The Hierophant Tarot Card Meaning
The Emperor |
The Hierophant |
The Lovers |
General Meaning
The Tarot card 'The Hierophant,' numbered "5," symbolizes the journey of learning and discovering new things, as well as the importance of moral values, order, and law in your life. The Hierophant represents a masculine spiritual essence.
This card embodies the quest for higher truth, sudden insights, and adherence to accepted norms. The Hierophant is marked by an inner religiosity, ready to follow a mentor in pursuit of supreme wisdom or to become a teacher for others.
Card Motto
You came to Earth to learn and discover the truth.
by Marta Winter
Core Card Meanings The Hierophant
Description and Symbols of the Card The Hierophant
The 5th Tarot card, 'The Hierophant,' depicts a figure sitting on a throne between the columns of a temple. The Hierophant is dressed in a priestly robe, wearing a crown on his head. In one hand, he holds a scepter, symbolizing power and authority, while the other hand is raised in a gesture of blessing.
At the Hierophant's feet sit his students in a respectful pose, along with keys that symbolize the secret knowledge he is ready to share with his followers.
Meaning in Upright Position
The Tarot card 'The Hierophant' in an upright position signifies adherence to certain rituals and laws, bringing more order, stability, and happiness to your life. Perhaps it's time for you to formalize your relationship with your partner, enroll in a professional development course, seek a promotion at work, or join a fitness class. If 'The Hierophant' appears in your reading—it's the perfect moment to take action!
This card also highlights themes of learning and mentorship. You might encounter a wise and experienced individual whose advice you value, or you may become a mentor yourself, guiding others with your wisdom.
Another interpretation of 'The Hierophant' suggests that material wealth isn't your top priority. You're willing to work for something you believe in if it brings you personal fulfillment and satisfaction.
Key Meanings of The Upright Hierophant Card
- Normative behavior patterns, impartial opinions, honesty, and fighting for justice.
- Strengthening traditions, authority, respect, responsibility.
- Stable relationships, lawful marriage, understanding, trust, morality.
- Guidance, assistance from others, professional advice.
- Inspiration, pursuit of knowledge and truth, searching for life's meaning.
Reversed Position
The reversed Hierophant card in Tarot suggests that you might be rebelling, questioning established rules, or challenging someone's authoritative opinion. You may be doubting traditional values because circumstances have changed, or you've undergone an inner transformation that makes the old norms no longer fit.
This is a turning point where traditions may crumble, laws might change, or decisions like divorce are considered. But it doesn't always have to be drastic—you might just feel overwhelmed by duties and obligations and allow yourself a small break, like taking an unplanned day off from your usual routine. After all, everyone deserves a rest! Additionally, the reversed Hierophant can indicate obstacles in carrying out important rituals—like a wedding or an interview for a new job.
To overcome the negative influence of the reversed Hierophant card, aim for a balance in life and relationships without swinging to extremes. Don't become a puppet, but also don't ignore others' opinions or advice! At the same time, this reversed card warns that people around you might provide false information or manipulate you into dishonest dealings.
Key Meanings of the Reversed Hierophant Card
- Intolerance, narrow-mindedness, stubbornness, imposing opinions.
- Compromises, inability to stand up for oneself, powerlessness, lack of respect, spiritual enslavement.
- Unconventional approach, breaking rules, original solutions, independence, renunciation.
Meaning in Love Readings
When the upright Hierophant card appears, it symbolizes complete trust and sincerity in relationships. Partners are bonded by more than just affection and passion—they share joint plans, a common goal, and spiritual values. You may find yourself at a significant point in your life where it's time to make serious decisions.
Relationships are harmonious, with a deep emotional connection between lovers that allows them to communicate thoughts across distances and understand each other without words. There is great potential for creating a marriage based on honesty, love, and mutual responsibility.
In its reversed position, the meaning of the Hierophant shifts to the opposite, indicating a cooling of feelings where relationships survive solely on duty and habit.
In Readings About a Suitor or Loved One
When asking about a suitor or partner, an upright card indicates that your loved one values tradition in love. Don't be surprised if they propose after the first night together or seek your parents' blessing.
A reversed card suggests that in love, your chosen one can sometimes be overly conservative. While this might make life with them predictable and not always liberating, it also ensures it is reliable and comfortable.
Reading for Money, Career
In business readings, The Hierophant card signifies success and financial stability, provided you strictly adhere to laws, social norms, plans, and job instructions. Teaching, government service, law, and military careers will be particularly favorable.
This card promises not a rapid but a steady increase in income and positive career changes. You can expect calm, productive work that will lead to positive outcomes.
In a reversed position, the meaning of the card changes to indicate financial losses due to impulsive actions, illegal activities, or reliance on others' opinions.
Reading for a Person
When drawing the card upright for a person, it symbolizes someone wise, respected by those around them, and living life according to clear rules and principles—though they might occasionally feel tempted to break them!
In the reversed position, this card represents a highly independent and creative individual who chooses unconventional methods to tackle any challenge—going so far as to reinvent the wheel if necessary.
Reading for Advice
In an upright position, the card encourages you to explore your image, status, societal role, and overall - your place in life.
If the card appears reversed in a reading, it advises you not to overlook discipline and to respect common rules. This will protect you from many issues.
Reading for Outcome
If the card appears upright, it brings a positive forecast for your situation. This indicates that you'll achieve your goals, enhancing your image, authority, and status in society.
When the card is reversed, the forecast isn't as favorable. Neglecting discipline and rules might stand in the way of your progress.
Meanings In Combination with All Tarot Cards
Major Arcana Combinations
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.
Wands Suit Combinations
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.
Swords Suit Combinations
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.
The Hierophant and Swords Suit Combinations
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.
Pentacles Suit Combinations
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.
Example Interpretation In a Daily Spread
A Card Has Fallen for You The Hierophant? This Signifies:
Today is a day of organization and discipline. You won't even need to make a to-do list because you'll have a clear understanding of what needs to be done and in what order. Being late for work, breaking commonly accepted rules, or engaging in conflicts will be the last things on your mind today. The day inclines you to feel like an integral part of a collective, acting in its favor rather than against it. However, if you encounter challenging or unforeseen situations, the card of the day advises you not to experiment. Stick to simple, proven methods in solving any problems—they will be especially effective today.