How to be a hermit

1. People slowly stop inviting you to social gatherings and you start feeling a little insulted. Why the change?! You’re fun! You’re cute! You’re a goddamn HOOT! Maybe you wanted to stand in line for an hour freezing your ass off waiting to get into an exclusive rooftop club.

2. You’ll see a photo of your friends on Instagram looking adorable interacting with each other and other humans outside, and you comment the heart eyes emoji. You may or may not be hoping this sweet gesture will actually remind them that you, oh I don’t know, EXIST. “I’m still here, thank you!!” Introverts can have FOMO too, ya know.

3. A friend will shoot you a text, “Hey, we’re at this really chill party downtown, I would have invited you, but figured you didn’t want to come.” How dare she?! Ugh, you can’t even form the words to properly explain your hurt ego, but in the time you take thinking of what to say, she has texted again, “Come meet us?!”

4. You are instantly overcome with anxiety and are 95% sure tiny little men have found a way inside your stomach, and have now taken to punching your different vital organs. Boom. Spleen. Boom. Liver. Boom. Now you’re having heart palpitations. A stroke. An aneurism. Sudden onset of full body paralysis. This is the end as you know it. You’re toast.

5. You muster enough strength to respond, “Ah, I actually can’t. I should turn in early tonight.” And the pain and torment immediately subsides. Of course you weren’t going to go, but at least extend an invitation you can reject. Common courtesy, ladies and gents.

6. You feel tingly down south when Netflix announces new shows will be streaming.

7. The news of Friends coming to Netflix actually caused a full-blown orgasm. You can practically hear Monica whispering into your ear, “seven.” SEVEN!

8. Safeway delivering groceries straight to your door is a thing of true beauty, and you want to kiss the feet of whoever enabled you the glory of waiting in your underwear for a box of Cheerios and almond milk.

9. Ditto for any restaurants that have an online ordering system. Any possible way to streamline (read: eliminate) communication with other people is your favorite.

10. You swipe like a maniac on Tinder with no real intention of ever meeting someone outside your comfy internet home.

11. The Forever Alone meme is your secret life goal. Y ppl think it so negative?!

12. The rare occasions you decide to #rage (you also probably never actually use the word “rage”), you need a minimum of three to four days after for recovery. And it’s not from alcohol or other substances, but simply the exhaustion from being around so many people for extended periods of time.

13. You’re afraid you might love your laptop more than you’ve ever loved a significant other. I take you, MacBook, to be my lawfully wedded source of happiness and entertainment for as long as we both shall live. Seriously, never die on me.

14. You are blinded if you ever leave your cave during the daytime. WHAT IS THAT ORANGE THING IN THE SKY. SO. BRIGHT. OUTSIDE. MY EYES, THEY BUUUURN.

15. The few people you’ve managed to keep around, despite your antisocial behavior, are incredibly important to you and you would do anything for them. Yes, even if that means fighting against your hermit-like nature every once and a while to see them IRL.

I used to think that there was one sure-fire way to poverty: being (and living like) a hermit.

Not only did I think this, I was 100% doubt-free certain of it.

Which was quite a bummer, because I’m a hermit myself. In the closet for years, so to speak, until I decided to come out and declared myself a Happy Hermit.

So after I decided to be a Happy Hermit, I googled the phrase ‘happy hermit’ to see if something would come up.

And I found 2 very, very interesting things.

The first thing I found was a talk by a monk entitled ‘To be a happy hermit’

Very inspirational! He calls himself a professional hermit and lives in a real cave.

(Yes! I want that too! As long it comes with superfast WiFi, central heating, a bath, dishwasher, lots of daylight coming in and some other things I can’t think of right now.)

And in this talk he says something that blew me away:

There was a time when being a hermit was an actual profession!

In eighteenth century England (where else?) it was quite fashionable for rich people to have their own hermit.

Ornamental hermits, they were called. You had to live in a cave on the estate, and had to stay there for 3 years or something. And when the owners of the estate threw a dinner party, they took their guests for a walk afterwards to look at the hermit!

That is priceless! I LOVE that story.

So it IS possible to make money being a hermit after all! 🙂

I’m doing it myself as well, of course, since the beginning of this year. But thankfully in my own and totally different way – I’m not at display like an animal in the zoo (and I’m not fired when I visit the local pub 😉

It’s still fresh for me to look at my hermit-ness as something positive and even my strength, but I’m getting more and more used to it.

I’ve totally embraced it now, and truly see it as a quality.

A quality today’s society definitely needs. Everyone is always working, running, doing, numbing themselves with whatever. Who takes time to be alone and reflect? Hardly anyone. But in order to stay sane, relaxed, happy and connected to your true purpose and the meaning of your life, you need quiet time. You need time alone.

And who could be better equipped to inspire and teach others how to do that than a hermit?

The monk says something similar in his talk. You can watch it below if you like.

Every winter, I turn into a modern-day hermit. It’s a practice I’ve come to accept about myself, even though it goes against the social norms and peer pressure to always be doing something. I’ve learned to make the most of these times, and I feel there are so many spiritual benefits to being a hermit.

Pixabay

Turning Inward

I ride the line between introversion and extroversion, but when winter comes, I’m more of an introvert. This feels right intuitively for me. Over the years, I’ve learned to honor that.

Having this down time during the darkest time of the year lets me turn inward and delve into what really matters to me at the time. It helps me own my magic and spirituality more than any other time of the year.

Unique Spiritual Experiences

While I usually have a lot of spiritual experiences when I’m outdoors among people in warm weather, I have plenty of these experiences during my hermit time too.

This time alone helps me become better at my ritual techniques, altar decoration, and spirit work. In other words, I have unique spiritual growth spurts that wouldn’t have happened if I were, say, at the brewery with fifteen friends.

Fewer Home Cleansings

Another benefit to hermit time is that, with fewer visitors, I don’t have to cleanse my house as much. I’m pretty sensitive to energies, and I’ve learned that my house is very attractive to spirits. I find myself cleansing up to twice a week in the summer. With only my energy brewing in my home, it can get very cozy and comfortable.

Time and Freedom To Get Weird

When I can steep in my own energy, I inevitably find inspiration in that flavor. In other words, I get weird, and I love it.

I associate winter with explorations into new fashion, ideas, music, expression, dance, and other activities. When I really let go in my own direction, I usually find unique inspiration that informs my creative projects. Which brings me to my next benefit…

Creative Projects

Being a hermit means I have more time to hunker down into my creative projects. For the past several years, every winter, I start writing a book. Last winter, it was Intuitive Witchcraft, and this winter, I finished Air Magic. Before that, I wrote some fiction.

Winter creative projects feel so cozy, especially if you have a cat or a dog beside you, a space heater running, and a cup of tea steaming up the air. There’s something so mystical about staring out the window at snow or a frozen landscape, and finding inspiration in the blankness of it all.

Creativity feels so wondrous to me, like I’m a part of a flowing waterfall of ideas, images, and feelings. Taking time to honor this important part of myself feels indulgent and productive. Creativity is also what much of my magical work is all about.

CC0

Seasonal Green Witchery

Like my garden, my outdoors work fades when the frost hits. In winter, there’s not as much yard work and gardening responsibilities. This means that I can take a break from my green witch responsibilities. It gives me time to plan my garden and buy supplies to prepare for the coming sun and warmth.

Magic Time On My Time

The holidays can be especially busy. Trying to fit in a Yule celebration can feel overwhelming, especially with planning to see several different family members and friends.

Fortunately, being a hermit means I can celebrate on my own intuitive witchy timing. My own cycles are celebrated when it feels right.

The Joyous Return

Perhaps one of the best things about having a seasonal hermit time means that when I do return to the world, I’ve missed it so much and long to return and have fun. I always look forward to getting back out in the world, full of new ideas and inspiration.

There’s definitely just as much magic in connection–its just a different kind. Speaking of which, I’ll be giving a lot of lectures and workshops this year! Check out my events page for my schedule. If you see me, feel free to say hello. I love meeting new people and talking about witchy things.

For another great article on hermit time by my friend Gwyn, check out her article Middle Winter: Working With Hermit Energy.

Are you haunted by the prospect of social interaction? Does the very thought of navigating supermarket aisles fill you with exhaustion? Are you repelled by the idea of head-banging to riotous music in a dark and sweaty stadium? In the cacophonous hustle and bustle of the 21st century, it’s no wonder many folks shun the maelstrom of modernity and head off into the wilderness for a little peace and quiet. Whether you are considering a life of prayer and penitence, or merely seeking haven from the incessant demands of social media, the eremitic life is for you.

A hermit is a person who lives in seclusion from society. Would-be hermits (including myself) are a minority amid the sassy, gregarious crowds of modern society. The eremitic life is excellent for achieving inner peace, insight, spiritual guidance and renewed creativity. Indeed, the value of solitude is evident in all realms of life; Darwin escaped to the woods for hours and emphatically refused dinner party invitations, while Theodor Geisel (Dr Seuss) conjured up his fantastical creations in a lonely bell tower office, too afraid to meet the young children who read his books. Jesus, Buddha, Mohammed and Moses all experienced profound epiphanies in the wilderness, alone.

St. Jerome, who lived as a hermit near Bethlehem, depicted in his study being visited by two angels (Cavarozzi, early 17th century). Wikimedia Commons.

In considering the eremitic lifestyle, you should first study your personal reason for seeking solitude, from religious motivations to a desire for renewed creativity and spirituality. Secondly, you need to establish the degree of your solitude; will you burrow beneath a fort of blankets and pillows in your room or move to a cabin in the woods? Next, you should simplify your life: hurl that cellphone out the window, deactivate your Facebook account, tweet your goodbyes and throw your laptop in the washing machine. Stocking up on various necessities is preferable to suffering small talk in the supermarket, and unless you work from home, a considerable amount of money is required to sustain the eremitic lifestyle. Short of escaping to the legendary cave in the wilderness, taxes, student loans, electricity and water bills are inescapable.

Next, make sure your environment is as sustainable as possible; plant a garden, build an outhouse and invest in a bicycle. Now that you’re unlikely to be distracted by Facebook or the squalling cries of TV advertising, you will have plenty of time to develop new skills, so pick up a paintbrush, learn a foreign language, juggle or bake cupcakes. In all seriousness, learn to love yourself; you will have to get used to your own company from now on. Be wary of loneliness and if melancholy descends, don’t hesitate to reach out to like-minded people.

After reading this, you probably think that I’m a weird loner who insists on surviving in the wilderness on locusts, honey and God’s grace. I swear I’m not. I am however a self-professed introvert who prefers the company of a good book to most people. Even if you cannot bring yourself to commit to a fully-fledged eremitic life, retreating occasionally from the responsibilities and entanglements of the world is very calming. So in the tradition of Obi-Wan Kenobi, John the Baptist and Noah John Rondeau, escape from society every so often and learn the benefits of being a hermit.

Image: Two Sadhus, Hindu hermits. Wikimedia Commons.

Learning How Not To Be A Hermit

After more than six years living as a Hermit, I am now having to learn how not to be a Hermit – temporarily, I hope.

Some months ago, I began to experience mild pain in my right leg. Over time the pain increased, and basic pain medication gave no relief. I began to find walking difficult and painful. An old friend assisted me to visit my physician, who prescribed strong pain relief, and referred me for x-rays and CT scans.

Before that could be done, I awoke one morning with excruciating pain in my leg, and unable to walk. My friend called an ambulance, and I spent the best part of a day in the emergency unit of the local hospital. X-rays showed that I had, somehow, and I have no recollection of how, severely damaged my spine, causing damage to the nerves that go to my right leg. Subsequent CT scans confirmed that diagnosis.

A potent drug for neuropathic pain was prescribed. It can take a long time to begin to be effective. Amongst the drug’s many undesirable side-effects are “light-headedness”, drowsiness, muscle spasms, and short-term memory loss! It has, alas, had a limited positive effect on my damaged nerves, but there is currently no alternative medication. It remains unknown as to whether my condition will improve or deteriorate, or will, or can, be cured.

I am now barely able to walk even a short distance with a stick, and have to use a wheelchair for anything further. Walking – or placing any pressure on my leg – causes extreme pain. So – shopping, laundry, meal preparation, housework, gardening…all no longer possible.

I began with a Personal Carer for a few hours a day. I now require a full time Personal Carer, after several collapses which necessitated ambulance trips at night to the local emergency unit.

I am waiting for an appointment with a specialist neurologists, and with the specialist pain clinic at the local hospital. I am told that there is a waiting period of 4-6 months.

Solitude, silence, self-sufficiency…and many other characteristics of the eremitical life have been lost.

Having had to learn how to be a Hermit, I am having to learn how not to be a Hermit – temporarily, I hope.

Items you will need

Hermit crab food

Hermit crab leash

How to Teach a Pet Hermit Crab Tricks. Here’s another reason to invest in a pet hermit crab–they can do tricks! If you are an attentive owner capable of patient training, your hermit crab can respond to the sound of its name, “talk” to you and even walk on a leash! Read on to learn more.

Feed your crab carefully and gently with your hands. Offer your hermit crab small pieces of food and coax him to approach you from greater distances to establish a relationship of trust.

Talk softly to your crab while feeding it. Repeat its name. A soothing voice resonates with the hermit crabs, calms them and helps to familiarize them with the sound of your voice.

Call your crab by name. In time, your crab will recognize your voice and come to you when it hears it.

Chirp at your hermit crab. Mimicking its natural vocal patterns incites your hermit crab to respond. In this way, you can have “conversations” with your hermit crab.

Research hermit crab “leashes” and train your hermit crab to walk on one of them. Hermit crab can be rambunctious, inquisitive creatures that can easily wander away from their owners if left to their own devices. By linking your hermit crab to a plastic chain, you will be able to find it more easily when it chooses to explore.

Hermit crabs are known for individual personalities. Do not try to force your hermit crab into an act. Hermit crabs have preferences in their activities. The stress involved in forcing a hermit crab into any act may be detrimental to its health.

Warnings

Do not attempt to link your crab to metal (and possibly toxic) chains. Research the hermit crab “leash,” learn about its limits and the proper way to use it.

Author

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Jeffrey Hamilton / Getty Images

Hermit crabs molt on a regular basis as they grow but it is surprisingly easy to mistake a molting hermit crab for a dead hermit crab.

Molting or Dead

A molting crab appears quite limp and lifeless, and the body is often partway out of the shell. Sometimes, with very careful observation, you will be able to see small twitches from the hermit crab’s body while it is molting, but otherwise, it can be very difficult to tell whether or not it is still alive. Plus, if your crab has buried themselves in the sand and you haven’t seen them in a while, it is natural to start wondering if they are molting or if they have died where they buried themselves.

If you are not sure if your crab is molting or dead, how you handle the situation may make the difference between the life or death of your crab if they are indeed simply molting. The safest thing to do if you find your hermit crab in one of the situations mentioned above is to assume that they are just molting. If you disturb a molting hermit crab at a critical time during their molt while trying to determine if they are alive or not, the results can be disastrous.

Molting on the Surface

Since you are assuming your hermit crab is molting until proven otherwise, if your hermit crab appears lifeless and is in an isolation tank, leave them alone and watch to see what happens. If your hermit crab is in the main tank with other hermit crabs, especially if they are on the surface, cut the ends off of a two-liter pop bottle and sink it into the sand to surround the crab with a clear protective barrier.

Do not disturb a crab that is limply hanging out of their shell, but rather, protect them from other crabs. If they are molting, they should continue through the process if given the time to do so. If they have died, they will start to smell badly within a few days. A hermit crab may take up to two months to complete the entire molting process, so you will know far before that time whether or not they are still alive—and smaller crabs do not take nearly this long to complete the entire molting process.

If you find what appears to be a dead crab on the surface next to an empty shell, have a closer look to see if it is just an exoskeleton. If it is hollow and crumbles easily, it is an old exoskeleton, and your hermit crab has already molted and moved on to a new shell. Have a quick peek in a nearby shell, and you might find your molted crab hiding out in their new home.

Molting While Buried

A crab that is buried in their bedding is a bit trickier to care for or identify whether or not they are molting. Smooth the sand around their hiding spot and look for tracks to get an idea of whether or not they are coming up at night for food. Many crabs often disappear during the day but the tracks around the cage in the morning will let you know that they are still active. If it has been weeks since your crab buried itself and you still aren’t sure whether or not your hermit crab is alive, you can carefully sweep off a bit of sand from around their hiding spot to check for a rotting smell.

What is a hermit?
A hermit is a person who lives apart from society. Traditionally, this has meant living alone and self-sufficiently, but not always. The word “hermit” is derived from the Greek eremia for “desert,” in reference to the Desert Fathers of the fourth century; and eremos came to mean solitary. The Latin equivalent is solitarius.

The term recluse is often taken as a synonym but it has a more behavioral sense to it, while the term “hermit” often retains its deliberate, even spiritual sense. For example, the famed eleventh edition of the Encyclopedia Britannica defined “hermit” as “a solitary, one who withdraws from all intercourse with other human beings in order to live a life of religious contemplation.” However, the American Heritage Dictionary defines “hermit” as “a person who has withdrawn from society and lives a solitary existence; a recluse.”

What is eremiticism? What is a cenobite?
Eremiticism is the term describing the way of life or system of being a hermit. The term is used to distinguish religious forms of living. A monk or nun living in a community of others, as opposed to living as a hermit, is a cenobite. Cenobite (as opposed to eremite) is derived from the Greek koinos, meaning community.

Why does a person become a hermit?
In every religious tradition, the individual has been advised to withdraw within the self, separate from the world, in order to achieve inner peace, if not insight. What has differed among these religious cultures is the degree to which this inwardness is permitted, even cultivated. Eastern cultures have encouraged, respected, even admired the decision to become a hermit. In the West, the primacy of social and external life has often opposed or put strictures and sanctions on hermits.

Are there other reasons for seeking solitude?
One need not be religious or spiritual to appreciate the ability to find space for oneself, to seek self-expression, and to be indifferent to or choose not to conform to the ways of the world. A spiritual tradition or culture has often been the context, but some individuals have created their own philosophical reasons for pursuing solitude. Others have discovered renewed creativity from limited periods of solitude. As long as solitude is voluntary, not forced by psychological illness or institutional confinements or oppressions, solitude has been universal.

What about people who live apart from society but seem to have “problems”?
Solitude must be an option based on a mature level of consciousness. Enforced solitude is not at all what we refer to here. Psychological and mental problems, social conflict, addictive and violent behavior, imprisonment, diseases – all have been factors in isolating people from society. Even voluntary solitude such as survivalism or egoism is not the solitude to which we refer. These concepts have no relation to the tradition of solitude and eremiticism seen over the centuries and across all cultures.

How can one be a hermit when daily life is so complex?
An Eastern passage describes the true hermit as one who can be in a crowd. Of course, that is not a literal eremiticism, but the point that matters is the consciousness of the individual. The responsibilities and entanglements of the world must be understood for what they are, from a philosophical or spiritual perspective. How to go about it?

Externally, simplifying one’s life is the best path toward peace of mind, and peace of mind is a prerequisite to solitude. At that point, solitude can begin to enhance and strengthen the conviction of how external things are precisely that: external.

In the Zen tradition, one is bidden to begin practicing (i.e., meditating) at once, not to begin by trying to analyze one’s responsibilities and entanglements and present life situation or predicament. Meditation will begin to put all these externals into perspective.

In the Christian tradition, one is bidden to give up what one has and follow the master, which is to say, the Way. The point here, as in Eastern tradition, is to simplify one’s life as soon as possible, and the results will begin to manifest themselves if the individual is honest. This process may culminate in solitude and eremiticism in a person so disposed.

In the philosophical tradition, one is bidden to identify with mind and nature and to observe the harmony of the universe as a wonder. Every philosophical tradition has been open to this sense of being, usually without hostility to spiritual tradition (distinct from institutions) because the philosophical tradition actively seeks the perennial in all wisdom traditions.

How many hermits are there or have there been? How have they done it?
It is the purpose of Hermitary to explore these questions and provide information. You are always welcome to communicate with us at the e-mail account listed on our home page. Thank you for visiting!

Regards,
Meng-hu

How to be a Hermit, or A Bachelor keeps House.
First published in 1929.

I couldn’t resist a title like that.It seems to be a humorous book of domestic management for bachelors.

This work is assumed to be in the Life+70 public domain OR the copyright holder has given specific permission for distribution. Copyright laws differ throughout the world, and it may still be under copyright in some countries. Before downloading, please check your country’s copyright laws. If the book is under copyright in your country, do not download or redistribute this work.

To report a copyright violation you can contact us here.

CITYDESERT, Desert Spirituality for the City, re Hermitary (March 8, 2014):
“Do look at Hermitary on a regular basis! It reminds us that the eremitical tradition is universal. It is deeply humbling and greatly awe-inspiring to be reminded that those of us who seek to follow the path of the Hermit follow in the footsteps (if, alas, we cannot claim to walk in the shoes) of a vast lineage of men and women from all religious and cultural tradition (and none), in every age and in every place and in every culture.”

UTNE Media blog re HERMITARY (Nov. 19, 2010): “Want to get away? Far away? Feel like disappearing for a time, even if only vicariously? Hermitary is a one-stop resource for your inner hermit. One of the most consistently wondrous sites on the internet.”

SHEDWORKING blog re HERMITARY (May 1, 2007): “A fantastic site for those who regard a bit of peace and quiet as, on the whole, a good thing is The Hermitary which has a wide range of articles, book reviews and links on the subject of hermits and solitude. There’s also an interesting blog, Hermit’s Thatch.”

Hermitary & its resident; plus FAQs

[This section was written in 2002 and remains unchanged.]

A hermitary is a dwelling for a hermit. Hermitary is an obsolete medieval English word, which, however, referred to enclosed anchorites more than to hermits. But that is by the way.

This hermitary is the dream hut of the pseudonymous Meng-hu, the dreamtiger, whose Western name is derived from a short story by the Argentine writer Jorge Luis Borges. The title of the story, entitled in English, is dreamtigers.

In that story, the narrator recalls that as a child he was impressed by the tigers in the zoo, then dreamed of them. As an old man, he tries to dream them again, but they are no longer the same shape or color or clarity. Instead, they are “dreamtigers.”

So Meng-hu tries to dream, not of tigers, perhaps, but of what his face was like before his parents were born. But he does not worry about whether the dreamtigers are clear and distinct. It is enough that the sun shines, the trees in the forest sway with the breeze that is cool against his face, and that the birds still sing outside his ramshackle hut.

[This section was written in 2002 and remains unchanged.]

What is a hermit?
A hermit is a person who lives apart from society. Traditionally, this has meant living alone and self-sufficiently, but not always. The word “hermit” is derived from the Greek eremia for “desert,” in reference to the Desert Fathers of the fourth century; and eremos came to mean solitary. The Latin equivalent is solitarius. The term recluse is often taken as a synonym but it has a more behavioral sense to it, while the term “hermit” often retains its deliberate, even spiritual sense. For example, the famed eleventh edition of the Encyclopedia Britannica defined “hermit” as “a solitary, one who withdraws from all intercourse with other human beings in order to live a life of religious contemplation.” However, the American Heritage Dictionary defines “hermit” as “a person who has withdrawn from society and lives a solitary existence; a recluse.”

What is eremitism? What is a cenobite?
Eremitism is the term describing the way of life or system of being a hermit. The term is used to distinguish religious forms of living. A monk or nun living in a community of others, as opposed to living as a hermit, is a cenobite. Cenobite (as opposed to eremite) is derived from the Greek koinos , meaning community.

Why does a person become a hermit?
In every religious tradition, the individual has been advised to withdraw within the self, separate from the world, in order to achieve inner peace, if not insight. What has differed among these religious cultures is the degree to which this inwardness is permitted, even cultivated. Eastern cultures have encouraged, respected, even admired the decision to become a hermit. In the West, the primacy of social and external life has often opposed or put strictures and sanctions on hermits.

Are there other reasons for seeking solitude?
One need not be religious or spiritual to appreciate the ability to find space for oneself, to seek self-expression, and to be indifferent to or choose not to conform to the ways of the world. A spiritual tradition or culture has often been the frequent context, but some individuals have created their own philosophical reasons for pursuing solitude, especially as wilderness solitude. Others have discovered renewed creativity from limited periods of solitude. As long as solitude is voluntary, not forced by psychological illness or institutional confinements or oppressions, solitude has been universal.

What about people who live apart from society but seem to have “problems”?
Solitude must be an option based on a mature level of consciousness. Enforced solitude is not at all what we refer to here. Psychological and mental problems, social conflict, addictive and violent behavior, imprisonment, diseases – all have been factors in isolating people from society. Even voluntary solitude such as survivalism or egoism is not the solitude to which we refer. These concepts have no relation to the tradition of solitude and eremitism seen over the centuries and across all cultures.

How can one be a hermit when daily life is so complex?
An Eastern passage describes the true hermit as one who can be in a crowd. Of course, that is not a literal eremitism, but the point that matters is the consciousness of the individual. The responsibilities and entanglements of the world must be understood for what they are, from a philosophical or spiritual perspective. How to go about it? Externally, simplifying one’s life is the best path toward peace of mind, and peace of mind is a prerequisite to solitude. At that point, solitude can begin to enhance and strengthen the conviction of how external things are precisely that: external. In the Zen tradition, one is bidden to begin practising (i.e., meditating) at once, not to begin by trying to analyze one’s responsibilities and entanglements and present life situation or predicament. Meditation will begin to put all these externals into perspective.

How many hermits are there or have there been? How have they done it?
It is the purpose of Hermitary to explore these questions and provide information. You are always welcome to communicate with us at the e-mail account listed on this page. Thank you for visiting!

В© 2002-2019, Hermitary & Meng-hu
Contact: mail at hermitary dot com

Hermit crabs are sociable and inquisitive by nature and make fantastic pets for adults and kids of all ages – especially when cared for together! Learn how to look after these cute little crustaceans with this handy guide.

Hermit crabs fact file

Life span – Up to 10-15 years
Size – Golf ball size to tennis ball size
Diet – Pellets, fruits and veggies
Home – 35-75 litre tank

Care and maintenance

Hermit crabs are best kept with their own kind. Introducing a new crab must be done with care because fighting may occur. Living together also ensures they have a wider variety of choices when moving shells. Parent more than one crab to prevent loneliness and improve your crabs’ chances of thriving in their new environment.

Take your hermit crab out and enjoy time with them every so often. If you have kids, it’s important that everyone becomes familiar with your family pets. An interesting manoeuvre to try is lying on your stomach on the floor and making a circle with your arms for your hermit crabs to move around in.

Setting up

The ideal enclosure for your crab is a terrarium with a removable glass lid. It’s recommended to have 20 litres of space for every two crabs. You can find various options and sizes at your local Petbarn.

Start by filling your tank with a substrate. The comfiest option is marine aquarium coral rock sand or a sand gravel mix. Find both at your local Petbarn. Also include rocks, safe climbing toys, dried choya wood, driftwood, coral and barnacles as these provide stimulating toys for hermit crabs.

Create a space for your crab to hide and leave an area clear of obstructions for them to exercise in. Make sure food and water bowls are always accessible.

Hermit crabs need an environment with high humidity to keep moist, which enables them to breathe properly. Purchase a humidity gauge to ensure your tank maintains a humidity level of 70–80%.

To keep your tank humid, you will need a source of heat and water. You could use an under-tank heater or incandescent lights. If you’re using an under-tank heater make sure your substrate is at least 3cm thick so your hermit crabs aren’t sweating. Mist your tank with non-chlorinated water as needed to keep moisture high. Your tank will need to remain at a temperature of 21–24°C. You can use a thermometer to monitor this.

Top tip: a natural sponge may help disperse humidity in the aquarium.

Feeding

Hermit crabs are omnivorous. Their diet consists of pellet food and veggies and fruits as treats. Find nutritious pellets at your local Petbarn. Make eating easier by crushing a teaspoon of pellets into their bowl or buying pellet powders.

Mix up your pet’s diet with vegetables and fruits. Chop up kale or broccoli and fruits like apples or bananas. Leave these out overnight and remove any leftovers in the morning.

Always provide your crabs with access to fresh water. Make sure you use filtered or dechlorinated water for their health.

Travelling

When taking your new pets home, set up a temporary tank in a small plastic container and include a substrate. Once established, don’t move your tank with your substrate and hermit crabs inside. This could cause water spillage and your pets’ burrows to collapse, which can be dangerous for them.

Include holes for ventilation in your substitute tank. If any of your pets are happy in their burrows or shelters when you want to transport them, do not attempt to re-bury them in the substitute tank. Rather, place a bowl or hut over them.

Grooming

With the right tools, your crabs will groom themselves. Provide a conditioned freshwater bowl and saltwater bowl for them to bathe in. Put a sea sponge in the bowl so smaller crabs can climb out. Find sea sponges at your local Petbarn.

Provide multiple shells for your pets to change into. We recommend at least two shells per crab. As they mature, provide bigger shells for them to grow into.

Hermit crabs generally moult once every 18 months, becoming less active, burrowing more and drinking and eating less. Allowing hermit crabs to snack on their old skins will give them a calcium boost. Provide finely ground coconut fibre-based bedding for reptiles, such as forest bedding, to assist hermit crabs during moulting.

Health care

If your pet feels overcrowded, bullied or lonely, has been dropped or is too hot or cold, they may become sluggish, inactive or continue leaving shells due to stress. Provide sufficient space if you’re housing a lot of little crabs.

Your pets are particularly vulnerable to chemicals, so make sure their tank is clear from any exposure. Only clean your tank with filtered water. If letting your crabs roam around your home, ensure they’re not exposed to chemicals.

Check your hermit crabs regularly. Decreased appetite, lack of activity, staying outside of shells, excessive moulting, lost or damaged claws or limbs and strong odour from shells are all signs that your crab may be unwell. If you notice any of these signs or anything else peculiar about your crab, visit your local Greencross Vets for treatment.

Pet safety tips

If you’re a first-time crab parent try wearing thin gloves when handling your pet. Hold your crab over a bed or couch so if they make any sudden movements and you accidentally drop them they will land on a soft surface. Always supervise kids who are handling hermit crabs.

Your hermit crabs are extremely sensitive to metal, so ensure any objects in their tank, such as bowls, are ceramic or plastic. Always filter any water exposed to your crabs, just in case. If your crab has been exposed to an unsafe metal, visit your local Greencross Vets for treatment.

Tip: Hermit crabs are very sensitive to metals. Be sure to use silicon, ceramic or plastic bowls.

Hermit crab checklist

Shop Petbarn online or in-store for all your hermit crab needs.

Welcome to Hermit Crab Pool Boy Training 101! We hope the following information will cover hermit crab water pools from a-z. If we didn’t cover something here please feel free to comment or contact us.

Let’s dive right in, the water is fine!

Your tank should have two types of water bowls or pools: ocean water made from marine-grade salt and freshwater. Tap water contains beneficial minerals and metals so we discourage the use of distilled or otherwise purified water. Tap water must be treated with a product like Seachem Prime to make it safe for use. Prime also binds ammonia. In our testing, ammonia levels in semi-permanent pools never reached a dangerous level. As there is no research regarding the effects of ammonia on land hermit crabs we can only observe the same guidelines in place for fish. Your water conditioner does not have to remove ammonia but it must remove chlorine AND chloramines. Seachem Prime is not available everywhere but there are several other suitable water treatments on the market. Do NOT purchases a water treatment that contains additives that create/simulate stress coat in fish.

Choose a pool size that will accommodate your largest crab and allow it to submerge. A large surface area of water will create more humidity. Adding bubblers/air stones to the water pools will boost humidity but you do have to monitor for excessive splashing causing over saturation of the surrounding substrate.

Water pools can be standing water, bubbling water or semi-permanent pools with filtration. The size of your tank will dictate the size of your pools. If using disposable Tupperware type bowls as pools, double them to catch leaks as well as to simplify the removal of the pools for cleaning. The second bowl is left behind and the substrate under and around remains undisturbed. Food grade plastic, glass, acrylic and aquarium resin are all safe materials for water pools.

Water pools may be placed next to your heat pad or beneath your overhead light to produce additional humidity if needed. When placing the pools near the heat pad, check the water temperature periodically. While we don’t know the preferred water temperature for swimming we do know that 78F is a good median temperature for hatching zoea. You wouldn’t want 90F water in your pools. This generally is not an issue but for the sake of completeness it’s worth mentioning.

When placing the pools be sure to consider how much work it will take to access them for regular maintenance. Also consider possible escape routes that are created by power cords and air tubes. The pools need to be on a stable base so they will not tip and flood the tank if a crab digs under the containers. You can use a flat stone or a piece of lexan/acrylic to provide a base for both pools. Pools with a wide base will be less likely to tip. Placing the pools well above the substrate line will reduce the amount of moss and other debris that is carried into the pools by your hermit crabs.

The pools will need some form of ladder to ensure no crab will get stranded in the pool. You can use aquarium silicone to adhere all manner of rock, glass, shells to the walls of the pool to make them climbable. Do not use silicone with mold/mildew inhibitors. GE Silicone is widely used. Plastic aquarium safe plants can be used. A very popular trick is the use of plastic craft mesh to make a ramp. By warming the mesh with a hair dryer you can bend and shape it.

Some filters work with submerged pumps. In this setup you will want to place cord guards over the power cord to prevent a hermit crab from pinching the wire.

Standing water pools should be changed every 2-3 days to maintain freshness. Dump all water, clean the container well and refill with safe water.

Bubbler water pools should be changed every 3-5 days to maintain freshness. Dump all water, clean the container well and refill with safe water.

Filtered pools should be maintained as you would a fish tank. Perform partial water changes or top offs using safe water. Change your filter as needed. Use a sea hydrometer to measure the specific gravity of your ocean water pool after top off. Strengthen or dilute as needed. As a precaution, treat your pools with Prime each time you add water. If algae gets out of control or your water becomes cloudy or contaminated you should empty the pool completely and clean thoroughly.

Fresh and salt water can be made in one gallon jugs and stored for use. Shake well each use.

You can’t harm your crabs if you use too much Prime. It requires 2 drops for an entire gallon. If you are making smaller quantities, a single drop is safe.

Nearly all marine-grade salt is mixed 1/2 cup salt per gallon of water.

“I can’t afford it.”

You probably hate saying that, right? Heck, I don’t even like hearing it. It spells a dead end, no fun — and there’s a little bit of shame that goes with it, too. Saying it aloud sometimes feels like not being picked for the dodge ball team; there you are, standing out there by yourself. It can be enough to make anyone either suck it up and pull out the credit card or retreat to reading library books and watching whatever TV channels come in for free — alone. But don’t toss out your social calendar just yet. Fortunately, there are other options. But there’s also a catch — being frugal among spendthrift friends may take a shift in thinking. (See also: 47 Cheap, Fun Things to Do This Weekend)

Be Honest

Turning down invitations to dinners or vacations with friends with “I can’t afford it” may be honest, but it also frames your lack of funds as a sort of affliction to which you’re forced to submit. Instead, try saying, “I’m trying to save money.” Then follow it up with an invitation to something you can afford later in the week. This way, it sounds like you’re making the decision rather than letting your bank balance lead you along like a petulant child. I also find this phrase strikes a different note when you use it. Rather than feeling sorry for you, people tend to nod emphatically, tell you that’s a good idea, and say they should really be getting into that saving business, too. Plus, by matching your rejection of their invitation with an invitation of your own, you can avoid looking like a jerk.

Remember That Fun and Money Aren’t the Same Thing

If you think you need to spend a lot to have a good time, you’re missing the boat. Don’t believe me? Think back to your college days. A lot of people count those as some of the best times of their lives, despite the fact that many students barely get by. But they also live it up every weekend at parties without invitations or matching silverware — and they have a blast. If you’re feeling like a shut-in, maybe it’s time to get creative and host a party of your own. Pick a theme, and ask guests to bring drinks or snacks. If you have great company, the rest will take care of itself. You’ve probably forgotten everything you learned in first-year algebra by now. Who would have thought that knowing how to party would be a lesson that would pay dividends in the real world?

Find Frugal Friends

I’m not saying you have to throw your friends overboard, but if you have friends or are only willing to meet over an expensive dinner or a round of golf, you might need to add some new people to your social circle. Because while you might be able to have a grand ol’ time dancing in your living room or walking the neighborhood, not everyone is going to follow your lead. And that’s OK. Maybe they can afford to live the way they do, maybe not. But if they’re never willing to meet you in the middle when it comes to getting to together, you might be forced to choose between their company and your capital. And when it comes down to friends who are this inflexible, you’d be better off choosing the cash, because friendships like that are likely to dry up as quickly as your funds.

Don’t Feel Sorry for Yourself

Remember Michael Jackson? Of course you do. He sold millions of records, raked in hundreds of millions of dollars, and died barely solvent. The point is, money is always finite; no one can afford everything. When we have more money, our tastes tend to expand to accommodate it. When you have a financial plan that involves saving money and staying out of debt, it often means less money to spend. But that isn’t really the same as not being able to afford things. Think about it as making better choices — your kids’ college fund rather than a Caribbean vacation, a contribution to your retirement plan rather than a restaurant meal, an extra payment on the mortgage rather than a fancy dinner party and, most importantly, living it up rather than just laying it out.

Those aren’t easy choices, and it’s possible that some of your friends won’t buy in to any sort of frugal fun. But if you have to buy friends, you’ll have pay to keep them, too. Now that’s a relationship you really can’t afford.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Heather Vecchioni

Things You’ll Need

Saltwater test kit

Warning

Wash your hands with only water before handling your marine hermit crab. Do not use soap, as the residue left in the tank water can poison the crabs.

Always unplug any electrical equipment that is in your marine hermit crab’s tank before placing your hands inside. Not doing so can cause electric shock.

Healthy water contains no ammonia or nitrates and should have a specific gravity level of 1.022 to 1.0240, according to HermhtCrabHappy.com. In addition, the salinity should register between 30 to 40 parts per trillion, the pH should be 8.2 and the temperature should be somewhere between 72 and 78 degrees Fahrenheit.

Marine hermit crabs live under the water and typically make good pets. According to the hermit crab information website HermhtCrabHappy.com, marine hermit crabs are the most intelligent, active and smell-perceptive hermit crabs out of the more than 800 different hermit crabs species that exist. Because of their strong exoskeletons, marine hermit crabs can sustain poor qualities of water, making them very forgiving to the mistakes many first-time marine hermit crab owners can make. However, in order to keep your marine crab healthy and around for a while, follow a few simple techniques.

Step 1

Keep your marine hermit crab submerged in either synthetic or natural salt water at all times, states HermhtCrabHappy.com. Marine hermit crabs have gills that can only breathe under water; however, it is still possible to handle your hermit crab, if carefully done under water. Keep your water chlorine-free and use natural marine saltwater, states HermitCrabPetCare.com. Using saltwater that doesn’t contain natural salt may include iodized salt, which contains chlorine.

Step 2

Supply your marine hermit crab with many shells. Marine hermit crabs like to switch their shells often. Some will even trade in their old shells for new ones daily. Marine hermit crabs need shells that will fit comfortably with their eye stalks. Choose shells similar to what your marine hermit crab was originally wearing when you obtained it.

It is important to choose shells with the correct opening size for your hermit crabs. The opening size you choose should be 1/8″ bigger than your hermit crab’s big claw. You should measure the length of the largest claw, not how wide it is. Hermit crabs use their biggest claw as a trap door. Their claw should be recessed just inside the opening. If their big claw is down inside, the shell may be big enough or possibly a little too big depending on how deep the claw is in the opening. If the claw is too big to recede within the opening, your crab definitely needs a larger shell. A good rule of thumb is to buy shells with an opening that’s 1/8″ larger than your hermit crab’s big claw.

How we measure the openings of our shells.

Measure a Round Opening

Round Opening seashells are measured side to side.

Measure an Oval Opening

Oval opening seashells are measured by picturing an oval.

Give your hermit crab a little variety! If you present your crab with a few properly sized shells to choose from he or she is much more likely to find a comfortable match. You should have at least three shells for every crab in your tank. This will also help to prevent ugly shell fights.

Hermit crabs change shells on their own terms! Under no circumstances should you try to force your crab to switch shells. Hermit crabs will literally let themselves be ripped apart before letting go of their shell.

Author: Amy Ferguson

CopyrightВ© 2004 – 2020 Naples Sea Shell Company

A land hermit crab is an extraordinary pet because of its ability to make attention-grabbing, easy-to-care-for friends. Hermit crabs carry no diseases, are hypoallergenic, are neat and clean, and do not require much living space. They’re fun to play with because of their inquisitive nature and distinct character. Unlike other crabs, the land hermit crab is non-aggressive and isn’t bothered when people handle it. Due to its sociable nature, it is recommended to have more than one crab [source: Hermit Crabs Home]. Here’s how to care for a Hermit Crab.

• Hermit crabs require moisture. Even though they live on land, they nevertheless breathe though their gills. In order for the gills to work properly, they must remain moist. Keep a large wet sponge in the cage so that the crab can keep itself moist by crawling under it and remaining there for a while. Make sure the sponge is always wet.
• Hermit crabs are most comfortable in temperatures between 70 and 80 degrees Fahrenheit (21 to 26.6 degrees Celsius). Make sure the room where the crab lives is warm and moist. Keep it away from air-conditioned rooms, because air-conditioners dry the air.
• Hermit crabs need a bit of water. Keep a small, shallow dish of fresh water in the crab’s cage. If the dish is too deep, the crab might fall in and be unable to crawl out. If that happened, the crab would drown.
• Hermit Crabs aren’t fussy eaters. You can feed them a wide variety of foods ranging from vegetables to fruit, and will even eat peanut butter. You can feed them all kinds of table scraps including meat pieces. It’s advisable to feed them foods that contain calcium [source: Pet Aquarium].

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