Indicates the querent in relationship to the present situation.

Meaning: Perversity. Dishonour. Falsehood and games. A showoff. An imposter. An overly confident actress. A drama queen. A spoiled woman who whines and enjoys the sound of her own voice. Pretension.

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Represents the positive forces or assets in the querent's favor. If this card should happen to be a negative card, it indicates the nature of an obstacles that is hindering progress. (The card in this position is always interpreted in its upright manner.)

Meaning: Silence. Retreat. Withdrawing from the outside world. Protection and concealment. Calm soul-searching. Seeking wisdom and understanding of the larger patterns in life. Guidance or advice from an elder. Pilgrimage. Searching, wandering. A philosopher. Psychic abilities enhanced by peace and freedom of thought. Foresight. Prudence. Knowledge. A study and respect of nature and the limits it places upon us, such as the effects of seasons, time, etc. Reflection. Giving thought to one¹s self or condition. Leaving the material riches in search of the spiritual. Celibacy. Healing. Resolving serious problems. Recuperating. Valuing time alone. Taking time to lick one¹s wounds. Peace. The solitary nature of the Hermit card can be a positive or negative condition in one¹s life‹on the positive side, solitary time can bring peace and clarity, a balancing, a sense of well-being, or transformation. On the other hand, it can be negative in isolating a person, creating misanthropy, and bringing on fear, fatigue, and depression and distancing one from real aspirations, dreams, opportunities, and good company. Check surrounding cards for an indication as to positive or negative influence.

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Represents the preoccupation of the subconscious which filters into waking life, affecting moods and outlook. This is the underlying theme of dreams and the emotional undercurrent in the querent's life.

Meaning: A drain of one's potential. Being cheated of a reward. Losing interest in a task. A need to reconnect or consider an alternative vocation. Lingering doubts. Avoiding work. Poor-quality work.

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Can be viewed as a message from the "higher self." It can also reflect the querent's potential aspirations.

Meaning: Joy, well-being, nourishment, and beauty. Fertility, creation, and devotion. Protection. The beginning of a blessed, fruitful phase in life. May refer to a cause, project, or idea with soul. The card of true love. Marriage of equals which is of benefit to those people close to the couple or their cause. A force for good. Consummated union. The well of love, art, devotion, and compassion. Divine inspiration and protection. Brave heart. A great love that even if unrequited or thwarted still bestows the creative and transformative power, heights, and knowledge that otherwise would remain unknown.

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Represents past events and influences that color and give rise to the current situation.

Meaning: Doubts and hardship. Turmoil, extravagance. Lack of support or guidance. Cold comfort. Instability. Overly protective behaviour. Infertility or unplanned pregnancy.

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Represents what is likely to happen next.

Meaning: Instability. Temporary fortune. Displacement and roaming. Hounding, demanding people or circumstances. Shifting fortunes make it difficult to set a course. Sheer bad luck born of simple chance.

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Indicates the querent's psychological state and attitudes which can greatly affect the outcome of the matter.

Meaning: Inspiration. Rising to a challenge. Breakthrough in thinking. Self-reliance, spiritual strength, and confidence. Conviction and faith in vision or path. Reason reigning over impulse. Ideas empowered by desire. Creative heights and achievement. Quick thinking, humour, and balance. Revelations and transcendent thoughts. Fruitful plans and far-reaching ideas. Empathy and understanding. Marriage and fertility.

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Represents the querent's environment and unseen forces influencing the situation.

Meaning: Action. Great, rising force. Taking control. Determination. Energy. Swiftness. Bringing about change. Direction and enacting ideas. Quick, clever, decisive action. Implementing plans. Follow through. Release of energy and pressure. Confidence. Conviction. Heroics and focus. Discriminating powers‹cutting through and free of the briar. Cutting ties. Clearing the air. Sense of timing. Harnessing the winds. Rocking the boat. Engaging life.

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Indicates the hopes and fears of the querent.

Meaning: Restraint. Suspension. Stalemate. Atonement. Not being able to make one's influence felt. Being held at a disadvantage. The dull pain born of constraint. Being caught in a web. A freeze on life. Detachment and isolation. Impotence and chastisement. Can mean a punishment, as in the law of retaliation applying to the traitor. Such suspensions can follow betraying one's self in doing or allowing something in one's life that was known to be wrong. Feeling marginalized, which can be a form of protection. Redemption. The silence of constraint brings deeper self-knowledge and sharpens the intuitive senses as a blind man "sees". Tapping a deep root. Uncommon knowledge. A life pared down to the basics. A time of gestation in a borderland state between chapters in life. Self-sacrifice in pursuit of knowledge or a cause. Energy drain. Delays and suspension of plans. A wise temporary surrender. Endurance. Insight. Being still in order to learn the secret to freeing one's self.

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Indicates the outcome of the matter.

Meaning: Fertile surroundings. Nourishment. Natural beauty. Delight. Romance. Summer's cauldron of all good things for the heart. Relief and well-being. Blossoming. Seduction and pleasures. Gentle, inspiring surroundings and company. Warm, encouraging atmosphere. Luck. The feel of enchanted evenings.

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