The Hierophant Tarot Card Meaning

The 5th tarot card in the deck portrays the Hierophant, sitting on a throne between the pillars of a temple. The Hierophant is dressed in the robe of a priest, wearing a crown on his head. In one hand, he holds a scepter—an attribute of power and authority—and raises the other in a gesture of blessing.

At the Hierophant's feet, in a respectful pose, are his disciples, as well as keys symbolizing the secret knowledge he is ready to impart to his flock.

The tarot card Hierophant in the upright position suggests that your adherence to certain rituals and laws will make your life more organized, stable, and happy. Perhaps it's high time for you to formalize your relationship with your chosen one, take professional development courses, aim for a promotion, or sign up for a fitness program. If the Hierophant card appears, now is the time to do it!

Another meaning of this tarot card is closely linked to teaching and mentorship. Either you will find a wise and experienced person in your environment whose advice you will heed, or you will become a guru for others.

Another interpretation of the Hierophant tarot card implies that you do not put material values first and are willing to work for an idea if you enjoy the work and it brings you moral satisfaction.

Key Meanings of the Upright Hierophant Card

• A normative behavior model, impartial opinion, honesty, fight for justice.
• Strengthening of traditions, power, respect, responsibility.
• Stable relationships, lawful marriage, understanding, trust, morality.
• Guidance, assistance from the side, professional advice.
• Inspiration, pursuit of knowledge and truth, quest for the meaning of life.

The reversed Hierophant tarot card suggests that you are rebelling, not adhering to established rules, questioning someone's authoritative opinion, doubting traditional values. Conditions have changed, or you have undergone an internal transformation, and the old norms no longer suit you.

This is a breaking point when traditions crumble, laws change, and a decision about divorce is made. But maybe not everything is so drastic — you might just be tired of the burden of duty and responsibilities, and you've allowed yourself a little indulgence in the form of unplanned days off, deviating from your daily schedule. After all, everyone has the right to rest! In addition, the reversed Hierophant card can signify some barriers to conducting an important ritual — for instance, a wedding or a job interview.

To overcome the negative influence of the reversed Hierophant tarot card, you need to maintain a middle ground in life and relationships with others and avoid extremes. You should neither become a puppet nor ignore the opinions or advice of others! At the same time, the reversed Hierophant card can warn that people around you may currently give you false information or unknowingly use you in dishonest dealings.

Key Meanings of the Reversed Hierophant Card

• Intolerance, narrow-mindedness, stubbornness, imposing an opinion.
• Compromises, inability to defend your interests, impotence, lack of respect, spiritual slavery.
• Unconventional approach, violation of rules, original solutions, independence, renunciation.

Complete trust and sincerity reign in a relationship if you draw the upright Hierophant card. The partners are united by something greater than just attachment and passion - it's mutual plans, a common goal, and spiritual values. Likely, you have reached a certain line in your life, and it's time to make serious decisions.

The relationship is harmonious, there exists a close emotional connection between the lovers, where thoughts can be exchanged from a distance and understanding each other without words is possible. The partners have all the chances to create a marriage based on sincerity, love, and mutual responsibility.

In the reversed position, the meaning of the Hierophant changes to the opposite, indicating a mutual cooling of feelings when a relationship is maintained exclusively on a sense of duty and habit.

When Divining for a Suitor or Beloved

In divination for a suitor or partner, the upright card implies that your chosen one is inclined to follow the rules in love. Don't be surprised if he proposes after the first night or asks for your parents' blessing.

The reversed card suggests that in love, your chosen one is sometimes excessively conservative. This makes life with him too predictable and not always free, but very reliable and convenient.

In business readings, the Hierophant card signifies success in endeavors and material stability, provided one rigidly adheres to laws, social norms, plans, and professional instructions. Particularly favorable are teaching activities, work in the sphere of public service, jurisprudence, and military affairs.

This card promises gradual but steady income growth and positive changes in one's career. You can expect a calm, productive work environment, which will consequently yield favorable results.

When reversed, the meaning of the card changes to the opposite, indicating financial losses due to ill-considered actions, unlawful behavior, or dependence on the opinions of others.

When reading for an individual, the upright card is interpreted as a person who is intelligent, commands authority in the eyes of others, and structures their life according to clear rules and laws, although sometimes they yearn to break them!

In the reversed position, this card represents a highly independent and creative individual who, instead of conforming to rules, prefers unconventional approaches to solving any task—even if it means reinventing the wheel.

In its upright position, the card advises you to embark on a quest for your image, status, standing in society, and overall - your place in life.

Drawn in the reversed position in a reading, the card counsels you not to disregard discipline and to respect universally accepted rules. This will shield you from many troubles.

If the card appears upright, the forecast for your situation is favorable. As a result, you will attain your desires, strengthening your image, authority, and social standing.

In the reversed position, the forecast for your situation is not particularly favorable. Neglecting discipline and rules may hinder your progress.

With card 0, the Fool — Unformed principles, amorality, a position contrary to society.

With card 1, the Magician — Conviction in one's own righteousness, principle, advantageous position.

With card 2, the High Priestess — Skill enhancement, spiritual union, strengthening of faith.

In combination with card 3, the Empress — Religiousness, established beliefs, family expansion.

With card 4, the Emperor — Dominance of ideology, power of traditions, societal criticism.

With card 6, the Lovers — Ethical dilemma, secret love affair, union.

With card 7, the Chariot — Unconventional situation, change of lifestyle, business trip.

With card 8, Strength — Discipline, education through force, authoritative admirer.

With card 9, the Hermit — Self-reflection, reevaluation of goals, hidden fanaticism.

With card 10, the Wheel of Fortune — Profitable venture, successful job change, renewal of principles.

With card 11, Justice — Marriage contract, high position in government service, belief in justice.

With card 12, the Hanged Man — Conservatism in all aspects, rejection of the new, sacrifices for convictions.

With card 13, Death — Rebirth, second chance, losing faith in oneself and loved ones.

With card 14, Temperance — Fruitful conversation, meeting a good guy, surge of energy.

With card 15, the Devil — False guru, selfish action, criminal authority or community.

With card 16, the Tower — Official divorce, renunciation of property, bitter truth.

With card 17, the Star — Divine inspiration, special mission, opportunity for self-realization.

With card 18, the Moon — Fear of an authoritative figure, joining a sect, delusions.

With card 19, the Sun — Ideal family, mentorship and upbringing, having influence.

With card 20, Judgment — Spiritual strength of lineage, deep religiousness, coming to terms with the past.

With card 21, the World — Broadening horizons, tolerance, long pilgrimage.

With the Ace of Wands — A trip to the church, inspired work, an energetic leader.

With the Two of Wands — Internal contradictions, desire for change, disagreements based on beliefs.

In combination with the Three of Wands — Moving forward, open opportunity for development, wise transformations.

With the Four of Wands — Celebration of a wedding, harmony with a significant other, family connection.

With the Five of Wands — Strained relationships with parents, conflicts at work, ideological mismatch.

With the Six of Wands — Missionary work, charitable activities, promotion of personal convictions.

With the Seven of Wands — Unfriendly company, impulsive actions, a person in opposition.

With the Eight of Wands — Testing moral strength, sudden feeling, first love.

With the Nine of Wands — Reserved nature, adherence to principles at the expense of comfort, strict upbringing.

With the Ten of Wands — Professional misconduct, inability to trust, compromising information.

With the Page of Wands — New ideological trends, lively acquaintance, necessary changes.

With the Knight of Wands — Harsh measures, a dangerous individual, an attempt to conceal an unsightly truth.

With the Queen of Wands — Wise and active spouse, life experience, support from parents.

With the King of Wands — Strict boss, corporate spirit, a winning idea.

With the Ace of Swords — Award ceremony, official reception, honor and respect.

With the Two of Swords — Crisis of faith, lack of motivation, stagnation in affairs.

In combination with the Three of Swords — Upset wedding, serious quarrel, love disappointment.

With the Four of Swords — Presence at a funeral, powerlessness, the need to step aside.

With the Five of Swords — Being humiliated, losing an argument, making serious mistakes.

With the Six of Swords — Business trip, difficult mission, forced relocation, possibly related to divorce.

With the Seven of Swords — Stealing someone's idea, outsmarting a competitor, gaining advantage from a high position.

With the Eight of Swords — Ignorance, danger of losing authority, precarious situation.

With the Nine of Swords — Wrongful dismissal, moral suffering, forced decision.

With the Ten of Swords — Defending a thesis, ending a life stage, stifling morality.

With the Page of Swords — Serious rival, critical disagreements in marriage, an unfortunate decision.

With the Knight of Swords — Long-standing enmity, hatred, a desire to defend one's position.

With the Queen of Swords — Spouses with different interests, emotional starvation, insecurity.

With the King of Swords — Asceticism, controversial personality, a great orator who leads people.

With the Ace of Cups — Soul unity, intertwining destinies, harmonious relationships in marriage.

With the Two of Cups — Karmic connection, long-term partnership, trusting alliance.

In combination with the Three of Cups — Remembering youth, spiritual uplift, a second wind.

With the Four of Cups — Facing prudishness, public condemnation, hypocrisy.

With the Five of Cups — True understanding of things, realization of the falsehood of the path, disillusionment with religion.

With the Six of Cups — Reconnecting with a past love, childhood attachment, nostalgia.

With the Seven of Cups — Getting lost in illusions, playing with imagination, high hopes.

With the Eight of Cups — Ending a relationship with a lover, emotional exhaustion, self-flagellation.

With the Nine of Cups — Successful vindication, clearing of suspicion, emotional speech.

With the Ten of Cups — Birth of a child, virtue, integrity.

With the Page of Cups — Winning a competition, surpassing someone, fodder for gossip.

With the Knight of Cups — Test of strength, advantageous acquaintance, search for a mentor.

With the Queen of Cups — Virtuous woman, not a first marriage, maternal guidance.

With the King of Cups — Like-minded individual, successful partnership, skilled psychologist.

With the Ace of Pentacles — Self-sufficiency, alternative values, the righteous path.

With the Two of Pentacles — Intimate note, memento trinket, renunciation of the material world.

In combination with the Three of Pentacles — New hobby, additional activity, engaging in social work.

With the Four of Pentacles — Solitary existence, routine life, lack of means.

With the Five of Pentacles — Fickle or professional romance, impoverished fanatic, nagging individual.

With the Six of Pentacles — Giving or receiving advice, confession, realizing something important.

With the Seven of Pentacles — Having disciples, creating a philosophy, one's own methodology.

With the Eight of Pentacles — Self-improvement, government position, taking on an intern.

With the Nine of Pentacles — Secret love by agreement, stable budget, strong positions.

With the Ten of Pentacles — Loyal like-minded individuals, obedient heir, pious family.

With the Page of Pentacles — Famous admirer, son of a wealthy father, unequal relationship.

With the Knight of Pentacles — Substantial gain, successful planning, executing a lucrative deal.

With the Queen of Pentacles — Marriage for money, wealthy heiress, company merger.

With the King of Pentacles — Successful commerce, reliable partner, reputable company, government support.