5 - The Hierophant

Element: Earth

Astrological Correspondence: Taurus

Upright:

Piety
Conscience
Customs
Religious person
All exits are blocked
Block

Reversed:

Being old fashion
Rejection
Updating
Freedom
Accepting change
Adopting
Innovations
Reform
Movement
Expansion

THE HIEROPHANT: GUIDANCE AND TRADITION

The Hierophant card portrays two individuals seated in a sacred church setting, with the Hierophant positioned between two pillars, both of which are white. At the Hierophant's feet, crossed keys signify authority and knowledge, while he holds a staff with three lines in his left hand and raises his right hand upward.

Encountering Divine Rules

Our protagonist encounters a place of religious rules for the first time on their journey, meeting with a figure who teaches and advises on right and wrong, ethical standards. This place is where religion, life advice, and societal values are taught. The Hierophant serves as the instructor, communicator, and speaker of these rules. Like the Magician, he reflects the energy he receives from the subconscious and spiritual realm through his body. However, while the Magician transfers this energy from the spiritual realm to the physical realm, the Hierophant reflects this energy back to the community and individuals. He is instructive, advisory, and enlightening. Therefore, there is also the possibility that this card refers to education or religious activities.

Embracing Tradition and the Past

The Hierophant is a card that is backward-looking and attached to traditions. Instead of being innovative and inventive, he is the advocate of tried and tested methods and teachings passed down from father to son. He has respect for the past and everything that has come from it. Additionally, this card is associated with belief systems and religious gatherings and studies. There is a possibility that someone who sees this card may participate in a religious activity. The Hierophant sometimes represents advice from a counselor or expert or motivation from an individual who inspires us.

Resisting Change and Stagnation

The Hierophant is also a card that appears when we are deeply entrenched in the past and sometimes do not allow new things to enter our lives because of it. Sometimes, without even realizing it, we hold onto the old so tightly that we do not allow new things to enter our lives. The crossed keys at the feet of the Hierophant are indicators of blocked paths and dead-end streets due to this attachment to the past. There is nothing that will not become obsolete or outmoded. When we see this card, it is to our advantage to remove from our lives whatever old methods or ways of thinking have become outdated. It must always be remembered that innovation will only occur in our lives when we give up what we used to do.

Contrast with the High Priestess

Unlike the columns on which the High Priestess sits, both columns in the Hierophant card are white. While the High Priestess sits between opposites, this situation has changed in the Hierophant card. While the High Priestess supports change and fluctuation between opposites, the Hierophant is more inclined to remain stable and resistant to change, not supporting change. For the Hierophant, there is only one color, only one way, and that is his own way. He is not open to change. Therefore, the Hierophant is also a card that is extremely opposed to reform or radical changes. The Hierophant card can also indicate how an old-fashioned individual who opposes life can complicate our lives. The crossed keys at the Hierophant's feet can also indicate a person who has closed themselves off from even listening to these innovations. Techniques or methods that were tried and very successful in the past may fail when tried today because the world we live in is rapidly changing, and everything is renewing.

Reversed Hierophant Meaning: Embracing the New

When the Hierophant appears reversed, it signifies challenges in adapting to the new due to lingering negative energy from the past, entrenched thought patterns, or habits. It suggests that the person may find it difficult to embrace the present and future due to rigid adherence to outdated work methods. When this card is reversed, it encourages exploring new methods because nothing remains static, and sometimes, embracing change and updates is the only path forward. Letting go of traditions and opening up to diverse perspectives can offer solutions to prevailing issues.

The reversed Hierophant may also denote a clash between traditional and innovative mindsets within a relationship. It might suggest the presence of a conservative partner who seeks to exert control. Furthermore, it underscores that one's control over life could remain limited when the reversed Hierophant appears. An excessive focus on the past may obstruct progress towards the future. It's essential to remember that a driver constantly looking in the rearview mirror might miss what lies ahead.

The Hierophant in Love: Deepening Connection

In matters of love, the Hierophant card signifies a stage where a relationship deepens. It might imply that it's time to bring the relationship into the public eye, involve families, or even contemplate marriage for some. Occasionally, the Hierophant advises a shift in perspective within the relationship. This card suggests that problems in one's love life could find resolution by altering one's viewpoint on events.

Conversely, when the reversed Hierophant appears in love readings, it highlights issues stemming from the relationship's past. These issues could relate to one partner's history or past problems that continue to impact the present. If the past, or past mistakes, cannot be forgiven and still hinder the relationship's progress, seeking professional help may be beneficial.

The Hierophant in Career: Adapting to Change

In the realm of career, when the Hierophant card appears, it may indicate a phase where minor obstacles arise in one's professional journey. However, these challenges might result from an unwillingness to change one's perspective or an inability to implement necessary reforms. The Hierophant underscores the importance of change and different viewpoints in the professional sphere.

If the Hierophant card appears reversed in the career sector, it advises discarding old methods and embracing the new. When this card appears, it implies that it's time to let go of tried-and-tested approaches and experiment with fresh strategies. It's essential to recognize that persisting with old methods will yield the same outcomes as in the past. Nothing remains immune to obsolescence, including the techniques and practices employed in our professional lives.

The Hierophant in Finances: Embracing Innovation

In financial matters, the reversed Hierophant card may indicate stagnation or unfavorable outcomes. This card is linked to attachment to the past, suggesting that past endeavors may yield results when this card is drawn. It may also imply that previously effective ways of earning money have become less productive. The crossed keys on the card symbolize the closure of certain financial paths or business ventures. When this card appears, it suggests that changing one's perspective is the initial step in altering one's financial situation. Embracing innovation or implementing significant reforms can open new avenues.

In financial sectors, the reversed Hierophant suggests limitations and a reduction in options. The individual represented by this card may attempt to introduce different perspectives but might encounter obstacles, possibly from higher authorities, impacting their financial situation. The reversed Hierophant indicates a significant hurdle to achieving improved earnings, and until this barrier is removed, there may be no change in the financial situation.

Comments:

Please remember that Tarot card interpretations can be highly personal and situational. The context of the reading and the reader's intuition play a significant role in understanding the full meaning of a card. These interpretations serve as a general guideline but should be adapted to your specific circumstances and feelings.