The Hierophant tarot card represents conventional society, authority figures, and doing things the “right” way. For people, especially the wild and unconventional rebels who follow the tarot’s path, this pushes buttons.
Traditionally, The Hierophant card shows a man in a crown and robe with a scepter. He’s not a king. It’s clear he’s a religious figure on a throne in front of two supplicants and with a set of crossed keys in between them.
The Hierophant is sometimes called “The Pope” card, which perfectly describes its role in the tarot. It’s the card of ceremony, convention, and religion. This card honors tradition and established rules.
This card can represent a teacher of divine wisdom or it can carry a lesson about your role in society.
The Hierophant also shows up when you are feeling the need for social approval and want to fit in. Not all established rules and traditions are bad and sometimes it’s better not to rock the boat. Especially when you’re sitting in it!
It’s natural to desire the acceptance and approval of the people you love. Being a member of a family, a community, and a society comes with certain (usually unstated) expectations and rules. This card represents those rules.
In a practical sense, this card could indicate a religious ceremony like a wedding or baptism.
Keywords for The Hierophant Tarot Card
- Conventional wisdom
- Society’s expectations
- Follow the traditional path
- A religious ceremony, like a wedding or baptism
Keywords for The Hierophant Reversed
- Nonconformist, rebel, outcast
- Problems with society or authority
- Question everything and be original
Patterns and Correspondences of The Hierophant Card
- Major Arcana = teachers and lessons along your life’s journey
- Zodiac sign = Taurus
Keep reading for sample tarot readings using The Hierophant card, but first…
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The Hierophant Tarot Card Meanings for Love
Since this card indicates a traditional religious ceremony, it’s a good indicator for a wedding. That doesn’t mean a happy marriage, of course, but it’s a start.
If you are looking for a traditional relationship, whatever that means for the society you live in, then this card is a positive sign.
If you are in or are looking for an unconventional relationship, things may get complicated. You or one (or all) of your partners may be worried about what other people will think or say about your choices. Be prepared for the fallout.
The Hierophant Tarot Card Meanings for Work
The Hierophant shows up as a reminder of the common good. Although following the rules may feel like servitude or captivity, right now it’s best to follow society’s conventional path.
No matter how you feel about it, everyone has a need for social approval and is concerned with how they fit into their world.
Use The Hierophant to guide you toward a path you are comfortable with, within the system.
If you are looking for a mentor to guide you professionally, approach someone you look up to. Ask them for advice about a small and actionable problem in your life and then take their advice. Follow up to share your results and your sincere gratitude.
The Hierophant Tarot Card Meanings for Health
If you’ve been struggling with your health or fitness, ask a wise teacher for help. A doctor, healer, or trainer may have solutions to the problems you are facing.
This means doing all of your annual checkups and following the boring-but-effective advice you know works.
The Hierophant leans toward conventional wisdom, so if you usually turn to alternative medicine or solutions, this is the time to get the opinion of someone more conventional. It’s best to follow the established rules for now.
The Hierophant Tarot Card Meanings for Money and Finances
Learn from other people’s mistakes when it comes to managing your money and don’t take risks on the unknown. Read boring financial books with rich white dudes on the cover and follow their stodgy-but-effective advice. (Try Tony Robbins, Ray Dalio, and Warren Buffet to start).
It’s best, at this time, to follow the established rules of money. Spend less than you earn, save for a rainy day, and make wise decisions with your resources.
Beware the need for social approval, however! Especially if it means trying to “keep up with the Jones.”
The Jones are deeply in debt, miserably anxious when bills come, and are looking enviously at you!
Think long and hard about how you really feel about money. So much of our conditioning comes from societal beliefs we may not actually agree with.
For example, if you believe the rich are all greedy and the poor are more generous and noble, where does your belief come from? How does it influence your actions?
And taking this further: Who benefits when you struggle with money or feel investing is too complicated? Who benefits when you (and people like you) stay poor, powerless, and without influence?
Our money and how we choose to earn it, spend it, save it, invest it, and give it away is one way we vote on what we want to exist in the world. Make your vote count by earning, spending, saving, investing, and giving as much as you can in ways aligned with your values.
The Hierophant Tarot Card Meanings for Spiritual Guidance
This card indicates the arrival or presence of a strong spiritual guide in your life, particularly if you’re on a spiritual quest that includes religion in the traditional sense.
At the heart of every religious tradition is an understanding of unconditional love and how that love is always stronger than fear.
There is much to be learned from other religious and spiritual beliefs. This would be a good time to explore one (or more or all) of them deeply.
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