The Meanings of the 22 Major Arcana Tarot Cards – The Hierophant:
Introduction to The Hierophant
The Hierophant is Key 5 of the Major Arcana in the Tarot deck. It is the card of societal structure and organization. The Hierophant represents formal education and organized religion and is ruled by the zodiac sign of Taurus and the planet Venus.
In many Tarot decks or online spreads, the Hierophant is shown as a spiritual father blessing and inspiring his flock. Tonsured priests appear before the Hierophant to receive his blessings and as an acknowledgment of his authority and wisdom. He holds a staff topped with a triple cross in his left hand and lifts his right hand in benediction. In some Tarot decks, the Hierophant is shown seated on a bull as Taurus is the ruler of Key 5. The Hierophant is the male equivalent of the High Priestess, but while she is depicted as the keeper of arcane secrets, the Hierophant card stands for the handing down of established teachings.
The Hierophant in Tarot spreads indicates conventional adherence to established societal institutions. He is an adopted birth card of all teachers, advisers and traditionalists. The Hierophant is one of the birth cards for those born under the sign of Taurus and is the secondary birth card for Libras as they share the same ruling planet.
The Hierophant Upright
The Hierophant upright in a Tarot spread indicates conventional adherence to established forms of religion and philosophy. Tradition and orthodoxy are indicated whenever the Hierophant upright appears in a Tarot reading.
When the Hierophant is next to the Emperor in Major Arcana readings, there is an ongoing struggle between spiritual and materialistic and sexual desires. The outcome will be a victory for spiritual concerns if the Hierophant comes first, but materialistic wishes will prevail if the Emperor card is first. If the Hierophant card is before the Magician card in a Tarot reading, formal education will be applied and when the Hierophant follows the Magician in a spread, it indicates a career switch into higher indication to impart learned knowledge.
If the Hierophant is before the Lovers card in a Tarot reading, conventional wisdom will be an integral part in a decision, and if the Lovers card appears in readings before the Hierophant, a marriage is possible. If the Hierophant follows the Hermit card, the status quo will be followed for the time being. If the Hierophant is before the World card in Tarot readings, a tried and true path will lead to complete success, but if the World card is first, it can imply the successful completion of college or another formal educational program.
The Hierophant Reversed (RX)
The reversal of the Hierophant indicates some break with convention along with an illusion of being free. Often this Tarot card appears when there is too much emphasis on non-conformity. At times, the Hierophant reversed has the meaning that implies fanaticism at the personal level, as when the Hierophant reversed follows the Fool reversed.
If the Hierophant (rx) follows the Tower card in Major Arcana Tarot readings, permanent change will be enacted, but if the Hierophant reversed is before the Tower card, it has the meaning that there will a breakdown of society. If the Hierophant (rx) is before the Hermit card in Major Arcana Tarot spreads, a free, bohemian lifestyle is indicated but when the Hermit card appears first, it can indicate a spiritually-based retreat.
When the Hierophant reversed appears in a Tarot spread with the Emperor reversed, wealth will be lost through pride when the Hierophant card is first, but if the Emperor is first, wealth and power will be lost due to a lack of wisdom.
The Hierophant in Regards to Love, Sex and Relationships
The Hierophant suggests public approval of love and relationships. The appearance of the Hierophant card in a relationship reading can indicate an actual marriage ceremony or a public blessing of a union. Blending in and upholding traditional practices in love are suggested by the Hierophant. The Hierophant can also provide structure and order in love and romantic affairs.
