The Hierophant

In this article, you will learn everything you need to know about The Hierophant Tarot Archetype.

The Hierophant Tarot Card Meaning

Part of the tarot archetypes, The Hierophant is the fifth trump card in most traditional Tarot decks (sometimes named The Pope).

Checkout this detailed breakdown of the meaning of The Hierophant tarot card.

Upright Meanings

The card of traditional values and institutions, the Hierophant represents counsellors or mentors who will provide wisdom and guidance. It also represents a spiritual or religious advisor (e.g. priest, vicar, imam, rabbi).

The card can also signify someone stubbornly set in their ways. The Hierophant can represent economic, religious, political, social, family, educational, social welfare and medical institutions. Its appearance can mean that it is time to embrace conformity, convention or tradition rather than being rebellious.

It can also signify the recipient will soon participate in a traditional ceremony or create their own traditions/rituals.

As a very spiritual card the Hierophant is the link between mankind and the Higher Power,meaning a spiritual advisor may soon enter the recipient’s world.

Whilst usually linked to traditional religions, it may mean non-traditional adherents may benefit from building ritual or ceremony into their practice.

​In relationships it is the marriage and commitment card, meaning the recipient’s relationship will become more deeply committed and achieve new milestones as the partners share the same goals and values.

For singletons the card means a new relationship is imminent which will embrace the values of love and commitment.

​The card signifies it is timely to become involved in career-based projects, as well as to avoid unconventional approaches at work in order to succeed.

The Hierophant is a signifier for sharing knowledge and as such indicates a career mentor may soon appear, or the recipient may become one for someone else.

It would be a good time to commence formal study or a low risk investment, using conventional methods of money management and advice from traditional financial organisations.

​Conventional medicine is likely the best solution for health problems at present. Taking up a daily exercise and health route would also be timely.

Reversed Meanings

The Hierophant reversed signals a need to break convention, including social norms, rules and traditional structures.

Others may not understand your motivations for doing so but you will feel compelled to, perhaps even embracing an unconventional or alternative lifestyle.

The card can also mean you need to stop holding onto the old ways, perhaps because of associated guilt and shame which prevent you from doing otherwise, and set your own rules for life using your own conscience.

This will open your mind and give you freedom. The Hierophant reversed can also indicate conflict with an authority figure.

The Hierophant reversed indicates the need to let go of traditional spiritual beliefs that do not work for you now, instead exploring new spiritual paths to discover what is right for you.

It can also indicate a respected person or authority figure being caught up in scandalous behaviour.

​The Hierophant reversed can represent an unconventional relationship, such as the choice not to marry or a reversal of traditional gender roles.

It can also indicate disagreement between partners about goals and values, which leads to conflict and relationship problems.

The resolution will be found in trying to understand the other’s perspective and finding compromise within your comfort zones.

The card signifies a boss, other authority or project team who forces conformity in others, causing the work environment to feel uncomfortable and restrictive.

It can also mean a mentor whose teachings you feel you need to challenge.

​The Hierophant reversed means it is timely to embrace alternative therapies or new health and exercise routines.

The Hierophant Keywords

  • Traditional institutions
  • Traditional values
  • Conventional
  • Conformity
  • Marriage
  • Commitment
  • Religion
  • Beliefs
  • Knowledge sharing
  • Challenging tradition
  • Unconventional lifestyles
  • Unconventional relationships
  • Reversed roles
  • Non-conformity

Learn About the Other Tarot Card Archetypes

The Major Arcana is made up of 22 cards (or trumps). Explore the other tarot archetypes here:

 

Discover Your Personality Type Today →