The Hermit’s Wisdom for Writers
Pause, Reflect, and Move at a Pace That Works for You
Post Summary
Saying goodbye to 2024 – thank goodness it’s over
Lessons The Hermit card shines on writers
What I’m offering you this year on Substack
Last year was hard, y’all.
It was a Strength year if I’ve ever seen one! I don’t know about you, but 2024 challenged me with distractions, changes, disappointments, and being locked out of my comfort zone the entire year long (hence the Nine of Swords in the reading above). I learned and grew, and I’m a better writer for what 2024 taught me, but thank goodness for 2025 being a Hermit year because I’ve put Strength to bed and this year I’m inching along at a pace that works best for maintaining my creative energy and peace of mind.
Because that’s how The Hermit rolls, or... er... strolls, and in this post I’m sharing his light with you, my fellow storyteller, and I’m also shining a glimpse of what I’m offering you here on my Haint Blue Creative® Substack this year.
The Hermit’s Wisdom for Writers
At first glance of The Hermit card, especially in tarot decks inspired by Pamela Colman Smith’s illustrations, what stands out to you?
In many versions of this quiet and reflective card, the Hermit’s lantern glows warm against its tranquil scenery. It’s not a bright light, meant for revealing a wide view of his entire surroundings. Conversely, the Hermit’s lantern only casts enough light to see his next step.
From the writer’s perspective, keeping the world brightly illuminated, seeing every aspect of not only your path but the goals and achievements of others, can cause more harm than good. Let’s use social media for example: when you consume too much of what other writers (seemingly) have going on in their worlds, negative thoughts and feelings can take root, sprouting dangerous comparisons of your path and progress with theirs.
I don’t know about you, but in years past, I’ve been known to climb as high as I can, taking in a vast view of all my responsibilities and initiatives in order to plan every aspect of my creative journey. I’ve watched and learned from other writers, applying what works best for me, and trying with persistence and consistency until something happens. That “something,” in my mind and heart, is success, which I don’t have to tell you is the ultimate goal of many storytellers.
And, yes, I have experienced success; however, mine hasn’t looked the same as what I envisioned initially when casting my torch far and wide.
I haven’t grown my social media platform as large and fast as I’ve wanted, I didn’t attract a publishing contract in quite the way I’d planned, and goodness knows I’m not a best-selling author yet. As such, this year I’ve decided to pivot, to make some adjustments to how I’m approaching my goals.
The first step is crucial: I have to rein in my reach, casting only enough light to see one step at a time. Regularly unplugging from the internet has allowed me to gain clarity and remove distractions so I can focus on my goals. So I’ll keep doing that every Sunday, giving my mind and spirit a rest, but I’m also spending less time on Instagram. While I’m still going to poke my toe in and attempt to keep up with what my fellow storytellers have going on so I can cheer y’all on and share your content, I’m shining my lantern higher over Substack this year. I’m spending more time creating offerings for folks like you who choose to be here. I’m so grateful for your support.
My Offerings to You
This Hermit year, I’m inviting you to join me in focusing on one step before moving on to the next. I’m vowing to intentionally shut out the world and all its noise in order to focus on what I can achieve at a realistic pace and manner that feels right for me. In doing so, I’ll have more energy and clarity to provide you with tools to help inspire your creativity. Here’s what I’m offering my cherished Substack Subscribers in 2025:
For All Subscribers
A Tarot Card a Month and how it can be viewed through a storyteller’s lens.
Lessons from Mystic Storyteller – Each month, I’m sharing a lesson directly from my new book and demonstrating how to use it for storytelling. Lessons will include a writing-related topic and/or a tarot spread activity.
First looks at new books and fiction writer resources.
For Paid Subscribers
All of the above, plus...
FREE books and resource offerings.
Writing Magick Series – Musings on fiction writing topics to sharpen your tools and spark magick into your craft. Series includes complimentary activities, workbooks, and more.
NaNoWriMo* Series – Weekly offerings throughout the month of October to help fiction writers prepare to participate in November’s National Novel Writing Month challenge.
Coming soon - An invitation to follow my journey as I pen a 7-book multigenre fiction series.
*Haint Blue Creative® is not affiliated with the organization by this same name. Mandy is merely using the acronym to represent November’s National Novel Writing Month activities.
...which brings me to a question for YOU.
What creative projects are you looking forward to creating and/or supporting this year?
Pictured above is my new journal, The Year of The Hermit, by Shannon Knight of The Tarot Diagnosis podcast. I’m excited to have a Hermit-themed journal to explore personal goals this year.
I’m equally and consistently impressed by everything Thomas of Hermit’s Mirror has to offer. His Life Line Tarot is pictured in my Hermits images above, and you can find his work here.
Please share in the comments what you’re working on so I can cheer you on and share your work!
In case you missed it...
My new book and deck are available for preorder! Mystic Storyteller: A Writer’s Guide to Using the Tarot for Creative Inspiration is coming soon from La Panthère.
Who are YOU in the Tarot? – Learn more about calculating year cards and other important numbers with the tarot.
Novel Writing Checklist – Free for every Substack subscriber.
Manage Your Busy Calendar – And still have time to write!
About Mandy
Amanda "Mandy" Hughes is an author and instructional designer who uses the tarot to inspire storytelling. Her book Mystic Storyteller: A Writer’s Guide to Using the Tarot for Creative Inspiration and companion tarot deck are available for pre-order! She also writes fiction under pen names A. Lee Hughes and Mandy Lee. Mandy lives in Georgia with her husband and four sons, two of whom are furrier than the others (but not by much). Visit her website at www.haintbluecreative.com and follow her on Instagram @HaintBlueCreative.
Great article, Mandy! Here’s to the Hermit! 💐