The Hermit: Practical Tarot Exercises
The Hermit — Exercises Section
Introduction
The Hermit is the card of retreat, reflection, and inner wisdom. He doesn’t withdraw to escape the world forever — he steps aside to listen, to heal, and to rediscover his own truth. When this card shows up, it often points to moments of solitude that lead to growth, clarity, and renewal.
How these exercises work
In every practice section, you’ll find a fictional client email — the kind of question real querents often send. Alongside it, I’ll give you a set card (or three-card combination) to use as a starting point.
Your task is to write a reply as if you were the professional tarot reader. When you’re ready, you can open the spoiler to see how I might have answered. My examples aren’t “the correct” interpretations (tarot doesn’t work that way), but they give you something to compare with.
Of course, you don’t have to stick with my given cards. You can return to these emails anytime and:
- Pull a single random card,
- Try three random cards, or
- Lay out a Celtic Cross —
…and notice how the story evolves. These fictional emails are practice prompts you can reuse whenever you wish.
Bonus Reflection — The Heart Behind Our Words
When I first started reading tarot, I practiced by offering free readings in an online network. I thought I was doing the right thing: I looked at the cards, said exactly what I saw, and tried to be as honest as possible.
The feedback stunned me. People said I was blunt. Some felt hurt. At the time, I didn’t understand—interpreting the cards was already hard, and I believed the honesty and clarity of my readings would be helpful.
What I’d missed was this: every reading is a conversation with a real person about something tender on their heart. The way we phrase our truth matters as much as the truth itself.
That’s why, in these exercises, you won’t just see plain explanations. I’ve written thoughtful sample answers so you can practice how to say things—delivering clarity with care, empathy, and respect. You’re not only learning meanings; you’re training your voice.
Exercise 1
📝 Fictional client email:
Hi, I’m Zoe. I just got out of a long-term relationship, and honestly, I don’t feel like myself anymore. Everyone keeps telling me to “get back out there” — go dating, join apps, meet new people. But I feel like I need time to heal first. Am I wrong to want space for myself?
💬 What’s happening here:
This is the Hermit’s path exactly — choosing solitude for healing rather than rushing into the noise of the world.
🎯 Your Exercise (set card for comparison): Imagine you’ve drawn The Hermit.
click here to see my sample answer
Exercise 1.2
Now imagine Zoe’s spread expands:
The Hermit + The Four of Swords + The Page of Cups.
click here to see my sample answer
Exercise 2
📧 Fictional Client Email — Thomas
Hello,
I’ve been working in a very competitive field for years, and on the surface, I look successful. But inside, I feel disconnected and exhausted. I keep asking myself: Is this what I want my life to look like? Sometimes I wonder if I need to step away from it all just to find out who I really am. Can the cards give me guidance?
Thanks,
Thomas
💬 Looking at the Bigger Picture:
This is the Hermit in his other form — not just about relationships, but about the search for deeper purpose when outer success feels empty.
🎯 Your Exercise (set card for comparison): Imagine you’ve drawn The Hermit.
click here to see my sample answer
Exercise 2.2
Now imagine Thomas’s spread expands:
The Hermit + The Hanged Man + The Ace of Pentacles.
click here to see my sample answer
Closing the Hermit Exercises
That’s the end of our Hermit practice. This card reminds us that stepping away is not weakness — it’s wisdom. In solitude, we hear our own voice again, and that voice will always lead us home.
Remember: you can reuse these fictional emails anytime. Pull one card, three, or a full spread — each time, the story will reveal new layers of meaning.
And if you’d like a reading that gives you not only clarity but also the comfort of being truly seen, you’re welcome to book a personal session at www.empowering-tarot.com. If these free exercises have supported your practice, you can also leave a tip through the sidebar (desktop) or footer (mobile).
Thank you for practicing with me today. May The Hermit light your path with quiet wisdom and gentle truth. 🕯️
