A wise sage stands atop a snow-capped mountain, holding a lantern that glows with a six-pointed star, the Seal of Solomon. This star symbolizes wisdom, protection, and divine guidance, reinforcing the Hermit's role as a seeker and keeper of profound knowledge. In his other hand, he steadies himself with a staff, a simple yet essential tool to navigate the rocky slopes beneath him.

The snowy landscape surrounding him signifies a pinnacle of worldly accomplishment and success—a testament to his ability to reach the top of the metaphorical mountain. Yet, the Hermit appears unsatisfied by material triumphs, his expression one of deep contemplation. Despite his immense wisdom, he remains a student at heart, guided not by external accolades but by the soft glow of his lantern and the quiet thrum of his own inner voice.

Even in his heightened state of awareness, the Hermit understands there is still much more to uncover. In the dark night of the soul, the path ahead is illuminated not by certainty, but by his willingness to walk the solitary, less-traveled road. His journey is ever winding, shaped by a relentless quest to find that which truly resonates within—the answers that lie just beyond the veil of the known.

The Hermit Keywords:

❆ Solitude 

❆ Introspection

❆ Withdrawal

❆ Soul-Searching

❆ Following One's Inner Guidance

❆ The Soul's Pilgrimage to Higher Knowledge

Weekly Guidance from The Hermit:

As 2024 comes to a close, the collective and cosmic energy feels frenetic, with four planets—Mercury, Jupiter, Uranus, and now Mars—in retrograde. Adding to the mix, Neptune has just exited its retrograde on December 7th. It's as if humanity, in our chaos-filled vacuum, has tried to mask the turbulence by stringing up some Christmas lights and calling it good.

With so many planets in retrograde and The Hermit appearing to guide our collective week ahead, it feels vital to heed the celestial call to slow down, get quiet, and enter the chamber of reflection as the year winds down. Retrogrades often get a bad reputation, but I see them as cosmic signals to realign with natural rhythms, much like the seasonal shifts we experience on Earth. Just as winter, which we are approaching in the Western hemisphere, invites us to slow down, turn inward, gather strength, and nurture ourselves, retrogrades carry a similar message. The chaos we often associate with retrogrades—especially Mercury retrograde—stems not from the retrograde itself, but from resisting the cosmos’ gentle push to pause and reflect.

When The Hermit appears in a reading, it’s a call to journey inward, to venture into the quiet cavern of the soul and unearth the knowledge, wisdom, and nourishment that come from reconnecting with ourselves. This week, the cosmos—and the Hermit—urge us to make a pilgrimage to that sacred inner sanctuary where our inner voice resides, patiently waiting for us to arrive at a place of self-understanding and union with our higher self, or the personal deity within.

As we reflect on the year we’ve just experienced and prepare for the one ahead, The Hermit encourages us to embrace quietude, seek clarity, and find wisdom and rest in the depths of our being. Let this be a week to listen, reflect, and honor the sacred journey inward.

*Feel free to revisit these prompts throughout the week or towards the end as you contemplate the ways in which this card's energy manifested for you.

❆ Exploring the Lessons of 2024

• Reflect on the challenges, growth, and accomplishments you've experienced this year.
• What wisdom have you gained through the "retrograde" moments in your life—those times when things slowed down, forced you to pause, or shifted your perspective?
• How can you carry these lessons forward into 2025 with clarity and purpose?

❆ Tuning Into the Inner Voice

• In what ways can you create space for stillness and quiet in your life this week?
• Take time to meditate or journal: What does your inner voice want to share with you?
• How might this connection with your higher self or inner wisdom guide you as you navigate the end of the year and prepare for the next chapter?

❆ Embracing the Energy of Reflection

• Think about an area of your life that feels chaotic or unresolved.
• What might happen if you approached this area with the patience and inward focus of The Hermit?
• Consider what practices—such as mindfulness, setting boundaries, or creative self-expression—can help you tap into the clarity and wisdom you seek.