Tarot for Self-Care: The Hermit

Sometimes a tarot card really hits the nail on the head.

It's been a stressful week and I wasn’t sure what to do. When I sat down to read my cards for guidance I was expecting a meandering reading I could mull over. Maybe some information about my issues, something a little mysterious, or even one of those cards that make no sense, but then reveal their meaning in an epiphany later on.

Nope. Instead, the first card I drew was The Hermit, and I knew to stop right there.

This was not a graceful, “ah yes, of course this is what I need, let’s end the reading now.” Instead I felt like a teenager complaining about too much homework and getting salty when their parents tell them to just do it.

I wanted to feel like a spiritual pioneer, combing my subconscious for cool insights. Instead I got a stern talking to.

But it was what I needed.

Sometimes it’s easy to get wrapped up in the hullabaloo of our lives and forget that if we get overwhelmed we should stop doing what is overwhelming us.  

I’m an introvert and I love people. I like being active, but for the right reasons. As soon as my plate fills up I forget all the habits and routines I do to take care of myself. In a frenzy of activity, I lose touch with my goals and run around manically from event to event. I get resentful. It is not fun, and it invites the pushy part of myself to add its two cents: you’re not doing enough!

And if I listen to that voice, the cycle continues.

The Hermit reminds us to turn inward and reconnect with the source of our motivations: ourselves.

We all go through life looking for something. It helps to sit down with oneself and figure out what exactly this is. Add to this the fact that life is constantly changing, and we find that we need to reflect on ourselves frequently.

This is a lot of work, but it sure helps cut out all the background noise as we strive towards our best life.

How do we do this? Focus. Tune out the noise and reconnect with what guides you forward. Find your own lantern to guide you through the moment.

Solitary activities like meditation and journaling fit the bill perfectly. You could even read tarot on the subject. So carve out the time for yourself, have a cup of tea, get centered, and focus on questions like the following:

• What am I looking for in this moment/in life?
• What are the main forces guiding me?
• What matters most?
• How can I let my passions/beliefs/higher-self guide me?

If you feel stuck in your thoughts, try meditating by placing yourself in the shoes of The Hermit. Visualize yourself alone, holding out a lantern in the darkness. What casts light on your life, illuminating the next step? What motivates you to move forward with peace and curiosity?