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2025, The Year of the Hermit: Where it Comes From & What it Means for You

Writer's picture: Kristen Genzano, LPCKristen Genzano, LPC

Three Hermit (IX) Tarot Card Images
Three interpretations of the Hermit tarot card, featuring a lantern, symbolizing introspection and inner guidance.

There’s no denying that 2025 is ushering in a lot of change and instability. Between the Presidential transfer of power, the Los Angeles fires, and continued functioning in daily life, shit is hard. Many folks have commented that this year feels like 2020 all over again. 


Transition is almost always challenging. The sense that we’re transitioning into a time of uncertainty only serves to make the transition feel even more difficult. Throughout ancient and recent history, during times of instability and change humans often look for ideas and beliefs that can provide structure and direction.


Although it’s a little bit outside of my typical blog content, I want to offer one way of anchoring yourself as we settle into 2025.


Numerology, Tarot, & the Hermit Archetype


Numerology is the belief that a mystical relationship exists between numbers and events. Among other calculations, numerology suggests that each year has a corresponding number that carries meaning. According to this system, 2025 is the year of the number nine (2 + 0 + 2 + 5 = 9). The number nine is symbolic of completion, wisdom, and spiritual growth.


Tarot originated as a card game in the 15th Century in Italy. The Tarot deck consists of 78 cards broken into two categories: major arcana (22 cards) and minor arcana (56 cards). In the 18th Century in France, Tarot cards began to be used as fortune-telling tools–the more common association people make with Tarot today.


In the tradition of Tarot the 22 major arcana cards are numbered and correspond with specific archetypes. The number nine corresponds to the Hermit card as the Hermit embodies many of the same characteristics of the number nine. 


What is an Archetype? In the Jungian tradition of analytic psychology, archetypes are any “one set of symbols representing aspects of the psyche that derive from the accumulated experience of humankind.”  In other words, archetypes are universal symbols that carry a shared meaning for all humans across time.  


Traditionally speaking, the Hermit archetype is associated with a time of introspection, reflection, and transformation. To some going inward may sound like an escape or a neglecting of one’s responsibility to the collective good. If this reaction comes up for you, I’d like to offer an alternative way of thinking about introspection and reflection. This first tip should be a juicy one. It’ll keep your readers with you.

Without going inside, it’s easy to get lost in the chaos the push-pull energyof the group. We must first be anchored in who we are, what we believe, and how we want to be in the world before we can engage with others, especially those who challenge our beliefs and values.

Cycles, Completion & Rest


Everywhere we look in nature we see cycles. We move through four seasons: Spring (birth), Summer (youth), Fall (aging) and Winter (death). We experience the cycle of the sun (our days), the moon (our months), and the earth (our years). Oftentimes cycles invite us start anew. There’s an invitation to try again. There’s also an opportunity to connect with different parts of ourselves during different phases of these cycles. For example, most of us sleep at night and work during the day. Similarly, Winter offers a time for hibernation; a time to go inward and reflect. A time for rest and introspection as we move toward the completion of the seasons.


In our modern society, we don’t typically adjust our output based on the seasons. For many of us winter is a very busy time with a lot of activities, gatherings, and parties. A lot of us push through the urge to sync up with the shorter days and much longer nights and rest. It’s challenging to allow your body to rest when everyone and everything around you continues to move and produce. But if you’re someone who has been feeling the pull to slow down this winter, I wonder what it might be like to allow yourself that experience.


In order to rest we need safety. Our nervous systems cannot settle when we feel activated or sense a threat. Unfortunately, when there’s change and uncertainty it’s incredibly difficult for any of our bodies to experience rest. And this is what brings us back to the Hermit’s message: go within to cultivate inner safety. 


Embracing the Hermit: What Does Any of This Mean for Me?


If you google images of The Hermit you’ll see, as in the image above, they’re often pictured with a lantern. This small beacon of light offers a spark of hope. Although the inner work, reflection, and solitude associated with this archetype can be challenging, it’s through this work that creativity, wisdom and self-understanding arise. It’s through self-knowledge that we can move through the world with more groundedness and integrity.


Whether or not you believe in the mysticism of any of this, I think there’s some good information to be gleaned from these ideas. For many of us this is a difficult time of year. Between seasonal depression, the “Big Dark” in the Pacific Northwest, and the new administration things might feel bleak. If you can relate, see how it feels to bring some compassion to yourself and your experience. 


Perhaps you’re an extrovert or someone who simply struggles with alone or quiet time, consider using this year – or maybe just the rest of the winter season – as an invitation to lean into quiet time. If you’re feeling stymied by the gloom of the winter season, allow yourself to embrace this time as an invitation to hibernate. 


A few ways you might engage with this part of yourself include:

  • Setting aside intention time to be with yourself, even if it’s just for 10 minutes.

  • Turning off your notifications and disconnect from social media, even if it’s for one hour a day

  • Praciting mindfulness of everyday moments like enjoying your morning cup of coffee

  • Spending time in nature, whether it’s a walk around your neighborhood or a hike in the woods; whether it’s in the warmth of the sunshine or the gentle patter of the rain.

  • Cultivating a hobby that brings you a spark of joy.

  • Practice saying “no” to invitations or commitments that don’t energize you.


And of course, if you’re experiencing intense feelings of sadness, an inability to get out of bed, or thoughts of harming yourself please seek out a licensed professional to support you during this time.


Have thoughts to share on this topic, please leave a comment below.

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