The Hierophant
The Hierophant represents social conformity, tradition, and the passing of knowledge. It embodies the role of a teacher or mentor who conveys sacred wisdom and encourages adherence to established spiritual practices. In readings, it suggests the importance of education and the pursuit of truth, emphasizing that deep understanding often requires effort and dedication. Conversely, when inverted, it warns against inflexibility and those who misuse authority.
Keywords
Unlocking Understanding
The Hierophant card and I have a messy past. I used to dislike this card, solely because I didn’t understand it. Remember, I’m old. When I started reading, there was no Internet. I had one book, and it said something like, “The Hierophant is about social conformity and religion” … and? And I didn’t want to conform and was eyebrow-raisey about religion, so this card didn’t resonate with me at all. I would pull it for a reading and look at it, and then at my book, and then at my client … and I would be derailed. Damnit.
Personal Frustration
I took it very personally when a card didn’t resonate with me right away. What I didn’t know was that studying is the key. I would get frustrated and half-ass my way through the reading and get fussy because I thought it was a stupid card. It’s just like Eddie Murphy said about the moonwalk in Raw: “It’s the dumbest dance ever. ’Cause I can’t do it—that’s why I say it’s stupid.” Yup.
The Trickster Connection
Then, many moons later, I read something that likened the Hierophant to the trickster gods. What’s this? You don’t say? Coyote, Hermes, Jesus, Fox, Anansi, Loki—these are my boys. They take information that we can’t quite wrap our heads around and make it discernible. I like him a lot more now, all trappings aside. The Trickster is the messenger between the gods and man. Stealing fire, teaching us forbidden secrets, giving us an apple. The Hierophant is the go-between for the gods and man, just as Coyote stole fire. In order to make the unattainable ours, risks are taken. How does the conformity fit in with tricksters? I kind of see it as hard work. You’ve got to work to get the knowledge. Josep Sobrer called the Hierophant “He who shows the sacred” in The Book of Oracles, or A Poet’s Tarot. This dance between the profane and the sacred is the dance of the Hierophant.
Earning Knowledge
Tricksters never made anything easy. The Hierophant earned those robes and his followers. He’s got two people listening intently to him, but you know there are more in the background, learning. He has his hand raised in a blessing, and seems to have earned his big, huge crown. The important things in this card are the crossed keys at his feet. That’s what matters. You don’t just get them handed to you; you have to earn them. You don’t just get to assume you know everything, or Fox or Anansi will eat you for breakfast. You have to be cunning, clever, and fast. You have to work so you can get to the throne. So you can pick up the keys.
Roles and Responsibilities
In a reading, this card can have several meanings. The Hierophant is a teacher. He represents a group or class and is an authority. He has studied for a long time. He’s learned all that he can and is passing it on to others as his life’s work. He is all about tradition and using the old knowledge to teach the new generation. There is obviously a religious angle to this card as well. He takes information and passes it on. He’s an archivist and a librarian. Also, weirdly, this card comes up all the time for computer professionals. I didn’t get it at first, but think of what they do: they take massive amounts of data and make it make sense to us. Tricksy.
Call to Conform and Educate
The Hierophant can indicate the need to conform and educate yourself, or that you need to establish a spiritual tradition. I see it come up before kids go off to college or if someone has lost their focus at work and needs to pursue another degree or career. He comes to us as a means to an end—a pathway to gain the education that lets you live your most authentic life.
The Hierophant Inverted
Inverted, the Hierophant is any person who is right because they say so. Inflexible and unforgiving. The principal in the movie Matilda, Agatha Trunchbull, is a good example of this as she accuses Matilda of placing a newt in her water: “Besides, even if you didn’t do it, I’m going to punish you, because I’m big and you’re small, and I’m right and you’re wrong. And there’s nothing you can do about it. You’re a liar and a scoundrel! And your father’s a liar and a cheat! You’re the most corrupt lowlifes in the history of civilization! Am I wrong? I’m never wrong! In this classroom, in this school, I am God!”
Seeking the Truth
In a nutshell, I think that the key to the Hierophant is this: underneath all of those fripperies and layers is the Truth. You have to work to get to the Truth. You have to search to find the Keys—and then you open the door and there’s usually another door waiting for you. It’s never easy, and it’s always going to leave you with more questions than answers, which is the point, really.
Dark mansion tarot
💜 Please support creators. Buy official decks.
ℹ️ Disclaimer
All card images and descriptions are taken from public sources. They are used for review purposes only. All rights to these images and descriptions belong to their creators. If you believe there is a copyright infringement, please contact us at [email protected].