As we continue the journey through the Major Arcana, we see The Fool arrive at The Hierophant, a figure that often evokes mixed feelings (and not just in how to pronounce it! For the record, it’s “High-ruh-fant.”) While The Hierophant is traditionally viewed and associated with religious authority and spiritual guidance, I prefer to explore this card through the lens of teaching and mentorship. Nevertheless, it is crucial to acknowledge the spiritual dimensions that enrich its meaning.
The Fool sits with others before The Hierophant in a state of learning. The knowledge that is offered reinforces societal placement through the understanding of social expectations, norms, and traditions. Of course, secular knowledge is also provided. (I like to think of the Hierophant as the period in life when The Fool was in school as a child.)
Life-Long Learning and Secular Growth
The Hierophant represents the archetype of the teacher, mentor, and guide. In this role, they emphasize the importance of lifelong education and the continuous pursuit of knowledge. Education, both formal and informal, is a fundamental aspect of personal growth and societal advancement. The Hierophant encourages us to seek wisdom for ourselves, question established norms, and remain open to new ideas. As we pursue knowledge, we inevitably encounter traditions that shape our learning experiences.
The Dual Nature of Tradition
Tradition, a core theme of The Hierophant (particularly of the religious sort), can be both a foundation of stability and a source of stagnation. Traditions handed down through generations provide a sense of identity, belonging, and continuity. They offer valuable lessons and preserve cultural heritage. However, not all traditions are beneficial; many perpetuate outdated beliefs, hinder progress, and reinforce harmful practices.
The Balance of Tradition and Innovation
I perceive The Hierophant as a card that invites us to critically evaluate the traditions we inherit and the things we are taught. It is essential to honor and respect the wisdom of our ancestors while remaining open to change and innovation. In our rapidly evolving world, balancing tradition with progress is crucial for personal and collective growth.
Learning to respectfully question generational truths can help build or reinforce your sense of self and build true conviction about your personal beliefs, not just what has been taught to you since you were a child.
The Hierophant’s Spiritual Dimension
While I tend to focus on the secular aspects of The Hierophant, it is impossible to ignore their spiritual significance. As a spiritual guide, The Hierophant represents the pursuit of higher truths and the exploration of our inner selves.
Spiritual (not necessarily religious) development is important for a number of reasons:
Helps us find inner peace and emotional resilience to help cope with stress and anxiety when life does what life does bestProvides a sense of purpose and meaning beyond the material aspects of our life, giving us insight into our place in the universe, our community, and humanity as a wholeProvides us with moral and ethical guidance when we have to navigate complex (and emotional) situations. This allows us to act with integrity and consistency.Aids us in personal growth and self-discovery through self-reflection and introspection (just like Tarot!)Helps us better understand our cultural and “community” identities by forging a sense of shared understanding and belonging
About The Hierophant
The Hierophant in the traditional Rider-Waite-Smith deck is depicted seated between two pillars, reminiscent of the High Priestess. However, unlike the introspective High Priestess, The Hierophant faces outward, symbolizing his role as an external authority and teacher. He wears elaborate robes adorned with religious symbols, signifying his connection to spiritual institutions and traditions.
In his right hand, The Hierophant holds a triple cross, representing his authority over religious matters and his role in interpreting sacred teachings. His left hand is raised in a gesture of blessing, symbolizing the transmission of spiritual wisdom. At his feet are two acolytes, representing the students or followers who seek his guidance.
Between the two acolytes are two gold keys. These keys are often interpreted as showing The Hieorphant’s spiritual and earthly authority, presenting them as a leader who guides in both spiritual and practical matters.
The Hierophant in Modern Decks
There are thousands of different representations of The Hierophant in Tarot. Below are a few examples of The Hierophant from various decks and art that show the variety and vastness of creative freedom within the Tarot community.
The Journey Tarot: websitele TAROT des ANIMALERIES: websiteBard’s Arcana: The Tarot of Shakespeare: websiteBuffy the Vampire Slayer Tarot: amazonUniversal Folk Tarot: website | amazonLunar Intuitive Reading Deck: website
Symbolism in The Hierophant
The Pillars
The two gray pillars flanking The Hierophant are reminiscent of the pillars found in other Tarot cards like The High Priestess and Justice. These pillars can symbolize duality, balance, and the bridge between the spiritual and material worlds. They create a sacred space, suggesting the idea of entering a realm of higher wisdom and knowledge.
As parents, the pillars remind us to create a balanced environment for our children, integrating discipline with compassion. We are the gateway to their learning and growth, guiding them with both structure and flexibility.
The Triple Crown
The Hierophant’s crown, known as a papal tiara or triple crown, symbolizes their spiritual authority and their connection to divine wisdom. The three tiers of the crown may represent the three realms of existence: the physical, the mental, and the spiritual, indicating their dominion over these aspects of life.
The crown symbolizes the wisdom and authority parents hold. It reminds us that our role includes imparting moral and ethical values and nurturing our children’s spiritual and intellectual growth with integrity and fairness.
Red Rob and Underlying Vestments
The Hierophant wears elaborate red robes with white and gold vestments underneath. The red symbolizes power, passion, and authority, while the white represents purity, and the gold signifies spiritual wealth and enlightenment. Together, these garments emphasize his role as a spiritual leader and teacher who combines authority with purity and wisdom.
The robe reflects the visible power and passion we exhibit as parents. Our children observe our attitudes and behaviors. The underlying vestments remind us to balance our authority with purity of intention and to enrich our children’s lives with love and wisdom.
The Blue Neck Cover
The blue cover around The Hierophant’s neck is significant as the color blue represents calmness, wisdom, and communication, reinforcing The Hierophant’s role as a guide and teacher.
The blue neck cover signifies the importance of calm and clear communication in parenting. It encourages us to foster open dialogues with our children, providing them with wisdom and guidance in a calm and reassuring manner. It also reminds us to remain calm when sincere but challenging questions are asked.
Triple Cross Scepter
In their left hand, The Hierophant holds a scepter topped with a triple cross. This symbol, also known as the papal cross, is associated with the Pope and represents their religious authority. The three horizontal bars can be seen to symbolize the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit in Christian symbolism, or they can represent the realms of heaven, earth, and the underworld.
The scepter can symbolize the guidance we offer, emphasizing the importance of teaching our children about spirituality, ethics, and the value of higher principles. It encourages us to lead by example, showing them the path to inner wisdom and moral integrity.
Acolyte with the Red Roses (Left)
The acolyte on the left (from our perspective) has a robe adorned with red roses. Red roses traditionally symbolize passion, desire, and the physical aspects of life. This acolyte represents the material and earthly aspects of existence that are under The Hierophant’s guidance.
This acolyte represents our children’s earthly needs and passions. As parents, we should acknowledge and nurture their interests and healthy desires, helping them to channel their energy positively and productively.
Acolyte with the White Lilies
The acolyte on the right wears a robe decorated with white lilies. White lilies symbolize purity, innocence, and spiritual aspirations. This acolyte represents the spiritual and heavenly aspects of life, indicating the balance and integration of both the material and spiritual under The Hierophant’s guidance.
This acolyte reminds us of our children’s innocence and spiritual needs. We should support their spiritual growth and encourage their quest for purity and goodness, fostering an environment where they feel safe to explore their inner selves.
The Two Keys
Below the Hierophant, two crossed keys are depicted. These keys symbolize the keys to heaven, representing the idea that the Hierophant holds the knowledge and power to unlock spiritual mysteries and access divine wisdom. They also signify the balance and importance of maintaining dualities, such as conscious and unconscious, sacred and secular, or spiritual and earthly.
The keys remind us of our role in unlocking our children’s potential. By providing them with both practical and spiritual knowledge, we help them understand and navigate the world. The keys also symbolize the balance we must teach them between their rational mind and their intuitive, emotional self.
In embracing The Hierophant’s teachings, we learn to balance tradition with innovation, guide our children with wisdom and compassion, and seek both secular and spiritual growth. How will you apply The Hierophant’s lessons in your life?
