEROLOGY - The Vibration and Energy of Numbers