The Hierophant
I am always amazed by tarot and how the cards just find me when I need them to. I found myself procrastinating this post. The reason I wanted to do this blog was to help deepen my understanding of each card. I find that to write about the story I need to fully immerse myself into the energy of the character. I must relate them to my own path as if I am The Fool myself (which we all are).
The Hierophant has never been an easy card for me. This is a card that represents tradition, religion, and conformity. All of which don’t really feel authentic for me to represent. The Hierophant comes from an ancient word that means “maker of bridges”. He is meant to represent the bridge between humans and God. Essentially being the bridge between us and our higher power.
He teaches The Fool about society, organization, and how to be a follower of the path that is laid out for him. Unlike the High Priestess, who taught the Fool how to reach his own spirituality and intuition, The Hierophant is here to teach him that of the world.
While I identify as a deeply spiritual person, I do not align with traditional religion or Christianity. This made it difficult to connect the meaning of this card to my life, but then again… the cards always have a way of making us dig deeper within our soul.
Light
“I am my own guru and the guidance I need is rooted in my faith, my belief, and my uniqueness.”
(Tradition, Lessons, Spirituality, Sense of Spirit)
When pulled upright, The Hierophant is a symbol that a traditional factor, often religion, is active in your life. It might even be calling you to be a leader or teacher in that space. Generally, he represents traditional values and how much you are willing to conform. Some find great comfort in that, while other struggle to understand the connection. Despite my skewed opinion, pulling this card upright is typically a sign of good judgment and expansion. It shows a time of self-realization, support and expansion.
HOME- This could relate to expanding your personal property to increasing your community by inviting people into your space.
RELATIONSHIP- As the card of tradition, this card typically refers to commitment, marriage, and making your partnership sacred (however that looks to you).
CAREER- This points to potential leadership, progress in your position and growth. This is a sign to reach for your goals.
We’re all led by something. God, Religion, Moral Compass, Empathy, Intuition. We just need to find out what that is.
Shadow
“It is better to seek your own advice than that of an unwanted guide”
(Unused Potential, Questionable intentions, selfishness, or unfocused energy)
If you pull the card in reverse, or upside, the meaning shifts to represent the shadow side. We all have a light and shadow side and it’s normal to experience both in life. Our goal is to learn to notice what our shadows our telling us.
The Hierophant in reverse is the bad guru or teacher. He represents poor leadership and misleading. You may be led down the wrong spiritual path. This card reminds us that we are better off on our own, then staying with a mentor or plan that doesn’t have our best interest at heart.
Astrology
The Hierophant is a Taurus, the sign of the Bull. This sign is deeply committed, loyal, grounded and practical. This draws the Hierophant to organized religion and societal norms due to his need for order.
Element
Although the Hierophant represents the halfway point between Earth and Spirit, his connection is to the Earth. This is because while he strives to spread the message of spirituality, his mission is to be here. Anchored and grounded fully in his knowing to reach as many people as possible.
Chakra
The Hierophant is associated with the 4th eye for spiritual connection. Rooted a bit closer to Earth than the 5th eye of the High Priestess, this card acts as the bridge. It is also known as the Eye of the Universe and can help symbolizing pure consciousness and the ability to perceive beyond the material world.
Symbolism
The Hierophants papal crown represents the three layers of the holy trinity.
The crossed key represents the key to the kingdom of heaven, given by Jesus to Saint Peter. This ties back to the understand that whatever you do on Earth is bound to the heaven. A reminding of unity.
The hand gesture of blessings what is seen and unseen from our earthy existence. The key in hand is meant to symbolize how our unknown worlds connect.
He also typically sits between 2 pillars to show his connection between the human and spiritual world.
The Hierophant reminds us that “tradition” and “conformity” is different for everyone. We might not seek connection the religious sense, but we will pull to things that create a sense of religion or spiritual connection within ourselves.
What does Spirituality mean to you?
Thanks for learning Tarot with me.
XOXO,
Maykayla
Realtor || Gatherer || Herbalist || Tarot Enthusiast
***In this series we will walk the Fools journey together - one card at a time - starting where every journey always does: with a soul that is ready to begin.
Come back tomorrow as we follow along while the Fool meets The Lovers.
If this series resonates with you, I’d love to hear your thoughts.
What are your thoughts on the The Hierophant?
Do you think there is any insights I missed or left out?
Have you ever felt like you were unable to find the path you were meant to be on?