Seclusion, Autonomy and Deepening Purpose

The Hermit archetype is associated with seclusion from society to pursue wisdom, spiritual insight and life purpose. The intention is to remove distractions, social obligations and material attachment in favor of creating more time to focus deeply on matters concerning society as a whole, spiritual insight and life purpose. This is not a rejection of society, as the hermit’s intention is to shine the light of their wisdom for all who seek it.

Video made using NightCafe AI Image Generator based of my drawing. The audio is me reading what I wrote about the Hermit Archetype above.

My Experience Embodying The Hermit Archetype

I often respectful retreat from social occasions in exchange for more time to focus on a project. I will admit I didn’t go all in on this. I stayed in communication with my friends, went to social gatherings and hosted a friend who visited for a week.

Meditation

I recognized this would be an ideal time to go on a 10 day silent Vipasina retreat. Yet I backed down from this challenge, favoring staying on track with work and life commitments. I did meditate on a daily basis. In particular I used an app called: Balance.

Turning Inward to Deepen Meaning

The Hermit is deeply connected to all the previous archetypes. Like most of the arcana, they support the Chariot Archetype which aligns a person with a life purpose and meaning.

Making Time to Work on Life Purpose Projects Alone

While embodying this archetype, I used my free time to work on Collective Allies, Agreeganism, and Behold Arcana. All three projects made big steps forward.

Avoiding The Seclusion of the Hermit

While I was studying The Hermit I was invited to attend Burning Man with some friends. I knew my higher self and spiritual path recommend I not go, and instead focus on Collective Allies and my career. It’s obvious that The Hermit Archetype would not go to such an extroverted celebration. But the opportunity remained as tickets kept being available. I thought about it a lot, seeing it as a once in a liftime opportunity, and a portal to another dimension, one sutable for The Magician Archetype, which I feel so in alignment with naturally. It felt like a calling I could not ignore. 10 days before the event, a ride situation and camp emerged so I finally said yes.

I justified it by recognizing the next archetype is The Wheel of Fortune, which can be traditionally celebrated with a symbolic ceremonial burning of a straw man. So I jumped ahead without fully completing The Hermit Archetype and went to burning man. When I got back I recognize that I had bent my spiritual path to justify going on a grand adventure. So I admitted to myself I had not graduated The Hermit Archetype, and continued my embodiment of a month after Burning Man.

The High Priestess

Sobriety and sacred sacrament use is a part of The Hermit for me. It’s a more stoic archetype, not seeking a quick high or a burst of energy. This way of being is also a big part of The High Priestess, the archetype located directly above The Hermit as it is the 2nd card of the first row.There are a lot of parallels between The High Priestess and The Hermit as they are intimately connected.

When I was struggling with the decision to go to Burning Man, I consulted with my higher self, and my high priestess archetype mentor. I was clearly advised not to go. Which I did accept mostly, but I couldn’t get it out of my head, and decided to go against the good advice. Which I now regret, even though I accept my choice and did have an amazing time.

The Tower

The 2nd card on the 3rd row is “The Tower”. This card is associated with loosing something that has been built up after a spark of insight or major life event. It is often an emotionally challenging card that leads to a feeling of separation or isolation.

I felt this when I returned from Burning Man and realized I had made a mistake. despite how much fun and how memorable it was, I had been ripped away from paradise to return to my life with less money and feeling further behind. I had lost something I had built up and suffered from it.

I also felt the Tower Archetype when I broke up out of a relationship and felt conflict with some of my friends. I lost a lot of emotional support and love from people in my life. I used the unpleasant emotions to help me more easily turn away from social obligations and make more time to get my life sorted out. From this hurt and determined place, I worked hard on my projects, got good rest, exercised and let go of some of the simple pleasures and escapism I am used to indulging in.

The Hermit Affirmation

“I retreat from frivolous social engagements to focus more deeply on my life’s purpose. I will do the necessary creative and introspective work to lead and spread wisdom and awareness”

78 Degrees of Wisdom Quote to AI Artwork

I made this video above by taking a reading from my favorite tarot book: 78 Degrees of Wisdom, and added AI Artwork visuals that matched the wisdom. Since it is more generic wisdom about The Hermit, it is on the Behold Arcana Youtube Channel and not my Beholdify Youtube Channel

I took the hermit drawing I did and brought it in to NightCafe AI to colorize. It was great to see what it was able to do while staying true to the original drawing.

Breath Work to Music for Dance and Meditative Sound Journey

I made breath work videos that showed a breathing meter on the screen so you can breath at a deeper rate while tuning into the uplifting music. I’m still working on refining this so the breathing rate matches the music better.

In Endings There are Powerful Beginings

Now that I have been spending so much time alone and retreating from my relationships, I now have a lot of space for new friendships and partnerships. Going from The Hermit to The Wheel feels like a return to community and celebration. I plan to seek out creative, artistic and people who share my agreegan values to partner and collaborate with.