The Hermit is a very misunderstood archetype. Some people think of the Hermit as somebody who just has to get away when they experience burnout or exhaustion after a very rigorous, rough day. However, the Hermit is actually an archetype that requires withdrawal because it stimulates and energizes you, rather than as a condition of not being able to deal with the world anymore. The Hermit archetype is motivated by creativity and passion. You are comfortable in your skin and want to get to know your soul better. That is how you know that you are the Hermit—not because you have had enough of the people around you.
There is an aspect of the Hermit that is essential to people who are in the business of wisdom. They have a strong need that requires a hermitage, such as Thomas Merton. The working through to truth and the refinement of wisdom necessitates withdrawing into a hermitage that no one has access to but you. How do you know if you have got the Hermit archetype or if you simply want to get away? Everyone wants to get away and be alone at some point but that does not make you a Hermit. You have to study what motivates you to seek the hermitage. If you are always motivated by frustration, by burn-out, by a need to get away, then you do not have the Hermit archetype; you simply want to get away. You must be motivated by something a lot richer than frustration to have the Hermit archetype.
The shadow side of the Hermit expresses itself as never wanting to be around anyone. The dysfunctional, hidden Hermit has a fear of being in the outside world. This does not have to do with spiritual reasons, or with the fact that they were damaged in childhood; it is a social choice.
There is an aspect of the Hermit that is essential to people who are in the business of wisdom. They have a strong need that requires a hermitage, such as Thomas Merton. The working through to truth and the refinement of wisdom necessitates withdrawing into a hermitage that no one has access to but you. How do you know if you have got the Hermit archetype or if you simply want to get away? Everyone wants to get away and be alone at some point but that does not make you a Hermit. You have to study what motivates you to seek the hermitage. If you are always motivated by frustration, by burn-out, by a need to get away, then you do not have the Hermit archetype; you simply want to get away. You must be motivated by something a lot richer than frustration to have the Hermit archetype.
The shadow side of the Hermit expresses itself as never wanting to be around anyone. The dysfunctional, hidden Hermit has a fear of being in the outside world. This does not have to do with spiritual reasons, or with the fact that they were damaged in childhood; it is a social choice.