In this chapter of the tarot course we will see The hierophant and its meanings. The hidden details for its interpretation in the tarot, its correspondence with numerology, the elements and kabbalistics.
What does The hierophant mean in the Tarot? What does The hierophant card mean in love, work, money or health? What is its spiritual meaning and what does it reveal to us? What does The hierophant card upside down or reversed mean?
The hierophant in the tarot
The hierophant is the 5th card in the tarot deck. He is also known as the priest, the high priest or the Hierophant.
The hierophant is a static major arcane with a broad but precise meaning. The hierophant in upright position is religion, group and social identification, conformity, tradition, beliefs. Inverted the card represents restriction, temptations held back, defiance of the established, the norms and the status quo.
Correspondences of the card:
- Kabbalistics associates this card with the element Air, the Hebrew letter Heth, and the number 5.
- Esotericism corresponds it with Taurus, with the planet Jupiter and with the winter season.
- In numerology it represents the number 5: It is the aspiration to knowledge, the path of wisdom. It is the sum of 2 + 3 (duality + harmony and balance of opposites).
Graphic description of the card
- The hierophant is a Major Arcana of great importance, also known as the High Priest, the Hierophant, Chiron or Shaman, and is the male counterpart of the High Priestess.
- The card is represented by a religious figure, seated within a formal church setting.
- He wears three elaborate vestments representing the three worlds. The crown she wears has three tiers.
- His right hand is raised in blessing, the same hand that the Magician raises, but while the Magician manifests on the material plane, the channel through which The hierophant conducts that power is through society (as in the world religions).
- The triple scepter is a symbol of his dominion over the three worlds. The crossed keys represent a balance between the conscious and subconscious mind and the power to unlock the mysteries of the unconscious.
- Two Initiates kneel before it. The task of the Hierophant is to bring the two initiates into the church so that they may assume their designated roles.
- This symbolizes entry into all types of institutions where there is a shared group identity, which could include schools, clubs, teams, companies and societies.
What does The hierophant mean in the Tarot?
The hierophant to the right, General Meaning: The High Priest has a lot to do with “doing the right thing.” You may be struggling with a problem and are unsure about what is “right” to resolve the situation.
While the right thing to do depends to some extent on our own moral, social and cultural values, which would mean that the answer you are looking for is always already known or within you.
There is a universal form of right and the appearance of this card would be indicating that regardless of what you believe, you must follow this universal right form.
The hierophant is a card of spiritual values that guides you to follow the norms already established, not to challenge the rules and indicates that for the time being perhaps group support and some ritualization in what you do would be good for you.
Your rituals are something to hold on to now, whether it’s going to mass or getting together on Saturdays with your girlfriends to watch a movie. This card usually indicates a favorable or positive outcome, and if negative, it will be unappealable. While it shows a good outcome, it also indicates that it will take great will and determination to achieve it.
The hierophant may represent you or someone else in a spread, but it certainly indicates that the person’s values are high and lofty. There is wisdom and great balance, as well as a cultivated intellect. This person is able to teach and advise with his or her ideas, which are always moral and have deep intellectual support.
The hierophant’s letter explaining a situation shows us that it is important, that it is serious, it shows us that the situation is stable and firm, very positive in the case of couples or business partners.
This situation will always be evaluated by putting the common good, the moral and social, the spiritual welfare before the material. This card can also augur the formation of a partnership, whether it is a business partnership, a marriage, a wedding and depending on the context, a birth.
Finally, the card indicates that you will always find a solution, because by your own means or with the help of others, you will find order even in the apparent chaos that exists.
It can also show us that what is developing or happening in your life is part of a destiny already written, it is something that was meant to happen even if you cannot yet understand the causes or the reasons.
What does The hierophant Card mean at work?
It is possible that a teacher or mentor of some kind that you have been needing is appearing in your life now… or that you yourself may be called upon to be that teacher or mentor for someone else.
This is a good time to get involved with groups, even if you don’t consider yourself a “group person”, you will find that you have a lot to learn from them in a very positive way.
Work should be going through a very good time thanks to this collaborative group attitude, the ability to organize and get results is powerful.
It is time to improve the treatment with others, always appealing to reflection and balance, to get results through that “unity is strength”, always promoting a calm attitude, which abides by the rules and regulations.
The treatment with bosses and co-workers, or subordinate personnel should be unique and individual, seeing the other as a person, as a complex universe in itself.
The card auspices excellent achievements for all that are partnerships or that depend on joint work.
What does The hierophant signify in love?
Romance is also likely to go very well when The hierophant appears, although in a rather traditional way, i.e., these energies will work best for you if you can behave as expected.
It also means putting yourself in the other person’s shoes. It is not the time to go against the current and against the established, so depending on the context it could indicate that it is not the time for a divorce, for example.
Or on the contrary, it could indicate a new union, wedding or marriage, the birth or adoption of a child. It will always be a protective, paternal or maternal love, depending on the case, and it could well indicate a relationship with an older, intellectual person, with a lot of acquired experience and a deep spiritual feeling.
What does the Letter of The hierophant mean in money and finances?
This is a time to play by the established rules and keep your feet on the ground, be guided by the normal and traditional ways of handling your money. Seek advice from specialists and professional money managers.
This is a good time for investments, as long as they are conservative and stable, play it safe. This is not a good time to take risks with money or go into “unusual” stocks, bonds, etc.
Investments considered risky, which are usually the ones that generate the most returns, should be avoided for the time being. There may be money coming in but it will always be in a traditional way, possibly the product of your own work and effort.
What does the Letter of The hierophant mean for health?
If you have some health problems, discipline, order and commitment will be essential to carry out the healing.
It is necessary to consult or be attended by specialists, so as far as possible you should look for the best there is in the field, an eminent figure to diagnose and treat your ailment correctly.
There may be problems with the cervical vertebrae, due to rigid postures, both physical and emotional.
What does The hierophant mean spiritually?
You are very concerned with spirituality now (even if you don’t have anything approaching a “traditional” religious belief). Take regular time, even if you don’t attend a church or religious temple, to calm yourself and allow your spirit to have this regular pause for contemplation, meditation or religious prayer.
It is very important that you find this oasis often to resolve your questions.
What does The hierophant upside down or reversed card mean?
The hierophant with the card reversed, General Meaning: The hierophant in inverted position signifies restraint, temptations held back, defiance of the established, the rules and the status quo. There is confusion about what is right and others may not quite understand you or why this rebellious, defiant, questioning attitude you have taken.
The general feeling you have is one of deep limitation in your life, whether imposed by general rules, work conditions, family or partner, and therefore you feel that you have given in and lost control.
This can be taken as a rebellious attitude of adolescence, but it is not necessarily so. Sometimes there are simply situations in life where you rethink things, this can happen sooner or later.
Whatever the moment with this card reversed, your attitude is one of rebellion and in some cases it can mean certain problems with the authorities, with a parental figure, against abusive working conditions or certain attitudes of a boss or supervisor.
In a certain context, if this figure does not represent you here but someone else, it is an indication that their power and the laws they establish are powerful and strong, and that you may have no choice but to accept the rules and follow under their command.
It may also indicate that you are under pressure from a group that you no longer identify with and you are beginning to question their true value or purpose.
What does The hierophant card reversed at work mean?
The hierophant indicates disagreement or disagreements with the work itself, with authorities, with co-workers, as well as with partners or advisors who may be working closely with you.
It invites to caution and to have some distrust, to take with pincers what is apparent because there may be things that you do not know behind.
What does The hierophant reversed in love mean?
Because of the rebellion and nonconformity that The hierophant in reverse represents, it speaks of a situation where there is tiredness and you may have the desire to get out of your usual routines and roles, either with minimal changes that alter that routine or with drastic changes such as a parallel relationship.
You are tired and are willing to make innovations that modify the situation, and although in principle this card encourages you to take action, you must be prudent, reflect and not let yourself be carried away purely by impulses.
Since The hierophant has a direct relationship with the traditional way of doing things and honoring established norms, if you push too hard you could make serious mistakes that lead to the end of the relationship.
What does The hierophant card invested in money and finances mean?
Thrift and prudence is the main message of this card. The hierophant reversed means that you are trying new things, taking risks and trying to go against the traditional and that this is possibly a mistake.
It is time to keep your feet on the ground, stick to the established, normal and traditional ways of handling your money. Seek advice from specialists or experienced people to advise you.
It is a good time for investments as long as they are conservative and stable. It is not a good time for risky investments, nor is it a good time to try your luck at gambling.
What does The hierophant card reversed mean for health?
The digestive system as a whole may present some problems and The hierophant is also indicative that it is not a good time to carry out a pregnancy.
As it is a card of questioning and rebellions, it suggests that you do not stay with the first diagnosis and seek more opinions, as well as try alternative non-traditional medicines, which in some cases can give you good results.
By pointing out disorders in the digestive system, you may have to make some changes in your eating habits, to gain health and wellness.
What does The hierophant reversed mean spiritually?
As with The hierophant upright, the indication here is that you should be a little more concerned about your spirituality now.
Since it is a phase of rebellion and opposition you may not be inclined to participate in groups, whether it be church or temple or any other spiritual activity involving people.
Nevertheless, you should make a place in regular time to dedicate to your spirit even in solitude, as this will make you reflect and put your feet on the ground to be able to rethink things objectively and calmly.
