This is one of my favorite Hermit cards because of what the symbolism says to me (and I think any symbolism is merely a personal interpretation regardless of what countless books tell you such-and-such should mean.)
I see this wizzened and hoary old man walking an elevated and extremely narrow path...to me the elevation talks of the level of his wisdom--which is much higher than the masses--and the narrow path depicts that there aren't many other directions he can search for his wisdom. He is now on the only path left available to him...that is how far he's come already.
He's looking over the edge and shining his light into the abyss, casting light for those "below" him, telling them, "come on, this is a viable pathway...I have already made the trek thusfar, and I'll illuminate the way for you if you wish." Still, he is all alone...
His face has an expression of concern for those beneath him, too. He's not just on this journey for himself. Still, I see him looking at where he has been and thinking about how it got him to where he is. I don't see him being too concerned to continue his journey, though...so this is a stopping point for him, one of the contemplation and meditation that we associate with this card.
I love the sky background, too. It, also carries symbolism to me. Not only does it hint (to me) about the Northern Lights phenomena (something of beauty that is but has not been really explained as yet, (though it has given a lot of people a lot to think and question about)), but I notice that a lot of the beautiful light is to his back. He has seen and gathered a lot of light (knowledge, wisdom) in his past.
What I am trying to figure out is why the loop on his sash? If you look at it, the belt is tied at the waist and is sinching in his gown; however, with the loop the way it is, the sash would not be sinching in the gown that way. So, why the loop?
I'm thinking that it may symbolize that our physical world just can't explain everything. This figure is telling us that there is a lot more than meets our "physical eye". And the Hermit is asking us to question everything psychically"...asking us to think about what things can and cannot be--and if not, why not?
He has paused on his walk to think, and I think he may be asking us to do the same right now.