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| St. A of E (not sure what that skull is doing there) |
Having taken numerous personality tests online, I consider myself a true expert on—myself. I am an introverted extrovert (extroverted introvert?) No surprise, given my bipolar nature. I love being with people, for brief periods, after which I crave alone time, for just a bit. Rinse and repeat. I could never be Party Girl 24/7, nor could I be a true lone wolf.
But I’ve always been fascinated by those folks who have retreated from the outside world in favor of a totally solitary existence. Personally, I’d be so sick of my own company after just a few hours that I’d welcome a serial killer into my cave. Obviously, there are many who have felt differently, such as…
Saint Anthony of Egypt: (251-356) The first Christian monk, and first of the “Desert Fathers” (cool rock band name, no?), Saint A of E dwelt all by his lonesome, for many decades. Legend has it that ravens brought him his food (he ate only bread and salt). During his solitude, he was tempted many times by Satan. Anthony lived to be 105, which, considering the demonic torments and the bread-only diet, was probably more punishment than treat.
Julian of Norwich: (1342-1412) Julian, a nun and mystic, wrote the famous “Revelations of Divine Love,” (first book written in English by a woman) after her miraculous recovery from the Black Death. She spent the rest of her life alone, in prayer, in a tiny cell attached to a cathedral. The brilliant, compassionate Julian was also a cat lady (sorry, JD Vance!) She was allowed a cat as a pet because—actual quote—“Cows were too big.” No argument here.
Johann Wilhelm Stolting, The Hermit of Ardsley NY (1805-1884) An irascible German immigrant, Stolting lived alone in a small, rough-hewn cottage, which nowadays in Westchester County would no doubt fetch at least 3 million bucks. He made his living by selling newspapers and buttons. He hated cities, and most people. Oh, and he slept in a coffin. Always planning ahead, that Johann!
More recent examples of hermits include:
Dorothy Molter, “The Root Beer Lady”: a scrappy Minnesotan and former nurse, who sold her homemade root beer to canoeists, and was the only person living in the huge Boundary Waters Canoeing Area for the last 38 years of her life.
Tom Wooldridge, The Leopard Man (Scotland): not only did this former military officer live in isolation on the Isle of Skye, he was known as the “most tattooed man in the world,” with 90% of his body adorned with leopard-like spots. Thus decorated, Tom was able to scare the wild leopards away from Scotland (I just made that last part up).
And finally, Herman’s: these musical lads were not actual Hermits, but had a cool rock band name (though not as cool as Desert Fathers).
As society becomes ever more shunnable, I foresee a big jump in hermit numbers. Not for me, but maybe…
Elise Seyfried, The Hermit of Barnes and Noble?
That could work.
