The Hierophant is the masculine equal to the High Priestess. He is also known as the Pope or the Teacher in other Tarot decks and is ruled by Taurus. The Hierophant is a religious figure sitting between two pillars of a sacred temple. He wears red, blue and white robes and a three-tiered crown, both symbolizing the three worlds over which he rules (the conscious, subconscious and super-conscious). In his left hand, he holds the Papal Cross, a triple scepter that signifies his religious status. He raises his right hand, with two fingers pointing towards Heaven and two towards Earth. Before him kneel two followers. The crossed keys at the Hierophant’s feet represent the equivalence between the conscious and subconscious minds and the unlocking of secrets, which only he can guide.

Upright
Spiritual wisdom, religious beliefs, conformity, tradition,institutions
Reversed
Personal beliefs, freedom, challenging the status quo
Astrology
Taurus
Element
Earth
The Hierophant

Upright Hierophant

The Hierophant card is often associated with religion and other formal theories and signifies an established collection of spiritual beliefs. Before you can discover and build your own spiritual experience and make your own decisions (as associated with the next card, the Lovers), the Hierophant encourages you to learn the fundamental principles from trusted sources.

Work with a teacher, mentor, or guide who nourishes your spiritual consciousness and helps you access the Divine by learning the traditions and core principles. Also you may be taking on the role of teacher to others. In this position, you honour and recognize your responsibility to share your knowledge in a structured way.

The Hierophant‘s appearance hints that you are following customs and staying within the bounds of a ‘tried and tested’ pattern. You are not yet willing to go out or offer any innovative ideas. Instead, you rely on the key principles and rules that you know will take you to a successful result.

The Hierophant may call you to acknowledge your family traditions or sacred rituals that is forgotten. You are being asked to commit to spiritual tradition in its most complete form – no customisation, no adaptation, no bending the rules. Sometimes, in love reading this card can also indicate commitment or marriage.

The Hierophant Tarot card often speaks to group membership or being part of an organization. You may enjoy a deep sense of comfort being surrounded by people who have well-established belief systems and specific preferences. 

Reversed Hierophant

The reversed Hierophant hints you that you are your own teacher. All the wisdom you seek arises from within – not from external world. You are being led to follow your own path and start your own spiritual joruney rather than blindly following others’. You will learn to trust your inner voice and step into your inner knowledge over time. Others may question your urges to go against tradition, but you will know that now is the time.

You see alternative methods of seeing the world and are ready to test and evaluate the very ideas and theories you were taught were the ‘truth’. You no longer follow the crowd and accept the firm structures, tradition and dogma around you; instead, you seek out opportunities to reclaim personal power. If you feel restricted or constrained, now is the time to make your own rules and get back your sense of freedom.

The Hierophant reversed is like a rebellious and revolutionary teenager who begins to question society. There may be a conflict with a parent or authoritative figure.