Sabbatical

From the Fairytale Tarot, the Hermit; from the Tree Affirmation Cards, the Acacia Karoo:

          "Bearskin" is a tale about a soldier who came back from war to nothing and no one. He made a deal with the devil not to cut his hair, clip his nails, or bathe for seven years (and sleep in a bearskin). The devil would keep him supplied with plenty of money during this time, but if the soldier died before the time was up, the devil would take his soul. If he survived, he would be wealthy forever. What's interesting about this 'hermit' is that during his seven years, he constantly gave large sums of money to those who were poor or in dire straits. After the seven years, the soldier got cleaned up, was granted endless wealth from the devil, and married a young woman. The Acacia Karoo is an African tree with long thorns to protect it from grazing animals. Only when it reaches a great height does it shed the thorns. Both these cards suggest protective boundaries - the hermit with his smell and unkempt appearance and the tree whose thorns allow it to reach maturity. But neither kept the self-imposed walls up longer than was needed.

sabbatical: any extended period of leave from one's customary work, 

especially for rest, to acquire new skills or training, etc.