THE HIEROPHANT

"The Intellectual Tradition"

Rider Waite Tarot

Pamela Coleman Smith

1909

Earth – Taurus

- upright -

· Church & Doctrine

· Orthodoxy

· Conformity & Obedience

· Tradition

· Conventionality

· Belief

· Knowledge & Education

· Teamwork & Mentor

· Dogma & Strict Regimen

· Conservatism

· Spiritual Love

· Institutionalism

· Intellectual Tradition

· Unorthodoxy

· Original Ideas

· Rebellion

· Unconventional

· Non-Conformity

· New Methods

· Gullibility

· Ignorance

· Confined Environment

· Peer Pressure

· Taking Risks

· Value Not Aligned

- Reversed -

Earth – Taurus

Rider Waite Tarot

Pamela Coleman Smith

1909

- upright -

· Church & Doctrine

· Orthodoxy

· Conformity & Obedience

· Tradition

· Conventionality

· Belief

· Knowledge & Education

· Teamwork & Mentor

· Dogma & Strict Regimen

· Conservatism

· Spiritual Love

· Institutionalism

· Intellectual Tradition

- reversed -

· Unorthodoxy

· Original Ideas

· Rebellion

· Unconventional

· Non-Conformity

· New Methods

· Gullibility

· Ignorance

· Confined Environment

· Peer Pressure

· Taking Risks

· Value Not Aligned

Indication:

The search for the Self leads you into spiritual realms.
Be open to a meeting with a spiritual teacher or guide.
And it can be your own intuition and inner wisdom!

Question to Ask:

Is there any master of wisdom, past or present, to whom you feel attracted?
Are you open and receptive to the lessons and teachings that are present in your life?
Even when they appear in forms of difficulties, challenges, and sufferings?

Affirmation:

There is only one voice worth listening to, the voice of my own heart.

Indication, demonstration, instruction, law, symbolism, philosophy, and religion. Hieroglyph, THE POPE, or grand hierophant. He is the center of the quinary and represents the divine Pentagram, giving its complete meaning.

— ELIPHAS LEVI, The Doctrine and Ritual of Transcendental Magic (1856)

Amano Tarot

Yoshitaka Amano

2000

01. The Hierophant is the teacher and seer. He sees validity in knowledge and asks for an intimate understanding of both the outer world and the meditative subconscious. He symbolizes structure, institutions, and the core value of learning.

He adheres to doctrine and encourages decisive action only after deep thoughts, rational debate, and discussion with trusted mentors. He points to the importance of passing down wisdom, demanding that all masters become mentors.

He insists that all knowledge gained must be shared. He represents sacred rituals, established religious dogma, and adherence to long-standing traditions. The Hierophant is a sage, leader, and guru, providing clear and gentle guidance on the path to greater knowledge and deeper understanding.

02. The Hierophant signifies initiation into a doctrine, with a set of beliefs that one must learn and accept before one can gain entrance. Work with a teacher, mentor, or guide to teach you about spiritual values and beliefs in a structured way. He may be an authority or a kind and generous mentor who nurtures your spiritual awareness and helps you access the Divine by understanding the traditions and core principles.

You may also undertake a period of formal study as you delve into a subject that has been widely explored and documented.

If you have already mastered a particular field of study, you may be taking on the role of teacher and mentor to others. In this position, you honor and acknowledge your responsibility to share your knowledge in a structured way, one that respects age-old traditions.

The Muse Tarot

Chris-Anne

2020

Spolia Tarot

Jen May

2018

03. To see the Hierophant in a reading is to embrace the conventional, for it suggests that you have a certain desire to actually follow a process that has been well established.

It also suggests that you want to stay within certain conventional bounds of what could be considered an orthodox approach. So, instead of being innovative, you will be adapting to certain beliefs and systems that are already put in place and existing.

04. The Hierophant card represents an established set of spiritual values and beliefs and is often correlated with religion and other formal doctrines.

Before you can discover your own belief systems and make your own choices, The Hierophant encourages you to learn the fundamental principles from a trusted source. This particular card is most commonly representative of institutions as well as their core values.

The Hierophant card suggests that it’s better for you to follow social structures that are established.

Knapp Hall Tarot

A. Knapp & Manly P. Hall

1929

Ethereal Visions Tarot Luna Edition

Matt Hughes

2022

05. The Hierophant may call you to honor family traditions or sacred rituals. You are being asked to commit to spiritual practice in its most wholesome form – no customization, no adaptation, no bending of the rules. Consider exploring your spiritual or religious heritage.

The Hierophant often speaks to group membership or being part of an institution. You may enjoy a deep sense of comfort in being surrounded by people who have well-established belief systems and explicit values. Finding them is significant, as identifying with others and a way of thinking will prompt further learning.

Visconti-Sforza Tarot

Bonifacio Bembo & Francesco Sforza

1463

Anima Mundi Tarot

Megan Wyreweden

2017

- Turn Around -

06. The Hierophant reversed can mean that you are feeling restricted and even constrained by too many structures and rules. As a result, you have lost quite a lot of control as well as flexibility in your life. You have a particularly strong will and desire to go ahead and regain control as well as to break free from the shackles of convention.

07. The Hierophant Reversed is also about challenging the status quo. You see alternative ways of viewing the world and are ready to try unorthodox approaches that defy social ties and norms. You no longer accept the rigid structures, tradition, and dogma surrounding you; instead, you seek out opportunities to rebel and reclaim your personal power.

08. In its most positive sense, the Hierophant Reversed suggests you no longer need external approval to succeed.

He reminds you that you are your own teacher – all the wisdom you seek comes from within. You are ready to go in alone and do it your way, even if that means going against convention. You are being guided to follow your own path and adopt your own spiritual belief systems. Give yourself permission to trust your inner guidance system as you create your own path forward.