The Hierophant
The Hierophant represents institutions—religion, government, and society—that impose expectations, limitations, and a drive to homogenize. It symbolizes tradition, orthodoxy, structure, hierarchy, and the necessity of meeting obligations, while also highlighting the tension between conformity and individual passions. Reversed, the card signifies breaking from convention, subversive action, revolution, or the exposure of corrupt authority, and it encourages new approaches and escaping routine. Magickally, it is invoked to bring order, stability, marriage, or to symbolize oaths and societal structure, while reversed it can be used to break pacts and transform or overthrow existing power structures.
Keywords
Card Title
5. The Hierophant
Description
Representing society, religion, government, and other institutions that take it as their business to impose expectations and place limitations on those around them, the Hierophant is the archetypal emblem of the power structure and the urge to control and homogenize. While the Emperor exhibits the wild nature that roars within us all, the Hierophant is the ultimate symbol of civilization and social boundary. While it's often necessary to do things within the parameters of tradition and convention and to meet everyday obligations without fuss or resentment, it's equally necessary to dance to the beat of one's own drummer, to try new things and pursue passions, desires, and ambitions regardless of what religion, society, or anyone else has to say about it.
Divinatory Meanings
The yoke of the world; convention; orthodoxy; tradition; organized religion; societal pressures and expectations; a fear of the subversive; marriage; an oath or other binding contract or obligation; a religious figure who lacks true spirituality; an authority; doing something just for show; doing what's expected; structure and hierarchy; obstacles and bureaucracy; an ordination; routine; being in a rut.
Reversed
A break from convention; doing something unexpected or out of character; subversive action; a subculture; a revolution; an idea or practice is looked at negatively by mainstream society; an oath is broken; a divorce; overcoming routine and fear; a new approach should be employed to achieve a goal; a corrupt figure of authority.
Magickal Uses
Good for spells intended to bring order, balance, stability, or normality. It can be used to represent a marriage, and it can also be employed in ritual to represent an oath or to symbolize the structure of society. Reversed, it can be used to break pacts, overthrow the current power structure, transform society, or encourage risk-taking and spontaneity.
Visual Description
A robed, mitred figure sits on a stone throne beneath a triangular eye emblem with the letters B A B above it. The figure holds a white book marked with a red cross in the left hand and a whip-like cord in the right, while two naked kneeling figures — one greenish and clutching a crescent behind her back, the other reddish and bowed — crouch at the base of the throne. Rectangular citylike blocks form a grey skyline behind them, and a banner at the foot reads '5 • Hierophant.'
Modern Spellcasters tarot
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