Major Arcana
The Hierophant sits between two pillars in sacred vestments, right hand raised in blessing, left hand holding the triple papal cross. Two initiates kneel before him. He represents established tradition, spiritual authority, and the transmission of sacred knowledge through institution and ritual.
Upright
Reversed
Quick meaning
The Hierophant represents the Hierophant sits between two pillars in sacred vestments, right hand raised in blessing, left hand holding the triple papal cross. Two initiates kneel before him. He represents established tradition, spiritual authority, and the transmission of sacred knowledge through institution and ritual.
Use the symbol
In a yes or no tarot reading, The Hierophant is best read through its condition. Upright, it points toward Traditional institutions, Traditional values, Conventional, Conformity. Reversed, it suggests Challenging tradition, Unconventional lifestyles, Unconventional relationships, Reversed roles. The answer depends on whether the situation is moving with the upright lesson or stuck in the reversed pattern.
As advice, The Hierophant asks you to work with the card's main lesson rather than react from fear. Start with the upright meaning: The Hierophant is the card of traditional values and institutions.
As feelings, The Hierophant can describe someone experiencing the card's emotional tone. In love readings, its upright energy is: For those in relationships, The Hierophant is the marriage and commitment card of the Major Arcana.
Reversed, The Hierophant points to what may be blocked, avoided, or expressed in a harder way. Use the reversed meaning as a prompt to slow down and address Challenging tradition, Unconventional lifestyles, Unconventional relationships, Reversed roles.
Energy in motion
The Hierophant is the card of traditional values and institutions. The Hierophant can represent a counsellor or mentor who will provide you with wisdom and guidance or a spiritual or religious advisor such as a priest, vicar, preacher, imam, rabbi or a monk. Alternatively, you may be dealing with someone who is very set in their ways. The institutions The Hierophant Tarot card can represent include economic, religious, political, social, family, educational, social welfare and medical. Its appearance can signify that now is a time to conform to convention or tradition. It’s not a time to rock the boat. It can also be an indicator that you will take part in some sort of traditional ceremony or that you may start creating some new traditions or rituals of your own.
For those in relationships, The Hierophant is the marriage and commitment card of the Major Arcana. You can expect your relationship to become more committed and begin moving towards new relationship milestones when this card appears. It indicates that you and your partner share the same values and goals, a very good card to get if a committed relationship is what you want. If you are single, this card signifies a new relationship on the horizon which will be built on commitment, love and security.
This is a good time to get involved in group or team projects career wise. You should do what’s expected of you and avoid unconventional methods at work and you will be successful. The Hierophant is a signifier for sharing knowledge so you may find you get a teacher or mentor who will help you along your career path. Alternatively, you may also become a mentor or trainer of others. Also, now is a good time to take up study in an established educational institution. Financially, this is good time to get involved low risk, conventional investment opportunities. You should stick to conventional methods of managing your money. If you need financial advice use traditional financial institutions.
If you are experiencing health issues The Hierophant Tarot card indicates that conventional medicine may be the best route for you at the moment. You would also do well to introduce some sort of health routine such into your daily life e.g. exercising daily or taking vitamin supplements to boost your immune system.
Use tarot for reflection only; it does not replace medical advice, diagnosis, or care.
The Hierophant is a very spiritual card, he is known as the link between mankind and the Higher Power. A spiritual advisor might be coming into your life to guide you on your spiritual path. While The Hierophant is generally associated with traditional religious practice, if you don’t adhere to a “traditional” religion his appearance signifies that you will benefit from building some sort of ritual or ceremony into your spiritual practice.
Energy under tension
When The Hierophant Tarot appears reversed it is time to break with convention. You will want to change traditional structure, social norms and rigid rules. Those close to you may not understand this need to challenge the established way of doing things and may be completely against it but with this Major Arcana card appearing in your Tarot reading you will feel compelled to think for yourself and throw away the rule book. The Hierophant reversed can signify an unconventional way of living or an alternative lifestyle. Alternatively, it may indicate that you are clinging desperately to old ways to your detriment or it may indicate that you have feelings of guilt and shame associated with behaving in a way that goes against the values you were raised with. Learning to live by your own rules, while still listening to your own conscience, will bring you freedom from oppression. It will open your mind and expand your horizons in a positive way. The Hierophant reversed can also be an indicator of conflict with a person in a position of authority.
The Hierophant reversed in a love Tarot context may signify an unconventional relationship or the desire for one if you are single. You may be breaking with tradition by choosing not to marry. If you are in a relationship, it can also indicate a reversal of traditional gender roles. It can also indicate that you and your partner are not on the same page when it comes to values and goals. This may be causing conflict and insecurity in your relationship. Each of you need to stay open minded and try to understand where the other person is coming from. Compromise is needed to bring about agreement without pushing either of you too far out of your comfort zone.
When the Hierophant reversed appears in a career context, it can be a sign of a boss or person in a position of authority being a stickler for the rules and forcing others to conform to their way of doing things. You may have to tow-the-line with this person if they outrank you but you will not be happy about it and your work environment will feel restrictive. Alternatively, it can indicate that in group or team project you will feel pressured to conform to the group consensus even though it goes against your personal belief. You may also come into contact with a teacher or mentor who will teach you things with that you will feel the need to challenge.
If you are ill, The Hierophant in reverse indicates that now is a good time to try alternative or holistic therapies. It will benefit you greatly. Don’t be too rigid in sticking to your normal health or exercise routines. It’s time to shake things up, try things you wouldn’t normally try and step outside your comfort zone.
Use tarot for reflection only; it does not replace medical advice, diagnosis, or care.
The Hierophant reversed tarot card in spiritual context can be a sign that you need to let go of traditional beliefs that no longer serve you. Explore different spiritual paths and find what works for you. Remember that you don’t have to adhere to “traditional” religious beliefs to be a spiritual person. It can also be an indicator of a person who is respected or in a position of authority being caught up in a scandal or disgraced in some way.
Cards in conversation
Together, The Hierophant and The Fool blend the lesson of the hierophant with the energy of the fool. This pairing asks you to read the cards as a relationship between the central theme and the fool stands at the edge of a cliff, knapsack over his shoulder, gazing upward with youthful abandon.
Together, The Hierophant and The Magician blend the lesson of the hierophant with the energy of the magician. This pairing asks you to read the cards as a relationship between the central theme and the magician stands before a table bearing all four suit symbols — wand, cup, sword, and pentacle — one hand raised to the heavens and one pointing...
Together, The Hierophant and The High Priestess blend the lesson of the hierophant with the energy of the high priestess. This pairing asks you to read the cards as a relationship between the central theme and the high priestess sits between two pillars — boaz and jachin — at the threshold of the sacred temple.
Clarify the card
The Hierophant is the card of traditional values and institutions. The Hierophant can represent a counsellor or mentor who will provide you with wisdom and guidance or a spiritual or religious advisor such as a priest, vicar, preacher, imam, rabbi or a monk. Alternatively, you may be dealing with someone who is very set in their ways. The institutions The Hierophant Tarot card can represent include economic, religious, political, social, family, educational, social welfare and medical. Its appearance can signify that now is a time to conform to convention or tradition. It’s not a time to rock the boat. It can also be an indicator that you will take part in some sort of traditional ceremony or that you may start creating some new traditions or rituals of your own.
When The Hierophant Tarot appears reversed it is time to break with convention. You will want to change traditional structure, social norms and rigid rules. Those close to you may not understand this need to challenge the established way of doing things and may be completely against it but with this Major Arcana card appearing in your Tarot reading you will feel compelled to think for yourself and throw away the rule book. The Hierophant reversed can signify an unconventional way of living or an alternative lifestyle. Alternatively, it may indicate that you are clinging desperately to old ways to your detriment or it may indicate that you have feelings of guilt and shame associated with behaving in a way that goes against the values you were raised with. Learning to live by your own rules, while still listening to your own conscience, will bring you freedom from oppression. It will open your mind and expand your horizons in a positive way. The Hierophant reversed can also be an indicator of conflict with a person in a position of authority.
For those in relationships, The Hierophant is the marriage and commitment card of the Major Arcana. You can expect your relationship to become more committed and begin moving towards new relationship milestones when this card appears. It indicates that you and your partner share the same values and goals, a very good card to get if a committed relationship is what you want. If you are single, this card signifies a new relationship on the horizon which will be built on commitment, love and security.
This is a good time to get involved in group or team projects career wise. You should do what’s expected of you and avoid unconventional methods at work and you will be successful. The Hierophant is a signifier for sharing knowledge so you may find you get a teacher or mentor who will help you along your career path. Alternatively, you may also become a mentor or trainer of others. Also, now is a good time to take up study in an established educational institution. Financially, this is good time to get involved low risk, conventional investment opportunities. You should stick to conventional methods of managing your money. If you need financial advice use traditional financial institutions.
The The Hierophant is best read by context in yes or no questions. Upright, it points toward Traditional institutions, Traditional values, Conventional, Conformity. Reversed, it suggests Challenging tradition, Unconventional lifestyles, Unconventional relationships, Reversed roles.
Put this symbol in context
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