Tarot cards are not just a way to look into our future and get the answers to the questions that have been bothering us. They also provide spiritual guidance, regardless of our beliefs and core values. While many consider tarot superstitious and even anti-religious, that’s not the case—as a matter of fact, many tarot cards are closely connected to religious figures and contain symbols from various religious books.
One such card is the Hierophant card, a fifth Major Arcana card representing social norms. Regardless of your stance on certain social norms, you can’t deny that you respect many of them daily, so let’s see what this card represents for you and how it can help you on your spiritual path!
The Hierophant Tarot Keywords
Upright card (keywords)
Education, Learning, Marriage, Religion, Seeking counsel or advice, Spiritual guidance, Tradition
Reversed card (keywords)
Abuse of position, Breakdown, Poor counsel, Rejection of family values
The Hierophant Tarot Card Description
As mentioned, this is the fifth card of the Rider-Waite tarot deck, one of the 22 Major Arcana cards. This is a very interesting card because it contains many religious symbols and references to organized religion and Christianity in particular.
The most prominent part of this card is a religious figure dressed in a red robe (a symbol of power). His right hand is raised, with his two fingers pointing upwards, a common sign of blessing. In his left hand, the Hierophant holds a Papal Cross (with the horizontal bars representing the Father, the Holy Ghost, and the Son). On his head, he wears a triple crown with three nails on its top, representing Jesus’ crucifixion.
At the Hierophant’s feet, you can see the keys to Heaven. Two male figures resembling tonsured priests stand beneath the Hierophant’s feet, showing their respect and dedication.
The Hierophant Upright Meaning
The upright Hierophant meaning is all about protecting the status quo. It represents the position of authority that should be respected and followed, such as a religious hierarchy. This card symbolizes tradition, social norms, and an orthodox approach to life and its significant decisions. It is also the card of spiritual wisdom and spiritual knowledge, as well as the card of learning, personal growth, seeking counsel, and education.
Love Meaning
If you are interested in the future of your love life, the Hierophant is a good omen in a love reading. If you’re single or in a relationship but unmarried, this card means that you will get married in the not-so-distant future. Of course, this doesn’t have to be with your current partner, so don’t take it as a sign to rush certain things. For those already married, this card represents how stable and secure your marriage is—you and your spouse are committed to making it work, no matter your ups and downs.
Career Meaning
When it comes to your career, you probably dream of making your own rules and doing things your own way. There is nothing wrong with that, but take it easy. You can still benefit greatly from listening to the authority figures around you, such as your boss or a more experienced colleague. If they can share their knowledge, they can teach you more than you can imagine. You should pursue new work methods only when you gather enough knowledge and experience.
Finances Meaning
The Hierophant also represents institutions, including the financial institutions. If you see this card in your finances tarot reading, it reminds you to stay responsible with your money. Try not to exceed limits on your cards and pay your loans regularly. You should also consider setting up a savings account—regularly putting money aside will create an emergency fund or go towards a better future for you and your loved ones.
The Hierophant Reversed Card Meaning
When you get a reversed Hierophant, it symbolizes the rejection of family traditions and traditional institutions. It can also represent the abuse of authority, as well as the oppression of demographic and social groups. However, the reversed Hierophant isn’t always necessarily bad—it can also symbolize new traditions and different ways to do certain things. While it can symbolize the breakdown of old social structures, it can also represent the chance to build new ones.
Love Meaning
A reversed Hierophant is often a symbol of unconventional relationships. There might be an age gap, or you may live in different worlds due to your different cultural backgrounds or religious beliefs. That doesn’t mean your relationship is doomed to fail, but it undoubtedly needs compromise on both sides, more so than other relationships require.
So, ask yourself: are you willing to make significant lifestyle changes to make your relationship work? Would you be okay with letting go of some parts of yourself? For example, could you let go of any specific personal beliefs that clash with your partner’s, or what else could you try to bridge these gaps and achieve a harmonious relationship? These aren’t easy questions to ask yourself, but you should answer them before your relationship progresses, especially before you have children together.
Career Meaning
You are likely experiencing some stress and anxiety in your work environment. Your boss might be too demanding, or you may feel peer pressure from your colleagues.
Someone is taking advantage of your hard work, and you should fight against it. You can openly discuss your dissatisfaction or use unconventional methods to convey your message. Of course, you should still put in effort and do your work diligently, but don’t do what’s supposed to be other people’s work.
Finances Meaning
You may not have been very prudent with your finances lately. Don’t worry; it’s not the end of the world, but it is a warning that you should do something about this situation. Reduce your spending before spending more than you earn becomes your habit—otherwise, you will get into debt, which will continue to grow.
Other Cards With The Hierophant Card
As usual, the exact meaning of any tarot card is also influenced by other cards in tarot spreads. Nothing in this universe exists in a vacuum. Even the tiniest particle interacts with the universe around it, and such is the case with tarot cards. There is a spectrum of meaning in tarot, and the correct meaning for you will depend on the interaction between different cards in your spread. Look below at some interesting interactions the Hierophant has with other cards.
The Hierophant and The Wheel of Fortune
Are you dreaming of making some significant changes in your life? You probably feel tired of always following the rules, doing as you’ve been told, and never trying to do something your way. Fortunately, the Hierophant and the Wheel of Fortune are a powerful card duo representing some significant changes coming your way.
You will soon be released from the bonds holding you back, whether from a stressful job, an unhappy relationship, or a marriage. You may finally gather the courage to cut off some toxic family members. Whatever form it takes, it will be a freeing experience for you.
The Hierophant and The High Priestess
While the Hierophant is the Major Arcana tarot card that traditionally represents power and knowledge, the High Priestess represents those same concepts in a magical and mysterious way. The Hierophant is about following the rules, while the High Priestess is about following your own rules. Seeing those two cards together is a reminder that you should find a balance between following social norms and making your own traditions.
The Hierophant and The Lovers
If you get the Lovers card together with the Hierophant, it is a good sign. However, it also reminds you that your relationship will likely only succeed if you and your partner have shared values—otherwise, no matter how much you try to ignore your differences, they will continue haunting you. Obviously, you can’t find someone with exactly the same opinions and morals as you, but you should at least agree on the most important things, such as marriage and having kids.
The Hierophant and The Emperor
Both the Hierophant and the Emperor are symbols of power, authority, and structured systems, and together, they remind you not to step too far away from such systems. Are you having some trouble with the law? The point of this tarot guide is not to tell you how to live your life, but we urge you to rethink your choices—it’s never too late to get your life together.
The Hierophant and The Chariot
There is a new and exciting journey ahead of you, as represented by the Chariot card. You are determined and eager to succeed in your endeavors, but don’t try to accomplish your goals at any cost. There are certain rules you shouldn’t break, and the Hierophant card reminds you of that.
The Hierophant Card and Its Astrological Sign
This card is deeply connected to the Taurus Zodiac sign. Both the Hierophant and the Taurus symbolize stability and practicality. People born under the Taurus are reliable and patient and enjoy rules and routines, making them deeply connected to the Hierophant.
Conclusion
Now that you know what Hierophant means, it can be your guide when you can’t decide whether to follow or break the rules. Remember, the existing social norms, rules, and traditions were established for a reason, and you shouldn’t completely abandon them. However, you should also establish your own rules and traditions—otherwise, you will never live your life as a free individual.
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